A5076964278- Radiation Dose and Imaging
- Radioactivity and Radon Measurements
- Heavy Metal Exposure and Toxicity
- Climate Change and Health Impacts
- Chemical Safety and Risk Management
- Air Quality and Health Impacts
- Heavy metals in environment
- Occupational Health and Safety Research
- Disaster Response and Management
- Radioactive contamination and transfer
- Environmental Justice and Health Disparities
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Research
- Bone health and osteoporosis research
- Occupational exposure and asthma
- Occupational and environmental lung diseases
- Trauma and Emergency Care Studies
- Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research
- Noise Effects and Management
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- Interstitial Lung Diseases and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Orthopaedic implants and arthroplasty
- Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout
- Safe Handling of Antineoplastic Drugs
- Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Elevator Systems and Control
University of Maryland, Baltimore
2014-2024
VA Maryland Health Care System
2022
Centre International de Recherche sur le Cancer
2022
Baltimore VA Medical Center
2015-2021
Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital
2020
Institute of Occupational Medicine
2020
University of Baltimore
2017
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
2015
Malcolm Grow Medical Clinic
2012
Commonwealth Fund
2012
BackgroundThe U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collected health, housing, environmental data in a single integrated national survey the first time United States 1999–2004.ObjectivesWe aimed to determine how floor dust lead (PbD) loadings other housing factors influence childhood blood (PbB) levels poisoning.MethodsWe analyzed from 1999–2004 National Health Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), including 2,155 children 12–60 months of age with PbB PbD measurements. We used...
Lead-contaminated house dust is a major source of lead exposure for children in the United States. In 1999-2004, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected (PbD) loading samples from homes 12-60 months age.In this study we aimed to compare national PbD levels with existing health-based standards identify housing demographic factors associated floor windowsill PbD.We used NHANES data (n=2,065 floors n=1,618 windowsills) covariates construct linear logistic regression...
As part of a longitudinal surveillance program, 35 members larger dynamic cohort 79 Gulf War I veterans exposed to depleted uranium (DU) during combat underwent clinical evaluation at the Baltimore Veterans Administration Medical Center. Health outcomes and biomonitoring results were obtained assess effects DU exposure determine need for additional medical intervention. Clinical included histories, physical examination, laboratory studies including biomarkers (U) exposure. Urine collections...
During the 1991 GulfWar, U.S. service members were exposed to depleted uranium (DU) through friendly-fire incidents involving DU munitions and vehicles protected by armor. Routes of exposure involved inhalation soluble insoluble oxide particles, wound contamination, retained embedded metal fragments that continue oxidize in situ release systemic circulation. A biennial health surveillance program established for this group Veterans Department Affairs has shown continuously elevated urine...
Background A small group of Gulf War I veterans wounded in depleted uranium (DU) friendly fire incidents have been monitored a clinical surveillance program at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore since 1994. Methods An in‐patient protocol was performed on 35 members cohort, including exposure monitoring for total and isotopic concentrations urine comprehensive assessment health outcomes. Results Although U continue to be elevated this group, illustrating on‐going situ mobilization...
To ensure that all veterans with retained embedded fragments are properly monitored for potential health effects of materials.Urine biomonitoring and surveillance programs were developed to gather information about risks associated chemicals released from fragments.Elevated systemic exposure depleted uranium (DU) continues occur in DU remains a concern, although no clinically significant DU-related have been observed date. Other metals local tissue reactions also concern.Knowledge gained...
Objective: To characterize systemic metal exposures from retained fragments in a cohort of war-injured US Veterans enrolled the Department Affairs' Embedded Fragment Registry. Methods: Five hundred seventy nine registry-enrolled submitted an exposure questionnaire and urine sample for analyses 14 metals often found fragments. Urine results were compared with reference values unexposed populations to identify elevations. Results: 55% had normal values. When observed, tungsten zinc most...
To determine associations between long-term care powered mechanical lift (PML) availability and mobility-related resident outcomes.Long-term directors of nursing (N = 271) nationwide gave facility information on the PML lifting policy to which we linked data outcomes from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Minimum Data Set Quality Indicators.Four six Services-derived indicators improved with number but were maximal sit-stand use. In facilities fewest lifts, 16% residents had pressure...
In a population of Gulf War I veterans who sustained inhalational exposure to depleted uranium during friendly fire incidents in 1991, we evaluated whether those with high body burdens were more likely have pulmonary health abnormalities than low burdens.We compared self-reported respiratory symptoms, mean function values, and prevalence low-dose chest computed tomography between urine groups.We found no significant differences abnormal or groups. Overall, the cohort's values fell within...
A frequent comorbidity of traumatic injury due to a blast or explosion, commonly reported in Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, is that retained embedded fragments typically unknown content. Because concerns over both local systemic health effects related the physical presence mobilization materials from fragments, Department Veterans Affairs established surveillance program for this group veterans. We present here case surveillance-enrolled veteran who submitted: (1) three surgically removed...
A small group of Gulf War I veterans wounded in depleted uranium (DU) friendly-fire incidents have been monitored a clinical surveillance program since 1993. During the spring 2017, 42 members cohort were evaluated with protocol which includes exposure monitoring for total and isotopic concentrations urine comprehensive assessment health outcomes including measures bone metabolism, participants >50 years, mineral density (BMD) determination. Elevated U observed retained DU shrapnel...
Background-Manganese chloride (MnCl 2 ) 2.5% is included in the extended metals patch test series to evaluate patients for contact hypersensitivity this metal salt.Objectives-The objective of study was prospectively determine rate allergic and irritant reactions MnCl (Mn(II)), Mn O 3 (Mn(III)), KMnO 4 (Mn(VII)) a cohort undergoing testing.Methods-Fifty-eight were tested with , each at petrolatum.Patch readings taken 48, 72 or 96 hours, scored using standard methods.Cultured monolayers...
Abstract Purpose: To describe the relationship between experiencing traumatic childbirth events and burnout. Study Designs Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study used an anonymous online survey to assess event exposure three independent constructs of burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, personal accomplishment. Participants were a convenience sample registered nurses, obstetric residents, family medicine attending obstetricians across five hospitals from December 2020...
We developed and validated a method for the assessment of thirteen separate trace toxic elements using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Included were as follows: aluminum, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, molybdenum, cadmium, tungsten, lead. The measurements all in urine samples conducted ICAP-Q ICP-MS single method. performance characteristics assay determined according to clinical laboratory standards. was linear concentration range...
Construction workers at U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear weapons facilities are screened to identify DOE-related occupational illnesses, including beryllium sensitization (BeS) and chronic disease (CBD). The study objectives were estimate risks the CBD claims acceptance rate in energy workers' benefits program.Workers diagnosed with BeS via lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) included screening examinations interviewed about subsequent diagnosis CBD. We estimated proportion who...
We have developed and validated a method for the simultaneous quantitative measurement of total uranium (TU) 235 U/238 U isotopic ratio (UIR) in urine by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) using Thermo Scientific iCAP-Q instrument. The performance characteristics assay were determined to be compliance with clinical laboratory standards. was linear concentration range 1.0 500.0 ng/liter TU. precise accurate limits detection 2.5 TU 9.8 UIR. accuracy >93% coefficient...
The Depleted Uranium Follow-Up Program is a clinical surveillance program run by the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center since 1993 for veterans of Gulf and Iraqi wars who were exposed to depleted uranium (DU) as result "friendly-fire" incidents.In 2009, 40 from this cohort screened skin reactivity metals patch-testing with extended metal series uranyl acetate (0.25%, 2.5%, 25%). A control arm comprised 46 patients without any known occupational exposures DU seen at University Maryland...
Abstract Exposure to retained metal fragments from war‐related injuries can result in increased systemic concentrations, thereby posing potential health risks target organs far the site of injury. Given large number veterans who have and lack clear guidance on how medically manage these individuals, Department Veterans Affairs (VA) convened a meeting chelation experts clinicians care for embedded fragment patients discuss current practices provide medical management guidance. Based this...
The objective of this investigation is to explore the utility using a spot urine sample in lieu 24-hour collection assessing fragment-related metal exposure war-injured veterans.Twenty-four veterans collected each void over period separate containers. Concentrations 13 metals were measured and pooled inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. To assess reliability measures time, intraclass correlations (ICCs) calculated across all samples. Lin's concordance correlation coefficient was...