Occupational Diseases: May 2007 Archives

Confidentiality Deal Restricted Professors

Three University of Cincinnati professors knew about a lung disease that affects people who work with artificial flavorings more than ten years ago. However, they were not permitted to alert other workers at the plant about the potential health dangers they faced because of a confidentiality deal. Between 1995 to 1997, the breathing of 300 production workers at the Tastemaker plant was monitored, Six workers were identified to have an occupational disease known as bronchiolitis obliterans.

Confidentiality Deal Restricted Professors

Roy McKay, a UC pulmonary toxicologist, said he was instructed "never to say the word bronchilitis obliterans to any of the workers." McKay's colleague, James Lockey, said that he would have cautioned workers about the dangers of working with diacetyl more quickly if the agreement had not been in place.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 02:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Cancer is World's Biggest Health Problem

A recent report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare says that cancer and cardiovascular disease are the leading causes of death in the country. John Goss from the AIHW's Economics and Health Services Group says that the study indicates that 'Cancer has overtaken cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of burden, largely because of Australia's success in reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease burden rates dropped by 35% in the 10 years prior to 2003. Burden of disease analysis goes beyond the mortality impact of a disease, as it also looks at the impact of illness and disability. This non-fatal burden (the amount of healthy life years lost due to disability from disease and injury) made up 51% of the total."

Cancer Causes the Biggest Burden

The five leading causes of non-fatal disease were anxiety and depression, Type 2 diabetes, dementia, adult-onset hearing loss, and asthma. Risk factors for the diseases include alcohol, low produce consumption, illicit drugs, spousal violence, air pollution, unsafe sex, and osteoporosis.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 02:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Whitman Will Testify About 9/11 Issues

Christie Whitman, the former Environmental Protection Agency administrator, will testify before Congress about the handling of air quality and health issues after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Whitman's attorney says that she was not able to testify at a subcommittee hearing because of a pending federal lawsuit against the federal government for having said that air was safe to breathe in downtown Manhattan in the days following the attacks.

Whitman to Testify on 9/11 Health Issues

Whitman has said of the issue: "I am extremely proud of the EPA's work in response to the terrorist attacks on our nation on Sept. 11, 2001. The men and women of the EPA were _ and are _ dedicated to protecting the health of the American public and I will be pleased to answer any questions the subcommittee might have about their efforts during my tenure as director of the agency." She last testified before Congress about the EPA's response to the attacks in 2003.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 01:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Family of Pennsylvania Worker Files Complaint

Barbara Clarke's family has filed a complaint on her behalf, saying that Clarke was exposed to asbestos when she worked as a production worker, machinist, and engineering draftsman from 1961-1995. The defendants named by the lawsuit include Bondex, Cooper Industries, Ford Motor Company, General Electric, General Motors, John Crane, Kelly Moore Paint, and Thyssenkrupp AG. The lawsuit papers say that Clarke was diagnosed with mesothelioma on January 26, 2005 and died on May 25, 2005.

Family of Pennsylvania Worker Files Asbestos Complaint

The lawsuit is being headed by Elsie Eberhard, Clarke's daughter. Eberhard says her mother was exposed to asbestos at work and also during home repair projects. The lawsuit says that the defendants did not advise their employees of safety practices needed when working with asbestos. "Plaintiff has been caused to suffer damages in the form of impaired ability to recover against defendants and lost or reduced compensation from other potentially liable parties in this litigation," the complaint states.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 01:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

China Miners Risk Deadly Disease

Officials say that black lung disease accounts for three-quarters of all occupational disease in China. About 17 miners are killed daily in China's coal mines, although many labor groups believe the statistic should be higher. China's coal mines are the most dangerous in the world.

China Miners Risk Deadly Disease

677,000 cases of occupational disease have been reported since the 1950s. More than 90% of these cases were pneumoconiosis. Last year, black lung accounted for 76% of 11,000 occupational disease cases reported. Health minister spokesman Su Zhi said that "the proportion of pneumoconiosis cases was 1.44 percentage points higher than in 2005, and the latency period of the disease was shorter." China is working to improve safety standards.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 01:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Asbestos Worries in Roosevelt Schools

Parents at Roosevelt schools in Texas are worried that their children could have been exposed to asbestos during renovation work at the school. Parents ask why asbestos removal occurred when children still were in school; school lets out in several weeks for summer vacation. Roy Turner, RISD Facilities Manager, responded to those concerns: "It's a couple weeks but it's two weeks we'd lose with the contractor that's ready to get started in there."

Asbestos Concerns at Roosevelt Schools

Turner added that no children were ever in any danger because the operation all was airtight and sealed. The Texas Department of Health inspected and approved the asbestos removal project.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Work-Related Asthma is Fastest Growing Occupational Disease

In the United Kingdom, work-related asthma is the most rapidly growing occupational disease. Workers miss 18 million workdays annually as a result of asthma-related sick days. It is believed that between 1,500 and 3,000 people develop occupational asthma each year. Nearly all cases of occupational asthma can be avoided.

Employers are required to prevent exposure to toxins that can cause lung problems. Employers must follow safety procedure and provide adequate safety equipment to employees. Richard Jones, the Director of Technical Affairs at the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, says that employers have a responsibility to be aware of materials or activities that trigger asthma attacks: “Employers have a duty to protect their employees from substances that can harm their health, including those they could breathe in at work. Health and safety advisers can help employers and workers to assess the risks and apply the hierarchy of safety measures: avoid the process or substitute a safer material if possible; use engineering controls such as enclosures and extraction; and as a last resort, respiratory protective equipment.”

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 11:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Widow Wins Large Asbestos Settlement

The widow of an asbestos insulation worker who ended up contracting asbestos as a result of his exposure has received almost £50,000 in damages. Arthur Wolverson, 64, died in April 2005 from mesothelioma. He had worked for LR Burrows & Co. in Landport Road, Monmore Green, Wolverhampton between 1959 and 1962. Wolverson was one of thousands of workers who removed crumbling asbestos from boilers and pipes and mixed new paste from powder to replace it.

Widow gets £50k over asbestos

The lawyer for Wolverson's family agreed with the jury's decision: “The pressure on relatives in cases like this is very great. Often the loss of the spouse’s pension leaves widows in a desperate financial situation. Mrs Wolverson is still very upset about her loss and cannot come to terms with what has happened.”

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 12:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Was Giuliani to Blame for 9/11 Toxin Exposure?

News reports are questioning Rudy Giuliani's response to 9/11. The New York Times says that Giuliani failed to enforce federal regulations that required Ground Zero workers to wear respirators and, as a result, "more than 2,000 New York City firefighters have been treated for serious respiratory problems."

Poor 9/11 Decisions Raise Serious Questions about Rudy's Leadership Credentials

Giuliani's administration is said to have realized that there were toxic levels of asbestos in air samples collected at Ground Zero. However, he "sidelined" federal agencies that had "extensive disaster reponse experience" to use an unknown city agency for cleanup. Giuliani also is said to have re-opened areas of Manhattan, even though he knew the air was toxic. The criticism even has moved into the political arena: "The more Americans learn about Rudy Giuliani's poor decisions in the aftermath of 9/11, the more they will continue to question his ability to lead the country," said DNC Press Secretary Stacie Paxton. "Americans are so fed up with the Bush Administration's mismanagement that they will not want another four years of incompetence from Rudy Giuliani."

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 12:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A Defense of OSHA's Enforcement Program

While the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's credibility recently has come under fire, many facts support OSHA's history of being a responsible and reliable organization. OSHA's enforcement program receives the largest share of the organization's budget. The organization regularly exceeds its inspection targets. Over the last six and a half years, OSHA has referred 56 criminal cases to the Department of Justice. Evidence confirms that compliance with OSHA's standards never has been "voluntary;" the organization works diligently to ensure safe workplaces.

'OSHA has a vigorous enforcement program'

OSHA's combination of enforcement and compliance assistance has caused injury and fatality rates to be the lowest they've ever been. The overall fatality rate has fallen by 7 percent, and the fatality rate in Hispanic workers has dropped by 18 percent. OSHA continues to create new health and safety standards.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 11:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

OSHA Proposes $46,000 in Fines for New Bedford Seafood Company

The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed that Carlos Seafood Inc. be fined nearly $50,000 for exposing workers to carbon monoxide. The seafood company, which is owned by Carlos Rafael, is said to have "failed to protect its employees against carbon monoxide and confined space hazards," according an OSHA news release. A dock worker, Jose Baptista, was killed in November 2006 after being exposed to carbon monoxide fumes.

OSHA Proposes $46,000 in Fines for New Bedford Seafood Company

Jose Baptista had been using a gasoline-powered washer in order to clean a inadequately ventilated water tank on the scalloper Sandra-Lee when he was overcome by the carbon monoxide fumes from the washer. He was taken to a hospital where he later died. Two other workers and several emergency personnel were taken to the hospital but were released. OSHA's investigation found that Carlos Seafood did not have the proper equipment, training, or danger postings for employees working in confined spaces on the boat. Robert Hooper, OSHA's acting area director, said that “Working in confined spaces is extremely hazardous, which makes it imperative that all required safeguards be effectively in place and in use before employees enter one of these potentially deadly work areas."

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 09:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

West Virginia Doctor Gives Up Texas License

A West Virginia doctor who has made thousands of silicosis diagnoses for personal injury attorneys has given up his Texas medical license. Ray Harron, 74, from Bridgeport will no longer practice medicine in Texas and will not renew his medical license.

href="http://www.setexasrecord.com/news/193946-w.va.-doctor-at-center-of-asbestosis-silicosis-fracas-gives-up-texas-license"> W.Va. doctor at center of asbestosis, silicosis fracas gives up Texas license

Harron is believed to have received millions by lawyers to diagnose silicosis cases and sometimes made diagnoses at a rate of one patient per minute. The New York Times says that Harron made 75,000 diagnoses in the mid-1990s and often read as many as 150 x-rays a day, at a rate of $125 each. The New York Times spoke unfavorably of Harron's methods: "In the eyes of defense lawyers fighting some of those claims, Dr. Harron was not a professional rendering an independent opinion, but a vital cog in a multibillion-dollar lawsuit machine."

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 09:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

California Considers Banning Diacetyls

Since 2001, research has shown a link between a form of obstructive lung disease known as popcorn lung and diacetyl, a chemical used in artificial butter flavoring. Flavoring manufacturers have paid more than $100 million thus far to settle lawsuits filed by those with popcorn lung. One death from the disease has been confirmed. However, no federal laws have yet been established to regulate use of the chemical. However, Edwin G. Foulke Jr. testified before Congress that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will begin inspecting microwave popcorn facilities this month.

Flavoring Suspected in Illness

After the first California case of popcorn lung was diagnosed, California state health officials have looked at each of the state's 29 food-flavoring plants. So far, they have found eight flavoring workers with obstructive lung disease, primarily bronchiolitis obliterans. Twenty-two other workers have below-normal lung capacity, which can signal the beginning of the disease. However, not all agree that popcorn lung should be of concern: David Michaels, from the department of environmental and occupational health at George Washington University, says that OSHA only finds the disease because "they're looking there."

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 01:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

WHO Calls for Cancer Prevention in Workplaces

The United Nations health agency has declared that cancer causing chemicals, or carcinogens, need to be removed from workplaces. At least 200,000 people are killed each year from exposure to carcinogens. World Day for Safety and Health at Work is on April 28. Currently, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and bladder cancer are the most common types of occupational cancers.

South Africa: WHO Calls for Cancer Prevention in Workplaces

About 125 million people around the world are exposed to asbestos at work and about 90,000 workers die each year from asbestos-related diseases. Benzene exposure is blamed for the deaths of thousands more workers; it can cause leukemia. Maria Neira, the WHO Director of Public Health and Safety, says that "The tragedy of occupational cancer resulting from asbestos, benzene and other carcinogens is that it takes so long for science to be translated into protective action. Known and preventable exposures are clearly responsible for hundreds of thousands of excess cancer cases each year."

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 11:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Occupational Diseases Kill More Than Workplace Accidents

The World Health Organization says that thousands of workers die each year from cancer related to asbestos, tobacco smoke, benzene, and other carcinogens. Saturday, April 28, 2007 was World Day for Safety and Health at Work. The day is intended to raise awareness about the hazards of work. WHO says that upwards of 200,000 people die each year from cancers caused by their work environments.

WHO tells WHAT can kill you at work!

Lung cancer, bladder cancer, and mesothelioma are the most common types of job-related cancers. WHO says that the most effective way to reduce cancers in employees is to reduce carcinogens in the workplace. One out of every ten deaths from lung cancer is linked to workplace exposure. "The tragedy of occupational cancer resulting from asbestos, benzene and other carcinogens is that it takes so long for science to be translated into protective action. Known and preventable exposures are clearly responsible for hundreds of thousands of excess cancer cases each year. In the interests of protecting our health, we must adopt an approach rooted in primary prevention, that is to make workplaces free from carcinogenic risks," said Dr. Maria Neira, the WHO Director of Public Health and Environment.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

OSHA Plans to Look at Dangers of Microwave Popcorn Butter Flavorings

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will begin a National Emphasis Program in order to decide the dangers associated with working in the microwave popcorn industry. Butter flavorings used in microwave popcorn contain diacetyl. The Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, Edwin G. Foulke, says that "We recognize that there are potential occupational health hazards associated with butter flavorings containing diacetyl. Under this program, OSHA will target inspection resources to those workplaces where we anticipate the highest employee exposures to these hazards."

OSHA announces Focus on Health Hazards of Microwave Popcorn Butter Flavorings Containing Diacetyl

The NEP applies to all places where butter flavored microwave popcorn is produced. In January 2006, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health investigated the health effects of working in a microwave popcorn plant. Several of the workers from the plant had been diagnosed with bronchitis obliterans, which is a severe obstructive lung disease. After several tests and air sampling, NIOSH decided that inhalation of butter flavoring chemicals does increase risk for lung disease.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 11:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sheriff's Office, FBI Investigating Asbestos Removal

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Collier County Sheriff's Office have started to investigate asbestos removal on Marco Island, Florida. Marco Island officials say that they will comply with the investigation. Lisa Douglass, the Marco island public information coordinator, said that "the city of Marco Island has received a letter from the Collier County Sheriff's Office. The letter requests various documents from the City that are public records. The City of Marco Island is gathering all of the requested information and will provide the information accordingly to the Collier County Sheriff's Office."

Sheriff's Office, FBI investigating asbestos removal

Sgt. D.A. White asked that all city contracts related to asbestos removal be given to him. In a letter to the city, White said, "It is my understanding that the city of Marco Island has numerous contracts involving the removal of asbestos. Would you please send a copy of these contracts, copies of all payments made in conjunction with these contracts, and copies of all files associated with the asbestos removal."

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 09:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

China Plagued by Occupational Disease

A recent article on ChinaDaily.com has highlighted the dangers of occupational disease in what is poised to become the worldwide leader in manufacturing and goods.

China must do more to prevent occupational diseases

The article, which appears in the wake of a recent metalworker tragedy in which 32 workers died in molten steel, highlights recent government cover-ups and the way in which Chinese officials overlook basic safety laws. The country's mining industry is the world's most dangerous, and accidents are only the tip of the iceberg: 580,000 cases of lung disease have been reported in China since the 1950s and 140,000 people died from the disease by 2005.

Posted by Erin Blakemore at 12:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Workplace Victims Walk for Life

On April 6, Canadian victims of workplace injury, illness and death will join together in a 5k walk to raise awareness about their cause.

Steps for Life - Walking for Victims of Workplace Tragedy: The Faces Behind the Statistics

Experts reported over 412 Ontario deaths as a direct result of workplace tragedy; over 1000 deaths occurred nationwide and over 80,000 Ontarians alone were injured seriously enough to miss work. Steps for Life, a victims' organization created in response to these tragedies, expects a good turnout for the walk, which will include children's activities and a family BBQ.

Posted by Erin Blakemore at 12:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Medical History Con Explores Mining Health Risks

A medical history conference in Bozeman, Montana is set to explore the health risks of mining.

Mining and Communities - Legacy of Libby's asbestos contamination still being set

Present will be Brad Black, medical director of the Center for Asbestos Related Disease. He will discuss the impact of the decades-old Montana health crisis related to the mining industry.

"It's been a public-health failure all the way through," said Black.

Posted by Erin Blakemore at 12:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

May 31, 2007

Confidentiality Deal Restricted Professors

May 30, 2007

Cancer is World's Biggest Health Problem

May 29, 2007

Whitman Will Testify About 9/11 Issues

May 28, 2007

Family of Pennsylvania Worker Files Complaint

May 25, 2007

China Miners Risk Deadly Disease

May 24, 2007

Asbestos Worries in Roosevelt Schools

May 23, 2007

Work-Related Asthma is Fastest Growing Occupational Disease

May 22, 2007

Widow Wins Large Asbestos Settlement

May 21, 2007

Was Giuliani to Blame for 9/11 Toxin Exposure?

May 18, 2007

A Defense of OSHA's Enforcement Program

May 17, 2007

OSHA Proposes $46,000 in Fines for New Bedford Seafood Company

May 16, 2007

West Virginia Doctor Gives Up Texas License

May 15, 2007

California Considers Banning Diacetyls

May 09, 2007

WHO Calls for Cancer Prevention in Workplaces

May 08, 2007

Occupational Diseases Kill More Than Workplace Accidents

May 07, 2007

OSHA Plans to Look at Dangers of Microwave Popcorn Butter Flavorings

May 04, 2007

Sheriff's Office, FBI Investigating Asbestos Removal

May 03, 2007

China Plagued by Occupational Disease

May 02, 2007

Workplace Victims Walk for Life

May 01, 2007

Medical History Con Explores Mining Health Risks