by Linda Rawson | Feb 4, 2019 | Industrial Hygiene
Black Lung is still around.
This last week the National Public Radio (NPR) collaborated with PBS investigative series Frontline on an article titled: “An Epidemic Is Killing Thousands of Coal Miners. Regulators Could Have Stopped It.” The multiyear investigation by NPR and Frontline found that these coal miners are part of an unfortunate, tragic, discovered outbreak of black lung disease, known as progressive massive fibrosis.
Ex Coal Miner with Black Lung, NARA/EPA via pingnews
Beyond mountain roads, deep in Appalachia, the article describes the familiar story of past coal miners, young and old, coughing uncontrollably and packing an oxygen tank on their back. Children are wondering what is wrong with their rapidly aging parents and grandparents. The concerned children watch them hack, cough, and spit up dead, black lung tissue onto the ground. The lung tissue dies so fast that the respiratory therapists describe it as “peeling away.”
NIOSH, unfortunately, is seeing some trends in the extensive spread of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP, commonly called Black Lung).
The investigation suggests that for decades, the government regulators had evidence of excessive and toxic mine dust exposures but did nothing about it.
Thousands of cases of Black Lung are being reported to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Yes. It is 2019. Black Lung should not be an occupational health problem in this time period.
According to Dr. Robert Cohen, a pulmonologist at the University of Illinois in Chicago, “the advanced stage of black lung leaves lungs crusty and useless.” He has spent decades studying black lung and other lung diseases.
They’re essentially suffocating while alive.
The airborne poison that triggers serious condition isn’t coal mine dust alone. It consists of respirable crystalline silica, dangerous dust that is generated when miners reduced sandstone as they mine coal. Coal seams in central Appalachia are ingrained in sandstone which contains quartz; therefore when mining techniques reduce quartz, it produces respirable crystalline silica. The silica is inhaled deep into the lungs where it is lodged permanently.
Miners Waiting for Their Examination at the Appalachian Regional Hospital in Beckley, West Virginia, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
This excessive exposure to respirable crystalline silica almost certainly happened more often than the data suggests. Respirable crystalline silica sampling takes place during regular inspections, which are scheduled twice a year in surface mines and four times a year in underground mines.
The sampling should be occurring over 8 hours according to the OSHA Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard.
Related article: OSHA Publishes Silica Standard FAQ
Most of the sick and dying miners that were interviewed used dust masks and said they often didn’t work. With real-time monitoring of respirable crystalline silica masks only need to be worn during high levels of silica. By analyzing minute particles, a dangerous level can be determined, and miners do not have to wear a mask all the time.
Have your employees wear a real-time DustCount 8899 – Respirable Dust Monitor – Click Here to Learn More
This investigation is a sad case of human illness that might have been prevented with adequate safety measure and monitoring.
References:
An Epidemic Is Killing Thousands Of Coal Miners … (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.capradio.org/news/npr/story?storyid=675253856
by Linda Rawson | Feb 3, 2019 | General, Industrial Hygiene
For National Women Physician’s day, we choose to commemorate the success of Dr. Alice Hamilton. As consumers, we support a marketplace that allows us to acquire low-cost products quickly. Sometimes production of those consumer products comes at a human health cost. Alice Hamilton was a pioneer in the field of occupational health and safety. There is no individual, male or female, that was much more instrumental in making the worker and employer aware of the occupational health and wellness dangers and prospective dangers of the industrial workplace than Alice Hamilton.
Alice Hamilton in 1893, the year she graduated from medical school. PDH at Smithsonian Institution and en.wikipedia [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons.
The Early Years
Alice Hamilton was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1869 into a family with privilege. Privilege did not make Alice Hamilton selfish, and she aspired to provide some type of useful service to the world. She wasn’t always the best student especially in reading and science but she studied hard and made up the deficit.
She earned her medical degree from the University of Michigan in 1893. In the 1890s, according to the census, there were about 4,500 female doctors in the United States. It was extremely unusual for a woman to be a doctor but Alice persevered.
Pioneering Industrial Hygiene
In 1897, Dr. Hamilton took a setting teaching pathology at Northwestern University’s Female’s Medical Institution in Chicago. In the “Windy City,” she came to be associated with Hull House, the world-famous settlement residence founded by Jane Addams in 1889. A settlement house brought the poor and the rich of society together in physical and social proximity. As higher education opened to women, young female graduates brought their energy to the settlement movement. She lived there for 22 years.
Deeply devoted to her work at Hull House, Dr. Hamilton additionally took on investigations of typhoid high temperature, tuberculosis and drug abuse in Chicago. In 1908, she was assigned to the Illinois Compensation of Occupational Diseases as well as, in 1911, to the U.S. Division of Labor. It was then that she began a vigorous search of what she called “exploring the dangerous trades.”
In 1919, Hamilton became the very first woman professor, in ANY field, at Harvard Medical College, albeit on a part-time basis. New York times announced her appointment with the headline: “A Woman on Harvard Faculty—The Last Citadel Has Fallen—The Sex Has Come into Its Own.” Her rebuttal to this headline was:
“Yes, I am the first woman on the Harvard faculty—but not the first one who should have been appointed!”
Hamilton faced gender discrimination. She was continually excluded from social activities, could not enter the Harvard Union, could not attend the Faculty Club, and did not receive football tickets. The worst thing was Hamilton was not allowed to march in the university’s commencement ceremonies with her male faculty counterparts.
In 1925, Hamilton testified at a Public Health Service conference on the use of lead in gasoline. She warned of the danger it posed to people and the environment and especially children. Nevertheless, at the prompting of big business, leaded gasoline was allowed. By 1988, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated that 68 million children suffered toxic exposure from lead in leaded fuels over the previous 60 years.
Dr. Alice Hamilton, pioneer of occupational medicine in the United States. PDH at Smithsonian Institution and en.wikipedia [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons.
Hamilton was the pioneer of occupational epidemiology and industrial hygiene. She created the specialized field of industrial medicine in the United States. Her findings from her research were well written and scientifically persuasive. Regarding her research, she influenced massive health reforms that changed laws and improved the health of workers.
Hamilton’s best-known research included studies on:
- Workers getting sick through contact with the explosive trinitrotoluene (TNT).
- Steelworkers suffering carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Hatters suffering mercury poisoning which caused mental illness and spawned the phrase “mad as a hatter.”
- Jackhammer operators suffering debilitating hand conditions.
- Limestone cutters suffering spastic anemia also is known as “dead fingers.”
- Tombstone carvers suffering a high incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis.
- Matchstick factory workers suffering phosphorus necrosis of the jaw commonly called “phossy jaw.”
She uncovered the dangers in unsafe factories and workplaces with unconventional methods and fearlessly acting to become an advocate for a safe workplace in the industrial revolution. Up until her death in 1970, Hamilton continued to campaign for the health of all Americans, leaving an enduring, positive and long lasting mark on the public’s wellness.
We should all strive to emulate her talents in listening attentively to those that think they do not have a voice.
References
https://cfmedicine.nlm.nih.gov/physicians/biography_137.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Hamilton
by Linda Rawson | Jul 1, 2018 | General
Haight Bey & Associates do weather stations. Furthermore, they have a government contract to support and sustain the US Air Force Global Strike Command’s (AFGSC) Fixed Based Weather Observing System (FBWOS) and the AN/TMQ-53 Tactical Meteorological Observing System (TMOS). As a result of their weather interest, they reached out to DynaGrace Enterprises to provide a few WeatherEgg Kids activities for the STEM building at the What an excellent opportunity to have children build anemometers, color in pages from the WeatherEgg Kids: Weather from A-Z: Coloring Book and build some windsocks.
Linda Rawson, of DynaGrace Enterprises, has a saying she always says. If kids are going to learn science, why not weather science?
There are many reasons why learning about climate and meteorology are essential. Weather Science is a big part of the “S” in STEM education. Weather is observable and measurable. You still have to record and chart data. Make graphs. Find trends. We are creating little scientists in our society, and a hands-on learning approach is the ultimate teaching method.
Haight Bey & Associates LLC is a small, veteran-owned and certified ISO 9001-2015 engineering service company. Most noteworthy about Haight Bey is that they are focused on delivering exceptional and cost-effective systems engineering solutions, including technical and logistics services. They provide scheduled or unscheduled maintenance, field and depot electromechanical repair, and system lifecycle planning, including new product insertion and product obsolescence solutions.
Whether you know it or not, your organization is subject to cybersecurity requirements is the motto of Haight Bey and they have made a name for themselves in the Salt Lake City area for Cybersecurity.
by Linda Rawson | Jul 1, 2018 | General
DustCount 8899 – Respirable Dust Monitor
Many industrial sites generate dust including Construction (Silica Dust), Fabrication (Metal, Wood, Silica Dust), Foundries (Metal Dust), Food Processing (Sugar, Flour, Chemical Dust), and Petroleum (Chemical Dust).
Engineered for timely, high-quality, dust exposure information, the DustCount 8899 – Respirable Dust Monitor, monitors dust exposure before the amount approaches regulatory limits. The monitor helps ensure the industrial worker’s health is in good hands.
Sizes of Dust
| Dust size |
Type |
Details |
| Above 50um |
Inhalable (Sinus) |
Immediate clearing is done with a sneeze or blow. |
| 10-50um Micron |
Thoracic (Lung) Windpipe, Larynx, alternatively, bronchial |
Clearing can happen within a day or two by coughing or spitting. |
| 1-10um |
Respirable (Lung). Particles penetrate the lungs. |
Lungs take years to remove this dust, and this amount of particles are a huge cancer risk. |
| Below 1um |
Respirable (Lung). Particles penetrate the lungs and can get into the bloodstream. |
Years to remove dust. Cells mutate to form cancer. |
What is the problem?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that 2.3 million workers are exposed to the dust, including 2 million individuals who work in construction.
According to an article on health.com work-related lung problems are quite common, and 17% of adult asthma in the United States may be caused by work exposure. Many adult workers see their asthma symptoms increase in their workplace.
The top 3 worker diseases according to the World Health Organization are:
- Cancer 53%
- Circulatory: 28%
- Respiratory: 6%
Dust causes all the diseases.
Also, another very interesting article completed by the European Commission discusses Limits on Exposure to Carcinogens and Mutagens at Work.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Fact Sheet, 2.3 million workers in the United States are exposed to the dust, including 2 million individuals who work in construction.
OSHA issued its final rule, §1926.1153 Respirable crystalline silica, with standards for both construction and general industry and maritime. Both standards went into effect in June 2016; however, general industry and maritime have until June 23, 2018, to comply except in the following areas:
- Medical surveillance must be available by June 23, 2020, to employees who will be exposed to levels at or above the action level of 25 micrograms per cubic meter of air averaged during an 8-hour shift for 30 or more days a year.
- Hydraulic fracturing operations in the oil and gas industry must institute by June 23, 2021, dust controls to limit exposures to the new PEL.
Main Causes of Worker Cancer
- Asbestos – particles
- Shift work
- Mineral oils
- Solar radiation
- Silica dust – particles
- Diesel exhaust – particles
- Combination of small package, real-time, sample cassette – an easier job
- Compact/light package – greater worker acceptance, ease of use
- Real-time readings – can be used to track the location of problems,
- Data from real-time – gives credibility and proof for IH in a corporate discussion
- Graphical results – great for training, instantaneous graphical proof of danger
- Real-time warning of danger. Eliminate workers working without a mask and only putting on a monitor when the unit alarms and removing the monitor when alarm stops
- Higher accuracy – The same dust read in real-time is collected in the cassette.
- Comfort using this test instead of a standard method test
- Easy to use – GUI, wireless and auto pump
- Cost – purchase one unit for personal wearable real-time and standard
- Method and sample analysis and use as portable.
- Small compact size – greater worker acceptance
- Real-time – instantaneous results, correlation with the location, worker relief, lower sampling cost, data for credibility
- Combination device – lower cost to do the job, higher accuracy
- Standard Method – meet regulatory requirements, familiar SOPs
- Graphical data – visual proof for training and discussion with corp
- Sample Analysis – familiar material determinations (XRD, IR)
- Wireless communication – ease of setup, ease of data capture
- Automated operation
- Particle Distribution – correlation with dust type
- Particle Count – the future key to worker safety, new regulations
- Pinpoint the location of problems, avoid costly ventilation expense
- Save money and time by having IH only do the testing once
- The standard method is done first then use a real-time test is done afterward
- The worker does a complete test
- Save money on time by not having to wait on labs
DynaGrace Enterprises is proud to be a distributor for the DustCount 8899 – Respirable Dust Monitor manufactured by Nanozen and is currently in final review to be available on GSA Schedule 66: Scientific Equipment and Services.
To purchase this item, please see the item in our shop -> https://dynagrace.com/product/nanozen-dustcount-8899/
by Linda Rawson | May 24, 2018 | Federal Government Contracting, General
DynaGrace Enterprises is one of the most recent beneficiaries of the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce (USWCC) Federal: Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) Certification. DynaGrace Enterprises’s President and CEO, Linda Rawson and Vice President, Jennifer Remund accepted the award from the USWCC. Under Margot Dorfman’s leadership, the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce is an approved 3rd Party Certifier for the federal government Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program as authorized by section 811 of the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000, Public Law 106-554 (15 U.S. C. 637(m)).
The USWCC is the leading advocate for women on economic and leadership issues.
Margot Dorfman, CEO, USWCC
As the economic leader for women, the USWCC creates opportunities, drives progress, advocates, and provides tools and solutions. By doing these amazing things they support the economic growth of women across America. The USWCC (uswcc.org) is a not-for-profit 501(c)6 organization founded in 2001 with over 500,000 members; its headquarters are in Washington, D.C.
DynaGrace Enterprises was an SBA self-certified, EDWOSB but chose to obtain additional certification to support the USWCC.
Also, the USWCC are bringing three significant issues to the forefront for EDWOSB’s performing government work. Those issues are:
- Adding a sole source in alignment with other socioeconomic programs
- Removing the Contracting Officer’s obligation to verify the validity of self-certification
- Holding agency leaders accountable for using the program.
“It is a great privilege to be not only a rural business, but a women-owned, family business, and we are excited to utilize programs like the USWCC EDWOSB program to obtain more work to provide jobs,” stated Linda Rawson, President, and CEO of DynaGrace Enterprises. “DynaGrace Enterprises has been heavily involved in Department of Defense work and is moving full forward in obtaining more government contracts. The government is providing the mechanism, socioeconomic set-asides, additional insight, and resources needed to acquire government contracts which in turn provide jobs. The EDWOSB opportunity is a win-win for our small business.”
Groups, like the USWCC, are making a difference.
Furthermore, their lawsuit compelled the SBA to implement the Equity in Contracting for Women Act of 2000. The federal government is failing. They are not meeting the 5% goal and women-owned firms have lost over $120 Billion in contracting dollars.
As of today, the Small Business Dashboard shows some 4.08% which is one percent lower than the required spend of 5%.
Furthermore, with only four months to go in the fiscal year the government is in the final stretch. As a result, the anticipated WOSB set-asides should increase.
DynaGrace Enterprises is a 100% Women-Owned Small Business and provides Information Technology, System Integration, Writing and Business services, quality products and innovative solutions for government and commercial businesses of all sizes.
Customers can learn more about DynaGrace Enterprises by visiting the company’s website at DynaGrace.com or by calling the company directly at 888-676-0058.
