2013 Abstract Book.pdf - American Industrial Hygiene Association

226 Pages·2013·3.33 MB·English

by  Michele Appley

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ABSTRACTS
The Premier Conference & Exposition for OEHS Professionals

MAY 18–23 MONTREAL AIHce2013.ORG
2013 AIHce Abstracts ~Montreal, Quebec~ May 18-23, 2013 1
AIHA®: The viewpoints, opinions, and conclusions in t he presentations, sessions, and discussions at
AIHce have not necessarily been approved or endors ed by AIHA® or ACGIH® and do not necessarily reflect
those of AIHA® or ACGIH®.
NIOSH: The findinds and conclusions in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
presentations have nnot been formally disseminated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health and should not be construed to represen t any agency determination or policy.

Podium Session 101
work being performed, and 7. Operations
Sustaining a Management System authorization.
Monday, May 20, 2013, 10:00 AM 12:30 Results: DOE published Department of Energy
PM Acquisition Regulations and internal policies,
‒ requirements, and guidance that established
CS-101-01 a system that integrates safety into all aspects
The Department of Energy's Integrated Safety of management. The resultant balancing of
Management System safety and productivity has enhanced both.
D. Weitzman, U.S. Department of Energy, Lessons Learned: Accomplishing an
Washington, D.C. organization’s mission and protecting workers
Situation/Problem: The Atomic Energy Act are best achieved by integrating safety into all
provided the Atomic Energy Commission (the management levels. Strong management
predecessor to the current Department of commitment to ISM policies and procedures,
Energy (DOE)) with the authority to regulate formal ISM system documentation, and
worker protection at its government owned- regular reviews and updates are needed to
contractor-operated facilities. DOE retains ensure effective implementation.
their authority to “self-regulate” worker
protection after the passing of the 1970 OSH CS-101-02
Act which included a provision for Federal Developing Effective EHS Leading Objectives
agencies to retain this authority. The DOE and D. Downs, EHS Management Partners, LLC,
Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board (an Shorewood, MN.
independent executive branch entity that Situation/Problem: Much attention has been
performs oversight of safety in DOE’s nuclear paid to the concept of developing leading
facilities) in the late 1990s identified indicators as part of our professional business
opportunities to enhance the management of planning process. The disadvantages of
DOE’s worker protection by instituting an managing using only lagging indicators are
Integrated Safety Management (ISM) system. well known. The challenge has been how to
Resolution: DOE committed to establish and develop effective leading indicators that are
implement an integrated safety management both meaningful and effective. In fact, many
system that is based upon 5 core functions professions have suggested lists of leading
and 7 guiding principles. The core functions indicators that can or should be used in
are: 1. Define the scope of work; 2. Analyze program planning.
the hazards; 3. Develop and implement Resolution: We begin from the premise that
hazard controls; 4. Perform work within there is no such thing as a list of good leading
controls; 5. Provide feedback and continuous indicators. Precise definitions of the terms
improvement. The seven guiding principles objective (which is synonymous with
are: 1. Line management responsibility for indicator), lagging objective, leading objective,
safety; 2. Clear roles and responsibilities; 3. and metric are offered. We propose that that
Competence commensurate with leading objectives can only be constructed in
responsibilities; 4. Balanced priorities; 5. the context of appropriately defined lagging
Identification of safety standards and objectives, which represent statements of a
requirements; 6. Hazard controls tailored to future desired performance status. On that
2013 AIHce Abstracts ~Montreal, Quebec~ May 18-23, 2013 2
basis, a leading objective is a desired state of CS-101-04
performance that will directly contribute to the Managing Occupational Health and Hygiene
achievement of a leading objective. The actual through a Matrix Organization
management challenge is to choose the right M. Karr, Shell Oil Company, Deer Park, TX.
lagging objectives – those that will help to Situation/Problem: Some of the challenges of
achieve the organization’s mission and vision. providing occupational health and hygiene
The right lagging objectives for the EHS solutions for a large corporation are explored,
function are based on first understanding and with a focus on industrial hygiene. In North
prioritizing the underlying business objectives and South America, Shell operates a diverse
of the organization, identifying and quantifying number of businesses in their integrated oil,
the EHS risks challenging the organization, gas and petrochemical company. Regulatory
and then assessing the relationship of those and cultural differences must be bridged
risks to the achievement of business across 5 countries in Latin America, the U.S.,
objectives. and the 14 provinces in Canada, all which
Results: Using the identified lagging indicators have local, state, and national regulations.
as a starting point, we then demonstrate how Diversity of businesses operated includes
to use a strategy map process based on exploration and production of oil and gas,
Balanced Scorecard principles to identify the onshore and offshore, petroleum refining and
leading objectives necessary to achieve the petrochemicals, lubricants, pipelines and
lagging objective. distribution, retail, other specialized
Lessons Learned: Leading indicators are only businesses, and a large projects and
meaningful if they help achievement of the technology center.
"right" lagging indicators. Resolution: Global corporate standards with a
joined up between occupational health and
CS-101-03 hygiene help create the foundation for Shell’s
Kicking the Tires on MS Quality in Three approach. Health Risk Assessments are
Different Industries required for all operations. Exposure
T. Rancour, Rancour & Associates, LLC, measurements performed as a follow up then
Northville, MI; B. Russell, Systems Approach, feed into the requirements for medical
LLC, Simsbury, CT. surveillance.
Situation/Problem: The understanding and Results: The joined up approach with
implementation of a company Health and occupational medicine facilitates a better
Safety Management System (HSMS) can understanding of operational issues by the
deteriorate over time, leading to escapes in physician, and improved understanding of
risk management, compliance and practice of impacts on health outcomes on the part of the
company vision and values. hygienist. The ability to focus on workplace
Resolution: An approach for expert hazards in addition to overall employee health
assessment of how well the HSMS is working is also enhanced. To deliver health solutions
is discussed. Examples from three different to the businesses, a matrix organization is
industries are shared. used. The matrix allows occupational
Results: Improved sustainability of the HSMS physicians and hygienists to perform a core
was achieved, including clarification of HSMS job for a location or business, hold a
roles and responsibilities, goal alignment, and secondary assignment, and also serve as
targeting the critical few actions needed for subject matter expert for a key risk topic.
improvement. Lessons Learned: Some of the important
Lessons Learned: Periodic expert challenges for the lead industrial hygienist are
assessments of the HSMS across all levels of setting priorities for the region, using KPI’s to
the organization are essential for sustaining measure progress, promoting professional
effectiveness. development, and providing quality
assurance.

2013 AIHce Abstracts ~Montreal, Quebec~ May 18-23, 2013 3
CS-101-05 isolated remediation fundamentally alter
Annual Management System Review fungal populations, such that indoor/outdoor
K. Dotson, DOTSON Group, LLC, Los Altos comparisons might be too simplistic.
Hills, CA. Resolution: Air sampling, if indicated by
Situation/Problem: Senior Management professional judgment for post-remediation
involvement in the Occupational Health and verification, should be used with
Safety Management System is crucial for long circumspection. Procedural protocols can also
term success. ensure effective mold abatement.
Resolution: The process contained within the Results: Indoor viable fungal concentrations
ANSI/AIHA® Z10 Occupational Health and associated with air scrubbing ranged from 50
Safety Management System Standard to 440 cfu/m3, GM 160 cfu/m3 and GSD 2.0.
provides for such involvement by Senior Where outdoor infiltration is minimized, fungal
Management of an organization. populations in contemporaneous indoor and
Results: The process contributes to the outdoor air samples after remediation show
sustainability of the organizational little similarity. Typically, Cladosporium
Occupational Health and Safety Management predominates outdoors and Penicillium
System and enhances the probability of the indoors.
System in meeting the intended Health and Lessons Learned: Although outdoor infiltration
Safety goals of the organization. is often a major contributor to indoor fungal
Lessons Learned: The process is a key populations, biodiversity inside isolated
element of the ANSI/AIHA® Z10 Occupational remediated areas is largely dependent on
Health and Safety Management System atypical conditions of fungal growth, and of
process, and should be implemented in a subsequent tear-out. Where remediation
thoughtful manner consistent with the includes HEPA air filtration during and
organizational culture and in synchronicity following abatement, indoor fungal levels in
with budgeting and other major organizational the absence of infiltration are predictably low
systems and processes. and using outdoor air as a fundamental
reference is generally unnecessary. The
presumption that conditions in effectively
Podium Session 102
remediated areas must necessarily be
Biosafety and Environmental
comparable to those in non-complaint
Microbiology I buildings and also in the natural outdoor
Monday, May 20, 2013, 10:30 AM 12:30 environment is questionable, discouraging
PM extensive air sampling and associated
‒ speciation.
CS-102-01
Indoor/Outdoor Fungal Comparisons in SR-102-02
Isolated Remediation Five Year Analysis of Outdoor Mold Spore
E. Sullivan, E.A. Sullivan & Associates, London, Concentrations across Canada and
ON, Canada; R. Hussain, IHEAS Inc., London, Implications for IAQ Investigations
ON, Canada. R. Dulymamode, B. Stewart, Pinchin
Situation/Problem: Because of a strong Environmental Ltd., Mississauga, ON, Canada.
correlation between indoor and outdoor fungal Objective: This study was carried to estimate
concentrations and biodiversities over time, the variability of outdoor mold spore
outdoor air samples are viewed as forming the concentrations across Canada in order to
basis for the interpretation of indoor samples, assist in the interpretation of indoor mold
in discriminating between normal and atypical spore data obtained in IAQ investigations.
buildings. It is becoming common practice to Methods: A statistical analysis of over 15,000
use such data as criteria for validation of outdoor air samples data for 12 regions
satisfactory mold abatement. However, tear- across Canada was performed. These
out and the use of HEPA air scrubbing during
2013 AIHce Abstracts ~Montreal, Quebec~ May 18-23, 2013 4
samples were analyzed in our commercial and Rapid L mono) for counting, and
laboratory. presumptive identification of pathogenic
Results: We have produced monthly mold bacteria. Suspect colonies were isolated on to
spore charts for the 12 regions presenting the Tryptic Soy Agar to obtain pure cultures, gram
following statistical parameters for each mold stained and ribotyped with the DuPont
taxon recorded: frequency percentage, Qualicon Microbial Characterization System.
minimum, maximum, and 5th, 50th and 95th Results: The NIOSH BC-251 samplers had a
percentiles. The mold spores are more significant reduction in evaporation losses in
abundant in spring, summer and fall. comparison to the SKC biosamplers. Viable
Cladosporium is the most frequently and culturable bacteria, in particular gram-
encountered genus in all the regions studied negative speces, were collected by both
along with non-specified ascospores and non- samplers and included; Escherichia coli,
specified basidiospores. Other taxa are rarely Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Citrobacter
found and at much lower concentrations. ferundii, Enterobacter sp. and Pseudomonas
Conclusions: Spores of Stachybotrys and sp. E. coli 0157:H7, Salmonella sp. or Listeria
Chaetomium are very rarely found, in only monocytogenes where not detected in either
1 2% of the samples, at very low the air or swab samples.
concentrations in outdoor air samples in Conclusions: The NIOSH BC-251 sampler is a
Ca‒nada, and for that reason, when found portable, durable and discrete bioaerosol
indoors, may be reliable indicators of indoor sampler which could make an ideal
mold growth. replacement for glass impingers in food
production facilities where broken glass can
SR-102-03 present a significant hazard for food safety.
Evaluation of the NIOSH BC-251 Personal Research is underway to assess any variation
Bioaerosol Sampler for Sampling Viable and in the particle collection efficiency of the BC-
Culturable Pathogenic Bacteria 251 from the addition of a liquid into the
M. Davidson, L. Goodridge, B. Bisha, S. sampling system.
Reynolds, Colorado State University, Fort
Collins, CO. CS-102-04
Objective: Evaluation of the NIOSH BC-251 Moisture Variation in Walls and Interiors
personal bioaerosol sampler for the collection Floors of a Bungalow All Year Long (Moisture
of viable and culturable pathogenic bacteria in Related to Molds)
liquid. M. Legris, Department of Public Health /
Methods: The NIOSH BC-251 sampler was Agence de la sante et des services sociaux de
loaded with 7mL of resuscitation buffer la Capitale-Nationale,, Quebec, QC, Canada.
(polyethylene glycol 8000, peptone and Tween Situation/Problem: Visual inspection is the
20) in the 15 mL centrifuge tube; 1mL of main approach in case of molds. To facilitate
resuscitation buffer in the 1.5 mL centrifuge this visual inspection, a digital moisture meter
tube; and a gelatin filter in the 37 mm filter for wood and building material is used to
cassette. The SKC Biosamplers were filled determinate if the wall, the floor or any other
with 20 mL of resuscitation buffer. Duplicate structure contain enough water to support
samples were collected over a 4 hour period molds proliferation or to determinate the
with both samplers in 4 dairies between June degradation of wet material.
and August 2012. Swab samples were also Resolution: In a bungalow (single family
collected from the hygiene station, housing) that didn’t have any previous water
disinfectant barrell (center aisle) and the infiltration and no excessive humidity problem,
parlor wall directly underneath milking stalls the presenters followed over a year period the
at each dairy. Samples and media were moisture of some structures like gypsum
transported on ice. 100uL aliquots of samples board (drywall), plywood layers for floors and
and/or sample dilutions were inoculated onto carpets. This follow-up was done for the
chromogenic agar (E. coli 0157, Salmonella basement and the ground floors. At the same
2013 AIHce Abstracts ~Montreal, Quebec~ May 18-23, 2013 5
time, relative humidity of ambient air near the Resolution: A hazardous drug wipe sampling
structure was checked. In Quebec province, study was undertaken in the new pharmacy
summers are warm and humid in comparison department and select patient care locations
to winter that is cold and dry. What are the located in DFCI’s new Yawkey Center for
impacts of those variations on the moisture? Cancer Care. The first sampling event
Results: For any types of materials (gypsum occurred while the building was chemo-naive,
board, plywood layers, carpet), the moisture followed by 3 further sampling events at 100,
level registered may double in relation to 280, and 465 days after hazardous drugs
relative humidity and the seasons. In winter, were introduced into and used in the building.
when relative humidity is low, walls and The purpose of this study was to identify and
structures doesn’t contain a lot of water (5% track the level of hazardous drug
to 12%). Summer is a humid season and the environmental contamination within select
humidity rate is normally high. In fact, walls areas of the new pharmacy and patient care
and structures contain a lot of water (10 to areas over a one year period of time.
17%). Results: Sampling was conducted for the
Lessons Learned: The digital moisture meter following drugs: 5-Fluorouracil,
tester is an interesting instrument to use Cyclophosphamide, Methotrexate, Paclitaxel.
when doing visual inspection. It is used to All pharmacy and nursing personnel adhered
determinate the presence of some conditions to DFCI Safe Drug Handling and
that bring mold proliferation. However, it’s Administration policies and procedures. The
important to be careful in the data sampling locations were routinely cleaned and
interpretation because the moisture in walls disinfected according to DFCI Environmental
and structures varies with seasons and Health and Safety policies and procedures.
relative humidity of ambient air. Over 500 wipe samples were taken over a
period of 1 year plus 100 days. The presented
results will be trended and evaluated.
Podium Session 103
Lessons Learned: DFCI is using these results
Health Care I: Hazardous Drug Wipe
to change practice, emphasis NIOSH
Testing and Biological Monitoring
guidelines, determine biosampling of staff
and Selected Infection Control
needs and focus on areas where
Issues decontamination as well as disinfection needs
Monday, May 20, 2013, 10:30 AM 12:30 to occur.
PM
‒ SR-103-02
CS-103-01 Urinary Contamination of Healthcare Workers
Hazardous Drugs Wipe Sampling Study in a to Antineoplastic Drugs throughout the Entire
Chemo-Naive Building Hospital Medication Circuit
M. McCullough, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, C. Hon, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON,
Boston, MA. Canada; K. Teschke, W. Chu, University of
Situation/Problem: Over the last 20 years, British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; P.
several studies have been published Demers, Ontario Cancer Research Centre,
demonstrating environmental contamination Toronto, ON, Canada; S. Venners, Simon
of various compounding and support work Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
areas with antineoplastic drugs in hospital Objective: To quantify the levels of
pharmacies. In addition, several studies have cyclophosphamide (CP) and its metabolites in
shown that antineoplastic drugs are the urine of healthcare workers identified as
inadvertently absorbed by healthcare workers being part of the hospital medication circuit.
through environmental exposure as Methods: Subjects were recruited from six
determined by the presence of the parent facilities within Metro Vancouver. Workers
compound and/or its metabolite(s) in their previously identified as being involved with the
urine. hospital medication circuit were asked to
2013 AIHce Abstracts ~Montreal, Quebec~ May 18-23, 2013 6
provide 24-hr urine samples. Three workers been introduced into the marketplace for
from each of the eight potentially-exposed job reprocessing ultrasound probes and flexible
categories were selected. One non-hospital endoscopes in healthcare industries.
control subject was recruited for every 10 Currently, the NIOSH Manual of Analytical
study participants. Duplicate urine samples Methods does not list a method for hydrogen
were collected from most participants with at peroxide, and the OSHA methods are fritted
least 3 weeks’ lag between collection times. midget impinger methods. While impingers
Samples were analyzed for CP and three of its are seldom used in industrial hygiene field
metabolites by high-performance liquid- surveys today, these impinger methods are
chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry. more onerous for the employees because of
The sum of the molar concentrations of all their strongly acidic collection solution.
analytes was calculated and results were Resolution: This paper presents a case study
reported in nanomol per litre (nmol/L). to determine an acceptable alternative
Results: A total of 223 urine samples were method. Impingers, passive diffusion badges
collected (115 participants with 108 providing and colorimetric indicator tubes were used
a second sample). The mean urinary CP side by side in field surveys during the
concentration of study participants was 17.4 disinfection of ultrasound probes with an
nmol/L, the GM 4.16 nmol/L, and the GSD automated high level disinfectant unit, and
3.60, with a range from 0.1 to 839 nmol/L. during the disinfection of endoscopes in
These values were all greater than the automated endoscope reprocessors.
corresponding values from non-hospital Results: The results of each method are
controls. Furthermore, a histogram of urinary presented, and the advantages of each
contamination levels of the two cohorts method are compared.
demonstrates that healthcare workers have Lessons Learned: In our surveys, the passive
more opportunity for higher exposure than diffusion badge sampling and the colorimetric
controls. Of the job categories examined, indicator tube methods were found to be
pharmacy receivers (individuals responsible adequate to monitor hydrogen peroxide
for ordering and stocking of drugs) had the exposure relative to the OSHA regulatory level.
highest mean contamination level; one of
whom had the highest maximum reported CS-103-03
exposure. Do Antimicrobial Fabrics Decrease Infections?
Conclusions: Healthcare workers involved with P. Luebbert, Healthcare Interventions, Omaha,
the hospital medication circuit are at risk of NE.
exposure to antineoplastic drugs. The average Situation/Problem: In planning for building of
urinary CP contamination level in the study new hospitals, the need to minimize use of
represents a slight increase in the lifetime hazardous chemicals including disinfectants
cancer risk of the exposed population. These was investigated. Obvious solutions were
results suggest that additional control available for hard surfaces. However few
measures are necessary, especially in areas products were obvious for soft surface textiles
beyond drug preparation and drug (uniforms, lab coats, patient gowns). Fabrics
administration, to minimize the exposure have been shown to act as “fomites” where
potential. organisms can grow and multiple. To safely
protect our laboratorians and direct patient
CS-103-03 care givers, we pursued the possibility of using
A Comparison of Monitoring Methods for antimicrobial fabrics.
Hydrogen Peroxide during High Level Resolution: Published literature was reviewed
Disinfection and it was found in over thirty studies that
W. Xu, E. Stewart, Kaiser Permanente, demonstrated that fabrics do quickly become
Pasadena, CA. contaminated with pathogenic bacteria, allow
Situation/Problem: Recently hydrogen- the bacteria to grow and multiple and cross
peroxide-based high-level disinfectants have contaminate other surfaces. However, very
2013 AIHce Abstracts ~Montreal, Quebec~ May 18-23, 2013 7
few recent healthcare standards and mercury vapor. This case study describes the
guidelines to address these concerns were efforts made to identify Agency and contractor
found. A few fabrics that are manufactured employees potentially exposed to mercury
and promoted as antimicrobial products were vapor and address their concerns, including
discovered. All have been shown to be the exposure potential for members of their
effective in decreasing bacteria in fields other families.
than healthcare including the military, NASA Resolution: This case study underscores the
space travel, mining and athletics. need to quickly identify potential hazards and
Results: Discussions with manufacturers of take the steps necessary to effectively
these products were conducted to promote communicate those hazards to affected
their use in the healthcare arena. Concerns personnel. The Agency immediately notified
were presented at textile and healthcare contractor management and provided
national conferences to make stakeholders guidance on the handling of work clothes and
aware of the possible need for antimicrobial medical surveillance recommendations;
imbedded products in healthcare soft surface conducted mercury awareness training
textiles. sessions for all levels of workers; interviewed
Lessons Learned: Soft surface textiles contractor and Agency employees; evaluated
obviously should be considered “fomites” in vehicles for the presence of elemental
the transmission of pathogenic bacteria in the mercury and offered to evaluate worker
laboratory and other healthcare arenas. Yet residences. Data were collected using direct
these surfaces have been ignored in current reading instruments and the results
healthcare guidelines and standards. No communicated to contractor representatives
fabrics, to date, are approved by EPA to during daily morning and afternoon meetings.
decrease the transmission of bacteria thereby Results: The open communication practices
minimizing infections. Manufacturers and established early in this effort fostered an
infection preventionists need to do more field atmosphere of trust among those workers
research to show the antimicrobial potentially exposed to elevated levels of
effectiveness of these products in order to mercury vapor. During the interviews, workers
motivate the regulatory agencies to set frequently remarked that the flow of
standards to protect workers and patients. information and the steps taken by the Agency
and contractor management to ensure that
workers understood potential risks was
Podium Session 104
appreciated and reduced personal anxiety
Laboratory Health and Safety:
about their safety and the health and safety of
Current Topics
family members.
Monday, May 20, 2013, 10:30 AM 12:30
Lessons Learned: The presentation will
PM
emphasize the importance of establishing a
‒
transparent communication plan early-on
CS-104-01
when responding to a hazardous material
Mercury: Where did it Come from and Where
spill. This approach demonstrated that worker
did it Go?
safety and health was the highest priority in
G. Moore, Architect of the Capitol,
the response effort.
Washington, D.C.

Situation/Problem: The U.S. Capitol Power
SR-401-02
Plant is over 100 years old. Many operations
Filtration Efficiency of Yellow Sand Mask,
in the plant rely on mechanical system
Surgical Mask, and Handkerchief
monitoring equipment that contains elemental
C. Yoon, H. Jung, J. Kim, J. Lee, J. Kim,
mercury. Demolition activities, including torch-
Institute of Health and Environment, School of
cutting of refrigeration lines, resulted in the
Public Health, Seoul National University,
spill of an unknown quantity of elemental
Seoul, Republic of Korea; S. Lee, APAC
mercury. Demolition contractor employees
were potentially exposed to elevated levels of
2013 AIHce Abstracts ~Montreal, Quebec~ May 18-23, 2013 8
Laboratory, 3M Korea, Seoul, Republic of CS-104-03
Korea. The Development of an EHS Database
Objective: The purposes of this study was to Program
evaluate the filtration efficiency and pressure M. Markopoulos, Wright State University,
drop of surgical masks, yellow sand masks, Dayton, OH.
influenza masks and quarantine masks and to Situation/Problem: Data management for
compare the test results using NIOSH and EU environmental health and safety management
protocols. is essential for effective program
Methods: A total of 44 brands of masks and administration. Hazardous materials
handkerchief were evaluated and after inventories and training documentation were
consultation with several health care workers, becoming unmanageable and time-
4 surgical masks representative of those used consuming. A variety of different lists and
in hospitals and 3 dental masks used in programs were used to compile reports for
dental clinics were selected. Both NIOSH and review. A purchased program would help, but
EU protocols were used, which was originally finances were limited. A custom, in-house
set for respirators worn by workers not for database would increase accuracy, efficiency,
masks. 6 samples of each model, 3 for NIOSH and productivity.
method and 3 for EU method, were tested. Resolution: The development of an in-house,
Results: A wide variation of penetration and on-line database system that used open
pressure drop was observed by mask types. source programs was developed to address
Overall mean of penetration and pressure the reporting needs for training and hazardous
drop of all tested masks using NIOSH protocol materials inventory. The combination of a
was 45.01 (SD 40.69) %, 9.12 (SD 6.18) mm variety of Excel lists and Access database
H O, respectively while those are 41.75 (SD information yielded an effective SQL database
2
38.98) %, 9.85 (SD 6.11) mm H O, with a user-friendly interface.
2
respectively with EU Protocol. There was no Results: The customized web-based database
significant difference in penetration and was developed and implemented. Each
pressure drop between NIOSH and EU person owned laboratories, maintained
protocols when challenged with NaCl aerosol hazardous materials inventories, supervised
(for penetration, p=0.66, for pressure drop, p= personnel, and required training. The
0.53). elimination of a variety of systems into one
Conclusions: It was found that all of tested centralized system eliminated the redundancy
influenza masks and quarantine masks and increased productivity. Additional features
satisfied the maximum penetration criteria of included customized reports, training
6% (KF 94). Seven brands out of 9 yellow certificate generation, and email notifications.
sand masks for adults and 4 brands out of 9 The data is easier to maintain and collect and
for children satisfied the maximum management enjoys the customized features.
penetration criteria of 20% (KF 80). Lessons Learned: The development of a
Penetration value of most surgical masks and customized database requires time, some
dental masks were over 20%. General masks programming skills, and resources. Keeping
and handkerchiefs have no protection the project to a manageable level and staying
function. It is necessary to study and discuss focused on the desired outcome were crucial
the criteria for the mask which level is to successful implementation.
appropriate to reduce the risk for citizens and
to prepare exact guidelines for how and why to CS-104-04
wear masks. Of Mice and Men: Improving Employee Health
and Safety in Laboratory Animal Facilities
N. Greeson, E. King, Duke University, Durham,
NC.
Situation/Problem: Laboratory animal facilities
involve potential exposure to a variety of

2013 AIHce Abstracts ~Montreal, Quebec~ May 18-23, 2013 9
hazards including animal bites/scratches, Podium Session 105
allergens, chemicals, biohazards, Nanotechnology I
lifting/pushing/pulling, repetitive motion,
Monday, May 20, 2013, 10:30 AM 12:30
noise, slip/trip/fall hazards, and hot/humid
PM
environments. Consequently, animal facilities ‒
traditionally have some of the highest
SR-105-01
employee injury rates within institutions. This
WITHDRAWN: Exposure Properties of
was true at Duke University, where high lab
Nanoparticles for the Semiconductor
animal/care staff injury rates and poor morale
Manufacturing Industry
prompted re-evaluation of practices,
K. Choi, J. Kim, J. Park, K. Kim, Samsung
equipment, and training to create a safer work
Electronics, Yongin-City, Republic of Korea; D.
environment and work culture.
Woo, J. Jung, G. Bae, Korea Institute of
Resolution: Animal care staff, animal care
Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of
management, and occupational health and
Korea; S. Kim, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital,
safety staff created a lasting partnership that
Seoul, Republic of Korea.
has resulted in significant reductions in

injury/illness rates and improved morale. This
CS-105-02
has been accomplished through a multi-
Nickel Titanium Nanoparticles Generated by
faceted approach including: establishment of
Femto-second Laser Ablation
an effective safety committee, provision of
C. Beaucham, K. Martinez, NIOSH, Cincinnati,
various means for communicating concerns
OH.
and actions taken, creation of an audit
Situation/Problem: NIOSH received a request
process to identify hazards, implementation of
from management to participate in a field
solutions to identified risks and hazards,
research study designed to evaluate the
including significant equipment upgrades, and
emission of Nickel Titanium alloy incidental
administrative changes such as a dedicated
nanoparticles during femto-second laser
maintenance employee.
ablation. NIOSH was asked to evaluate the
Results: The OSHA recordable injury/illness
task and the effectiveness of engineering
rate amongst this group dropped from a high
controls and worker practices in controlling
of 44.55 per 100 Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs)
nanoaersol emissions.
in 2007 to a low of 13.38 per 100 FTEs in
Resolution: Two femto-lasers and one laser
2011. The more serious injury/illness rate
operator were observed during the processing
involving days away from work, job restriction,
of Nickel Titanium rods. The air and surfaces
or job transfer decreased from a high of 26.13
were sampled for Nickel and Titanium using
per 100 FTEs in 2007 to 3.89 per 100 FTEs in
elemental analytical methods. In addition,
2011. The safety committee is still vibrant
samples to be analyzed using transmission
after almost five years. Continuous
electron microscopy and utilized direct
improvement efforts are ongoing related to
reading instruments were collected to
the health and safety of staff working in lab
evaluate the local exhaust ventilation system
animal facilities.
in the laser rooms.
Lessons Learned: Employee and management
Results: Femto-laser ablation consists of ultra-
buy-in and support are critical components in
short and ultra-high energy pulses which lead
achieving and sustaining health and safety
to plasma plumes and nano-sized debris with
improvements for employees in the lab animal
the same chemical make-up as the parent
care environment. Accomplishing small
material. NiTi alloy nanoparticles were
improvements by addressing low hanging fruit
detected in the personal and area air
can help to build trust and momentum for
samples. However, OELs do not exist for these
tackling larger scale improvements.
nanoparticles, due to toxicological uncertainty
the OEL for Nickel (REL of 0.015 mg/m3) was
used as a benchmark. Surface levels also
yielded detectable results of Nickel and
2013 AIHce Abstracts ~Montreal, Quebec~ May 18-23, 2013 10