Occupational Illnesses

Washington – A lack of mandatory standards on Ebola for health care workers leaves nurses unprepared and vulnerable to infection, a registered nurse and union official testified during an Oct. 24 House hearing.

Atlanta – Following two cases in which U.S. nurses were infected with Ebola, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tightened its infection-control guidelines for health care workers.

Washington – The Department of Health and Human Services has added four substances to its list of cancer hazards, according to the agency’s 13th Report on Carcinogens.

Washington – Two members of Congress are broadening their effort to protect children as young as 12 from working in tobacco fields.

Düsseldorf, Germany – Job insecurity could increase a person’s risk of developing asthma, a recent study from the University of Dusseldorf suggests.

Morgantown, WV – The prevalence of a severe form of black lung disease has increased recently to levels not seen in about 40 years, new NIOSH data shows.

Farmington, CT – The overall rate of occupational diseases in Connecticut declined between 2011 and 2012, but still remains higher than the national average, according to a recent study from the University of Connecticut Health Center.

Washington – Watchdog group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility has filed a lawsuit intended to prompt the Environmental Protection Agency to strengthen its corrosive dust standard to better protect first responders.

San Francisco – Pilots and cabin crew have about twice the incidence of melanoma – the most serious type of skin cancer – compared to the general population, a recent study indicates.

Washington – NIOSH and the National Hearing Conservation Association are seeking self-nominations for the Safe-in-Sound Excellence and Innovation in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards.