|
|
Volume 5 Number 12
April 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
An
age-old disease, tuberculosis continues to afflict men and women around the
world in the 21st Century. Internationally, 9.2 million new cases
of TB and 1.7 million deaths from the disease occurred in 2006, according to
World Health Organization (WHO) estimates. In the U.S., it is an occupational
health concern for people who have an increased, work-related risk of
exposure to the TB bacteria, such as workers in health-care facilities and
correctional institutions.
In
the decades after World War II, thanks to strides in detection and control,
significant inroads were made against the disease. However, in the 1980s,
this progress stalled as a result of several factors, and TB resurged. The
public health community redoubled efforts to control the disease.
As
part of its research and outreach mission, NIOSH stepped up to help protect
men and women who were at increased risk of work-related infection from
TB’s resurgence. On one track, working with our colleagues elsewhere in
the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health
institutions, we were at the table in helping to craft broader national
initiatives in the renewed campaign against the disease. Our scientific
findings and our insights into the dynamics of the workplace were important
for incorporating occupational health protection as a critical part of
national TB control guidance. A recent example is CDC’s 2005 guidelines
for controlling TB transmission in health-care settings, http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5417.pdf.
At
the same time, responding to our stakeholders with direct assistance, we also
helped employers and employees to identify risk factors in their workplaces
and to institute effective protective measures. We have provided extensive
technical assistance and guidance in the form of published guidelines,
training materials, health surveillance data, health hazard evaluation
reports, presentations at professional conferences, chapters in textbooks,
and other resources. These materials include valuable resources not only for
occupational health programs in health-care facilities, but also for programs
in other places where work-related risks exist, such as correctional facilities,
nursing homes, and homeless shelters.
To
a significant extent, the renewed efforts here in the U.S. and
abroad have been successful. For example, WHO estimates that the number of
new TB cases per capita globally has fallen since 2003. In the U.S., the
incidence rate of TB among health-care workers declined during the period
from 1994 to 2000.
http://www2l.cdc.gov/NIOSH-Chartbook/ch2/ch2-10-6.asp.
However, as long as the disease exists, the potential for infection remains.
In 2006, according to CDC statistics, 408 healthcare workers and 17
correctional workers were diagnosed as having TB. This is 425 cases too many.
Two recent reports also highlight trends that further demonstrate the need to
stay vigilant.
WHO
reported on March 17 that progress in controlling TB world-wide slowed in
2006, the most recent year for which the international data were available.
One important factor is the continued growth of multidrug-resistant TB, which
poses ongoing challenges for diagnosis and treatment. The WHO report is
essential reading for health professionals. http://www.who.int/tb/publications/global_report/2008/en/index.html.
An
article in the March 21, 2008, issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report found a
similar slowdown in progress against TB in the United States. Recommendations in
the article for vigorous actions to address this problem, and to push for the
eradication of TB once and for all, involve roles for NIOSH and its partners.
Among the recommendations: “improved case management and contact
investigation, intensified outreach and testing of populations at high risk,
better treatments and diagnostic tools, improved understanding of TB
transmission, and continued collaboration with other nations to reduce TB
globally.” http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5711a2.htm
Clearly,
our ongoing NIOSH resources for employers and workers continue to meet a
critical need. They include:
- “Protect Yourself Against
Tuberculosis,” an easy-to-read guide that answers questions frequently
raised by health-care workers about respiratory protection against TB,
and provides key information about selecting, using, and maintaining
respirators. Respiratory protection is a key measure in health-care
facilities because engineering controls, such as the use of isolation
rooms, may not completely contain the risk of exposure. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/tb.html
- “TB Respiratory Protection Program in
Health Care Facilities: Administrators’ Guide,” a practical
guide for administrators and managers who are responsible for
instituting and maintaining respiratory protection programs for
health-care workers who may be exposed to patients infected with TB. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/99-143.html.
- “Respirators: Your TB
Defense” and “TB Respiratory Protection:
Administrators’ Review,” two video programs that fulfill a
need for interactive, visual training resources. The programs are
available on DVD or as downloads from the Web. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/video/tb.html.
NIOSH
has also contributed to the development, assessment, and guidance for use of
environmental control measures such as ventilation and filtration, airborne
infection isolation rooms (AIIR), portable air cleaners, and ultraviolet
germicidal irradiation (UVGI), to the advancement of knowledge about
personal protective equipment, and to improvements in methods for assessing
TB exposure. These advances add to the base of knowledge that will be needed
for protecting workers – and indeed, the public as a whole – as
efforts against TB proceed in the 21st Century. NIOSH’s work is
described in an evidence package presented to the National Academies last
year for independent scientific review of the quality, relevance, and impact
of our strategic research program for preventing occupational respiratory
diseases. http://mtn.niosh.cdc.gov/drds/about/RDRP/ch6.1.htm
For health professionals, the
ultimate goal is not simply the containment or control of TB. The ultimate
goal is eradication. NIOSH is honored to be a partner in this historic
enterprise. For more information about our resources for occupational health
professionals, employers, and workers, please visit our topic page at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/tb.
|
National
Asbestos Awareness Week
|
|
April 1 – 7, 2008 was
National Asbestos Awareness Week. NIOSH joins our partners to reemphasize the
need to reduce health risks for workers who may be exposed to asbestos. The
NIOSH Asbestos Topic Page, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/asbestos
provides links to existing NIOSH recommendations for controlling work-related
exposures. It also offers information about “Asbestos and Other Mineral
Fibers: A Roadmap for Scientific Research,” NIOSH’s partnership
to advance scientific research for reducing current uncertainties in
developing worker protection policies for asbestos.
|
2008 National
Work Zone Awareness Week
|
|
 National Work Zone Awareness Week
(NWZAW) will be observed April 7 – 11, 2008. Scheduled events include
the Ninth Annual National Media Event, hosted on April 8 by the California
Department of Transportation, at the California State Capitol in Sacramento. Roadway
work zones are hazardous for motorists and workers. One hazard that road
crews face each day is being struck by motorists passing through work zones.
By slowing down, obeying posted speed limits, and exercising caution when
driving through work zones, motorists make work zones safer for workers,
other drivers and themselves. The following links provide additional
information about: NWZAW (from the Federal Highway Administration), http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/outreach/wz_awareness.htm;
NIOSH work zone safety research, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/highwayworkzones;
and a national resource for work zone safety, http://wzsafety.tamu.edu.
|
Town Hall
Meeting on Preparedness and Response Research Portfolio
|
|
NIOSH hosted a stimulating town
hall meeting on March 25 in Arlington,
VA, for stakeholder comment on
the strategic goals of the NIOSH program portfolio for research in health and
safety for emergency preparedness and response. The docket for comments will
remain open until April 13. More information about the program portfolio, the
town hall meeting, and ways to contact us can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/epr/townhall.html.
|
REMINDER:
NIOSH Seeks Applications for 2007 Director's Award
|
|
NIOSH is soliciting applications
for the 2007 NIOSH Director's Award for Outstanding Extramural Research in
Occupational Safety and Health. This annual award recognizes outstanding
scientific research in the field of occupational safety and health that has
made a major impact or has the potential of making a major impact for
practitioners and workplaces. Researchers who are currently receiving
independent investigator-initiated grant support from NIOSH are eligible for
the competitive award, which provides a $15,000 supplement in total costs to
the grant that is the basis for the work cited in the award. Go to the NIOSH
Web page at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/oep
for the full announcement.
|
NIOSH Teams on
Innovative Safety Outreach with Hispanic Media
|
|
 NIOSH has
partnered with the Spanish-language television network Telemundo, CPWR
– the Center for Construction Research and Training, and Hollywood
Health and Society to introduce an occupational safety storyline that began
April 1 on a popular Telemundo telenovela or dramatic series. The storyline
on the series “Pecados Ajenos” focuses on the consequences of a
serious workplace injury involving a fall from ladder on a construction site.
A public service announcement was scheduled to air with the episodes of the
telenovela. Further information about the safety risks and preventive measures
highlighted by the telenovela can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/features/constructionfalls/telenovela_falls.html.
NIOSH Spanish-language resources for diverse industries and types of work are
available at http://www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh.
|
NIOSH Board of
Scientific Counselors to Meet April 23, 2008
|
|
The NIOSH Board of Scientific
Counselors (BSC) will meet April 23, 2008 in Arlington, VA.
The meeting is open to the public. The BSC provides guidance to the NIOSH
Director on research and prevention programs, and evaluates the degree to
which NIOSH activities conform to appropriate scientific standards, address
current and relevant needs and produce intended results. Contact Roger Rosa,
BSC Executive Secretary at RRosa@xxxxxxx
for more information.
|
REMINDER: Comments
Invited for Draft NIOSH Alert on Preventing Chronic Beryllium Disease
|
|
 Comments accepted
until May 12, 2008.
NIOSH is conducting public review of a draft NIOSH
document entitled, “NIOSH Alert: Preventing Chronic Beryllium Disease
and Beryllium Sensitization.” The draft Alert describes the nature of
chronic beryllium disease and other health effects that can occur from
exposure to beryllium and beryllium-containing materials. Recommendations for
companies and workers to minimize the health risk to workers are also
provided. When submitting comments to the NIOSH Docket, be sure to reference
Docket Number 120. Guidelines for submissions can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/120.
|
NIOSH Provides
Input for Global Road Safety Resolution
|
|
|
|
NIOSH colleagues Stephanie Pratt (standing 7th
from left) and Jane Hingston (9th from left) participate in United Nations
Road Safety Collaboration meetings
|
The United Nations General
Assembly adopted Resolution A/62/L.43 on “Improving Global Road Safety”
on March 31, 2008. The Sultanate of Oman introduced the resolution, which was
sponsored by more than 90 countries and adopted unanimously. The resolution
includes encouragement for "organizations in both private and public
sectors with vehicle fleets to develop and implement policies and practices
that will reduce crash risks for vehicle occupants and other road
users." As members of the federal Global Road Safety Interagency Working
Group, Stephanie Pratt and Jane Hingston of NIOSH provided input that strengthened
this portion of the resolution. For the first time, a United Nations
resolution includes specific language that notes the importance of fleet
operations to worker safety and public safety. This gives corporations,
governments, and other stakeholders strong justification to take action to
improve road safety for workers around the world. For more information,
contact Stephanie Pratt at SPratt@xxxxxxx
or Jane Hingston JHingston@xxxxxxx. To
read the full text of the resolution, visit http://www.who.int/roadsafety/about/resolutions/A-RES-62-L-43.pdf.
|
Applications
Being Accepted for 2008 Robert W. Campbell
Award
|
|
Deadline is May 31, 2008
The Robert W. Campbell Award is currently accepting applications for the 2008
Award year. This international award honors organizations that achieve high
levels of excellence by integrating environmental, health and safety (EHS)
management into their overall business operating system. Final submittals for
the Campbell Award must be postmarked by May 31, 2008. Please visit http://www.CampbellAward.org for
further information or email CampbellAward@xxxxxxx.
|
NIOSH Facility
Contributes to Morgantown
Wellness Designation
|
|
The city of Morgantown,
WV is one of only ten cities nationally to receive the designation of “Well City”
from the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA). The NIOSH Morgantown facility
was one of twenty area employers that contributed to this designation by
being named “Well Workplaces” by WELCOA. Members of the local
business community in cooperation with the Wellness Council of West Virginia
and WELCOA have been working towards the “Well City”
designation since 1998. Brett Rice, Director of the NIOSH Morgantown Wellness
Program, is a long-time member of the Well City Initiative Committee.
|
New Director
of NIOSH Division of Applied Research and Technology Announced
|
|
Gregory Lotz has been appointed to
the position of Director of the NIOSH Division of Applied Research and
Technology (DART). Greg has served in various capacities since joining NIOSH
in 1992, including DART Associate Director for Science from January 2003 to
August 2007 and most recently Interim DART Director. His research has focused
on the effects of exposure to physical agents, including radiation, noise and
hot and cold environments, and he served as a member of U.S.
interagency committees and national and international review panels.
|
“Simple
Solutions” Document Recognized by IIE Award
|
|
 “Simple Solutions:
Ergonomics for Construction Workers” was one of six finalists in the
Training and Education category of the Ergo Cup® Competition at the 11th
Annual Applied Ergonomics Conference held March 10 – 14 in Orlando, FL.
Authors Jim Albers and Cherie Estill attended the conference in order to
participate in the competition and to promote recent NIOSH ergonomics
publications. The Ergo Cup® is an internationally-recognized award presented
by the Institute
of Industrial Engineers
to organizations that have developed an effective ergonomics solution or education
initiative within the last 24 months.
|
David Byrne
Received Public Health Service Award
|
|
NIOSH Research Audiologist David
Byrne has been selected to receive the 2008 Josef Hoog Award given by the
U.S. Public Health Service. The award is one of four Therapist Category
awards, and was created in memory of Josef Hoog, a USPHS physical therapist from
1952 – 1970. Lieutenant Commander Byrne’s article,
“Comparison of Speech Intelligibility Measures for an Electronic
Amplifying Earmuff and an Identical Passive Attenuation Device,” has
subsequently been submitted for publication. The award will be presented in
June at the USPHS Scientific and Training Symposium in Tucson, AZ.
|
Marilyn Adams,
Farm Safety Advocate, Wins Prestigious Volvo Safety Award
|
|
Congratulations to Marilyn Adams,
founder of Farm Safety 4 Just Kids, who was awarded Volvo's prestigious Volvo
for Life Award on March 18 as "America's Greatest Hometown
Hero." The award recognized Marilyn's tireless educational efforts with
parents and children in rural communities throughout North
America to prevent farm injuries and deaths involving children.
Marilyn and Farm Safety 4 Just Kids are long-time NIOSH partners in advancing
safety for young people who work and live on farms. Further information on
the award is available at http://www.volvoforlifeawards.com/cgi-bin/iowa/english/home/index.html
and http://www.fs4jk.org/adamsaward.html.
|
William A.
Hustrulid Is Elected to One of Engineering's Highest Honors
|
|
William A. Hustrulid, PhD, a
senior scientist at NIOSH's Spokane Research Laboratory, was elected to the
National Academy of Engineers (NAE). This is one of the highest honors that
can be awarded to an engineer. Bill was inducted to the Academy during a ceremony
at NAE’s annual meeting in Washington,
DC, in recognition of his
“contributions to the theory and practice of geomechanics in the design
of safe and efficient underground mining systems.” Congratulations to
Dr. Hustrulid.
|
|
Be
sure to check out and comment on the latest NIOSH Science Blog topics.
 Posted on March 17, 2008,
Walter Alarcon, Senior Service Fellow in the NIOSH Division of
Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, describes the
effectiveness of using blunt-tip suture needles by surgical personnel. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/blog/nsb031708_needlesticks.html.
 The March
31, 2008 posting by Edward Fries, Engineer in the NIOSH National
Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, discusses protecting
healthcare workers from pandemic influenza with the use of personal
protective equipment (PPE). http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/blog.
NIOSH’s draft action plan of short and long term strategies for
influenza pandemic research, development and investigative testing for
the personal protective technology program is available for public
comment at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/129.
|
NIOSH Signs
Agreement with OSHA and National Hearing Conservation Association
On February 21, NIOSH, the U.S.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the National Hearing
Conservation Association signed an agreement for outreach and resources to
prevent work-related hearing loss. More information about the alliance can be
found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-03-24-08.html.
|
 NORA Public Safety Sub-Sector Draft Agenda
The
NORA Public Safety Sub Council is requesting comments on its draft National Public Safety Sub-Sector
Agenda http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/comment/public.
Over the past year the Sub Council members developed a set of 16 strategic
goals to guide the nation in research and research-to-practice efforts for
four groups of workers: law enforcement, firefighting, corrections and
emergency medical services. The Sub Council also seeks organizations to join
partnership efforts to advance the draft priorities.
NORA Agriculture,
Forestry and Fishing Draft Agenda
The
NORA Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Sector Council is requesting comments
on its draft National Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Agenda that includes
nine strategic goals to guide the nation in research and research-to-practice
efforts aimed at top safety and health problems. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/comment/public.
The Council also seeks organizations to join partnership efforts to advance
the draft priorities.
NORA Mining Sector
Council Update
The
NORA Mining Sector Council has been charged to improve outreach to small
mines through partnering. For details or to volunteer, go to http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/councils/mining.
NORA Awards deadline
this month
The
last day to submit nominations for the two NORA awards is Wednesday, April
30. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/symp08/award08.html.
As always, contact the NORA
Coordinator at noracoordinator@xxxxxxx for any NORA-related issues.
|
State-based
Occupational Health updates
|
Collaborative state
response to an emerging occupational health hazard.
Bronchiolitis
obliterans, a rare, life-threatening lung disease, was found among microwave
popcorn manufacturing workers and linked by NIOSH to the chemical diacetyl,
an ingredient in artificial butter flavorings. At the June 2006 Council of
State and Territorial Epidemiologists’ (CSTE) annual meeting, the
California state health department and NIOSH reported a similar outbreak of
lung disease among diacetyl-exposed food flavoring manufacturing workers http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5616a2.htm.
To respond to this emerging hazard, members of NIOSH’s 15-state
Consortium of Occupational State-based Surveillance (COSS) group conducted an
array of occupational public health activities. States have:
- Informed workers, employers, and health care
providers of the health risks of workplace food flavoring exposures.
- Conducted worksite visits or employer surveys
to assess diacetyl and food flavoring use.
- Helped state OSHA programs identify worksites
using food flavorings.
- Responded to reports of
possible health risks of restaurant use of diacetyl-containing oils. To
access Washington’s
Fact Sheet, go to http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/REsearch/Files/DiacetylFactSheet.pdf
For information about state-based
activities to prevent flavoring-related lung disease, contact Barbara Materna
Barbara.Materna@xxxxxxxxxxx.
|
Fatigue and Work
Seminar
The
National Safety Council is cosponsoring the “Fatigue and Work” Seminar
on May 9, 2008 as part of The Big Sleep Show in Chicago, IL.
The seminar will focus on workplace issues such as drowsy driving, shift
work, healthy sleep and napping. Speakers include leading experts and authors
from NASA, industry and the research community. The Big Sleep Show on May
9-10, 2008 is the first-ever consumer health expo solely dedicated to sleep
and alertness. http://www.thebigsleepshow.com
National Safety
Council Webinar Schedule for April and May
The
National Safety Council will host the following webinars in April and May.
|
 Nanotechnology
The following NIOSH
publications are now electronically available in Spanish.
|
Look for Us
The
NIOSH Exhibit Booth will be at Booth 248 at the “Fire Department
Instructors Conference,” April 9 – 12, 2008 in Indianapolis, IN. http://fdic08.events.pennnet.com/fl//index.cfm
Call for Abstracts
“14th International
Society for Respiratory Protection”
September 14 – 18, 2008, Dublin,
Ireland.
Deadline is June 30, 2008. http://www.isrp.com/dublin/index.html.
ASSE Professional Development
Conference and Exposition “SAFETY 2009”
June 23 – July 1, 2009, San
Antonio, TX.
Deadline is July 18, 2008. http://www.asse.org.
“29th Triennial
Congress of the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH
2009)”
March 22 – 27, 2009, Cape Town,
South Africa.
Deadline is July 31, 2008.
http://www.icoh2009.co.za.
Upcoming Conferences
“Fire Department Instructors
Conference 2008”
April 7 – 12, 2008, Indianapolis,
IN. http://fdic08.events.pennnet.com/fl/index.cfm.
“9th Annual
Transforming Fall Prevention Practices”
April 21 – 25, 2008, Clearwater,
FL. http://www.cme.hsc.usf.edu/sphm.
“American Association of
Occupational Health Nurses”
April 25 – May 1, 2008, Salt
Lake City, UT. http://www.aaohn.org/education/symposium-expo/index.cfm.
“International Association of
Fire Chiefs 2008 International Hazardous Materials Response Teams
Conference”
May 29 – June 1, 2008, Hunt
Valley, MD. http://iafc.confex.com/iafc/haz08/cfp.cgi.
“2008 American Industrial
Hygiene Conference and Exposition”
May 31 – June 5, 2008, Minneapolis,
Minnesota.
http://www.aiha.org/aihce08. As part of AIHce, the Ergonomics Committee will
sponsor the “Ergonomics Symposium: Making a Business Case for
Ergonomics (and Other Safety and Health Programs)” on June 1, 2008. http://www.aiha.org/aihce08/education/symposium.htm
“NSTI Nanotech Annual
Conference”
June 1 – 5, 2008, Boston,
MA. http://www.nsti.org/Nanotech2008.
“2008 World Safety Conference
and Exposition”
June 2 – 6, 2008, Las Vegas,
NV. http://www.nfpa.org/wsce.
"American Society of Safety
Engineers “SAFETY 2008” Professional Development Conference and
Exposition"
June 9 – 12, 2008, Las Vegas,
NV. http://www.asse.org/speakerpage08.
“12th US/North
American Mine Ventilation Symposium”
June 11 – 18, 2008, Reno,
NV. http://www.unr.edu/ventsymp2008.
“2008 Johnson Conference:
Critical Issues in Monitoring Asbestos”
July 14 – 18, 2008, Burlington,
VT. http://www.astm.org/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/filtrexx40.cgi?U+mystore+rnme8276+-P+MAINCOMM+D22+-P+EVENT_ID+1126+-P+MEETING_ID+32970+/usr6/htdocs/newpilot.com/MEETINGS/sympotherinfo.frm.
“International Association of
Fire Chiefs Fire Rescue International 2008”
August 14 – 16, 2008, Denver, CO. http://www.iafc.org.
“2008 National Occupational
Injury Research Symposium (NOIRS)”
October 21 – 23, 2008, Pittsburgh,
PA. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/noirs/2008.
“PCIH 2008”
November 8 – 11, 2008, Tampa,
FL. http://www.aiha.org/pcih08/.
“8th Conference of
the European Academy of Occupational Health
Psychology”
November 12 – 14, 2008, Valencia,
Spain.
http://www.ea-ohp.org.
“International
Roofing Expo”
February 3 – 5, 2009, Las
Vegas, NV. http://www.theroofingexpo.com.
|
|
Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI): Use of
ultraviolet light to break down and inactivate infectious organisms such as
TB bacteria.
|
|
NIOSH eNews on the Web:
www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews/
|
NIOSH eNews is Brought to
You By:
|
Director
|
John Howard, M.D.
|
|
Editor in Chief
|
Max Lum
|
|
Story Editor
|
Tara Hartley
|
|
Public Affairs Officer
|
Fred Blosser
|
|
Technical Lead
|
Glenn Doyle
|
|
Technical Support
|
Joseph Cauley
|
Please send
your comments and suggestions to us at nioshenews@xxxxxxx.
|
|
To
unsubscribe to this newsletter
click here,
OR send an email to
LISTSERV@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx with SIGNOFF NIOSHeNews
in the body of the message.
This
newsletter is published monthly via email by the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health to inform members of the public health
community as well as interested members of the general public of Institute
related news, new publications, and updates on existing programs and
initiatives.
|
NIOSH Home | NIOSH Search | Site Index | Topic List | Contact Us
|
|
