M10.8 Blog about an occupationally-related disease

There are a number of classic occupational diseases.   Byssinosis (Brown Lung), Pneumoconiosis (Black Lung), Asbestosis (White Lung) are among them.  
Each of these diseases still affects many workers today.   Over the years there have been major public health campaigns to address them.  Organized labor has often lead the campaigns. Select one of these diseases and search the web to learn about the history of the public health campaigns and the current status of the disease and related occupational health policies.   (What are the OSHA or MSHA regulations regarding the exposures that cause the disease that you selected to review?)   
Feature a short blurb on your blog regarding your selected occupationally-related disease.

Asbestosis, also known as white lung disease is a lung disease that is caused by prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibers. An occupational disease and a member of the pneumoconiosis family, white lung occurs in workers whose occupations include asbestos. These occupations are primarily mining, construction, the manufacturing of insulation, and fireproofing, etc. The disease also occurs in individuals who live near mines, factories and construction sites.   
Asbestos fibers that are inhaled remain in the lungs and cause excessive scarring and the development of fibroids. The scarring and the resulting fibroids create stiffness in the lungs. Side effects include inadequate oxygenation of the blood and shortness of breath. 
The regulations outline what is considered hazardous and what the industry can do to protect anyone who comes in contact with asbestos. 

Comments

  1. Chris DeatrasNovember 4, 2018 at 6:24 PM

    What are some examples of steps or procedures that companies need to take when their workers come in contact with asbestos?

    Can white lung disease be fatal? Or are those who have it left to a life of breathing problems only?

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownNovember 4, 2018 at 6:38 PM

    Great summary. I thought it was really interesting to learn more about asbestos. Like Chris, I wonder what can be done to protect these workers? I think companies should be mandated to set standards and require protection from these kind of strong health hazards

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

M10.2 Blog about MSDS and ToxNet

Obtain a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) from your workplace or from the workplace of a family member or friend.   Material Safety Data Sheets are chemical information sheets created by chemical manufacturers that all employers are required to obtain and keep for any potentially hazardous chemicals in the workplace. Look up  the chemical using the ToxNet databases you mastered while viewing the enviRN-EVIDENCE program. Were there any discrepancies regarding the potential health effects  noted in the MSDS? In your  BLOG , write about your findings - about the potential dangers associated with the chemical/product you looked up. Was the MSDS an adequate tool for a worker to use to gain an understanding of the potential health risks and how to protect him/herself? My friend works for Texas Gateway and I looked at the MSDS for their organization. You can find it  here.   Review  the MSDS and answer the following questions: What are...
Read more

M12.9 Blog: Climate Change

You've learned a lot about climate change this week. BLOG about the following: 1. What do you personally find most troubling about climate change? To me the most troubling thing about climate change is the idea that people in our society do not believe that it is happening and that it is a real thing. It is really crazy, currently that people in power do not want to recognize the huge changes happening to our environments. I also find it sad that future generations will not know many of the amazing natural beauties that are around today.  2.  As a public health professional, what do you think needs the greatest attention right now? I think the biggest thing we need to pay attention to right now are our water systems and the way we treat our water. This issue affects every aspect of life and if a better solution is found then I believe we will see improved health outcomes moving forward. 3. If you were visiting with a long-lost relative who had never hea...
Read more

M10.5 Blog about an occupational safety and health organization

CHOOSE ONE of the following organizations/agencies: OSHA, CAL/OSHA, NIOSH, ILO, WHO, AFL-CIO Go to their website. Each of these occupational safety and health or labor organizations support a range of occupational health and safety programs. Select a health and safety program sponsored by one of these organizations, read about it. Provide a short summary on your BLOG and how it might relate to your health and safety. I chose to examine NIOSH and the occupational health and safety programs they offer. Looking at the  website  the programs organized by the NIOSH primarily focus on making a difference through research. An offshoot of NIOSH is NORA, established in 1996, NORA is a partnership program to stimulate innovative research and improved workplace practices. I believe the creation of NORA has drastically helped the ways in which occupational health and safety programs function. I think our occupational sectors are better for it since the founding of the organizatio...
Read more