NIOSH eNews Web page

NIOSH Scientists Contribute to CDC Report on Mold Concerns After Katrina, Rita
Respirator use by remediation workers studied.

NIOSH Researchers Develop Interactive Web Page for Calculating Skin Permeation
Calculator measures chemical’s capacity to be absorbed through skin.

NIOSH Offers Training, Technical Assistance for Salvadoran Lead Evaluation
Collaborative effort evaluated occupational and community lead exposures associated with lead-acid battery manufacturing and recycling plant.

Public Meeting Set to Review Draft Titanium Dioxide Document
Public meeting on February 27 and public comment period open until March 31.

NIOSH to Hold Workshop on Economics at Upcoming Ergonomics Meeting
Workshop free for conference attendees.

NIOSH Announces RFA on Workplace Violence Prevention Research
RFA focuses on criminal intent and worker on worker violence.

Look for Us
Look for the NIOSH Exhibit Booth April 23-27 in Honolulu, HI.

Nanotechnology
AIHA schedules Nanotechnology Symposium for May conference.

r2p Corner
Decontaminating chemical protective clothing and equipment subject of new document from AIHA.

NORA
Expanded and redesigned NORA Web site offers new resources for Town Hall Meetings and the NORA Symposium.

News From Our Partners
Applications currently being accepted for Robert W. Campbell Award.

Communication Products
Fire Response Preparedness for Underground Mines (DHHS NIOSH Pub. No. 2006-105).

Recommendations for Protecting Laboratory, Field and Clinical Workers from West Nile Virus Exposure (DHHS NIOSH Pub. No. 2006-115).

Health Hazard Evaluation: Evaluation of Exposure to Chlorinated Hydrocarbons at a Magnesium Processing Plant

Upcoming Events
IFISH 3

Call for Abstracts: 1^st American Conference on Human Vibration

Work, Stress and Health 2006: Making a Difference in the Workplace

Call for Abstracts: 13^th Conference of the International Society for Respiratory Protection

2006 NORA Symposium: Research Makes a Difference

AIHce 2006 and VENT 2006

Word of the Month
skin permeability coefficient

 From the Director's Desk

Demonstrating strong evidence of program effectiveness is critical to the future of NIOSH. When asked if a given program is relevant to stakeholders’ needs, if it is scientifically strong, and if it produces results that will help to prevent work-related injury, illness, or death, we must be able to answer “yes.” One of the most valid and accepted methods of evaluating our research programs is through expert external review. At the request of NIOSH, the National Academies (NA) is beginning this review. The NA will assess program relevance and impact and provide advice on new areas of research for NIOSH to consider. In addition, the NA is challenged with determining the extent to which NIOSH research is responsible for changes in the workplace that reduce the risk of occupational injuries, illnesses, and death.

To achieve this external review, the NA has established a Framework Committee to oversee the review process. The Committee is chaired by David Wegman, M.D. of the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. We encourage you to review the committee’s framework for reviewing NIOSH research programs at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nas/framework1.html. The committee will meet on April 10-11, 2006 in Washington, DC. If you would like to participate in the meeting, please contact Amanda Roberts of the NA at aroberts@nas.edu.

Extending through Fiscal Year 2009, NIOSH will submit up to 15 of our Sector and Cross-Sector programs in the NIOSH Program Portfolio to the NA for independent evaluation. Separate NA review panels will be assembled for each of the programs. Programs currently under review include mining, hearing loss prevention, agriculture and respiratory disease. Updated information, including presentations and briefing documents, can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nas.

Submit your suggestions and questions regarding the review or your interest in participating in the review process online at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nas/feedback.html. If you are interested in volunteering to serve on the review panels, please contact Evan Douple at the NA, Edouple@nas.ed. We in NIOSH strongly encourage your interest and participation.

 NIOSH Scientists Contribute to CDC Report on Mold Concerns After Katrina, Rita

A Jan. 20, 2006, CDC report on health concerns associated with mold in water-damaged homes in New Orleans and surrounding areas after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita includes contributions by NIOSH scientists. The report was based on findings from sampling and surveys conducted by CDC at the request of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. It was published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and is available online at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5502a6.htm.

Based on survey results, the report recommended that public health interventions should emphasize the importance of safe mold remediation methods, and should ensure the availability of appropriate personal protective equipment. The report includes responses from remediation workers pertaining to the workers’ ability to identify the appropriate type of respirator for mold clean-up, the prevalence of respirator use, and for instances in which workers did not wear the appropriate type of respirator, the reasons for their not doing so.

 NIOSH Researchers Develop Interactive Web Page for Calculating Skin Permeation

Researchers Adam Fedorowicz and Fred Frasch of the NIOSH Health Effects Laboratory Division have developed a new interactive Web page that allows users, such as scientists evaluating potential risk of adverse effects from chemicals that may enter the body through the skin, to measure the capacity of a chemical to be absorbed through the skin http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/skin/skinpermcalc.html.

The Web page offers an interactive calculator that could be used by those wishing to obtain estimates of the skin permeability coefficient for a chemical of interest. In addition, the calculator contains a well-known data base of measured permeability coefficients. The user can easily compare the measured permeability of a specified chemical with the estimations from the three models.

The product represents the dissemination of research performed by the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Dermal Exposure Research Program to a larger audience. For additional information contact Fred Frasch at HFrasch@cdc.gov or Adam Fedorowicz at AFedorowicz@cdc.gov.

 NIOSH Offers Training, Technical Assistance for Salvadoran Lead Evaluation

A Ministry of Health of El Salvador staff member checks workers' personal air monitors during the Ministry's lead exposure assessment in Salvadoran battery recycling/manufacturing plant. Photo courtesy of Aaron Sussell.

NIOSH provided international training and technical assistance in December 2005 in support of an occupational and environmental health evaluation in El Salvador. The assistance helped Salvadoran health officials and company officials in evaluating potential occupational and community lead exposures associated with a lead-acid battery recycling and manufacturing plant. The NIOSH team consisting of Kevin Ashley, Manuel Rodriguez, and Aaron Sussell, offered training on the calibration and use of lead sampling devices and laboratory analytical equipment, provided equipment that enabled the Salvadoran colleagues to continue the public health evaluation, and observed their Salvadoran counterparts' technical performance in action. The assistance was provided in collaboration with the CDC Office of Global Health Central America Field Epidemiology Training Program (CA-FETP), and the Salvadoran Ministry of Health. The focus of CA-FETP is to build institutional capacity in the region for epidemiology and public health surveillance. The NIOSH assistance to this project was part of NIOSH's ongoing commitment of technical assistance to help build occupational safety and health capacities in other countries. In turn, the findings and insights from such partnerships often are useful in building similar capacities in small businesses in the U.S. For more information on the project, contact Manuel Rodriguez at MRodriguez1@cdc.gov.

 Public Meeting Set to Review Draft Titanium Dioxide Document

NIOSH will hold a public meeting February 27, 2006 at the NIOSH Cincinnati Taft Laboratory on the draft titanium dioxide Current Intelligence Bulletin. NIOSH is seeking information on current titanium dioxide research, strategies in use to control occupational exposure, workplaces and occupations where exposures can occur, and opportunities for future collaborative efforts. In addition to the public meeting, the public is invited to review and submit comments on the draft document online at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/preprint/tio2. The document will remain available for comment until March 31, 2006.

 NIOSH to Hold Workshop on Economics at Upcoming Ergonomics Meeting

NIOSH will sponsor “Modeling the Economics of Ergonomics” workshop following the 9^th Annual Applied Ergonomics Conference March 9, 2006 in Orlando, Florida. This two-hour post-conference workshop will provide an overview of various economic models available for estimating the costs and benefits associated with implementation of interventions to reduce risks of job-related musculoskeletal disorders. Specific information on data required to conduct an economic analysis and outputs available for decision making will be shared. The NIOSH presenters are Steve Hudock, Tapas Ray and Tom Waters. The workshop is free for those attending the conference. For more information on the workshop contact Steve Hudock at SHudock@cdc.gov. More information on the conference can be found at http://www.appliedergo.org/conference.

 NIOSH Announces RFA on Workplace Violence Prevention Research

The NIOSH Office of Extramural Programs announces a Request for Applications (RFA) on Workplace Violence Prevention Research. The Fiscal Year 2006 funds will support research grant applications to develop, implement, and validate intervention strategies designed to reduce the risks of violence in the workplace. This RFA will focus on the development and/or evaluation of interventions for workplace violence of Type I, Criminal Intent, and Type III, Worker on Worker. NIOSH intends to commit approximately $1 million to fund three to six new or competing continuation research grant awards. The RFA can be found at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-OH-06-004.html. Questions can be sent to Lee Husting at EHusting@cdc.gov.

 Look for Us

Look for the NIOSH Exhibit Booth at the Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. “Expanding the Power of Risk Management” Conference April 23-27 in Honolulu, HI. More information about the conference is available at http://www.rims.org.

 Nanotechnology

 r2p Corner

Decontaminating chemical protective clothing and equipment subject of new document from AIHA
Pengfei Gao, of the NIOSH National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, is the lead author of Guidelines for the Decontamination of Chemical Protective Clothing and Equipment, recently published by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). Dr. Gao is a member of AIHA’s Protective Clothing and Equipment Committee. The guidelines offer methodologies for decontaminating chemical protective clothing (CPC) and equipment, including the most current practices for regulatory compliance, decontamination work plans, waste management, hazard and risk assessments, CPC reuse, quality assurance, and training. Dr. Gao's participation provided a means for NIOSH's research and expertise on protective clothing and equipment to be incorporated into the guidelines. The views and policies expressed in the guidelines do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of NIOSH. Ordering information can be found on the AIHA Web site, http://www.aiha.org.

 NORA

Expanded and redesigned NORA Web site offers new resources for Town Hall Meetings and the NORA Symposium
Interested in attending a NORA Town Hall Meeting? Want to register for the NORA Symposium? The newly redesigned NORA Web site (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/) contains expanded resources to help you participate in these important events. Visit the Town Hall Page (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/townhall/) to view the most current schedule of meetings or download a brochure. Register for the NORA Symposium online (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/nora/symp06/) and take advantage of the March 1st early registration deadline. With over 200 abstracts submitted for the Symposium and nine more Town Hall Meetings yet to occur, this spring promises to be an exciting time for NORA. Stay tuned to the NORA Web site for all the information you need to be involved.

 News From Our Partners

 Communication Products

Fire Response Preparedness for Underground Mines
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2006-105 deals with the preparedness of miners to respond to underground fires. It is intended to aid the mining industry in understanding the various roles of emergency responders and the training techniques used to increase their skill levels. The report also presents a technology overview to assist in effective response to mine fires and can be found at /niosh/mining/pubs/pubreference/2006-105.htm.

Recommendations for Protecting Laboratory, Field and Clinical Workers from West Nile Virus Exposure
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2006-115 provides recommendations to employees and employers of laboratory, field and clinical workers for protection from West Nile Virus (WNV) exposure. Among the topics addressed are identifying which workers may be exposed to WNV, who is at risk, how to handle dead animals, how WNV affects pregnancy, and what to do if you suspect you may have been infected with WNV. The document can be accessed at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2006-115.

Health Hazard Evaluation: Evaluation of Exposure to Chlorinated Hydrocarbons at a Magnesium Processing Plant
NIOSH scientific investigators responded to a request from facility managers, union representatives and the Environmental Protection Agency for a technical assessment to determine the extent of exposure to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), chlorine (Cl2), and chlorinated hydrocarbons, including dibenzo-p-dioxins (dioxins), chlorinated dibenzofurans (furans), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), during the processing of magnesium at a plant. They found that workers at the plant had measurable levels of dioxins, furans, PCBs, and HCB in their blood. The levels, however, were lower than those associated with observable health problems. Chlorine and HCB levels in air exceeded OSHA standards and many workers’ hands and workplace surfaces had HCB on them. NIOSH investigators recommended engineering controls, and improvements in respiratory protection, housekeeping, and training. The full report is available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/2004-0169-2982.pdf.

 Upcoming Events

IFISH 3
The Third International Fishing Industry Safety and Health Conference (IFISH 3) will be held on February 1-4, 2006 in Chennai, India. IFISH 3 is for those interested in small-scale and commercial fishing safety and injury prevention and will include a stimulating program with keynote speakers, presentation of scientific papers and posters, and workshop. In addition, a thematic workshop on Tsunami will follow the conference on February 6-7, 2006. The conference is convened by the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Government Organization in collaboration with the NIOSH Alaska Field Station and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. More information on the conference can be found at http://www.ifish3.org.

Call for Abstracts: 1^st American Conference on Human Vibration
Abstracts are due by February 12, 2006 for the 1^st American Conference on Human Vibration to be held June 5-7, 2006 in Morgantown, WV. The conference will provide a unique opportunity for participants to exchange information on all aspects of human responses to hand-transmitted vibration and whole-body vibration. Questions regarding abstract submission can be sent to achv@cdc.gov or to Ren Dong at RDong@cdc.gov. Information on the conference can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/conferences/Vibration/.

Work, Stress and Health 2006: Making a Difference in the Workplace
NIOSH, the American Psychological Association, the National Institute of Justice of the U.S. Department of Justice, the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research of the U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Labor, will convene the sixth international conference on occupational stress and health, Work, Stress, and Health 2006: Making a Difference in the Workplace in Miami, Florida, March 2-4, 2006, at the Hyatt Regency Miami Hotel. The conference is designed to address the constantly changing nature of work, and the implications of these changes for the health, safety, and well-being of workers. In keeping with the conference theme of “making a difference in the workplace,” there will be a particular focus on the translation of research to practice and workplace programs, policies, practices, case experiences, and other efforts to prevent stress in today's workplace. More information about the conference can be found at: http://www.apa.org/pi/work/wsh2006.html.

Call for Abstracts: 13^th Conference of the International Society for Respiratory Protection
Abstracts are due March 31, 2006 for the 13^th Conference of the International Society for Respiratory Protection. The conference will be held August 27-September 1, 2006 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Topics for papers include respiratory protection for healthcare workers, emergency responders, and those in developing countries; updates on standards and regulations; emerging hazards and technologies; and fundamentals of respiratory protection. More information on the Call for Abstracts is available at http://www.isrp.com.au/isrpcom/callforpapers_toronto.htm or by contacting Ziqing Zhuang at ZZhuang1@cdc.gov. Additional information on the conference can be found at http://www.isrp.com/au.

2006 NORA Symposium: Research Makes a Difference
The National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Symposium 2006: Research Makes a Difference will be held on April 18-20, 2006 in Washington, D.C. Several hundred occupational safety and health researchers, stakeholders, and policymakers from the public and private sectors will convene to celebrate completion of the first decade of NORA, mark the 35^th anniversary of NIOSH, and inaugurate the new plan for the future of NORA. An important aspect of this conference will be scientific presentations addressing the original 21 NORA priorities and anticipating research areas for the next ten years. The symposium will be a unique forum for a broad cross-section of the occupational safety and health community to learn about the variety of research accomplishments stimulated or anticipated by NORA. For more information about the symposium, please visit the NORA Web site, http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/NORA, or e-mail the NORA coordinator at noracoordinator@cdc.gov.

AIHce 2006 and VENT 2006
The American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition (AIHce) and Ventilation 2006-the 8^th International Conference on Ventilation will be held concurrently May 13-18, 2006 in Chicago, IL. AIHce 2006 will feature weekend symposia on nanotechnology and infectious disease, late-breaking sessions on hurricane response and recovery, and expert panel sessions on nanotechnology, confined spaces and hexavalent chromium. Additionally, participants attending AIHce 2006 will have access to Ventilation 2006 at no additional cost. Ventilation 2006 will serve as a forum for exchanging latest developments in ventilation-related emission and exposure controls. NIOSH is a cosponsor of Ventilation 2006. More information on both conferences can be found at http://www.aiha.org/Content/CE/aihce/aihce.htm.

 Word of the Month

Skin permeation coefficient (k_p) is a measure of the conductance of skin to a particular chemical from a particular medium.