Long-haul Drivers Research Articles

Особенности течения хронического неатрофического гастрита у водителей дальних рейсов = Features of chronic non-atrophic gastritis in long-haul drivers

Avramenko А А, Korolenko R N , Smolyakov S N. Особенности течения хронического неатрофического гастрита у водителей дальних рейсов = Features of chronic non-atrophic gastritis in long-haul drivers. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2015;5(2):79-86. ISSN 2391-8306 . DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.15572 http://ojs.ukw.edu.pl/index.php/johs/article/view/2015%3B5%282%29%3A79-86 https://pbn.nauka.gov.pl/works/540056 http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15572 F ormerly Journal of Health Sciences. ISSN 1429-9623 / 2300-665X. Archives 2011 – 2014 http://journal.rsw.edu.pl/index.php/JHS/issue/archive Deklaracja. Specyfika i zawartośc merytoryczna czasopisma nie ulega zmianie. Zgodnie z informacją MNiSW z dnia 2 czerwca 2014 r., ze w roku 2014 nie bedzie przeprowadzana ocena czasopism naukowych; czasopismo o zmienionym tytule otrzymuje tyle samo punktow co na wykazie czasopism naukowych z dnia 31 grudnia 2014 r. The journal has had 5 points in Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Poland parametric evaluation. Part B item 1089. (31.12.2014). © The Author (s) 2015; This article is published with open access at Licensee Open Journal Systems of Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland and Radom University in Radom, Poland Open Access. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper. Received : 20.10.2014. Revised 18.01.2015. Accepted : 25.01.2015. УДК 616.33-002-072:616.33-002.44 ОСОБЕННОСТИ ТЕЧЕНИЯ ХРОНИЧЕСКОГО НЕАТРОФИЧЕСКОГО ГАСТРИТА У ВОДИТЕЛЕЙ ДАЛЬНИХ РЕЙСОВ FEATURES OF CHRONIC NON-ATROPHIC GASTRITIS IN LONG-HAUL DRIVERS А.А. Авраменко *, Р.Н. Короленко **, С.Н. Смоляков *** АА Avramenko , RN KOROLENKO , SN Smolyakov Кафедра биологии человека и животных Николаевского национального университета им. В.А. Сухомлинского*, Центр прогрессивной медицины и реабилитации « Rea + Med », г. Николаев*; Отделение функциональной диагностики 4-ой горбольницы, г. Николаев** Областной онкологический диспансер, г. Николаев*** Abstract Was carried out comparative characteristics of these comprehensive survey of two groups of patients with chronic non-atrophic gastritis: Group 1 - 23 people in the profession truck drivers (freight), Group 2 - 26 people whose work is not connected with the movement of long distance. It was found that patients first non-atrophic gastritis chronic group proceeded significantly (p <0.05) with a higher degree of colonization of the gastric mucosa of H. pylori infection, 41.1% more cases were identified duodenal ulcer and 40.1 % more cases were identified gallbladder dyskinesia hypokinetic type of hypotonic compared with similar data obtained in patients in group 2. Key words: chronic non-atrophic gastritis, duodenal ulcer, gallbladder dyskinesia . Резюме ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ПЕРЕБІГУ ХРОНІЧНОГО НЕАТРОФІЧНОГО ГАСТРИТУ У ВОДІЇВ ДАЛЕКИХ РЕЙСІВ. Була проведена порівняльна характеристика даних комплексного обстеження двох груп пацієнтів з хронічним неатрофічним гастритом: 1-а група - 23 особи за професією «водій далеких рейсів» (перевезення вантажів), 2-а група - 26 осіб, робота яких не пов'язана з переміщенням на далекі відстані. Було з'ясовано, що у пацієнтів 1-ої групи хронічний неатрофічний гастрит протікав достовірно (р <0,05) при більш високому ступені обсіменіння слизової шлунка гелікобактерною інфекцією, на 41,1% більше було виявлено випадків виразкової хвороби дванадцятипалої кишки і на 40,1 % більше було виявлено випадків дискінезії жовчного міхура за гіпотонічним гіпокінетичним типом у порівнянні з аналогічними даними, отриманими у пацієнтів 2-ї групи. Ключові слова: хронічний неатрофічний гастрит, виразкова хвороба дванадцятипалої кишки, дискінезія жовчного міхура. Резюме Была проведена сравнительная характеристика данных комплексного обследования двух групп пациентов с хроническим неатрофическим гастритом: 1-я группа – 23 человека по профессии «водитель дальних рейсов» (перевозка грузов), 2-я группа – 26 человек, работа которых не связана с перемещением на дальние расстояния. Было выяснено, что у пациентов 1-ой группы хронический неатрофический гастрит протекал достоверно (р < 0,05) при более высокой степени обсеменения слизистой желудка хеликобактерной инфекцией, на 41,1 % больше было выявлено случаев язвенной болезни двенадцатиперстной кишки и на 40,1% больше было выявлено случаев дискинезии жёлчного пузыря по гипотоническому гипокинетическому типу по сравнению с аналогичными данными, полученными у пациентов 2-ой группы. Ключевые слова: хронический неатрофический гастрит, язвенная болезнь двенадцатиперстной кишки, дискинезия жёлчного пузыря.

National Survey of US Long-Haul Truck Driver Health and Injury

To compare selected health behaviors and body mass index (modifiable risk factors) of US long-haul truck drivers to the US working population by sex. The National Survey of US Long-Haul Truck Driver Health and Injury interviewed a nationally representative sample of long-haul truck drivers (n = 1265) at truck stops. Age-adjusted results were compared with national health surveys. Compared with US workers, drivers had significantly higher body mass index, current cigarette use, and pack-years of smoking; lower prevalence of annual influenza vaccination; and generally lower alcohol consumption. Physical activity level was low for most drivers, and 25% had never had their cholesterol levels tested. Working conditions common to long-haul trucking may create significant barriers to certain healthy behaviors; thus, transportation and health professionals should address the unique work environment when developing interventions for long-haul drivers.

Associations Between Heavy-Vehicle Driver Compensation Methods, Fatigue-Related Driving Behavior, and Sleepiness

Objective: There has been growing recognition that broader economic and organizational factors play a role in creating work environments that facilitate high-risk driving behavior. This study investigates the association between compensation methods for drivers, fatigue-related driving behavior, and sleepiness among Australian heavy-vehicle drivers. Specifically, we hypothesized that piece-rate compensation methods linked to performance outcomes would be associated with greater levels of fatigue-related driving behaviors and sleepiness.Methods: We examined data from a random sample of 346 long-haul heavy-vehicle drivers who had not been involved in a crash. A 40-min interview was conducted that elicited information regarding driver demographics, truck characteristics, and compensation arrangements. Specific details about drivers’ behavior on their most recent trip including load(s) carried, distances driven, hours driven, rest breaks, and hours of sleep on the previous night were taken. The interview also included a standardized assessment of sleepiness using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).Results: A multivariate analysis of covariance demonstrated a significant multivariate effect for compensation methods across the combined, fatigue-related driving behavior dependent variables, F (10, 676) = 2.80, p <.01. Between-subject effects demonstrated significant association between compensation methods and 4 of 5 fatigue-related variables under study, including kilometers driven per day, F (2, 340) = 7.75, p <.001, hours driven per day, F (2, 341) = 2.64, p <.05, total hours worked per week, F (2, 340) = 5.27, p <.01, and mean driving time between breaks, F (2, 341) = 4.45, p <.05. Post hoc tests revealed that piece-rate compensation methods were associated with higher levels of fatigue-related driving than non-piece-rate methods. Follow-up analysis also revealed higher caffeine and amphetamines use among piece-rate drivers for the purpose of staying awake while driving. Despite this, no association between compensation methods and sleepiness were revealed.Conclusions: Results confirmed that performance-based compensation methods are associated with work practices that may exacerbate driving behaviors associated with fatigue. Despite this finding, however, performance-based compensation methods were not associated with higher levels of sleepiness. This highlights the presence of potential differences in self-selection, operational, or fatigue management practices that may be common to drivers paid under various methods. Implications of these results for safety policy and future safety research within the heavy-vehicle industry are discussed.

High job strain is associated with inflammatory markers of disease in young long-haul bus drivers.

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease. The study was aimed to investigate the association between job strain and inflammation markers and to examine factors contributing to high strain. The long-haul bus drivers (n = 825) were recruited from a Taiwanese transportation company. The psychosocial work environment was measured by a validated job content questionnaire (JCQ). Plasma high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and homocysteine (Hcy) were analyzed as inflammation markers. Job strain effects and its interaction with age were analyzed by logistic regression. Explained variance (Nagelkerke R square) was applied to select important stressors. The crude and adjusted odds ratio (OR) for the effect of high strain on high hs-CRP and Hcy were not significant. However, there was significant interaction between job strain and age (p = .014). The significantly increased risk of high strain on high hs-CRP was found among drivers younger than 35 years old (OR = 2.71), but not in driver groups age 35 to 49 and older than 50. The contributing factors to high strain were varied among the 3 age groups. The 3 stressors found for young drivers were having rest time less than 8 hours between 2 shifts, being physically inactive during leisure time, and frequent driving more than 12 hours a day. Job strain interacted with age influenced hs-CRP levels. The risk of inflammatory disease markers only increased in high strained group of young drivers. Appropriate work shift systems should be implemented to increase off-duty time, reduce sleep restrictions, and increase physical activity during leisure time.

Evaluation of candidate measures for home-based screening of sleep disordered breathing in Taiwanese bus drivers.

Background: Sleepiness-at-the-wheel has been identified as a major cause of highway accidents. The aim of our study is identifying the candidate measures for home-based screening of sleep disordered breathing in Taiwanese bus drivers, instead of polysomnography. Methods: Overnight polysomnography accompanied with simultaneous measurements of alternative screening devices (pulse oximetry, ApneaLink, and Actigraphy), heart rate variability, wake-up systolic blood pressure and questionnaires were completed by 151 eligible participants who were long-haul bus drivers with a duty period of more than 12 h a day and duty shifting. Results: 63.6% of professional bus drivers were diagnosed as having sleep disordered breathing and had a higher body mass index, neck circumference, systolic blood pressure, arousal index and desaturation index than those professional bus drivers without evidence of sleep disordered breathing. Simple home-based candidate measures: (1) Pulse oximetry, oxygen-desaturation indices by ≥3% and 4% (r = 0.87∼0.92); (2) Pulse oximetry, pulse-rising indices by ≥7% and 8% from a baseline (r = 0.61∼0.89); and (3) ApneaLink airflow detection, apnea-hypopnea indices (r = 0.70∼0.70), based on recording-time or Actigraphy-corrected total sleep time were all significantly correlated with, and had high agreement with, corresponding polysomnographic apnea-hypopnea indices [(1) 94.5%∼96.6%, (2) 93.8%∼97.2%, (3) 91.1%∼91.3%, respectively]. Conversely, no validities of SDB screening were found in the multi-variables apnea prediction questionnaire, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, night-sleep heart rate variability, wake-up systolic blood pressure and anthropometric variables. Conclusions: The indices of pulse oximetry and apnea flow detection are eligible criteria for home-based screening of sleep disordered breathing, specifically for professional drivers.

A structural approach to address the healthy-worker survivor effect in occupational cohorts: an application in the trucking industry cohort

BackgroundOccupational cohort studies are often challenged by the Healthy Worker Survivor Effect, which may bias standard methods of analysis. G-estimation of structural failure time models is an approach for reducing...

P3.441 Access to Services For HIV Prevention in Men in Long-Distance Drivers Guatemala 2012 – 2013

Backgroundis key to HIV transmission, monitoring trends in groups of men from the general population, especially those whose mobility features and difficult access to sexual health services specialised transit routes...

Health survey of U.S. long-haul truck drivers: Work environment, physical health, and healthcare access

While trucking in industrialized nations is linked with driver health afflictions, the role of trucking in U.S. truckers' health remains largely unknown. This paper sheds light on links between the trucking work environment and drivers' physical health. Using a cross-sectional design, 316 truckers were enrolled in the Healthy Trucker Survey. Questions included work history, physical and mental health, and healthcare access. PASW 18 was used to examine patterns among factors. 316 truckers participated. Respondents were mainly full-time, long-haul drivers with over 5 years of experience, and who spent over 17 days on the road per month. While almost 75% described their health as good, 83.4% were overweight/obese, 57.9% had sleeping disturbances, 56.3% fatigue, 42.3% musculoskeletal disorders, and about 40% cardiovascular disease concerns. About 33% had no health insurance, 70% had no regular healthcare visits, 24.4% could not afford insurance, and 42.1% took over-the-counter drugs when sick, while 20.1% waited to reach home for medical care. Exercise facilities were unavailable in over 70% of trucking worksites and 70% of drivers did not exercise regularly. The trucking occupation places drivers at high risk for poor health outcomes. Prospective studies are needed to delve into how continued exposure to trucking influences the progression of disease burden.

Can postural control performance be an indicator of truck drivers’ sleep deprivation?

Long-haul drivers work in irregular schedules due to load delivery demands. In general, driving and sleeping occur at irregular times and, consequently, partial sleep deprivation and/or circadian misalignment may emerge and result in sleepiness at the wheel. In this way, the aim of this study was to verify changes in the postural control parameters of professional drivers after one-night working. Eight male truck drivers working at night – night drivers (ND) and nine day drivers (DD) volunteered to participate in this study. The night drivers’ postural stability was assessed immediately before and after an approximately 430 km journey by two identical force platforms at departure and arrival sites. The DD group was measured before and after a day's work. An interaction effect of time of day and type of shift in both conditions: eyes open (p < 0.01) and eyes closed (p < 0.001) for amplitude of mediolateral movements was observed. Postural stability, measured by force platform, is affected by a night of work, suggesting that it could be an effect of circadian and homeostatic influences over postural control.

Home away from home: meanings of the American truck stop

This paper explores the place attachments of long-haul truck drivers to the truck stop. The feelings and ideas truckers have about truck stops are based upon the function these businesses play in the truckers' mobile lifestyle and the social interactions that are performed within those spaces. Drivers' relationships to these stops also illustrate that modernity and the prevalence of homogenized places do not result in placelessness because feelings and perceptions about these places are based upon the role these businesses play in the everyday tasks of long-haul drivers.

Approximate Dynamic Programming Captures Fleet Operations for Schneider National

Schneider National needed a simulation model that would capture the dynamics of its fleet of over 6,000 long-haul drivers to determine where the company should hire new drivers, estimate the impact of changes in work rules, find the best way to manage Canadian drivers, and experiment with new ways to get drivers home. It needed a model that could perform as well as its experienced team of dispatchers and fleet managers. In developing our model, we had to simulate drivers and loads at a high level of detail, capturing both complex dynamics and multiple forms of uncertainty. We used approximate dynamic programming to produce realistic, high-quality decisions that capture the ability of dispatchers to anticipate the future impact of decisions. The resulting model closely calibrated against Schneider's historical performance, giving the company the confidence to base major policy decisions on studies performed using the model. These policy decisions helped Schneider to avoid costs of $30 million by identifying problems with a new driver-management policy, achieve annual savings of $5 million by identifying the best driver domiciles, reduce the number of late deliveries by more than 50 percent by analyzing service commitment policies, and save $3.8 million annually by reducing training expenses for new border-crossing regulations.

Fatores determinantes da atividade dos motoristas de caminhão e repercussões à saúde: um olhar a partir da análise coletiva do trabalho

Este estudo tem o intuito de caracterizar a atividade do motorista de caminhão quanto à demanda do trabalho e aos desafios impostos pela sua organização do trabalho. Foi utilizado o método da Análise Coletiva do Trabalho, que descreve a atividade a partir dos depoimentos dos trabalhadores durante reuniões com pesquisadores, com foco nos fatores que poderiam atuar como determinantes de acidentes e doenças relacionadas ao trabalho. Um total de 100 motoristas de duas empresas, submetidos a jornadas distintas de trabalho, participaram das reuniões. Os resultados revelaram que a falta de autonomia é uma das maiores queixas dos motoristas que trabalham no perímetro urbano durante o dia. Já o motorista que trabalha em horários irregulares e faz longas viagens trabalha sob tensão para cumprir os horários de entrega das mercadorias. O consumo de estimulantes constitui uma prática comum entre os motoristas decorrente das condições de trabalho, em especial a dificuldade de cumprir os horários e as longas jornadas, sendo parcialmente reconhecida por eles como um risco à saúde. Acrescem-se problemas relacionados à falta de segurança que atingem tanto os que atuam no perímetro urbano, como os que trabalham nas estradas. A análise da atividade destes motoristas revela uma realidade que merece intervenções voltadas para a melhoria de suas condições de trabalho, em especial no que se refere à regulamentação da jornada e à fiscalização de seu cumprimento, além de ações de promoção da saúde.

Sleep, ageing and night work

Studies have shown that the frequency or worsening of sleep disorders tends to increase with age and that the ability to perform circadian adjustments tends to decrease in individuals who work the night shift. This condition can cause consequences such as excessive sleepiness, which are often a factor in accidents that occur at work. The present study investigated the effects of age on the daytime and nighttime sleep patterns using polysomnography (PSG) of long-haul bus drivers working fixed night or day shifts. A total of 124 drivers, free of sleep disorders and grouped according to age (<45 years, N = 85, and > or =45 years, N = 39) and PSG timing (daytime (D) PSG, N = 60; nighttime (N) PSG, N = 64) participated in the study. We observed a significant effect of bedtime (D vs N) and found that the length of daytime sleep was shorter [D: <45 years (336.10 +/- 73.75 min) vs N: <45 years (398 +/- 78.79 min) and D: > or =45 years (346.57 +/- 43.17 min) vs N: > or =45 years (386.44 +/- 52.92 min); P < or = 0.05]. Daytime sleep was less efficient compared to nighttime sleep [D: <45 years (78.86 +/- 13.30%) vs N: <45 years (86.45 +/- 9.77%) and D: > or =45 years (79.89 +/- 9.45%) and N: > or =45 years (83.13 +/- 9.13%); P < or = 0.05]. An effect of age was observed for rapid eye movement sleep [D: <45 years (18.05 +/- 6.12%) vs D: > or =45 years (15.48 +/- 7.11%) and N: <45 years (23.88 +/- 6.75%) vs N: > or =45 years (20.77 +/- 5.64%); P < or = 0.05], which was greater in younger drivers. These findings are inconsistent with the notion that older night workers are more adversely affected than younger night workers by the challenge of attempting to rest during the day.

Fatigue factors affecting metropolitan bus drivers: A qualitative investigation

Metropolitan bus drivers daily face work in a stressful and draining work environment, exposing them to the serious risk of driver fatigue. However, there has been a dearth of information exploring the unique antecedents and effects of such fatigue. To date, much of the research into metropolitan bus drivers has been under the umbrella of large heavy vehicle driving studies, which include a disproportionally large population of long-haul drivers, who are likely to face a significantly different set of fatigue factors [1]. The present study aimed to investigate which work and environmental factors may cause fatigue in metropolitan bus drivers by seeking drivers' own perspectives on the issues. To this end, focus groups were held at five bus depots in Sydney and Newcastle, with an effort made to include a stratified sample of drivers at each. Each of the groups were invited to nominate what factors they felt were most salient, with a number of common factors emerging across the depots. Key themes identified were: support from management; ticketing and related issues; interaction with passengers; cabin ergonomics; tight route schedules; turn-around and shift irregularity; extended shift cycles; interactions with other road users; and extended commute times.

Psychometric Properties of a Modified Version of a Worksite Harassment Tool—Preliminary Findings

This study examined the psychometric properties of a modified version of a worksite harassment tool. Data were collected from 180 long-haul female drivers. Cronbach's alpha was used to assess internal consistency. Principal components analysis was used to investigate the tool's dimensionality, and correlation analysis was used to investigate construct validity. Cronbach's alpha for the tool was 0.88. Principal components analysis indicated the presence of two factors. Two items were eliminated due to low factor loadings. Cronbach's alpha for the short version (7 items) was 0.86. Higher abuse scores were associated with poorer health and greater levels of stress. The greater the level of abuse, the poorer the woman's ability to sleep. The 7-item version of the worksite harassment tool is valid and reliable, easy to understand, and written at a 7th grade reading level.

Psychometric Properties of a Modified Version of a Worksite Harassment Tool—Preliminary Findings

This study examined the psychometric properties of a modified version of a worksite harassment tool. Data were collected from 180 long-haul female drivers. Cronbach's alpha was used to assess internal consistency. Principal components analysis was used to investigate the tool's dimensionality, and correlation analysis was used to investigate construct validity. Cronbach's alpha for the tool was 0.88. Principal components analysis indicated the presence of two factors. Two items were eliminated due to low factor loadings. Cronbach's alpha for the short version (7 items) was 0.86. Higher abuse scores were associated with poorer health and greater levels of stress. The greater the level of abuse, the poorer the woman's ability to sleep. The 7-item version of the worksite harassment tool is valid and reliable, easy to understand, and written at a 7th grade reading level.

Locomotor diseases among male long-haul truck drivers and other professional drivers

High risks for locomotor diseases have been reported for bus and truck drivers in general; however, little is known about the specific risks of long-haul truck drivers. Standardised hospitalisation ratios (SHR) for different locomotor diseases of bus drivers, long-haul truck drivers and other truck drivers were compared with each other and with the general Danish working population. Intervertebral disc disorders were more common among professional drivers (SHR: 119, 95% CI: 114-125) and of similar magnitude for cervical and non-cervical disorders. Both long-haul truck drivers and bus drivers had higher SHR for intervertebral disc disorders (SHR: 133, 95% CI: 114-155/SHR: 141, 95% CI: 129-154, respectively) than other truck drivers (SHR: 109, 95% CI: 102-116). The SHR for carpal tunnel syndrome was high among long-haul drivers (SHR: 163, 95% CI: 101-249) and for other truck drivers (SHR: 130, 95% CI: 108-156) compared to bus drivers (SHR: 110, 95% CI: 79-149). All drivers had high SHR for lesions of the ulnar nerve (SHR: 159, 95% CI: 119-207), especially bus drivers (SHR: 197, 95% CI: 116-311). Long-haul truck drivers had high SHRs for synovitis and bursitis (SHR: 150, 95% CI: 105-207), in contrast to other truck drivers and bus drivers (SHR: 103, 95% CI: 89-120/SHR: 87, 95% CI: 66-112, respectively). All groups of professional drivers experience high risk of various disorders of the locomotor system but type of vehicle and specific working conditions are associated with different health effects on the locomotor system.

Driver distraction in long-haul truck drivers

Research on driver distraction has typically been conducted by means of epidemiology or experimental testing. The study presented here uses a naturalistic approach, where real-world driving data were collected from truck drivers as they worked their normal delivery runs. Crash, near-crash, and crash-relevant conflict data from 41 long-haul truck drivers, driving approximately 140,000 miles, were examined. Of the 2737 crashes, near-crashes, and crash-relevant conflicts (collectively termed “critical incidents”) that were recorded, 178 were attributed to “driver distraction”. The 178 distraction-related critical incidents were analyzed and 34 unique distraction types were identified. Results showed that a small number of long-haul drivers were involved in a disproportionate number of distraction-related critical incidents. For example, two of the drivers accounted for 43 of the 178 distraction incidents. Important insight was also gained into the relative safety impacts of different distracting agents and behaviors. The frequency and duration of a task, along with the visual demand associated with performing the task, were found to contribute in combination to the prevalence of critical incidents. Finally, it was found that simply because a task does not necessarily require visual attention does not mean that long-haul drivers will not look (sometimes often) away from the roadway. However, it is also clear that visually demanding tasks carry the highest degree of risk, relative to other categories of tasks.

THE ASSOCIATION OF LUNG CANCER MORTALITY WITH JOB TITLE AND WORK LOCATION IN UNIONIZED TRUCKING EMPLOYEES 1985–2000

ISEE-179 Introduction: Exposure to fine combustion particles has been associated with lung cancer mortality. Trucking industry workers are exposed to vehicle combustion products from diesel, gasoline and propane, in proportions depending on job title, work site, and calendar year of exposure. Methods: With the cooperation of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and four national trucking companies, work history information was obtained for 55,562 male trucking industry employees working in 1985 with a mean (sd) of 21 (9) years of employment through 2000. Using the National Death Index, 830 lung cancer deaths (96% of the total) were identified through 2000 among the 32,637 employees age 40 or older at baseline. Terminal size was defined by the population assigned to that freight terminal in 1985, and ranged from less than 44 employees (the lowest quartile) to more than 500 workers. Jobs in this industry are relatively stable, therefore occupational exposure was categorized based on job title in 1985. Results: Adjusting for age, race, years of work, company, and U.S. Census region (based on last residence), similar risks of lung cancer were observed for long haul drivers, dockworkers and shop workers. The lowest risks were observed for clerks. The highest risk was observed for workers whose duties included city driving, the relative risk (RR) compared to long-haul drivers was 1.16 (95% confidence intervals (CI)=0.96, 1.41). There was a trend of increasing risk in this group associated with employment at larger terminals, a possible marker of local traffic. At the largest terminals, the RR for city drivers compared to long-haul drivers was 1.49 95% (CI=1.01, 2.19). Relative risks also varied by Census region, mirroring differences in regional smoking rates, with risks highest in the Midwest. Conclusions: Lung cancer mortality was influenced by job title, terminal characteristics, and Census region. The highest risks were observed for drivers exposed to city traffic and freshly generated vehicle exhaust. Because cigarette smoking was not directly measured these results must be interpreted cautiously.

Increased plasma homocysteine levels in shift working bus drivers

Background: Previous studies have indicated an association between shift work and cardiovascular disease. There is also considerable epidemiological evidence that hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disorders. Aims:...