Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is caused by cumulative occupational and non-occupational noise exposure. The National Institute for Occupational Safety Health (NIOSH) developed exposure recommendations (85 dBA 8-hour time-weighted average) in 1972. Fifty years later, the NIOSH recommended limit (REL) needs to be revised downwards. In its calculations, assumed that workers have quiet when not...

Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs), commonly known by the street name "Spice," are designer drugs of abuse that mimic the psychoactive effects of marijuana. Intentional SC use has resulted in multiple toxicities (1,2), but little is known about occupational SC exposure. After a federal agency's law enforcement personnel in Nevada reported irritability and feeling "high" after raiding illegal SC labor...

OBJECTIVES The objective of the Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program is to prevent traumatic occupational fatalities in the United States by identifying and investigating work situations at high risk for injury and formulating and disseminating prevention strategies to those who can intervene in the workplace. SETTING The FACE program is a research program located in the ...

The December 1995 artide on pesticides in food (EHP 103:1082) misstates the basic issues around the Delaney Clause and misses the point. While this federal regulation has its limitations, such as it does not address all food types such as raw fruits and vegetables (and these limitations should be corrected), contrary to what the article says, Delaney offers the best possible protection of publi...

Perchloroethylene (PERC) is the most commonly used drycleaning solvent. PERC can enter the body through respiratory and dermal exposure. Symptoms associated with exposure include: depression of the central nervous system; damage to the liver and kidneys; impaired memory; confusion; dizziness; headache; drowsiness; and eye, nose, and throat irritation. Repeated dermal exposure may result in derm...

BACKGROUND The U.S. Department of Labor has identified the health care industry as a major source of all U.S. workplace injuries. Studies have shown that injury within the health care workforce is related to high turnover rates, burnout, poor job satisfaction, and leaving the health care workforce permanently, thus contributing to the existing health care workforce shortages. PURPOSE The purp...