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NIOSH Programs > Manufacturing > NIOSH Research Projects
ManufacturingActivities: NIOSH Research ProjectsMechanisms of Repetitive Strain Injury in an Aging ModelThis multi-year program will investigate the underlying pathogenic, biomechanical, and physiological processes associated with musculoskeletal disorders and age. Performance measures will be correlated with histological and biochemical analyses. These findings will help elucidate the adaptive and pathological mechanisms of repetitive motion injuries and will support the development of specific guidelines for repetitive movements in the workplace. Project contact: Robert Cutlip Molecular Mechanisms of Cadmium CarcinogenesisCadmium, an established human carcinogen, is an important metal for industrial uses. A large number of workers are potentially exposed to cadmium. Exposure to cadmium is known to cause cancer. Therefore, it is necessary to protect the workers who are exposed to cadmium from its carcinogenic effects. The goal of this project is to investigate the mechanisms of cadmium carcinogenesis using appropriate experimental models. Using modern molecular biology techniques, the expression profile of genes responsible for cadmium carcinogenesis and the associated pathways and networks will be studied in cells and in experimental animals exposed to cadmium. The data obtained from these studies will be used to develop biomarkers for exposure to cadmium and the resulting carcinogenesis as well as to develop preventive strategies against cadmium carcinogenesis. Project contact: Pius Joseph Reproductive Toxicity of Occupational ChemicalsOccupational exposure to some chemicals may contribute to adverse reproductive outcomes. Using a pesticide, methoxychlor, and its reported active metabolite, these proposed studies will evaluate how methoxychlor inhibits testosterone production by rat testicular Leydig cells. In addition, the effects of methoxychlor on estrogen biosynthesis by granulosa cells of ovarian follicles and progesterone biosynthesis by corpora lutea will be studied. Exposure to environmental/occupational chemicals, such as those used in agriculture (also referred to as endocrine disruptors), may disrupt the normal reproductive effects regulated by these endogenous hormones. This project will elucidate the mechanisms of action of the pesticide methoxychlor. This mechanistic information should assist hazard identification of selected chemicals used in the agricultural setting and be useful in control banding efforts. Project contact: Eisuke Murono Pulmonary Effects of Exposure to Various NanoparticlesThe purpose of this project is to evaluate several different types of nanoparticles for toxicity in both the conducting airways and alveolar region of the lung, and to understand their mechanisms of toxicity. The data obtained will contribute to the development of a toxicological database necessary for hazard identification and will contribute to the NIOSH Nanotechnology and Health and Safety Research Program, and will provide data to NIOSH, OSHA, and the EPA for nanoparticle exposure risk assessment and prevention. Project contact: Assessing the Utility of Control Banding in the United StatesThrough national and global partnerships, this project will provide guidance for control banding, a simplified strategy for applying risk assessment and control technology concepts to occupational exposures in small businesses. This project will evaluate the effectiveness this approach and determine obstacles to implementation. Adapting existing models, the project will consider applications for NIOSH priority areas of ergonomics, dermal exposures, and traumatic injuries. Project contact: Thomas Lentz Criteria Document and Concise International Chemical Assessment Document: Refractory Ceramic FibersA criteria document will be developed characterizing occupational exposure to refractory ceramic fibers (RCFs). The document will describe inhalation toxicology and epidemiologic studies of RCF, exposure data, and risk modeling. Recommendations will include appropriate engineering controls, respiratory protection, and an occupational exposure limit. A CICAD on RCFs will also be developed in partnership with the World Health Organization. Project contact: Thomas Lentz Nanotechnology Information DisseminationNanotechnology is a rapidly developing area that has the potential to influence a large number of industrial processes and products in the Manufacturing sector in the United States . Applications for nanomaterials have already been developed and introduced in a number of product areas. Some of the greatest potential has been described in the areas of electronics, semiconductors, medical imaging, sensing, and composite materials. Many areas of uncertainty exist regarding the occupational and environmental safety and health of nanomaterials. Worker exposure to nanomaterials represents the highest potential human exposure. This project will develop communication products such as web pages, NIOSH numbered documents, technical publications and presentations, to communicate and disseminate the most current research results and recommendations on the safety and health issues involved in nanotechnology. NIOSH will develop key stakeholder partnerships in the Manufacturing sector to effectively disseminate the products of this project. Project contact: Charles Geraci Improving Engineering Controls for Exothermic ProcessesThe goals of the proposed research study address the need for effective and efficient control technologies for exothermic processes. The study uses a two phase design in the assessment and development of improved controls for these processes. This research will use established and new technologies to investigate the empirical models currently used, study alternatives to these models, and validate operational parameters such as exhaust flow and hood placement to ensure worker protection and efficient operation. An r2p aspect is integral to the proposed project design. This effort will include conducting a cost benefit analysis and a determination of the impact to worker health and safety from implementing proposed control modifications. Additionally, results will potentially affect changes to the primary guide used to design exothermic processes controls throughout the United States. Project Contact: John McKernan Bromopropanes: Exposure Assessment of General IndustryThe primary focus of this study is to characterize occupational exposures to 1-BP throughout industry. The study consists of plant surveys, company records, audits, industrial hygiene assessments and biomarker measurement feasibility evaluations using air sampling, exhaled breath monitoring, and urinary metabolites. Nine surveys were conducted in this study encompassing a variety of industries to comprehensively evaluate 1-BP use in industry and to collect data with a spectrum of exposure levels. Project Contact: Kevin Hanley Lung Cancer Case-Control Study at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNS)This nested case-control study examines the relationships between lung cancer mortality and external ionizing radiation exposures. Additional data has been collected for potential confounders and effect modifiers such as asbestos and welding fume exposures and smoking. The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard located in Kittery , Maine is a large industrial complex. It employs civilian workers from a variety of trades such as welding, insulating, pipefitting, painting, engineering, rigging, steel fabrication, electrical, and machining. Since the late 1950's, the primary purpose of the PNS has been to overhaul and repair United States Navy diesel and nuclear powered submarines. Nuclear work at the shipyard is unique among occupational cohorts because the exposures were essentially all gamma and X-ray with virtually no neutron and very little internal exposures. Project Contact: Sharon Silver Beryllium Disease Surveillance/ResearchChronic beryllium disease is a lung disease that occurs in workers who become sensitized to the metal in metal fabrication, the nuclear industry, dental laboratory work, and electronics applications, among others. This research is focused on understanding key risk factors predicting beryllium-related health outcomes so that preventive strategies can e implemented and evaluated. This work contributes to prevention of beryllium disease by showing which beryllium work environments are hazardous, which preventive measures work, and ways to prevent beryllium disease in all workers, regardless of genetic characteristics. Project Contact: Christine Schuler Longitudinal Surveillance/Beryllium Disease PreventionChronic beryllium disease is a lung disease that occurs in workers who become sensitized to the metal in metal fabrication, the nuclear industry, dental laboratory work, and electronics applications, among others. This research is focused on understanding key risk factors predicting beryllium-related health outcomes so that preventive strategies can be implemented and evaluated. This work contributes to prevention of beryllium disease by showing which beryllium work environments are hazardous, which preventive measures work, and ways to prevent beryllium disease in all workers, regardless of genetic characteristics. Project Contact: Christine Schuler Flock Workers' Lung Disease PreventionThis project will test the effectiveness of a prototype cleaning system as a practical alternative to the existing use of compressed air as the primary method for cleaning particulate debris from equipment and work surfaces in the flock industry. The proposed method is expected to decrease exposures to airborne dust in the workplace and ultimately contribute to the reduction of the burden of flock workers' lung. Project Contact: Chris Piacitelli Control of Styrene Exposure in Boat ManufacturingThe long-term goals of this project are to reduce worker exposures to styrene by providing data to support the development of the closed-mold process, to determine if the engineering controls applied in the open mold plants are adequate, and to develop a set of recommendations to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of control measures. This study will be conducted in phases. The results will likely impact most of the boat manufacturing industries across the United States that emit or can potentially emit 10 tons per year (TPY) of styrene or 25 TPY of combined hazardous air pollutants (HAP) from the list introduced above. Project Contact: Rebecca Valladares Hearing Loss Boat ManufacturingThis project will evaluate the risk of hearing loss among styrene-exposed workers in the boat manufacturing industry, by measuring noise and styrene exposures, measuring biological markers of styrene in exhaled air, and analyzing audiometric databases from the studied workers longitudinally. At the conclusion of this project NIOSH will be able to propose alternatives to deal with the observed risk factors. Project Contact: Thais Morata Hearing Loss Prevention for Shipyard WorkersThe overall goal of this study is to eliminate the extremely high prevalence of hearing loss currently occurring among workers engaged in the shipbuilding and repair industry. This is an intervention effectiveness study in which a program evaluation of existing hearing conservation programs will be conducted. NIOSH will use previously validated methods to perform a systematic and extensive evaluation of the hearing loss prevention programs currently serving these workers. Recommendations for program improvement will be made, new interventions monitored, and program changes will be evaluated for efficacy in eliminating new hearing losses. Project Contact: Mark Stephenson Automobile Ultrafine InterventionUltrafine particles are generated in a variety of processes, including furnace and internal combustion engine operations, and metal processing, such as welding, cutting and spraying. Many of the processes generate toxic ultrafine metals such as manganese, lead, magnesium, zinc, cadmium, etc. Automotive production plants utilize these metals, involving many of these processes. In recent years, U.S. auto manufacturers and the United Auto Workers have become concerned about exposure to ultrafine particles. Worker exposures to these particles often go unrecognized because traditional industrial hygiene air sampling methods focus on mass rather than number. In this project, we will develop recommendations for control of ultrafine exposures, which requires an understanding of both the specific particle characteristics associated with health effects, and the efficacy of control technologies with respect to these characteristics. Project Contact: Douglas Evans Validation of Ergonomic Design Criteria for Hand ToolsThe purpose of this project will be 1) to investigate the effects of handle design characteristics on the physical stresses associated with hand tool use, and 2) to validate a method to enable construction workers and tradespersons to assess the ergonomic quality of a hand tool design. The results of these studies will be applied to refine guidelines that have been recognized and incorporated in the hand tool evaluation and selection checklist developed by this project team. The dissemination of these guidelines throughout the work force is expected to reduce the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders precipitated by the use of poorly designed hand tools, with particular emphasis on tools used in construction trades. Project Contact: Brian Lowe |
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NIOSH Program:Manufacturing |
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