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Elise Pechter, MPH, CIH, Kathy Raleigh, MPH, and Letitia K Davis, ScD. Occupational Health Surveillance Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 2 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116, (617) 988-3344, elise.pechter@state.ma.us
Workers in health services represent the largest group of workers with confirmed work-related asthma (WRA) in ten years of data in the Massachusetts Occupational Health Surveillance Program (132/437, 30%). The Massachusetts surveillance system relies primarily on physician reports (mandated by public health law), to identify individuals with diagnosed WRA. Telephone interviews with the cases confirm the association with work and obtain more information about asthma triggers. Nurses (69, 16%) represent the largest occupational group among cases identified from 1993-2002. Workers in health services report a variety of triggers, including cleaning products, latex, indoor air pollution, glutaraldehyde and miscellaneous chemicals. Exposures vary by occupation. Nurses and dental health care workers report more exposures to latex; laboratory workers report glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde; while office workers report miscellaneous chemicals and building renovation-related triggers.
This sentinel surveillance system is funded by NIOSH and is also conducted in three other states. Health care workers accounted for the greatest number of cases in two of the other three states.
Sentinel surveillance allows identification of individual workplaces where conditions pose a risk for all workers, as well as agents, tasks and occupations and industries. On-site inspections have focused on control of glutaraldehyde, improved ventilation and replacement of latex gloves. Identification of individuals with WRA allows intervention in individual workplaces as well as prevention activities on a broader scale.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to
Keywords: Asthma, Surveillance
Related Web page: www.state.ma.us/dph/bhsre/ohsp/sensor/SRINDEX.HTM
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.