Occupational Health News and Research

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Depression overtakes back pain for incapacity benefit claims

Common mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, now account for more incapacity benefit claims than musculoskeletal conditions like low back pain, say researchers in this week’s BMJ.

7 Apr 2005

Onconase granted orphan drug status for malignant mesothelioma in Australia

Alfacell Corporation has announced that the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia has granted Onconase (ranpirnase) Orphan Drug status for the indication of malignant mesothelioma (MM). Onconase is also designated as an Orphan Drug for MM in Europe.

28 Mar 2005

Sleep deprivation also has impact on national health

Work-related sleeping disorders have proliferated rapidly in recent years with increases in occupational stress and abnormal working hours.

16 Mar 2005

Study recommends the provision of ear plugs, education at rock concert entrances

A new U of T study recommends the provision of ear plugs, education at concert entrances and the reduction of music sound levels to minimize the risk of hearing loss for rock concert attendees.

14 Feb 2005

Supermarket bakery workers are at considerable risk of developing work related asthma

The researchers looked at 239 employees from 20 in-store bakeries for a supermarket chain. They collected data from questionnaires on a number of respiratory symptoms including chest tightness, breathing difficulties, chest wheezing or whistling, running or itchiness of the nose and eyes and sneezing. They also used skin prick tests to check for allergies associated with baking.

26 Jan 2005

Nurses struggle to cope with violent patients

Nurses who bottle up anger triggered by a violent incident at work are more likely to become nervous, worn out and depressed, a team of psychologists at The University of Nottingham has found.

29 Nov 2004

Study highlights importance of pesticide worker dermal exposure

Agricultural pesticide workers are not only exposed to pesticides from inhalation, but also through their skin. The dermal route of exposure to chlorpyrifos, a common agricultural pesticide, is known to contribute substantially to workers’ total exposure

24 Nov 2004

Genetic defect boosts the chances of becoming addicted to tobacco

A genetic defect, which slows the liver's capacity to clear nicotine from the body, boosts the chances of becoming addicted to tobacco, finds research in Tobacco Control. The effects are particularly strong in new, young smokers, the study shows.

24 Nov 2004

Pioneering study shows that age, gender, neuroticism have little or no part to play in the development of musculoskeletal disorders

A pioneering new study into stress and musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), written by Dr Jason Devereux, an expert in Work System Design at the University of Surrey, has revealed some startling findings that show the harsh reality of problems facing the UK workforce.

16 Nov 2004

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has announced progress toward expanding the nation's supply of vaccines for flu season

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified about 5 million doses of influenza vaccine from foreign manufacturers; HHS has been able to recoup an additional 300,000 doses of the injectable vaccine originally bought for federal employees and the military; and a major pneumonia vaccine manufacturer plans to triple its production.

29 Oct 2004

Workers exposed to dioxin have higher cancer rates

New research suggests a higher rate of deaths from cancer for workers exposed to dioxin during the manufacture of herbicides at the Ivon Watkins-Dow (IWD) plant in New Plymouth.

25 Oct 2004

Health expert has hails Hong Kong's work to fight SARS both locally and overseas

"Hong Kong has made good progress in preparing itself against communicable diseases and its effort was commendable. I am particularly pleased to see that the Centre for Health Protection has got off to a very good start and is set to become a public icon for health protection," he said.

5 Oct 2004

Research aims to improve the health and safety of construction workers

In 1990, accidents were responsible for 6 to 7 percent of the world's mortality rate. In industry, the highest injury rate occurs in the construction sector, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

4 Oct 2004

Health problems among timber workers exposed to industry chemical PCP are to be investigated

The project, funded by the Ministry of Health, aims to ascertain whether timber workers exposed to the PCPs (pentachlorophenols) are dying earlier, getting cancers more often and suffering more chronic health problems, including fatigue, nausea and neuropsychological dysfunction.

13 Sep 2004

500 WTC recovery workers and volunteers have new and persistent respiratory problems

Nearly half of more than 1,000 screened rescue and recovery workers and volunteers who responded to the World Trade Center attacks have new and persistent respiratory problems

12 Sep 2004

Air researchers measure diesel fumes to search for link to health problems

Now, researchers at Clarkson University are looking at a population located near a major international trucking route to determine whether high levels of diesel emissions released in the air may be linked to increased rates of respiratory illnesses in an adjacent community.

25 Aug 2004

Occupational Health News and Research

Depression overtakes back pain for incapacity benefit claims

Onconase granted orphan drug status for malignant mesothelioma in Australia

Sleep deprivation also has impact on national health

Study recommends the provision of ear plugs, education at rock concert entrances

Supermarket bakery workers are at considerable risk of developing work related asthma

Nurses struggle to cope with violent patients

Study highlights importance of pesticide worker dermal exposure

Genetic defect boosts the chances of becoming addicted to tobacco

Pioneering study shows that age, gender, neuroticism have little or no part to play in the development of musculoskeletal disorders

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has announced progress toward expanding the nation's supply of vaccines for flu season

Workers exposed to dioxin have higher cancer rates

Health expert has hails Hong Kong's work to fight SARS both locally and overseas

Research aims to improve the health and safety of construction workers

Health problems among timber workers exposed to industry chemical PCP are to be investigated

500 WTC recovery workers and volunteers have new and persistent respiratory problems

Air researchers measure diesel fumes to search for link to health problems

Connection between air pollution and cardiovascular disease

New remote home care monitoring system

Findings into the source of the recent SARS outbreak in Beijing and Anhui Province

Small and medium sized UK businesses have little or no access to occupational health physicians

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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