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Volume
7 Number 4 August 2009
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From the Director's Desk
--Christine M. Branche, Ph.D., Acting Director, NIOSH
August eNews 2009
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The Challenges of H1N1
In the May
issue of NIOSH eNews, I discussed NIOSH’s role in the national
mobilization of health agencies, health-care providers, scientists,
engineers, and others to meet the then-emerging challenge of the novel H1N1
influenza A virus, more commonly referred to as H1N1 or nH1N1. Since then,
much has been done across the public and private sectors to protect those at
risk of infection, contain the transmission of the virus, and work with
determination toward the development and strategic deployment of a vaccine.
The NIOSH
web page on H1N1 reflects the efforts that NIOSH and its partners have
contributed and continue to contribute, to address the occupational risks of
this disease for workers whose jobs involve the potential for exposure. I
hope you will use the page as a resource for information and guidance as
appropriate for your own workplace needs. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/blog/nsb081009_h1n1.html
I also
encourage you to read the latest NIOSH Science Blog, which highlights the
work being undertaken by an independent Institute of Medicine committee. At
the request of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the committee will
provide recommendations regarding the necessary personal protective equipment
for healthcare workers in their workplaces against the H1N1 virus. The panel
will hold a workshop on August 11-13 and is expected to issue a report by
September 1. The blog is posted at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/blog/.
NIOSH is
pleased to support this work by participating in the workshop, discussing
results from completed studies, and describing other ongoing research in
areas that bear on the committee’s charge. Critical aspects of H1N1 are
still not well understood. Notable among these uncertainties are questions
relating to the transmissibility of the virus, which have ramifications for
occupational risk. We share our stakeholders’ interest in closing the
gaps, advancing the evidence base of scientific knowledge, and using the
results to help craft strong prevention strategies for protecting health-care
workers.
H1N1
exemplifies the kind of challenge that increasingly faces the occupational
safety and health community. We are called on to address something for which
the dimensions of risk are not completely defined. In an ideal world, it
would remain an abstract problem while we conducted, evaluated, and applied
all the research needed to answer every uncertainty. In the real world, that
luxury rarely exists. Instead, effective action in real time is required.
As safety and health professionals, we are tasked to
use the best tools at hand to meet the immediate need, determine what else we
must learn and do, and proceed accordingly. I am gratified that NIOSH has a
long and substantial history of engaging the unknown, and helping to advance
the frontiers of science, knowledge, and practice. The lessons we have
learned in applying teamwork, diligence, scientific integrity, technical
expertise, compassion, and pragmatism serve all of us well in helping to
address the immediate challenges of H1N1.
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Article Proposes a National Nanotechnology Partnership
Led by NIOSH
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A national nanotechnology partnership, led by NIOSH, is
proposed in an article posted online July 7 by the peer-reviewed Journal of Nanoparticle Research.
The article proposes that the collaboration of government agencies,
manufacturers, users, and others would be a realistic interim step toward
advancing worker health and safety protection as complex issues are
addressed, such as establishing regulatory standards for nanotechnology. The
article was written by John Howard, M.D., distinguished consultant with the
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and former NIOSH
director, and Vladimir Murashov, Ph.D., a NIOSH senior scientist. http://www.springerlink.com/content/44013222kk845k7h/?p=71e4d149efa749eba19fbc2cba32742a&pi=6.
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New Reports on Safety of Engineered Nanomaterials
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The
international Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
released the following three new reports on the safety of engineered
nanomaterials. These reports reflect NIOSH leadership in the OECD
committees and working groups that developed and sponsored the reports.
Report
of an OECD Workshop on Exposure Assessment and Exposure Mitigation:
Manufactured Nanomaterials https://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/15/25/43290538.pdf
Comparison
of Guidance on Selection of Skin Protective Equipment and Respirators for Use
in the Workplace: Manufactured Nanomaterials https://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/15/56/43289781.pdf
Emission Assessment for Identification of Sources and
Release of Airborne Manufactured Nanomaterials in the Workplace: Compilation
of Existing Guidance https://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/15/60/43289645.pdf
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Dr. Greg Wagner Joins MSHA in Deputy Post
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 Congratulations to
Gregory Wagner, M.D., who formerly served as director of NIOSH's Division of
Respiratory Disease Studies and as a NIOSH senior advisor. Dr. Wagner
has been appointed by Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis as Deputy Assistant
Secretary for Policy at the Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health
Administration. At NIOSH, Dr. Wagner made many distinguished
contributions to workplace health, including leadership in research to
prevent occupational lung diseases and in the NIOSH WorkLife Initiative.
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NIOSH Supports National Firefighter Health Week, August
17–21
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NIOSH is
again pleased to participate as a partner in the National Volunteer Fire
Council annual National Firefighter Health Week, August 17–21. National
Firefighter Health Week is an initiative to educate the fire and emergency
services community and the public about heart health as well as a variety of
other health and wellness issues. This year's theme is "It takes a
healthy heart, mind, and body to do what you do—Keep It
Strong." Find out more at http://www.healthy-firefighter.org/.
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NIOSH Board of Scientific Counselors Will Meet August 26
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NIOSH's Board of Scientific Counselors will
meet August 26 in Washington, D.C., to discuss NIOSH implementation of recommendations
by the National Academies in several NIOSH research program areas. More
information about the meeting is available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-17671.htm
. More information about the National Academies' review of NIOSH research
programs can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nas/.
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Public Meeting On Respirator Standards Development
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NIOSH will hold a public meeting on
September 17 at the Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International Airport,
pertaining to standards for testing and certification of respirators. Topics
include respirator standards development projects for supplied-air
respirators (SAR), air-fed ensembles/suits, and total inward leakage (TIL)
test for half-mask, air-purifying particulate respirators. More information
is available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/resources/pressrel/letters/lttr-091709.html.
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Interventions to Prevent Hearing Loss Caused by Noise at
Work
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Occupation as Socioeconomic Status or Environmental
Exposure?
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NIOSH Announces Actions on Additions to the SEC
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NIOSH announced decisions by HHS to designate classes
of employees for Area IV of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, Ventura
County, California, and Standard Oil Development Company in Linden, New
Jersey, to be included in the Special Exposure Cohort (SEC) under the Energy
Employee Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). In order to
qualify for compensation for the cancers, claimants in the SEC do not need to
prove that their cancers were “as likely as not” caused by
occupational exposures. For more information go to http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-15397.htm,
and /or http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-15396.htm.
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Coal Mine Dust Exposure Is Predictor of Emphysema, Study
Finds
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A new study by NIOSH researchers and a
colleague at the University of Calgary finds occupational exposure to coal
mine dust is a significant predictor of risk for emphysema in coal miners
after other risk factors, such as cigarette smoking, are accounted for. An
abstract for the study is available online at http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/180/3/257.
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NIOSH Researcher Bob Thewlis, CDC Employee of the Month
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The U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognized Bob Thewlis of
the NIOSH Health Effects Laboratory Division as the CDC employee of the month
for July. Mr. Thewlis was recognized for his participation in a three-week
project to better understand how influenza is transmitted.
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New Prevention through Design Newsletter Available
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Global Happenings: Let’s Collaborate!
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On July 6, NIOSH and its global partners
posted the latest issue of Collaborating
Centre Connection, an electronic newsletter. The newsletter
highlights the important work of occupational safety and health in different
countries in concert with the World Health Organization (WHO). http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ccc/cccnewsv1n9.html.
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NIOSH Looking for Facilities to Provide Site Access for
Occupational
Safety and Health Research
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Are you in
the manufacturing or construction industry and concerned about workplace
safety and health? NIOSH is looking for partners willing to provide site
access for conducting exposure assessment studies for the following agents:
2',2'''-dithiobisbenzanilide (DTBBA)—a peptizing agent
(plasticizer) for natural and synthetic rubber used to manufacture tires and
other solid rubber goods. Workers are potentially exposed to DTBBA by the
inhalation and dermal routes during the compounding and mixing process. Contact
Steve Wurzelbacher (513-841-4322).
2-methoxy-4-nitroaniline (2M4Na)—used in dyeing
processes in the textile industry, as a chromogenic agent in printing
processes, and in making a chemical which has applications in inks and
paints. Most exposure occurs during the production, use, and disposal of
products containing 2M4Na, especially dye dusts. Contact Steve Wurzelbacher
(513-841-4322).
Diacetyl in food production, contact Brian Curwin
(513-841-4432).
Manganese compounds in
welding fumes, contact Kevin Hanley (513-841-4113).
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NIOSH Seeks Comments on the Following:
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Respiratory Diseases Research Program Plan
NIOSH is
requesting comment on a draft Respiratory Diseases Research Program plan for
implementing recommendations from a recent evaluation of the program by the
National Academies. Deadline for comments is August 14. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/173/
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. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/160/
My Knees Hurt! Study Proposed on Miner Knee-Injury Risk
NIOSH is
proposing to conduct a study to better understand the occupational risks for
knee injuries in miners from stressful working postures in
“low-seam” mining. Deadline for comments is August 24. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-14834.htm
Recent Coal Dust Particle Size Surveys and the Implications
for Mine Explosions
NIOSH is
requesting comments on a recommendation that a new standard of 80% TIC be required
in the intake airways of bituminous coal mines. Deadline for comments is
August 31. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/174/
Three NIOSH Analytical Methods
Methamphetamine
and Illicit Drugs, Precursors, and Adulterants on Wipes by Liquid-Liquid
Extraction http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/176/
Methamphetamine
and Illicit Drugs, Precursors, and Adulterants on Wipes by Solid Phase
Extraction http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/177/
Methamphetamine
on Wipes by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry-SIM http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/review/public/178/
Deadline
for comments is September 30.
Quality Assurance Requirements for Respirators
NIOSH is requesting comments on a petition to change a
regulation that specifies when a warning device on a respirator must give an
alarm that the air supply in the oxygen tank is being depleted. This alarm
warns wearers so they will have time to exit a toxic or oxygen-deficient area
before their air supply runs out. Deadline for comments is October 9, 2009. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-11947.htm.
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Two New Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Reports Now
Available
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 The NIOSH HHE Program evaluated the
question of whether a higher-than-expected number of cancers existed among
information services employees at a health agency and whether the cancers
were associated with occupational exposures to magnetic fields from computer
servers and other electronic equipment. Investigators found that the number
and types of cancer reported did not appear unusual and were unlikely to be
related to magnetic fields. The report recommended measures to address
employee concerns, including steps to further reduce exposures to magnetic
fields by limiting the amount of time spent in the computer server room and
increasing distances between employees and magnetic field sources.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2008-0286-3084.pdf.
The HHE
Program evaluated firefighters’ potential exposure to antimony through
station uniform pants made of FireWear® fabric. Investigators found that
wearing pants made from FireWear® fabric did not pose a health hazard
from antimony exposure. Investigators recommended that fire departments
continue to issue station uniforms that comply with the National Fire
Protection Association 1975 standard.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2009-0025-0076-3085.pdf
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Morbidity and Mortality @Work
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Average rate of nonfatal occupational illnesses in U.S.
Private Industry by Major Industry Sectors, 2003–2007
Work-related illness continues to place a
heavy burden on workers and their families. This month's chart illustrates
the impact of work-related illness by comparing incidence rates across
private industry sectors. The numbers show the highest rates of illness occur
in manufacturing, utilities, and health care and social assistance. For more
details, see the chart at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews/enewsv7n4chart.html.
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Connecticut's HEARTSafe Workplace
Initiative: An Occupational Health and Chronic Disease Partnership
The Connecticut Department of Public Health recently
launched its new HEARTSafe
Workplace initiative, which represents a collaborative effort of
the Department’s Occupational Health Unit and the Heart Disease and
Stroke Prevention Program. The initiative is designed to assist and encourage
employers in creating a working environment where employee education and
training, workplace policies, and access to lifesaving equipment all provide
a greater opportunity for survival of workers experiencing sudden cardiac
events on the job. More information can be found at http://www.ct.gov/dph/occupationalhealth.
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 NIOSH
Seeks Partners
NIOSH is seeking partners to commercialize a new Passive Organic Dermal (POD) Sampler. NIOSH researchers will
be presenting their research at the International Symposium on Polycyclic
Aromatic Compounds on September 20–24 in Charleston, SC. To learn
more about partnering with NIOSH, please contact Kathleen Goedel at Kgoedel@xxxxxxx.
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NIOSH Asks Your Opinion on Our Blog!
When you visit the NIOSH blog this month you may be
asked to answer a short survey. We are currently evaluating the NIOSH blog
and we hope you will take a couple minutes to answer the questions in order
to help us make the blog the most useful for our readers. If you have any
questions please contact Virginia Sublet vsublet@xxxxxxx.
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Passive
Organic Dermal (POD) Sampler—used to measure dermal exposure,
this sampler is flexible and easily attaches to any surface and can also be
worn on clothing. The unique multilayered design absorbs and separates
organic compounds of various molecular weights and volatility present in
solid, liquid, or gas phases.
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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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