Following multiple worker illnesses at the Royal Australian Air Force base in
Amberley, the Australian government launched a study in December of the long-term effects of jet fuel and solvents on RAAF personnel and their families (“Study
begins into health of F-111 deseal-reseal workers,” Dec. 17, www.abc.net.au).
Transportation workers have the greatest risk of developing metabolic syndrome,
according to a study of U.S. occupational groups published in November. (“
Prevalence of the Metabolic Syndrome among U.S. Workers,” Diabetes Care.)
Isocyanate exposures at MbOCA user sites in the British polyurethane industry
are not adequately controlled, concludes a report issued by the United Kingdom’s
Health and Safety Executive. MbOCA ( 4, 4’-methylene-bis-ortho-chloroaniline) is
used as a curing agent in polyurethane production. (“Occupational exposure to
MbOCA and isocyanates in polyurethane manufacture,” www.hse.gov.uk/research/
rrpdf/rr828.pdf.)
Riding in a convertible with the top down can damage your hearing, according to
a study published online in November by the Journal of Laryngology and Otology.
Researchers measured noise in five different car models and found that exposures
exceeded 85 dB at 55 miles per hour. (“Noise exposure in convertible automobiles,”
www.jlo.co.uk.)
Green buildings may improve public health, say Michigan State researchers who
surveyed 250 employees at two companies and found far fewer health problems in
the companies’ new, LEED-certified locations than at their previous locations. (“
Effects of Green Buildings on Employee Health and Productivity,” American Journal of
Public Health, http://ajph.aphapublications.org.)
