Objectives:We conducted a population-based survey to examine gender differences in occupational exposure patterns and to investigate whether any observed differences are due to: a) gender differences in occupational distribution; and/or b) gender differences in tasks within occupations. Methods:Men and women aged 20-64 years were randomly selected from the Electoral Roll and invited to take part in a telephone interview, which collected information on selfreported occupational exposure to specific dusts and chemicals, physical exposures, and organisational factors. We used logistic regression to calculate prevalence odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) comparing the exposure prevalence of males (n=1,431) and females (n=1,572), adjusting for age. To investigate whether men and women in the same occupation were equally exposed, we also matched males to females on current occupation (5-digit code) (n=1,208) and conducted conditional logistic regression adjusting for age. Results:Overall, male workers were two to four times more likely to report exposure to dust and chemical substances, loud noise, irregular hours, night shifts, and vibrating tools. Women were 30% more likely to report repetitive tasks and working at high speed and more likely to report exposure to disinfectants, hair dyes, and textile dust. When men were compared with women with the same job title, gender differences were attenuated. However, males remained significantly more likely to report exposure to welding fumes, herbicides, wood dust, solvents, tools that vibrate, irregular hours, and night shift work. Women remained more likely to report repetitive tasks and working at high speed, and in addition were more likely to report awkward or tiring positions compared to men with the same job title. Conclusion:This population-based study showed substantial differences in occupational exposure patterns between men and women, due to both gender differences in occupational distribution as well as the gender segregation of tasks within the same job.3

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Working in pine sawmilling is associated with an increased prevalence of asthma and cough symptoms and eye and nose irritation.

We conducted a nationwide case-control study of bladder cancer in adult New Zealanders to identify occupations that may contribute to the risk of bladder cancer in the New Zealand population. A total of 213 incident cases of bladder cancer (age 25-70 years) notified to the New Zealand Cancer Registry during 2003 and 2004, and 471 population controls, were interviewed face-to-face. The questionnaire collected demographic information and a full occupational history. The relative risks for bladder cancer associated with ever being employed in particular occupations and industries were calculated by unconditional logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, smoking and socio-economic status. Estimates were subsequently semi-Bayes adjusted to account for the large number of occupations and industries being considered. An elevated bladder cancer risk was observed for hairdressers (odds ratio (OR) 9.15 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI) 1.60-62.22), and sewing machinists (OR 3.07 95%CI 1.35-6.96). Significantly increased risks were not observed for several other occupations that have been reported in previous studies, including sales assistants (OR 1.03 95%CI 0.64-1.67), painters and paperhangers (OR 1.42 95%CI 0.56-3.60), sheet metal workers (OR 0.39, 95%CI 0.15-1.00), printing trades workers (OR 1.11 95%CI 0.41-3.05) and truck drivers (OR 1.36 95%CI 0.60-3.09), although the elevated odds ratios for painters, printers and truck drivers are consistent with excesses observed in other studies. Nonsignificantly increased risks were observed for tailors and dressmakers (OR 2.84 95%CI 0.62-13.05), rubber and plastics products machine operators (OR 2.82 95%CI 0.75-10.67), building workers (OR 2.15,, and female market farmers and crop growers (OR 2.05 95%CI 0.72-5.83). In conclusion, this study has confirmed that hairdressers and sewing machinists are high risk occupations for bladder cancer in New Zealand, and has identified several other occupations and industries of high bladder cancer risk that merit further study. ' 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.