READ: Evaluation of Silica Exposures During Drywall Sanding

READ: Evaluation of Silica Exposures During Drywall Sanding

(2 RC) - Management from a drywall finishing company requested a health hazard evaluation concerning employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica during drywall-sanding activities. Crystalline silica is a common mineral in construction materials. When it becomes airborne in dust, it can harm the lungs… (CDC - HHE, Apr 2024)

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READ: CDC - Evaluation of a Medicinal Cannabis Manufacturing Facility

READ: CDC - Evaluation of a Medicinal Cannabis Manufacturing Facility

(4 RC) - The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from a union representative for a medical cannabis facility with an indoor and outdoor grow operation. The representative was concerned about the potential occupational and safety hazards associated with the harvesting and processing of cannabis. We evaluated chemical and microbial hazards, conducted medical interviews with employees about their health concerns, collected air samples for volatile organic compounds… (NIOSH, CDC Aug 2019)

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READ: CDC - HHE Exposure to Cleaning Products by Hospital Employees

READ: CDC - HHE Exposure to Cleaning Products by Hospital Employees

(4 RC) - The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a confidential employee request for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to conduct a health hazard evaluation at a hospital. The request cited concerns about exposure of hospital employees to a sporicidal product that contains hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, and acetic acid, and described symptoms experienced by employees. Employee symptoms noted in the health hazard evaluation request included burning eyes, nose, and throat; runny nose; cough; headache; dizziness; nausea; nose bleeds; asthma exacerbation; skin burns; and rashes… (CDC HHE, Sep 2018)

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READ: CDC - HHE Exposure to Opioids in a City Police Department

READ: CDC - HHE Exposure to Opioids in a City Police Department

(4 RC) - A city in Ohio requested a health hazard evaluation (HHE) concerning possible unintentional exposure to opioids among police officers and firefighters during first responder activities. As one part of the HHE request, city and police department officials were concerned about incidents where police officers developed health symptoms after potential exposure to substances suspected to be opioids during the course of their work… (CDC HHE, Aug 2021)

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READ: ATSDR Health Consultation Grand Prairie, TX

READ: ATSDR Health Consultation Grand Prairie, TX

(4 RC) - The former Delfasco Forge facility is in Grand Prairie, Dallas County, Texas. The facility operated as a munitions manufacturing and forging facility from 1980 to 1998. Former facility operations used chlorinated solvents containing trichloroethylene (TCE) and other chemicals to degrease metal. These operations contaminated on-site soil and groundwater. The groundwater contamination has spread to the adjacent residential area where an estimated 157 occupied homes… (CDC ATSDR, Apr 2024)

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READ: Disinfectants for Use on Environmental Surfaces

READ: Disinfectants for Use on Environmental Surfaces

(1 RC) - This guideline describes test methods that EPA believes will generally satisfy testing requirements of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It addresses testing to demonstrate the effectiveness of disinfectant products bearing bactericidal, fungicidal, virucidal, and/or tuberculocidal claims for use on hard surfaces… (EPA, Apr 2010)

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READ: Fact Sheet: Fentanyl

READ: Fact Sheet: Fentanyl

(1 RC) - Illicit drug operations present multiple exposure pathways. Responders may encounter packaged powder, loose powder, pill mills, aqueous liquids and hardened (described as concrete-like) fentanyl analogs. Bulk fentanyl is mixed with other narcotics because it is a cheap filler material. Makeshift laboratories are found in apartments, houses, garages and storage facilities… (EPA, May 2018)

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READ: Emergency Management Accomplishments Report

READ: Emergency Management Accomplishments Report

(2 RC) - This report details major response and removal actions from October 1, 2021, to September 30, 2022, and outlines regulatory actions to protect community health through chemical accident and oil spill prevention and preparedness. It features science-based solutions that EPA utilizes during all phases of crisis and consequence management… (EPA, Sept 2022)

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READ: Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine

READ: Tick-Borne Encephalitis Vaccine

(1 RC) - TBE virus is primarily transmitted to humans by the bites of infected Ixodes sp. ticks but can also be acquired less frequently by alimentary transmission. Other rare modes of transmission include through breastfeeding, blood transfusion, solid organ transplantation, and slaughtering of viremic animals. Nymphs and adult ticks are believed to be responsible for causing most human infections… (CDC, Nov 2023)

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READ: Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Anthrax, 2023

READ: Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Anthrax, 2023

(1 RC) - Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by infection with Bacillus anthracis and still occurs in agricultural regions of the Americas, sub-Saharan Africa, central and southwestern Asia, and southern and eastern Europe. Sheep, goats, cattle, and other herbivores are primarily affected. Humans are secondarily infected through contact with infected animals, contaminated animal products… (CDC, Nov 2023)

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READ: WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines Chapter 6

READ: WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines Chapter 6

(1 RC) - The WHO air quality guidelines set goals for protecting public health on a worldwide scale. They were established through a rigorous process of revision and evaluation of scientific evidence on the health effects of air pollutants and, like other WHO guidelines, are not legally binding recommendations… (WHO Global AQG, 2021)

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READ: WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines Chapter 3

READ: WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines Chapter 3

(4 RC) - The WHO air quality guidelines set goals for protecting public health on a worldwide scale. They were established through a rigorous process of revision and evaluation of scientific evidence on the health effects of air pollutants and, like other WHO guidelines, are not legally binding recommendations … (WHO Global AQG, 2021)

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READ: NIOSH Standard: Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Pentanedione - Toxicology

READ: NIOSH Standard: Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Pentanedione - Toxicology

(2 RC) - Diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione have a long history as components of food, suggesting that exposures can occur in diverse work-places. They occur as natural products in many foods. Diacetyl imparts the flavor and aroma of butter to many common foods and drinks including butter, cheese, yogurt, beer, and wine… (NIOSH Standard, Oct 2016)

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READ: NIOSH Standard: Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Pentanedione - Risk Assessment

READ: NIOSH Standard: Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Pentanedione - Risk Assessment

(3 RC) - The goal of this chapter is first to present a numerical estimate of the risk of developing respiratory disease due to occupational exposure to diacetyl using standard epidemiological methods. This estimate is based on statistical models that describe the relationship between exposure to diacetyl and the development of impaired lung function in a known population of exposed employees… (NIOSH Standard, Oct 2016)

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READ: NIOSH Standard: Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Pentanedione - Hazard Prevention

READ: NIOSH Standard: Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Pentanedione - Hazard Prevention

(4 RC) - Work practices are procedures followed by employers and employees to control hazards in the workplace. The use of good work practices, incorporated into the facility’s standard operating procedures, can help reduce exposures to diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and other flavoring compounds while at the same time maximizing efficiency and product quality… (NIOSH Standard, Oct 2016)

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READ: NIOSH Standard: Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Pentanedione - Exposure Monitoring

READ: NIOSH Standard: Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Pentanedione - Exposure Monitoring

(.50 RC) - Employers should develop and implement comprehensive occupational safety and health programs to prevent occupational injuries, illnesses, and deaths. To be successful, safety and health programs should be developed and implemented as part of an employers management system, with strong management commitment, employee involvement, and occupational safety and health expertise. A safety and health program designed to protect employees from the adverse effects of exposure to diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and other flavoring compounds… (NIOSH Standard, Oct 2016)

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READ: NIOSH HHE Autobody Repair Shop

READ: NIOSH HHE Autobody Repair Shop

(2 RC) - NIOSH received a request for help in assessing worker exposure to isocyanates during spray painting of automobiles. An autobody repair shop whose other concerns for worker exposure included solvents, total dusts, noise, carbon monoxide, and metals. An initial survey was conducted in September 1995 and an interim report was issued in January 1996. To assess effects of seasonal variation… (NIOSH, June 1995)

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