Professional Summary
Thomas G. Robins, (A.B., Harvard, 1972; M.D., Tufts 1979; M.P.H., Univ. of Michigan 1983) has served on the faculty the Department of Environmental Health Sciences since 1984. He is an occupational and environmental physician and epidemiologist. He is the Director of two major training grants: 1) an Education and Research Center funded by the National Institutes of Health to train U.S. occupational health professionals at University of Michigan; 2) a National Institutes of Health Fogarty International Center grant to develop human resource capacity in environmental and occupational health in the 14-nation Southern Africa Development Community. His research addresses global issues in environmental and occupational health with particular emphasis on respiratory morbidity associated with workplace exposures (coal dust, aerosolized protein, metalworking fluids) and ambient air pollution. Areas of focus include: 1) improvements in the available epidemiologic tools, methods of exposure assessment and measurement of disease outcomes to enhance the reliability of research findings; 2) the application of these research methods to the areas of most critical public health concern; and, 3) effective dissemination of knowledge regarding the causes and methods of prevention of occupational illnesses and injuries to employers and employees who may then modify health-related work practices and working conditions.
Courses Taught
EHS507: Principles of Exposure Assessment
EHS656: Research Methods in Occupational Health
Education
M.P.H., Occupational Health, University of Michigan, 1983
M.D., Tufts University, 1979
A.B., Philosophy, Harvard University, 1972
Research Interest & Projects
Issues in Exposure Assessment The critical limitation in most occupational and environmental epidemiologic studies involves problems in exposure assessment rather than in the assessment of disease outcomes. My research efforts attempt to address several key difficulties in the area of exposure assessment including: appropriate methods of using exposure information collected on groups to model individual exposures, the inclusion of information on particle size distribution in assessing dose and dose-response relationships, and strategies to assess complex, mixed exposures including bioaerosols. Epidemiology of Inhaled Toxins
(1) Coal dust
The effects of coal dust exposure on the respiratory tract are complex. Long term work as a coal miner at relatively high exposures has been associated with the risk for pneumoconiotic X-ray changes which may be accompanied by a restrictive pattern of pulmonary function. In addition, at perhaps lower exposures, coal mining is associated with chronic bronchitis and obstructive PFT changes. United States. We evaluated exposure-response relationships among coal miners who began work only after the institution of the U.S. Coal Dust Standard in 1970 Coal miners had very marked, statistically significant, exposure-related decrements in FEV1 and FVC during their first five years of work but no subsequent dose-related decrements. South Africa. We are currently conducting the first-ever epidemiologic study of the respiratory health of coal miners in South Africa. Because South Africa has a unique resource, i.e., standardized autopsy data on the hearts and lungs of tens of thousands of miners, this venue offers the opportunity to make the most comprehensive assessment ever of the relationships between dust exposure and chest radiograph and pulmonary function findings with specific pathologic diagnoses.
(2) Occupational and environmental asthma.
Metalworking fluids. Our study of acute respiratory effects associated with inhalational exposure to metalworking fluid aerosols in an automotive transmission plant resulted in a number of novel findings: large cross shift decrements in FEV1 and FVC were seen in those with exposure but not in unexposed controls, significant associations of cross shift decrements in FEV1 and FVC were demonstrated with exposure to bacteria; and these associations were much more pronounced in workers with lower baseline (Monday pre-shift) FEV1/FVC ratios. Our identification of the first case series of machinists with biopsy proven hypersensitivity pneumonitis played an important role in establishment of an association of this disease entity with metalworking fluids. (publication # 38).
Seafood processing workers. Work in the seafood industry provides an excellent model for IgE mediated occupational asthma caused by exposure to high molecular weight substances. Our current investigation of occupational allergic conditions among seafood processing workers in the Western Cape of South Africa exposed to both crustaceans and bony fish entails a comprehensive approach including novel exposure characterization methods, field methacholine challenge testing, and skin, patch, and serum RAST testing.
Ambient air pollution and childhood asthma. United States. Our current epidemiologic study of childhood asthma in Detroit employs a longitudinal design including a comprehensive approach to the measurement of outdoor and indoor environmental exposures and extensive measures of key psychosocial variables. It is closely intertwined with a household and neighborhood level intervention study. The chief hypothesis is that fluctuations in ambient air pollution measures, particularly PM and ozone, will be mediated or potentiated by specific indoor pollutants, in particular allergens, to cause fluctuations in measures of health status (symptoms, medications, pulmonary function tests). South Africa. We are currently investigating the respiratory health of students and teachers at a primary school located in Durban between two major oil refineries. The relationship between hourly and daily fluctuations in air pollutants measured continuously on the school grounds and fluctuations in respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function tests are being examined Methodologies employed include baseline comprehensive questionnaires and PFTs including non-specific challenge testing and/or bronchodilator response, exhaled nitric oxide, and, bihourly during the schoolday, completion of symptom/activity logs and digitally recorded peak flow/FEV1 measures.
(3) Lead
We conducted a study of semen quality and fertility among in employed in a South African lead acid battery plant (publication # 40). Abnormal sperm morphology was significantly associated with higher measures of current blood lead, cumulative blood lead, and duration of exposure.
( 4) DDT
The current proposed worldwide ban on the manufacture and export of DDT has created tremendous controversy with strong support from environmental groups and significant concerns from malaria control experts. Spray applications of DDT inside of domiciles continue to be used widely in the developing world to control exposure to malaria vector mosquitoes. The chief metabolite of DDT -- p,p'-DDE -- is a potent anti-androgen. We recently completed a study of male malaria vector control workers spraying the inside of domiciles in the Northern Province of South Africa. We demonstrated intriguing consistent associations between elevated serum levels of several DDT metabolites and increased levels of both baseline and post-GnRH-challenge-changes of estradiol and testosterone.Epidemiology of Inhaled Toxins
United Automobile Workers Hazardous Materials Worker Health and Safety Training
Principal Investigator: Robins, T.
Sponsor: International Union, UAW
Michigan Center for the Environmental and Children's Health - Exposure Core
Principal Investigator: Israel, B.
Sponsor: NIH/EPA
The University of Michigan Education and Research Center - Center Administration Core
Principal Investigator: Robins, T.
Sponsor: CDC/NIOSH
The University of Michigan Education and Research Center - NORA Core
Principal Investigator: Robins, T.
Sponsor: CDC/NIOSH
Research Training in Environmental and Occupational Health in Southern Africa
Principal Investigator: Robins, T.
Sponsor: NIH/Fogarty
DEARS Recruitment Study
Principal Investigator: Robins, T.
Sponsor: EPA
Selected Publications
Lopata, A.L., Jeebhay, M.F., Reese, G., Fernandes, J., Fenemore, J., Fenemore, B., Elliot, A., Robins, T.G. and Lehrer, S.B. (2005). Detection of fish antigens aerosolized during fish processing using newly developed immunoassays. Int Arch Allergy Immunol., 1, 21-28.
Naidoo, R., Robins, T.G., Seixas, N., Lalloo, U.G. and Becklake, M. (May, 2005). Differential respirable dust related lung function effects between current and former South African coal miners. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 4, 293-302.
Naidoo, R., Robins, T.G., Murray, J., Green, F. and Vallyathan, V. (2005). Validation of the coal minor autopsy data in the Pathaut database. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 1, 83-90.
Lewis, T.C., Robins, T.G., Dvonch, J.T., Keeler, G.J., Yip, F.Y., Mentz, G.B., Lin, X., Parker, E.A., Israel, B.A., Gonazalez, L. and Hill, Y. (2005). Air pollution associated changes in lung function among asthmatic children in Detroit. Environmental Health Perspectives, 8, 1068-1075.
Edgren, K.K., Parker, E.A., Israel, B.A., Lewis, T.C., Salinas, M.A., Robins, T.G. and Hill, Y.R. (2005). Community involvement in the conduct of a health education intervention and research project: Community Action Against Asthma. Health Promotion Practice, 3, 263-269.
Parker, E.A., Brakefield-Caldwell, W., Keeler, G., Lewis, T.C., Ramirez, E., Robins, T.G., Rowe, Z. and Williams, M. (2004). Community Action Against Asthma: Examining the partnership process of a community-based participatory research project. J Gen Internal Medicine, In Press.
Dalvie, M.A., Myers, J.E., Thompson, M.L., Robins, T.G., Omar, S. and Riebow, J. (2004). Exploration of different methods for measuring DDT exposure amongst malaria vector control workers in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Environmental Research, 20-27.
Dalvie, M.A., Myers, J.E., Thompson, M.L., Robins, T.G., Dye, S., Riebow, J., Molekwa, J., Jeebhay, M., Millar, R. and Kruger, P. (2004). The long term effects of DDT exposure on semen, fertility and sexual function of malaria vector control workers in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Environmental Research, 1-8.
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