Occupational and Environmental Medicine (OEM)

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Objective--To determine whether patients suffering from Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome (MCS) show variations or abnormalities in immunologic parameters distinguishable from the results of similarly tested control subjects. Design---Case control comparison study.

Studies of work-related musculoskeletal diseases frequently rely on questionnaires for the assessment of physical exposures, yet the reliability and validity of these measures are often unknown. We studied the reliability and validity of a questionnaire which assessed occupational physical exposures to the back and lower extremities.

Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant drug commonly known on the street as crank, speed, ice, crystal or crystal meth. It is currently a popular and widespread amphetamine derivative that is illegally manufactured, distributed and abused, primarily in the Western United States.

Blood lead levels were drawn on 151 children ages nine months to six years living in Everett, Washington, in census tracts with over 50% of houses built before 1950. Parents filled out a questionnaire which asked about environmental and demographic characteristics which have been shown or postulated to correlate with children's blood leads.

A needs assessment survey was conducted in the Northwest United States (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Wyoming) via one page mailed questionnaire to describe perceptions regarding the levels of concern, specific concerns, sources of information, and frequency of concerns on children's environmental health.

Prior work by the Tulalip Natural Resource Department has documented on going fecal coliform counts in the Tulalip Bay that fluctuated during the wet and dry seasons. The contributing sources of fecal contamination have been unclear over the years; however many suspects have been identified. Among them are human, wildlife, waterfowl, and domestic animals.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is the ultimate environmental health hazard. It is odorless, colorless, and lacks warning properties other than the insidious onset of non-specific symptoms such as headache and nausea. Many survivors of CO exposure brushed off symptoms because they thought they were getting the flu.

The U.S. Army performed more than 1,575,000 examinations for medical fitness between 1995 and 2000 on individuals applying for enlisted active duty status and performed over 15,000 exams between 1999-2000 for individuals applying for active duty status as a commissioned officer.

Introduction: The development of an asthma-like condition characterized by episodic cough, dyspnea, chest tightness, and variable airflow obstruction has been described among workers in aluminum smelter potrooms. No specific etiologic agent has been identified and the pathophysiologic mechanisms involved remain poorly understood.

Ambient air pollution causes substantial environmental effects ranging from changes in air quality to changes in temperature. Over time, these effects have the potential to modify the way we function. Epidemiological studies on the effects of air pollution on healthy adult subjects suggest an association between exposure to ambient air pollution and heightened risk of chronic diseases.

Background: Mental Health Disorders (MHDs) are a major cause of disability, are prevalent in military populations, and are increasing in the US military under current combat operations.1,2 Combat trauma ranks among the top risk factors for developing MHDs.3-6 MHDs are a leading cause for decreased medical readiness and military attrition,7 and increase risk for a variety of behavioral, o

A growing number of women workers in the US and abroad regularly perfoRMS shift work. This warrants particular attention because of the growing body of evidence that shift work is associated with a number of adverse outcomes, including endocrine-related pathology such as diabetes, dysmenorrhea and breast cancer.