"This pamphlet summarized a study of documented cases of contamination of worker's homes from 28 countries and 36 states in the United States. Contaminants found that caused health effects among families of workers included beryllium (7440417), asbestos (1332214), lead (7439921), mercury (7439976), arsenic (7440382), cadmium (7440439), pesticides, caustic farm products, chlorinated hydrocarbons, estrogenic substances, asthmagens and allergens, fibrous glass, cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (121824) (RDX), and infectious agents. Routes of exposure include washing of worker's clothing with the family laundry; items carried home from work such as bags, rags, metal drums, and scrap lumber; passing dangerous materials to family members from the hands of the worker; work being done on the home property as in a cottage industry; use of agricultural products on the farm/homestead; and family members visiting the workplace. Several preventive measures were listed for workers employed away from their homes and for workers who take some of their work to their homes for completion. Steps for decontamination were listed, and existing federal laws were noted and their implications defined." - NIOSHTIC-2

Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection

United States