Managing the Potential Hazards from Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) with Personal Medical Electronic Devices in Workplaces

Details

• Personal Author:
  Casey M ; Cox-Ganser, Jean M. ; Hawley B ; Virji M
• Description:
  Objective: Peracetic acid (PAA) is widely used as a disinfectant in healthcare and food production settings, however, occupational PAA exposures have been largely overlooked due to: (1) previous sampling and analytical method limitations and (2) the absence of a current OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) or NIOSH Recommended Exposure Limit (REL). In the summer of 2015, NIOSH performed an industrial hygiene survey at a hospital where a new cleaning and disinfectant product, consisting of hydrogen peroxide (HP), acetic acid (AA) and PAA. HP and PAA are strong oxidants and their mixture is listed as an asthmagen and sensitizer by the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics. However, few exposure assessment studies to date have measured HP and PAA in a healthcare setting. Methods: In July and September of 2015, a health and environmental assessment survey was conducted at the hospital. We collected 50 full-shift air samples (41 personal and 9 area samples) and analyzed for HP, AA, and PAA content. We also observed hospital staff performing cleaning duties and noted duration and frequency of cleaning product use. Acute irritation and respiratory symptoms were recorded in a postshift survey (n = 50). Exposure factors associated with airway symptoms were used to develop recommendations to mitigate potential health risks due to cleaning product exposure. Results: Partial air sampling results from our July survey ranged from 15-94 ppb for HP, 68-155 ppb for AA and 5-21 ppb for PAA; all measurements for HP and AA were below their respective OSHA PEL or NIOSH REL. Mucus membrane irritation symptoms were reported by 64% (n=32/50) of workers and 84% (n=27/32) reported symptom onset while cleaning. Lower airway symptoms such as cough, wheeze, chest tightness, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing were reported in 34% (n=17/50) of workers, of which, 88% (n=15/17) reported symptom onset during cleaning activities and 82% (n=14/17) worked in areas with high cleaning product use. Conclusions: Hospital workers using a disinfecting product containing HP, AA and PAA reported work onset airway symptoms despite low levels of measured exposures. Because both HP and PAA are strong oxidants, it is plausible that the mixture of HP and PAA likely contributed to the airway symptoms reported by workers despite low levels of exposure. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Asthma, Occupational Disinfectants Health Care Facilities Workforce And Services Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Cleaning Compounds Custodians Health Care Facilities Occupational Asthma
• Publisher:
  American Industrial Hygiene Association
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Maryland ; OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  RHD - Respiratory Health Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  46
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20065991
• Citation:
  AIHce 2016: American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition Pathways to Progress, May 21-26, 2016, Baltimore, Maryland. Falls Church, VA: American Industrial Hygiene Association, 2016 May; :46
• Contact Point Address:
  B. Hawley, Respiratory Health Division, CDC/NIOSH, Morgantown, WV
• CAS Registry Number:
  Acetic acid (CAS RN 64-19-7) ; Hydrogen peroxide (CAS RN 7722-84-1) ; Peracetic acid (CAS RN 79-21-0)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2016
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  AIHce 2016: American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition Pathways to Progress, May 21-26, 2016, Baltimore, Maryland
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:37dc969e90985d2f127ba13d4bc85936a275195b5deaa24e5202b74e5c17c1c92c8c6194ac40d6baf321764f7b769c23f3370c87b1938b72e8a0d1cc7fdd33c1
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/209083/cdc_209083_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.41 MB ]