Heavy Metals Surveillance in Michigan: Fourth Annual Report (January 2009 – December 2009)

Details

• Personal Author:
  Kica J ; Krizek A ; Reilly MJ ; Rosenman, Kenneth D. ; Stanbury, Martha
• Description:
  In September 2005, Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) promulgated rules requiring laboratories to report clinical laboratory results of all arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) tests in blood and urine. The reporting requirement was established so that MDCH could improve the tracking and mitigation of human health impacts of environmental and occupational exposures to these heavy metals. Individuals with results exceeding action thresholds are contacted to determine the source of exposure to the metal and assess if public health interventions are warranted. The reporting period for the 2009 annual report spans 01/01/2009 through 12/31/2009. In 2009, 15,982 total reports were received on 6,857 individuals during the reporting period. These numbers are similar to those from 2008. In 2009, 101 (1.47%) individuals had a result that exceeded one of the established action thresholds (97 adults and 4 children under the age of 16). In 2009, one workplace investigation was initiated by Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), for elevated mercury levels in one worker. Screening samples for mercury vapor were taken at the facility but no mercury vapors were detected. Recommendations were issued regarding incorporating the recognition and health hazards of mercury vapor into the firm's existing practices and procedures. MIOSHA's inspection of another workplace for elevated blood lead level, found detectable levels of not only lead but also cadmium through personal air monitoring results. However, the air contaminant levels were within the Assigned Protect Factor (APF) of the respiratory protection used, and therefore no citations were issued for the company. Most elevated arsenic or mercury levels were associated with fish consumption. Individuals with an elevated mercury level were provided with information regarding healthy fish consumption. No such action is needed for arsenic because the form of arsenic in fish does not have health effects on humans. The high percentage of normal results has raised the concern about the indications for ordering these tests. Laboratory reporting and individual follow-up are continuing in 2010. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Environmental Exposure Metals, Heavy Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Environmental Exposure Heavy Metal Poisoning Heavy Metals Occupational Exposure Surveillance Programs
• Publisher:
  Michigan State University
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Report
• Place as Subject:
  Michigan ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-25
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20054361
• Citation:
  East Lansing, MI: Michigan State University, 2010 Jun; :1-25
• Contact Point Address:
  Martha Stanbury, Michigan Department of Community Health, Division of Environmental Health, P.O. Box 30195, Lansing MI, 48909
• Email:
  stanburym@michigan.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2010
• Performing Organization:
  Michigan State University
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Heavy metals surveillance in Michigan: fourth annual report (January 2009 - December 2009)
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:6cf206d44a02b95876c4ba3b36e264a91ed254666ac53d34df4f02768cd48138bf367529de2b7fca93eb157fde7de65703316808e63976805caa695e08e9330b
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/216946/cdc_216946_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 476.80 KB ]