Canada's Occupational Health and Safety News reports that Ontario is looking to reduce occupational disease in firefighters by instructing firefighters in the proper use of safety equipment. Fire Chief Chris Powers of the Whitchurch-Stouffville Fire Department says the program is important because "use of respiratory protection is important because inhalation is one possible route for cancer-causing agents."

The program hopes to help firefighters realize the importance of wearing protective gear even after the fire is out. Toxins remain in at the scene even after the fire is gone. The other goal of the program is to teach firefighters the necessity of cleaning gear properly after it has been exposed to a fire: gear has the ability to absorb toxins. Because of the wider range of building materials available today, new toxins are produced by fires that were not seen when buildings were simply built from wood.

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Posted by Patricia Bowling at 08:59 PM | Permalink

According to the Globe Gazette, America's most dangerous jobs are: (1) Fishing, (2) Logging, (3) Flying for an airline, (4) Structural iron and steel work, (5) Refuse and recyclable material work, (6) Farming and ranching, (7) Electrical power line installment, (8) Driver/sales work and truck driving, (9) Agricultural work, (10) Construction labor.

Jens Nissen, executive officer for Iowa OSHA said of the study: “This shows that people need to be diligent in all aspects of safety and health in the workplace. It is not just a concern for management. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.” Fishing ranked as the most dangerous job, with an average of 118.4 deaths per 100,000 employed.

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Posted by Patricia Bowling at 09:13 PM | Permalink

Ireland's Government News Network reports that to help raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos, the Health and Safety Executive has begun a "Don't take a gamble campaign." Steve Coldrick, Director of the Health and Safety Executive's Disease Reduction Program in Ireland has a message for workers everywhere: "Don't take a gamble with your life."

More than half a million buildings in Ireland still contain some form of asbestos. Workers are at risk because they may drill or cut into structural components containing asbestos and breathe in the material. Coldrick added, "exposure to asbestos can cause cancer and an early death. There are around 1.8 million maintenance workers in Great Britain, many of whom don't realise that asbestos could be present and therefore a threat. While current deaths are due to asbestos exposure that happened many years ago, we need to make today's workers aware that they are at risk.. This campaign focuses on how important it is for those working with asbestos not to gamble with their lives."

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Safety and Health Topics: Asbestos
Asbestos: An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 09:27 PM | Permalink

Columbus Steel Castings, formerly Buckeye Steel, was fined $257,000 by OSHA. The company's facility had been inspected four times for various injury and illness complaints.

Occupational Hazards

OSHA found that Columbus Steel Castings had failed to correct potential worker hazards involving guardrails and safety belts. Deborah Zubaty, the OSHA director in Columbus, said of the decision: "strong enforcement is a key part of OSHA's effort to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses. It should be clear that we will not tolerate indifference to the welfare and safety of working men and women."

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Columbus Steel Castings Fined $257K for Safety Violations

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 10:06 PM | Permalink

Governor George Pataki of New York has rejected a bill that would have allowed Lyme Disease to be considered an occupational disease. The ruling means that workers who contract Lyme Disease will remain ineligible for state workers' compensation. "Since existing law already provides the board with the authority to award benefits to workers who contract Lyme Disease in the course of their employment, I am reluctant to approve any measure that could be interpreted as limiting such authority," Pataki said.

Lyme Disease Bill Vetoed

Pataki has had Lyme Disease and said that the board already has the ability to consider Lyme Disease an occupational illness, depending on case circumstances. Pataki did not approve this bill because he disagreed with the way in which it named the kinds of workers who could be eligible for benefits: only those involved in "farming, landscaping operations, tree pruning, spraying, repairing, or related occupation which creates exposure to Lyme Disease-carrying organisms or care or handling of animals." Lyme disease a neurological disease carried by deer ticks.

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CDC: Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease Foundation

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 04:49 PM | Permalink

Exposure to a banned pesticide, dieldrin, appears to accelerate the changes in the brain associated with Parkinson's disease, according to research done at Emory University and the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. Gary Miller, an associate professor of environmental and occupational health at Emory, said "our current study clearly shows that pesticides such as dieldrin appear to accelerate or exacerbate the already underlying disease. Pesticides aren't necessarily the causative agents, but they do promote Parkinson's. So it appears the more you are exposed to pesticides, the greater your risk of developing the disease earlier in life."

Science Daily

Dieldrin was developed as an alternative to DDT in the 1940s. It was used to control agricultural pests and termites and was banned in 1974 by the Environmental Protection Agency after it was discovered to be harmful to fish and wildlife. Even though it no longer is in use, environmental toxins can persist in the environment and can be passed through the food chain, especially in meat and dairy consumption. Over the next few decades, dieldrin exposure should decrease, thus becoming less of a factor in the development of Parkinson's. At least 500,000 Americans have Parkinson's disease and about 50,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.

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NINDS Parkinson's Disease Information Page
Developmental Pesticide Exposure Linked to Parkinson's

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 05:03 PM | Permalink

BBC News reports that Japanese scientists have found a positive correlation between working rotating shifts and prostate cancer incidence. Men who work a rotating shift were found to be four times more likely to develop prostate cancer than those who only worked day or night shifts. Shift work also was linked to increased rates of breast and bowel cancer. Henry Scowcroft, of Cancer Research UK, said of the report: "There have been several previous reports that disturbances to natural body rhythms might be linked to cancer, and this report adds to that evidence. But it has never been shown that the actual sleep disturbance itself is responsible for the slight increase in risk observed in these studies. It might be that people with abnormal sleep patterns are more likely to be doing something else, such as smoking or eating unhealthily, that increases their risk."

Researchers believe that increased cancer rates may be a consequence of reduced production in melatonin in those working rotating shifts. Melatonin is used by the body to induce sleep, and sleep patterns often are disrupted in those who do not have a consistent work schedule.

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Shifts Raise Prostate Cancer Risk
Survey Shows Shift Workers Have Higher Risk for Prostate Cancer

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 05:30 PM | Permalink

Health hazards tied to high lead exposure were believed to be a thing of the past, but it appears likely that lead levels considered to be safe may pose a threat. Researchers from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine discovered that blood lead levels as low as two micrograms per deciliter are linked to an increased risk of death. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) currently defines high blood levels as anything over 40 micrograms per deciliter.

Researchers measured the blood lead levels of nearly 14,000 adults between 1988 and 1994. In comparing the higher blood lead levels to lower blood lead levels, those with higher lead levels were 25% more likely to die from any cause and 55% more likely to die from cardiovascular disease.

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Safe Blood Lead Levels Linked To Risk Of Death: American Heart Association Rapid Access Journal Report

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 06:44 PM | Permalink

A list put out by Haz-Map outlines many different occupational diseases and the agents that cause them. The illnesses fall under the categories of airway diseases, skin diseases, interstitial lung diseases, metal poisoning, and illnesses that can be caused by inhalation or dermal absorption. The list is useful in learning more about the wide variety of occupational diseases and what can be done to prevent them and protect those who might fall victim to dangerous work conditions.

Chronic bronchitis, skin cancer, chronic beryllium disease, and bladder cancer are just a few of the diseases that can be caused at work. It is important to recognize environmental risk factors because frequently people assume that they simply are genetically predisposed to contracting these illnesses.

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Haz Map
Haz Map: Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 07:16 PM | Permalink

Safety Online reports that the Environmental Protection Agency is striving to reduce the asbestos exposure of automotive works and home mechanics. The EPA will release a brochure entitled "Current Best Practices for Preventing Asbestos Exposure Among Brake and Clutch Workers." The brochure will offer tips to help avoid asbestos exposure.

Asbestos fibers are used in automotive clutch and brake parts. Exposure to the fibers has been linked to asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma.

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EPA's Asbestos Page
Safety and Health Topics: Asbestos

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 11:19 PM | Permalink

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that coal miners in two West Virginia counties still show signs of "black lung," or pneumoconiosis. 30 out of 328 miners showed evidence of pneumonoconiosis; 11 of them had advanced cases of the disease.

It is discouraging that pneumoconiosis is present. A 1969 law aimed to limit the amount of coal dust in mines by setting a limit on dust per cubic meter of breathable dust. In the report released by the CDC, Dr. V.C. Antao concluded that out of the 11 advanced cases, nice had not worked before the 1969 limit came into effect. In 1995 the 1969 limit was decided to be too high and a lowered limit was set.

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Introduction to Black Lung Disease
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Posted by Patricia Bowling at 11:06 PM | Permalink

No major environmental violations were reported in an unannounced inspection of PPL Corp.'s Martins Creek power plant on Tuesday. Last August, approximately 100 million gallons of fly ash-tainted water leaked from the plant, much of it flowing into the Delaware River. Fly ash and silica both are byproducts of coal combustion and potential occupational hazards. Department of Environmental Protection Inspection Secretary Kathleen McGinty said, "'these inspections looked closely at every aspect of plant operations — and that is especially important here at Martins Creek, where we have cause to be concerned about whether all the necessary safeguards are in place and operating at the facility."

State Inspects Martins Creek Power Plant

Minor violations were discovered at two of the plant's lubrication oil storage tanks. The company is expected to test the tanks further. Paint blistering also was noted at one of the tanks, though no leaks were reported. The state has issued notes of violated in connection with both spills and the DEP filed a lawsuit against PPL in Commonwealth Court last year over the fly ash spill.

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Wikipedia: Fly Ash
Safety and Health Topics: Silica

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 10:40 PM | Permalink

Voice of America reports that the port of Puget Sound and Holland America plans to work to reduce cruise ship diesel exhaust by utilizing the power grid of Seattle. In doing so, the port's transformers will allow the company's ships to run on electricity as opposed to diesel fuel when they dock. Holland America company president Stein Kruse says "the ships of today and the size of our engines and the power requirements are so substantial and to bring something like this into the city's electrical grid requires a lot of technology."

The changeover will cost Holland America millions of dollars. Princess Cruises last year spent more than $1 million to install the electrical system at the Seattle port, and another million to equip each ship to utilize the new technology. Holland American also is testing a new seawater scrubber that will clean ship exhaust before it reaches the smokestack, further reducing ship emissions. Experts estimate the new initiatives will reduce air pollution by 30%.

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Posted by Patricia Bowling at 10:25 PM | Permalink

According to Business Wire, an Arkansas jury has rejected the claim that welding rod manufacturers were responsible for the plaintiffs' alleged ailments. Said John Beisner, attorney for the welding rod manufacturers, "we are extremely pleased that this Arkansas jury has joined the overwhelming majority of juries around the country that have already heard and rejected similar claims. In returning a verdict for the defense, the jury found that the welding rod manufacturers were not responsible for the plaintiff's alleged ailments. The welding industry has now prevailed in 12 of 13 trials. This victory shows, yet again, that these cases are entirely without merit. "

Beisner added that the welding industry is an industry which has "consistently worked to ensure the safety of welders and it has been unfairly targeted in these cases. As this litigation progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that there is little real substance to these suits."

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American Welding Society
Welding Information Center

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 08:43 PM | Permalink

Azom. com reports that Cabot Corporation has announced that China's first world-class silica manufacturing facility is set to open in Jiangxi Province, China. The new plant will serve the growing fumed silica market in China. Cabot Chairman and CEO Kennett F. Burnes said, "The adoption of fumed silica in industrial applications in China is growing rapidly. We are confident that with the successful commissioning of our new facility, we are well-positioned to meet the needs of our customers in China by providing high quality product in a timely manner."

The plant will be a joint project between Cabot Limited and Bluestar New Chemical Materials Co., Ltd. Approximately $27 million has been invested by Cabot Bluestar Chemical to open the plant. The plant has a capacity of 4,800 metric tons annually.

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Posted by Patricia Bowling at 07:17 PM | Permalink

Newsday.com reports that a Wisconsin Study published in the American Journal of Health Behavior reports that one out of six working teens has been injured on the job. Many of these teenagers should not legally have been working the jobs they were working because of their age. "The findings clearly indicate that work-related injuries among youth are a significant health problem," said Kristina Zierold, an assistant professor of family medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and lead author of the study.

Slightly more than half the students who responded to the questionnaire reported getting injured at any kind of job. The researchers conducting the study report that "approximately 70 children die from injuries inflicted at work; hundreds are hospitalized and tens of thousands require treatment in hospital emergency rooms. The National Pediatric Trauma Registry and National Center for Health Statistics report that occupational injuries are the fourth-leading cause of death among young ages 10-19." Most teens work jobs in restaurants, baby-sitting, lawn care, and in retail. The researchers suggest training in high school health class curriculum to recognize work related hazards.

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Legal View: Occupational Disease

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 07:00 PM | Permalink

According to the HealthDay Reporter, long hours at work can lead to higher rates of high blood pressure. Furthermore, those with little control over their jobs had even higher blood pressure. "We found the type of occupation was independently significant," said Dr. Dean Baker, director of the University of California, Irvine's Center for Occupational and Environmental Health. "Clerical workers and unskilled workers had more high blood pressure than those in the professions."

Data used in the study relied upon a database from a 2001 survey of more than 55,000 California households. The data allowed for statistical analysis of the cause of high blood pressure. People working 40 hours a week were 14% more likely to say they had high blood pressure than those working 11 to 19 hours a week. Those working 41 to 50 hours a week had a 17% higher occurrence of high blood pressure. Dean recommends legislation limiting working hours based on these findings. However, the study is not without critics. Dr. David Meyerson, a senior cardiologist at Johns Hopkins University and a spokesman for the American Heart Association, said, "We need more information before this finding can be translated into legislation limiting work hours."

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Legal View: Occupational Disease

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 06:26 PM | Permalink

U.S. Newswire reports that the United Food and Commercial Workers' Union, Western States Council and the California Labor Federation petitioned the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board to immediately issue an Emergency Temporary Standard for diacetyl. Diacetyl is a deadly chemical present in flavorings.

Diacetyl has been linked to a potentially deadly lung disease that has been observed in food industry workers across the US. The condition, bronchiolitis obliterans, also called "popcorn workers' lung," has been observed in factory workers who handle and produce diacetyl. Several California food industry employees have developed lung problems after exposure to the chemical. No OSHA standards yet regulate diacetyl exposure, though the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Health and Human Services both agree there is plenty of evidence for OSHA to put regulations into place.

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Posted by Patricia Bowling at 05:41 PM | Permalink