Occupational medicine (Philadelphia, Pa.)
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Confidentiality of personal medical information is a serious concern in occupational medicine. New regulations issued under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountablility Act (HIPAA) significantly alter procedures for protecting and managing confidential medical information. There are still questions about how much the new regulations will affect occupational medicine practices, but there will be significant changes in the collection, storage, and dissemination of personal medical information in the near future. The implications of increased confidentiality concerns on research are also considered.
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The removal of municipal solid waste is a job associated with a variety of physical, chemical, and biological hazards. Municipal solid waste workers (MSWWs) have a risk of fatal occupational injuries that is much higher than for the general workforce. Among this group of workers, non-fatal injuries are mainly musculoskeletal. ⋯ Workers at municipal solid waste incinerators are exposed to a variety of concerning substances, such as heavy metals, respirable quartz dust, dioxins, furans, and mutagens. Workers can be protected by using safety procedures on and around garbage trucks and with personal protective equipment. The burden of morbidity due to occupational exposure to bioaerosols and carcinogens among MSWWs is unknown.
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Workplace respiratory irritants can have a variety of effects in relation to asthma. Very high exposures can cause new-onset asthma (reactive airways dysfunction syndrome or irritant-induced asthma) with or without concurrent sensitization, e.g., to diisocyanate. Aggravation of underlying asthma can result from moderate exposures. ⋯ Enhancement of airway responsiveness on a short-term basis can be produced by ozone and biological irritants such as endotoxin and beta 1-3 glucans. Production of nonasthmatic responses such as hyperventilation and vocal cord dysfunction can mimic asthma symptoms. Controversy exists as to whether moderate irritant exposures can cause asthma or long-term worsening of underlying asthma.
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This paper presents data on the employment characteristics of women workers in the United States, together with a discussion of the biases that exist in current employment recording systems. These biases lead to an undercounting of women workers and an underestimation of risks related to both domestic and paid employment. ⋯ Also covered are the occupational health and safety hazards that women face on the job, with associated morbidity and mortality, and the relationships between women's work and women's health. This analysis presents ideas about research and policy needs in the area of women's occupational health.