Work-Related Respiratory Diseases can be Prevented

WEBWIRE – Wednesday, June 9, 2010

EMSL Analytical provides air testing services to protect workers in the manufacturing sector from respiratory illness.

Westmont, NJ

Silicosis, asbestosis, byssinosis and chronic beryllium disease are some of the respiratory diseases caused almost exclusively by workplace exposures. Recently the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) released Publication No. 2010-144. The publication, Work-Related Respiratory Diseases, is part of the National Occupational Research Agenda’s (NORA) effort to stimulate innovative research and improve workplace practices.

According to the document, “An estimated 15.9 million people worked in the Manufacturing Sector in 2008, which accounted for approximately 10.9% of the employed U.S. workforce. In 2008, about one in seven recordable workplace injuries and illnesses and one in thirteen workplace fatalities occurred in Manufacturing. Many respiratory diseases are almost exclusively caused by workplace exposures, including silicosis, asbestosis, byssinosis, and chronic beryllium disease.”

The document goes on to state that asthma can also be caused, or exacerbated, by workplace exposures. According to some reports asthma affects as much as 7% of the population in the United States and causes 4,000 deaths annually. Minimizing exposure to asthma triggers in the workplace could go a long way in reducing these numbers.

Thousands of workers each year become ill or even die from exposure to materials such as asbestos fibers, plant dusts and fibers, silica dust and beryllium powders that have become airborne and are subsequently inhaled by unprotected workers. These materials can be found in numerous manufacturing facilities and industries across the country.

EMSL Analytical, one of the nation’s largest environmental laboratories, provides air testing services to help prevent and minimize worker exposure to dangerous substances. “The NIOSH publication highlights the dangerous many American workers face each day on the job,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President at EMSL. “Testing for these and other airborne contaminants can help minimize or reduce exposures. Less exposure means fewer workers will be faced with serious illness or even premature death”

To learn more about testing for airborne contaminates in work environments please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of quality environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.