Faculty Profile
Thomas Robins, MD, MPH
- Professor Emeritus, Environmental Health Sciences
Thomas G. Robins, (A.B., Harvard, 1972; MD, Tufts 1979; MPH, 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: an Education and Research Center funded by the National Institutes of Health to train US occupational health professionals at University of Michigan; 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: improvements in the available epidemiologic tools, methods of exposure assessment and measurement of disease outcomes to enhance the reliability of research findings; the application of these research methods to the areas of most critical public health concern; and, 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.
- MPH in Occupational Health, University of Michigan, 1983
- MD, Tufts University, 1979
- AB in Philosophy, Harvard University, 1972
Research Interests:
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
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.
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 school day, completion of symptom/activity
logs and digitally recorded peak flow/FEV1 measures.
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.
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
Sponsor: International Union, UAW - Michigan Center for the Environmental and Children's Health - Exposure Core
Sponsor: NIH/EPA - The University of Michigan Education and Research Center - Center Administration Core
Sponsor: CDC/NIOSH - The University of Michigan Education and Research Center - NORA Core
Sponsor: CDC/NIOSH - Research Training in Environmental and Occupational Health in Southern Africa
Sponsor: NIH/Fogarty - DEARS Recruitment Study
Sponsor: EPA
Batterman, S. J. Burke, V. Isakov, T. Lewis, B. Mukherjee and T. Robins (2014). A comparison of exposure metrics for traffic-related air pollutants: application to
epidemiology studies in Detroit, Michigan. Int J Environ Res Public Health 9553-77.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25226412
Batterman S, L. Du, E. Parker, T. Robins, T. Lewis, B. Mukherjee, E. Ramirez, Z. Rowe and W. Brakefield-Caldwell (2013). Use of Free-standing Filters in an Asthma Intervention Study. Air Qual Atmos Health 759-767. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24436726
Lewis T.C, T.G. Robins, G.B. Mentz, X. Zhang, B. Mukherjee, X. Lin, G.J. Keeler, J.T. Dvonch, Y.F. Yip, M.S. O'Neill, E.A. ParkerA, B.A. Israel, P.T. Max and A. Reyes. (2013). Community Action Against Asthma (CAAA) Steering Committee. Air pollution and respiratory symptoms among children with asthma: vulnerability by corticosteroid use and residence area Science of the Total Envrionment 48-55. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23273373/
Sampson N.R., E.A. Parker, R.R. Cheezum, T.C. Lewis, A. O'Toole, J. Patton, A. Zuniga, T.G. Robins and C.C. Keirns (2013). A life course perspective on stress and health among caregivers of children with asthma in Detroit. Family Community Health 51-62.
Sampson N.R., E.A. Parker EA, R.R. Cheezum, T.C. Lewis, A. O'Toole, A. Zuniga, J. Patton, T.G. Robins and C.C. Keirns (2013). "I wouldn't look at it as stress": conceptualizations of caregiver stress among low-income families of children with asthma Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved 275-88.
Du L, S. Batterman, C. Godwin, J.Y. Chin, E. Parker, M. Breen, W. Brakefield, T. Robins and T. Lewis (2012). Air change rates and interzonal flows in residences, and the need for multi-zone models for exposure and health analyses. Int J. Environ Res Public Health 4639-61. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23235286/
Jafta, N., S.A. Batterman, N. Gqaleni, R.N. Naidoo and T.G. Robins (2012). Characterization of allergens and airborne fungi in low and middle-income homes of primary school children in Durban, South Africa. American Journal Ind Medicine 1110-21. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22674665/
Reddy P, R.N. Naidoo, T.G. Robins, G. Mentz, H. Li, S.J. London and S. Batterman (2012). GSTM1 and GSTP1 gene variants and the effect of air pollutants on lung function measures in South African children. American Journal Ind Medicine 1078-86. (GSTM1 and GSTP1 gene variants and the effect of air pollutants on lung function measures in South African children - PubMed (nih.gov))
Email: [email protected]
Office: 734-936-0757
Fax: 734-763-8095
Address: M6007 SPH II
1415 Washington Heights
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2029
For media inquiries: [email protected]