Occupational medicine: Research, Teaching, ethics, clinical practise/expert opinion

Prof. Dr. Xaver BaurXaver Baur, MD, has devoted much of his academic career to broad questions of occupational and environmental medicine.

His career research contributions have been mainly in the areas of lung function measurements, allergic disorders, including occupational asthma, hazardous exposures to inorganic dust, allergens, pollution, chemicals such as isocyanates. In focusing on research and policy he has been addressing questions of relevance to public health and ethics in occupational and environmental health. Xaver Baur has being consulted from around the world as an independent expert witness and speaker. He is president of the charity European Society for Environmental and Occupational Medicine which fosters independent research in occupational, public and environmental health, open EOM WebsiteEOM e.V.

 Alles Fake? Wissenschaft im Zeitalter der vielen Wahrheiten

Most interesting presentations at the 7. BfR-Stakeholderkonferenz on15. November 2018 (German). Topic:  „Fake news“ - which increasingly meets science

Occupational health: a world of false promises

United Nations agencies, WHO and the International Labor Organization (ILO), are faced with the global problem of inadequate worker protections and a growing crisis in occupational health

By Joseph LaDou, Leslie London and Andrew Watterson:

“The United Nations currently has limited ability to take on the problems of a globalized world and has limited capacity to affect major issues within member states. But it can have a useful influence in facilitating stronger oversight by broader civil society. It can do this by strengthening the national and global civil society voice in WHO and ILO structures, and by keeping conflict of interest out of policy decisions. Corporate influence on international organisations is not a new problem. It goes on in all member states and is evidenced in the neglect of occupational health and safety, and the weakness of workers’ compensation laws, in all developing countries.

UN agencies should develop stronger and unambiguous processes to manage conflict of interest in ways that equalize the influence of powerful interests with those of communities, Non-Governmental Organizations, Civil Society Organizations and Social Movements. More support should be given to protect the WHO from industry attacks and to help it increase its supply of information on occupational health and safety to developing countries, free of industry influence.”

On the other hand, the authors suggest that “the staff assigned to WHO and ILO agencies responsible for occupational health and safety should have appropriate credentials and backgrounds. The selection

process is currently removed from public view, and not subject to approval by relevant international authorities.

There is no current method of finding conflicts of interest in staff assignments. An international organization with no industry bias exists in the Collegium Ramazzini, headquartered in Bologna, Italy. The Collegium should be considered as an independent approval authority for WHO and ILO staff positions, and for technical review of publications“.

in: https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-018-0422-x

Medical expert opinion

Guidelines

Topical social court decisions

Asbest victims website: http://www.asbesterkrankungen.de/index.php/startseite.html

Mixed dust pneumoconioses   mixed dust pneumoconioses 

Various inorganic dusts initiate inflammatory and fibrotic lung processes. Diagnosis of relatively frequent pneumoconioses such as silicosis or asbestosis with dominating pictures, i. e. with its predominant rounded or irregular opacities located especially in the upper and lower lung fields, respectively, is mostly not difficult. However, rarely exposure to a single agent exists. Rather, mixed dust exposures occurring at the same time or in the follow-up have to be taken into consideration. It is also important that during the working life, changes of working processes and used raw materials as well as changes of jobs are associated with variations of type and intensity of exposures. This heterogenicity of exposures and of the associated intrapulmonary depositions result in variations of the pulmonary structural changes, i. e. more or less modifications of the pictures of pneumoconioses as described being typical in textbooks. This is associated with diagnostic difficulties. This publication includes 5 case reports; all of them were initially diagnosed as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, but a detailed workup of the author, mostly during social court litigations, showed that mixed dust pneumoconioses were the most likely diagnoses.

Publicationen

Spotlight allergic alveolitis

Occupational asthma - Berufsasthma

Baur, X. (2013). "A compendium of causative agents of occupational asthma." J Occup Med Toxicol 8(1): 15.

Baur, X. (2010). Mechanisms of allergic occupational asthma. Occupational asthma. T. Sigsgaard and D. Heederik. Basel, Birkhäuser: 111-140.

Baur, X. (2011). "[Obstructive airway disorders representing occupational diseases]." Pneumologie 65(11): 654-661.

Baur, X. (2013 ). Crashkurs Lungenfunktionsprüfung. München-Deisenhofen, Dustri-Verlag.

Baur, X. and P. Bakehe (2013). "Allergens causing occupational asthma: an evidence-based evaluation of the literature." Int Arch Occup Environ Health.

Baur, X., P. Bakehe and H. Vellguth (2012). "Bronchial asthma and COPD due to irritants in the workplace - an evidence-based approach." J Occup Med Toxicol 7(1): 19.

Baur, X. and L. T. Budnik (2011). Isocyanatbedingte Gesundheitsgefahren. Handbuch der Arbeitsmedizin. S. Letzel and D. Nowak. Landsberg, Ecomed: 1-10.

Baur, X. (2005). "Enzymes as occupational and environmental respiratory sensitisers." Int Arch Occup Environ Health 78(4): 279-286.

Baur, X. (2006). "[Working place related obstructive airway diseases]." Pneumologie 60(5): 305-314; quiz 315-319.

Baur, X. (2010). Mechanisms of allergic occupational asthma. Occupational asthma. T. Sigsgaard and D. Heederik. Basel, Birkhäuser: 111-140.

Baur, X. (2011). "[Bronchial Challenge Tests]." Pneumologie 65(6): 340-346.

Baur, X. (2011). "[Obstructive airway disorders representing occupational diseases]." Pneumologie 65(11): 654-661.

Baur, X. (1987). "Kritische Anmerkungen zur Diagnostik des Isocyanat-Asthmas." Arbeitsmed Sozialmed Präventivmed 22(12): 291-293. Baur, X. (2005). "Enzymes as occupational and environmental respiratory sensitisers." Int Arch Occup Environ Health 78(4): 279-286.

Baur, X. (2006). "[Working place related obstructive airway diseases]." Pneumologie 60(5): 305-314; quiz 315-306.

Baur, X. (2007). "Evidence for allergic reactions in isocyanate asthma." J Allergy Clin Immunol 119(3): 757-758; author reply 758.

COPD

Dement, J., L. Welch, K. Ringen, P. Quinn, A. Chen and S. Haas (2015). "A case-control study of airways obstruction among construction workers." Am J Ind Med 58(10): 1083-1097.

Bergdahl, I. A., K. Toren, K. Eriksson, U. Hedlund, T. Nilsson, R. Flodin and B. Jarvholm (2004). "Increased mortality in COPD among construction workers exposed to inorganic dust." Eur Respir J 23(3): 402-406.

Bruske, I., E. Thiering, J. Heinrich, K. M. Huster and D. Nowak (2014). "Respirable quartz dust exposure and airway obstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis." Occup Environ Med 71(8): 583-589.

Baur, X. and U. Latza (2004). "[COPD due to occupational exposure to silica dust (SiO2, especially quartz)]." Pneumologie 58(4): 201-203.

Baur, X. (2011). "[Obstructive airway disorders representing occupational diseases]." Pneumologie 65(11): 654-661.

Baur, X., P. Bakehe and H. Vellguth (2012). "Bronchial asthma and COPD due to irritants in the workplace - an evidence-based approach." J Occup Med Toxicol 7(1): 19.

Collegium, Ramazzini (2016) A new approach to the control of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) http://www.collegiumramazzini.org/download/19_NineteenthCRStatement(2016).pdf.

Cullinan, P. (2012). "Occupation and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)." Br Med Bull 104: 143-161.

Labrecque, M. (2012). "Irritant-induced asthma." Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 12(2): 140-144.

Malo, J. L., J. L'Archeveque, L. Castellanos, K. Lavoie, H. Ghezzo and K. Maghni (2009). "Long-term outcomes of acute irritant-induced asthma." Am J Respir Crit Care Med 179(10): 923-928.

Welding fumes

Merget R, Baur X, für die AG Atemwege/Lunge der DGAUM. Diagnostik und Beurteilung obstruktiver Atemwegserkrankungen durch chemisch-irritativ oder toxisch wirkende Stoffe (Berufskrankheit Nr. 4302 BKV). Arbeitsmed Sozialmed Umweltmed 2008;43:516-520

Mapp CE, Boschetto P, Maestrelli P, Fabbri LM. Occupational asthma. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2005;172:280-305

Langley RL. Fume fever and reactive airways dysfunction syndrome in a welder. South Med J. 1991;84:1034-1062

Schneider J Lungenfunktionseinschränkungen bei Schweißern Arbeitsmed.Sozialmed.Umweltmed. 2010 (45) 12–18

Baur, X., Butz, M., Latza, U. (2003) Arbeitsbedingte Erkrankungen der Lungen und derAtemwege sowie Neoplasien. Deutsches Ärzteblatt 100:2658-2665


Latza U, Cordula Bittner, Baur X Berufsbedingte, allergische und irritative obstruktive Atemwegserkrankungen im gewerblichen Bereich: Geschlechtssensitive Identifikation von Präventionspotenzialen. ErgoMed Ausgabe: 01/2007

Baur X, Heutelbeck A, Kujath P, Stahlkopf H Prävention arbeitsbedingter obstruktiver AtemwegserkrankungenInterdisziplinäre S1-Leitlinie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Arbeitsmedizin und Umweltmedizin. Pneumologie 2011; 65: 263–282

 

Pneumoconioses Silicosis/Asbestos-related diseases - Silikose/Asbestbedingte Erkrankungen

Baur, X., M. Clasen, A. Fisseler-Eckhoff, M. Heger, K. G. Hering, K. Hofmann-Preiss, D. Kohler, A. Kranig, T. Kraus, S. Letzel, V. Neumann, A. Tannapfel, J. Schneider, H. Sitter, H. Teschler, T. Voshaar and A. Weber (2011). "[Diagnostics and expert opinion of asbestos-induced occupational diseases]." Pneumologie 65(3): e1-47.

Baur, X., M. Heger, D. Kohler, A. Kranig, S. Letzel, G. Schultze-Werninghaus, A. Tannapfel, H. Teschler, T. Voshaar, M. R. Bohle, N. Erlinghagen, K. G. Hering, K. Hofmann-Preiss, T. Kraus, R. Merget, G. Michaely, V. Neumann, D. Nowak, I. Ozbek, H. J. Piasecki and N. Staubach-Wicke (2008). "[Diagnostics and expert opinion in the occupational disease No. 4101 silicosis (including coal worker's pneumoconiosis). Guideline (S2; AWMF) of the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Pneumologie und Beatmungsmedizin and the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Arbeitsmedizin und Umweltmedizin]." Pneumologie 62(11): 659-684. http://www.awmf.org/uploads/tx_szleitlinien/020-010_S2_Diagnostik_und_Begutachtung_der_Berufskrankheit_Nr._4101_Quarzstaublungenerkrankung__Silikose_abgelaufen.pdf

Empfehlung für die Begutachtung von Quarzstaublungenerkrankungen (Silikosen)

– Bochumer Empfehlung –

http://publikationen.dguv.de/dguv/pdf/10002/bochum_neu.pdf

Abraham, J. L. (2006). Analysis of fibrous and non-fibrous particles, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Baur X., J. Schneider, H.-J. Woitowitz: Diagnostik und Begutachtung asbestbedingter Berufskrankheiten. Kurzdarstellung der neuen S2k-Leitlinie mit Kommentierung und Fallbeispielen. Dtsch. Med. Wschr. 136 (2011) 2319 – 2324

Rödelsperger, K. und H.-J. Woitowitz: Commentary regarding the article by Fischer et al.: Fibre years, pulmonary asbestos burden and asbestosis. Int. J. Hyg. Environ. Health 205, 245-248 (2002).

Letter to the Editor. Int. J. Hyg. Environ. Health 206, 245-247 (2003)

Woitowitz, H.-J., K. Rödelsperger, H. Bödeker, B. Brückel und V. Gosch: Biomonitoring nach Asbestfaserstaub-Einwirkung: Lichtmikroskopie versus Elektronenmikroskopie. Arbeitsmed. Sozialmed. Präventivmed 26: (1991) 219-224

Hauser-Heidt G, R. Arhelger, K.D. Hering, H.J. Woitowitz, J. Schneider: Validitätsmaße des HRCT und des Röntgen-Übersichtsbilds bei Patienten mit Asbestfaserstaubverursachten Erkrankungen der Lunge und der Pleura (BK-Nr. 4103) 47. Jahrestagung der Dtsch. Ges. Arbeitsmed. in Mainz, DGAUM, Geschäftsstelle Lübeck (2007) 618-620

Woitowitz, H.-J., J. Manke, B. Brückel und K. Rödelsperger: Asbestkörperchen als Beweismittel einer beruflichen Gefährdung durch Weißasbest (Chrysotil)? Zbl. Arbeitsmed. 36: (1986) 354-364

Baur X, J. Schneider, H-J. Woitowitz, M. Velasco Garrido: Gibt es Unterschiede in den gesundheitsschädlichen Wirkungen von Chrysotil- und Amphibolasbest? Pneumologie 2012; 66:497-506 Wilken, D., M. Velasco Garrido, U. Manuwald and X. Baur (2011). "Lung function in asbestos-exposed workers, a systematic review and meta-analysis." J Occup Med Toxicol 6: 21.

Mixed dust pneumoconioses

Shida H, Chiyotani K, Honma K et-al. Radiologic and pathologic characteristics of mixed dust pneumoconiosis. Radiographics. 1996;16 (3): 483-98. doi:10.1148/radiographics.16.3.8897618 - Pubmed citation

Honma K, Abraham JL, Chiyotani K et-al. Proposed criteria for mixed-dust pneumoconiosis: definition, descriptions, and guidelines for pathologic diagnosis and clinical correlation. Hum. Pathol. 2005;35 (12): 1515-23. Pubmed citation

International Classification of HRCT for Occupational and Environmental Respiratory Diseases. Springer. ISBN:4431239243. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon

Vallurupalli S, Chawla K, Kupfer Y et-al. Mixed dust pneumoconiosis occurring in an unusual setting. BMJ Case Rep. 2013;2013 (dec02 1): . doi:10.1136/bcr-2013-200976 - Pubmed citation

Akira M. Uncommon pneumoconioses: CT and pathologic findings. Radiology. 1995;197 (2): 403

Chong S, Lee KS, Chung MJ et-al. Pneumoconiosis: comparison of imaging and pathologic findings. Radiographics. 26 (1): 59-77. doi:10.1148/rg.261055070

 Mcloud TC. Occupational lung disease. Radiol. Clin. North Am. 1991;29 (5): 931-41. - Pubmed citation

Kim KI, Kim CW, Lee MK et-al. Imaging of occupational lung disease. Radiographics. 2001;21 (6): 1371-91. Radiographics (full text) - Pubmed citation

 Farzaneh MR, Jamshidiha F, Kowsarian S. Inhalational lung disease. Int J Occup Environ Med. 2012;1 (1): 11-20.

Arakawa H, Johkoh T, Honma K, Saito Y, Fukushima Y, Shida H, et al. Chronic interstitial pneumonia in silicosis and mix-dust pneumoconiosis: its prevalence and comparison of CT findings with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Chest. 2007 Jun;131(6):1870-6. PubMed PMID: 17400659.

Short S, Petsonk EL. 1996. Nonfibrous inorganic dusts. In: Occupational and Environmental Respiratory Disease (Harber P, Shenker MB, Balmes JR, eds). 1st ed. St Louis:Mosby-Year Book, Inc., 345–361.

Kevin O. Leslie and Mark R. Wick, Practical Pulmonary Pathology: A Diagnostic Approach 2nd edition published by Elsevier 2011

Raghu, G., et al. 2011     An official ATS/ERS/JRS/ALAT statement: idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: evidence-based guidelines for diagnosis and management. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 183(6):788-824.

Consultation Time

Prof. Dr. med. Xaver Baur

Specialist in Occupational medicine - Internal medicine - Pneumology - Allergic disorders - Environmental medicine

Consultation time on appointment at Haut- und Lasercentrum, Richard-Strauss-Str. 27, 14193 Berlin

Please send in advance your details of your health problem, requested examination or of your needed medical expert opinion together with previous clinical data and decisions to:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

or Fax to: +49 30 20847505

 

How to go to the Haut- & Lasercentrum Berlin-Grunewald

Public transport: Take S Bahn 7 from S Bahn Station Grunewald, change for Bus 186 direction

S Lichterfelde Süd; get off at Richard-Strauss-Straße (3 min walking distance)

By car via highway B1, exit Hüttenweg, direction Hüttenweg,after 500 m turn left to Königsallee, after 2 km at the traffic light turn right, to Hagenstraße, after 50 m turn left to Menzelstraße, after 1 km you are at the corner Richard-Strauss-Str. 27