Report Supports Improved Standard
Setting for Cancer and Reproductive Hazards
Many California environmental regulations are based on
scientific “risk assessments” performed by the Cal/EPA Office of Environmental
Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). OHB commissioned OEHHA to assess the feasibility
of using the same scientific methods to develop recommendations for health-protective
exposure limits in the workplace. The project focused on evaluating chemicals known
to cause cancer or reproductive harm (i.e., chemicals on California’s “Proposition 65”
list). The report shows that health-protective exposure limits for workers can
be calculated based on existing OEHHA risk assessments. This information will assist
OHB in recommending priorities for Cal/OSHA rulemaking and promoting an improved
methodology for health-based PELs.
Occupational Health Hazard Risk Assessment Project for California
Complete OEHHA technical report (161 pages)
Executive Summary
For more information on OHB’s work in this area, see:
Recommending Workplace Standards
OHB Welcomes New Chief of HESIS
OHB is pleased to announce that on November 1, 2007, Dr. Dennis Shusterman
became the new Chief of OHB’s Hazard Evaluation System and Information Service (HESIS). Dr.
Shusterman has 22 years of experience practicing occupational and environmental medicine in
both public health and academic settings. HESIS prevents worker illness and injury by evaluating
new or unappreciated hazards; providing information and technical assistance to employers, workers,
and others; and recommending new or revised workplace standards.
Guidelines on Medical Surveillance for Flavorings-Related
Lung Disease
In recent years, several workers in California food flavor manufacturing plants
have been found to have bronchiolitis obliterans, a serious, life-threatening lung disease linked to use of
the chemical diacetyl. OHB convened a group of medical experts to assist in developing guidelines for physicians
who monitor the respiratory health of workers exposed to diacetyl or other hazardous chemicals used
in the industry. The guidelines are primarily for physicians hired by flavor companies to conduct
their medical surveillance programs, but will be helpful for other health care providers evaluating
individual patients. Sample respiratory health questionnaires are included.
Medical Surveillance for Flavorings-Related Lung Disease Among Flavor Manufacturing Workers in
California [view guidelines]
Sample respiratory health questionnaires health care providers can use for evaluating flavoring
workers:
Initial questionnaire: [
English |
Spanish ]
Follow-up questionnaire: [
English |
Spanish ]
Diacetyl Hazard Alert: [ English |
Spanish ]
For more on OHB’s work in this area, see: Flavorings-related Lung Disease
A 16-page illustrated booklet designed for workers who are experiencing
persistent symptoms that seem to be related to work tasks. The guide helps workers recognize the
symptoms of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, select appropriate health care providers, and
work effectively with their employer and health care provider during the treatment and recovery
period. It explains how certain workers’ compensation rules may affect injured workers and
presents information on the Cal/OSHA Repetitive Motion Injuries Regulation. This new edition of
the 2001 guide has been updated to reflect changes in workers’ compensation rules governing the
choice of treating physician.
N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP) is an unregulated solvent that was
developed to replace methylene chloride and other solvents that harm the environment.
It is used in an increasing number of paint strippers, graffiti removers, and
special-purpose cleaning products. HESIS has published the Advisory to warn that
NMP may be toxic to the developing fetus and may reduce fertility in men and women.
The Advisory lists products that contain NMP and safer substitutes that protect workers,
consumers, and the environment. The Advisory was developed as a part of an Environmental
Protection Agency Pollution Prevention grant.
For more information on HESIS’ work in this area, see:
Providing Early Warnings About Workplace Hazards
HESIS has updated its original 1996 Methylene Chloride fact
sheet. Methylene chloride is a solvent that can harm the brain and the heart, and
cause cancer. It also contributes to air pollution. The new edition of the fact
sheet lists products that contain methylene chloride, and describes how it is used
in specific job tasks and industries. It describes safer alternatives that protect
workers and the environment, as well as basic requirements of the comprehensive
Cal/OSHA methylene chloride standard.
For more information, see: Providing Practical
Information on Chemical Hazards
This report summarizes the major activities, collaborations and
accomplishments of the Hazard Evaluation System and Information Service
(HESIS) in 2006. Highlights include targeted health hazard prevention
projects with a variety of partners on important workplace health
issues, including food flavoring-induced bronchiolitis obliterans, a
fatal lung disease, safer alternatives to lithographic printing
solvents, heat-related illness and fatalities, workplace reproductive
and pregnancy hazards, and immigrant worker education and training on
heat stress. HESIS’ significant contributions to protecting worker
health from toxic chemicals and other hazards through daily telephone
helpline consultations, technical assistance and medical consultations
to Cal/OSHA and other governmental agencies, dissemination of
educational materials, and participation on departmental and interagency
advisory committees are described. 42 pages.
Hazard Evaluation System
and Information Service (HESIS) home page
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