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Volume 7 Number 1
May 2009
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From the
Director's Desk
--Christine M. Branche, Ph.D., Acting Director, NIOSH
May eNews 2009
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Supporting the Frontline
From
the daily headlines and news broadcasts, we're familiar with the aggressive
actions that the public-health community has taken to address the outbreak of
the 2009 Novel Influenza A H1N1 Virus Infection (swine flu). In many instances,
where the level of risk is low, the recommended safeguards involve commonly
used practices, such as hand washing, using hand sanitizers, and covering the
nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing or coughing. A higher level of
protection may be recommended for workers at higher risk due to work-related
risk factors. This would include, for example, the use of respirators rated
N95 for health-care employees treating confirmed or suspected cases, or
flight crews assisting ill persons from areas where cases have occurred.
When
we get sick, or when the threat of serious illness looms, we expect that
physicians will be there to treat us, that nurses will provide care, and that
hospitals and clinics will operate efficiently. During the uncertainty of an
outbreak, we depend on essential services being maintained by police
officers, emergency medical technicians, security personnel, and other
workers whose jobs unavoidably involve ongoing contact with the public. None
of this can happen if those on whom we rely are incapacitated by illness, so
addressing occupational risks is essential.
In
addressing those risks, it is important that scientists, public-health
professionals, health-care providers, and policy-makers understand the
appropriate levels of protection for diverse work environments, and recognize
the dynamics of the workplace that influence worker protection. Appropriate
recommendations for protection require knowing the technical capabilities of
personal protective equipment, and knowing the procedures that must be
followed for effective use of that equipment. There also needs to be ongoing
communication so that the concerns of the occupational health stakeholder
community are addressed in larger national response planning, and reliable,
timely information in turn is relayed back to those partners. NIOSH is proud
to help meet these worker needs during the current H1N1 outbreak, as it did
in the earlier national responses to SARS and the devastation from Hurricane
Katrina.
In
particular, the current national public health mobilization highlights the
need for effective, reliable personal protective equipment to meet the
potential threat of pandemic illness and other emerging concerns for the 21st
Century workplace. NIOSH and its partners have worked together
diligently to address these challenges. Specifically regarding preparedness
for use of personal protective equipment by health-care workers in the event
of a pandemic, NIOSH asked the Institute of Medicine to examine this
critically important area in 2005, and to provide recommendations. The IOM
responded with a September 2007 report that offered recommendations for NIOSH
and other partners for research and policy actions in three critical areas:
1) Understanding influenza transmission, 2) Committing to worker safety and
appropriate use of personal protective equipment, and 3) Innovation and
strengthening of personal protective equipment design, testing and
certification. The IOM described NIOSH’s role as a leader to facilitate
action by the global community and as an implementer to carry out research
and other actions addressed in the recommendations. Last year, NIOSH prepared
a draft Health Care Worker (HCW) Action Plan in response to the IOM
recommendations, and engaged public comment on the plan through a stakeholder
meeting and a public docket. A final draft action plan, the IOM report, and
other materials are available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docket/NIOSHdocket0129.html.
NIOSH
is using the HCW Action Plan as part of larger planning to set priorities in
its overall personal protective technology (PPT) program, and to select
future initiatives, in the context of funding, staffing, and laboratory
technical capabilities. NIOSH's strategic planning to anticipate and address
broad personal protective equipment needs for 21st Century workers
has also involved extensive stakeholder input and review by the National
Academies. The draft PPT Implementation Plan to address the recommendations
of the National Academies' evaluation of the PPT Program describes an
approach to address the broader needs of all workers, and is available here: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/ppt/PPTProgResp.html.
The public comment period on the draft PPT Implementation Plan is open until
June 1, 2009.
Designing
research to address occupational threats from emerging infectious diseases is
a tremendously challenging task. As the events of the past week demonstrate,
it is also extremely important. Success depends on effective partnerships,
and so we encourage new partners to join us, and we also welcome suggestions
for expanding our existing collaborations.
In the meantime, for continuing
information and guidance on occupational health issues associated with the
H1N1 influenza virus, please bookmark our NIOSH topic page, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/H1N1flu/.
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NIOSH H1N1
Influenza Virus Resource Page
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The NIOSH H1N1 Influenza
Virus (Swine Flu) web page addresses occupational health issues associated
with the exposure or infection to the virus. NIOSH provides technical
guidance for workers, including health-care and transportation workers, for
whom job-related questions about exposure or infection may be an occupational
concern. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/H1N1flu/.
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Newspaper Wins
Pulitzer for Occupational Safety and Health Reporting
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NIOSH congratulates the staff of
the Las Vegas Sun
on winning the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. The newspaper won the
award for its reporting on the high death rate among construction workers on
the Las Vegas strip. NIOSH is delighted to see the recognition of journalism
covering occupational safety and health. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/topics/construction-deaths/.
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NIOSH
Strategic Management Highlighted in 'Governance' Article
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In a new journal article, former
NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D., discusses NIOSH's strategic management
initiatives over the past decade. The initiatives, Howard writes, are a case
study in "managing for performance" by public health science
agencies in an era of increasing complexity of challenges and dwindling
resources. The article, "Informing Public Health Policy and Practice:
The Strategic Management of Research Processes and Organizations," was
published in the April 2009 issue of Governance: An International Journal of Policy,
Administration, and Institutions (Vol. 22, No. 2, pp.
203-216). An abstract is posted online at http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122280761/abstract.
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NIOSH Updates
Guidance on Protection Against Biological Agents
Exposure
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NIOSH recently updated its
"Recommendations for the Selection and Use of Respirators and Protective
Clothing for Protection Against Biological Agents." The update reflects
knowledge and experience gained since the document was developed 8 years ago.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2009-132/.
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Videos and
Presentations Now Available from February Global Road
Safety Conference
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NIOSH Research
Influential In Evaluation of Carcinogens
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Cancer due to workplace exposures
is an important research priority for NIOSH. In March, NIOSH researchers
participated in a reevaluation by the International Agency for Research on
Cancer (IARC) of the evidence for the carcinogenicity of 10 metals,
particles, and fibers, including arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium(VI),
nickel compounds, crystalline silica, leather dust, wood dust, and asbestos.
All 10 agents were reaffirmed as known human carcinogens, and specific cancer
types known to be caused by these agents were identified (Straif K, et al.
Lancet Oncology 10(5):453-454,
2009). NIOSH studies were influential in the evaluation of beryllium,
crystalline silica, asbestos, and chromium(VI). For more information, go to http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/crcd/.
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Nominations
Now Being Accepted for “Safe in Sound” Award
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NIOSH and the National Hearing
Conservation Association (NHCA) are accepting nominations for the 2010
“Safe in Sound” award, which is given to companies or
organizations that exemplify Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention.
Nominations will be accepted until August 1, 2009. Additional information and
submission details can be found at http://www.safeinsound.us.
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NIOSH Responds
to Navy’s Request for Industrial Hygiene Session at
Conference
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NIOSH developed an Industrial
Hygiene session at the Navy’s request for the 48th Navy and
Marine Corps Public Health Conference. The session featured nine NIOSH
presentations on research activities related to chemical exposures of the
skin, occupational contact dermatitis, personal protective equipment (PPE),
nanotechnology, control banding, and Prevention through Design. For more
information contact Scott Dotson at scott.dotson@xxxxxxxxxxx.
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Partners Wanted
to Collaborate on Industrial Hygiene Projects
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NIOSH's
Industry Wide Studies Branch is in need of partnerships with facilities
willing to provide site access for conducting exposure assessment studies of
the following agents. Interested companies should contact the following
project officers for more information.
2',2'''-Dithiobisbenzanilide
(CAS# 135-57-9, DTBBA, a plasticizer), Steve Wurzelbacher, swurzelbacher@xxxxxxx
2-Methoxy-4-nitroaniline
(CAS# 97-52-9, 2M4Na, a dye), Dennis Roberts, DRRoberts@xxxxxxx
Diacetyl
in food production, (CAS# 431-03-8), Brian Curwin, bcurwin@xxxxxxx
Manganese compounds in welding
fume, Kevin Hanley, Khanley@xxxxxxx
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NIOSH Seeks
Comments on the Following:
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Draft Agriculture,
Forestry, and Fishing Plan
NIOSH
requests public comment on the draft Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing
Program plan, to implement the National Academies Program Evaluation
Recommendations. Deadline for comments is May 22, 2009 http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/164/.
Addressing Needs for
Future Respirator Research
Public
comment on the Draft
Personal Protective Technology Implementation Plan will
be taken until June 1, 2009. The comments will help ensure that NIOSH has
identified stakeholder needs for new research on respirators and other types
of personal protective equipment in the twenty-first century workplace, and
they will help confirm the research plan will be effective in meeting those
needs. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/146/.
Process for Updating
the List of Hazardous Drugs
NIOSH is requesting comment on
proposed additions and deletions to the list of hazardous drugs for the NIOSH
Alert on Antineoplastic and Other Hazardous Drugs in Health Care
Settings. Deadline for comments is June 30, 2009 http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/105-a/
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Summer School
Focuses on Workplaces as Teaching Platforms
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The 9th European Association of
Schools of Occupational Medicine (EASOM) summer school will be held August
27-29, 2009 in Linz, Australia. The theme for the course is "workplaces
as teaching platforms.” For more information, go to http://www.ppm.at/easomsummerschool2009/
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NIOSH
Congratulates the Following Award Recipients
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Former
NIOSH Branch Chief John Hankinson received the 2009 American Thoracic Society
Public Service Award for outstanding contributions in the public health arena
related to respiratory disease and medicine.
NIOSH
researchers Scott Brueck and John Gibbins received an award of excellence for
their work in investigating an outbreak of neurological illness associated
with pork abattoir workers. The CDC, Public Health Epidemiology and
Laboratory Research Group presented the award.
The NIOSH Division of Applied
Research and Technology, Engineering and Physical Hazards Branch received the
2009 Society of American Military Engineers Cumming Plaque for outstanding
contributions in public health engineering and science.
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Morbidity and
Mortality @Work
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MSD Rates in 3
Sectors Exceed Private Industry Averages
 Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
are an important problem and account for approximately one third of all non
fatal injuries. The rate of occupational musculoskeletal disorders in private
industry decreased during the 5-year period 2003 to 2007. However, three
industry sectors reported rates that exceeded the overall private industry
averages by at least 25%: Transportation and Warehousing, Health Care and
Social Assistance, and Construction. See chart for more details. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews/enewsv7n1chart.html.
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New Mexico
Farmworker Pesticide Exposure Survey
In
the New Mexico border region, 202 farmworkers took surveys on their
experiences, knowledge, beliefs, and practices related to pesticide
exposures. The surveys were given by promotoras (community health workers)
contracted through the Southern Area Health Education Center. Survey
responses indicate that Pesticide exposure prevention training is effective
in promoting knowledge and influencing some behaviors. Only 32% of the women
who responded had received any sort of pesticide exposure prevention training
versus 57% of the men surveyed. A resource list of pesticide exposure
prevention training programs will be made available for employers and
workers. More information is available at http://www.health.state.nm.us/eheb/OccuInfo.html
George Washington
University Student Wins Award for Taxi Driver Health Study
GWU Environmental and Occupational
Health graduate student Rebecca Reindel received “Best Poster Presentation”
for her project on “New York City Taxis: Worker Input as a Tool to
Assess Vehicle Design and Driver Health.” This award was given as part
of the GWU 14th Annual Research Day Program. http://www.gwumc.edu/sphhs/about/news.cfm?view=news&d=8264.
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 NIOSH Seeks Partners
NIOSH is interested
in identifying partners to help commercialize the QuickFit earplug
device and move it into the workplace. This simple, inexpensive,
handheld device lets earplug users easily check the fit of their earplugs and
test the effectiveness of the earplugs against potentially hazardous noise.
More information is available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/pubs/pubreference/outputid3060.htm,
or contact Bob Randolph (RRandolph@xxxxxxx).
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 National Services
Agenda Available
The National Services Agenda is
now available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/.
The agenda is expected to evolve based on additional input and evaluation and
as its goals are accomplished. Contact the NORA Coordinator (noracoordinator@xxxxxxx) with any
questions, suggestions, or to join others to work on these goals.
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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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John Lechliter
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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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