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Respiratory Protection

All articles tagged with #respiratory protection

health2 years ago•8 min saved

"Fatal Disease Plagues California Countertop Workers"

Workers in California's stone fabrication industry, particularly those cutting and polishing engineered stone countertops, are being afflicted by an accelerated form of silicosis, an incurable and suffocating lung disease caused by inhaling crystalline silica particles. The disease, which typically affects older individuals, is now striking men in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, leaving them with a terminal diagnosis. The prevalence of silicosis among stone workers is estimated to be high, with up to 1 in 5 workers affected. California is drafting emergency rules to protect workers, and there are discussions about potentially banning the sale and installation of silica engineered stone. However, industry groups argue that adherence to safety measures is key, while advocates call for additional protections and awareness for workers.

via Yahoo News|

#california #engineered-stone #health

health-and-safety2 years ago•8 min saved

"Fatal Disease Plagues California Countertop Workers"

Workers in California's countertop industry, particularly Latino immigrants, are being afflicted by silicosis, an incurable lung disease caused by inhaling crystalline silica particles while cutting and grinding stone. The popularity of engineered stone countertops, which contain higher concentrations of silica, has led to a surge in cases among younger workers. Many have died in their 30s, and some have suffered severe scarring in their lungs before being diagnosed. Los Angeles County has been hit hard, with 60 out of 83 cases identified since 2019. Efforts are underway to improve workplace safety and potentially ban the sale of silica engineered stone. However, industry groups argue for better enforcement of existing safety measures, while advocates call for additional protections and a ban on the product.

via Los Angeles Times|

#california #countertop-industry #health-and-safety

health2 years ago•4 min saved

CDC Advised Inadequately on Hospital Infection Prevention, Experts Warn

Experts in the fields of industrial hygiene, epidemiology, and aerosol science are urging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to hold public meetings to discuss proposed updates to the CDC's Isolation Precautions guidance, which sets infection control protocols for hospitals. The experts argue that the proposed guidance fails to consider what has been learned about COVID-19 transmission and weakens existing isolation procedures. They are concerned that the guidance does not adequately address aerosol transmission and does not recommend the use of respirators for COVID-19. The CDC has stated that it will seek input from stakeholders and experts after the proposal is developed, but critics argue that this is too late and that the guidance needs to be revised to reflect current knowledge.

via University of Minnesota Twin Cities|

#cdc #covid-19 #health