Dateline: CDC

Cover title: Nation's prevention agency : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC : 50 years of change and continuity -- Priority 1: Strenghten essential pubic health services -- Priority 2: Expand capacity to respond to urgent health threats -- Priority 3: Develop nationwide prevention strategies -- Priority 4: Promote women's health -- Priority 5: Invest in the health of our youth -- NIOSH: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH is 25 years old) -- CDC's 50th anniversary picnic -- Highlights of CDC's 50-year history (1946-1996) -- Chiefs and directors.1996833

Determinação da concentração de partículas totais e respiráveis em suspensão no ambiente de trabalho : ensaio de comparação entre laboratórios

Dada a lacuna nos ensaios promovidos pela RELACRE - Associação de Laboratórios Acreditados de Portugal, no domínio do ar ambiente de trabalho, durante o mes de Julho de 2008 as entidades A. Ramalhão -Consultoria, Gestão e Serviços Lda, Cinfu - Centro Profissional da Indústria de Fundição e INETI - Instituto Nacional de Engenharia Tecnologia e Inovação, I.P. executaram um ensaio de comparação entre laboratórios nesse domínio intitulado "Determinação de partículas totais e respiráveis em suspensão no ambiente de trabalho". Este ensaio teve como objectivo a determinação da concentração de partículas respiráveis e totais pelos laboratórios participantes, de modo a contribuir para a melhoria do desempenho e da qualidade, com vista ao cumprimento de alguns requisitos exigidos a metodologias de amostragem acreditadas. Para o efeito, cada participante efectuou a amostragem baseando-se em metodologias NIOSH - National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health e determinou a concentração de poeiras respiráveis e totais na perspectiva da avaliação da exposição profissional a agentes químicos utilizando os valores limite estabelecidos na Norma Portuguesa 1796 (2007). O presente artigo apresenta a metodologia utilizada na colheita da amostra, na determinação das concentrações, os resultados obtidos e principais conclusões

Midwives coping with stress

Professional stress can be defined as an emotional, cognitive, behavioural and psychological reaction to nega­tive and unfavourable aspects related to the nature of the work. This reaction affects the whole organism and its environment, can become a permanent condition and is characterised by a high degree of suffering, and often with a sense of impasse. According to NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health), occupational stress is a combination of negative physical and emotional responses that occur when there is a mismatch between job requirements and capabilities, resources or needs of the worker.AIM: The aim of this study is to determine the ability of midwives working in the St. Anna University Hospital and SHOGAT `Prof. Dr. D. Stamatov`, Varna, to cope with stress arising from the job environment.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have studied the opinion of working midwives from St. Anna University Hospital and SHOGAT „Prof. Dr. D. Stamatov` - Varna. The survey was conducted in June 2016. The methods we used were: documentary, statistical - questionnaire, graphic analysis.RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The answer of the respondents indicates an increased workload, which can be a source of stress. Increased physical overload and emotional exhaustion in the workplace are a prerequisite for the emergence of stress. The accumulated fatigue and inadequate rest decrease the ability to work and are a prerequisite for the occurrence of stress among working midwives. Many midwives work a second job or have family (other) obligations that prevent them from getting adequate rest. It is noteworthy to mention that more than half of the midwives choose their relatives and friends to share the emotions experienced during the day.CONCLUSIONS:1. Increased physical overload and emotional exhaustion in the workplace are a prerequisite for the emergence of stress.2. The accumulated fatigue and inadequate rest decrease the ability to work and are a prerequisite for the occurrence of stress among working midwives.3. Stress is the cause of discomfort among midwives.4. Respondents choose to share with family and friends to overcome stress

Changes Induced by Exposure of the Human Lung to Glass Fiber–Reinforced Plastic

The inhalation of glass dusts mixed in resin, generally known as glass fiber–reinforced plastic (GRP), represents a little-studied occupational hazard. The few studies performed have highlighted nonspecific lung disorders in animals and in humans. In the present study we evaluated the alteration of the respiratory system and the pathogenic mechanisms causing the changes in a group of working men employed in different GRP processing operations and exposed to production dusts. The study was conducted on a sample of 29 male subjects whose mean age was 37 years and mean length of service 11 years. All of the subjects were submitted to a clinical check-up, basic tests, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL); microscopic studies and biochemical analysis were performed on the BAL fluid. Tests of respiratory function showed a large number of obstructive syndromes; scanning electron microscopy highlighted qualitative and quantitative alterations of the alveolar macrophages; and transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of electron-dense cytoplasmatic inclusions indicating intense and active phlogosis (external inflammation). Biochemical analyses highlighted an increase in protein content associated with alterations of the lung oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis. Inhalation of GRP, independent of environmental concentration, causes alterations of the cellular and humoral components of pulmonary interstitium; these alterations are identified microscopically as acute alveolitis

Nanomateriais manufaturados – um risco para a saúde dos trabalhadores?

Introdução: Existem diversas definições de nanomateriais manufaturados (NM) embora, de um modo geral, estes sejam definidos como materiais fabricados deliberadamente e que contêm partículas com pelo menos uma dimensão externa na gama de tamanhos compreendida entre 1 e 100 nanómetros (Comissão Europeia, 2011). Esta pequena dimensão confere-lhes propriedades físicas, químicas e biológicas que podem diferir bastante das propriedades dos materiais com a mesma composição química mas utilizados numa escala não manométrica (p.ex., pós finos). São as propriedades mecânicas, óticas, elétricas e magnéticas inerentes aos materiais na escala “nano” que os tornam particularmente vantajosos e atrativos para as mais diversas aplicações industriais e biomédicas. A título de exemplo, menciona-se a utilização crescente de NM em produtos de cosmética e higiene pessoal (p.ex., dióxido de titânio em protetores solares e cremes), têxteis e calçado (p.ex., NM de prata), produtos e equipamentos desportivos (p. ex., nanotubos de carbono em raquetes e tacos de golf), construção civil (p. ex., dióxido de titânio em tintas e revestimentos), componentes de veículos automóveis e eletrónica (p.ex., nanotubos de carbono). Contudo, a enorme expansão que tem vindo a acontecer ao nível da síntese, produção industrial e utilização de NM contrasta com uma ainda insuficiente avaliação de risco para a saúde humana e para o ambiente. Com efeito, o conceito já proposto em 1990, de que a resposta exacerbada das células pulmonares à inalação de partículas com diâmetro inferior a 100 nm, as nanopartículas (NP), era dependente da pequena dimensão das partículas foi sendo progressivamente suportado pelos resultados de outros estudos, tendo-se evidenciado duas características fundamentais dos NM - a dimensão das partículas que os constituem e o seu comportamento dinâmico (formação de aglomerados ou de agregados) - que condicionam a sua toxicidade (Maynard et al., 2011)

J Occup Environ Hyg

In 1974, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommended a ban on the use of abrasives containing >1% silica, giving rise to abrasive substitutes like copper slag. We present results from a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health industrial hygiene survey at a copper slag processing facility that consisted of the collection of bulk samples for metals and silica; and full-shift area and personal air samples for dust, metals, and respirable silica. Carcinogens, suspect carcinogens, and other toxic elements were detected in all bulk samples, and area and personal air samples. Area air samples identified several areas with elevated levels of inhalable and respirable dust, and respirable silica: quality control check area (236\ua0mg/m| inhalable; 10.3\ua0mg/m| respirable; 0.430\ua0mg/m| silica), inside the screen house (109\ua0mg/m| inhalable; 13.8\ua0mg/m| respirable; 0.686\ua0mg/m| silica), under the conveyor belt leading to the screen house (19.8\ua0mg/m| inhalable), and inside a conveyor access shack (11.4\ua0mg/m| inhalable; 1.74\ua0mg/m| respirable; 0.067\ua0mg/m| silica). Overall, personal dust samples were lower than area dust samples and did not exceed published occupational exposure limits. Silica samples collected from a plant hand and a laborer exceeded the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist Threshold Limit Value of 0.025\ua0\ub5g/m|. All workers involved in copper slag processing (n = 5) approached or exceeded the Occupational Safety and Health Administration permissible exposure limit of 10\ua0\ub5g/m| for arsenic (range: 9.12-18.0\ua0\ub5g/m|). Personal total dust levels were moderately correlated with personal arsenic levels (R| = 0.70) and personal respirable dust levels were strongly correlated with respirable silica levels (R| = 0.89). We identified multiple areas with elevated levels of dust, respirable silica, and metals that may have implications for personal exposure at other facilities if preventive measures are not taken. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to characterize exposures associated with copper slag processing. More in-depth air monitoring and health surveillance is needed to understand occupational exposures and health outcomes in this industry.CC999999/Intramural CDC HHS/United States2019-03-07T00:00:00Z28506182PMC6404526vault:3162

Evaluation of exposures and respiratory health at a coffee roasting and packaging facility.

"In October 2015, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from the management of a coffee roasting and packaging facility with 94 employees. The request stated concerns about exposures to and health effects from diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione during coffee roasting, grinding, and packaging. In April 2016, we conducted a ventilation assessment of the production and office areas, industrial hygiene survey, and medical survey at the facility. The industrial hygiene survey consisted of collecting personal breathing zone and area air samples for alpha-diketones (i.e., diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and 2,3-hexanedione). We used continuous monitoring instruments to measure total volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, temperature, and relative humidity in specific areas and during tasks. We also measured levels of carbon monoxide in employees' exhaled breath. The medical survey consisted of a health questionnaire and breathing tests. Sixty-nine of the 88 full-shift personal samples collected exceeded the NIOSH recommended exposure limit for diacetyl of 5 parts per billion, with a maximum concentration of 25.6 parts per billion. We identified jobs where some work tasks resulted in relatively higher air concentrations of diacetyl than other tasks. Specifically, rework of packaged coffee, moving roasted beans or ground coffee, grinding coffee beans, and packaging coffee were associated with higher diacetyl levels. Overall, the most commonly reported symptoms were nose and eye symptoms. Some production employees reported their nose and sinus symptoms were caused or aggravated by green coffee dust or chaff, roasted coffee dust, or ground coffee dust. Wheezing or whistling in the chest was the most commonly reported lower respiratory symptom, and was nearly two times higher than that expected compared with the U.S. population of the same age, race/ethnicity, sex, and cigarette smoking distribution. No participants had abnormal spirometry tests. We recommend installing local exhaust ventilation at the point sources with the highest concentrations of alpha-diketones. In addition to local exhaust ventilation, we recommend isolating or re-locating the main grinder. We also recommend a medical monitoring program to identify any employees who might be developing work-related lung disease (e.g., asthma, obliterative bronchiolitis) and to help management prioritize interventions to prevent occupational lung disease." - NIOSHTIC-2Recommended citation for this report: NIOSH [2018]. Health hazard evaluation report: Evaluation of exposures and respiratory health at a co ee roasting and packaging facility. By Stanton ML, Martin SB, Nett RJ. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH HHE Report No. 2016-0016-3302NIOSHTIC no. 200509032016-0012-3302.pd

Evaluation of exposures and respiratory health at a coffee processing facility

In August 2015, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received a management request for a health hazard evaluation at a coffee processing facility. The request expressed concern about exposure to diacetyl (2,3-butanedione) during coffee roasting, grinding, and flavoring. In February 2016, we conducted a ventilation assessment, an industrial hygiene survey, and a medical survey. The industrial hygiene survey consisted of the collection of air samples and bulk samples of coffee and flavorings for the analysis of diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and 2,3-hexanedione. Continuous monitoring instruments were used to monitor total volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, temperature, and relative humidity in specific areas and during tasks. The medical survey consisted of breathing tests and a questionnaire covering medical and work histories. Overall, average air levels of diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and 2,3-hexanedione were not elevated. We identified specific work tasks that resulted in higher air concentrations of diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione than other tasks. Specifically, packaging and flavoring tasks were associated with the highest levels of diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione. Some employees reported respiratory symptoms or diagnoses and/or had abnormal lung function tests. We recommend using engineering and administrative controls as a precautionary approach to limit employees\u2019 exposures and establishing a medical monitoring program.Recommended citation for this report: NIOSH [2017]. Health hazard evaluation report: evaluation of exposures and respiratory health at a coffee processing facility. By Fechter-Leggett ED, Boylstein RJ, Stanton ML. Morgantown, WV: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH HHE Report No. 2015-0147-3266.NIOSHTIC no. 2004906