In the News

Exponent Establishes Obesity Task Force
Exponent recently established an Obesity Task Force to address the multidisciplinary nature of obesity and overweight issues. Thirty scientists and physicians from Exponent’s Health Sciences, Food & Chemicals, Human Factors, Biomechanics, and Health Risk practices participate in the group.

The task force is led by Dr. Harriett H. Butchko, a physician with expertise in food safety and nutrition. Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Butchko worked for more than 18 years in the food industry in clinical research, safety assessment, postmarketing surveillance, scientific and medical affairs, and global regulatory affairs, and was most recently the Vice President, Medical and Scientific Affairs, at The NutraSweet Company. A major focus of her responsibilities involved activities to evaluate and promote the usefulness of diet and light foods and beverages as part of a healthful diet, including diets for individuals with obesity and diabetes.

The Obesity Task Force was formed to work with companies, associations, and government agencies to address the multifaceted issues regarding overweight and obesity. The Task Force has expertise in research, evaluation of large complex databases, evaluations of dietary intake, health economics, and health outcomes, scientific literature reviews, scientific issues management, health communications, regulatory and government affairs, and scientific and medical litigation support. The Task Force is currently working to develop projects, publications, and research in several areas, such as sports activity and body weight in children, owner and pet obesity, body weight effects on vehicular safety, and overweight and obesity effects on safety in the workplace.

Charles Yarborough Elected to Delta Omega
Charles M. Yarborough, M.D., of the Health practice in New York, was elected this fall to membership in the Delta Omega Society. Delta Omega is the national public health honors society that aims to recognize and to promote excellence in public health research, scholarship, and service, for the improvement of the health of all people, worldwide. This honor is bestowed for excellent academic achievement, devotion to public health principles, and outstanding service in public health.

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New Faces

Rupa Basu, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Senior Scientist, Washington, DC
Dr. Rupa Basu's research has been focused on the use of epidemiologic methods to examine environmental exposures, such as indoor and outdoor air pollution and temperature. Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Basu worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, where she collaborated on studies evaluating the effects of air pollution on birth weight. Her work included the comparison of various exposure metrics and examined the potential confounding effect of maternal smoking.

Harriett H. Butchko, M.D.
Principal Scientist, Chicago, IL
Dr. Harriett H. Butchko is a licensed physician with a focus on food safety and nutrition issues. Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Butchko worked for more than 18 years in industry in clinical research, safety assessment, postmarketing surveillance, scientific and medical affairs, and global regulatory affairs. She was most recently the Vice-President, Medical and Scientific Affairs, at The NutraSweet Company. As the company’s Chief Medical Officer, she was responsible for issues regarding human safety and also led efforts to build scientific, regulatory, and public acceptance of the company’s products. She also worked on activities regarding the usefulness of diet and light foods and beverages as part of a healthful diet, including diets for individuals with obesity and diabetes.

Kristie Ebi, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Senior Managing Scientist, Alexandria, VA
Dr. Kristie L. Ebi is an epidemiologist who designs, conducts, and interprets scientific investigations on a variety of issues. She has extensive experience in research on how weather and climate can affect individuals, communities, and companies, and on the design of measures to reduce negative impacts. She has worked on a range of issues related to the potential health impacts of global climate change, including impacts associated with vector-borne diseases, heat waves, extreme events (flooding), food-borne diseases, and air pollution. In addition, she conducts research on the potential health impacts of residential and occupational exposures to magnetic fields. Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Ebi was a Technical Manager at the Electric Power Research Institute and worked at the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health in Rome, Italy.

Mark A. Roberts, M.D., Ph.D.
Senior Managing Scientist, Chicago, IL
Dr. Mark A. Roberts has a wide range of experiences in clinical, occupational, and environmental medicine, as well as epidemiological studies of health complaints in communities and industrial settings. Dr. Roberts’ corporate experience includes management of global health issues, clinical services, product liability issues, medical surveillance, fatality investigations, and health benefit plan consultations. His experience in the health, safety, and health benefits arena is especially significant given the rising costs associated with employee benefits and the importance of productivity issues in the workplace.

Tam Smalstig, RN, OHNP, COHN-S
Senior Scientist, Irvine, CA
Ms. Smalstig specializes in integrating environmental exposure and health effects. Her experience both as a nurse practitioner and an industrial hygienist has been integrated in assessment and analysis of work-relatedness of illness and injury, primarily associated with chemical agents and human factors relationships. Ms. Smalstig has more than ten years of occupational and environmental regulatory experience assisting with compliance and consultation. Activities have included site inspection, exposure characterization, medical outcome review and performance audits. She provided support for both agency litigation and regulation development. She has expertise in dataset development and analysis addressing qualitative issues.

John V. Tran, M.P.H.
Scientist, Irvine, CA
Mr. John Tran specializes in industrial hygiene-related services, including chemical exposure assessments and indoor air quality investigations. Mr. Tran received a fellowship with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as an Environmental Health Specialist. At NIOSH, Mr. Tran conducted an occupational epidemiology study of silica exposure and silicosis in metal miners. In addition, Mr. Tran was a member of the Health Hazard Evaluation program where he assessed health hazards in the workplace with an emphasis on indoor environmental quality. Prior to joining Exponent, Mr. Tran was an Environmental, Health, and Safety Consultant for Environmental Resources Management. Based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mr. Tran provided EHS services throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Charles Yarborough, M.D., M.P.H.
Senior Managing Scientist, New York, NY
Dr. Charles M. Yarborough specializes in performing health hazard evaluations and risk communications, providing product litigation and registration support, and developing and improving practices that target enhanced health outcomes and productivity while reducing costs. He has worked on operational and policy levels in the medical and environmental health departments of several multinational companies including Exxon, Caterpillar Inc., American Cyanamid, American Home Products (now Wyeth), and BASF Corporation. His 30 years of training and experience involve conducting epidemiology studies to investigate cancer concerns for plastics and petrochemicals, evaluating potential health effects of diesel exhaust emissions, pesticides and solvents, and developing medical screening and biomonitoring procedures.

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Recent & Upcoming Publications

Alexander B, Olsen GW, Burris J, Mandel JH, Mandel JS.  Mortality of employees of a perfluorooctanesulfphonyl fluoride manufacturing facility.  Occup Environ Med 2003;60:722–729.

Basu R, Dominici F, Samet JM. A comparison of epidemiologic methods for characterizing temperature and mortality among the elderly in the United States. Epidemiol (In press).

Basu R, Woodruff TJ, Parker JD, Saulnier L, Schoendorf KC. Comparing exposure metrics in the relationship between PM2.5 and birth weight in California. J Expo Anal Environ Epidemiol (In press).

Buffler PA, Kelsh MA, Chapman P, Wood S, Lau E, Golembesky A, Wood R, Kalmes R, Brorby G.  Primary brain tumor mortality at a petroleum exploration and extraction research facility.  J Occup Environ Med 2004;46(3):257-70.

Coyne KS, Wiklund I, Schmier J, Halling K, Innocenti A, Revicki D.  Development and validation of a disease-specific Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (TSQ-G).  Alimen Pharmacol and Therapeu 2003;18(9):907-915.

Duggan A, Charnley G, Chen W, Chukwudebe A, Hawk R, Krieger RI, Ross J, Yarborough C. Di-alkyl phosphate biomonitoring data: assessing cumulative exposure to organophosphate pesticides.  Regul Toxicol Pharmacol; 2003;37:382-395.

Edinboro CH, Scott-Moncrieff JC, Janovitz EB, Thacker HL, Glickman LT.  Epidemiologic study of the relationships between commercial canned food consumption and the risk of hyperthyroidism in cats J Am Vet Med Assoc 224(6):879-886.

Edinboro CH, Ward MP, Glickman LT.  A placebo-controlled trial of two intranasal vaccines to prevent tracheobronchitis (kennel cough) in dogs entering a humane shelter.  Prev Vet Med 2004;62(2):89-99.

Erdreich LS, Friedman MA.  Epidemiologic evidence for assessing the carcinogenicity of acrylamide.  Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2004;39:150-57.

Goodman M, Teta MJ, Hessel PA, Garabrandt DH, Craven VA, Scrafford CG, Kelsh MA. Mesothelioma and lung cancer among motor vehicle mechanics:  A meta-analysis.  Ann Occup Hyg (In press).

Halpern MT.  Pharmacoeconomic studies and the pharmaceutical industry: bias in which direction? (Editorial).  Expert Rev Pharmacoeconomics Outcomes Res.  3(6):665–7, 2003.

Halpern MT, Higashi MK, Bakst AW, Schmier JK.  The economic impact of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis in the United States and Canada: a literature review.  J Manag Care Pharm. 2003 Jul-Aug;9(4):353-9.  

Halpern MT, Khan ZM, Stanford R, Spayde KM, Golubiewski M.  Meta-analysis of resource utilization and costs for inhaled corticosteroid treatment vs. leukotriene modifier treatment for patients with asthma.  J Fam Pract, 2003;52:382-389. 

Halpern MT, Musin A, Sondhi S.  Economic analysis of the Confronting COPD Survey: assessing the burden of COPD.  Resp Med, 2003;97 Suppl C:S15-22.

Halpern MT, Schmier JK, Richner R, Guo C, Togias A.  Allergic rhinitis: A potential cause of increased asthma medication use, costs, and morbidity.  J  Asthma, 2004;41(1):117-126.

Halpern MT, Stanford R, Borker R.  The burden of COPD in the U.S.A.: results from the Confronting COPD survey.  Resp Med, 2003; 97 Suppl C:S81-9.

Halpern MT, Schmier JK, Van Kerkhove MD, Watkins M, Kalberg CJ.  Impact of long term inhaled corticosteroid therapy on bone mineral density: results of a meta-analysis.  Ann Asthma Allergy Imm, 2004;92:201–7.

Hessel PA, Kalmes R, Smith TJ, Lau E, Mink PJ, Mandel J.  A nested case-control study of prostate cancer and atrazine exposure. J Occup Env Med 2004;46:379-85.

Hessel PA, Teta MJ, Goodman M, Lau E.  Mesothelioma among brake mechanics:  An expanded analysis of a case-control study.  Risk Anal. (In press)

Mink PJ, Goodman M, Barraj L, Imrey H, Kelsh M, Yager J.  Evaluation of uncontrolled confounding in studies of environmental exposures and neurobehavioral testing in children.  Epidemiol. (In Press)

Olsen, GW, Church, TR, Miller, J., Burris, JM, Hansen, KJ, Lundberg, JK, Armitage, JB, Herron, RM, Medhdizadehkashi, Z, Nobiletti, JB, O’Neill, EM, Mandel, JH.  Zobel, LR. Perfluorooctanesulfonate and other fluorochemicals in the serum of American Red Cross adult blood donors.  Environ Health Perspect 2003;111(16):1892–1901.

Olsen, GW, Hansen, KJ, Stevenson, LA, Burris, JM, Mandel, JH.  Human donor liver and serum concentrations of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and other perfluorochemicals.  Env Sci Technol 2003; 37:888–891.

Olsen, G, Logan, PW, Hansen, KJ, Simpson, CA, Burris, JM, Burlew, MM, Vorarath, PP, Venkateswarlu, P, Schumpert, JC, Mandel, JH. An occupational exposure assessment of a perfluorooctanesulfonyl fluoride production site: biomonitoring.  AIHA 2003; 64: 651-659.

Olsen GW, Church TR, Larson EB, van Belle G, Lundberg JK, Hansen KJ, Burris JM, Mandel JH, Zobel LR.  Serum concentrations of perfluorooctanesulfonate and other fluorochemicals in an elderly population from Seattle, Washington.   Chemosphere 54; 1599-1611.  2004.

Sherman ME, Mink PJ, Curtis R, Cote TJ, Brooks S, Hartge P, Devesa S.  Survival among women with ovarian borderline tumors and carcinoma:  a population-based analysis.  Cancer 2004;100:1045-52.

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Recent & Upcoming Presentations

Dahlen E, Shum M.  Mold Remediation and the Reality of the Cost – Early Involvement Can Save Your Client Time and Money.  3rd Forensic Congress, San Diego, CA, October 2003.

Edinboro CH.  Dietary and Environmental Risk Factors for Feline Hyperthyroidism, or 'There and Back Again'.  Peninsula Veterinary Medical Association, Belmont, CA, March 16, 2004.

Halpern M, Schmier J, Cifaldi M.  Factors Influencing Physician Decision Making for Macrolide Prescriptions.  American College of Chest Physicians 69th Annual Scientific Assembly: Chest 2003 & Clinical World Congress on Diseases of the Chest, Orlando, FL, October 2003.

Kelsh MA, Yager JA.  Workplace Injuries and Illness Trends in the Electric Energy Industry:  Initial Results From a Comprehensive Occupational Health and Safety Surveillance System.  National Occupational Injury Research Symposium, Pittsburgh, PA, October 2003.

Halpern M, Schmier J, Van Kerkhove M, Watkins M, Kalberg C. Impact of Inhaled Corticosteroid (ICS) Therapy on Bone Mineral Density (BMD). American College of Chest Physicians 69th Annual Scientific Assembly: Chest 2003 & Clinical World Congress on Diseases of the Chest, Orlando, FL, October 2003.

Halpern MT, Schmier JK.  Assessing the Costs and Benefits of Medical Technologies.  International Journal of Industrial Engineering's (IJIE) 8th Annual International Conference on Industrial Engineering Theory, Applications and Practice, Las Vegas NV, November 2003. 

Schmier JK, Kane DW, Halpern MT.  Enhancing the Quality of Data and Analysis: Lessons Learned From Clinical Trials.  International Journal of Industrial Engineering's (IJIE) 8th Annual International Conference on Industrial Engineering Theory, Applications and Practice, Las Vegas NV, November 2003. 

Erdreich L.  Epidemiologic Methods in Analysis of Scientific Issues in the Courtroom.    Acoustical Society of American 146th Meeting, Austin, TX, November 2003.

Fedoruk J.  Mold Remediation: Medical Toxicological Considerations. ACGIH Bioaerosols Committee: Mold Remediation - The National Quest for Uniformity Symposium, Orlando, FL, November 2003.

Butchko H.  The Safety Assessment of Food Additives: the Aspartame Example.  Annual Meeting of the Latin American Society of Nutrition (Sociedad Latinoamericana de Nutrición), Acapulco, México, November 2003.

Halpern M.  If You Build a Bridge, Will They Cross It? Applications of Industrial Engineering in Health Outcomes Assessment.  International Journal of Industrial Engineering's (IJIE) 8th Annual International Conference on Industrial Engineering Theory, Applications and Practice, Las Vegas, NV, November 2003.

Goodman M, Teta J, Hessel P.  Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Among Motor Vehicle Mechanics: A Meta-Analysis.  Society for Risk Analysis (SRA) Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD, December 2003.

Teta J, Tran N, Mink P.  Validity of Excess Lifetime Risk Estimation Using Background Leukemia Incidence Rates with Cohort Mortality-Based Exposure Response Curve.  Society for Risk Analysis (SRA) Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD, December 2003.

Halpern M, Kurtz S, Ray R, Martell M, Hozack W, Rothman R.  Population Cost and Outcome Thresholds for Highly Crosslinked Acetabular Components for THA in the U.S. Population.  71st Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, San Francisco, CA, March 2004.

Van Kerkhove MD, Parsonnet J, Tompkins LS.  A Case-Control Study: Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci Mediastinitis Infection Following Cardiothoracic Surgery.  14th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), Philadelphia, PA, April 17–20, 2004.

Schmier JK, Halpern MT, Covert D. Patient-reported impact of age-related macular degeneration. International Society of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research 9th Annual International Meeting, Arlington, VA May 16-19, 2004.

Halpern MT, Cifaldi MA, Schmier JK.  Costs and Outcomes Of Extended-Release Clarithromycin for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections.  International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research, Arlington, VA, May 2004.

Shum M.  Mold Madness.  American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Litigation Annual Conference, Scottsdale, AZ, May 7, 2004.

Shum M, Dahlen E.  Navigating the Costs of Mold Remediation.  American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition (AIHCE), Atlanta, GA, May 2004.

Shum M, Kelsh M, Sheppard A, Kuster N. Improved Assessment of Radiofrequency Exposures Among Mobile Phone Users, American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition (AIHCE), Atlanta, GA, May, 2004.

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