New thesis: Occupational exposure to particles in relation to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cardiovascular disease
Three questions to Karin Grahn, Unit of Occupational Medicine at the Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM)
What is the thesis about?
The thesis is about occupational particle exposure and the relation to COPD and cardiovascular diseases.
Can you tell us about some interesting results?
After adjusting for smoking, the risk of incident COPD differed between men and women. Men had higher risk if they were exposed to any type of inorganic, organic, and high levels to any combustion particles and welding fumes.
After adjusting for joint occupational exposures, smoking, bmi, and educational level, there were increased risks among workers exposed to different combustion compounds, gases, and metals, as well as to oil mist, benzene, gasoline, pulp or paper dust, and respirable dust. Effects were also seen for welding fumes and quartz dust. This was supported by an association between early biomarkers of CVD and particle exposure of respirable silica and respirable dust, even at levels below current occupational exposure limits.
What further research is needed in the area?
Research based on exposure measurments on women, and not only men, are important.
About the disseration
Time: 24 March, 9.00 a.m.
Location: Lecture hall Tor, Solnavägen 4
Principal Supervisor
Jenny Selander, Institute of environmental medicine, KI
Co-supervisors
Karin Broberg, Institute of environmental medicine, KI
Pernilla Wiebert, Institute of environmental medicine, KI
Per Gustavsson, Institute of environmental medicine, KI
Opponent
Lena Andersson, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University