Exposure to workplace irritants can lead to a vast array of diseases. These diseases may last only as long as the exposure continues or may be chronic conditions that last a lifetime. Certain lung and respiratory illnesses that are caused by occupational exposure to chemicals, dangerous fibers or other substances can cause fatal diseases that… Continue reading Common Occupational Lung and Respiratory Diseases Defined
Category: occupational safety
Statistics
In the United States occupational lung disease is the number one cause of on-the-job illness. This disease tops the list both in frequency and severity yet is, in almost every case, preventable. Over 20 percent of men worldwide have been exposed to some type of dangerous occupational irritant that may cause cancer and 5 to… Continue reading Statistics
Preventing lung diseases
Preventing occupational lung and respiratory diseases is the most significant way to reduce the number of deaths from these illnesses. The most effective way to prevent these diseases is to avoid inhaling the substances that cause them. Limiting or eliminating exposure to these irritants is the only way to decrease their effects on the body.… Continue reading Preventing lung diseases
Occupational diseases
Occupational diseases are those illnesses that occur due to exposure to irritants in the workplace. Occupational illnesses may occur instantaneously due to exposure to toxic chemicals or fumes or may take years to develop due to long-term exposure. Many individuals today are faced with respiratory disease such as adult asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)… Continue reading Occupational diseases
Particulate Air Pollution
Example: the smokestack of a coal plant ejects coal smoke into the air. Water vapor droplets in the clouds can pick up these smoke particles and drop them later in the form of acid rain. How is particulate air pollution measured? Due to the different sizes, shapes and chemical compositions of these microscopic particulate air… Continue reading Particulate Air Pollution
Heavy Cigarette Smoking On the Decline
A recent report from researchers at the University of California at San Diego has revealed that the habit of smoking at least one pack (20 cigarettes) a day has severely declined over the last fifty years. Investigators observed that the rate of decline was particularly noteworthy in California, where lung cancer rates also fell in… Continue reading Heavy Cigarette Smoking On the Decline
Massachusetts Helps Vets Quit Smoking
State health officials in Massachusetts are developing measures to help the state’s military veterans quit smoking. The new campaign is the second effort launched since 2008 to help veterans with this growing health problem. Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray released a statement praising “the brave men and women” in uniform and said that the campaign… Continue reading Massachusetts Helps Vets Quit Smoking
New Polymer Test Improves Lung Cancer Diagnosis, Says Experts
A new technique used for testing for the presence of lung cancer could potentially reduce diagnosis time from six months to four weeks, according to researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This dramatic improvement in diagnosis time comes courtesy of a three-dimensional testing technique known as volumetrics. The procedure involves taking… Continue reading New Polymer Test Improves Lung Cancer Diagnosis, Says Experts
British Contractor Fined for Illegal Asbestos Removal
A judge at the Caerphilly Magistrates’ Court fined a building contractor £2,500 (US$3,893) for disregarding regulations governing asbestos remediation. Ron Couch Building Contracts Ltd. of Pontypool paid the fine after pleading guilty to two counts of violating the country’s Control of Asbestos Regulations. The firm was accused of taking on asbestos removal projects without a… Continue reading British Contractor Fined for Illegal Asbestos Removal
EPA’s “Most Wanted” Fugitive Captured
Officials with the US Marshals Service and the Environmental Protection Agency captured escaped fugitive Albania Deleon last week in the Dominican Republic. Ms. Deleon was convicted of issuing certificates for an asbestos-remediation training class to unqualified applicants. She had fled the country prior to her sentencing hearing in March. When she failed to appear, US… Continue reading EPA’s “Most Wanted” Fugitive Captured