Chlorobenzene

"Information relevant for assessing potential adverse health effects from occupational exposure to chlorobenzene (108907) was reviewed and summarized. Topics included physical properties, chemical properties, production levels, industrial uses, occupational exposure levels, toxicokinetics, acute and chronic toxicity, organ system toxicity, immunotoxicity, allergy, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity, reproductive toxicity, dose/response relationships, and research needs. Studies have indicated that chlorobenzene is absorbed via respiratory and dermal routes and has resulted in headaches, dizziness, somnolence, and dyspeptic disorders in humans chronically exposed. There were no case reports or epidemiological studies available concerned with the potential carcinogenicity of chlorobenzene in humans. There was some limited evidence indicating that the compound is genotoxic and that it may induce hematopoietic toxicity at relatively moderate doses. Chlorobenzene was not classifiable as a human carcinogen. The author concludes that the central nervous system effects and the hepatotoxic effects should be considered in setting occupational exposure limits." - NIOSHTIC-2"The contents of this document originally appeared in Arbete och halsa 1992:31, which was published in Solna, Sweden"--T.p. verso."This document was prepared by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, Georgia in cooperation with National Institute of Occupational Health, Solna, Sweden.""January 1993."Also available via the World Wide Web.Includes bibliographical references (p. 69-77)

Work-related roadway crashes: challenges and opportunities for prevention

"In the United States, roadway crashes are the leading cause of death from unintentional injury in the general population and also in the workplace, where they accounted for 1,347 (23.5%) civilian worker deaths in 2000. This document provides an overview of current issues affecting work-related roadway crashes and focuses on preventing injuries and fatalities to vehicle drivers and passengers. No single satisfactory source of data exists for worker injuries and fatalities resulting from vehicle-related roadway crashes. Specialized data systems for work-related fatalities may identify high proportions of cases but lack necessary detail about the circumstances and risk factors surrounding vehicle-related crashes. On the other hand, systems designed to collect information about all vehicle-related crashes contain more pertinent data elements but may not determine the work status of persons involved in crashes. Data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), a program of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), indicate that 11,952 work-related highway fatalities of civilian workers occurred during 1992-2000, with an average annual rate of 1.08 deaths per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers. These fatalities increased in number by 18.7% from 1992 to 2000 and were the leading cause of occupational fatalities throughout the period. CFOI data indicate that workers employed in the Transportation, Communications, and Public Utilities industry division, which includes commercial trucking, were at highest risk of fatality. Those employed in transportation and material moving occupations (truck drivers in particular) had far higher fatality rates than workers in any other occupation group. Fatality risk varied across age groups; workers aged 65 or older had more than three times the fatality risk of workers of all ages, and workers aged 20 or younger (who might be expected to have lower levels of exposure to vehicles in the workplace) had fatality rates that were similar to those for workers of all ages. According to CFOI data, collisions between vehicles accounted for nearly half the fatal events, followed by noncollision events (e.g., loss of control, rollover) and collisions in which the worker's vehicle left the roadway and struck a stationary object on the roadside. Workers who were occupants of trucks accounted for 58% of all fatalities; nearly half of these were semi-truck occupants. However, crashes involving semi-trucks affect workers in vehicles that collide with semi-trucks as well as pedestrian workers. In recent years, sharp increases in the number of large trucks on the road and in the number of vehicle miles traveled by large trucks have been accompanied by an increase in the number of fatalities involving these vehicles. Although rates of fatal crash involvement for large trucks (number of vehicles involved per 100 million vehicle miles traveled) declined from 3.8 to 2.6 between 1988 and 1992, they have shown little improvement since that time. Concerns about motor vehicle safety in the workplace are by no means limited to those surrounding the operation of large trucks. Workers outside the motor carrier industry routinely operate company-owned vehicles for deliveries, sales and repair calls, client visits, and countless other job tasks. In these instances, the employer providing the vehicle generally plays a major role in setting safety, maintenance, and training policy. However, when a worker drives a personal vehicle for work purposes, the employer may have little or no control over vehicle maintenance and selection. The special needs of all three types of operating environments-the motor carrier industry, other vehicle fleets, and personal vehicles used for work purposes-must be considered by companies and policy makers when formulating safety policy."- NIOSHTIC-2by Stephanie G. Pratt."September 2003."Available also on the Internet. Adobe Acrobat Reader required.Includes bibliographical references (p. 74-90)

Health effects of occupational exposure to asphalt

"The information in this document assesses the health hazards associated with occupational exposure to asphalt. Chapter 2 presents information about the uses of asphalt and the number of workers potentially exposed to asphalt during paving and roofing operations and during the manufacturing of asphalt roofing products. Chapter 3 describes the chemical and physical properties of asphalt, production methods, similarities and differences between paving and roofing asphalts and asphalt-based paints, and the representativeness of field- and laboratory-generated asphalt fumes. Chapter 4 discusses exposure monitoring methods extent of worker exposure, and estimates of biological responses in asphalt-exposed workers. Subsequent chapters describe the effects of exposure to asphalt and asphalt fumes on humans and animals, conclusions, recommendations, and needed research." - NIOSHTIC-2"December 2000."Evaluations, conclusions, and recommendations of NIOSH in regard to exposure to asphalt--See Executive summary, p. viii-xii.Also available via the World Wide Web.Includes bibliographical references (p. 101-114)

A guide to the work-relatedness of disease

"Factors concerning the relationship between disease and occupation, including evidence of disease, epidemiology, evidence of exposure, aggravation of preexisting conditions, and validity of testimony, are discussed to aid physicians, state agencies, and others concerned with compensation of workers and determinations of whether a disease is work related. A method of collecting, organizing, and evaluating medical, occupational, and additional evidence is described. Information on 14 disease producing substances is presented to illustrate the decision making process. A list of occupations with potential exposure to specific agents is included, along with occupational and nonoccupational disease case histories, a sample respiratory questionnaire, and a glossary." - NIOSHTIC-2Also available via the World Wide Web.Includes bibliographical references

Radon progeny in underground mines

"This document presents the recommendations of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) regarding occupational exposure to radon progeny in underground mines. Ventilation is discussed as an important control technology approach in the management of excessive concentrations of radon daughters. Data is presented pertaining to the linkage of radon exposure with the risk of human lung cancer. The NIOSH recommended exposure limit (REL) takes into account studies and documentation of the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as its own risk assessment modeling, accumulated measurement data, and technical feasibility assessments. The REL allows for 0.2 pCi/l (picocuries per liter of air) at 1 working level month (WLM - 170 hours per month). This should be considered as an upper limit and it is recommended that mine operators limit exposure to the lowest levels possible. In addition, it is emphasized that this recommended standard contains many important provisions in addition to the annual exposure limit. These include recommendations for limited work shift concentrations of radon progeny, sampling and analytical methods, recordkeeping, medical surveillance, posting of hazardous information, respiratory protection, worker education and notification, and sanitation." - NIOSHTIC-2Cover title: A recommended standard for occupational exposure-- radon progeny in underground mines.Shipping list no.: 88-26-P."October 1987."Includes bibliographies

Health effects of occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica

"Occupational exposures to respirable crystalline silica are associated with the development of silicosis, lung cancer, pulmonary tuberculosis, and airways diseases. These exposures may also be related to the development of autoimmune disorders, chronic renal disease, and other adverse health effects. Recent epidemiologic studies demonstrate that workers have a significant risk of developing chronic silicosis when they are exposed to respirable crystalline silica over a working lifetime at the current Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) permissible exposure limit (PEL), the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) PEL, or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommended exposure limit (REL). This NIOSH Hazard Review examines the health risks and diseases associated with occupational exposures to respirable crystalline silica, discusses important findings of recent epidemiologic studies, provides the reader with sources of more comprehensive information about health effects and experimental studies describes current sampling and analytical methods and their limitations for assessing occupational exposures to respirable crystalline silica, and suggests many areas for further research. Current sampling and analytical methods used to evaluate occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica do not meet the accuracy criterion needed to quantify exposures at concentrations below the NIOSH REL of 0.05 mg/m3 as a time-weighted average (TWA) for up to a 10-hr workday during a 40-hr workweek. Until improved sampling and analytical methods are developed for respirable crystalline silica, NIOSH will continue to recommend an exposure limit of 0.05 mg/m3 to reduce the risk of developing silicosis, lung cancer, and other adverse health effects. NIOSH also recommends minimizing the risk of illness that remains for workers exposed at the REL by substituting less hazardous materials for crystalline silica when feasible, by using appropriate respiratory protection when source controls cannot keep exposures below the NIOSH REL, and by making medical examinations available to exposed workers." - NIOSHTIC-2"Faye L. Rice was the principal author. The analytical methods section was prepared by Rosa Key-Schwartz, Ph.D.; David Bartley, Ph.D; Paul Baron, Ph.D; and Paul Schlecht. Michael Gressel and Alan Echt contributed material on control technology." p. xvii"April 2002."Also available via the World Wide Web.Includes bibliographical references (p. 104-126)

Health and safety of the older worker

This is the author's pre-copyedited accepted manuscript. The final published article is available from the link below. Copyright @ 2012 The Authors.Background - In the UK, increasing numbers of paid employees are over 60 years with further increases expected as the state pension age rises. Some concern surrounds possible increased work-related illness and accidents for people working beyond the age of 60. Aims - To identify the available evidence for health and safety risks of workers over age 60 years with respect to factors associated with injuries and accidents. Methods - Databases searched included PUBMED, OSHUpdate, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSHTIC-2), SafetyLit, the UK The Health and Safety Executive (HSELINE) and the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety until December 2009. Inclusion criteria were workers aged over 60 years. Findings were grouped into occupational accidents and injuries and individual and workplace factors that may have influenced risk of injury to the over-60s. Results - Very little direct evidence was found concerning safety practices and health risks of workers over age 60. Some safety risks were associated with specific physical declines such as age-related hearing loss. Overall, these workers had fewer accidents and injuries but these were more likely to be serious or fatal when they occurred. There was no strong evidence that work patterns, including shift work or overtime, affected safety. Protective, compensatory strategies or experience may maintain safe working practices. Conclusions - Implications for health and safety risks cannot be assessed without longitudinal research on workforces with substantial numbers of workers over age 60 in order to address the healthy worker effect.Institution of Occupational Health and Safet

The law and incomplete database information as confounders in epidemiologic research on occupational injuries and illnesses

Background Capture–recapture studies report undercounting of work injuries/illnesses with days away from work (DAFW) in the Bureau of Labor Statistics annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (BLS SOII) by 25–68% depending on the state and undercounting by various state workers' compensation (WC) systems of eligible claims by 5–35%. Methods Statutory/regulatory criteria defining eligible cases are used to adjust counts in the 1998–2001 Minnesota's WC system and the BLS SOII to permit comparison and to evaluate the recent studies. Missing information in the employer database used in the capture–recapture studies is tabulated. An attempt is made to harmonize results with two additional databases counting work injuries. Results Counts in the BLS SOII moderately undercount by 10–16% the number of WC cases. We believe that matching in capture–recapture studies is adversely affected by misperceptions regarding the application of statutory/regulatory eligibility criteria and by missing data. The result is that the reported undercounts in both the BLS SOII and several state WC databases are overstated in the capture–recapture studies. Although three of four databases can be approximately harmonized, the fourth cannot. Conclusions More precisely targeted information is needed before decisions regarding redesign of the BLS survey are made or before legislative or administrative changes in the WC are contemplated. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:23–36, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/64552/1/20763_ftp.pd

Occupational respiratory diseases

Shipping list no.: 87-222-P."September 1986."S/N 017-033-00425-1 Item 499-F-2Also available via the World Wide Web.Includes bibliographies and index

Musculoskeletal disorders and workplace factors: a critical review of epidemiologic evidence for work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, upper extremity, and low back

"This critical review of the epidemiologic literature identified a number of specific physical exposures which are strongly associated with specific upper extremity and low back musculoskeletal system disorders (MSDs) when exposures are intense, prolonged, and particularly when workers are exposed to several risk factors simultaneously. Such knowledge would have application in preventive programs in a number of diverse work settings. Specific topics addressed in this review included neck musculoskeletal disorders and the evidence for work relatedness including the impacts of repetition, force, posture, vibration, and the role of confounders; evidence for work relatedness in shoulder musculoskeletal disorders; elbow disorders; hand/wrist disorders including carpal tunnel syndrome, hand/wrist tendinitis, and hand/arm vibration syndrome; low back musculoskeletal disorders with attention given to heavy physical work, lifting and forceful movements, bending and twisting into awkward postures, whole body vibration, and static work postures; and the relationship between work related musculoskeletal disorders and psychosocial factors. Strong evidence was found for increased risk of work related MSDs for some body parts." - p. NIOSHTIC-21. Introduction -- 2. Neck musculoskeletal disorders: evidence for work-relatedness -- 3. Shoulder musculoskeletal disorders: evidence for work-relatedness -- 4. Elbow musculoskeletal disorders (epicondylitis): evidence for work-relatedness -- 5. Hand/wrist musculoskeletal disorders (carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, hand-arm vibration syndrome): evidence for work-relatedness -- 6. Low back musculoskeletal disorders: evidence for work-relatedness -- 7. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and psychosocial factors -- References -- Appendix A. Epidemiologic review -- Appendix B. Individual factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) -- Appendix C. Summary tables"Second printing"--Cover.Also available via the World Wide Web.Includes bibliographical references (p. R-1 - R-35)