Use of a job-exposure matrix to assess occupational exposures in relation to birth defects.
Accurate exposure assessment remains a challenge in occupational epidemiology. We evaluated one approach, use of a job-exposure matrix (JEM), by applying the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) JEM to a large case-control birth defects study that included parental occupation information. We investigated the JEM exposure predictions in several ways and found that for a substantial proportion of the parents in the birth defects study, the JEM yielded either no exposure data or nonsense predictions. Among exposure predictions that were plausible, most were of low probability. The high probability exposure predictions were statistically unstable, and neither low nor high probability exposure predictions were reliable. There was considerable discrepancy between the JEM predictions and expert assessments for five exposures of interest. Application of the NIOSH JEM to the birth defects study database (and probably other databases as well) does not provide a useful means of assessing occupational exposures.
Slone Epidemiology Unit, School of Public Health, Boston University School of Medicine, Brookline, Mass., USA. clouik@slone.bu.edu
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C
Louik
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H
Frumkin
M J
MJ
Ellenbecker
R H
RH
Goldman
M M
MM
Werler
A A
AA
Mitchell
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005617:Chlorofluorocarbons, Methane / Q000009:adverse effects; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015588:Observer Variation; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D018812:Paternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011336:Probability; D019946:Propylene Glycol / Q000009:adverse effects; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D005617:Chlorofluorocarbons, Methane; D019946:Propylene Glycol; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; C007782:dichlorodifluoromethane