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Volume 7 Number 2
June 2009
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From the
Director's Desk
--Christine M. Branche, Ph.D., Acting Director, NIOSH
June eNews 2009
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A Time For Change
If
you randomly asked a passerby to identify Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, you might
receive a blank stare in response. 'Wilhelm who?' Roentgen's name is not
widely recognized, although his brainchild is well known. Roentgen was the
German physicist who inadvertently discovered x-rays in 1895 and pioneered
their use. This scientific advancement has had an incalculable impact. Among
other applications, radiographs have been one of the fundamental tools to aid
in diagnosing work-related lung diseases such as asbestosis, coal workers'
pneumoconiosis (also known as black lung disease), and silicosis. More
recently, x-rays have been used to perform computerized axial tomography
scans of the chest to diagnose bronchiolitis obliterans (severe obstructive
lung disease associated with occupational exposures to food flavorings).
NIOSH
administers the long-standing federal program for health surveillance of
underground coal miners to detect coal workers' pneumoconiosis. Under that
program alone, more than 400,000 chest x-rays of miners have been taken since
1970. Those x-rays, stored in NIOSH's Morgantown, West Virginia facility,
provide a unique historical record and an ongoing resource for researchers.
They also serve as a reminder that we can never relax our vigilance against
this terrible occupational disease.
Like
other technologies from the last century that have since been overtaken by
newer advancements, old-fashioned film-based radiographic imaging is being
replaced by digital imaging. For NIOSH, this offers
exciting opportunities for advancing the basic tool of the Coal
Workers’ Health Surveillance Program to keep pace with technological
innovation. At the same time, it challenges us to make sure that the
transition is orderly.
NIOSH
is engaging our partners, both in the U.S. and abroad, to implement this
transition. Engaging our international colleagues is important because
NIOSH's system for classifying lung abnormalities identified through x-rays
is based on a system developed by the International Labour Office (ILO).
Maintaining harmony between the NIOSH and ILO systems is important for
maintaining international consistency in interpreting radiographs.
This month the NIOSH science blog
looks at the NIOSH transition to digital imaging. It addresses the advantages
of modern digital imaging over film-based imaging, and the implications of a
changeover for the NIOSH Coal Workers’ Health Surveillance Program. The
coal industry continues to be a key component of the U.S. economy. Business,
labor, government, and the medical community have a common interest in
keeping miners healthy, and consequently helping to keep their families,
their communities, and our nation strong. Please read more about the Coal
Workers’ Health Surveillance Program at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/surveillance/ords/CoalWorkersHealthSurvProgram.html
and please join this discussion on the blog http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/blog/nsb060209_chest-radiography.html
and offer your recommendations and comments for adapting digital imaging to
meet the goals of the program. We look forward to serving the needs of our
stakeholders in the 21st Century as diligently as we served them in the 20th
Century.
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President's
Budget Request for FY2010
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The President's budget for fiscal
year 2010 proposes $424 million for NIOSH—an $8 million increase over
FY09 funding. The proposed increase includes $5 million for NIOSH's strategic
research program on the occupational health and safety implications and
applications of nanotechnology. More information can be found on page 36 of the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Fiscal Year 2010 Budget in
Brief at http://www.hhs.gov/asrt/ob/docbudget/2010budgetinbrief.pdf.
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Fire/EMS
Safety, Health, and Survival Week, June 14?20, 2009
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NIOSH once again supports the
International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Fire/EMS Safety, Health and
Survival Week, June 14–20, 2009. The theme this year is Protect Yourself: Your Safety,
Health and Survival Are Your Responsibility. NIOSH
products from the Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program
are included among the recommended resources for this fire fighter safety and
health campaign. Fire departments are encouraged to use this week to review
safety policies, correct safety deficiencies, provide training as needed, and
evaluate the progress of efforts to improve fire fighter safety and health.
More information is available at http://www.iafc.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=306.
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New Podcast
Addresses Workplace Health and Safety Issues for
Women
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"Workplace Safety and
Women" is the topic of a new podcast released by NIOSH and the CDC
Office of Women's Health http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=11503%20.This
podcast focuses on four important issues for women at work: job stress, work
schedules, reproductive health, and workplace violence. NIOSH researchers in
both Morgantown and Cincinnati contributed to the podcast script that
elaborates on how important each of these issues is for women in the work
place. For more information go to http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/women/
or contact Dr. Naomi Swanson at nws3@xxxxxxx
or 513-533-8165.
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In Memoriam:
NIOSH Researcher Dr. Paul Baron
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Friends and colleagues were
saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Paul Baron on May 20, 2009, after a
long battle with cancer. Paul worked in the Division of Applied Research and
Technology in Cincinnati, Ohio. Over his 30-year career, Paul made many exceptional
and unique contributions to the field of aerosol science and occupational
safety and health. He was a pioneer in aerosol measurement and has led the
area of occupational aerosol sampling. His work in asbestos sampling and
analytical research has also garnered international recognition.
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NIOSH Awards
Contract for Support of EEOICPA Scientific Support
Activities
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NIOSH awarded a contract for
support of NIOSH’s scientific support activities under the Energy
Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) to a team
led by Oak Ridge Associated Universities, based out of Oak Ridge, Tennessee. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ocas/pdfs/dr/pr050509.pdf.
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Share Your
Workplace Safety and Health Global Success Stories With
Us
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Have you been involved in a global
collaboration activity related to workplace safety and health? If so, NIOSH
would like to hear about it. Please email your stories to Maria Sofia
Lioce-Mata at MLiocemata@xxxxxxx
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NIOSH Receives
WHO-PAHO Award
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During
the celebration of World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2009, the Pan
American Health Organization (PAHO) gave NIOSH an award for its leadership
and contributions to occupational safety and health in the region of the
Americas. The theme this year was “protecting the health and safety of
health care workers,” highlighting the importance that these workers
have on improving public health.
Maria
Lioce-Mata and Jane Hingston receive the award on behalf of the NIOSH Global
Collaboration Program from Luz Maritza Tennasse and Luiz Augusto Cassanha
Galvão of PAHO
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Janice Huy
Awarded Prestigious Exemplary Service Medal
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 Janice
Huy, deputy director of the NIOSH Office of Research and Technology Transfer,
was recently awarded the Surgeon General's Exemplary Service Medal by Acting
Surgeon General Steven K. Galson. Huy received this award in recognition of
her four years of distinguished service as chief dietitian officer of the
U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, in which she holds the rank of
captain.
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?Safe in
Sound? Award, Nominations Accepted through August 1, 2009
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NIOSH and the National Hearing
Conservation Association 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 Seeks
Comments on the Following:
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Approval Tests and
Standards for Closed-Circuit Escape Respirators
NIOSH
reopened the comment period for Approval Tests and Standards for Closed-Circuit
Escape Respirators. Comments on the proposed rule will
be accepted until June 19, 2009. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-11938.htm
Quality Assurance
Requirements for Respirators
The
comment period for proposed rulemaking on Quality Assurance Requirements for Respirators has
been reopened. Comments will be accepted until October 9, 2009. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-11947.htm
Prevention through
Design Plan for the National Initiative
NIOSH is requesting comment on the
draft NIOSH Technical
Report: Prevention through Design Plan. Deadline for
comments is August 22, 2009. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/160/
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Three New
Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Reports Now Available
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The
HHE Program evaluated ongoing concerns about a possible high rate of cancer
among current and former employees in two office buildings at an aeronautics
research center. Investigators found that 20 different types of cancer were
diagnosed among the employees of the two buildings, but the different types
of cancers did not suggest a common workplace exposure among those diagnosed.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2008-0166-3079.pdf
The
HHE Program evaluated potential exposures at a college’s sculpture
studios. Investigators recommended that managers correct safety hazards in
the studios and substitute a less toxic plastics adhesive that does not
contain methylene chloride. To reduce exposure to welding fumes, it was
recommended that adequate outdoor and replacement air be supplied to the
sculpture studios and local exhaust ventilation be installed in the
metalworking studio.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2007-0167-3078.pdf
The HHE Program evaluated
potential exposures to flour dust at a bakery. Investigators recommended that
the facility use local exhaust or general ventilation to lower dust levels in
the bakery and that employees use slow, smooth movements when handling
powdered ingredients to keep dust levels low. Investigators also recommended
that a vacuum or wet wash method be used to clean up powder used in the
bakery.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2005-0248-3077.pdf
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Morbidity and
Mortality @Work
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Workplace safety and health issues
of the self-employed and independent contractors have generated considerable
interest within the research community. The data presented in this chart
provides some perspective on the size of this workforce and the opportunities
for research within each of the nine NORA sectors. For more details, see the
chart at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews/enewsv7n2chart.html.
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Heavy Metal Tests
Reduce Exposure for Michigan Laboratory Workers
Michigan
released annual reports for 2007 and 2008 that demonstrate the utility of
using lab reports for elevated arsenic, cadmium, or mercury tests for public
health surveillance and intervention. The reports show that sources of most elevated
levels were non-occupational. However, where cases have been identified with
an elevated metal test, follow-ups to those workplaces have proved successful
in identifying correctable problems and reducing exposure to fellow workers.
The reports can be found at http://www.oem.msu.edu/.
Washington State
Campaigning for Workplace Safety
Beginning in May 2009, the
Washington State Department of Labor and Industries began a television,
radio, and Internet advertising campaign to raise awareness about the
importance of workplace safety. The campaign is cosponsored by four business
and labor organizations. Information about the ad campaign and resources for
making the workplace safe are at http://www.WorkSafe.Lni.wa.gov.
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 NIOSH Presents Research-to-Practice Awards
On May 7, NIOSH presented the
Bullard-Sherwood Research-to-Practice Awards for excellence in occupational
safety and health. This year the awards and honorable mention went to
projects on developing an MBA course in occupational safety and health and
addressing issues on aerial lifts, ambulances, protective clothing, and roof
bolters. Congratulations to the 2009 recipients who are listed at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/awards/bullard-sherwood.
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 National Public Safety Sub-Sector
Agenda
The National Public Safety
Sub-Sector Agenda is now available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/.
The agenda highlights research and partnership goals to improve the safety
and health of more than 3.5 million workers in law enforcement, corrections,
emergency medical services, and firefighting, including many volunteers.
Contact the NORA coordinator (noracoordinator@xxxxxxx)
with any questions, suggestions, or to join others to work on these goals.
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If You Missed It The
First Time, Catch Up On 2008 NIOSH Research Now!
The NIOSH Bibliography of Communication and Research Products 2008 includes
journal articles, book chapters, numbered publications,
abstracts/proceedings, control technology reports, fatality assessment and control
evaluation reports, fire fighter fatality investigation and prevention
reports, and more! http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2009-129/
New Fire Fighter
Fatality Investigation Report
After Conducting Fire Suppression Duties at a Structure Fire, Captain
Collapses in Incident Scene Rehabilitation—Kansas. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200733.html
More…
To see other new NIOSH
communication products, including documents and new and updated topic pages,
go to the NIOSH “What’s New” page. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/whatsnew.html.
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Digital Imaging—A form of
x-ray imaging that captures images by using digital x-ray sensors rather than
traditional photographic film.
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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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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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