Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities
Activities: NIOSH Research Projects
All Modes of Transportation
Exposure Assessments and Controls for Security Equipment
This project will study the potential ionizing radiation exposure to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel and other workers involved with security screening equipment that is used to combat terrorism and ensure safe travel and commerce. We will use innovative, automated measurement equipment to obtain accurate exposure assessment data for this study. If appropriate, improved work practices and engineering controls will be recommended.
Project contact: Joseph Bowman
Division of Applied Research and Technology
(513) 533-8462
Project period: 2006-2008
AIR TRANSPORTATION
Flight Crew Studies
The purpose of this project is to evaluate the health effects of work as a flight crew member. Workplace exposures that may contribute to adverse health outcomes include cosmic ionizing radiation and alterations of circadian rhythm. Several studies are underway to examine the risk of adverse reproductive health outcomes, cancer, and mortality. These studies will provide useful health information to 198,000 flight crew members as well as to frequent fliers, shift workers, and workers exposed to ionizing radiation.
Project contact: Barbara Grajewski
Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies
(513) 841-4428
Project period: 1991-2007
Breast Cancer Incidence among Former Pan Am Flight Attendants
This cancer incidence study of approximately 10,000 former Pan American World Airways flight attendants will determine whether female flight attendants are at increased risk of breast and other cancers. Exposures that may affect breast cancer risk in flight attendants include cosmic radiation and circadian rhythm disruption from traveling across multiple time zones. If the findings indicate that health effects result from these exposures, interventions, guidelines, or regulations may be implemented to reduce these exposures.
Project contact: Lynne Pinkerton
Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies
(513) 841-4428
Project period: 1998-2007
Aviation Safety in Alaska
This project on aviation safety in Alaska was designed to reduce the number of work-related aircraft crash injuries and fatalities in Alaska . This goal is reached by (1) collaborating with industry to improve our collective knowledge of aviation hazards and (2) planning together for safe flying in Alaska . The hypothesis is that staff from the NIOSH Alaska Field Station (AFS), in cooperation with other regulatory and industry groups, can reduce the number of work-related aircraft crash injuries in Alaska by
- studying the problem scientifically,
- focusing on the worst problems, and
- building consensus for change and evaluation interventions for success.
The goal is to reduce occupational aircraft crash injuries and fatalities by 50% by the end of 2009.
Project contact: Nicolle Mode
Alaska Field Station
(907) 271-2382
Project period: 1999-2010
Aircraft Cabin Airflows
This project studies the movement of air and particulates inside commercial aircraft cabins. The intent is to relate air-flow patterns with the movement of potentially disease- causing particles. We will use both computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and experimental techniques to conduct this study. The results will provide a better understanding of air movement within commercial aircraft cabins and disease transmission. Most previous studies have focused solely on traditional air quality parameters in aircraft cabins. However, documented cases of likely disease transmission during commercial flights have raised interest about this issue. Congress has specifically mandated the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to study this issue with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a partner.
Project contact: Jennifer Topmiller
Division of Applied Research and Technology
(513) 533-8462
Project period: 2004-2010
ROADWAY TRANSPORTATION
NIOSH Transportation Initiative
This project supports the NIOSH Transportation Initiative, which coordinates NIOSH-wide activities aimed at reducing motor vehicle crashes (the leading cause of traumatic occupational fatalities) and improving the safety and health of workers in the transportation industry. Major objectives for FY07 are to: (1) sustain collaborations with partners in the transportation research community; (2) advance collaborations with international partners in the area of global road safety; (3) conduct strategic planning and maintain Web resources for the NIOSH program in the Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (TWU) sector; and (4) coordinate NIOSH research related to truck driver safety and health.
Project contact: Stephanie Pratt
Division of Safety Research
(304) 285-5894
Project period: Continuing
Pulmonary Toxicity of Diesel Exhaust Particles
This project investigates the relationship of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) to cancer and other respiratory diseases. Exposure to DEP has been shown to induce lung cancer and enhance the development of other respiratory diseases. Recent studies showed that this mixed exposure (carbon particulate plus organic components) may induce lung toxicity through generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). An animal model is used to characterize DEP-induced DNA damage/genotoxicity and changes in cellular responses due to oxidative stress. The outcome should establish cellular mechanisms critical to understanding the health effects of DEP and aiding in risk assessment.
Project contact: Jane Ma
Health Effects Laboratory Division
(304) 285-6121
Project period: 2003-2007
Mortality among Independent Owner-Operator Truck Drivers
Research suggests truck drivers may experience excess mortality from certain illnesses. NIOSH will calculate standardized mortality ratios, which will allow comparison of truck drivers' death rates from specific causes to those of the general population.
Project contact: Toni Alterman, Ph.D.
Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies
(513) 841-4428
Project period: 2004-2008
Work Organization Influence on Fatigue in Truck Drivers
This study will examine the influence of organizational and industry factors (such as scheduling practices, economic pressure, competition, and types of freight), on fatigue and safety in commercial truck drivers.
Project contact: Edward M. (Ted) Hitchcock
Division of Applied Research and Technology
(513) 533-8462
Project period: 2004-2008
Promoting Global Initiatives for Occupational Road Safety
The goal of this project is to demonstrate the injury reduction and economic benefit of workplace initiatives to prevent road traffic injuries among workers in the U.S. and globally, so that these approaches will be incorporated into ongoing global road safety initiatives. To achieve these goals, the project will develop an electronic library of road safety “best practices”; a “best practices” white paper; a Global Occupational Road Safety Conference; a network of occupational road safety partners; and a NIOSH document on “international best practices.”
Project contact: Jane Hingston
NIOSH Office of the Director
(202) 245-0673
Project period: 2007-2009
Silent 911 Dialer
This project will develop a low-cost wireless dialer for the taxi industry that will enable drivers to inform a central location of their emergency status when they face the danger of assault or robbery. The device will allow a driver to silently click an emergency button to dial an emergency number and send a predefined message. The phone call will also trigger the built-in assisted GPS and/or an external visual alarm. In less dangerous situations, the driver can click a warning button to silently alert a colleague or family member. The widespread use of this low-cost device will eventually reduce occupational assault and homicide rates in the taxi services industry.
Project contact: Shengke Zeng
Division of Safety Research
(304) 285-5894
Project period: 2006-2008
Survey of Truck Driver Injury and Health
This collaboration between four NIOSH divisions and numerous partners is a national survey of long-haul truck drivers at truck stops and other venues as appropriate. Truck drivers will be asked to complete a “core” questionnaire that will collect basic information on demographics, employment history, health, lifestyle, and injury. Supplementary modules will collect more detailed information on health and wellness, occupational injuries, fatigue, and sleep disorders.
Project contract: Karl Sieber, Ph.D.
Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies
(513) 841-4428
Project period: 2007-2010
NIOSH Truck Driver Anthropometric and Workspace Survey
This survey project will establish an anthropometric and workspace database for U.S. truck drivers. These data are urgently needed, as anthropometric data for truck drivers have not been updated for a quarter century. The database will be used to upgrade and develop standards for designing ergonomically efficient truck cabs. Ergonomic cabs will help enhance safe operation, increase post-crash survivability, and reduce truck drivers’ exposure to non-fatal injuries, such as sprains and strains, falls, and contusions.
Project contact: Jinhua Guan, Ph.D.
Division of Safety Research
(304) 285-5894
Project period: 2007-2010
WATER TRANSPORTATION
Control of Carbon Monoxide on Houseboats and Marine Vessels
This ongoing project evaluates and recommends effective engineering controls to reduce carbon monoxide poisonings on houseboats and other marine vessels. Numerous field evaluations have been conducted for controls that hold great promise in preventing carbon monoxide (CO) poisonings: (1) a generator exhaust stack that reroutes generator emissions above the upper deck of the houseboat, (2) fresh air exhaust on ski boats, and (3) cleaner burning engines that reduce CO before it exits the exhaust. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of various exhaust configurations and parameters is ongoing, and additional field surveys are planned.
Project contact: Alberto Garcia
Division of Applied Research and Technology
(513) 533-8462
Project period: 2001-2007
WAREHOUSING
Forklift Operators MSD
The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which forklift operators are at increased risk of back and neck pain from driving forklift vehicles backward for extended periods during the work shift. A cross-sectional epidemiological study design will compare neck and back disorder rates for forklift operators with those of an unexposed comparison group of production workers. The magnitude and duration of back and neck twisting will be measured, and back and neck disorder rates will be determined through a questionnaire. Findings from this study will provide the impetus for forklift manufacturers to develop improved forklift cab designs that allow the operator to drive the forklift without excessive trunk and neck twisting. The findings will also provide (1) justification for companies to purchase ergonomically designed forklift trucks and (2) incentives for forklift operators to request and use improved-design forklift trucks.
Project contact: Thomas Waters
Division of Applied Research and Technology
(513) 533-8462
Project period: 2005-2006
UTILITIES
Nonionizing Radiation Research
This project provides support for transitional research in nonionizing radiation-for example, disseminating results from prior studies or initiating pilot studies. Research topics include assessment of (1) occupational exposure to magnetic fields associated with electric power and electrical equipment, and (2) exposure to radio frequency fields and microwaves from telecommunications equipment, plastic heat sealers, and other workplace sources. Health risks of both acute and chronic exposures are studied to clarify health risks to workers and to improve methods for measuring and reducing exposure to such fields. A public information document on radio frequency fields is being written for workers and managers. Partnerships with industry, other Federal agencies, and other countries expand the scope of this research.
Project contact: Joseph Bowman
Division of Applied Research and Technology
(513) 533-8462
Project period: 2004-2008
