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A digestive disease expert at the University of Cincinnati says that uncomfortable stomachaches associated with big holiday meals could be the warning sign of a serious condition that requires more than a few antacids to remedy.á According to Michael Nussbaum, MD, a gastrointestinal surgeon, many conditions can be ôactivatedö by overeating, including gallstones, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and gastroesophageal reflux disease, also known as ôacid reflux.ö
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All the conditions, which are often interrelated, can cause digestive dysfunction. Dr. Nussbaum says many people self-diagnoseùor dismissùthe pain as indigestion, when in reality their bodies are giving them an important warning sign.
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ôAround the holidays, people are more likely to indulge in fatty foods, alcoholic beverages and other temptations,ö says Dr. Nussbaum. ôAnd if they find that every holiday party they attend ends in mild, but persistent abdominal pain, it may be a sign of a more serious digestive disease that needs immediate medical attention.ö
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ôAlcohol, nicotine and fatty foods can exacerbate dysfunction in many areas of the body,ö explains Dr. Nussbaum.
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This is how it works:ááááááááááááááááááááááááááááá
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The gallbladder, a small sac under the liver, releases a brownish-yellow fluid known as bile that plays a key role in breaking down fats. A high-fat diet can tip the balance, causing the liver to produce more cholesterol than the bile can handle. The excess cholesterol forms small crystal deposits known as gallstones. About an hour after a big meal, Dr. Nussbaum explains, the gallbladder contracts against the lodged ôstone,ö causing abdominal pain and nausea.
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The enzymes that break down food cannot start the digestion process until they pass out of the pancreas and into the intestine. If a gallstone blocks the exit out of the pancreas, digestive juices will back up into the organ and cause inflammation, known as pancreatitis. The body begins to ôauto digestö the pancreas, resulting in dangerous tissue damage and extreme pain.
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In the case of acid reflux, the valve between the stomach and the esophagus weakens and allows digestive juices to leak back from the stomach into the esophagus. The more than 100 million people who suffer from this condition experience a burning sensation in the chest and have trouble swallowing some foods.
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ôAny pain that lasts for more than 30 minutes should never be ignored,ö says Dr. Nussbaum. ôIf treated early, most problems can be managed with medication. In more advanced cases, surgery may be required.ö
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Dr. Nussbaum offers this simple advice:
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ôEverything in moderation,ö he advises. ôYou donÆt have to completely cut temptations and libations out of your diet, but you do need to know whatÆs right for your body.ö
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He recommends avoiding fatty foods, alcohol, caffeine and cigarettesùall of which can exacerbate existing gastrointestinal conditions and contribute to other potential health problems. He also notes that overindulgence in alcohol is directly toxic to the pancreas and can cause pancreatitis, even without the presence of gallstones.
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Dr. Nussbaum is one of more than 300 experts available to answer questions on Netwellness.org, a nonprofit, consumer-health Web site that provides information created and evaluated by faculty physicians at UC, Case Western Reserve University and Ohio State University.
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New Silver Edition of the NIOSH Pocket Guide
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NIOSH has released a new edition of the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. The new edition is available as a printed book (DHHS NIOSH Publication No. 2005-149), and as a CD-ROM (DHHS NIOSH Publication No. 2005-151) and online at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/. One of the main changes for this new edition of the Pocket Guide, which has a silver cover, is that particulate respirator recommendations have been updated.á Also, the layout of the paper version has been changed substantially to make the book easier to read and use. In addition, the web version is now searchable.á The Pocket Guide contains important safety and health information for 677 chemicals that are encountered in the workplace. It was first published in 1978 and has been revised and updated regularly since then. In addition to the Pocket Guide, the CD-ROM also contains several other databases, such as the 2004 Emergency Response Guidebook, NIOSH and OSHA analytical methods, and the International Chemical Safety Cards. Both the paper version and CD-ROM are available from the NIOSH publications office by calling 1-800-35-NIOSH
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Global Burden of Disease and Injury Due to Occupational Risk Factors
á .ö The work was carried out as part of a World Health Organization (WHO) Comparative Risk Assessment analysis of 26 risk factors to the global burden of disease. The methodological requirements limited the risk factors that could be studied globally, so that the individual articles account for about 800,000 of the estimated 2 million deaths that occur annually due to occupational risks. Individual articles include addressing the global burden due to occupational carcinogens, airborne particulates, noise, ergonomic risks for back pain, and risk for traumatic injury; estimating the global burden of infectious disease due to sharps injuries among healthcare workers; and examining previous published estimates of global burden due to occupational risks. Three articles focus on economic issues: cost effectiveness of workplace interventions to prevent silicosis and back pain, and an economic model used at company level to evaluate the net costs involved in prevention of occupational back pain.
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NIOSH Seeks Your Comments on Titanium Dioxide Current Intelligence Bulletin
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NIOSH is requesting public comment on the draft Current Intelligence Bulletin, ôEvaluation of Health Hazard and Recommendations for Occupational Exposure to Titanium Dioxide.öá Public comments must accepted by March 31, 2006.
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The draft document includes the following findings and recommendations:á A recommended exposure limit of 1.5 milligrams per cubic meter for fine TiO2 and 0.1 milligrams per cubic meter for ultrafine particles as time-weighted averages for up to 10 hours per day during a 40-hour work week. Differences in recommended limits for fine and ultrafine particles reflect findings from studies which suggest that ultrafine TiO2 particles may be more potent than fine TiO2 particles at the same mass.
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Recommended exposure limits would control occupational exposures to levels that are unlikely to raise a risk of work-related lung cancer. With this recommendation, NIOSH would remove its current classification as an occupational carcinogen.
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Further research is needed in the measurement of workplace airborne exposures to ultrafine TiO2 in facilities that produce the material in order to better understand potential exposure risks. NIOSH will hold a public meeting on the draft document on February 27, 2006.
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Resources for Hospital Emergency Preparedness
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OSHA and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations sponsored a popular and highly successful conference in October to help prepare hospital employees to respond to victims of mass casualty incidents involving hazardous substances. . The set is comprised of 11 CDs and features presentations of all plenary sessions. A conference resource book containing copies of all presentations delivered at the conference is included. To purchase the set, contact the JCR customer service center at 877-223-6866.
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Information Resource to Facilitate Research on the Organization of Work
á This information resource aims to enhance research in the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Organization of Work priority area by providing a means for researchers to quickly and easily identify available instruments for measuring organizational characteristics that may be useful for advancing research on the associations between work organization and worker safety, health, and well-being. Expansion of the database and resource list content is ongoing, and users and developers of work organization measures are encouraged to nominate instruments for consideration. Information about the instrument nomination process can be found on the Frequently Asked Questions section of the Web page.
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NIOSH Signs MOU with Federal Fire Administration
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NIOSH and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) signed a memorandum of understanding on November 21, 2005 to identify collaborative efforts the two agencies can undertake with the goal of improving safety and health conditions for fire fighters throughout the United States. More information on USFA training and education can be found at: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/training/nfa/. The agreement was signed by NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D., and U.S. Fire Administrator R. David Paulison.
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Work, Stress and Health 2006: Making a Difference in the Workplace
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NIOSH, the American Psychological Association, the National Institute of Justice of the U.S. Department of Justice, the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research of the U.S. Department of Education, and the U.S. Department of Labor, will convene the sixth international conference on occupational stress and health, Work, Stress, and Health 2006: Making a Difference in the Workplace in Miami, FL, March 2-4, 2006. The conference is designed to address the constantly changing nature of work, and the implications of these changes for the health, safety, and well-being of workers. In keeping with the conference theme of ômaking a difference in the workplace,ö there will be a particular focus on the translation of research to practice, and workplace programs, policies, practices, case experiences, and other efforts to prevent stress in today's workplace.
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Respiratory Protection of Healthcare Workers and Emergency Responders: Call for Papers
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Abstracts are currently being accepted for the 13th International Respiratory Protection of Healthcare Workers and Emergency Responders Conference. The conference will be held August 27-September 1, 2006 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Topics for papers include respiratory protection for healthcare workers, emergency responders, and those in developing countries, updates on standards and regulations, emerging hazards and technologies, and fundamentals of respiratory protection. The deadline for abstract submissions is March 31, 2006.
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Valero Corpus Christi Refinery West and East Plants Achieve OSHA Recognition
Valero's Corpus Christi Refinery West and East plants have earned membership in OSHAÆs "Star" Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). A recognition ceremony was held at the company's facility at which OSHA Acting Assistant Secretary Jonathan L. Snare welcomed the plants into the prestigious program that recognizes and promotes effective workplace safety and health management."Working together, you've made good on your commitment to provide a safe and healthful work environment here in Corpus Christi," Snare told the Valero employees and managers. "Recognizing that each worker is essential to the success of the company, you've made continuous improvement in safety and health a true value -- not merely a priority -- in the Valero company culture."Both plants have maintained injury and illness rates substantially below the national average for the petroleum refining industry.The Valero Corpus Christi Refinery-East Plant employs some 325 workers refining heavy, high-sulfur crude oil into light products including conventional gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, petrochemicals, propane, butane and light naphthas. In addition, the facility produces multiple grades of asphalt and petroleum coke.The Valero Corpus Christi Refinery-West Plant employs about 490 workers refining low value crude oil feed stocks into premium products including reformulated gasoline (RFG) and CARB Phase II gasoline, both of which have fewer toxics and lower emissions than conventional gasoline. The facility also produces conventional gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, petrochemicals, propane, butane and light naphthas.About 1,370 work sites throughout the U.S have earned OSHA's highest recognition as participants in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs, representing more than 280 industries. VPP participants typically achieve injury and illness rates at least 50 percent below their respective industry's average rates.
OSHA Cites Two Chicago Construction Companies for Safety Violations
Two Chicago area construction companies are facing a total of $112,000 in fines proposed by OSHA following a May inspection that indicated willful violations of federal workplace safety regulations designed to prevent serious injuries or fatalities caused by falls, the agency announced.The OSHA investigation at the construction site of the multi-million dollar University of Illinois - Chicago Recreation Center Project was initiated by OSHA's Calumet City, Ill., area office as part of a local emphasis program on fall protection. Once on-site, investigators found two sub-contractors allowing workers to be exposed to potential falls of approximately 50 feet from the edge of the worksite to the ground below. OSHA issued one willful citation each to Area Construction Trades Inc. Aurora, Ill., for $42,000 and to Area Erectors Inc. Wheeling, Ill., for $70,000."These companies failed to protect their workers," said OSHA Area Director Gary Anderson, Calumet City. "Falls are a leading cause of workplace fatalities, and the sizeable amount of construction activity in the Chicago area means that contractors and sub-contractors must do all in their power to protect their employees from such tragedies."OSHA has inspected Area Construction Trades worksites four times in the past three years including investigations into falls where an employee became paralyzed from the chest down in 2003 and a fatal fall in 2002. The company, which provides metal decking services for its customers, has received two repeat and two serious citations for lack of fall protection as a result of those previous inspections.OSHA has inspected Area Erectors worksites 14 times since January 2002 with citations issued for fall protection violations in three of those inspections. The Wheeling company, headquartered in Rockford, Ill., performs steel erection and pre-cast concrete erection services.
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Lancaster Glass Cited for 62 Serious Safety Violations - $121,000 Penalty Proposed
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OSHA has proposed $121,000 in fines against Lancaster Glass Corporation, Columbus, Ohio, for 36 alleged serious violations of federal workplace safety and health standards.OSHA opened an inspection in June at the glass component manufacturer as part of its site specific targeting initiative. The inspection revealed violations, classified as serious, of regulations dealing with guard rails for open-sided floors, platforms and runways; proper construction of fixed ladders; appropriate personal protective equipment; adequate machine guarding; electrical and welding hazards; grinding wheel safety, and storage of welding cylinders."Any one of these violations has the potential to cause serious harm, perhaps even death, to workers," said OSHA Area Director Deborah Zubaty. "Finding hazards and insisting they be corrected are among the best services we can perform for working men and women."Lancaster Glass Corporation has been inspected 14 times since 1986, resulting in 62 serious and six other-than-serious violations prior to 2005. In January of this year, the company was cited for overexposures to lead and other potential dangers to employees' health.
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Emergency Evacuations from High-Rise Buildings
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The National Fire Protection Association defines ôhigh-rise buildingö as a building greater than 75 feet (25 m) in height where the building height is measured from the lowest level ofá fire department vehicle access to the floor of the highest occupiable story. Appropriate exits, alarms, emergency lighting, communication systems, and sprinkler systems are critical for employee safety. When designing and maintaining exits, it is essential to ensure that routes leading to the exits, as well as the areas beyond the exits, are accessible and free from materials or items that would impede individuals from easily and effectively evacuating. State and local building code officials can help employers ensure that the design and safety systems are adequate. When there is an emergency, getting workers out of high-rise buildings poses special challenges. Preparing in advance to safely evacuate the building is critical to the safety of employees who work there.á
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Statistics Show a Decline in Workplace Injury and Illness
á The number translates to a rate of 4.8 cases per 100 full-time workers, slightly less than the 5.0 rate reported last year. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao said that the "improved health and safety data once again demonstrates the effectiveness of the department's three-pronged approach to protecting workers." That approach includes strong, fair and effective enforcement; outreach, education and compliance assistance; and cooperative and voluntary programs.
Hazards of Manually Lifting Framed Walls
á á OSHA has recorded 22 incidents involving collapse of balloon framed walls during the five-year period ending in July 2004. During that period, five workers were killed and 28 others injured as a result of these incidents. The bulletin describes how such incidents occur, and offers safe lifting methods and recommendations to help prevent collapse of the walls.
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Adopt a Safe and Sober Approach to Holiday Parties
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The holiday season has arrived and, with it, the opportunity for workers and employers to gather together and enjoy the festivities. And, typical of some workplace parties is the consumption of alcoholic beverages. If that's the case, the Department of Labor strongly encourages employers to take every precaution that will prevent tragedy during the season.
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Safety News Links
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