Workplace Exposures

Geneva – As the largest Ebola outbreak in history spreads across West Africa, the International Labour Organization and the World Health Organization have issued guidelines to help keep workers safe.

Washington – The Environmental Protection Agency on Aug. 28 announced it has identified health risks stemming from the use of dichloromethane, a chemical in paint-stripping products.

Washington – Workers who gauge tanks during oil and gas extraction flowback procedures may be exposed to dangerous levels of benzene and other volatile chemicals, according to NIOSH.

Washington – A coalition of health, labor and environmental groups has filed a petition seeking to end chemical manufacturers’ ability to indefinitely maintain “confidentiality claims” for information submitted under the Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxic Substances Control Act.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced July 11 that it had immediately stopped shipment of biological materials – pending review from an advisory committee – after incidents of anthrax exposure and shipment of bird flu.

Atlanta – An investigation into a bird flu incident found that a laboratory scientist hurried through work and did not follow best practices, leading to contamination of samples and inadvertent shipment of bird flu, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Washington – As part of a campaign to help prevent skin cancer, Acting Surgeon General Boris Lushniak on Aug. 13 shared tips on how outdoor workers and employers can protect against sun damage.

Washington – At least 83 workers in the United States died between 2003 and 2010 because of incidents involving insects, arachnids and mites, according to a recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Gladstone, MO – Bacterial toxins in hen houses can lead to airway irritation, inflammation and decreased lung function among workers in the egg industry, according to a report from the Coalition for Sustainable Egg Supply.

Washington – The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking comment on whether renovation, repair and painting activities in public and commercial buildings create lead-based health hazards.