Current understanding and future directions for an occupational infectious disease standard.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has demonstrated a need for an infectious disease standard that will promote a safe and healthy work environment and assure business continuity. The current pandemic has revealed gaps in workplace preparedness and employee protections to microbial exposures. Federal and state government agencies have responded by providing interim guidelines and stop-gap measures that continue to evolve and vary in approach and required controls. This interim and inconsistent approach has resulted in confusion on the part of businesses as they work toward reopening during the pandemic and uncertainty as to the efficacy of required or suggested controls. Moving forward, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, with guidance from the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, should establish consistent and effective strategies through a nationwide standard to address the potential microbial exposures in the workplace. Such a standard will require effective worker protections from infectious diseases and assure business continuity.

Historical evolution of regulatory standards for occupational and consumer exposures to industrial talc.

Talc has been used historically in a wide range of industrial applications and consumer products. The composition and purity of talc used for industrial purposes can vary greatly depending on the source and may contain asbestos minerals. The developing science associated with the health risks of asbestos had an effect on the talc industry throughout the 20th century. This review presents a detailed analysis of the evolution of regulatory standards impacting the use of industrial talc in the U.S. from the early 20th century through the 1990s. While it was recognized by the 1930s that airborne exposures to talc dust at high concentrations could cause lung disease, it was not until later that concerns were raised about the health risks associated with potential occupational exposures to asbestos from industrial talc. Regulatory agencies adopted occupational standards for industrial talc in the early 1970s, but the terminology used to define and characterize talc and other associated minerals varied between agencies. In addition, the complex and varying mineralogy of industrial talc led to inconsistent and imprecise interpretation of studies concerning health risk and occupational health standards among individual agencies.

History of knowledge and evolution of occupational health and regulatory aspects of asbestos exposure science: 1900-1975.

The understanding by industrial hygienists of the hazards of asbestos and appropriate ways to characterize and control exposure has evolved over the years. Here, a detailed analysis of the evolution of industrial hygiene practices regarding asbestos and its health risks, from the early 1900s until the advent of the national occupational health and safety regulatory structure currently in place in the US (early-to-mid 1970s) is presented. While industrial hygienists recognized in the early 1900s that chronic and high-level exposures to airborne concentrations of asbestos could pose a serious health hazard, it was not until the mid-1950s that the carcinogenic nature of asbestos began to be characterized and widespread concern followed. With the introduction of the membrane filter sampling method in the late 1960s and early 1970s, asbestos sampling and exposure assessment capabilities advanced to a degree which allowed industrial hygienists to more precisely characterize the exposure-response relationship. The ability of industrial hygienists, analytical chemists, toxicologists, and physicians to more accurately define this relationship was instrumental to the scientific community's ability to establish Occupational Exposure Levels (OELs) for asbestos. These early developments set the stage for decades of additional study on asbestos exposure potential and risk of disease. This was followed by the application of engineering controls and improved respiratory protection which, over the years, saved thousands of lives. This paper represents a state-of-the-art review of the knowledge of asbestos within the industrial hygiene community from about 1900 to 1975.

Evaluation of reported fatality data associated with workers using respiratory protection in the United States (1990-2012).

OSHA revised the 1971 respiratory protection standard in 1998 to add guidance for selecting and maintaining respirators. Fatality reports from 1990 to 2012 were used to characterize historical trends in fatalities associated with respirators. Industry- and time-specific trends were evaluated to determine the effect of the revision to the standard on respirator-related fatalities; 174 respirator-related deaths were reported. The majority of fatalities were associated with using an airline respirator (n = 34) or the absence of using a respirator in required spaces (n = 38). Overall, 79% of fatalities were associated with asphyxia. Fatalities were associated with improper employee use or lack of employer compliance. Reductions in fatality rates over time appeared to be associated with the revisions to the respirator standard, although other variables may influence rates (eg, controls). Recommendations for employers and employees regarding maintaining safe use of respirators are provided.

Airborne asbestos exposures associated with the installation and removal of roofing products.

Asbestos-containing roofing products were widely used throughout the 20th century, and certain products are still used in limited quantities today. Roofing products are generally considered non-friable and are not expected to release appreciable amounts of airborne asbestos fibers; however, despite the variety of roofing products that have contained asbestos over time, there are no comprehensive analyses of the exposure data associated with these products in the published literature. The objective of this study was to analyze the available data and characterize asbestos exposures associated with the installation, removal, and replacement of built-up roofing (BUR), felts, flashings, shingles, coatings, cements, and mastics under a variety of work practices. Published and unpublished literature that contained the following information was included in the analysis: (1) airborne fiber concentrations determined by PCM; (2) a description of the product(s) used; and (3) a description of the task(s) performed. More than 800 personal air samples from 12 studies performed between 1982 and 2010 were identified which fit the inclusion criteria. The findings indicate that short-term and full-shift exposures from the use of asbestos-containing roofing products were typically well below applicable occupational exposure limits. Additionally, the cumulative exposures associated with roofing work would be well below published chrysotile no-observed-adverse-effect-levels (NOAELs) for asbestos-related diseases.

Airborne asbestos take-home exposures during handling of chrysotile-contaminated clothing following simulated full shift workplace exposures.

The potential for para-occupational, domestic, or take-home exposures from asbestos-contaminated work clothing has been acknowledged for decades, but historically has not been quantitatively well characterized. A simulation study was performed to measure airborne chrysotile concentrations associated with laundering of contaminated clothing worn during a full shift work day. Work clothing fitted onto mannequins was exposed for 6.5 h to an airborne concentration of 11.4 f/cc (PCME) of chrysotile asbestos, and was subsequently handled and shaken. Mean 5-min and 15-min concentrations during active clothes handling and shake-out were 3.2 f/cc and 2.9 f/cc, respectively (PCME). Mean airborne PCME concentrations decreased by 55% 15 min after clothes handling ceased, and by 85% after 30 min. PCM concentrations during clothes handling were 11-47% greater than PCME concentrations. Consistent with previously published data, daily mean 8-h TWA airborne concentrations for clothes-handling activity were approximately 1.0% of workplace concentrations. Similarly, weekly 40-h TWAs for clothes handling were approximately 0.20% of workplace concentrations. Estimated take-home cumulative exposure estimates for weekly clothes handling over 25-year working durations were below 1 f/cc-year for handling work clothes contaminated in an occupational environment with full shift airborne chrysotile concentrations of up to 9 f/cc (8-h TWA).

Naturally occurring diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione concentrations associated with roasting and grinding unflavored coffee beans in a commercial setting.

Over the last decade, concerns have been raised about potential respiratory health effects associated with occupational exposure to the flavoring additives diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione. Both of these diketones are also natural components of many foods and beverages, including roasted coffee. To date, there are no published studies characterizing workplace exposures to these diketones during commercial roasting and grinding of unflavored coffee beans. In this study, we measured naturally occurring diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and respirable dust at a facility that roasts and grinds coffee beans with no added flavoring agents. Sampling was conducted over the course of three roasting batches and three grinding batches at varying distances from a commercial roaster and grinder. The three batches consisted of lightly roasted soft beans, lightly roasted hard beans, and dark roasted hard beans. Roasting occurred for 37 to 41 min, and the grinding process took between 8 and 11 min. Diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and respirable dust concentrations measured during roasting ranged from less than the limit of detection (

Airborne asbestos exposures associated with gasket and packing replacement: a simulation study of flange and valve repair work and an assessment of exposure variables.

A simulation study was conducted to evaluate worker and area exposure to airborne asbestos associated with the replacement of asbestos-containing gaskets and packing materials from flanges and valves and assess the influence of several variables previously not investigated. Additionally, potential of take home exposures from clothing worn during the study was characterized. Our data showed that product type, ventilation type, gasket location, flange or bonnet size, number of flanges involved, surface characteristics, gasket surface adherence, and even activity type did not have a significant effect on worker exposures. Average worker asbestos exposures during flange gasket work (PCME=0.166 f/cc, 12-59 min) were similar to average worker asbestos exposures during valve overhaul work (PCME=0.165 f/cc, 7-76 min). Average 8-h TWA asbestos exposures were estimated to range from 0.010 to 0.062 f/cc. Handling clothes worn during gasket and packing replacement activities demonstrated exposures that were 0.71% (0.0009 f/cc 40-h TWA) of the airborne asbestos concentration experienced during the 5 days of the study. Despite the many variables considered in this study, exposures during gasket and packing replacement occur within a relatively narrow range, are below current and historical occupational exposure limits for asbestos, and are consistent with previously published data.

The effect of transdermal opioid use on breakthrough opioid and sedative prescribing for rural patients with chronic pain in Northwest Tasmania: a longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study reported here was to determine the frequency of prescribing of immediate-release (IR) opioids, and benzodiazepines, with both oral sustained-release (SR) and transdermal (TD) opioid maintenance treatment, in a rural population with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A longitudinal study measuring IR opioid and benzodiazepine dispensed prescriptions (scripts) by route of maintenance opioid administration over time (monthly for 1 year). Subjects were opioid-treated CNCP patients from Northwest Tasmania. The outcome measures of mean monthly scripts were analyzed using generalized estimating equations with robust standard errors. RESULTS: Details of 12,191 dispensed scripts were obtained from 140 subjects over 12 months. Mean monthly IR scripts with oral SR opioid maintenance were 0.21 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.10; 0.32). With TD opioid maintenance, this was nonsignificantly lower (P = 0.06) at 0.04 (95% CI 0.00; 0.15). Mean monthly benzodiazepine scripts with oral SR opioids were 0.47 (95% CI 0.32; 0.62), and unchanged (P = 0.84) for TD opioids at 0.45 (95% CI 0.28; 0.62). CONCLUSION: There was a nonsignificant trend toward reduced prescribing of IR opioids with TD opioid-maintained, compared with oral SR opioid-maintained, CNCP rural patients. Benzodiazepine prescribing was similar for both groups. The rationale for use and the provision of breakthrough opioid analgesia for CNCP patients are complex, both for patients and their prescribers, while the regular use of benzodiazepines compounds the sedation from the subjects' maintenance opioid. The prolonged analgesic affect of TD opioids may benefit rural and remote CNCP populations and reduce the risk of diversion associated with oral opioids.

Do transdermal opioids affect the personal socioeconomic costs of healthcare access in an australian rural pain population? A comparison with oral opioids.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there are differences in the personal socioeconomic costs of healthcare access between transdermal (TD) and oral opioid use in a rural population with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP). DESIGN: An observational longitudinal study, measuring change in the self-reported personal time and expense of healthcare access by route of opioid administration over time (monthly for 1 year). Subjects were opioid treated patients with CNCP from North West Tasmania, Australia. Subjects completed monthly datasheets by recording all personal healthcare access time and expense, together with the route(s) of opioid administration. The outcome measures of mean monthly healthcare time (MHT) and expense (MHE), by route of opioid administration, were analyzed using generalized estimating equations with robust standard errors. RESULTS: The details of 10,564 healthcare contacts from 198 subjects were obtained during the study. Total mean MHT with oral opioids was 3.76 hours (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.21-5.32) and unchanged (p = 0.59) with TD opioids at 3.48 hours (95% CI = 2.23-4.72). Total mean MHE with oral opioids was AU$ 92.72 (95% CI = 51.21-134.24) and unchanged (p = 0.81) with TD opioids atAU$ 89.12 (95% CI = 54.53-123.71). CONCLUSIONS: The personal socioeconomic costs of healthcare access for rural patients with CNCP are similar for TD and oral opioid use. The prolonged analgesic affect of TD opioids may be advantageous for rural population.

Do transdermal opioids reduce healthcare use in an Australian rural pain population? A comparison with oral opioids.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether transdermal (TD) opioids reduce healthcare contacts when compared with oral opioids in a rural population with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP). DESIGN: An observational longitudinal study to measure the changes in self-reported healthcare use by the route of opioid administration over time (monthly for 1 year). Subjects were opioid-treated CNCP patients from North West Tasmania. The subjects completed the monthly datasheets by recording all healthcare contacts and the routes of opioid administration. The outcome measures of mean monthly healthcare contacts (MHCs) by the routes of opioid administration were analyzed using generalized estimating equations with robust standard errors. RESULTS: The details of 10,564 healthcare contacts from 198 subjects were obtained during the study. General practitioner (GP) mean MHCs were 2.01 (95% confidence intervals [CI] = 1.58-2.45) for oral opioids and significantly (p = 0.02) lower by 0.38 (95% CI = -0.70 to -0.05) contacts for TD opioids. Pharmacy mean MHCs were 2.44 (95% CI = 1.88-3.00) for oral opioids and unchanged (p = 0.86) by -0.04 (95% CI = -0.44-0.37) for TD opioids. Total mean MHCs with oral opioid use were 5.98 (95% CI = 4.93-7.03). With TD opioid use, this was nonsignificantly lower (p = 0.12) by 0.62 (95% CI = -1.40-0.15) contacts. CONCLUSIONS: The use of TD opioid preparations, with their prolonged analgesic effect, may reduce total healthcare activity and significantly reduce GP contact. This may particularly benefit a rural population where there is a relative shortage of doctors.

State-of-the-science review of the occupational health hazards of crystalline silica in abrasive blasting operations and related requirements for respiratory protection.

Excessive exposures to airborne crystalline silica have been known for over 100 years to pose a serious health hazard. Work practices and regulatory standards advanced as the knowledge of the hazards of crystalline silica evolved. This article presents a comprehensive historical examination of the literature on exposure, health effects, and personal protective equipment related to silica and abrasive blasting operations over the last century. In the early 1900s, increased death rates and prevalence of pulmonary disease were observed in industries that involved dusty operations. Studies of these occupational cohorts served as the basis for the first occupational exposure limits in the 1930s. Early exposure studies in foundries revealed that abrasive blasting operations were particularly hazardous and provided the basis for many of the engineering control and respiratory protection requirements that are still in place today. Studies involving abrasive blasters over the years revealed that engineering controls were often not completely effective at reducing airborne silica concentrations to a safe level; consequently, respiratory protection has always been an important component of protecting workers. During the last 15-20 yr, quantitative exposure-response modeling, experimental animal studies, and in vitro methods were used to better understand the relationship between exposure to silica and disease in the workplace. In light of Occupational Safety and Health Administration efforts to reexamine the protectiveness of the current permissible exposure limit (PEL) for crystalline silica and its focus on protecting workers who are known to still be exposed to silica in the workplace (including abrasive blasters), this state-of-the-science review of one of the most hazardous operations involving crystalline silica should provide useful background to employers, researchers, and regulators interested in the historical evolution of the recognized occupational health hazards of crystalline silica and abrasive blasting operations and the related requirements for respiratory protection.

2006 Henry f. Smyth jr. Award lecture historical review--employer responsibility for workplace health and safety.

The Academy of Industrial Hygiene established the Henry F. Smyth Jr. Award in 1981. The Award is presented to that individual who has recognized the needs of the industrial hygiene profession and has made major contributions to fulfill those needs, thereby contributing to the improvement of the public welfare. This year's Award was presented to John L. Henshaw, CIH, at the 2006 Professional Conference on Industrial Hygiene (PCIH) in San Jose, California.