Browsing by Subject "Occupational health"

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    Exposures to Commercial Asbestos In Northeastern Minnesota Iron Miners who Developed Mesothelioma
    (2003) Minnesota Department of Health; Brunner, Wendy; Williams, Allan N; Bender, Alan P
    This is primary a public health study on the incidence of mesothelioma in northeastern Minnesota. Its value lies in pointing out human health impacts of mining, and of dumping taconite tailings into the Duluth harbor on the City's drinking water. In both cases asbestos fibers are implicated. Key points linking water resources and human health are extracted and reproduced below. "There is a long history of community concern about a possible link between the mining industry in northeastern Minnesota and the occurrence of cancers and respiratory diseases in that part of the state. In 1973, asbestos-like fibers were found in the Duluth water supply and traced to tailings that had been disposed of in Lake Superior by the Reserve Mining Company. This finding, along with litigation surrounding Reserve's disposal of tailings, prompted studies of the fibers, the effects of ingestion of the fibers, and the morbidity and mortality of iron ore miners, among many other studies. In addition, the Tri-County cancer survey was established by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to monitor cancer rates in northeastern Minnesota. Because of the history of health concerns about mining and the large numbers of people historically employed in iron mining in these counties, the possible relationship between employment in the mining industry and mesothelioma was the primary focus of this study. It was recognized at the outset, however, that at least one other industry unique to northeastern Minnesota significantly contributed to the mesothelioma excess. The former Conwed Corporation plant in Carlton County employed over 5,000 workers between 1958 and 1974, during which time large quantities of commercial asbestos were used in the manufacturing of mineral board and ceiling tile."
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    Regulating the unknown: Managing the occupational health risks of nanomedical technologies and nanopharmaceuticals in the research laboratory.
    (2012-02) Ersin, Özlem Hacer
    Novel technologies and their resultant products demand fresh ways of thinking about pre-market risk analysis and post-market surveillance. A regulatory framework that is responsive to emerging knowledge about the hazards of novel technologies offers repeatable and transparent processes and remains economically and socially feasible. Workers are an especially vulnerable population who are exposed to unknown hazards of novel technologies and serve often as unwitting sentinels of impending risks. This Grounded Theory-based case study identifies gaps in our current ability to regulate novel technologies so as to minimize occupational health risks and offers necessary modifications for an environment that is conducive to proper regulation. Nanopharmaceuticals and the nano-based technologies at their base are used by way of exemplar technologies that are currently taxing the ability of the regulatory system to provide adequate oversight. Ambiguities of definition, absence of a tracking system (of who is doing nanotechnology research), and the paucity of scientific evidence to support risk management efforts are among the findings of the study and need to be addressed as ameliorative steps toward an effective regulatory structure.