NIOSH Science Blog Posts
Respiratory Health Consequences Resulting from the Collapse of the World Trade Center
As we mark seven years since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, guest blogger Dr. Prezant of the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program and Albert Einstein College of Medicine discusses the respiratory health consequences resulting from the collapse of the World Trade Center. Read More >
Posted on by 10 CommentsIntroduction: Respiratory Health Consequences Resulting from the Collapse of the World Trade Center
As we mark seven years since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, guest blogger Dr. Prezant of the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment Program and Albert Einstein College of Medicine discusses the respiratory health consequences resulting from the collapse of the World Trade Center. Read More >
Posted on byFaces of Black Lung
Black lung disease, which is caused by inhaling coal mine dust, results in scarring of the lungs and emphysema, shortness of breath, disability, and premature death. While the prevalence of black lung disease had decreased by about 90% from 1969 to 1995 following the enactment of the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act, the downward trend of this disease in coal miners has stopped. Since 1995, the prevalence of black lung cases has more than doubled. Read More >
Posted on by 8 CommentsThe “No Fit Test” Respirator Research Workshop
NIOSH is hosting the "No Fit Test" Respirator Research Workshop on November 6, 2008. The workshop aims to examine how the latest material technology (shape-changing polymers, adhesives, etc.) may be leveraged to improve current and future respirator designs including the long-term possibility of moving away from current fit-testing requirements, while preserving user protection. Read More >
Posted on by 24 CommentsNORA Symposium 2008
The National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) is a collaborative effort by NIOSH and many diverse partners to stimulate innovative research and improved workplace practices. NORA aims to raise awareness of priority needs for research in occupational safety and health, stimulate discussions on meeting those needs, and leverage resources of like-minded organizations to conduct targeted research and put the results into practice. Read More >
Posted on bySummer Hazards for Workers
During the summer, more workers are performing job tasks outdoors ranging from construction work to farming to road paving and painting. While the hazards can be different from those found in indoor environments, there are still practical ways to protect workers from outdoor hazards. Read More >
Posted on by 27 CommentsPolice and Stress
By the nature of their jobs, many police officers face tremendous stress on a daily basis. NIOSH and colleagues at the University at Buffalo are studying the effects of policing and stress on adverse metabolic and early stage cardiovascular outcomes. Read More >
Posted on by 62 CommentsPreventing Violence against Taxicab Drivers
Taxicab drivers face a very high risk of workplace homicide, even greater than those working in law enforcement and security. NIOSH is proposing an evaluation of the effectiveness of cameras in preventing violence against taxicab drivers. Read More >
Posted on by 29 CommentsMaking the Business Case for Prevention through Design
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is leading a National Prevention through Design (PtD) initiative to promote the concept of "designing out" or minimizing occupational hazards and risks early in the design process. Read more on the NIOSH Science Blog and provide insight about your successes and challenges in implementing PtD. Read More >
Posted on by 16 CommentsNIOSH Seeks Input on Direct Reading Exposure Assessment Methods (D.R.E.A.M.) Workshop
Direct-reading instruments are valuable tools for detecting and measuring worker exposure to hazards. Through the NIOSH Science Blog, NIOSH is seeking input on direct reading methods research needs and comment on topics for the Direct Reading Exposure Assessment Methods (D.R.E.A.M.) Workshop. Read More >
Posted on by 6 CommentsNanotechnology: Should carbon nanotubes be handled in the workplace like asbestos?
Do the nanoparticles used in nanotechnology pose unintended risks of illness or injury for workers employed in the industry? The NIOSH Science Blog looks at one nanomaterial—carbon nanotubes—and discusses new research findings about their similarities to asbestos and how they should be handled in the workplace to protect workers. Read More >
Posted on by 26 CommentsAre your ears really protected? Find out with NIOSH’s QuickFitWeb
Hearing protectors such as ear plugs and earmuffs only work if they fit and are worn properly. NIOSH's QuickFitWeb is an online tool which allows users to check the fit of their hearing protectors in a minute or less. Read more and check your hearing protectors on the NIOSH Blog. Read More >
Posted on by 28 CommentsPortfolio Management at NIOSH
NIOSH accomplishes its mission through a portfolio of programs. Each of these programs selects research goals that are of the most relevance to real world problems, conducts research of the highest scientific quality that is directed by those goals, and measures the impact that its research has in the daily lives of workers. Read More >
Posted on byWorkers Memorial Day 2008
by NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D. On this Workers Memorial Day, April 28, 2008, the nation mourns fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, children, grandparents, brothers, sisters, and cherished friends who have died from work-related injuries and illnesses. In their memory, we renew our national commitment to make the workplace safer and healthier. Although much progress has Read More >
Posted on byCommercial Fishing Safety
Commercial fishing is the most dangerous occupation in the U.S., with an annual fatality rate that is almost 36 times higher than the fatality rate for the average U.S. worker. An emphasis on understanding the commercial fishing culture and the rugged work environment coupled with quality science has helped NIOSH create practical prevention recommendations that are now commonly used in the industry and are saving lives. Read More >
Posted on by 8 CommentsFrequency of Respirator Fit Testing
Over three million American workers are required to wear respirators to protect themselves from hazards in their workplace. Since the fit of the respirator to the user's face affects the protection provided by the respirator, occupational safety and health professionals recommend fit assessment during the initial selection of a respirator model and at some periodicity as part of a respiratory protection program. Read More >
Posted on by 98 CommentsViolence Against Teachers and School Staff
Because of an increase in the prevalence of school-based policies aimed at reducing violence in youth and recent reports suggesting that teachers and other school staff may face daily threats of workplace violence, NIOSH was prompted to examine risk factors and prevention policies and practices for workplace violence for K-12 school staff. Read More >
Posted on by 66 CommentsInfluenza Pandemic and the Protection of Healthcare Workers with Personal Protective Equipment
NIOSH is committed to ensuring that its research is relevant and making a difference in the lives of workers. As such, in 2005, NIOSH asked the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to form a standing committee to provide strategic guidance in addressing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) issues for workers. One issue the committee deemed of high importance is PPE for healthcare workers in the event of pandemic influenza. Read More >
Posted on by 38 CommentsPreventing Needlesticks in Surgical Personnel
Each year an estimated 385,000 needlesticks and other sharps-related injuries are sustained by hospital-based healthcare personnel; an average of 1,000 sharps injuries per day. Read More >
Posted on by 6 CommentsSaving Miners’ Lives with Video-based Training
How do you take miners miles below ground to teach them how to protect themselves from some of the most dangerous hazards in the mining industry without endangering their safety or ever leaving the comfort and security of the training room? The answer, training videos. Read More >
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