The State of New Jersey now supports a ban on fracking. NJ Governor Pat Murphy recognized the health and environmental consequences of using this process to explore and mine for natural gas.
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query occupational disease. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query occupational disease. Sort by date Show all posts
Monday, February 26, 2018
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Asbestos Deaths Predicted to Continue for Decades
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has released a draft Intelligence Report concerning asbestos and mesothelioma in an effort to create a "road-map for research."
"Asbestos has been a highly visible issue in public health for over three decades. During the mid- to late-20th century, many advances were made in the scientific understanding of worker health effects from exposure to asbestos fibers and other elongate mineral particles (EMPs). It is now well documented that fibers of asbestos minerals, when inhaled, can cause serious diseases in exposed workers. However, many questions and areas of confusion and scientific uncertainty remain. For instance, due to the mineralogical complexity of the asbestos minerals, the scientific literature contains various inconsistencies in the definition and application of the term asbestos for health protection guidance and regulatory purposes."
"The purpose of the Roadmap is to outline a research agenda that will guide the development of specific research programs and projects that will provide a broader and clearer understanding of the important determinants of toxicity for asbestos and other EMPs. NIOSH recognizes that results from such research may impact environmental as well as occupational health policies and practices. Many of the issues that are important in the workplace are also important to communities and to the general population.Therefore, NIOSH envisions that the planning and conduct of the research will be a collaborative effort involving active participation of multiple federal agencies, including the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Toxicology Program (NTP), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the United States Geological Survey (USGS), as well as labor, industry, academia, health and safety practitioners, and other interested parties, including international groups. This collaboration will help to focus the scope of the research, to fund and conduct research, and to develop and disseminate informational materials describing research results and their implications for establishing new occupational and public health policies."
Asbestos Deaths Predicted to Continue for Decades
"NIOSH has annually tracked U.S. asbestosis deaths since 1968 and malignant mesothelioma deaths since 1999 using death certificate data in the National Occupational Respiratory Mortality System (NORMS). NORMS data, representing all deaths among U.S. residents, show that asbestosis deaths increased almost 20-fold from the late 1960s to the late 1990s (Figure 6) [NIOSH 2007b]. Asbestosis mortality trends are expected to substantially trail trends in asbestos exposures (see Section 2.4.2) for two primary reasons: (1) the latency period between asbestos exposure and asbestosis onset is 2 typically long, commonly one or two decades or more; and (2) asbestosis is a chronic disease, so affected individuals can live for many years with the disease before succumbing. In fact, asbestosis deaths have apparently plateaued (at nearly 1,500 per year) since 2000 (Figure 3) [NIOSH 2007b]. Ultimately, it is anticipated that the annual number of asbestosis deaths in the United States will decrease substantially as a result of documented reductions in exposure. However, asbestos usage has not been completely eliminated, and asbestos-containing materials remain in place in structural materials and machinery, so the potential for exposure remains. Thus, asbestosis deaths in the United States are anticipated to continue to occur for several decades."
Mesothelioma Strongly Linked to Occupational Exposures
"Malignant mesothelioma, an aggressive disease that is nearly always fatal, is known to be caused by exposure to asbestos and some other mineral fibers [IOM 2006]. The occurrence of mesothelioma has been strongly linked with occupational exposures to asbestos [Bang et al. 2006]. There had been no discrete International Classification of Disease (ICD) code for mesothelioma until its most recent 10th revision. Thus, only seven years of NORMS data are available with a specific ICD code for mesothelioma (Figure 4); during this period, there was a 9% increase in annual mesothelioma deaths, from 2,484 in 1999 to 2,704 in 2005 [NIOSH 2007b]. A later peak for mesothelioma deaths than for asbestosis deaths would be entirely expected, given the longer latency for mesothelioma [Järvholm et al. 1999]. One analysis of malignant mesothelioma incidence based on the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program data found that an earlier steep increase in incidence had moderated and 1 that mesothelioma incidence may have actually peaked sometime in the 1990s in SEER-2 covered areas [Weill et al. 2004]. In contrast to NORMS data, which represents a census 3 of all deaths in the entire United States, the analyzed SEER data were from areas in 4 which a total of only about 15% of the U.S. population resides."NIOSH has invited Public Comment Until April 16, 2010 5:00pm EDT
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Occupational Exposure to Cellphone Radiation
Last week, the French government requested that Apple stop selling the iPhone 12 model because of excessive radiation detected during recent tests. The Agence National des Fréquences [ANFR] stated that “…Apple must immediately take all measures to prevent the availability on the market of the phones concerned present in the supply chain. Regarding phones already sold, Apple must take corrective measures as soon as possible to make the phones concerned compliant. Otherwise, it will be up to Apple to recall them.”
Thursday, October 26, 2023
Preparing for the Next Epidemic of Occupational Disease
A recently published standard establishes minimum requirements to reduce the risk of disease transmission by exposure to infectious aerosols in new buildings, existing buildings, and major renovations.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Job Stress A Risk For Heart Attack
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| Map of Heart Disease Death Rates in US White Males from 2000-2004 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
"30 214 (15%) of 197 473 participants reported job strain. In 1·49 million person-years at risk (mean follow-up 7·5 years [SD 1·7]), we recorded 2358 events of incident coronary heart disease. After adjustment for sex and age, the hazard ratio for job strain versus no job strain was 1·23 (95% CI 1·10—1·37). This effect estimate was higher in published (1·43, 1·15—1·77) than unpublished (1·16, 1·02—1·32) studies. Hazard ratios were likewise raised in analyses addressing reverse causality by exclusion of events of coronary heart disease that occurred in the first 3 years (1·31, 1·15—1·48) and 5 years (1·30, 1·13—1·50) of follow-up. We noted an association between job strain and coronary heart disease for sex, age groups, socioeconomic strata, and region, and after adjustments for socioeconomic status, and lifestyle and conventional risk factors. The population attributable risk for job strain was 3·4%."
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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 work related accident and injuries.
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 work related accident and injuries.
Read more about "heart disease" and working conditions
Sep 11, 2012
"More than 80 million people in the United States have some form of cardiovascular disease (CVD)—for example, coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, or heart failure—and millions of others are at increased...
Apr 06, 2012
The occupational exposure to asbestos fiber has now been linked to fatal heart disease. A recent report associates asbestos exposure at work to a higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease ...
Jan 30, 2012
In the general population, high BMI generally correlates with high body fat, and we know that high body fat is a risk factor for death (mortality) and heart disease. Is the same true for elite athletes, for whom high BMI may relate ...
May 19, 2010
New studies just published establish the causal relationship of overtime work with an increased risk of heart disease resulting in a greater risk of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction and angina. Workers who ...
Friday, September 25, 2015
Symposium: Celebrating Dr. Irving J. Selikoff
Friday, October 16, 2015, 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Location: Davis Auditorium, Hess Building, 1470 Madison Ave (between 101st and 102nd Sts)
Program Overview : This symposium will examine the lasting impact of the legacy of Dr. Irving J. Selikoff (January 15, 1915-May 20, 1992) on occupational health and safety in the United States. Considered the father of occupational medicine, he is remembered for his seminal research on asbestos-related illnesses, his tireless advocacy for worker safety and health protections, and his contributions to the establishment of federal asbestos regulations.
Photo Exhibit In conjunction with the symposium, there will be an exhibit by photographer Earl Dotter on display titled Badges: A Memorial Tribute to Asbestos Workers. Guggenheim Pavilion Atrium, 1468 Madison Avenue.
Who should attend? This symposium is open to the public and intended for faculty, residents, students, and members of the occupational health and safety community.
Mount Sinai Organizing Committee Madelynn Azar-Cavanagh, MD; Philip J. Landrigan, MD, MSc; Roberto Lucchini, MD; John D. Meyer, MD, MPH; Barbara J. Niss; Robert O. Wright, MD, MPH
Registration There is no fee to attend this event. Click here to register for this event or email carla.azar@mssm.edu. Please note that space is limited and early registration is encouraged. Special Needs The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is in full compliance with provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is accessible for individuals with special needs. If you would like to attend this conference and require any special needs or accommodations, please contact carla.azar@mssm.edu.
Agenda
8:00 AM Breakfast and Check-in
9:00 AM Welcome Remarks
Robert O. Wright, MD, Chair, Dept. of Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Philip J. Landrigan, MD, Dean for Global Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
David Michaels, PhD, MPH, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health and Director, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
John Howard, MD, MPH, LLM, Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Program Moderator
Roberto Lucchini, MD, Director, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
9:30 AM Irving J. Selikoff in History
Albert Miller, MD, Director of the Pulmonary Function Laboratory, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Emeritus Clinical Professor of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
9:50 AM Asbestos and Selikoff’s role in the Reconception of Responsibility for Chronic Disease in a pre-OSHA era
David K. Rosner, PhD, MPH, Ronald H. Lauterstein Professor of Sociomedical Sciences and Professor of History, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
10:10 AM Break
10:25 AM Update of the Selikoff’s Insulators’ Asbestos Cohort
Steven Markowitz, MD, DrPH, Barry Commoner Center for Health and the Environment, Queens College and Graduate Center, City University of New York
10:45 AM Pneumoconiosis and Autoimmune Disease from an Historical Perspective
Paul D. Blanc, MD, MSPH, Professor of Medicine and Endowed Chair, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of California San Francisco
11:05 AM Perspectives on Dr. Selikoff’s Contributions to Public Health and Safety Laws
Neil T. Leifer, Esq., Neil T Leifer, LLC, Auburndale, MA
11:25 AM Trends Today: Global Spread of Asbestos to Developing World
Barry I. Castleman, ScD, Author of Asbestos: Medical and Legal Aspects
11:45 AM Q&A
12:05 PM Introduction of Photo Exhibit
Linda Reinstein, President/CEO, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
12:10 PM Closing Remarks
Madelynn Azar-Cavanagh, MD, Medical Director, Mount Sinai Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health
Symposium: Celebrating Dr. Irving J. Selikoff
Sponsored by the Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Dept. of Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Location: Davis Auditorium, Hess Building, 1470 Madison Ave (between 101st and 102nd Sts)
Program Overview : This symposium will examine the lasting impact of the legacy of Dr. Irving J. Selikoff (January 15, 1915-May 20, 1992) on occupational health and safety in the United States. Considered the father of occupational medicine, he is remembered for his seminal research on asbestos-related illnesses, his tireless advocacy for worker safety and health protections, and his contributions to the establishment of federal asbestos regulations.
Photo Exhibit In conjunction with the symposium, there will be an exhibit by photographer Earl Dotter on display titled Badges: A Memorial Tribute to Asbestos Workers. Guggenheim Pavilion Atrium, 1468 Madison Avenue.
Who should attend? This symposium is open to the public and intended for faculty, residents, students, and members of the occupational health and safety community.
Mount Sinai Organizing Committee Madelynn Azar-Cavanagh, MD; Philip J. Landrigan, MD, MSc; Roberto Lucchini, MD; John D. Meyer, MD, MPH; Barbara J. Niss; Robert O. Wright, MD, MPH
Registration There is no fee to attend this event. Click here to register for this event or email carla.azar@mssm.edu. Please note that space is limited and early registration is encouraged. Special Needs The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is in full compliance with provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is accessible for individuals with special needs. If you would like to attend this conference and require any special needs or accommodations, please contact carla.azar@mssm.edu.
Agenda
8:00 AM Breakfast and Check-in
9:00 AM Welcome Remarks
Robert O. Wright, MD, Chair, Dept. of Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Philip J. Landrigan, MD, Dean for Global Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
David Michaels, PhD, MPH, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health and Director, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
John Howard, MD, MPH, LLM, Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Program Moderator
Roberto Lucchini, MD, Director, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
9:30 AM Irving J. Selikoff in History
Albert Miller, MD, Director of the Pulmonary Function Laboratory, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Emeritus Clinical Professor of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
9:50 AM Asbestos and Selikoff’s role in the Reconception of Responsibility for Chronic Disease in a pre-OSHA era
David K. Rosner, PhD, MPH, Ronald H. Lauterstein Professor of Sociomedical Sciences and Professor of History, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health
10:10 AM Break
10:25 AM Update of the Selikoff’s Insulators’ Asbestos Cohort
Steven Markowitz, MD, DrPH, Barry Commoner Center for Health and the Environment, Queens College and Graduate Center, City University of New York
10:45 AM Pneumoconiosis and Autoimmune Disease from an Historical Perspective
Paul D. Blanc, MD, MSPH, Professor of Medicine and Endowed Chair, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of California San Francisco
11:05 AM Perspectives on Dr. Selikoff’s Contributions to Public Health and Safety Laws
Neil T. Leifer, Esq., Neil T Leifer, LLC, Auburndale, MA
11:25 AM Trends Today: Global Spread of Asbestos to Developing World
Barry I. Castleman, ScD, Author of Asbestos: Medical and Legal Aspects
11:45 AM Q&A
12:05 PM Introduction of Photo Exhibit
Linda Reinstein, President/CEO, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization
12:10 PM Closing Remarks
Madelynn Azar-Cavanagh, MD, Medical Director, Mount Sinai Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health
Symposium: Celebrating Dr. Irving J. Selikoff
Sponsored by the Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Dept. of Preventive Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Friday, April 29, 2011
Alice Hamilton Awards for Occupational Safety and Health Announced
The Alice Hamilton Awards for Occupational Safety and Health recognize the scientific excellence of technical and instructional materials by NIOSH scientists and engineers in the areas of biological science, engineering and physical science, human studies, and educational materials.
The Awards honor Dr. Alice Hamilton (1869 - 1970), a pioneering researcher and occupational physician, and are presented each year by NIOSH on the basis of rigorous reviews by panels of scientific experts from outside the Institute.
The top three finalists in each category are:
Engineering and Physical Sciences
Evans DE, Ku BK, Birch ME, Dunn KH. Aerosol monitoring during carbon nanofiber production: mobile direct-reading sampling. Ann Occup Hyg 54(5):514-531, 2010.
Green JD, Yannaccone JR, Current RS, Sicher LA, Moore PH, Whitman GR. Assessing the performance of various restraints on ambulance patient compartment workers during crash events. Int J Crashworthiness 15(5):517-541, 2010.
NIOSH Report of Investigation (RI) 9679: Recommendations for a new rock dusting standard to prevent coal dust explosions in intake airways. By Cashdollar KL, Sapko MJ, Weiss ES, Harris ML, Man CK, Harteis SP, Green GM. Pittsburgh, PA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2010-151, 2010.
Biological Sciences
Sriram K, Lin GX, Jefferson AM, Roberts JR, Wirth O, Hayashi Y, Krajnak KM, Soukup JM, Ghio AJ, Reynolds SH, Castranova V, Munson AE, Antonini JM. Mitochondrial dysfunction and loss of Parkinson's disease-linked proteins contribute to neurotoxicity of manganese-containing welding fumes. FASEB J 24(12):4989-5002, 2010.
Leonard SS, Chen BT, Stone SG, Schwegler-Berry D, Kenyon AJ, Frazer D, Antonini JM. Comparison of stainless and mild steel welding fumes in generation of reactive oxygen species. Part Fibre Toxicol 7(1):32, 2010.
Wang LY, Mercer RR, Rojanasakul Y, Qiu AJ, Lu YJ, Scabilloni JF, Wu NQ, Castranova V. Direct fibrogenic effects of dispersed single-walled carbon nanotubes on human lung fibroblasts. J Toxicol Environ Health, A 73(5-6):410-422, 2010.
Human Studies
Hanley KW, Petersen MR, Cheever KL, Luo L. Bromide and N-acetyl-S-(n-propyl)-l-cysteine in urine from workers exposed to 1-bromopropane solvents from vapor degreasing or adhesive manufacturing. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 83(5):571-584, 2010.
Connor TH, DeBord DG, Pretty JR, Oliver MS, Roth TS, Lees PSJ, Krieg EF Jr., Rogers B, Escalante CP, Toennis CA, Clark JC, Johnson BC, McDiarmid MA. Evaluation of antineoplastic drug exposure of health care workers at three university-based US cancer centers. J Occup Environ Med 52(10):1019-1027, 2010.
The following three articles were submitted as one nomination:
- Couch JR, Petersen MR, Rice CR, Schubauer-Berigan MK. Development of retrospective quantitative and qualitative job-exposure matrices for exposures at a beryllium processing facility. Occ Environ Med. Published online October 25, 2010. doi: 10.1136/oem.2010.056630.
- Schubauer-Berigan MK, Couch JR, Petersen MR, Carreón T, Jin Y, Deddens JA. Cohort mortality study of workers at seven beryllium processing plants: update and associations with cumulative and maximum exposure. Occ Environ Med. Published online October 15, 2010.doi:10.1136/oem.2010.056481.
- Schubauer-Berigan MK, Deddens JA, Couch JR, Petersen MR. Risk of lung cancer associated with quantitative beryllium exposure metrics within an occupational cohort. Occup Environ Med. Published online November 16, 2010. doi: 10.1136/oem.2010.056515.
Educational Materials
Slip, trip, and fall prevention for healthcare workers. By Bell J, Collins JW, Dalsey E, Sublet V. Morgantown, WV/Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2011-123, 2010.
Move it! Rig move safety for roughnecks. By: Cullen E, Hill R, Shannon J, Headding B. Spokane, WA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2011-108d, 2010.
Baron S, Stock L, Ayala L, Soohoo R, Gong F, Lloyd C, Haroon P, Teran S, Gonzalez P. Caring for yourself while caring for others: practical tips for homecare workers. In: Labor Occupational Health Program, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Service Employees International Union. Edited by United Long Term Care Workers. Oakland, CA: Public Authority for In-Home Supportive Services in Alameda County, 2010.
Thursday, July 23, 2020
Lessons from Asbestos Litigation Apply to COVID Claims
The rapid emergence of COVID-19 creates new challenges for the nation’s patchwork of state run workplace benefit delivery systems. This paper draws a comparison between COVID claims and asbestos claims, the “Largest and Longest” wave of occupational disease claims in the United States. The comparison offers insight into avoiding past economic, administrative and benefit delivery pitfalls. The lessons from asbestos claims provide an insight into maintaining a sustainable workers’ compensation system to meet the surge of COVID claims.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Occupational Illnesses Continue to Unnecessarily Kill Workers
A recent Letter to the Editor in the New York Times focuses on the fact that US workers continue to suffer from fatal occupational diseases and illness that are avoidable.
Commenting on the feature article exposing the need to great enforcement of safety measures by OSHA, Tom O'Connor, Executive Director, National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, stated: "While nearly 5,000 workers die on the job each year, an estimated 50,000 more develop an occupational illness. Yet despite this toll, the federal government sits on rules that could help prevent workers from developing occupational illnesses. A proposed rule that would prevent workers from being exposed to dangerous levels of silica dust on the job has remained mired at the Office of Management and Budget for more than two years."
Click here to read the entire letter: LETTER Rules on Worker Health, Tom O'Connor Should Your Job Kill You?
Commenting on the feature article exposing the need to great enforcement of safety measures by OSHA, Tom O'Connor, Executive Director, National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, stated: "While nearly 5,000 workers die on the job each year, an estimated 50,000 more develop an occupational illness. Yet despite this toll, the federal government sits on rules that could help prevent workers from developing occupational illnesses. A proposed rule that would prevent workers from being exposed to dangerous levels of silica dust on the job has remained mired at the Office of Management and Budget for more than two years."Click here to read the entire letter: LETTER Rules on Worker Health, Tom O'Connor Should Your Job Kill You?
Read more about "occupational illness" and workers' compensation:
Mar 18, 2011
Fire fighters in Canada are supporting legislation that would establish a legal presumption that breast cancer is an occupationally related illness. The legislation also creates a presumption that 3 other cancers (skin, prostate ...
Mar 31, 2013
A just published study reports that only 25% of occupational disease claims are covered by US workers' compensation programs. Click here to read the entire report: Economic Burden of Occupational Injury and Illness in the .
Mar 05, 2010
Alice in Wonderland has been released in the movie theaters today. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has been quick to remind us of the Mad Hatter and mercury exposures. "Society has made ...
Mar 17, 2011
In a series of articles, Celeste Monforton discusses the absence in the U.S. of a comprehensive system for surveillance of occupational illnesses sand disease. Citing the the U.S. Surgeon General in 1965 that..."it is almost ...
Monday, February 4, 2008
Lead Paint Creates A Potential New Wave of Occupational Disease Claims
Occupational lead exposure, especially to lead paint, has been a well known hazard in the workplace you decades. Recent epidemiological studies demonstrate the causal relationship of exposure to impaired brain function, over time, in adults, results in early aging. Employers and insurance carriers should brace themselves for a wave of claims. Occupational exposures over 30 years ago arise from the exposure to lead in paint, that has deteriorated and flaked off through: decomposition, friction, repair replacement or improper encapsulation, may trigger an enormous amount of expensive claims."The federal government has, through multiple agencies, extensively reviewed the health effects of lead upon workers. Coordinating their effort through the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) the federal government has alerted both employers and employees to the health hazards of lead and the techniques to be utilized when handling this hazardous substance.
"Lead, a bluish-gray metal, has been used since ancient times because of its unusual properties, such as a low melting point, pliability and resistance to corrosion. Hippocrates reported in 370 B.C. that a worker who had used lead suffered a severe case of colic. Lead is used in older American homes, and lead exposures occur in the workplace because of the widespread use of lead compounds during the past century in paints, gasoline and industry.
"The worker becomes exposed to lead when dust and fumes are inhaled and when lead is ingested through contamination on hands, water, food and clothing. When lead enters the respiratory and digestive tracts of the human body it is released to the blood and distributed throughout the system. More than 90% of the body's lead is accumulated in the bones where it is stored for many years. The bones then release the lead back into the blood stream and re-expose the system long after the original occupational exposure has ceased.
"Lead damages the blood-brain barrier and subsequently damages brain tissue. Workers exposed to lead may experience fatigue, irritability, insomnia, headaches and other subtle effects of mental and intellectual decline. Prolonged exposure to lead may present symptoms such as anemia. Lead inhibits the synthesis of heme and damages the ion transport system in the red blood cell membranes. Chronic high exposure to lead may result in chronic nephropathy and in some extreme cases, kidney failure. Gelman, Jon, Workers' Compensation Law 3rd ed., 38 NJPRAC 9.24 (West-Thomson 2008)
It has recently been reported in the scientific literature, that lead, absorbed into the blood stream over decades, may result in poor performance in a wide variety of mental functions. In a recent study, Dr. Brian Schwartz of Johns Hopkins University, remarked that lengthy exposure to lead, cumulative over years, may cause an aging brain to function at a level that is 5 years older that it really is. The Studies at Johns Hopkins objectively measured lead absorbed over a lifetime in human bodies. Dr. Brian Schwartz remarked, "We're trying to offer a caution that a portion of what has been called normal aging might in fact be due ubiquitous environmental exposures like lead."
Like asbestos and tobacco, lead exposure may cause a latent disease which causes the brain to deteriorate at an accelerated rate. Those who worked with lead, and those who were bystanders to lead exposures on the workplace, may have a workers' compensation benefits for the mental condition related to the lead exposure.
This significant new research relating lead exposure to aging puts insurance carriers and employers at risk for both direct claims under workers compensation systems and for claims against potential third parties, ie. property owners and paint manufacturers. Unlike tobacco and asbestos, these claims may be significantly more costly since because of the long potential long payment period of benefits under workers' compensation acts and the potential legions of workers who have been exposed in directly or indirectly.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
It is Time To Do The Right Thing
A recent decision by the NJ Courts illustrates the weaknesses of the present workers' compensation system when dealing with occupational exposures. The social remedial system called workers' compensation was designed before recognition of the compensability occupational illnesses.
The initial system was to furnish benefits without fault and in a summary and remedial fashion to injured workers. For the most part, that system worked from 1911 until the 1950's when the legacy of asbestos, used in World War II to insulate ships, came back to haunt the American worker by the manifestation of latent asbestos diseases including mesothelioma, a rare and fatal cancer.
Recently a NJ court denied the compensability of an asbestos related condition based upon the claimant's own knowledge of the causal relationship of an asbestos related medical condition and his own occupational exposure. Additional the court held that medical expert testimony was not required to support a motion to dismiss for the failure to meet the requirement of the statute of limitations.
In the 1970's the US Department of Labor was concerned with the same weaknesses and unavailability of benefits. The US DOL commissioned the Environmental Sciences Center at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine under the leadership of the late Irving J. Selikoff, MD to study and analyze the problem. The weaknesses of the system, even though less dramatic than present, led to the conclusion that the workers' compensation systems just didn't work for occupational disease conditions. Additionally, costs for medical treatment of asbestos related conditions were being shifted at an estimated $10 Billion dollars, at that time, to the Medicare system.
Dr. Selikoff studied two major cohorts in analyzing the inadequacies of the workers' compensation system. One group were insulators, and another group were 933 former plant workers at The Union Asbestos and Rubber Company of Paterson NJ who worked in war production between 1942 and 1944. Strikingly, the dormant medical conditions caused by the occupational exposure to asbestos fiber, and the latent condition of the disease for decades, caused major problems in filing claims. Those included the statute of limitation and diagnosis by medical professionals. Some professional were Grade B readers certified by The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and even those experts in the field were challenged in Court.
The report, that was submitted to the US Congress, concluded that the failure of the workers' compensation system to provide benefits to many who were exposed to asbestos, and the inadequate benefits to others. Their low rates were based on extremely low wages at the time of exposure. For these and other reasons, the report concluded, that the workers' compensation had failed to adequately provide treatment and other benefits. Since workers' compensation was not meeting the needs, claimants flocked to the tort system in epidemic proportion resulting in "the longest running tort" in American judicial history, "asbestos litigation." That litigation continues to this day. Even scores of companies that have reorganized under bankruptcy to avoid liability exposure are now providing benefits under a claims procedure.
While the NJ Court's decision may have been on point with regard to the Rules adopted to govern workers' compensation cases, it is time to revisit whether the Rules are too strict and defeat the social and remedial goals of the system that was envisioned by the creators in 1911. On a global scale, the failure of the workers' compensation to provide benefits results in the inequitable shift of responsibility to the general taxpayer.
To meet the needs of those exposed occupationally, Congress needs to act now upon a global and unified solution. One path to the goal of correcting inequities of the system is to advance a system of universal medical care. The US government must do the right thing. The medical delivery system for occupational diseases must come under a national universal medical care program. Additionally Congress must meet its moral and social responsibility and finally ban asbestos use in the US once and for all.
Read the decision: Russo v. Hoboken Board of Education, A-1861-10T4 (App. Div. November 29, 2011)
"...the WCJ found that he knew asbestos could cause lung disease and other medical problems as early as "the 70s." She noted that Russo "made complaints about the exposures to harmful substances . . . while still teaching." The WCJ further found that Russo "was well aware of the potential harmful effects of asbestos exposure," and she rejected his claim that the petition was not time-barred "because he was never informed by any of his treating physicians that his cancer was related to this exposure."
...
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.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
The Occupational Disease Pilot Program & Healthcare
Click here to listen to the interview (duration 27:58): http://tinyurl.com/ycxee3y
MP3 Link: http://tinyurl.com/ybanu3v (20.6MB)
To read more about the Libby MT Pilot Project click here.
To read more about workers’ compensation and universal health care solutions click here.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
CDC estimates Lyme disease hits 300,000 each year
A new estimate on Lyme disease suggests that about 300,000 Americans are sickened each year, which is about 10 times higher than the number of cases reported, according to an analysis of the latest information by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Scientists from the agency base their projection on findings from three ongoing studies that are designed to better gauge the number of people diagnosed with Lyme disease each year. CDC researchers reported the preliminary findings yesterday at a tickborne disease conference in Boston.
Ongoing studies are based on medical claims information for about 22 million insured people, a survey of clinical laboratories, and self-reported Lyme disease cases from a survey of the general public, the CDC said in a press release today.
Scientists from the agency base their projection on findings from three ongoing studies that are designed to better gauge the number of people diagnosed with Lyme disease each year. CDC researchers reported the preliminary findings yesterday at a tickborne disease conference in Boston.
Ongoing studies are based on medical claims information for about 22 million insured people, a survey of clinical laboratories, and self-reported Lyme disease cases from a survey of the general public, the CDC said in a press release today.
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Beryllium Exposure Standard Enforcement Delayed Until May 2018
The Trump Administration has yet again delayed the implementation of a stricter standard for occupational exposure to beryllium. The new date for enforcement is May 11, 2018.
Monday, February 13, 2012
NIOSH To Review Underreporting of Occupartional Injuries and Illnesses by Workers
Image via WikipediaNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has proposed a project to review the Underreporting of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses by Workers.
"In 2008, the Congressional Committee on Education and Labor released the report, “Hidden Tragedy: Underreporting of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses,” indicating “that work-related injuries and illnesses in the United States are chronically and even grossly underreported.” Based in part on the report's results, Congress allocated funds for NIOSH to conduct a follow-up study using NIOSH's occupational supplement to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS-Work) to estimate underreporting among individuals who seek care at an emergency department (ED) for an occupational illness, injury, or exposure.
"Objectives for this project are to (1) assess the reporting behavior of workers that are injured, ill, or exposed to a harmful substance at work; (2) characterize the chronic aspects of work-related injuries or illnesses; and (3) estimate the prevalence of work-related chronic injuries and illnesses among United States workers treated in EDs. Particular attention will be paid to self-employed workers, workers with work-related illnesses, and workers with chronic health problems.
"Data collection for the telephone interview survey will be done via a questionnaire containing questions about the respondent's injury, illness, or exposure that sent them to the ED; the characteristics of the job they were working when they were injured, became ill, or were exposed; their experiences reporting their injury, illness, or exposure to the ED and their employer (if applicable); the presence of an underlying chronic condition that was associated with their ED visit; and the nature of any other work-related chronic conditions they have experienced. The questionnaire was designed to take 30 minutes to complete and includes a brief series of questions to screen out individuals who were not seen in the ED for a work-related injury, illness, or exposure; who are younger than age 20 or older than age 64; who do not speak English or Spanish; or who were working as volunteers or day laborers when the injury, illness, or exposure occurred or was made worse.
77 FR 6803 2/9/2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Heart Disease Linked to Asbestos Exposure
Cardiovascular disease mortality among British asbestos workers (1971–2005)
Anne-Helen Harding, Andrew Darnton, John Osman, Occup Environ Med oemed-2011-100313 Published Online First: 2 April 2012doi:10.1136/oemed-2011-100313
"Objectives Asbestos is an inflammatory agent, and there is evidence that inflammatory processes are involved in the development of cardiovascular disease. Whether asbestos is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease has not been established. The objective of this study was to investigate cardiovascular disease mortality in a large cohort of workers occupationally exposed to asbestos.
"Methods Cardiovascular disease mortality in a cohort of 98 912 asbestos workers, with median follow-up of 19 years, was analysed. Unadjusted and smoking-adjusted standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated. The association between indicators of asbestosexposure and mortality was analysed with Poisson regression models, for deaths occurring during the period 1971–2005.
"Results Altogether 15 557 deaths from all causes, 1053 deaths from cerebrovascular disease and 4185 deaths from ischaemic heart disease (IHD) occurred during follow-up. There was statistically significant excess mortality from cerebrovascular disease (SMR: men 1.63, women 2.04) and IHD (SMR: men 1.39, women 1.89). Job and birth cohort were associated with the risk of cerebrovascular and IHD mortality in the Poisson regression model including sex, age, smoking status, job, cohort and duration of exposure. For IHD only, duration of exposure was also statistically significant in this model.
"Conclusions Cerebrovascular and IHD mortality was significantly higher among theseasbestos workers than in the general population and within the cohort mortality was associated with indicators of asbestos exposure. These findings provide some evidence that occupational exposure to asbestos was associated with cardiovascular disease mortality in this group of workers.
.....
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 work related accident and injuries.Related articles
Friday, March 4, 2011
Asbestos Awareness Conference To Focus on Public Health, Environment and The Economy
The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), the largest U.S. organization serving as the voice of asbestos victims, presents its 7th Annual Asbestos Awareness Conference, Asbestos: Impact on Public Heath, Environment, and the Economy. The event will be held April 1 - 3, 2011, at the Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel & Conference Center. This conference is made possible with the support of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute. Presentations will include occupational and non-occupational exposure issues, detection and treatment advances, environmental and economic impact, national and global policy.
The international conference brings together experts from around the globe to collaborate and enhance efforts to completely ban asbestos. Attendees will hear about the most advanced medical, occupational and environmental information to prevent home, school and work asbestos exposure; as well as disease prevention and treatment.
The conference will also quantify the economic impact of asbestos exposure to individuals, business and the government. Speakers will represent the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, and Germany. The ADAO international conference is made possible with the support and collaborative efforts of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit. Registration includes continental breakfast and lunch.
Linda Reinstein, President/CEO and Co-Founder of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, knows first hand the pain that can result from asbestos exposure after loosing her husband in 2006 to mesothelioma, a leading asbestos caused cancer. “ADAO is dedicated to the three core principles – education, advocacy, and community – as reaffirmed by this year’s powerful conference,” stated Reinstein. “This year’s event brings together some of the world’s most important voices, including leading professionals from different fields who play a pivotal role in globally uniting efforts to end asbestos disease. We welcome them and thank our many generous sponsors who are helping to make this event possible. There is indeed power in knowledge.”
According to Michael Harbut M.D., MPH, FCCP, of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, “The ADAO conference is one of the best educational and awareness opportunities for physicians, public health representatives, caregivers and other advocates. We all have an opportunity to make an impact on preventing asbestos-related diseases. Whether you’re a medical professional or someone who deeply cares about the health of your loved ones, this conference offers an important network for everyone.”
The weekend will provide information and inspiration for those impacted by asbestos-related disease as well as others who advocate for safe environments.
The conference also will recognize US Senator Max Baucus, and others, those who have demonstrated exceptional service to enhance asbestos awareness. The Unity and Remembrance Brunch on April 3 will honor and remember loved ones lost to asbestos exposure, as well as support others impacted by asbestos-related diseases.
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