Geza Benke - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Geza Benke

Cancers, May 30, 2022

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Annals of Occupational Hygiene, Sep 4, 2015

Introduction The aims of this study were to produce a population-based estimate of the prevalence... more Introduction The aims of this study were to produce a population-based estimate of the prevalence of workrelated exposure to formaldehyde, to identify the main circumstances of exposure, and to describe the use of workplace control measures designed to decrease those exposures. Methods The analysis used data from the Australian Workplace Exposures Study, a nationwide telephone survey which investigated the current prevalence and exposure circumstances of work-related exposure to 38 known or suspected carcinogens, including formaldehyde, among Australian workers aged 18 to 65 years. Using the web-based tool OccIDEAS, semi-quantitative information was collected about exposures in the current job held by the respondent. Questions were addressed primarily at tasks undertaken rather than about self-reported exposures. Results 124 (2.5%) of the 4,993 included respondents were identified as probably being exposed to formaldehyde in the course of their work (extrapolated to 2.6% of the Australian working population-265,000 (95% confidence interval 221,000-316,000) workers). Most (87.1%) were male. About half worked in technical and trades occupations. In terms of industry, about half worked in the construction industry. The main circumstances of exposure were working with particle board or plywood typically through carpentry work, building maintenance or sanding prior to painting; with the more common of other exposures circumstances being fire fighters involved in fighting fires, fire overhaul and clean-up or back-burning; and health workers using formaldehyde when sterilizing equipment or in a pathology laboratory setting. The use of control measures was inconsistent. Conclusion Workers are exposed to formaldehyde in many different occupational circumstances. Information on the exposure circumstances can be used to support decisions on appropriate priorities for intervention and control of occupational exposure to formaldehyde, and estimates of burden of cancer arising from occupational exposure to formaldehyde.

Environmental Health, Jun 19, 2017

Background: Some previous studies have suggested an association between children's use of mobile ... more Background: Some previous studies have suggested an association between children's use of mobile phones (MPs)/cordless phones (CPs) and development of cognitive function. We evaluated possible longitudinal associations between the use of MPs and CPs in a cohort of primary school children and effects on their cognitive function. Methods: Data on children's socio-demographics, use of MPs and CPs, and cognitive function were collected at baseline (2010-2012) and follow-up (2012-2013). Cognitive outcomes were evaluated with the CogHealth™ test battery and Stroop Color-Word test. The change in the number of MP/CP voice calls weekly from baseline to follow-up was dichotomized: "an increase in calls" or a "decrease/no change in calls". Multiple linear regression analyses, adjusting for confounders and clustering by school, were performed to evaluate the associations between the change in cognitive outcomes and change in MP and CP exposures. Results: Of 412 children, a larger proportion of them used a CP (76% at baseline and follow-up), compared to a MP (31% at baseline and 43% at follow-up). Of 26 comparisons of changes in cognitive outcomes, four demonstrated significant associations. The increase in MP usage was associated with larger reduction in response time for response inhibition, smaller reduction in the number of total errors for spatial problem solving and larger increase in response time for a Stroop interference task. Except for the smaller reduction in detection task accuracy, the increase in CP usage had no effect on the changes in cognitive outcomes. Conclusion: Our study shows that a larger proportion of children used CPs compared to MPs. We found limited evidence that change in the use of MPs or CPs in primary school children was associated with change in cognitive function.

Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Nov 24, 2017

Several animal, fish and/or shellfish derived substances encountered in the workplace can initiat... more Several animal, fish and/or shellfish derived substances encountered in the workplace can initiate or exacerbate asthma. The aims of this study were: to produce a population-based estimate of the current prevalence of occupational exposure to animal, fish and/or shellfish derived asthmagens, to identify the main circumstances of exposures and to identify occupations with the highest proportions of exposed respondents. We used data from the Australian Work Exposure Study-Asthma, a national telephone survey that investigated the current prevalence of occupational exposure to asthmagens among Australian workers. A web-based tool was used to collect job task information and assign exposure to asthmagens, including animal, fish and/or shellfish derived asthmagens. Prevalence ratios to determine risk factors for exposure were estimated using modified Poisson regression. Of the 4878 respondents, 12.4% were exposed to asthmagens derived from animals, fish and/or shellfish. Exposure to these asthmagens was significantly higher in workers residing in regional and remote areas, compared with major cities. The main circumstance of exposure to animal derived asthmagens was through cleaning up rat/mice infestations, while the main circumstance of exposure to fish and/or shellfish derived asthmagens was through preparing and cooking salmon. Occupational groups with the highest proportion of exposure to animal or fish and/or shellfish derived asthmagens were farmers/animal workers and food workers, respectively. This is the first study investigating occupational exposure to animal, fish and/or shellfish derived asthmagens in a nationwide working population. The results of this study can be used to inform the direction of occupational interventions and policies to reduce work-related asthma.

Australian and New Zealand journal of public health, Apr 1, 2012

ccupational cancers represent a largely preventable group of diseases. In industrialised countrie... more ccupational cancers represent a largely preventable group of diseases. In industrialised countries, the average burden of occupational cancer has been estimated to be about 5%, ranging between 1% and 10%. 1 Cancers commonly attributed to occupational exposure to carcinogens include mesothelioma, nonmelanoma skin cancer and cancers of the lung, bladder, sinonasal cavity and larynx. 1,2 In some cancers, the burden from occupational exposure is unfavourably distributed among blue collar workers and could be much higher than 5%. A study of Swedish workers estimated that the burden of occupational-related lung cancer was 22% in white collar workers and 57% in blue collar workers. 3 Approximately 1.5 million Australian workers may be exposed to occupational carcinogens in their current job. 4 This estimate was produced by applying European Union (EU) exposure estimates to Australian employment data because there are no comprehensive data on occupational exposure to carcinogens or on occupational cancer in Australia. The absence of reliable data has meant there is little impetus or guidance for Australian policy makers and cancer organisations to direct attention and resources towards preventing exposures to carcinogens at work and consequent disease. 4 The first step in preventing occupational cancers is to identify the carcinogenic exposures that are present at work and the likely level (intensity and duration) of exposure to those carcinogens. Exposure to the carcinogens can then be minimised by implementing the hierarchy of control (elimination, substitution, separation,

BMC Pulmonary Medicine, Apr 9, 2016

Background: There is very little information available on a national level as to the number of pe... more Background: There is very little information available on a national level as to the number of people exposed to specific asthmagens in workplaces. Methods: We conducted a national telephone survey in Australia to investigate the prevalence of current occupational exposure to 277 asthmagens, assembled into 27 groups. Demographic and current job information were obtained. A web-based tool, OccIDEAS, was used to collect job task information and assign exposure to each asthmagen group. Results: In the Australian Workplace Exposure Study-Asthma (AWES-Asthma) we interviewed 4878 participants (2441 male and 2437 female). Exposure to at least one asthmagen was more common among men (47 %) than women (40 %). Extrapolated to the Australian population, approximately 2.8 million men and 1.7 million women were estimated to be exposed. Among men, the most common exposures were bioaerosols (29 %) and metals (27 %), whilst the most common exposures among women were latex (25 %) and industrial cleaning and sterilising agents (20 %). Conclusions: This study provides information about the prevalence of exposure to asthmagens in Australian workplaces which will be useful in setting priorities for control and prevention of occupational asthma.

Exposure to diesel engine exhaust (DEE) contributes appreciably to the burden of occupational can... more Exposure to diesel engine exhaust (DEE) contributes appreciably to the burden of occupational cancer. This study aims to estimate the potential impact of a range of interventions on the future burden of cancer from occupational exposure to DEE in Australia. The future excess fraction method, a novel method based on the lifetime risk approach, was used to model changes in the future burden of cancer among the Australian working age population exposed to DEE at work in 2012 under various intervention strategies. The interventions modeled were based on the widely accepted hierarchy of control model. At baseline, 600 (0.4%) future bladder and 4,450 (0.6%) future lung cancer cases over the lifetime of the cohort were estimated to be attributable to occupational exposure to DEE in those exposed in 2012. Up to 2,000 of these cases were estimated to be avoidable through the use of various interventions. Exhaust hoses (engineering controls) were estimated to be particularly effective. This study provides an indication of which intervention strategies may be most useful in reducing the future burden of cancer associated with occupational DEE exposure. These results show the potential effect of changing current exposure, rather than focusing on past exposures, and thus provide relevant information for policy planning.

Sensitivity Analysis - Bladder

Cancer Epidemiology, Oct 1, 2022

Blood, Nov 16, 2004

People with congenital or acquired immune deficiency have rates of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) tha... more People with congenital or acquired immune deficiency have rates of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that are raised 50 fold or more above population rates, but it is unknown whether risk of NHL is associated with other forms of immune dysregulation. We performed a population based case-control study of risk factors for NHL in adults aged 20–74 years in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Australia. We investigated the association of NHL risk with atopy, which is associated with a Th2 dominant immune response. In addition, we investigated the association of NHL with birth order and childhood crowding, which are known to predict atopy. Cases with NHL were selected from a cancer register (n=704), and controls (n=694) were randomly selected from state electoral rolls and frequency-matched to cases by age, sex and area. Cases with clinically apparent immune deficiency were excluded. Birth order, childhood crowding and history of atopic conditions (hayfever, asthma, eczema, and specific allergies) were assessed by questionnaire and by interview. Logistic regression models of NHL risk included the three matching variables as covariates. Being an only child or first born child of a larger family was strongly inversely associated with risk of NHL. Compared to a fourth or later born child, the odds ratios (OR) for development of NHL were 0.52 (95% CI 0.32–0.84) for an only child, 0.55 (95% CI 0.40–0.75) for a first-born child, and 0.70 (95% CI 0.51–0.96) and 0.81 (95 % CI 0.57–1.14) respectively for second and third born children (p trend…

American Journal of Industrial Medicine, Sep 17, 2020

Background: Information is scarce about the occupational health effects of exposure to alumina du... more Background: Information is scarce about the occupational health effects of exposure to alumina dust. This study examines the respiratory effects of inspirable alumina dust exposure in alumina refineries. Methods: An inception cohort study at three alumina refineries in Western Australia recruited 416 participants (351 males, 65 females) between 1995 and 2000 who were followed up annually until 2008 or until exit from study. At each health interview a respiratory questionnaire and lung function test was undertaken, measuring forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Participants provided job histories which were combined with air monitoring data to calculate cumulative exposure to inspirable alumina dust (mg/m 3-years). Generalized estimating equations with Poisson distribution and mixed effects models were used to examine the effects of alumina exposure. Results: The number of exposed participants was relatively small (n = 82, 19.7%). There was no association between alumina dust exposure and prevalence of cough, wheeze or rhinitis. No associations were found between measures of lung function and tertiles of alumina exposure in the first two follow-ups, or the whole follow-up period, though there was a suggestive dose-response trend across exposed groups for decline in absolute FEV 1 (p for trend = .06). For mean annual change in FEV 1 and FVC based on the first three follow-ups it was not possible to rule out an effect above a threshold level of exposure. Conclusion: There is no evidence of an association between exposure to alumina and the reporting of respiratory symptoms but some evidence for an effect on lung function.

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, Feb 1, 2003

Objectives: To determine whether exposure to five different occupational substances contributes t... more Objectives: To determine whether exposure to five different occupational substances contributes to respiratory symptoms in aluminium smelter workers. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 1,615 male employees of two Australian aluminium smelters was conducted in 1995. Subjects underwent spirometry and were asked about respiratory symptoms and the relationship of those symptoms to work. Their job histories were combined with a task exposure matrix to produce individual quantitative measures of cumulative exposure to fluoride, sulphur dioxide, inspirable dust, the benzene-soluble fraction of coal tar pitch volatiles (BSF), and oil mist. Results: After adjusting for smoking and age, we found that subjects with the highest cumulative exposure to fluoride (>0.16 mg/m 3 years) and inspirable dust (>2.9 mg/m 3 years) were two to four times more likely to report work-related wheeze and chest tightness than were unexposed subjects. Lower prevalence ratios for the same symptoms were seen with sulphur dioxide and BSF. Levels of lung function decreased slightly with exposure to oil mist, but not with cumulative exposure to other substances. Conclusions: This study suggests that the relevant causative agents for respiratory symptoms in aluminium smelters are fluoride and inspirable dust.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Jun 19, 2019

We aimed to determine whether history of asthma/allergies in childhood was associated with avoida... more We aimed to determine whether history of asthma/allergies in childhood was associated with avoidance of jobs with exposure to asthmagens in early adulthood. The Melbourne Atopic Cohort Study recruited 620 children at high risk of allergic diseases at birth (1990-1994). Asthma, hay fever and eczema were evaluated by questionnaires during childhood. A follow-up in early adulthood (mean age: 18 years) collected information on the current job. Occupational exposure to asthmagens/irritants was evaluated using a job-exposure matrix. The association between history of asthma/allergies in childhood and working in a job with exposure to asthmagens/irritants was evaluated by logistic regression, adjusted for age, sex and parental education. Among 363 participants followed-up until early adulthood, 17% worked in a job with exposure to asthmagens/irritants. History of asthma (35%) was not associated with working in an exposed job (adjusted OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 0.65-2.09). Subjects with history of hay fever (37%) and eczema (40%) were more likely to enter exposed jobs (significant for hay fever: 1.78, 1.00-3.17; but not eczema: 1.62, 0.91-2.87). In conclusion, young adults with history of allergies were more likely to enter exposed jobs, suggesting no avoidance of potentially hazardous exposures. Improved counselling against high risk jobs may be needed for young adults with these conditions.

Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Oct 24, 2022

Objectives Adverse occupational exposures can accelerate age-related lung function decline. Some ... more Objectives Adverse occupational exposures can accelerate age-related lung function decline. Some longitudinal population-based studies have investigated this association. This study aims to examine this association using findings reported by longitudinal population-based studies. Methods Ovid Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched using keywords and text words related to occupational exposures and lung function and 12 longitudinal population-based studies were identified using predefined inclusion criteria. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Lung function decline was defined as annual loss of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1), forced vital capacity (FVC) or the ratio (FEV 1 /FVC). Fixed and random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to calculate pooled estimates for ever and cumulative exposures. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I 2 test, and publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots. Results Ever exposures to gases/fumes, vapours, gases, dusts, fumes (VGDF) and aromatic solvents were significantly associated with FEV 1 decline in meta-analyses. Cumulative exposures for these three occupational agents observed a similar trend of FEV 1 decline. Ever exposures to fungicides and cumulative exposures to biological dust, fungicides and insecticides were associated with FEV 1 decline in fixed-effect models only. No statistically significant association was observed between mineral dust, herbicides and metals and FEV 1 decline in meta-analyses. Conclusion Pooled estimates from the longitudinal population-based studies have provided evidence that occupational exposures are associated with FEV 1 decline. Specific exposure control and respiratory health surveillance are required to protect the lung health of the workers.

Internal Medicine Journal, 2014

We employed an on-body calibrated personal distributed exposimeter to assess micro-environmental ... more We employed an on-body calibrated personal distributed exposimeter to assess micro-environmental personal exposure to mobile phone base stations GSM 900 MHz downlink in Australia and Belgium. The study revealed that the personal exposure levels measured in Australian microenvironments were generally lower than those in the Belgian microenvironments. The personal exposures across urban microenvironments were higher than those in the rural and suburban microenvironments. Likewise, the exposure levels across the outdoor microenvironments were much higher than those across the indoor microenvironments. A majority of the second measurements in the same site provided highly varied exposures.

Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sep 1, 2011

Australasian epidemiologist, 2001

Rural and Remote Health, Aug 27, 2018

INTRODUCTION Farmers experience a range of carcinogenic exposures, including some pesticides, fue... more INTRODUCTION Farmers experience a range of carcinogenic exposures, including some pesticides, fuels, engine exhausts, metals, some organic solvents, silica, wood dusts and solar radiation. However many studies investigating the risk of cancer in farmers focus on pesticide exposure alone. The aim of this study was to determine which carcinogens Australian farmers are exposed to, the prevalence and circumstances of those exposures, and the use of protective equipment. METHODS The study used data from the Australian Work Exposures Study (AWES) a cross-sectional study conducted in 2012 that investigated the prevalence of carcinogen exposure among Australian workers. This was supplemented with data from AWES-Western Australia (WA), conducted in 2013, which followed the same methodology but in Western Australian workers only. A total of 5498 Australian workers were interviewed about the tasks they carry out in their workplace. The 166 participants who worked in farming (126 men and 40 women, with an age range of 18-65 years) are the focus of this article. RESULTS On average, farmers had been exposed to five different carcinogens. Highest numbers of exposures occurred among men and those working on mixed crop and livestock farms. Solar radiation, diesel engine exhaust and certain solvents were the most prevalent exposures, each with over 85% of farmers exposed. The main tasks leading to exposure were working outdoors, using and repairing farming equipment and burning waste. Sun protection and closed cabs on machinery were the most frequently used forms of protection. CONCLUSIONS Farmers are a high risk group in relation to carcinogen exposure. The variation in tasks that they undertake results in exposure to a wide variety of different carcinogens that require similarly varied control measures.

Annals of Occupational Hygiene, Apr 3, 2015

Introduction: Occupational exposure data on asbestos are limited and poorly integrated in Austral... more Introduction: Occupational exposure data on asbestos are limited and poorly integrated in Australia so that estimates of disease risk and attribution of disease causation are usually calculated from data that are not specific for local conditions. Objective: To develop a job-exposure matrix (AsbJEM) to estimate occupational asbestos exposure levels in Australia, making optimal use of the available exposure data. Method: A dossier of all available exposure data in Australia and information on industry practices and controls was provided to an expert panel consisting of three local industrial hygienists with thorough knowledge of local and international work practices. The expert panel estimated asbestos exposures for combinations of occupation, industry and time period. Intensity and frequency grades were estimated to enable the calculation of annual exposure levels for each occupation-industry combination for each time period. Two indicators of asbestos exposure intensity (mode and peak) were used to account for different patterns of exposure between occupations. Additionally, the probable type of asbestos fibre was determined for each situation. Results: Asbestos exposures were estimated for 537 combinations of 224 occupations and 60 industries for four time periods (1943-66; 1967-86; 1987-2003; ≥2004). Workers in the asbestos manufacturing, shipyard and insulation industries were estimated to have had the highest average exposures. Up until 1986, 46 occupationindustry combinations were estimated to have had exposures exceeding the current Australian exposure standard of 0.1 f/ml. Over 90% of exposed occupations were considered to have had exposure to a mixture of asbestos varieties including crocidolite. Conclusion: The AsbJEM provides empirically-based quantified estimates of asbestos exposure levels for Australian jobs since 1943. This exposure assessment application will contribute to improved understanding and prediction of asbestosrelated diseases and attribution of disease causation.