bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Potential Endocrine Disruptors In the Workplace
Authors: Tolbert Paige E. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract

In recent years, increasing attention has focused on the possibility that some chemicals present in the general environment may disrupt endocrine function in humans and lead to serious health consequences. These chemicals have been labeled
environmental endocrine disruptors
. The science underlying this area of concern is rapidly evolving, and enormous gaps in our understanding remain to be addressed. While there is general agreement in the scientific community that the implications of such endocrine disruption could be far‐reaching and profound, there is considerable controversy regarding the plausibility of the hypothesis and extent of the actual problem.

The goal of this chapter is to highlight some of the major findings to date in the field of environmental endocrine disruption that may be of interest to industrial hygienists and toxicologists. A number of reviews and consensus workshops regarding this topic have been conducted, including a comprehensive assessment of the evidence recently completed by the National Academy of Sciences. In addition, an encyclopedic description of the major chemicals suspected to have endocrine‐disrupting activity, their chemical properties, regulatory status, and summary of endocrine‐related findings has been recently published
This overview is limited to chemicals occurring in the environment; agents used therapeutically will not be covered, other than brief mention of diethylstilbestrol because of its historical importance. Phytoestrogens, estrogenic compounds naturally present in certain plants such as soybeans, are also beyond the scope of this chapter.

Much of the literature on this topic has focused on exposures to the general population occurring through the food chain, such as DDT and its degradation products and polyhalogenated biphenyls. These chemicals were banned in the United States and many other countries in the 1970s but because of their persistence and bioaccumulation in the food chain, exposures through food continue to be of concern. While current exposure to these chemicals in occupational settings should generally be minimal or declining, evidence from these reports may be useful in (
1
) determining whether endocrine disruption by environmental agents is occurring, and (
2
) predicting activity of structurally similar chemicals still present in workplaces. Thus, while this chapter is intended to be useful to industrial hygienists and toxicologists dealing with occupational exposures, the evidence from nonoccupational exposures is also described.

A recent U.S. Environmental Protection Agency–sponsored workshop on research needs for the risk assessment of health and environmental effects of endocrine disruptors defined the term
environmental endocrine disruptor
to be “any exogenous agent that interferes with the production, release, transport, metabolism, binding, action, or elimination of natural hormones in the body responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis and the regulation of developmental processes”. This definition will apply for the purposes of this review.
Industrial Noise and Conservation of Hearing
Authors: Michael Kevin L. , Byrne David C. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract
Exposure to industrial noise and the resulting effect of occupational hearing loss is a common problem across nearly all industries. High noise levels also cause interference with verbal communication and warning signals, which can have a significant impact on safety and work performance. Finally, noise can be considered as a source of stress for workers, producing unwanted physiological and psychological effects that can lead to a degraded quality of life.
Typically, noise‐induced hearing loss develops slowly, and usually goes unnoticed until a significant impairment has occurred. Fortunately, occupational hearing loss is nearly always preventable. Prevention of noise‐induced hearing loss benefits the employer as well as the individual employees. An effective hearing conservation program promotes good labor‐management relations, which can lead to increased morale and productivity. Employers enjoy the benefits of reduced medical expenses and worker compensation payments, and employees can expect to maintain their hearing health well into their retirement years.
Nonionizing Radiation
Authors: Wilkening George M. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThe development and proliferation of electronic devices that either intentionally or inadvertently emit nonionizing radiation have brought about immense interest in the subject. The promise of an increase in the number and use of such devices has concerned many persons who believe that the radiation hazards have not been sufficiently studied. Those who express concern about an inadequate understanding of the biological effects of nonionizing radiations point out that many electronic devices have already found their way into common use (e.g., microwave ovens, radar for pleasure boats, scanning lasers in supermarket checkout counters, near‐ultraviolet radiation in fluorescent lighting fixtures, and a variety of high‐intensity light sources). Other concerns include the many infrared, ultraviolet, microwave, and laser devices that might produce excessive occupational exposures. Because of the heightened public interest in electromagnetic radiation hazards, Congress enacted the Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act. The declared purpose of the act is to establish a national electronic product radiation control program, including the development and administration of performance standards to control the emission of electronic product radiation. The act covers both ionizing and nonionizing electromagnetic radiations emitted from any electronic product. This includes X‐rays and gamma rays and particulate, ultraviolet, visible, infrared, millimeter wave, microwave, radio‐frequency, and, interestingly enough, sonic, infrasonic, and ultrasonic radiation. Since the inception of the act, the federal government has conducted or funded research into the biological effects of radiation, with special emphasis on low‐level effects. Standards have been developed and promulgated for television set receivers, medical X‐rays (amendments to existing standard), cathode ray tubes, microwave ovens, and lasers. Calibration, measurement, and product testing laboratories have been established to ensure proper evaluation of accessible radiation from electronic products, and a compliance program has been developed to obtain manufacturers' adherence to established standards. During the course of standards development efforts, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been required to consult with the Technical Electronic Product Radiation Safety Standards Committee (TEPRSSC), an advisory body established under the Act. Unlike some federal advisory committees, TEPRSSC has the authority to develop and recommend its own standards directly to the Secretary of Health and Human Services.Other federal agencies that are actively concerned with nonionizing radiation hazards include the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).
Physiological Effects of Altered Barometric Pressure
Authors: Piantadosi Claude A. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract
Scientists of the twentieth century have been fortunate to participate in the most exciting period of discovery in human environmental physiology. New biomedical knowledge coupled with a technological revolution has given human beings the opportunity to visit and explore the depths of the ocean and the frontiers of space. Such extreme environments present the physiologist with the challenge of defining reasonable parameters for physiological tolerance so that life support systems can be engineered to maximize our opportunity to interact with the environment. Among the most troublesome environmental factors are heat and cold, exposure to radiation, effects of acceleration and microgravity, hypoxia and hyperoxia, and extremes of barometric pressure. Nonetheless, humans can survive for many weeks or months in many exceptional environments ranging from high altitude near the vacuum of space to simulated undersea depths of more than 70 atmospheres of pressure absolute (ATA).
Abrupt or extreme changes in barometric pressure account for many of the injuries and deaths connected with the practice of aviation and diving. Physiological problems arise most commonly in association with rapid decompression from a higher pressure to a lower one, such as rapid ascent from depth under water, or to high altitude. These problems may arise from technical or procedural failures and from our incomplete understanding of inert gas transport and gas elimination from body tissues.
High‐pressure environments have an important role in modern society for many reasons. The earliest engineering application of high pressure, to maintain dry working conditions in caissons and tunnels, continues today, and it extracts a toll in decompression sickness and aseptic bone necrosis from workers who undergo daily decompression after long shifts in compressed air. As the demand to exploit undersea resources such as oil has increased, so has the working depth and time, and hence the medical vulnerability, of the diver. In relatively shallow diving with air and mixed gases, many commercial and military divers rely on surface supplied gear to provide respirable gas and continuous communication with surface tenders. These diving rigs provide an unlimited supply of breathing gas to the working diver in open, semiclosed, or closed (rebreathing) circuits. In addition, thousands of commercial, military, and scientific divers also have been trained to use self‐contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) to work in shallow water. For some 50 years, the availability of lightweight, open‐circuit SCUBA and low‐resistance regulators has opened up recreational diving possibilities for thousands of sports divers. Finally, the growth of therapeutic hyperbaric oxygen as well as and the need to provide recompression therapy to the injured diver results in the routine exposure of patients, physicians, nurses, and other medical personnel to hyperbaric environments.
Control of Biohazards
Authors: Heinsohn Patricia A. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractMicrobes inhabit every environmental niche on the earth, and some have adapted to survival under extremely harsh conditions. Most do not cause disease in humans or animals. Indeed, they have many beneficial uses. Fungi can deteriorate organic materials, including, textiles, leather, wood, foods, paper, and paint. Molds synthesize chemical reagents and medicines and are used in food fermentation, pest control, and other industrial processes. This chapter deals only with microorganisms that can cause occupational disease.
Philosophy and Management of Engineering Control
Authors: Burgess William A. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract
This chapter covers the engineering methods widely used to minimize adverse effects on health, well‐being, comfort and performance at the workplace and in the community. Major attention will be given to controls for chemical airborne contaminants, although many of the control principles are also applicable to biological and physical hazards. Brief case studies illustrate the applications of the techniques. The target for control may be a hand tool, a piece of equipment or a device, an integrated manufacturing process such as an electroplating line, or a complete manufacturing facility in a dedicated building such as a foundry.
The critical zones of contaminant generation, dispersion, and exposure are shown. Ideally the goal is to design each element of the process to eliminate contaminant generation. If it is impossible to achieve this goal and a contaminant is generated, the second defense is to prevent its dispersal in the workplace. Finally, if these defenses fail and the material released from the operation results in worker exposure, the back‐up control is collection of the air containing the contaminant by exhaust ventilation. Frequently the contaminant is removed from the exhaust air stream by air cleaning before returning the air to the workplace or the general environment. Unfortunately, in the United States little emphasis is often given to the prevention of contaminant generation and release and we rely on ventilation as a principal remedy. In this chapter the author confirms the importance of ventilation but emphasis will be placed on the primary controls associated with process and material design to minimize generation and release of the contaminant.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) considers engineering controls as any modification of plant, equipment, processes or materials to reduce employees' exposure to toxic materials and harmful physical agents. Authors have used a variety of approaches to classify the various engineering control techniques. These approaches provide a useful outline for discussion and act as checklists to ensure a comprehensive review.
In this chapter, engineering controls include all techniques except personal protective devices and administrative controls, those changes made in the work schedule to reduce the time weighted average exposure of the worker.
Industrial Hygiene Engineering Controls
Authors: Soule Robert D. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract
One of the primary responsibilities of the industrial hygienist is to control health hazards in the work environment. Although diseases suspected of being related to the work environment were recognized more than 2500 years ago (e.g., lead poisoning of workers engaged in mining operations), the systematic application of industrial‐hygiene‐engineering controls is a recent technical development, that is, within the last few decades.
The importance of engineering control of the work environment among the alternative solutions to industrial hygiene problems is evident in every current industrial hygiene textbook. All list the hierarchy of control strategies in priority fashion as engineering controls, good work practices, administrative controls and, as a last resort, use of personal protective equipment. Many decisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission make it clear that engineering control of specific substances must be attempted even when complete control is not feasible just by engineering means. In other words, the use of personal protective equipment alone cannot be justified simply by analyzing a problem and determining that complete engineering control cannot be provided. Instead, the language of federal regulations has been interpreted as mandating that engineering controls be provided to the extent feasible and, in the event these are not sufficient to achieve acceptable limits of exposure, use of personal protection or other corrective measures may be considered.
It is clear that application of engineering controls, as a component of the total responsibility of the industrial hygienist, will remain a primary objective in the foreseeable future. All professionals in the field of environment/safety/health (ESH) must be cognisant of the principles of engineering controls, and the engineering professional must be familiar with the details of implementing the control concepts. This chapter presents material useful to the industrial‐hygiene engineer and nonengineer alike in applying their resources to the industrial‐hygiene problems occurring in their respective settings. The focus here is on control of airborne contaminants; control of other types of stress, for example, noise, heat stress, and radiation, is discussed elsewhere in this Work.
Odor: a Legal Overview
Authors: Allan Ralph E. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThe practice of industrial hygiene has changed tremendously since the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. With the issues of indoor air pollution generally and tight building syndrome specifically becoming a part of an industrial hygienist's daily involvement, odors are and will continue to be more and more an issue of contention. Is odor an index of hazard potential? Can it be such an index? How should odors be handled in reference to industrial hygiene activity? What are the legal issues considering an odor present without a quantitative determination of hazard potential? Currently we do not have all the answers available to answer fully all questions posed. However, history sometimes reveals indications of the future.
Pharmacokinetics and Unusual Work Schedules
Authors: Paustenbach Dennis J. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract
The concern about the adverse health effects of night shift work has existed for over 100 years. In 1860, for example, some scientists were worried that bakers might be at increased risk of physical and emotional illness because they always worked at night and, subsequently, some effort was made to try to regulate their work hours and their working conditions. Since then, it has been shown that some persons who have been very productive while working standard 8‐hr/day, 40‐hr/week daytime schedules can become especially fatigued, unhappy, less productive, and perhaps even more susceptible to the effects of chemical agents and physical agents after they are placed on shift work. Even though many studies have been conducted, the degree to which shift work effects a worker's capabilities, longevity, mortality, and overall wellbeing is still not fully understood.

So‐called unusual work shifts and work schedules have been implemented in a number of industries in an attempt to eliminate or at least reduce, some of the problems caused by normal shift work that require three work shifts per day. These unusual or “other‐than‐normal” shifts have been termed odd, novel, extended, extraordinary, compressed, nonnormal, nonroutine, prolonged, exceptional, nonstandard, unusual, peculiar, weird, and nontraditional. In 1981 the AIHA established a committee to address the potential occupational health aspects of shift work and the need to adjust exposure limits for persons who work schedules that were markedly different than the “normal” workweek, which consists of five consecutive 8‐hr daylight workdays followed by two days off. At the committee's first meeting, it was agreed that the term
unusual work shift
should be used, for sake of consistency, to describe these other‐than‐normal shifts. The committee completed its work by 1990 and it was retired.

In general, most unusual work schedules will involve workdays markedly longer than 8 hr in duration, however, because many persons are regularly exposed to high concentrations of xenobiotics for very short periods during shifts and, because TWA occupational exposure limits were not necessarily intended for use during short exposures, these exposure periods were also classified as “unusual” by the committee. The assessment of the health aspects of unusual shifts is complex since some of these schedules require the worker to alternate between night and day work every few days (rapid rotation). These schedules have been called rapidly rotating, fast, or simply rapid‐roto shifts.
In order for the health professional to ensure protection of workers who are exposed to airborne chemicals during unusually long or unusually short work periods, he or she should be familiar with the toxicology and pharmacokinetics of the chemical of interest as well as understand the rationale for its occupational exposure limit, since most limits were established to prevent injury following exposure during a normal 8‐hr/day, 5‐day/workweek schedule.
Industrial Hygiene Survey, Records and Reports
Authors: Phillips Carolyn F. 
Published: August 2005

Abstract
An integral and essential part of any good occupational health and industrial hygiene program is the administrative effort that supports and documents the work done by the hygienist. Often this is not perceived as one of the “fun” or challenging aspects of health and safety, but it is very necessary to maintain an effective program. The administrative activities include financial support for conducting the programs and suitable and useful records and reports, including program audits.
Industrial hygienists collect, maintain, and use data for recognizing, evaluating, and controlling health hazards. Evaluation of exposure data for trends can be a useful tool for anticipating potential problems. Hygiene records include, but are not limited to, assessment of hazards, exposure measurements, development and maintenance of controls, training and education, and auditing. The industrial hygienist will need information to document which employee has worked at which job for what time period, including job descriptions from an exposure viewpoint and representative exposure data for the jobs.
Record keeping in itself serves no useful purpose unless certain objectives have been defined and the records are translated into some form of report. The industrial hygienist must present data in a report format that is readily understandable, and in sufficient detail to permit the user to make adequate decisions. The report should reflect the special expertise of the industrial hygienist to interrelate all facets of the worker and the worker's environment in evaluating the potential impact on the worker's health. Effective reports can assist in future budget preparation and justification.
One key report is an audit. A thorough audit is crucial to maintaining a strong program. The main purpose of an audit report is to keep senior management up to date on both the strengths and the opportunities for improvement. The industrial hygiene audit can stand alone or be integrated with safety and environmental audits.
This chapter reviews the scope and contents of record keeping and reports and gives a few examples of workable forms. It also covers regulatory requirements and the role of the computer in record‐keeping systems. Another key administrative factor for the industrial hygiene program is obtaining business support and financing for the programs. Historically, this was known as budgeting, but in today's environment it is often a more complex issue, and there is a growing need to show the business value added by the industrial hygiene programs.