Issues related to occupational exposure to lead, 1994 to 1999

"This document presents titles and summaries of the 31 HHE's related to lead that were completed between 1994 and 1999. In most cases lead exposure was just one of several exposures that NIOSH researchers investigated at a work site. Occupational exposure to lead occurs via inhalation of lead-containing dust and fume and ingestion from contact with lead-contaminated surfaces. Symptoms of lead poisoning include weakness, excessive tiredness, irritability, constipation, anorexia, and abdominal discomfort (colic), fine tremors, and "wrist drop." Overexposure to lead may also result in damage to the kidneys, anemia, high blood pressure, impotence, and infertility and reduced sex drive in both sexes. In most cases, an individual's blood lead level (BLL) is a good indication of recent exposure to and current adsorption of lead. BLL will also reflect bone stores, where 90% of lead is stored in the body, so it may not be an accurate measure of recent exposure if there has been long-term, high lead exposures. Elevated zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) levels have also been used as an indicator of chronic lead intoxication. Persons without occupational lead exposure usually have a ZPP level less that 40 microg/dl. However, other factors, such as iron deficiency, can cause an elevated ZPP level, so the BLL is a more specific test for evaluating occupational lead exposure. BLLs for the U.S. population as a whole have declined significantly over the past three decades. In the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), conducted from 1988 through 1991, the geometric mean BLL was 2.8 microg/dl." - NIOSHTIC-2"March 2001.""Prepared by Beth Donovan ; edited by Jane Weber"-- p. iv.Includes bibliographical references (p. 18)

Working with cement roofing tiles : a silica hazard

"Although respirable silica is a recognized health hazard in the construction industry, only recently has this exposure been documented in roofers. NIOSH has measured respirable silica levels up to four times the recommended exposure limit around roofers cutting cement products such as when roofing tiles are cut during the installation process. This cutting generates clouds of silica-containing dust. Respirable silica exposure may also occur when blowers or dry sweeping methods are used to clean the roof. This practice can produce large silica-containing dust clouds. NIOSH does not recommend this practice. Anyone who inhales dust generated by cutting cement tiles or cleaning the residue will be exposed to respirable silica, placing them at risk for developing silicosis." - NIOSHTIC-2Also available online

Health hazard evaluation program

"The pamphlet explained the operation of the NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Program by offering descriptions of the ways in which employees, authorized representatives of employees, or employers can request an evaluation of possible hazardous conditions at their job or workplace. Specific topics dealt with in the pamphlet included a definition of NIOSH itself, a definition of the HHE, who is entitled to request an HHE, the authority by which NIOSH conducts HHEs, the proper time for employers or employees to request an HHE, what the response is of NIOSH to a request for an HHE, steps taken by NIOSH during an HHE, employee protection, procedural rights of NIOSH and employees/employee representatives, procedural rights of the employer, role of the employee representative, benefits of the HHE process, how the HHE results are reported, the steps taken to request an HHE, and the locations of NIOSH offices." - NIOSHTIC-2"June 2000."Also available via the World Wide Web

HHE program

"The pamphlet explained the operation of the NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Program by offering descriptions of the ways in which employees, authorized representatives of employees, or employers can request an evaluation of possible hazardous conditions at their job or workplace. Specific topics dealt with in the pamphlet included a definition of NIOSH itself, a definition of the HHE, who is entitled to request an HHE, the authority by which NIOSH conducts HHEs, the proper time for employers or employees to request an HHE, what the response is of NIOSH to a request for an HHE, steps taken by NIOSH during an HHE, employee protection, procedural rights of NIOSH and employees/employee representatives, procedural rights of the employer, role of the employee representative, benefits of the HHE process, how the HHE results are reported, the steps taken to request an HHE, and the locations of NIOSH offices." - NIOSHTIC-2"June 2000."Also available via the World Wide Web

Tuberculosis, 1990-1999

"The TB-related Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Project administers HHEs of occupational exposure to TB. Site visits are conducted if warranted, and interim and final reports are developed and distributed to the employer, employees, and relevant State and Federal agencies. Seventy-seven TB-related HHEs were requested from 1990 to 1999. The HHE requests came from a variety of workplaces, including hospitals, neighborhood health centers, TB clinics, homeless shelters, drug treatment centers, correctional facilities, social service facilities, laboratories, medial waste treatment facilities, and an inspection station for imported non-human primates." - NIOSHTIC-2"January 2001."Also available via the World Wide Web