Occupational Illnesses

Quebec – Workers with noise-induced hearing loss may be at higher risk of injury in the workplace, according to a new Canadian study from the Institut National de Santé Publique.

Atlanta – The flu and similar illnesses are most prevalent among workers in the real estate, hospitality and food service industries, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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

Los Angeles – Pesticide exposure may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, and individual risk varies based on a person’s genetic makeup, according to a new study from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Washington – Many industry stakeholders used a public comment period, which closed Feb. 11, to voice opposition to OSHA’s proposed rule on reducing the permissible exposure limit for crystalline silica.

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.

Montreal – Most construction workers exposed to crystalline silica dust are at risk of developing occupational diseases over the long term, a new report from scientific research organization IRSST suggests.

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 – OSHA has scheduled a webchat for Jan. 14 on the agency’s proposed rule on respirable silica.

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.