Tainted China water sickens 450 Oct 12, 2008
Ge Xianmin, head of the Guangxi regional occupational disease prevention and control institute, told Xinhua: "The villagers were slightly poisoned. They can be cured in nine to 15 days with timely treatment.". Health officials said 23 children under the age of seven and 32 people aged over 60 had been kept in hospital for observation, while others were receiving outpatient treatment. (BBC News -- Health)
Number of sick in S China water poisoning rises to 450 Oct 11, 2008
"The villagers were slightly poisoned. They can be cured in nine to 15 days with timely treatment," said Ge Xianmin, head of Guangxi regional occupational disease prevention and control institute. Environmental monitoring measures indicated the villages' water source was polluted by industrial waste from Jinhai Metallurgy Chemical, a branch of the state-owned Liuzhou China Tin Co. Ltd. based in Liuzhou City, Guangxi. (Xinhuanet, China)
Governor Rendell Signs 31 Bills Oct 10, 2008
Oct. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today signed the following bills into law: Senate Bill 263 amends the Occupational Disease Act by increasing the benefit, from $125 to $175 per month, for people who suffer from silicosis, anthracosilicosis, coal workers pneumoconiosis, or asbestosis (black lung and similar diseases). Senate Bill 295 places limitations on the amount of time that a large vehicle can idle without moving. (PR Newswire)
Arsenic-sickened villagers out of danger in S China Oct 8, 2008
Medical tests found excessive amounts of arsenic in 136 people's urine samples, said Ge Xianmin, head of Guangxi regional occupational disease prevention and control institute. "The villagers were slightly poisoned. They can be cured in 9 to 15 days under timely treatment," Ge said. (Xinhuanet, China)
* Doctors warn of risks of contracting milkers nodule Sep 9, 2008
The occupational disease is caused by coming in contact with cows that are infected with a virus called parapoxvirus. There has been no report of human-to-human infection. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
'Probe compensation fund' Sep 9, 2008
The CF was supposed to assist employees who had had the misfortune of contracting an occupational disease or suffering an injury while on duty. Caused harm to South Africans. (iAfrica.com)
150 Years Ago: The First Transatlantic Telegraph Aug 8, 2008
The story of beryllium highlights the whole problem of occupational disease in the present era. Advances in technology now develop so rapidly that the rare material of yesterday becomes the widely used material of today. (Scientific American)
Mine raises air, water concerns Jul 22, 2008
Research and literature on the subject almost universally refers to it as an occupational disease, with people in the mining, stonecutting, sandblasting, abrasives manufacturing and road construction industries considered at risk. Risks to the general population, such as those living near mining sites, are not mentioned in overviews on the subject. (Chippewa Falls Chippewa Herald, WI)
Steelworkers applaud Newfoundland breakthrough agreement for victims of occupational disease: Now the search for former Baie Verte miners across Canada Jul 18, 2008
"This is a breakthrough agreement for the USW and workers everywhere and, with the critical information obtained through the registry, it will be a turning point for fair compensation for victims of occupational disease," said USW Ontario/Atlantic Health, Safety and Environment Coordinator Nancy Hutchison. "We hope this announcement will set the pattern for other compensation boards and governments across Canada as we continue to strive for justice for workers and their survivors." The... (Canada Newswire)
Alberta families impacted by workplace tragedy attend 1st Family Forum May 23, 2008
Threads of Life is a national, charitable organization that is dedicated to helping Canadian families along their journey of healing who have been affected by a workplace tragedy, life-altering injury or occupational disease. It provides a network of hope and healing for these families through one-on-one peer support links to community support services and the opportunity to take action to help prevent similar tragedies to other families. (Canada Newswire)
Legislative floor actions May 9, 2008
SB 334 WORKERS' COMPENSATION (Faber) To prohibit an employee from receiving workers' compensation benefits in this state if the employee has received a decision on the merits of a claim filed in another state for the same injury or occupational disease, to allow an Ohio employer to obtain, through the Administrator of Workers' Compensation or an insurance company, workers' compensation insurance for claims arising in other states, and to make other changes to the Workers' Compensation Law... (Cleveland.com -- News)
Disturbances In Brain Circuitry Linked To Chronic Exposure To Solvents, Study Shows Apr 17, 2008
Although CSE is an acknowledged occupational disease in an increasing number of western countries, and is classified according to the World Health Organization criteria and is included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, it is still a controversial diagnosis, with still some debating whether or not it is a bonafide condition. See also. (Science Daily)
Bill would expand workers' comp coverage Feb 12, 2008
Attorneys for Zach's family argued workers' compensation benefits were owed because his death stemmed from a job-related occupational disease caused by the stress of learning of the mistake ... "We conclude that under current Nebraska law, a compensable injury caused by an occupational disease must involve some physical stimulus constituting violence to the physical structure of the body," the court wrote in its opinion explaining the ruling. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
China's valuable asset: migrant workers Feb 2, 2008
Victims of occupational disease, lacking of insurance ... About 90 percent of the victims of occupational disease in China are migrants. (CNN -- International)
Families of workplace tragedy get a lift Nov 7, 2007
ca) is a national charitable not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting families along their journey of healing who have suffered from a workplace fatality, life-altering workplace injury or occupational disease. The charity provides families with only the one-on-one peer support program in the world that is delivered by trained Volunteer Family Guides who have also experienced a workplace tragedy. (Canada Newswire)
Workplace cancer a hidden toll Oct 23, 2007
Occupational disease is a relatively recent discovery, first coming to prominence in the 18th century, when the surgeon Percival Pott discovered that chimney sweeps, who worked naked, were susceptible to scrotal cancer. In the 1920s a consumer craze for watches with luminous numbers, developed for soldiers in trench warfare in World War I, spurred another occupational disease cluster. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Australia)
New legislation would protect popcorn workers Oct 13, 2007
Dr. Frits van Rooy, one of the leading researchers on this study, told Science Daily that exposure to diacetyl "may contribute to the risk of this emerging occupational disease." And most recently, Dr. Cecile Rose, head of the Occupational Medicine Program at National Jewish Medical Center in Denver, suggested that a consumer may have developed lung disease from exposure to butter-flavored popcorn. Rose diagnosed bronchiolitis obliterans in a patient whose only exposure to diacetyl was at home... (Orange Bulletin, CT)
Working Teens More Likely to Have Nasal Irritation Sep 25, 2007
Known medically as rhinitis, nasal irritation is one of the most common causes of occupational disease in the industrialized world, Dr. Katja Radon of the Institute for Occupational and Environmental Medicine in Munich and her colleagues note. To date, researchers have not followed young people from childhood into their early work lives to better understand risks for the condition and when it begins. (MEDLINEplus)
Occupational disease dips, but noise-induced deafness remains on top Sep 22, 2007
SINGAPORE: The number of occupational diseases has dropped in the first half of this year ... The programme aims to set up an effective system to manage noise at the workplace, as noise-induced deafness continues to be Singapore's top occupational disease. (Channel NewsAsia, Singapore)
Chemical culprit identified in 'popcorn worker's lung' Sep 4, 2007
"This population-based survey establishes the presence of BOS, or popcorn worker's lung, in chemical workers manufacturing a flavoring ingredient with exposures to diacetyl, acetoin and acetyldehyde. Any or all of these exposures may contribute to the risk of this emerging occupational disease.". The novel finding of four cases of BOS in workers at the diacetyl plant has important implications for practicing physicians and public health officials. (FoodNavigator-USA)
Thbaud-Mony: France Work Conditions Aug 9, 2007
A five-year research study of occupational cancers in Seine-Saint-Denis, a suburb of Paris, has questioned the prevailing interpretation of the factors responsible and what constitutes an occupational disease (10) ... But few, apart from those exposed to asbestos, had their condition recognised as an occupational disease ... No compensation can be adequate reparation for the massive damage done by occupational diseases, especially cancers. (Zmag.org)
Workers' champion Spoor fights for stronger compensation law Jul 26, 2007
Many if not all the people he represents are poor and their circumstances are worsened by being forced to stop work because of an occupational disease or injury. "There are not a lot of lawyers who do what I do, because the people who come to you for help do not have money," Spoor said. (Business Report, South Africa)
WSIB Releases Preliminary Average Premium Rate for 2008 Jun 8, 2007
The WSIB provides disability benefits, monitors the quality of healthcare, and assists in early and safe return to work for workers who are injured on the job or contract an occupational disease. For further information: Christine Arnott, WSIB Media Relations, (416) 344-4202, Christine_arnott@wsib. (Canada Newswire)
Firefighters bill wins all-party support May 4, 2007
Paul Atkinson, one of the OPFFA's two occupational disease representatives, said that of the 630 cancer claims submitted on behalf of members since 1998, about 180 had been recognized. The new regulations mean a further 65 claims earlier turned down would now be accepted, he estimated. (Globe and Mail -- National)
China miners risk deadly disease May 1, 2007
Of 677,000 occupational disease cases reported in China since the 1950s, more than 90% were pneumoconiosis cases, health ministry spokesperson Su Zhi said. Last year alone, the black lung disease accounted for 76% of the 11,000 new occupational disease cases reported ... The health ministry has vowed to strengthen efforts to bring millions of migrant workers - often the most at risk of occupational diseases - into the health care network, the People's Daily reports. (BBC News -- Asia-Pacific)
WHO tells WHAT can kill you at work Apr 29, 2007
In fact, occupational disease, around the world, is more dangerous than work-related accidents by a margin of four to one. Overall, deaths from work-related diseases happen to about 1. (iTWire)
A toxic generation Mar 8, 2007
For decades, mesothelioma was seen as the occupational disease of people who work in heavy industry or the building trade. That is rapidly changing. (Daily Mail)
'Occupational therapy' Feb 9, 2007
The occupational disease required by the occupiers and their supporters can be treated by occupational therapy, which would be the study and application of morality. There is a simplistic formula to determine rightness of action. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Media, Congress Begin to Examine Bush's Executive Order on Regulatory Process Feb 7, 2007
Nearly 6,000 workers die as a result of injury on the job, with an additional 50,000 to 60,000 killed by occupational disease. And asthma linked to air pollution is rising dramatically, afflicting 17 million, including six million children. (OMB Watch)
Workers' Comp Benefits Denied For Family Of Trooper Who Committed Suicide Feb 3, 2007
Attorneys for the family argued that Zachs death resulted from mental anguish, saying it is a job-related occupational disease ... We conclude that under current Nebraska law, a compensable injury caused by an occupational disease must involve some physical stimulus constituting violence to the physical structure of the body, the decision said. (Nebraska Statepaper)
