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Volume 7 Number 10
February 2010 |
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NIOSH eNews Web page |
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Evaluating the
Use of Respiratory Protection for H1N1 Among Healthcare
Workers Take Caution
When Using Disinfectants |
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NIOSH Collaborates with Industry to Protect Workers Using Hydraulic Stump Cutters Major NIOSH Finding Featured in Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal |
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Workplace Safety and Health Training Positively Impacts Workers |
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From the Director's Desk |
An Exposé on ExposomesSuccess in mapping the human genome has fostered the complementary concept of mapping the "exposome." This is an interesting frontier for risk assessment, one that NIOSH will examine closely as one of our emerging issues for the 21st century. The concept of the exposome can be defined as the measure of all the exposures that an individual may experience over a lifetime in his or her environment, whether those exposures may affect the person?s health, and if so, in what ways. Clearly, this is a compelling topic for those of us who are in the business of preventing illnesses that are caused or exacerbated by exposures in the workplace. Articulated in 2005 by Dr. Christopher Wild, currently the director of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the exposome also takes into account how the impact of exposures on health are further modified by factors such as lifestyle, physical condition, and genetics. The exposome relies on the use of all exposure assessment tools. Understanding the contribution of environmental factors to disease susceptibility in terms of exposure and biological response has also been called "exposure biology" and is an integral part of exposure assessment. Exposure begins prenatally and includes insults?that is, injuries, irritations, or traumas?from environmental and occupational sources. Past occupational health studies have focused on a specific exposure or multiple exposures and the relationship to a disease. Some confounders were investigated as well. Today, many studies incorporate the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. It should be noted that the exposome also includes the study of exposures in the environment that improve or enhance health or the opportunity to attain health in greater measure. The occupational exposome is extremely important and in some cases unique from other environmental exposures. Today?s occupational exposures are radically different than those of even 30 years ago. Prevention of disease should be the critical outcome from the exposome. Ironically, the measure of success will be that nothing happens?in other words, disease is prevented. Some obvious challenges may limit progress in this field of study. The exposome is highly variable and dynamic as it evolves throughout the lifetime of an individual. Ultimately, the impact of a specific environmental exposure, regardless of its origin, may be different at the individual level for different people. Past and even present exposures are difficult or impossible to quantify. Relating an occupational disease to an exposure that occurred in the past can be challenging. NIOSH has identified some specific areas that can help meet these challenges:
NIOSH's focus in the exposome lies in occupational exposures and resulting work-related diseases. I anticipate that our contributions in exposure assessment, occupational epidemiology, development of sensitive occupational methods, development and characterization of biomarkers, exposure sampling strategies, and exposure databases will advance further the field of occupational exposomics. In turn, if successful, these developments will lead to improved occupational health as occupational exposures are identified and mitigated. I invite your
attention to Dr. Wild?s groundbreaking thesis at http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/14/8/1847.full
and invite you to watch for a NIOSH topic page on the exposome, which we
expect to post shortly on the Web. Later this month, on February 25?26 in
Washington, D.C., the National Academies will convene a national workshop
to examine the exposome and the opportunities for applying the concept to
improve human health. I am honored to be included as a participant in one
of the panel discussions. Further information is available at http://dels.nas.edu/envirohealth/exposome.shtml.
I look forward to seeing you there and to hearing your ideas on possible
next steps forward for NIOSH and our partners. My thanks to Dr. Gayle
DeBord, associate director for science in NIOSH?s Division of Applied
Research and Technology, for her assistance in preparing this month?s
column. |
Free Respirator Training Videos Available |
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NIOSH and OSHA have
produced two 5-minute videos on respirator training: The Difference
Between Respirators and Surgical Masks and Respirator
Safety, which includes instructions on donning (putting on) and
doffing (taking off) and user seal checks. These videos are available in
both English and Spanish and are available for download at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/respiratoryprotection/index.html. |
New NIOSH Internet Site Highlights Regulatory Agenda |
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NIOSH has released a
new Web page (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/regulatory.html)
designed to make it easier for stakeholders to find, read, and track
NIOSH?s proposed regulations and regulatory changes. The new Web page
lists and links to the proposed regulations and regulatory changes that
NIOSH has posted on the federal government?s Unified Regulatory Agenda (as
required by EO 12866 Section 4(b) http://www.reginfo.gov/public/jsp/Utilities/EO_Redirect.jsp.
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NIOSH Experts Comment on the H1N1 Pandemic |
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Les Boord and Roland
Berry Ann, director and deputy director respectively of NIOSH?s National
Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL), participated in a
podcast sponsored by EHS Today magazine that examines occupational health
issues related to the H1N1 pandemic. Specifically, the NIOSH officials
discussed N95 respirators and CDC's H1N1 guidelines for healthcare
workers. Tune in to the podcast at http://ehstoday.com/podcasts/experts-comment-h1n1-pandemic-0110/.
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NIOSH Research on Flavorings Highlighted in News Segment |
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An investigative news
segment February 4 on WBNS-TV, Columbus, Ohio, highlights NIOSH?s
groundbreaking research on the hazard of occupational lung disease linked
with job-related respiratory exposures to butter flavoring. News video and
transcript at http://www.10tv.com/live/content/teninvestigates/stories/2010/02/04/story-food-flavoring-popcorn.html?sid=102.
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NIOSH Offers Resources for Emergency Responders |
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As emergency
responders are deployed to find survivors, save lives, and speed relief
aid to earthquake-devastated Haiti, it is imperative to protect them from
work-related injury and illness in the line of duty. NIOSH highlights its
emergency response resources for search and rescue teams, fire fighters,
and other responders at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/emres/. |
Capt. Cheryl Estill Finalist for Federal Engineer of the Year |
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Cheryl F. Estill, a
NIOSH engineer who holds the rank of Captain in the U.S. Public Health
Service, has been selected by the National Society of Professional
Engineers as one of the ten finalists for the 2010 Federal Engineer of the
Year Award for outstanding service to our country. This award is the only
one of its kind to solely recognize outstanding engineers employed in the
federal government. The 2010 Federal Engineer of the Year will be
announced at National Press Club on February
18. |
NIOSH Researchers Talk Nanotechnology Abroad |
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Cheryl F. Estill, a
NIOSH engineer who holds the rank of Captain in the U.S. Public Health
Service, has been selected by the National Society of Professional
Engineers as one of the ten finalists for the 2010 Federal Engineer of the
Year Award for outstanding service to our country. This award is the only
one of its kind to solely recognize outstanding engineers employed in the
federal government. The 2010 Federal Engineer of the Year will be
announced at National Press Club on February 18.
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Global
Happenings |
WHO Meeting Presentations AvailablePresentations from the
8th Meeting of the Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centers in
Occupational Health and the Joint CIS-CC Meeting are now posted on the
NIOSH Web page at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/global/collaborations.html.
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Former NIOSH Researcher Discusses Blogs on Microfinance Institutions as an Opportunity to Reach Millions of WorkersFormer NIOSH
Industrial Hygienist Dr. Richard Rinehart provides a guest post on the
Social Performance Indicators Blog called "Defining Social
Responsibility to the Community: Occupational Safety and Health.? Dr.
Rinehart presents examples of occupational safety and health threats
commonly faced by microentrepreneurs in the developing world. ?What role,?
he asks, ?might the microfinance industry play in mitigating the negative
impact of these risks on clients and the community at large?" http://www.spblog.org/2009/12/defining-social-responsibility-to-the-community-occupational-safety-and-health-.html |
The full proceedings of the First International Conference on Road Safety at Work held in Washington DC in 2009 are now available online. |
Two New Health Hazard Evaluation Reports Now Available |
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The HHE Program
evaluated a possible excess in cancer incidence among current and former
employees in the criminal investigation section of a police department.
The investigation determined that the cancers likely were not
work-related. Investigators recommended measures to address potential
chemical exposures. They recommended that air filters in the local exhaust
ventilation and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems be
replaced routinely and that the amount of outdoor air supplied to occupied
areas of the building be increased. Exhaust ventilation should also be
added in rooms that house chemicals or emit nuisance odors. HHE Program
investigators recommended that the super glue fuming chambers be replaced
with units that minimize airborne ethyl cyanoacrylate exposures.
Investigators also recommended that employees learn about cancer and get
recommended cancer screenings. http://www2a.cdc.gov/hhe/select.asp?PjtName=47155&bFlag=3 |
The Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Program
evaluated exposures to hazardous metals, including lead and cadmium,
during electronics recycling efforts at four prisons. Investigators
recommended that these facilities be in full compliance with Occupational
Safety and Health Administration standards, including record keeping
requirements, communication requirements, compliance plans, and medical
surveillance. HHE Program investigators also recommended that preplacement
examinations for cadmium exposure be identical to periodic examinations so
that baseline health status can be obtained prior to exposure.
Investigators additionally recommended that a detailed job hazard analysis
be conducted prior to beginning any new operation or before making changes
to existing operations.
News from Our Partners |
Evaluating the Use of Respiratory Protection for H1N1 Among Healthcare WorkersThis flu season, the
California Department of Public Health (CDPH) OccupationalHealth Branch is
collaborating with NIOSH on a survey of respiratory protection policies,
procedures, and work practices in California acute care hospitals. The
CDPH is also administering a Web-based survey about respiratory protection
knowledge and practices to healthcare workers throughout California. This
project will assess best practices and gaps in implementing U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidelines_infection_control.htm)
and the recent California Aerosol Transmissible Diseases standard. For
more information please contact Dr. Barbara Materna at barbara.materna@xxxxxxxxxxx.
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Take Caution When Using DisinfectantsThe use of
disinfectants has increased because of the concern about exposure to
infectious agents, such as the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. A patient seen
recently at the Michigan State University Clinic, one of the clinics in
the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics, complained of
respiratory symptoms that had developed at work after exposure to a spray
disinfectant. Aerosol cans of disinfectant had been distributed by
supervisors and, when people coughed at work, disinfectant was
inappropriately sprayed in the air instead of surfaces, according to the
clinic. A summary of the allergenic/irritant effects of disinfectants can
be found at www.oem.msu.edu/userfiles/file/News/v20n2.pdf.
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American Society of Safety Engineers, Technical ReportThe American Society
of Safety Engineers has developed a technical report, Guidelines for
Addressing Occupational Risks in Design and Redesign Processes (https://www.asse.org/shoponline/products/trz790-001-2009.php).
This report provides guidance on including prevention through design
concepts and processes as a specifically identified element in a safety
and health management system so that decisions pertaining to occupational
risks are incorporated into the design and redesign processes, including
consideration of the life cycle of facilities, materials, and equipment.
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Occupational Medicine Residency Matching ServiceThe Association of
Occupational and Environmental Clinics provides an occupational medicine
(OM) residency ?matching service? for potential candidates looking for an
open OM training slot. Candidates usually are those who have developed an
interest in OM training but may have applied too late for the December
acceptance deadline of many programs. If you are a potential OM resident
or know of someone who is interested in pursuing a career in OM, please
send a copy of your current CV and a cover letter to kkirkland@xxxxxxxx. |
r2p Corner |
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NIOSH Science Blog |
What?s New on the NIOSH Blog?NIOSH is seeking your
input on occupational health and safety training, particularly the
feasibility of adding additional rigor to research designs through the use
of randomized controlled trials or other methodologies using comparison
groups, novel methods for evaluating "transfer of training" into the
workplace, and methods that facilitate the measurement of "return on
investment" of training to organizations. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/blog/nsb012910_training.html |
New Communication Products |
Major NIOSH Finding Featured in Emerging Infectious Diseases JournalNIOSH scientists published a major finding in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention?s (CDC) journal Emerging Infectious Diseases on the relationship between silicosis and pulmonary mycosis. Silicosis is a work-related disease caused by exposure to respirable silica dust. Pulmonary mycosis is a serious, irreversible but preventable disease caused by fungal infection. Scientists linked the two and found that some workers may be at risk for job-related co-exposure to silica dust and fungi. http://www.cdc.gov/eid/content/16/2/318.htm Workplace Safety and Health Training Positively Impacts WorkersOccupational health and safety (OHS) training is an important part of managing workplace hazards and risks. A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Training & Education for the Protection of Workers reports on a study conducted by the Institute for Work and Health and NIOSH to determine whether OHS training and education programs have a beneficial effect on workers and firms. To read the full report go to http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/Training/sys_review_education_training_2010.html or go to the NIOSH Science Blog to provide comments: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/blog/nsb012910_training.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 |
Call for Abstracts |
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American
Public Health Association 2010 annual meeting, November 6?10, Denver,
Colorado. Deadline for submission is February 5. http://www.apha.org/meetings/sessions/HowtobecomeaPresenter.htm International Occupational Hygiene
Association (IOHA 2010). Call for abstracts deadline extended to March 1.
Call for posters deadline extended to March 15. http://www.ioha2010.org/. |
Look for Us! |
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The NIOSH exhibit will
be at the Construction Safety Conference and Exposition, February 16?17,
in Rosemont, Illinois, at booth #409. http://www.buildsafe.org |
Upcoming Conferences & Workshops |
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NIOSH Announces Personal Protective Technology Stakeholder
Meeting National Action Summit for Latino Worker Health and Safety -
Registration Now Open!
Nanomaterials and Worker Health History of Occupational and Environmental Health
Conference A comprehensive list
of upcoming conferences can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/exhibits.html. |
Word of the Month |
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Exposome -The measure of
all the exposures that an individual may experience over a lifetime in his
or her environment, whether those exposures may affect the person?s
health, and if so, in what ways. |
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NIOSH eNews on the Web: www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews/
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