Today's post is shared from nytimes.com. Workers' in an outdoor environment are exposed the the sun's rays. The question arises as to whether present protective measures, ie. sunscreens are more harmful than helpful.
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles have been used increasingly in sunscreens in the last decade to protect the skin because the tiny particles directly absorb the radiation from sunlight, especially in the UVB range. But because the articles are so tiny — generally about 100 nanometers across, compared with about 3,000 to 9,000 nanometers for a speck of dust — some scientists have raised concerns about whether they might do harm by seeping through the skin and into the bloodstream.
Concerns grew when studies in mice showed that when injected under the skin, titanium dioxide caused inflammation . In addition, the International Agency on Cancer Research, part of the World Health Organization, decided in 2006 to classify titanium dioxide as a potential human carcinogen, based mostly on inhalation studies in animals, though the group called the evidence “conflicting at best.”
But research has largely dismissed such concerns about absorption, and most experts say that sunscreens containing nanoparticles can be safely used.
More recently, concerns have focused on the possibility that these nanoparticles could promote skin aging....
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Showing posts sorted by relevance for query nanotechnology. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query nanotechnology. Sort by date Show all posts
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Bio-Tech Worker Awarded $1.37 Million in Suit Against Pfizer
A former bio-technical scientist of Pfizer was awarded $1.37 Million dollars as a result of being infected by an experimental virus in the company's laboratories. After a 3 week trial, the award was entered in what is considered to be the first successful employee claims in the biotech and nanotech industry.
While the intentional tort claim was dismissed by the Judge and injured worker proceeded under the theory that the company, Pfizer, violated whistleblower laws. The plaintiff also alleged that The Occupational Safety and Health Administration failed to thoroughly investigate the matter and take action.
Click here for a detailed analysis of the case "Prescription for Bioterrorism by Steve Zeltzer.
Click here to read more about nanotechnology and workers compensation.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Fashion Safety: US Endorses Bangladesh Action Plan
The following is a joint statement from the Department of Labor, Office of the United States Trade Representative, and the State Department:
"Today, the United States is outlining next steps in a longstanding effort to address in a meaningful way worker safety problems in Bangladesh — the severity of which were exemplified in the tragedies of the November 2012 Tazreen Fashions factory fire and the April 2013 Rana Plaza building collapse — and, more broadly, the ability of Bangladeshi workers to exercise their full range of labor rights.
On June 27, 2013, President Obama announced his decision to suspend Bangladesh's trade benefits under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) in view of insufficient progress by the Government of Bangladesh in affording Bangladeshi workers internationally recognized worker rights. That decision followed an extensive, interagency review under the GSP program of worker rights and worker safety in Bangladesh during which the U.S. Government encouraged the Government of Bangladesh to implement needed reforms. At the time of the announcement, the Administration provided the Government of Bangladesh with an action plan which, if implemented, could provide a basis for the President to consider the reinstatement of GSP trade benefits.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Occupational Chemical Exposures Continue to Take an Enormous on Human Life
See: Knowns and unknowns on burden of disease due to chemicals: a systematic review Environmental Health 2011, 10:9 doi:10.1186/1476-069X-10-9
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Sleep, Pain, and Hospital Workers
Today's post was shared by Safe Healthy Workers and comes from blogs.cdc.gov
Orfeu M. Buxton, PhD; Glorian Sorensen, PhD, MPH
We know that decreased sleep duration and extended shifts in healthcare workers are linked to workplace injuries. The effects of decreased sleep on pain in the workplace are less clear.
New research from the Harvard Center for Work, Health and Wellbeing –one of four NIOSH Centers of Excellence funded to explore and research the concepts of Total Worker Health™- examines the question: Does lack of sleep increase pain and limit function among hospital care workers?
The study, published in the American Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, finds that sleep deficiency (including short sleep duration, insomnia symptoms, sleep insufficiency, or all three) is significantly associated with pain, functional limitations of daily living tasks due to that pain, and difficulty performing work tasks due to that pain, among hospital care workers.
We know that decreased sleep duration and extended shifts in healthcare workers are linked to workplace injuries. The effects of decreased sleep on pain in the workplace are less clear.New research from the Harvard Center for Work, Health and Wellbeing –one of four NIOSH Centers of Excellence funded to explore and research the concepts of Total Worker Health™- examines the question: Does lack of sleep increase pain and limit function among hospital care workers?
The study, published in the American Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, finds that sleep deficiency (including short sleep duration, insomnia symptoms, sleep insufficiency, or all three) is significantly associated with pain, functional limitations of daily living tasks due to that pain, and difficulty performing work tasks due to that pain, among hospital care workers.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Right to Die Debate Heating Up
Today's post by Brett Gowen of the California Bar is shared from fbgslaw.com
You may have heard about and seen the recent news coverage about Brittany Maynard, a 29 year old woman who is choosing to end her life after she was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor last spring. Recently the Editorial Board of the Sacramento Bee advocated enactment of a “death with dignity law” similar to that adopted by Oregon 20 years ago. The Editorial Board contends that the Oregon model fully answers the concerns of those who have opposed “death with dignity” efforts in the past in the California. View the Opinion piece at: http://www.sacbee.com/opinion/editorials/article3358507.html |
Monday, July 29, 2013
Caregivers for Cancer Patients and Survivors
Over the years I have come to realize that support for both cancer patients and their caregivers is very important. The disease affects not only the patient but the patient's entire constellation of family and friends. Today's post was shared by CDC Cancer and comes from
Caregiving Resources
Find a nursing home, assisted living, or hospice; check your eligibility for benefits; get resources for long-distance caregiving; review legal issues; and find support for caregivers using this comprehensive list from USA.gov.
General Information About Caregivers and Caregiving
- Framing the Public Health of Caregiving (American Journal of Public Health)
- Family Caregivers in Cancer (National Cancer Institute)
- Who Is a Caregiver? (National Cancer Institute)
- Coping with Cancer: For Caregivers, Family, and Friends (National Cancer Institute)
- Caregivers (Medline Plus)
- Caregiving: A Public Health Priority (CDC)
- Caregivers (American Cancer Society)
- Caregivers as Partners and Clients of Behavioral Health Services [PDF-578KB] (Administration on Aging)
Agencies and Organizations
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (Administration on Aging)
- Support for Caregivers (Medicare)
- Caregiver Action Network
- Family Caregiver Alliance
- National Alliance for Caregiving
Helpful Resources for Caregivers
CDC
...
For over 3 decades the Law Offices of Jon L. Gelman 1.973.696.7900 jon@gelmans.com have been representing injured workers and their families who have suffered occupational accidents and illnesses.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Distracted Walkers Are a Workplace Hazard
Over the last 2 days I watched at least a half-a-dozen people walking in the streets with a cellphone in their hands, and totally ignoring all traffic signals and vehicles around them. We are too quick to blame workers for causing all accidents through the use of cellphones. Pedestrians on many occasions ignore all reason and logic, and walk in front of vehicles oblivious to the world.
Read: Distracted Walking: Injuries Soar for Pedestrians on Phones
Cell Phone Use Not Just Dangerous for Drivers, Study Finds
Read: Distracted Walking: Injuries Soar for Pedestrians on Phones
Cell Phone Use Not Just Dangerous for Drivers, Study Finds
"More than 1,500 pedestrians were estimated to be treated in emergency rooms in 2010 for injuries related to using a cell phone while walking, according to a new nationwide study."
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
The Need to Incorporate Occupational Histories Into Electronic Medical Records
At the request of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the IOM appointed a committee to examine the rationale and feasibility of incorporating occupational information in patients’ EHRs. The committee focused on the potential benefits of the inclusion of occupational information to individual and public health, current systems that use this information, and technical barriers to incorporating occupational information into the EHR. The IOM concluded that three data elements – occupation, industry, and work-relatedness – were ready for immediate focus. To incorporate these data into EHRs, recommendations were made that include assessment of data collection and incorporation, requirements for storing and communicating occupational information, development of metrics and performance measures, and assessment of privacy concerns, among others.
Monday, November 29, 2010
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards Available for Free Download
Download the NPG CD-Rom as a ISO image file and create a disc with CD-ROM authoring software.
The NPG ZIP file contains a condensed version of the NPG.
All non-Pocket Guide links were removed so that this set of files acts as a "stand-alone" database. These files can be used with a standard web browser or on some mobile devices.
- 2010-168c.zip (245 MB) (requires WinZip or other unzipping software)
- 2010-168c.exe(181 MB) (Self-extracting zip file for Windows)
- 2010-168c.isoNIOSH publication number 2010-168c
(ISO Requires CD-Rom Authoring Software)
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Reaching Towards a Healthier, Safer Workplace:NIOSH looks at healthcare worker familiarity with recommended respiratory protection practices
Every day healthcare workers (HCWs) make decisions about the best way to protect themselves. What would you do if you entered the room of a new patient and noticed symptoms such as fever and a mucus-producing cough? As a HCW, you must then ask yourself, “What type of disease does the patient have? What sort of precautions should I take to protect myself because the patient may have an infectious disease?” While it is your employer’s responsibility to provide policies, programs, training, and guidance on respirator use, it is the health care workers who implement these procedures. Do you know when to use respiratory protection? If so, do you understand what type of protection to choose and how to use it properly?NIOSH Research – the REACH II StudyResearchers at NIOSH conducted a study to determine HCW familiarity with recommended respiratory protection practices[i], [ii] including the selection of respiratory protective devices. NIOSH collaborated with several state health departments and universities for the Respirator Use Evaluation in Acute Care Hospitals (REACH II) study. REACH II involved 98 hospitals in six states, and surveyed over 1,500 HCWs, Hospital and Unit Managers. Research staff observed respirator donning (i.e., putting on) and doffing (i.e., taking off) demonstrations by more than 300 HCWs. To determine HCWs’ knowledge about which respiratory protection to use, both HCWs and managers were given six scenarios... |
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Public Comment Sought on Draft Document for Workplace Tobacco Policies
NIOSH is seeking public comment on a draft Current Intelligence Bulletin,Promoting Health and Preventing Disease and Injury through Workplace Tobacco Policies. The public comment period is open for 30 days, closing on September 15. Occupational safety and health practitioners, healthcare professionals, and the general public are encouraged to review the document and provide comments. https://federalregister.gov/a/2014-19384.
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