Last data update: Jan 27, 2025. (Total: 48650 publications since 2009)
Records 1-8 (of 8 Records) |
Query Trace: Niemeier RT[original query] |
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Zoonoses in the workplace: A Seroprevalence study of Coxiella, Brucella, and Leptospira among marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation workers in California
Bjork A , Stoddard RA , Anderson AD , de Perio MA , Niemeier RT , Self JS , Fitzpatrick KA , Gulland FMD , Field CL , Kersh GJ , Gibbins JD . Public Health Chall 2024 3 (2) Background: Q fever, brucellosis, and leptospirosis are zoonoses typically associated with terrestrial animal reservoirs. These bacterial agents are now known to infect marine mammal species, though little is known about potential human health risks from marine mammal reservoir species. We investigated potential risks of these bacteria in humans associated with marine mammal exposure. Methods: The Marine Mammal Center (TMMC) in Sausalito, California, requested a Health Hazard Evaluation by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. In June 2011, an investigation occurred, which included a written questionnaire and serosurvey among workers for Coxiella burnetii, Brucella spp., and Leptospira spp., and an environmental assessment for C. burnetii. Results: Serologic evidence of past exposure was detected in 4% (C. burnetii), 0% (Brucella), and 1% (Leptospira) of 213 participants, respectively. One of 130 environmental samples tested positive for C. burnetii. No significant marine mammal-specific risk factors were identified, but some safety deficiencies were noted that could lead to a higher risk of exposure to zoonotic diseases. Conclusion: Although this study did not identify disease exposure risks associated with marine mammals, additional studies in different settings of other groups with frequent exposure to marine mammals are warranted. Some deficiencies in safety were noted, and based on these, TMMC modified protocols to improve safety. © 2024 The Authors. Public Health Challenges published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA. |
Rapid review of dermal penetration and absorption of inorganic lead compounds for occupational risk assessment
Niemeier RT , Maier A , Reichard JF . Ann Work Expo Health 2022 66 (3) 291-311 Lead (Pb) exposure continues to be a significant public health issue in both occupational and non-occupational settings. The vast majority of exposure and toxicological studies have focused on effects related to inhalation and gastrointestinal exposure routes. Exposure to inorganic Pb compounds through dermal absorption has been less well studied, perhaps due to the assumption that the dermal pathway is a minor contributor to aggregate exposures to Pb compounds. The aim of this rapid review was to identify and evaluate published literature on dermal exposures to support the estimation of key percutaneous absorption parameters (Kp, flux, diffusion rate) for use in occupational risk assessment. Eleven articles were identified containing information from both in vitro and in vivo systems relevant to percutaneous absorption kinetics. These articles provided 24 individual study summaries and information for seven inorganic Pb compounds. The vast majority of study summaries evaluated (n = 22, 92%) reported detectable amounts of dermal absorption of inorganic Pb. Data were identified for four Pb compounds (Pb acetate, Pb nitrate, Pb oxide, and Pb metal) that may be sufficient to use in evaluating physiologically based pharmacokinetic models. Average calculated diffusion rates for the pool of animal and human skin data ranged from 10-7 to 10-4 mg cm-2 h-1, and Kp values ranged from 10-7 to 10-5 cm h-1. Study design and documentation were highly variable, and only one of the studies identified was conducted using standard test guideline-compliant methodologies. Two studies provided quality estimates on the impacts of dermal absorption from water-insoluble Pb compounds on blood Pb levels. These two studies reported that exposures via dermal routes could elevate blood Pb by over 6 µg dl-1. This estimation could represent over 100% of 5 µg dl-1, the blood Pb associated with adverse health effects in adults. The utility of these estimates to occupational dermal exposures is limited, because the confidence in the estimates is not high. The literature, while of limited quality, overall strongly suggests inorganic Pb has the potential for dermal uptake in meaningful amounts associated with negative health outcomes based on upper bound diffusion rate estimates. Future standard test guideline-compliant studies are needed to provide high-confidence estimates of dermal uptake. Such data are needed to allow for improved evaluation of Pb exposures in an occupational risk assessment context. |
Cumulative Risks from Stressor Exposures and Personal Risk Factors in the Workplace: Examples from a Scoping Review.
Fox MA , Niemeier RT , Hudson N , Siegel MR , Dotson GS . Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 18 (11) Protecting worker and public health involves an understanding of multiple determinants, including exposures to biological, chemical, or physical agents or stressors in combination with other determinants including type of employment, health status, and individual behaviors. This has been illustrated during the COVID-19 pandemic by increased exposure and health risks for essential workers and those with pre-existing conditions, and mask-wearing behavior. Health risk assessment practices for environmental and occupational health typically do not incorporate multiple stressors in combination with personal risk factors. While conceptual developments in cumulative risk assessment to inform a more holistic approach to these real-life conditions have progressed, gaps remain, and practical methods and applications are rare. This scoping review characterizes existing evidence of combined stressor exposures and personal factors and risk to foster methods for occupational cumulative risk assessment. The review found examples from many workplaces, such as manufacturing, offices, and health care; exposures to chemical, physical, and psychosocial stressors combined with modifiable and unmodifiable determinants of health; and outcomes including respiratory function and disease, cancers, cardio-metabolic diseases, and hearing loss, as well as increased fertility, menstrual dysfunction and worsened mental health. To protect workers, workplace exposures and modifiable and unmodifiable characteristics should be considered in risk assessment and management. Data on combination exposures can improve assessments and risk estimates and inform protective exposure limits and management strategies. |
A cumulative risk perspective for occupational health and safety (OHS) professionals
Niemeier RT , Williams PRD , Rossner A , Clougherty JE , Rice GE . Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 17 (17) Cumulative risk assessment (CRA) addresses the combined risk associated with chemical and non-chemical exposures. Although CRA approaches are utilized in environmental and ecological contexts, they are rarely applied in workplaces. In this perspectives article, we strive to raise awareness among occupational health and safety (OHS) professionals and foster the greater adoption of a CRA perspective in practice. Specifically, we provide an overview of CRA literature as well as preliminary guidance on when to consider a CRA approach in occupational settings and how to establish reasonable boundaries. Examples of possible workplace co-exposures and voluntary risk management actions are discussed. We also highlight important implications for workplace CRA research and practice. In particular, future needs include simple tools for identifying combinations of chemical and non-chemical exposures, uniform risk management guidelines, and risk communication materials. Further development of practical CRA methods and tools are essential to meet the needs of complex and changing work environments. |
Coccidioides exposure and coccidioidomycosis among prison employees, California, United States
de Perio MA , Niemeier RT , Burr GA . Emerg Infect Dis 2015 21 (6) 1031-3 Responding to a request by corrections agency management, we investigated coccidioidomycosis in prison employees in central California, a coccidioidomycosis-endemic area. We identified 103 cases of coccidioidomycosis that occurred over 4.5 years. As a result, we recommended training and other steps to reduce dust exposure among employees and thus potential exposure to Coccidioides. |
Challenges in assessing transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in long-term-care facilities
Jackson DA , Mailer K , Porter KA , Niemeier RT , Fearey DA , Pope L , Lambert LA , Mitruka K , de Perio MA . Am J Infect Control 2015 43 (9) 992-6 In 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 3.2 cases of tuberculosis (TB) per 100,000 persons in the United States.1 Although TB incidence has declined during the past several decades, the 2010 goal of < 1 case per 1,000,000 persons—as established in the national strategic plan for TB elimination—has yet to be achieved.2 Although persons aged ≥ 65 years accounted for only 14% of the population in 2012, this group represented 22% of reported cases of TB.3,4 An analysis of 1993–2008 cases reported in the United States showed that the rate of TB among elderly adults was as much as 30% higher than among younger adults.5 Even more striking are the disproportionate rates documented among those living in long-term-care facilities (LTCFs). Previous reports have estimated that adults aged ≥ 65 years residing in LTCFs may have between 4 and 50 times the risk of developing TB disease than elderly persons living in the community.5–7 | As of April 2014, approximately 3.2 million workers were employed in LTCFs.8 The size of this occupational group will grow significantly in the coming years if LTCF resident populations increase as expected. Past estimates suggest the TB case rates are 3 times higher among LTCF workers compared with those working in any other job.9 Therefore, prevention and control of TB in LTCFs are essential to protect both the residents and employees in these settings. The goal of this article is to summarize findings of an LTCF TB outbreak investigation to highlight the unique challenges posed by Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission in these settings. |
Campylobacter infection in poultry-processing workers, Virginia, USA, 2008-2011
de Perio MA , Niemeier RT , Levine SJ , Gruszynski K , Gibbins JD . Emerg Infect Dis 2013 19 (2) 286-8 During a health hazard evaluation, we investigated 29 cases of laboratory-diagnosed Campylobacter infection among workers at a poultry-processing plant. Most infected employees worked at the plant <1 month, worked as live hangers, and lived at a state-operated center. To lessen the infection risk, we recommended improvements to engineering and administrative controls at the plant. |
The effectiveness of using interferon-gamma release assays in screening immigration employees for latent tuberculosis infection
de Perio MA , Niemeier RT , Groenewold MR . Int J Occup Environ Health 2011 17 (4) 322-327 We assessed the prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection in immigration employees and compared two of the screening methods. Using a cross-sectional study design, we administered questionnaires regarding demographics, work, medical history, and tuberculosis risk factors to employees at two immigration facilities. Participants underwent tuberculin skin test (TST) placement and blood collection for the QuantiFERONTB Gold in-Tube (QFT-GIT) assay. Fifty-four employees underwent QFT-GIT and TST placement. All QFT-GIT results were negative, and three employees tested TST positive. Twenty-three (49%) of 47 employees requiring two-step TST testing underwent second TST placement. Return rates for first and second TST reading were 76% and 74%, respectively. The QFT-GIT completion rate was higher than that for TST (100% vs. 39%, P < 0.001). Agreement between TST and QFTGIT was 94%. Immigration employees had low return rates for their TST reading and second TST placement. Performing the one-visit QFT-GIT has administrative and logistical advantages in this occupational group. |
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