Respiratory Diseases Research at NIOSH Reviews of Research Programs of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (2008) / Chapter Skim
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3 Emerging Research and Research Issues
3 Emerging Research and Research Issues
Pages 120-131
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From page 120... ...
We first present a brief summary of the Respiratory Diseases Research Program (RDRP) presentation of important plans for its five goals, each of which is followed by the evaluation committee's assessment; then we discuss cross-cutting issues the committee identified as important considerations for future NIOSHRDRP research work.
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From page 121... ...
scheme. Active elements, such as mandatory physician reporting, warrant additional follow-up from the RDRP to evaluate their possible extrapolation to other geographic areas and other respiratory diseases. Without SENSOR data, the appropriate targeting of limited resources for exposure and medical monitoring and interventions to prevent and control disease is difficult, if not impossible.
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From page 122... ...
. Strategic Goal 2: Prevent and reduce work-related interstitial lung diseases Summary Because of the recent identification of clusters of miners with progressive massive fibrosis, the RDRP plans to work on further technological improvements to reduce exposure, ensure the availability and use of personal dust monitors, and investigate the nature and causes of hot spots of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP)
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From page 123... ...
Assessment of digital radiography in CWP surveillance is also an important continuing research priority. Other emerging i ssues more directly tied to CWP include exposure levels in light of changing work patterns underground, especially longer work shifts; the impact of deeper underground mining conditions on dust exposures and lung health; and the respiratory risks (beyond physical trauma)
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From page 124... ...
NIOSH is encouraged to continue and expand its surveillance activities to evaluate the potential effects of synthetic fibers such as nylon flock and RCF. NIOSH has made substantial contributions to our understanding of sensitiza tion and the risk of chronic beryllium disease from industrial exposures.
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From page 125... ...
The current program articulated by RDRP scientists is appropriate but should not lose sight of the need for an OSHA-recommended standard and a mandated comprehensive beryllium control program for all workplaces where this exposure occurs. Strategic Goal 3: Prevent and reduce work-related infectious respiratory diseaseS Summary Future efforts in this area largely are a continuation of the work being carried out by the RDRP.
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From page 126... ...
Moreover, the SENSOR program is being downsized. The RDRP Infectious Diseases Program does not appear to have the resources to develop alternatives to offset the loss of this program and will have to depend on surveillance data from programs not directly under its control. Another component of effective surveillance is the rapid detection and iden tification of disease causing agents when they are present.
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From page 127... ...
Ongoing research continues to address challenging problems related to the risk of occupational lung cancer, and the RDRP has been effective in engaging stakeholders from industry and the workforce. In particular, the RDRP's efforts have added substantially to dissemination of research findings from cohort studies to individual workers.
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From page 128... ...
Strategic Goal 5: Prevent respiratory and other diseases potentially resulting from occupational exposures to nanomaterials Summary The RDRP plans to focus its attention on the relative toxicities of different nanomaterials in biological systems. The RDRP plans to develop and validate methods of exposure assessment and recommendations for appropriate medical monitoring and surveillance and indicates that it will consider recommendations for engineering controls but does not articulate a specific research program.
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From page 129... ...
Cross-Cutting Issues: Continuing and Emerging Issues Cutting Across Multiple Program Goals During its deliberations and review of the materials present in the evidence package and in several in-person presentations, the committee identified several continuing and emerging issues that cut across all program goals. These issues include surveillance, exposure assessment, emergency response, respirator policy, and the RDRP's resource allocation.
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From page 130... ...
Further, while a number of RDRP scientists focused on exposure assessment research in the past, current or future staffing and program matic needs for exposure assessment activities are not specifically mentioned. Emergency Response It is unclear whether the RDRP plans to incorporate research activities related to emergency responses into future efforts.
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From page 131... ...
Given that the NORA2 process emphasized sectorbased as opposed to disease-based research, an emerging issue is how research priorities for respiratory diseases that cut across sectors will be treated. Further, although the focus of respiratory disease research remains within NIOSH's Division of Respiratory Studies, the RDRP encompasses many divisions and laboratories across NIOSH.
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