Database

This academic paper finds a power relationship between cumulative smoking and death from lung cancer. This is as expected. The form of relationship permits the calculation of the date when risk was doubled, which may be useful in ‘injury-in-fact’ arguments, and when risk was first detectable which may be useful in ‘de minimis’ arguments. Evidence from: N.Yamaguchi et al. International Journal of Epidemiology (Dec 2000) Vol. 29, p 963. Potential exposure to insurable outcomes can be estimated using functions of this sort. Radar report is available to subscribers: 1#1 6

Two academic papers report preliminary work on apparent changes to brain function when a person is experiencing chronic pain. Diagnoses included Fibromyalgia and low back pain. Evidence from: R.Kwaitek et al. Arthritis and Rheumatism (Dec 2000) Vol. 43 #12. and I.Grachev et al. Pain (2000) Vol. 89 #1 Dec 2000 p 7 – 18. Correction for traits, past history of injury events and reversibility would help establish causal direction. Radar report is available to subscribers: 1#1 5

This academic paper reports the annual frequency of newly diagnosed occupational asthma and provides the leading identified causes. It has become clear that a task focussed approach to prevention may be more successful than an industry focussed approach. Evidence from: JC McDonald et al, Occupational and Environmental Medicine (2000), Vol. 57 #12 p 823. Radar report is available to subscribers: 1#1 4

This academic paper provides tools for assessing the incidence of allergy in populations such as work groups.  It should also help identify people at risk of diagnosable occupational asthma. Evidence from: M.Ng et al. Clinical and Experimental Allergy (Oct 2000) Vol. 30. Radar report is available to subscribers: 1#1 3

This academic paper suggest that exposure to irritant pollutants is not associated with childhood asthma symptoms and diagnosis made by GPs. Evidence from: M.Ramadour et al. Allergy (2000). Vol.55 #12. Childhood asthma continues to increase in prevalence – cause unknown. Radar report is available to subscribers: 1#1 2

The draft ACoP records the state of knowledge in 2001. It lays emphasis on health surveillance where there is any suspicion of risk – in addition to compliance with official exposure controls. Early signs of sensitisation should be managed. The key distinction between ‘caused or made worse‘ and, ‘made more symptomatic‘ is recorded here. Evidence from: HSE CD 164 (2001) ‘An Approved Code of Practice for Occupational Asthma.’ Radar report is available to subscribers: 1#1 1