Posted on 12/06/2022 8:37:54 PM PST by ConservativeMind
Breathing in common workplace dusts and fumes from agents such as vapors, gases, and solvents may heighten the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, suggests research.
Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by the presence or absence of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies or ACPA for short. ACPA positivity denotes a worse prognosis with higher rates of erosive joint damage.
Nearly three-quarters of those with rheumatoid arthritis testing positive (73%) and negative (72%) for ACPA had been exposed to at least one workplace dust or fume, compared with around two-thirds (67%) of people in the comparison group.
Analysis of the data showed that exposure to workplace agents was not only associated with a heightened risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, but also seemed to boost that risk further by interacting with smoking and genetic susceptibility.
Exposure to any workplace agent was associated with a 25% heightened risk of developing ACPA-positive rheumatoid arthritis, overall. And this risk increased to 40% in men.
Specifically, 17 out of 32 agents—including quartz, asbestos, diesel fumes, gasoline fumes, carbon monoxide, and fungicides—were strongly associated with an increased risk of developing ACPA-positive disease. Only a few agents—quartz dust (silica), asbestos, and detergents—were strongly associated with ACPA-negative disease.
The risk increased in tandem with the number of agents and duration of exposure, with the strongest associations seen for exposures lasting around 8-15 years.
"Triple exposure"—to a workplace agent, combined with smoking and a high GRS—was associated with a very high risk of ACPA-positive disease, ranging from 16 to 68 times higher, compared with "triple non-exposure."
In particular, the risk of developing ACPA-positive rheumatoid arthritis for the triply-exposed was 45 times higher for gasoline engine exhaust fumes, 28 times for diesel exhaust, 68 times higher for insecticides and 32 times higher for quartz dust (silica). The corresponding range for ACPA-negative disease wasn't significant.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
The study was observational, but the incredible multiples, up to 68X over normal, would seem to be more likely “cause” identifying, in my humble opinion.
Remote work or lawsuits for everybody!...
My first job was in a place that was hot and humid and filled with solvents and cotton dust and that was in the winter. The summers were worst. Later I worked at an office and the colognes and perfumes and people not bathing were almost as bad....
I guess there are always exceptions and outliers. I know a guy that is nearing 70, if not already there that has been in the automotive body work and painting profession for over 40 years. I have known him for over 30 years. Not only has he been breathing in paint and body work dust all these years he smokes both right and left handed cigarettes everyday multiple times. He also likes beer and whiskey.
On the other hand I knew a lady that died from lung cancer in her 30’s that never smoked anything and never worked in an industrial setting.
Everyone is not dealt the same hand.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.