Synthetic Fibers in the Workplace: Where Less Fiber Is Healthier

Details

• Personal Author:
  Calzavara T ; Crane A ; Dement, John M. ; Finkel AM ; Hacker S ; Kojola WH ; Lentz T ; MacMahon, Kathleen ; Venturin DE ; Zumwalde, Ralph D.
• Description:
  Fibers comprise a diversity of materials that have become profuse and nearly inextricably woven into the patterns of our lives today. But the production of many new synthetic fibers has been accompanied by increased awareness among manufacturers, workers, and the occupational safety and health community of the need for exposure characterization, product stewardship, and education about safe work practices and handling procedures. This awareness has been driven by the recognition of potential respiratory hazards for workers exposed to some airborne synthetic fibers. Toxicological evidence from experimental animal studies also indicates potential health effects associated with exposure to fibers and warrants further concern. To explore these issues, AIHce 2000 (Orlando, FL) RT 223, "Forum on Synthetic fibers in the Workplace: Where Less Fiber is Healthier," was assembled, pulling together representatives from the synthetic fiber industry, labor, government, and academia. The intent was to recognize efforts to characterize workplace fiber exposures, to identify and implement safe work practices and controls, and to communicate safety and health messages about the potential hazards of airborne fibers. Historically, occupational safety and health practitioners have a basis for concern with exposure to airborne fibers; the most controversial case-in-point being the asbestos legacy. Judging from the focus and discussion of the roundtable, participants and audience members were aware of the history with asbestos fibers and eager to draw from this experience in addressing issues with newer and different synthetic fibers. In light of the uncertainties about the health risks for many synthetic fibers, the roundtable focused on preventive measures and stewardship programs initiated and being developed to ensure safe production and handling of synthetic fibers. In so doing, the major objective was to create a forum for examining these programs and to stimulate collaborations among participants and other partners with an interest in this area. Topics of presenters included: 1. Potential health risks associated with exposure to synthetic fibers; 2. Sampling and analytical techniques for characterizing fiber exposures; 3. Industry efforts to promote safe work practices and use of appropriate controls; and 4. Strategies to develop and disseminate information and guidance on the safe handling of synthetic fiber products. The discussion frequently focused on universal concerns and strategies for addressing safe handling of synthetic fibers, and each panelist contributed a unique perspective for identifying the pertinent issues for this topic. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Dust Engineering Occupational Health Risk Assessment Safety
• Keywords:
  Analytical Methods Analytical Processes Engineering Controls Exposure Assessment Fibrous Dusts Respirable Dust Risk Analysis Sampling Methods Synthetic Fibers Synthetic Materials Work Practices

  More +
• ISBN:
  9781931504195
• Publisher:
  American Industrial Hygiene Association
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Book
• Place as Subject:
  Florida ; Ohio ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 4 ; OSHA Region 5 ; Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  EID - Education and Information Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-51
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20021362
• Citation:
  Fairfax, VA: American Industrial Hygiene Association, 2001 Jan; :1-51
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2001
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  Synthetic fibers in the workplace: where less fiber is healthier
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:b8ba4e414734312ba0a11355159696018a3ad475655aeafe7ae67f05a26c809d1393408b6bc02a12d220771238fb0b5f86019ab58a9984cdd74c4d5304ffb13b
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/198716/cdc_198716_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 2.40 MB ]