Last data update: Nov 04, 2024. (Total: 48056 publications since 2009)
Records 1-20 (of 20 Records) |
Query Trace: Hall NB[original query] |
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Women in coal mining-radiographic findings of women participants in the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program 1970-2022
Hall NB , Myers NT , Reynolds LE , Blackley DJ , Laney AS . J Womens Health (Larchmt) 2024 Objective: To describe the work experience and respiratory health of women coal miners in the United States using Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP) data. Methods: Analysis included CWHSP participants with self-reported sex of female between January 1, 1970, and December 31, 2022, and examined radiographic surveillance, demographics, and job history. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-certified physicians classified chest radiographs. Results: Among 8,182 women participants, most worked <10 years and a majority reported working in non-dusty jobs. Among 3,392 with ≥1 year of coal mining tenure, 18 (0.5%) had evidence of pneumoconiosis, with no cases of progressive massive fibrosis. Conclusion: Women coal miners participating in the CWSHP had short mining careers and low pneumoconiosis prevalence. Few worked in the most dusty jobs, indicating limited exposure to coal mine dust. This underscores the need to explore women's roles in mining, and for improved gender-specific employment reporting. Such changes can enhance health and work conditions for women in male-dominated industries. |
Acute occupational inhalation injuries-United States, 2011-2022
Myers NT , Dodd KE , Hale JM , Blackley DJ , Scott Laney A , Hall NB . Am J Ind Med 2024 BACKGROUND: Inhalation injuries due to acute occupational exposures to chemicals are preventable. National surveillance of acute inhalation exposures is limited. This study identified the most common acute inhalation exposure-related incidents by industry sector among US workers. METHODS: To characterize inhalation-related injuries and their exposures during April 2011-March 2022, state and federal records from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Occupational Safety and Health Information System (OIS) accident database were analyzed. Industry-specific injury, hospitalization, and fatality rates were calculated. RESULTS: The most frequent acute inhalation incidents investigated by OSHA were caused by inorganic gases (52.9%) such as carbon monoxide (CO) or acids, bases, and oxidizing chemical agents (12.9%) such as anhydrous ammonia. The largest number of fatal and nonfatal injuries were reported in the manufacturing (28.6%) and construction (17.2%) sectors. CONCLUSIONS: Workers were affected by acute inhalation exposures in most industries. Using this surveillance, employers can recognize frequently-occurring preventable acute inhalation exposures by industry, such as inorganic gases in the manufacturing sector, and implement prevention measures. Training of workers on exposure characteristics and limits, adverse health effects, and use of protective equipment by exposure agent can prevent inhalation injuries. |
Progressive massive fibrosis identified at federally funded black lung clinics in the US
Harris DA , Almberg KS , Blackley DJ , Cohen RA , Edwards C , Johnson B , Hall NB . JAMA 2024 This study of US Black Lung Clinics (established to treat coal miners) reports the prevalence of progressive massive fibrosis identified through June 2023. | eng |
Assessment of the respiratory health of working US coal miners since 2014-radiography, spirometry and symptom assessments
Hall NB , Reynolds L , Blackley DJ , Laney AS . J Occup Environ Med 2023 OBJECTIVE: To summarize Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP) findings since 2014, focusing on prevalence of radiographic pneumoconiosis and abnormal spirometry by region. METHODS: Analysis included the most recent CWHSP encounter for working miners during October 1, 2014-June 30, 2022. Central Appalachia consists of Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia. RESULTS: Pneumoconiosis prevalence was highest among underground miners, with 318 (6.2%) having radiographic evidence of disease. Central Appalachian miners were more likely to have evidence of pneumoconiosis (relative risk [RR] = 4.1 [3.4-5.0]) and abnormal spirometry (RR = 1.4 [1.2-1.6]) compared to all others. CONCLUSION: Central Appalachia is a hotspot for pneumoconiosis, as well as for other indicators of respiratory impairment in coal miners. Outreach for occupational respiratory health surveillance should focus on those areas most heavily affected, ensuring that miners are not hindered by perceived or actual barriers to this secondary intervention. |
Submission of mandatory respiratory health examinations among US coal miners participating in the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program
Hall NB , Reynolds L , Blackley DJ , Laney AS . Occup Environ Med 2023 80 (6) 327-332 BACKGROUND: Mandatory examination requirements for US coal miners newly entering the workforce have been in place since the 1969 Coal Act mandated chest radiographs and were updated to include spirometry with promulgation of the 2014 Mine Safety and Health Administration Dust Rule. Compliance with the mandatory respiratory screening series is described using data from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP). METHODS: Among all radiographic and spirometry submissions to the CWHSP during 30 June 1971-15 March 2022, new underground coal miners who began work in the industry after 30 June 1971, and new underground, surface miners and contractors who began work after new regulations were implemented 1 August 2014, were identified and included in analysis. RESULTS: Of the 115 093 unique miners who participated in the CWHSP and whose estimated entry into mining occurred during 30 June 1971-15 March 2019, 50 487 (43.9%) received their initial mandatory radiograph, and 15 452 (13.4%) submitted their initial and 3-year mandatory radiographs. Since new regulations were implemented, compliance with initial radiographs appeared to improve (80%) but compliance with 3-year radiographs remained low (11.6%). Compliance with spirometry testing was also low for initial (17.1%) and follow-up screenings (2.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of new coal miners eligible for health surveillance did not receive a baseline radiograph or spirometry test through the CWHSP even though coal mine operators are required by law to provide these. Ensuring coal miners' regular participation in health surveillance from early in their careers is an important way to monitor and protect their respiratory health. |
Low participation in a job transfer program designed to prevent progression of pneumoconiosis
Laney AS , Hall NB , Reynolds L , Blackley DJ , Weissman DN . Ann Am Thorac Soc 2023 20 (8) 1223-1224 The Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 and after it the Federal Mine Safety and Health | Act of 1977 provided periodic chest radiographs to underground coal miners at no cost to | themselves.[1] Since the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) was | established in 1971, it has administered this health surveillance through the Coal Workers’ | Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP). If a miner has radiographic evidence of pneumoconiosis, | an interstitial lung disease commonly known as black lung, they are afforded the legal right, | authorized under 30 Code of Federal Regulations Part 90, to work under a reduced dust | exposure standard through the use of engineering controls or job reassignment to a less dusty | working environment. After a miner receives confidential notification by NIOSH that they have | radiographic findings consistent with pneumoconiosis and are eligible for Part 90 | accommodations, they can exercise this option by informing the Mine Safety and Health | Administration (MSHA). Participation of eligible underground coal miners in exercising their | Part 90 rights has historically been low; during the period 1970–1989, participation was 23.2% | (2119/9138),[2] during the period 1986–2016 participation was 14.4% (509/3547),[3, 4] and in | the most recent time period, 2016–2022, participation among underground coal miners was | 22.5% (55/244). | MSHA administers and enforces Part 90 provisions and in 2014 published a final rul |
Increased odds of mortality from non-malignant respiratory disease and lung cancer are highest among US coal miners born after 1939
Almberg KS , Halldin CN , Friedman LS , Go LHT , Rose CS , Hall NB , Cohen RA . Occup Environ Med 2023 80 (3) 121-128 OBJECTIVES: Coal miners suffer increased mortality from non-malignant respiratory diseases (NMRD), including pneumoconioses and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, compared with the US population. We characterised mortality trends from NMRD, lung cancer and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) using data from the Federal Black Lung Program, National Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program and the National Death Index. METHODS: We compared mortality ORs (MORs) for NMRD, lung cancer and IHD in former US coal miners to US white males. MORs were computed for the study period 1979-2017 by birth cohort (<1920, 1920-1929, 1930-1939, ≥1940), with a subanalysis restricted to Central Appalachia. RESULTS: The study population totalled 235 550 deceased miners, aged >45 years. Odds of death from NMRD and lung cancer across all miner birth cohorts averaged twice those of US males. In Central Appalachia, MORs significantly increased across birth cohorts. There was an eightfold increase in odds of death from NMRD among miners born after 1940 (MOR(BC≥1940) 8.25; 95% CI 7.67 to 8.87). Miners with progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) were younger at death than those without PMF (74 vs 78 years; p<0.0001). We observed a pattern of reduced MORs from IHD in coal miners compared with national and regional counterparts. CONCLUSION: US coal miners have excess mortality from NMRD and lung cancer compared with total US and Appalachian populations. Mortality is highest in the most recent birth cohorts, perhaps reflecting increased rates of severe pneumoconiosis. |
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease mortality by industry and occupation - United States, 2020
Syamlal G , Kurth LM , Dodd KE , Blackley DJ , Hall NB , Mazurek JM . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022 71 (49) 1550-1554 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive lung disease, is characterized by long-term respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation (1). COPD accounts for most of the deaths from chronic lower respiratory diseases, the sixth leading cause of death in the United States in 2020.* Workplace exposures and tobacco smoking are risk factors for COPD; however, one in four workers with COPD have never smoked (2-4). To describe COPD mortality among U.S. residents aged 15 years categorized as ever-employed (i.e., with information on their usual industry and occupation), CDC analyzed the most recent 2020 multiple cause-of-death data() from 46 states and New York City.() Among 3,077,127 decedents, 316,023 (10.3%) had COPD() listed on the death certificate. The highest age-adjusted** COPD death rates per 100,000 ever-employed persons were for females (101.3), White persons (116.9), and non-Hispanic or Latino (non-Hispanic) persons (115.8). The highest proportionate mortality ratios (PMRs)() were for workers employed in the mining industry (1.3) and in food preparation and serving related occupations (1.3). Elevated COPD mortality among workers in certain industries and occupations underscores the importance of targeted interventions (e.g., reduction or elimination of COPD-associated risk factors, engineering controls, and workplace smoke-free policies) to prevent COPD from developing and to intervene before illness becomes symptomatic or severe. |
Postexposure progression of pneumoconiosis among former Appalachian coal miners
Hall NB , Blackley DJ , Markle T , Crum JB , Halldin CN , Laney AS . Am J Ind Med 2022 65 (12) 953-958 BACKGROUND: The prevalence of pneumoconiosis among working United States underground coal miners has been increasing for the past two decades, with the highest rates of disease observed among miners in the central Appalachian states of Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia. Surveillance for this disease in the United States focuses on working coal miners, who continue to be occupationally exposed to dust. This study examines the radiographic evidence for postexposure progression of pneumoconiosis in a population of former coal miners no longer occupationally exposed to coal mine dust who were seen at a community radiology clinic in eastern Kentucky. METHODS: Data were obtained and analyzed from clinical records of former coal miners who had a clinic encounter during January 1, 2017-August 1, 2019, a recorded final year of employment, and ≥2 postemployment digital chest radiographs. Radiographs were classified according to the International Labour Office guidelines by at least two B Readers. A final summary pneumoconiosis severity score (range, 0-13), accounting for both small and large opacities, was assigned to each chest radiograph. Progression was defined as an increase in severity score between a miner's radiographs over time. RESULTS: Data for 130 former coal miners were analyzed. All miners were male and most (n = 114, 88%) had worked primarily in Kentucky. Information on race/ethnicity was not available. The most common job types were roof bolters (n = 51, 39%) and continuous miner operators (n = 46, 35%). Forty-one (31.5%) miners had evidence of radiographic disease progression after leaving the workforce, with a median of 3.6 years between first and latest postretirement radiograph. A total of 80 (62%) miners had evidence of pneumoconiosis on their latest radiograph, and two-thirds (n = 53) of these were classified as progressive massive fibrosis (PMF), the most severe form of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Postexposure progression can occur in former coal miners, emphasizing the potential benefits of continued radiographic follow-up postemployment. In addition to participating in disease screening throughout their careers to detect pneumoconiosis early and facilitate intervention, radiographic follow-up of former coal miners can identify new or progressive radiographic findings even after workplace exposure to respirable coal mine dust ends. Identification of progressive pneumoconiosis in former miners has potential implications for clinical management and eligibility for disability compensation. |
Respiratory health of American Indian and Alaska Native coal miners participating in the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program, 2014-2019
Hall NB , Nye MJ , Blackley DJ , Scott Laney A , Mazurek JM , Halldin CN . Am J Ind Med 2022 65 (3) 162-165 BACKGROUND: In 2014, a federal rule reduced occupational exposure limits to coal mine dust and expanded medical surveillance eligibility beyond underground miners to surface and contract coal miners. This expansion may have provided an opportunity for more American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) coal miners to participate in screening, since many surface coal mines are located near AI/AN communities and may employ AI/AN miners. Therefore we sought to better understand the respiratory health of AI/AN coal miners by characterizing prevalence of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), progressive massive fibrosis (PMF), and abnormal lung function in this population. METHODS: Descriptive analysis of 1405 chest radiographs and 627 spirometry test results for AI/AN miners who participated in the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP) during 2014-2019 was conducted. RESULTS: Most AI/AN miners (0-25+ years of tenure) were western United States residents (82.3%) and active surface miners (76.9%) with no underground tenure. Among miners with at least 10 years of tenure, prevalence of CWP was 3.0%, and of PMF was 0.3%. Lung function abnormalities were seen in 9.0% with primarily restrictive patterns. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CWP, PMF, and lung function abnormality among active and former AI/AN coal miners was higher than seen in a larger CWHSP study of active western miners working primarily underground with 10+ years of tenure. Interventions that eliminate or control coal mine dust exposure, identify miners with CWP early, and limit respiratory disease progression and complications remain vital for eliminating the preventable adverse health effects of coal mining. Comprehensive demographic data on the coal mining workforce are needed to improve CWHSP participation assessment. |
Adoption of Strategies to Mitigate Transmission of COVID-19 During a Statewide Primary Election - Delaware, September 2020.
Leidman E , Hall NB , Kirby AE , Garcia-Williams AG , Aponte J , Yoder JS , Hong R , Albence A , Coronado F , Massetti GM . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020 69 (43) 1571-1575 Elections occurring during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have been affected by notable changes in the methods of voting, the number and type of polling locations, and in-person voting procedures (1). To mitigate transmission of COVID-19 at polling locations, jurisdictions have adopted changes to protocols and procedures, informed by CDC's interim guidance, developed in collaboration with the Election Assistance Commission (2). The driving principle for this guidance is that voting practices with lower infection risk will be those which reduce the number of voters who congregate indoors in polling locations by offering a variety of methods for voting and longer voting periods. The guidance for in-person voting includes considerations for election officials, poll workers, and voters to maintain healthy environments and operations. To assess knowledge and adoption of mitigation strategies, CDC collaborated with the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services and the Delaware State Election Commission on a survey of poll workers who served during the statewide primary election on September 15, 2020. Among 522 eligible poll workers, 93% correctly answered all three survey questions about COVID-19 transmission. Respondents noted that most voters and poll workers wore masks. However, masks were not always worn correctly (i.e., covering both the nose and mouth). Responses suggest that mitigation measures recommended for both poll workers and voters were widely adopted and feasible, but also highlighted gaps in infection prevention control efforts. Strengthening of measures intended to minimize the risk of poll workers acquiring COVID-19 from ill voters, such as additional training and necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as support for alternative voting options for ill voters, are needed. Adherence to mitigation measures is important not only to protect voters but also to protect poll workers, many of whom are older adults, and thus at higher risk for severe COVID-19-associated illness. Enhanced attention to reducing congregation in polling locations, correct mask use, and providing safe voting options for ill voters are critical considerations to minimize risk to voters and poll workers. Evidence from the Delaware election supports the feasibility and acceptability of implementing current CDC guidance for election officials, poll workers, and voters for mitigating COVID-19 transmission at polling locations (2). |
Assessment of pneumoconiosis in surface coal miners after implementation of a national radiographic surveillance program, United States, 2014-2019
Hall NB , Halldin CN , Blackley DJ , Laney AS . Am J Ind Med 2020 63 (12) 1104-1108 BACKGROUND: Pneumoconiosis can occur in surface coal miners. The Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP) has only included surface coal miners as part of its regular disease surveillance since 2014. This analysis identifies the prevalence of pneumoconiosis among working surface coal miners participating in the CWHSP since their initial inclusion, through 2019. METHODS: Working surface coal miners who had chest radiographs through the CWHSP from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2019 were included in this analysis. Demographic information, mining tenure and occupation, and radiographic classifications according to the International Labour Office system were included from each miner's most recent encounter with the CWHSP. Prevalence ratios were calculated comparing the prevalence of the disease by region and occupation by log-binomial regression. RESULTS: Pneumoconiosis was present in 109 (1.6%) surface coal miners, including 12 miners with progressive massive fibrosis, the most severe form of the disease. After taking surface mining tenure into account, surface miners in Central Appalachia (prevalence ratio [PR], 3.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2-4.7) and surface miners who worked as a driller or blaster (PR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.3-3.5) were at increased risk of pneumoconiosis. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of pneumoconiosis in surface coal miners supports including them within a systematic respiratory health surveillance program. The current surveillance findings are consistent with past findings of pneumoconiosis, particularly silicosis, in surface mining occupations such as drilling and blasting. |
Pneumoconiosis progression patterns in US coal miner participants of a job transfer programme designed to prevent progression of disease
Hall NB , Blackley DJ , Halldin CN , Laney AS . Occup Environ Med 2020 77 (6) 402-406 OBJECTIVES: Pneumoconiosis prevalence and severity among US coal miners has been increasing for the past 20 years. An examination of the current approaches to primary and secondary prevention efforts is warranted. One method of secondary prevention is the Mine Safety and Health Administration-administered part 90 option programme where US coal miners with radiographic evidence of pneumoconiosis can exercise their right to be placed in a less dusty area of the mine. This study focuses on characterising the progression of disease among US coal miners who participated in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health-administered Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Programme (CWHSP) and exercised their part 90 job transfer option. METHODS: Chest radiograph classifications of working underground coal miners who exercised their part 90 job transfer option during 1 January 1986 to 21 November 2016 and participated in the CWHSP during 1 January 1981 to 19 March 2019 were analysed. RESULTS: 513 miners exercised their part 90 option and participated in the CWHSP at least once during this time period. Of the 149 miners with >/=2 radiographs available, 48 (32%) showed progression after exercising part 90 and had more severe disease prior to exercising, compared with miners who did not progress (severity score of 2.8 vs 1.7, p=0.0002). CONCLUSION: The part 90 job transfer option programme is not routinely used as intended to prevent progression of pneumoconiosis among US coal miners. The one-third of miners who participated in part 90 and continued to progress, exercised their part 90 option at a later stage of disease compared with non-progressors. |
Cyclosporiasis epidemiologically linked to consumption of green onions: Houston Metropolitan Area, August 2017
Hall NB , Chancey RJ , Keaton AA , Heines V , Cantu V , Vakil V , Long S , Short K , Franciscus E , Wahab N , Gieraltowski L , Straily A . J Food Prot 2020 83 (2) 326-330 During July 2017, Texas public health officials noted an increase in the number of reported cyclosporiasis cases. They detected a cluster in the Houston metropolitan area that involved four locations of a Mediterranean restaurant chain, restaurant A. A case-control study was conducted among patrons of restaurant A to identify a common food vehicle among items containing fresh produce. In matched case-control ingredient-level analyses that included both probable and confirmed cases, consumption of green onions, red onions, tomatoes, and cabbage was significantly associated with illness. A substantial percentage of case patients reported consumption of green onions, and only green onions remained statistically significantly associated with illness, whether probable and confirmed cases were included in analyses (matched odds ratio: 11.3; 95% confidence interval: 2.5 to 104.7), or only confirmed cases were included in analyses (matched odds ratio: 17.6; 95% confidence interval: 2.5 to 775.7). These results provide evidence that green onions were the likely vehicle of infection. It was not possible to trace the green onions to their source due to the need to redirect public health resources to Hurricane Harvey response efforts in Texas. |
Current Review of Pneumoconiosis Among US Coal Miners
Hall NB , Blackley DJ , Halldin CN , Laney AS . Curr Environ Health Rep 2019 6 (3) 137-147 PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes recent research on pneumoconiosis in coal workers following the identification of the resurgence of this disease among US coal miners in the early 2000s. We describe the impact of this research and how this has led to increased public attention, benefitting affected miners. RECENT FINDINGS: The latest research shows that the prevalence of pneumoconiosis, including progressive massive fibrosis, continues to increase, especially in central Appalachia. Contributing factors may include mining of thin coal seams or cutting rock to access coal, which may expose miners to coal mine dust with a higher content of silica and silicates than in the past. The impact of recently implemented changes, such as the reduced occupational exposure limit for respirable coal mine dust and the introduction of continuous personal dust monitors, will likely take years to appropriately evaluate. |
Current review of pneumoconiosis among US coal miners
Hall NB , Blackley DJ , Halldin CN , Laney AS . Curr Environ Health Rep 2019 PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes recent research on pneumoconiosis in coal workers following the identification of the resurgence of this disease among US coal miners in the early 2000s. We describe the impact of this research and how this has led to increased public attention, benefitting affected miners. RECENT FINDINGS: The latest research shows that the prevalence of pneumoconiosis, including progressive massive fibrosis, continues to increase, especially in central Appalachia. Contributing factors may include mining of thin coal seams or cutting rock to access coal, which may expose miners to coal mine dust with a higher content of silica and silicates than in the past. The impact of recently implemented changes, such as the reduced occupational exposure limit for respirable coal mine dust and the introduction of continuous personal dust monitors, will likely take years to appropriately evaluate. |
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis mortality by industry and occupation
Hall NB , Wood JM , Laney AS , Blackley DJ . Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2019 200 (4) 518 We read with interest the research letter by Fernández Pérez and colleagues (1) and agree that population-level mortality from hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) has not been well characterized in the United States. However, the role of occupation in the development and severity of HP is well established (2–4). Occupational exposures are responsible for a substantial portion of HP cases, and it is important to monitor trends in morbidity and mortality so that prevention activities can be prioritized. To that end, we conducted a similar analysis of HP mortality data from 2003 to 2017 (ICD-10 code J67.x) while also taking available employment history into account. |
Continued increase in prevalence of r-type opacities among underground coal miners in the USA
Hall NB , Blackley DJ , Halldin CN , Laney AS . Occup Environ Med 2019 76 (7) 479-481 INTRODUCTION: Respirable crystalline silica exposure has been implicated in the resurgence of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) in the USA. A 2010 report found an increasing prevalence of r-type opacities, which are associated with silicosis lung pathology, on the radiographs of working underground coal miners in central Appalachia. This analysis updates that report by assessing the prevalence of r-type opacities during 2010-2018 compared with earlier decades. METHODS: Data from the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program were used to calculate the prevalence of r-type opacities on radiographs of working underground coal miners. The data were restricted to radiographs taken during 1 January 1980 to 15 September 2018. The presence of r-type opacities was defined as an r-type classification for either the primary or secondary shape/size of small opacities. Prevalence ratios for r-type opacities were calculated using log binomial regression. RESULTS: Radiograph classifications for 106 506 miners were included in analysis. For the USA overall, the prevalence of r-type opacities among miners with radiographs taken during 2010-2018 compared with 1980-1989 has increased (PR 2.4; 95% CI 1.9 to 3.0). For central Appalachia, the proportion of r-type opacities observed increased when comparing 1980-1989 to 2010-2018 (PR 6.0; 95% CI 4.6 to 7.9). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of r-type opacities on the radiographs of Appalachian underground coal miners continues to increase, implicating exposure to crystalline silica in respirable coal mine dust. The current findings underscore the importance of monitoring and controlling exposure to silica in coal mines. |
Notes from the field: Cyclosporiasis cases associated with dining at a Mediterranean-style restaurant chain - Texas, 2017
Keaton AA , Hall NB , Chancey RJ , Heines V , Cantu V , Vakil V , Long S , Short K , Franciscus E , Wahab N , Haynie A , Gieraltowski L , Straily A . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018 67 (21) 609-610 During July 21–August 8, 2017, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) was notified of 20 cases of cyclosporiasis among persons who dined at a Mediterranean-style restaurant chain (chain A) in the Houston area. On August 10, 2017, DSHS requested assistance from CDC to support ongoing investigations by the City of Houston Health Department, Harris County Public Health, Fort Bend County Health and Human Services, and Brazoria County Health Department. The objectives of this investigation were to determine the source of the illnesses in the Houston area and to generate hypotheses about the source of the national increase in cyclosporiasis in 2017. |
Notes from the field: Zika virus-associated neonatal birth defects surveillance - Texas, January 2016-July 2017
Hall NB , Broussard K , Evert N , Canfield M . MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2017 66 (31) 835-836 On November 28, 2016, the Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas DSHS) reported its first confirmed case of local mosquitoborne Zika virus transmission in the city of Brownsville, located in south Texas along the U.S.-Mexico border. Zika virus infection during pregnancy has been linked to adverse congenital outcomes including microcephaly, neural tube defects, early brain malformations, structural eye abnormalities, congenital deafness, and limb contractures (1). On January 1, 2016, Texas DSHS established enhanced surveillance to identify women with laboratory evidence of possible Zika virus infection during pregnancy and suspected cases of Zika virus-associated birth defects among completed pregnancies. |
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