Cancer

Washington – Three weeks of informal hearings regarding OSHA’s proposed crystalline silica rulemaking are set to kick off on March 18.

Houston – Vietnam War veterans who were exposed to the herbicide Agent Orange may have an increased risk of developing skin cancer, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Washington – OSHA’s current rule on silica is based on obsolete analytical data, and exposure at the current permissible exposure limit results in “significant risks of death” from cancer and other diseases, the agency said during a Jan. 14 webchat that discussed proposed updates to the rule.

Washington – Results of a NIOSH study of workers at a former IBM plant could not establish a definitive link between chemical exposures and cancer risk.

Atlanta – Stronger regulations and early-detection efforts are necessary to prevent and diagnose occupational lung illnesses related to silica exposure, according to a new research review from Emory University and the American Cancer Society.

New York – As part of an effort to reduce potential exposure to a toxic chemical found in some older fluorescent light ballasts in schools, the Environmental Protection Agency has issued guidance on the proper maintenance and management of the ballasts.

Washington – NIOSH is seeking comment on a draft update to the agency’s carcinogen policy.

Boston – Despite an overall drop in secondhand smoke exposure in the workplace, workers in industries such as installation and repair, construction, and transportation remain at high risk, concludes a study from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Washington – Firefighters are more likely to develop a variety of cancers than the general public, suggests a new study from NIOSH.

Montreal – A recent publication from the scientific research organization IRSST focuses on work-related cancer.