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Reported Exposure (reported + exposure)
Selected AbstractsExposure to hazardous workplace noise and use of hearing protection devices among US workers,NHANES, 1999,2004,,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2009SangWoo Tak ScD Abstract Background To estimate the prevalence of workplace noise exposure and use of hearing protection devices (HPDs) at noisy work, NIOSH analyzed 1999,2004 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Methods A total of 9,275 currently employed workers aged ,16 years were included in the weighted analysis. Hazardous workplace noise exposure was defined as self-reported exposure to noise at their current job that was so loud that the respondent had to speak in a raised voice to be heard. Industry and occupation were determined based on the respondent's current place and type of work. Results Twenty-two million US workers (17%) reported exposure to hazardous workplace noise. The weighted prevalence of workplace noise exposure was highest for mining (76%, SE,=,7.0) followed by lumber/wood product manufacturing (55%, SE,=,2.5). High-risk occupations included repair and maintenance, motor vehicle operators, and construction trades. Overall, 34% of the estimated 22 million US workers reporting hazardous workplace exposure reported non-use of HPDs. The proportion of noise-exposed workers who reported non-use of HPDs was highest for healthcare and social services (73.7%, SE,=,8.1), followed by educational services (55.5%). Discussion Hearing loss prevention and intervention programs should be targeted at those industries and occupations identified to have a high prevalence of workplace noise exposure and those industries with the highest proportion of noise-exposed workers who reported non-use of HPDs. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:358,371, 2009. Published 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Beat the Heat: don't forget your drink , a brief public education programAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 4 2010Tracey Oakman Abstract Background: The Beat the Heat: don't forget your drink program was initiated to enable the general public to recognise and manage heat stress. It was accompanied by a telephone survey to assess program reach and knowledge and behaviours of the general public in managing heat stress. Methods: The program was implemented in the Riverina-Murray region of New South Wales, in the summer of 2008/09, through radio and television sound bytes, newspaper announcements, distribution of posters and brochures, and public talks. Computer Assisted Telephone Interviews were conducted with 328 randomly selected participants from across the region. Results: Sixty-three per cent of participants reported hearing heat health warnings and 53% changed their heat management strategies, although only 25% recalled the program slogan. On average, participants self-rated their understanding of managing heat health at 7.9 on a 10 point scale. More than 75% of participants said they would recognise the symptoms of heat stress. Most reported exposure to heat and health information from television, radio and newspapers rather than from posters, brochures and talks. Those at greatest risk included people who worked or exercised outdoors, men and those taking medication. Conclusions: Television, radio and newspapers were successful media for the program. Knowledge and responses of the general public to heat risks were well developed, with several exceptions , people taking medications, or working or playing sports outdoors, as well as tourists and men. These exceptions should be targeted in future programs. [source] Occupational skin exposure to water: a population-based studyBRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2009I. Anveden Berglind Summary Background, Occupational exposure to skin irritants, in particular to water, is an important risk factor for hand eczema. Objectives, To assess occupational skin exposure to water in the general population. Methods, As part of a public health survey in Stockholm, Sweden, 18 267 gainfully employed individuals aged 18,64 years completed a questionnaire with previously validated questions regarding occupational skin exposure to water. Results, Altogether 16% reported exposure to water for ½ h or more a day, and 13% reported exposure to water more than 10 times a day. Furthermore, 7% reported water exposure of more than 2 h and 6% of more than 20 times a day. Women reported more water exposure than men and many female-dominated occupations were seen to comprise water exposure. Women were also more exposed than men within the same jobs. Young adults were more exposed than older. A total of 18% were employed in high-risk occupations for hand eczema. Fifty-nine per cent of individuals employed in high-risk occupations reported water exposure at work, compared with 11% in low-risk occupations. Conclusions, A total of 20% of the population of working age acknowledged occupational skin exposure to water, which was found to be more common in young adults and women. Using job title as a proxy for water exposure gives an underestimation due to misclassification. In assessing occupational skin exposure to water, both exposure time and frequency should be considered. [source] National surveillance of herbal dietary supplement exposures: the poison control center experience,PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 9 2007Brian M. Gryzlak MA Abstract Purpose The purpose of this report is to characterize reports to poison control centers (PCCs) involving two widely used herbal dietary supplements (HDSs), Echinacea, and St. John's wort (SJW). Methods We purchased data from the American Association of Poison Control Center's (AAPCC) toxic exposure surveillance system (TESS®) on reports made to PCCs in 2001 involving Echinacea or SJW. Analyses were limited to those cases in which Echinacea or SJW were the only associated products, and in which these HDSs were deemed primary to observed adverse effects. Descriptive statistics were generated for selected demographic and exposure-related variables. Results During 2001, PCCs were contacted regarding 406 exposures involving Echinacea and 356 exposures involving SJW. Most of the reported exposures for both HDSs occurred among children 5 years and younger, and the majority of exposures were coded as unintentional. For both HDSs, exposures among patients ,20 years old were more likely to be associated with adverse effects. Intentional exposures accounted for 21% of SJW cases and 3% of Echinacea cases, with 13% of SJW exposures reported as ,suspected suicidal'. Conclusions TESS® represents a potentially important means of assessing and characterizing HDS-related adverse effects. Detailed studies validating the clinical events and outcomes of a sample of exposures reported to TESS® might offer substantial insights into adverse events (AEs) that could be systematically studied with other, established pharmacoepidemiological study designs. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Impact of implementing the washington state ergonomics rule on employer reported risk factors and hazard reduction activityAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2009Michael Foley MA Abstract Background In Washington State an ergonomics rule was adopted in 2000 that focused on primary prevention. The implementation process followed a 6-year phase-in schedule where employers came into compliance based upon their size and industry. In late 2003 the rule was repealed by an industry-funded voter initiative. Evaluating the implementation of this rule offers a unique opportunity to observe the general deterrent effect of a new public health regulation and to study how employers and workers responded to new requirements. Methods Weighted survey regression methods were used to analyze the results from three employer surveys covering more than 5,000 workplaces administered in 2001, 2003, and 2005. These were compared to a baseline employer survey conducted in 1998 before the rule was promulgated. Questions covered the following topics: WMSDs experienced at the workplace; levels of employee exposure to musculoskeletal hazards; steps being taken, if any, to address these hazards; results of these steps; and sources of ergonomic information/assistance used. Results From 1998 to 2003 there was a reduction in reported exposures among workplaces in the highest hazard industries. Following the rule's repeal, however, hazard exposures increased. While more workplaces reported taking steps to reduce exposures between 1998 and 2001, this gain was reversed in 2003 and 2005. Employers who took steps reported positive results in injury and absenteeism reduction. Large workplaces in the high hazard industries were more active in taking steps and used a wide variety of resources to address ergonomics issues. Small employers relied more on trade associations and the state. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:1,16, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Safety and Immunogenicity of Varicella-Zoster Virus Vaccine in Pediatric Liver and Intestine Transplant RecipientsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 3 2006A. Weinberg Primary varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infections following organ transplantation may cause significant morbidity. We examined the safety and immunogenicity of Varivax® after transplantation as a potential prophylactic tool. Pediatric liver and intestine transplant recipients without history of chickenpox received one dose of Varivax®. VZV humoral and cellular immunity were assessed before and ,12 weeks after vaccination. Adverse events (AE) and management of exposure to wild type VZV were monitored. Sixteen VZV-naïve subjects, 13,76 months of age, at 257,2045 days after transplantation were immunized. Five children developed mild local AE of short duration. Four subjects developed fever and four developed non-injection site rashes, three of whom received acyclovir. Liver enzymes did not increase during the month after vaccination. Eighty-seven percent and 86% of children developed humoral and cellular immunity, respectively. There were five reported exposures to varicella in four children, none of which resulted in chickenpox. One subject received VZV-immunoglobulin and another subject with liver enzyme elevations after exposure received acyclovir; all remained asymptomatic. Varivax® was safe and immunogenic in pediatric liver and intestine transplant recipients. Larger studies are needed to establish the efficacy and role of varicella vaccination after transplantation. [source] | ||||||||||