Occupa&onal Risks and Health Hazards: Workers and Volunteers

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Wilfrid Garrett
6 years ago
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1 Occupa&onal Risks and Health Hazards: Workers and Volunteers Exxon Valdez 1989 Sco: Barnhart, MD, MPH University of Washington

Workers Varied and Complex Risks Principles of Occupa&onal Exposures Occupa<onal diseases are usually indis<nguishable from diseases not related to work; Causa<on is oeen mul<factorial;

2 Workers Varied and Complex Risks Principles of Occupa&onal Exposures Occupa<onal diseases are usually indis<nguishable from diseases not related to work; Causa<on is oeen mul<factorial; Exposure effects may follow a latent period; Effects are oeen strongly related to dose; Some workers are more suscep<ble to exposures than others. Workers will see the highest exposures.

3 Oils Spill Worker Risks- Mul<ple and Manageable Biological (e.g., plants, animals, insects, remedia<on materials) Drowning Noise Electricity Slips and Trips Biohazardous debris (e.g., syringes on shoreline) Ergonomic Stresses (e.g., repe<<ve strain, low back pain) Sunburn Confined Spaces Underwater Diving Falls Unguarded Equipment Cranes Fa<gue Vehicles (e.g., aircrae, boats, cars, trucks) CuYng and Welding Fire and Explosion Degreasers Heat or Cold Stress Dispersants In- Situ Burning Par<cles Psychological Stress

4 Exposure to Crude Oil and Toxicity Crude Oil: Hydrocarbons Complex mixture of vola<le and non- vola<le PAH Heavy metals Exposure Routes: Dermal, inhala<on, possible inges<on Effects Dose Dependent Toxici<es can include neurologic, renal, hepa<c, dermatological, and blood. Carcinogens may be present.

Exposures Uncertain<es Unlike most spills for which some data exist: Spill is underwater not exclusive to the surface Is ongoing resul<ng in various stages

5 Exposures Uncertain<es Unlike most spills for which some data exist: Spill is underwater not exclusive to the surface Is ongoing resul<ng in various stages of aging of the oil; Effects of clean up strategies: dispersants, pressure washing, controlled burns; Volume of spill is largest Dura<on of exposure - ongoing

6 Selected Prior Studies Exxon Valdez: Community Survey Psychological stress PTSD and Depression Outcomes related to worker exposure and worse among indigenous people MV Braer: Community Survey Eye and throat irrita<on, headache Concern for longer term depressive symptoms Pediatric respiratory survey of PEFR- No effect

7 Selected Prior Studies Tasman Spirit: Worker Survey Increased cough, mucous membrane irrita<on, general illness Decrements in FVC and FEV1 compared to controls Dose response demonstrated Improved aeer one year

8 Selected Prior Studies Nakhodka: Residents working on Clean- up Mucous membrane irrita<on Back and leg pain 3 / 97 showed elevated hippuric acid in urine Erika: Skin irrita<on, very small cancer risks Pres<ge: Clean up Workers Itchy eyes, nausea / vomi<ng Lower respiratory tract symptoms dose dependent and persistent.

9 Prior Evidence of Risk Chemical and Chemical: Safety Exposures in spill clean- up have been documented but are generally low level; At high levels of exposure risks for toxicity possible but appropriate protec<ons should keep exposures at generally safe levels Short- term reversible respiratory effects Short- term irritant effects (e.g. eye irrita<on) Safety: Perhaps the largest short- term risk Heat stress risks high and oeen cause workers to remove personal protec<ve equipment.

10 Evidence of Risk - Psychological Evidence of PTSD, anxiety disorders and depression associated with clean- up work. Extent of evidence of psychological impact noted in other studies argues for careful: Risk assessments Culturally sensi<ve risk communica<on and community involvement including not over emphasizing or under playing risks.

11 Workers and Volunteers Workers Trained Monitored Screening / baseline and periodic surveillance Personal Protec<ve Equipment Exposed close to source Poten<ally highest exposures Longer dura<on of exposure Higher Cumula<ve exposure Exposures evolving from fresh crude to weathered oil Volunteers Should avoid direct clean up unless adequately trained and monitored; Risks inlude: Less training Less if any monitoring Less PPE Poten<al for unique exposures (soap, oil, wildlife) Risks may be unforeseen Much less is known of risks

12 Summary Oil spill work is complex with mul<ple exposures and risks; Mul<ple oil spills have occurred and effec<ve measures to greatly mi<gate worker risks are known; Risk mi<ga<on includes: exposure / risk assessment; training, personal protec<ve equipment, and monitoring / surveillance including use of registries, baseline and periodic exams.

Conclusions Oil spill clean up worker and volunteer risks are complex, will evolve over <me and can involve chemical, ergonomic, safety and psychological factors; Some uncertain<es exist and require

13 Conclusions Oil spill clean up worker and volunteer risks are complex, will evolve over <me and can involve chemical, ergonomic, safety and psychological factors; Some uncertain<es exist and require a balanced approach of worker protec<on and care to not offer false reassurance nor over magnify. As with other oil spills and hazardous waste clean- up ac<vi<es, risks can be mi<gated by careful acen<on to risk assessment, worker training, use of personal protec<ve equipment and good work / safety prac<ces and surveillance; Risk mi<ga<on should, seek rely on a con<nuous reassessment based on real <me monitoring of exposure data, work condi<ons and results of surveillance ac<vi<es.

GHS SAFETY DATA SHEET

GHS SAFETY DATA SHEET 1. Identification Product Name: ECO-100 Teak Cleaner Powder Synonyms: None CAS Number: Mixture Product Use: Marine Deck Cleaning Manufacturer/Supplier: Teakdecking Systems, Inc. th