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Volume 4 Number 10
February 2007
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Since
the 1970s, occupational health professionals have made significant
advancements in understanding the health risks of asbestos, and in
identifying workplace populations at potential risk. In turn, those
advancements have helped scientists and others to design interventions to
protect working people from mesothelioma, asbestos disease, and other serious
and often fatal illnesses.
NIOSH
can take pride in the contributions that it has made to those advancements
over the years.
Nevertheless,
as we enter the 21st Century, many questions and uncertainties remain. For
example, because several types and forms of mineral fibers are classified as
asbestos, the scientific literature contains various inconsistencies in the
definition and application of the term "asbestos" for defining and
addressing potential health risks. Those inconsistencies reflect various
scientific limitations that existed at the points in times in which given
studies were reported, or given decisions were made.
In
many cases, decisions made many years ago, reflecting the best scientific
information then available, still form the basis of today’s public
policies. Because these issues are so complex, and because competing demands
for attention to other scientific questions always exist, it has been
difficult for scientists and others to make a systematic effort to re-examine
longstanding policies in light of today's scientific knowledge.
Uncertainty
is never a desirable factor when people’s health is at issue. For that
reason, NIOSH will undertake a major initiative this year to engage the
current questions about asbestos in light of today’s technical
capabilities and scientific knowledge. We will seek ideas and input from our
diverse partners to help define the pressing questions about asbestos and
other mineral fibers, to identify new scientific advancements that may be
brought to bear on those questions, and to lay out a roadmap for the research
most likely to bring certainty out of uncertainty.
We will announce further details
of this initiative in the coming weeks, with additional information to come
in the March issue of NIOSH eNews. We look forward to your interest and
participation.
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NY Seeks Information on WTC
Responder Deaths
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In an initiative funded by NIOSH,
the New York State Department of Health is collecting information on deaths
among World Trade Center responders, recovery workers, and volunteers.
This data collection system will be used to identify and track all fatalities
that occur among WTC responders so that science-based investigations of root
causes can begin to be explored. Further information, including a mailing
address, a toll-free telephone number, and an email address for contacting
the program, is available at http://www.nyhealth.gov/environmental/investigations/wtc/health_studies/fatality_investigation.htm.
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NIOSH Announces “WorkLife 2007:
Protecting and Promoting Worker Health, A National
Symposium”
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NIOSH announces "WorkLife
2007: Protecting and Promoting Worker Health, A National Symposium."
This Symposium, sponsored by NIOSH in conjunction with over 25 supporting
organizations, will explore strategies and acquire tools for enhancing and
sustaining healthy workplaces and healthy workers. The two-day symposium is
part of NIOSH’s WorkLife Initiative and will be held September 10-11 at
the Hyatt Regency in Bethesda, Maryland. For more information go to http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/worklife/.
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Work-related Musculoskeletal
Disorders in Sonographers
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A new NIOSH Workplace Solutions
publication highlights the risks for sonographers developing work-related
musculoskeletal disorders, an injury that accounts for one-third of all
occupational injuries and illnesses reported by employers. NIOSH provides
recommendations that include appropriate engineering controls, work
practices, hazard communication, and training to prevent these work-related
musculoskeletal disorders. To view the full publication, go to http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/wp-solutions/2006-148/.
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IOM
Report on NIOSH Anthropometric Research
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The Institute of Medicine released
an assessment report on a NIOSH head-and-face anthropometric study of U.S.
respirator users. This is the result of a NIOSH effort to update data on
facial shapes and sizes of a representative U.S. population, so that
information used to set criteria for fit-testing of respirator face masks
accurately reflects the characteristics of today's increasingly diverse
workforce. The IOM review committee found the results to be an advancement
over data and criteria that have been used since the 1970s, but offers
recommendations for changes to address what the committee characterized as
weaknesses in the study. To view the entire report, go to http://www.iom.edu/CMS/3740/28457/39829.aspx.
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National
Academy Review of the Occupational Energy Research Program
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A National Academies committee
issued its final report on January 3, of its review of the Worker and Public
Health Activities Program sponsored by the Department of Energy and conducted
by the Department of Health and Human Services. The committee made several
recommendations for improving the NIOSH program and enhancing communications
to workers and the public. NIOSH is grateful to the committee for its work in
reviewing NIOSH activities under the program, and is carefully reviewing the
recommendations. The final report, “Review of the Worker and Public
Health Activities Program Administered by the Department of Energy and the
Department of Health and Human Services,” is available at no cost from
the National Academies Press or go to http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/oerp/news.html.
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Contributions
in Engineering, Statistics Noted in MMWR
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The
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly
Report for December 22, 2006, Volume 55 (SUP02),
includes two feature articles written by NIOSH researchers.
- “Engineering and Public
Health at CDC” (pp. 10-13) discusses the role of NIOSH engineers
and other engineers at CDC, and key engineering contributions to public
health. The full article can be accessed at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/su5502a5.htm
- “Statistics and Public Health at CDC”
(pp. 22-24) discusses how the integration of statistics and analytic
techniques into public health research is a critical asset to NIOSH and
to CDC, and how it has resulted in important applications in various
disciplines, including epidemiology, economics, and the behavioral and
social sciences. The full article can be accessed at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/su5502a9.htm
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 Ergonomic Patent for a Wearable Kneel-Sit Support Device
On December 26, 2006, three NIOSH employees received U.S. Patent Number
7,152,919 for the “Wearable Kneel-Sit Support Device.” Developed
by Steve Wurzelbacher (former employee), Ova Johnston (deceased), and Steve
Hudock, the device is a product of research on ergonomic interventions in the
shipbuilding and repair industries. Researchers observed that many shipyard
employees spent a large percentage of time in kneeling to perform cutting,
grinding, or welding tasks at floor or deck level. Also, an uncharacteristically
high rate of lower extremity injuries and disorders was noted. This device is
worn on the lower calf just above the worker’s boot and, when kneeling,
the worker can deploy the device to create a support for the back of the
thighs. Sitting back on the support results in less hyperflexion
of the knee than without the device. For more information, contact Steve
Hudock at shudock@xxxxxxx.
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"Kneel-Sit"
device deployed
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Close-up
of "Kneel-Sit" device components
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Close-up
of deployed "Kneel-Sit" device
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Update from the NIOSH National
Personal Protective Technology Laboratory
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 NIOSH Lab Director Appointed NFPA Committee Chair
Leslie Boord, Director of the NIOSH National Personal Protective Technology
Laboratory, was appointed the chairperson for the Technical Correlating
Committee (TCC) on Fire and Emergency Services Protective Clothing and
Equipment at the January National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)Standards
Council meeting. A member of the TCC since April 2004 and of the NFPA
Technical Committee on Respiratory Protection Equipment since January 2002,
Les brings a broad background on the diverse PPE issues for emergency
responders.
NPPTL Releases
December 2006 Figures on the Respirator Certification and Approval Process
During December 2006, the Technology Evaluation Branch of NPPTL closed a
total of 47 projects. There were 33 respirator approval decisions, 4 denials
and 2 applications were withdrawn by the manufacturer. Of these, 8 were new
products, 30 were modifications of products that had been previously approved
and 2 were Certified Product Investigations. During the month of December TEB
received 17 applications for extensions of approval and 13 applications for
new approvals.
The
Engineering Evaluation team conducted two quality assurance manual audits to
evaluate the quality assurance process and manufacturing practices. Two
product audits were initiated. The Certified Product Investigation Process
completed 2evaluations of previously certified products.
One
new approval and 2 modifications of approval were for CBRN respirators.
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September 2006
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October 2006
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November 2006
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December 2006
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Total
number of product approvals
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26
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26
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27
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34
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New
products
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9
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7
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16
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8
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Modifications
to products previously approved
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17
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19
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8
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30
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Air-supplied
respirators
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4
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8
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11
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12
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Air-purifying
respirators
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21
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21
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33
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32
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Respirators
with protection from Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Agents
(CBRN)
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1
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0
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9
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Other Tasks Completed
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Site
Audits
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1
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1
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Product
Audits
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2
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0
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2
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Certified
Product Investigation Process (CPIP)
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5
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2
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3
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3
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Quality
Assurance
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2
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3
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2
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New
Product Approval Granted
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9
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5
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4
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3
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New
Product Approval Denied
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9
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1
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12
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5
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Product
modification approval granted
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17
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16
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6
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22
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Product
modification approval denied
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1
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2
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6
2 withdrawn
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Audits Initiated
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Site
audit
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1
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2
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2
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11
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Product
audit
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0
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1
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Certified
Product Investigation Process (CPIP)
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3
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3
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5
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National
Occupational Research Agenda Sector Council Co-Chairs
NIOSH is excited by the great progress of the National Occupational Research
Agenda (NORA) Sector Councils. Most of the councils have already held their
initial meetings and started the process of drafting their strategic plans
for researching occupational safety and health issues in their sectors. NORA
agenda-setting depends heavily on volunteer occupational safety and health
leaders from outside NIOSH as well as NIOSH personnel. Every NORA Sector
Council will be lead by co-chairs, a NIOSH sector program leader, and a
stakeholder representative. Feel free to contact them or the NIOSH program
contact below regarding Council activities. Additionally, you can contact the
NORA Coordinator about any NORA topic at NORACoordinator@xxxxxxx.
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Sector Council or Sub Council
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Stakeholder Co-Chair
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NIOSH sector contact
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Agriculture,
Forestry and Fishing
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Barbara Lee
Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation
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Brad Husberg
BHusberg@xxxxxxx
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Construction
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Pete Stafford
Center to Protect Worker Rights
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Matt Gillen
MGillen@xxxxxxx
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Healthcare
and Social Assistance
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Bonnie Rogers
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Teri Palermo
TPalermo@xxxxxxx
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Manufacturing
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Gordon Reeve
Ford Motor Company (Retired)
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Mike Gressel
MGressel@xxxxxxx
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Mining
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To be announced
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Jeff Welsh
JWelsh@xxxxxxx
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Services
Public
Safety Sub Council
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Eileen Storey
University of Connecticut
Bill Johnson
National Association of Police Organizations
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David Utterback
Dutterback@xxxxxxx
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Transportation,
Warehousing
and Utilities
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To be announced
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Stephanie Pratt
SPratt@xxxxxxx
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Wholesale
and Retail Trade
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James Koskan
Supervalu, Inc.
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Vern Anderson
VAnderson@xxxxxxx
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NIOSH
Announces Funding Opportunities
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Childhood Agricultural
Safety and Health Research:
NIOSH will soon be reviewing grant applications for research to develop and
evaluate new or existing enhanced control technologies that will reduce
injury to youth exposed to farm hazards, to identify and implement strategies
which encourage adults to adopt injury control methods to protect youth, and
to identify the economic and social consequences of youth working on farms.
For more information go to http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-OH-07-002.html.
Centers for
Agricultural Disease and Injury Research, Education, and Prevention
NIOSH will soon be reviewing cooperative agreement applications submitted for
Agriculture Centers that conduct research, education, and
prevention/intervention programs to address agricultural safety and health
problems both regionally and nationally. For more information go to http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-057.html.
For additional information please
contact Dr. Allen Robison at 404-498-2509 or WRobison@xxxxxxx.
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Release of the Global Risks 2007 Report
The second “Global Risks Annual Report,” published by the World
Economic Forum in cooperation with Citigroup, Marsh & McLennan Companies,
Swiss Re, and the Wharton Risk Center, was released in January. The report
found major improvements in the understanding of the interdependencies
between global risks, the importance of taking an integrated risk management
approach to global challenges, and the necessity of dealing proactively with
root causes of global risks rather than reacting to the consequences. It also
suggests that many of the 23 core global risks have worsened over the last 12
months, despite growing awareness of their potential impacts. In addition to
specific risk mitigation measures, the report also found that institutional
innovations may be needed to create effective responses to a complex risk
landscape. The full report can be downloaded at http://www.weforum.org/pdf/CSI/Global_Risks_2007.pdf.
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NIOSH releases four new Health Hazard
Evaluation Reports
Health Care and
Social Assistance Sector
Evaluation of exposure to surgical smoke in the health care and social
assistance sector. NIOSH investigators responded to three requests for health
hazard evaluations in hospital operating rooms. The requesters were concerned
about possible health effects from exposure to the byproducts of surgical
smoke generated by electrocautery knives. NIOSH investigators tested the air
for volatile organic compounds and surveyed employees about health symptoms.
Although exposures to chemical compounds above the permitted or recommended
limits were not identified, low concentrations of compounds found in surgical
smoke may be sufficient to cause irritative effects on the eyes and mucous
membranes, especially in sensitive individuals. The full reports are
available at
Services Sector
Evaluation of mold exposure in the services sector. NIOSH investigators responded
to an employee request for a health hazard evaluation concerning symptoms
that workers believed may have been related to exposure to mold and fungus in
the treatment rooms and gas released from pools at a resort spa. NIOSH
investigators found elevated moisture levels and mold growth behind some
walls and above some ceilings. Recommendations by NIOSH investigators
included removing the mold and taking steps to prevent new growth and
implementing an indoor environmental quality management plan. The full report
is available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2004-0005-3024.pdf.
Four New Mining
Products Are Now Available
NIOSH released the following mining publications:
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- Construction Safety
Conference and Exposition, February 13-14, Rosemont, Illinois (Chicago),
NIOSH booth #512
- 2007 SME Annual Meeting & Exhibit and 109th
National Western Mining Conference, February 25-28, Denver, Colorado,
NIOSH booth #1123
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Mark
Your Calendars: Important Paper and Poster Submission Deadlines
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- Association of Occupational
Health Professionals 2007 National Conference
September 26-29, 2007, Savannah, Georgia
Call for Posters deadline is February 15, 2007
http://www.aohp.org
- Occupational and
Environmental Exposures of Skin to Chemicals
June 17-20, 2007, Golden, Colorado
Call for Papers deadline is February 17, 2007
http://www.mines.edu/outreach/cont_ed/oeesc
- European Respiratory Society Annual Congress 2007
September 15-19, 2007, Stockholm, Sweden
Call for Papers deadline is February 22, 2007
http://www.ersnet.org/ers/default.aspx
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Hyperflexion: Bending a limb
or a body part beyond its normal range..
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NIOSH eNews on the Web:
www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews/
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NIOSH eNews is Brought to
You By:
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Director
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John Howard, M.D.
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Editor in Chief
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Max Lum
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Story Editor
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Tanya Headley
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Public Affairs Officer
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Fred Blosser
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Technical Lead
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Glenn Doyle
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Technical Support
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Joseph Cauley
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Please send
your comments and suggestions to us at nioshenews@xxxxxxx.
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