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Volume 6 Number 9
January 2009
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From the
Director's Desk
--Christine M. Branche, Ph.D., Acting Director, NIOSH
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Welcome
back from the holidays. With the new year, January invites us to renew our
dedication to our mission as we look ahead to the challenges and
opportunities that 2009 is sure to bring. January also brings an inescapable
fact of life in much of the U.S.—winter
weather. Falling temperatures conjure up different images for each person.
For some it brings thoughts of skiing, hopes of snow days, and the thrill of
sled riding. For others it means shorter days and the chance of snow and icy
road conditions. But no matter if you love cold weather or would rather
hibernate until spring, falling temperatures can pose risks, especially for
workers, in many parts of the country. We urge employers to consider the
health and safety hazards that cold conditions may create and to design
effective interventions to protect the health and safety of workers.
Workers
who are exposed to extreme cold or work in cold environments may be at risk
of cold stress. Extreme cold weather is a dangerous situation that can bring
on health emergencies for workers who work outdoors, with or without shelter,
or in unheated environment. NIOSH recommends that employees and employers
plan wisely to prevent the risk of hypothermia, frostbite, and other
cold-related hazards for workers exposed to these conditions.
Some
recommendations for how employers can help protect their workers include
scheduling cold jobs for the warmer part of the day; using relief workers or
assigning extra workers for long, demanding jobs; and providing warm liquids
and warm areas to workers during breaks.
It
is also important for employers to make workers aware of the potentially
unrecognized hazards of cold temperatures and of the measures that workers
can take if working outside in harsh conditions. If possible, work should be
moved to heated inside structures; otherwise, workers should wear appropriate
cold weather clothing, especially covering for the ears, face, hands, and
feet. Using schedules and shelters provided by employers, workers should also
move into warm locations during work breaks and limit the amount of time
outside on extremely cold days.
For
more information and a full list of recommendations for employees and
employers please consult our resources for addressing cold stress at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/coldstress/.
On another topic, I invite you to
note the news item in this issue about last month's dedication of the Derek
E. Dunn Conference Room in NIOSH's Washington,
D.C., office. Dr. Dunn, who
passed away in 2002, is warmly remembered by his many friends and colleagues
as a leader with a profound commitment to public service in occupational
safety and health. We were particularly pleased that members of Derek's
family were able to be with us in the dedication ceremony to share their
memories. "Example is not the main thing in influencing others; it's the
only thing," Albert Schweitzer once said. Derek Dunn's example as a
researcher, administrator, mentor, and individual continues to inspire his
friends and colleagues.
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NIOSH
Dedicates Derek E. Dunn Conference Room
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Dr.
Derek E. Dunn (1945–2002), a NIOSH research scientist and administrator
who held the rank of captain in the U.S. Public Health Service, was respected
for his professionalism, leadership, and integrity. At a dedication ceremony
held on December 5 in the Washington
office, NIOSH was honored to host Capt. Dunn's family as well as his PHS
colleagues, Acting Deputy Surgeon General and Rear Admiral Robert Williams
and Rear Admiral Boris Lushniak, who spoke warmly of his humanity and his
dedication to excellent science in the service of worker health and safety. A
plaque honoring Dr. Dunn is inscribed with a question he often posed:
"What have you done for the worker today?"
Capt.
Dunn's family at the dedication ceremony (From left to right are Connie
Smith, Melody Dunn Sparks, Gavin Smith, Garrison Smith and Garrette
Sparks Smith)
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NIOSH Engages IOM to Review Draft
Document, Asbestos Fibers and
Other Elongated
Mineral Particles: State of the Science and Roadmap for
Research
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NIOSH has engaged The National
Academies' Institute
of Medicine to review a
draft of the NIOSH
Current Intelligence Bulletin: Asbestos Fibers and other Elongated Mineral
Particles: State of the Science and Roadmap for Research.
The purpose of the National Academies’ review is to assess the
technical quality of the draft document, its scope, and the methods used to
produce its findings. The draft current intelligence bulletin and public
comments can be found on the NIOSH Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docket/NIOSHdocket0099A.html.
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ASHP Honors
Dr. Tom Connor's Contributions to the Health and Safety
of
Pharmacists and Other Healthcare Workers
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 The
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) on December 8
presented the ASHP Board of Directors Award of Honor to NIOSH research
biologist Thomas H. Connor, Ph.D., for his more than 30 years of
research on occupational safety and health issues. Dr. Connor is a key
author and contributor in NIOSH research to protect pharmacists and other
healthcare workers from adverse exposures to hazardous drugs. More
information about the award is available at http://www.ashp.org/import/news/pressreleases/pressrelease.aspx?id=504.
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Dr. Deborah
Myers Highlighted in NSPE Next Generation Column
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Congratulations to Deborah Myers,
Ph.D., a NIOSH research engineer and lieutenant in the U.S. Public Health
Service, who was highlighted as a "next generation" leader, in the
National Society of Professional Engineers' (NSPE) Professional Engineers in
Government (PEG) December 11 e-newsletter. Dr. Myers notes that
nurturing and mentoring students and young professionals is key for the
occupational safety and health field: "The younger generation of
engineers wants to know they are helping the community in some
way." The interview with Dr. Myers is available at http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/nspepeg/issues/2008-12-11.html.
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Death of a
Colleague, Ms. Shelley Davis (1952?2008)
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Study Finds
Healthcare Employment Linked With Increased
Bloodborne
Pathogen Mortality
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NIOSH researchers found an
association, over a 20-year period, between employment in the healthcare
industry and deaths from several bloodborne pathogens and their related
conditions among males but only with hepatitis C virus among females. Results
of the study were published in an article co-authored by Sara E. Luckhaupt
and Geoffrey M. Calvert, titled "Deaths Due to Bloodborne Infections and
Their Sequelae Among Health-Care Workers," in the November 2008 issue of
the American Journal
of Industrial Medicine (51:812–824).
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NIOSH
Researchers Win 2008 CDC Director's Innovation Award
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Congratulations
to NIOSH researchers and colleagues for being among the inaugural
recipients of the new CDC Directors' Innovation Award. This new award program
was established to recognize CDC staff that use innovation to advance CDC's
mission to promote health and quality of life by preventing and controlling
disease, injury, and disability. Three NIOSH projects received awards:
Permeation Calculator: Computer Software for Automated and
Standardized Analysis of Chemical Protective Clothing Permeation Data (Pengfei
Gao, Ph.D, Tyson Weise, Beth Tomasovic)
Preventing Winch Entanglement Injuries on Commercial Fishing Vessels (Jennifer
Lincoln, Ph.D., Robert McKibbin, P.E., Chelsea Woodward, Devin Lucas, M.S.,
John Bevan)
Mitigating an Ignition Hazard in
Oxygen Resuscitator Regulators (Timothy Merinar, MS, Frank
Washenitz, MS, Barry Newton)
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Chromosomal
Abnormalities Linked with Pilots' Flight Experience,
NIOSH Study
Finds
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In a NIOSH study, experienced
airline pilots who have flown for many years were found to have a higher
frequency of chromosome translocations, a form of DNA damage, than pilots who
have flown fewer years, according to results of the study. The findings
appeared in the January 2009 British medical journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
This study builds on the data that will be useful for the research community
to determine if pilots' and flight crews' job-related exposures to cosmic
radiation increase their risk for cancer. More information about the study is
available from Dr. Lee C. Yong, NIOSH, at Lyong@xxxxxxx
or to read the full article go to http://oem.bmj.com/content/vol66/issue1/?etoc.
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NIOSH Health
Effects Lab Names New Branch Chief
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Steven Reynolds, Ph.D., was
recently named the branch chief of the Toxicology and Molecular Biology
Branch (TMBB) of the Health Effects Laboratory Division (HELD) at NIOSH in Morgantown, West
Virginia. Dr. Reynolds has a distinguished career
in molecular biology spanning 27 years. He joined HELD in 2007 as the team
leader of the Molecular Genetics Laboratory, TMBB, and has served as the
acting branch chief of TMBB since 2006.
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NIOSH Study
Looks at Neurologic Illness Associated With
Occupational
Exposure to the Solvent 1-Bromopropane
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A study by NIOSH scientists and
colleagues in the December 5 issue of the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report describes two cases
involving workers exposed to 1-Bromopropane (1-BP) who were
diagnosed with clinical manifestations of neurotoxicity. The article suggests
interventions to reduce work-related exposures. The full article is available
online at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5748a2.htm.
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Study Focuses
on Washington
Trucking Industry
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A survey evaluation of trucking
injury prevention materials from the Trucking Injury Reduction Emphasis
through Surveillance (TIRES) Project show that 83% of respondents have made
changes after receiving TIRES prevention materials and 82% have requested
additional safety topics to be addressed. TIRES was developed by the Safety
and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention (SHARP) Program of the
Washington State Department of Labor and Industries and is partially funded
by a grant from NIOSH. More about TIRES, including an in-depth report on
injuries in trucking Preventing
Injuries in the Trucking Industry Focus Report, can be
found at http://www.Lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Trucking/Default.asp.
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Four New
Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Reports Now Available
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Potential
musculoskeletal hazards at a postal processing and distribution center were
evaluated by the HHE Program. Investigators recommended that the shelving in
the sorting area be moved to make space for empty containers and that the
tray management system conveyor is moved in front of the sorters; both
changes would eliminate 180° lifts. Investigators also recommended that the
number of workers in the loading and sorting areas be increased to allow for
job rotation.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2007-0170-3070.pdf
Contact
dermatitis at an automotive parts manufacturing facility was evaluated by the
HHE Program. Investigators recommended that machines be cleaned before metal
working fluids (MWFs) are added and that machines that leak hydraulic oil be
fixed to prevent MWF contamination. Investigators also recommended that MWFs
and biocides be replaced with less sensitizing materials. Investigators
recommended that a comprehensive MWF maintenance program and personal
protective equipment program be implemented.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2006-0155-3072.pdf
The
effectiveness of using gaseous chlorine dioxide to killmold during urban
rehabilitation projects was evaluated by the HHE Program. Investigators
recommended that additional clean-up techniques, such as the use of high
efficiency particle air filter vacuums, be used to reduce concentrations of
spores and microbial components before re-occupancy is permitted in
previously contaminated structures.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2004-0387-3071.pdf
Respiratory and dermal conditions
at an aluminum wheel production facility were evaluated by the HHE Program.
Investigators recommended that the facility conduct environmental monitoring
for metal working fluids (MWFs) and install local exhaust ventilation to
machines using MWFs. Investigators also recommended that personal protective
equipment and training be provided to employees who work with MWFs.http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2007-0263-3069.pdf.
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 NIOSH-Developed Toxic-Removal Formulation Is
Commercialized
A formulation developed by NIOSH
for safely and more effectively cleaning lead and other toxic metal
dust or residue from the skin is entering commercial use. The
formulation is licensed by Hygenall Safety Products, a division of Mk-IX
Technologies, Inc. More information is available from Eric Esswein of
NIOSH at EEsswein@xxxxxxx.
The mention of a company or product does not represent a commercial
endorsement by NIOSH.
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 NORA National Agenda
Updates
Six
of the eight NORA sector councils (plus two subsector councils) have
generated draft or final national sector agendas that are available on the
NORA home page http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora.
Four national sector agendas are in preparation.
The
NORA Healthcare and Social Assistance Sector Council will first publish a
report detailing research needs and opportunities and has started formulating
its priorities as goals for its national agenda. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/councils/hcsa/
The
NORA Manufacturing Sector Council is progressing toward publication of its
draft national agenda based on ten strategic goal areas. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/councils/manuf/
The
NIOSH Mining Sector Program (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/mining/)
is revising its existing strategic plan based on internal discussions and
input from stakeholders; at the same time, the program is building its
extramural research program and expects to have a larger community of
research stakeholders in the future to engage in meaningful NORA activities
for the nation http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/councils/mining/.
The
NORA Oil and Gas Extraction Subsector Council is actively engaged in
preparing a draft national agenda. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/councils/mining/oilgas/
Contact the NORA coordinator (noracoordinator@xxxxxxx) for more
information or to volunteer to join any of these efforts.
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NIOSH Science
Blog: Your Comments Wanted
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Share your thoughts
with us and others on the potential hazards of 1-BP on the NIOSH Science Blog
Through this blog NIOSH hopes to
alert employers, clinicians, and public health professionals to potential
health effects among workers exposed to 1-BP, particularly
in workplaces where 1-BP use may be increasing (such as in dry cleaning and
solvent cleaning) and to emphasize the need for effective control methods to
limit worker exposure to 1-BP. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/blog/.
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New
Communication Products
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NIOSH Fire Fighter
Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP): Leading
Recommendations for Preventing Fire Fighter Fatalities, 1998–2005.
This document summarizes the most frequent recommendations from
investigations conducted during the first 8 years of the NIOSH Fire Fighter
Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program. Fire departments can use this
document when developing, updating, and implementing policies, procedures,
and training for fire fighter injury prevention efforts. For more information
contact Marilyn Ridenour at MRidenour@xxxxxxx
or go to http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2009-100/pdfs/2009-100.pdf.
Asbestosis-Related
Years of Potential Life Lost before Age 65 Years
This article describes the results of an analysis of trends in premature
mortality attributed to asbestosis in the United States, 1968–2005. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5749a1.htm
The following mining
communication products are now available:
Mining Fact Sheets for 2005 and 2006
These are a series of one-page fact sheets that present summary statistics
for the U.S.
mining industry. They cover topics such as mining operations, employees,
fatalities, and nonfatal lost-time injuries. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/statistics/facts.htm
Performance of a Polyurethane Core
Seal Tested in a Hydrostatic Chamber (NIOSH Publication No. 2008-129)
This document explains the process and results of a test conducted by NIOSH
Pittsburgh Research Laboratory researchers of a composite
polyurethane-aggregate seal in a hydrostatic chamber at the Lake Lynn
Experimental Mine. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/pubs/pubreference/outputid2829.htm
Reducing Low Back Pain and Disability
in Mining (NIOSH Publication No. 2008-135)
This report was written in an effort to provide better control measures for
low back pain and low back disability in the mining industry. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/pubs/pubreference/outputid2880.htm
Explosion Effects on Mine Ventilation
Stoppings (NIOSH Publication No. 2009-102)
This document reports results from joint NIOSH and MSHA research evaluating
explosion blast effects on typical U.S. mine ventilation stoppings.
This document will help investigators determine the approximate explosion
forces that destroy or damage stoppings during actual coal mine explosions. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/pubs/pubreference/outputid2847.htm.
Key Design Factors of Enclosed Cab
Dust Filtration Systems (NIOSH Publication No. 2009-103)
In this document NIOSH investigates the effects of various factors on
performance of cab air filtration systems. Enclosed cabs are a primary means
of reducing the silica dust exposure of equipment operators at surface mines.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/pubs/pubreference/outputid3048.htm
The Application of Major Hazard Risk
Assessment (MHRA) to Eliminate Multiple Fatality Occurrences in the U.S.
Minerals Industry (NIOSH Publication No. 2009-104)
This document reports the results of a NIOSH study on the application of the
major hazard risk assessment technique to U.S. mining conditions through a
field-oriented pilot project. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/pubs/pubreference/outputid2859.htm
To order NIOSH publications, CDs, and videos click here: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/pubs/niosh.aspx.
Order up to 18 titles. Order limits are listed for each document. If you need
additional information, please contact Sherri Diana at sdiana@xxxxxxx or by
calling 513-533-8471.
New Topic Pages
Available en Español
Three NIOSH topic pages are now
available en Español: Biological
Hazards, Electrical
Hazards, and Respiratory
Diseases.
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Academy of Certified Hazard Material
Managers 2009 National Conference—Deadline January 15, 2009
August 30–September 2, 2009, San
Diego, California.
Call for abstracts
http://www.achmm.org/sandiego2009/abstracts.php
2009 Emergency Nurses Association
Annual Conference—Deadline January 15, 2009
October 7–10, 2009, Baltimore,
MD (http://www.ena.org/research/abstracts/)
American Occupational Health
Conference 2009—Deadline January 31,
2009
April 26–29, 2009, San Diego,
CA. Call for academic abstracts submissions (http://aohc2009.abstractcentral.com)
Thomas L. Petty Aspen
Lung Conference, 52nd Annual Meeting—Deadline February 14
June 10-13, 2009, Aspen, Colorado. Call for abstracts (http://www.uchsc.edu/pulmonary/aspen/callforabstracts.shtml)
Measuring Air Pollutants by Diffusive
Sampling and Other Low Cost Monitoring Techniques, International
Conference—Deadline February 28, 2009
September 15–17, 2009, Krakow,
Poland. Call
for papers http://rsc-aamg.org/Documents/Programmes/KrakowCPF.pdf
American Association of Occupational
Health Nurses 2009 Symposium and Expo—Deadline March 1, 2009
April 17–23, 2009, Orlando, FL. Call for poster presentation
submissions (http://www.aaohn.org/education/symposium-expo/cfp/index.cfm)
19th
International Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time—Deadline February 28, 2009
August 2–6, 2009, Venezia, Italy.
Call for abstract submissions (http://www.shiftwork2009.it)
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International Roofing Expo
February 3–5, 2009, Las Vegas,
NV (http://www.theroofingexpo.com)
1st Annual Voluntary
Protection Program Association for Construction (VPPAC) Conference
February 5–7, 2009, Las Vegas,
NV (www.vppac.org/conference)
Healthy Aging for Workers:
Anticipating the Occupational Safety and Health Needs of an Increasingly
Aging Workforce February 17-18, 2009, Washington, DC
(http://www.soeh.org/meeting/meeting.html)
International Conference on Road
Safety at Work
February 16–18, 2009, Washington,
DC (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/twu/global/)
19th Annual Construction
Safety Conference & Expo—Look for us!
February 17–19, 2009, Rosemont,
IL (http://www.buildsafe.org/Conference/2008/index.html)
2009 Society of Manufacturing
Engineers (SME) Annual Meeting and Colorado
Mining Association (CMA) 111th Annual National Western Mining Conference
February 22–25, 2009, Denver,
CO (http://www.smenet.org/)
Emergency Nurses Association
Leadership Conference
March 4–8, 2009, Reno,
NV (http://www.ena.org)
29th Triennial Congress of
the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH 2009)
March 22–27, 2009, Cape Town,
South Africa
(http://www.icoh2009.co.za)
American Association of Occupational
Health Nurses 2009 Symposium and Expo
April 17–23, 2009, Orlando,
FL (http://www.aaohn.org/education/symposium-expo/cfp/index.cfm)
Fire Department Instructors
Conference (FDIC) 2009
April 20–25, 2009, Indianapolis,
IN (http://www.fdic.com/index.html)
Symposium on Radiology of the
Pneumoconioses
April 24–27, 2009, in Chantilly,
VA (http://www.acr.org/SecondaryMainMenuCategories/MeetingsandEvents/FeaturedCategories/acr_meetings/
Pneumoconiosis042409.aspx
American Occupational Health
Conference 2009
April 26–29, 2009, San Diego,
CA (http://www.acoem.org/aohc09.aspx)
Occupational Hygiene 2009: Promoting
a Healthy Working Environment
April 28–30, 2009, Eastbourne,
UK (http://www.bohs.org/resources/res.aspx/Resource/filename/1275/Initial_Announcement_OH2009.pdf)
2009 Nanotech Conference &
Exposition
May 3–7, 2009, Houston,
TX (http://www.nsti.org/Nanotech2009/)
American Industrial Hygiene
Conference and Expo (AIHce)—Look for us!
May 30–June 4, 2009, Toronto,
Ontario (http://www.aiha.org/aihce09/plan/)
Thomas L. Petty Aspen
Lung Conference, 52nd Annual Meeting—The Environment and the Lung:
Detection,
Prevention and Mechanisms of Disease
June 10-13, 2009, Aspen, Colorado (http://www.uchsc.edu/pulmonary/aspen/callforabstracts.shtml)
American Society of Safety Engineers
(ASSE) Professional Development Conference and Exposition “SAFETY
2009”
June 28–June 30 2009, San
Antonio, TX (http://www.asse.org)
2009 American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM) Johnson Conference on Emerging IEQ Issues
July 13–16, 2009 in Burlington,
VT. Email elight@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
for information.
19th International
Symposium on Shiftwork and Working Time
August 2–6, 2009, Venezia,
Italy (http://www.shiftwork2009.it)
Voluntary Protection Programs
Participants Association Annual Conference—Look for us!
August 24–27, 2009, San
Antonio, TX (http://www.vpppa.org/)
Academy of Certified Hazard Material
Managers 2009 National Conference
August 30-September 2, 2009, San
Diego, California.
http://www.achmm.org/sandiego2009/index.php
Measuring
Air Pollutants by Diffusive Sampling and Other Low Cost Monitoring Techniques
International Conference
September 15–17, 2009, Krakow, Poland http://rsc-aamg.org/Documents/Programmes/KrakowCPF.pdf
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1-BP is a solvent used in multiple
manufacturing processes, including vapor and immersion degreasing operations
to clean electronics and metal and as a solvent vehicle in industries using
aerosol applied adhesives such as foam cushion manufacturing.
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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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Acting Director
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Christine M. Branche, Ph.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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Copy Editor
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Cathy Rotunda
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Story Editor Emeritus
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Tara Hartley
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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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