Last data update: May 20, 2024. (Total: 46824 publications since 2009)
Records 1-4 (of 4 Records) |
Query Trace: Mueller CA [original query] |
---|
Evaluation of skin and respiratory symptoms among employees with occupational exposures to cobalt and chromium at an orthopedic implant manufacturer
Beaucham CC , Tapp LC , Mueller CA . J Occup Environ Med 2018 60 (11) e626-e632 The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from employees at an orthopedic implant manufacturer. Employees were concerned about respiratory symptoms thought to be caused by occupational exposures to metals and metalworking fluids (MWFs). The company manufactured surgical instrumentation and medical devices including cobalt-chromium femoral implants for use in joint replacement surgeries. At the time of the evaluation, the company employed 400 employees spread across nine buildings, working two 8-hour shifts per day, 5 or 6 days per week. Twenty-six employees worked in the building where the implants were machined. |
Evaluation of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) exposures and illness among physicians in training
de Perio MA , Brueck SE , Mueller CA , Milne CK , Rubin MA , Gundlapalli AV , Mayer J . Am J Infect Control 2012 40 (7) 617-21 BACKGROUND: A cluster of influenza-like illness (ILI) among physicians in training during the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic (pH1N1) led to a health hazard evaluation. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study to examine exposures, infection control practices, ILI prevalence, and transmission among physicians in training at 4 affiliated hospitals during the pandemic. We administered an electronic survey and met with physicians in training and hospital personnel. RESULTS: Of the 88 responding physicians, 85% reported exposure to pH1N1. Exposures occurred at work from patients or coworkers and outside of work from coworkers, household members, or the community. Thirteen cases of ILI were reported in May-June 2009; 10 respondents reported working while ill (duration, 1-4 days). Between 13% and 88% of respondents knew which personal protective equipment (PPE) was recommended when caring for influenza patients at the 4 hospitals. The most common reasons for not using PPE were not knowing that a patient had pH1N1 or ILI and not having PPE readily available. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians in training have gaps in their knowledge of and adherence to recommended PPE and compliance with work restrictions. Our findings underscore the importance of installing isolation precaution signage, making PPE readily available near patients with influenza, and facilitating work restrictions for ill health care personnel. |
Exposure to flour dust and sensitization among bakery employees
Page EH , Dowell CH , Mueller CA , Biagini RE , Heederik D . Am J Ind Med 2010 53 (12) 1225-32 BACKGROUND: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health conducted a study to determine prevalences of sensitization to bakery-associated antigens (BAAs) and work-related respiratory symptoms at a large commercial bakery. METHODS: The following measurements were carried out: personal breathing zone (PBZ) and general area (GA) monitoring for inhalable flour dust, alpha-amylase and wheat, a questionnaire, and blood tests for IgE specific to flour dust, wheat, alpha-amylase, and common aeroallergens. RESULTS: Of 186 bakery employees present during our site visit, 161completed the questionnaire and 96 allowed their blood to be drawn. The geometric mean PBZ and GA inhalable flour dust concentrations for the lower-exposure group was 0.235 mg/m(3), and for the higher-exposure group was 3.01 mg/m(3). Employees in the higher-exposure group had significantly higher prevalences of work-related wheezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, and frequent sneezing than the lower-exposure group. The prevalence of IgE specific to wheat was significantly higher among employees who ever had a job in the higher-exposure group or in production at another bakery at both the ≥ 0.10 kU/L and the ≥ 0.35 kU/L cutoffs, and to flour dust and alpha-amylase at the ≥ 0.10 kU/L cutoff, compared to the lower-exposure group. CONCLUSIONS: Despite knowledge of the risks of exposure to flour being available for centuries, U.S. employees are still at risk of sensitization and respiratory symptoms from exposure to high levels of BAA. Am. J. Ind. Med. (c) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. |
Environmental and biological assessment of environmental tobacco smoke exposure among casino dealers
Achutan C , West C , Mueller CA , Boudreau AY , Mead KR . Int J Occup Environ Health 2009 15 (4) 417 Between January and April 2005, NIOSH received confidential | requests for HHEs from NP casino dealers at Bally’s, Paris, and | Caesars Palace casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada. These casino dealers | were concerned that exposure to ETS in their workplace was | causing a variety of acute and long-term health effects. | In response to these requests, NIOSH investigators conducted | three onsite evaluations at Bally’s, Paris, and Caesars Palace | casinos. The first onsite evaluation was conducted July 22–24, | 2005, during which we interviewed employees, reviewed OSHA | Forms 200 and 300 (Log of Work Related Injuries and Illnesses), | and administered a screening questionnaire. The screening | questionnaire was used to select potential participants to take | a subsequent health symptom questionnaire and undergo | environmental and biological monitoring. During the second | site visit, from August 21–24, 2005, additional screening | questionnaires were distributed to NP casino dealers. A health | symptom questionnaire was mailed January 6, 2006, and we | conducted biological and environmental monitoring on our final | site visit from January 19–22, 2006 |
- Page last reviewed:Feb 1, 2024
- Page last updated:May 20, 2024
- Content source:
- Powered by CDC PHGKB Infrastructure