Obliterative bronchiolitis, an irreversible form of lung disease in which the smallest airways in the lung (the bronchioles) become scarred and constricted, blocking the movement of air, was previously identified in flavoring manufacturing workers and microwave popcorn workers who were occupationally exposed to diacetyl (2,3-butanedione) or butter flavorings containing diacetyl. Now, NIOSH research finds that workers at coffee processing facilities may also be at risk.
Samsung Electronics has struck a partial deal on higher workplace safety with an organization representing sickened employees and their families. The move came a decade after a worker died from exposure to carcinogens.
In 1981, a worker at the Maxwell House coffee factory in Houston died from what was reported at the time to be "bronchial asthma." She was 46, a mother of three. In 1982, another worker at the plant died — from the same thing.
The National Safety Council applauds lawmakers for reauthorizing the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, also known as the World Trade Center Health Program, and including it in the omnibus appropriations bill. Continuing to fund the program ensures that the men and women who responded to the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, D.C. and Shanksville, Penn., on Sept. 11, 2001, receive the care and medical coverage they deserve.
Responding to a complaint of unsafe working conditions, OSHA inspectors observed employees at an Illinois metal fabricating shop over-exposed to noise and dust hazards while manually powder coating metal products in two of the company’s paint booths.
In a new publication from the ETUI, an international expert in occupational health calls on the EU to be at the forefront of a global campaign for the elimination of occupational cancers.
OSHA’s Chicago North Area Office cited a contractor and subcontractor for exposing workers to asbestos hazards while replacing a commercial roof in Chicago.
In the United States, about 82,000 chemicals are available to use, often in the workplace. Since little is known about the harmful effects of these chemicals—either alone, or combination—research is needed to determine safe chemical exposure levels for workers.
A recent Swiss survey of the working population shows that in 2013 over one million people suffered damage to their health due to their occupational activity. Eleven per cent of those questioned reported suffering from a health problem linked to their work (750 000 people) and 6 percent had been the victim of a workplace accident (316 000 people).
OSHA has proposed to reduce the occupational health exposure to crystalline silica dust due to the evidence of risk of lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney disease.
