Minimum recommended respirator being a half-face, nonpowered respirator equipped with P-100 filters and organic vapor cartridges.
Because of the apparent high risk to mixers and microwave-packaging workers,ĬDC recommended that all workers in both groups wear respirators while the investigation proceeded, with the The focus shifted to assessing risk for current workers and a possible new cause Known substance that could explain the illnesses. MoDHSS and CDC investigated the worksite for possible exposures to airborne respiratory toxins, but found no Assuming that all eight reported patients represented cases of occupational lung disease, this represents a five- toġ1-fold excess over the expected number of reported occupational respiratory conditions attributed to toxins Onīasis of the eight cases reported during this period, the calculated rate of illness was 28-70 cases per 10,000 The estimated 136 workers in other areas of the factory (Chi square for trend=19.0, p=0.00001).Īssuming exposure to factory work contributed to reported occupational lung disease, former workers hadġ,148-2,819 person-years at risk, depending on assumptions about whether risk for disease continues after employment ceases. In mixers (four of 13 ) and microwave-packaging workers (four of 276 ) ( Table 1) no cases were reported in On the basis of this estimated distribution, the crude incidence of illness was highest Had worked in other areas of the factory. Discussions with workers and management staff at factory A indicated that anĮstimated 13 (3%) of the 425 former workers had been mixers, 276 (65%) had worked in microwave packaging, and 136 (32%) Microwave-packaging workers had ever worked as mixers. Of the eight patients reported, four were mixers and four were microwave-packaging workers. Microwave-packaging workers who worked 5-30 meters from the tank and workers in other areas of the factory who were >30 meters fromĭuring 1992-2000, factory A employed approximately 560 workers 425 no longer worked at the factory as of MayĢ000. Mixing tank: workers who were mixers of oil, salt, and flavorings and who had direct contact with the tank Was associated with disease, MoDHSS analyzed patients according to job categories determined by work proximity to the
To determine whether exposure to inhaled mixing-tank substances To prevent obstructive lung disease in popcorn factory workers.Īt factory A, soybean oil, salt, and flavorings are mixed into a large heated tank in a process that produces visibleĭust, aerosols, and vapors with a strong buttery odor. Public health authorities, employers, and health-care providers are collaborating The findings of this investigation indicate that workers exposed to flavorings at microwave popcorn factories are at riskįor developing fixed obstructive lung disease. This report summarizes the epidemiologic findings motivating the technical assistance request and preliminary results. MoDHSS requestedĪssistance from CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in evaluating factory A for respiratory hazards to Employment durations ranged from 8 months to 9 years. Symptoms of cough and dyspnea on exertion, had worked at the same popcorn factory (factory A) at some time during 1992-2000,Īnd had spirometric test results that were lower than normal for bothįEV 1 (forced expiratory volume in 1 second) andįEV 1/FVC (forced vital capacity) ratio. All eight had a respiratory illness resembling bronchiolitis obliterans with Of the patients were on lung transplant lists. Services (MoDHSS) to report eight cases of fixed obstructive lung disease in former workers of a microwave popcorn factory. In May 2000, an occupational medicine physician contacted the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Fixed Obstructive Lung Disease in Workers at a Microwave Popcorn Factory For assistance, please send e-mail to: Type 508 Accommodation and the title of the report in the subject line of e-mail.
Persons using assistive technology might not be able to fully access information in this file.
0 kommentar(er)
