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The article discusses that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines are currently authorized for use in the U.S. Topics discussed include the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on December 11, 2020; and Safety monitoring for these vaccines has been the most intense and comprehensive in U.S. history, using the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), a spontaneous reporting system, and v-safe.

Total release foggers (TRFs) (also known as "bug bombs") are pesticide products often used indoors to kill insects. After an earlier report found that TRFs pose a risk for acute illness (1), the Environmental Protection Agency required improved labels on TRFs manufactured after September 2012 (2). To examine the early impact of relabeling, the magnitude and characteristics of acute TRF-related illness were evaluated for the period 2007-2015. A total of 3,222 TRF-related illnesses were identified in 10 participating states, based on three data sources: Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risk-Pesticides (SENSOR) programs, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) program, and poison control centers (PCCs) in Florida, Texas, and Washington. No statistically significant decline in the overall TRF-illness incidence rate was found. Failure to vacate treated premises during application was the most commonly reported cause of exposure. To reduce TRF-related illness, integrated pest management strategies (3) need to be adopted, as well as better communication about the hazards and proper uses of TRFs. Redesigning TRFs to prevent sudden, unexpected activation might also be useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Summary of Notifiable Noninfectious Conditions and Disease Outbreaks: Surveillance Data Published Between April 1, 2016 and January 31, 2017 - United States, herein referred to as the Summary (Noninfectious), contains official statistics for nationally notifiable noninfectious conditions and disease outbreaks. This Summary (Noninfectious) is being published in the same volume of MMWR as the annual Summary of Notifiable Infectious Diseases and Conditions (1). Data on notifiable noninfectious conditions and disease outbreaks from prior years have been published previously (2,3). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) collects data on acute pesticide-related illness and injury reported by 12 states (California, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington). This report summarizes the data on illnesses and injuries arising from occupational exposure to conventional pesticides from 2007 through 2011. This report is a part of the Summary of Notifiable Noninfectious Conditions and Disease Outbreaks - United States, which encompasses various surveillance years but is being published in 2016 (1). The Summary of Notifiable Noninfectious Conditions and Disease Outbreaks appears in the same volume of MMWR as the annual Summary of Notifiable Infectious Diseases (2). In a separate report, data on illnesses and injuries from nonoccupational exposure to pesticides during 2007-2011 are summarized (3). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) collects data on acute pesticide-related illness and injury reported by 12 states (California, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington). This report summarizes the data on illnesses and injuries arising from nonoccupational exposure to conventional pesticides that were reported during 2007-2011. Conventional pesticides include insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fumigants. They exclude disinfectants (e.g., chlorine and hypochlorites) and biological pesticides (1). This report is a part of the Summary of Notifiable Noninfectious Conditions and Disease Outbreaks - United States, which encompasses various surveillance years but is being published in 2016 (2). The Summary of Notifiable Noninfectious Conditions and Disease Outbreaks appears in the same volume of MMWR as the annual Summary of Notifiable Infectious Diseases (3). In a separate report, data on illnesses and injuries from occupational exposure to conventional pesticides during 2007-2011 are summarized (4). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphine is a highly toxic gas that forms when aluminum phosphide, a restricted-use pesticide* typically used in agricultural settings, reacts with water. Acute exposure can lead to a wide range of respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal symptoms, and can be fatal (1). On January 2, 2017, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) was notified by the Texas Panhandle Poison Center of an acute phosphine exposure incident in Amarillo, Texas. DSHS investigated potential occupational phosphine exposures among the 51 on-scene emergency responders; 40 (78.4%) did not use respiratory protection during response operations. Fifteen (37.5%) of these 40 responders received medical care for symptoms or as a precaution after the incident, and seven (17.5%) reported new or worsening symptoms consistent with phosphine exposure within 24 hours of the incident. Emergency response organizations should ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is used during all incidents when an unknown hazardous substance is suspected. Additional evaluation is needed to identify targeted interventions that increase emergency responder PPE use during this type of incident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reprint of the article which was posted on the journal's website on February 20, 2015 is presented, discussing the assessment of the national strategy for the Rapid Isolation and Treatment of Ebola (RITE) that was started in early October 2014 in Liberia. Figures and tables showing the locations of Ebola outbreaks in Liberia, the characteristics of 12 Ebola outbreaks in nine counties, and the interventions conducted for the period July 16-November 20, 2014 are presented.

The article presents the summary of the acute occupational pesticide-related injury and illnesses in the U.S. from 2007-2011. Topics mention including the conventional pesticides such as herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, benefits of pesticides and vital societal role of the acute occupational pesticide-related injury and illnesses surveillance.

The article presents the summary of the acute nonoccupational pesticide-related injury and illnesses in the U.S. from 2007-2011. Topics mention including the used of pesticides such as in agriculture, recreational and residential, different types of pesticides and exposure to pesticides which causes acute of chronic adverse health effects.

Cardiovascular disease accounts for one in three deaths in the United States each year, and coronary heart disease and stroke account for most of those deaths. To try to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched the Million Hearts initiative, promoting proven and effective interventions in communities and clinical settings. In workplace settings, cardiovascular disease can be addressed through a Total Worker Health program, which integrates occupational safety and health protection with health promotion. To identify workers likely to benefit from such a program, CDC analyzed data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) for the period 2008-2012 to estimate the prevalence of a history of coronary heart disease or stroke (CHD/stroke) among adults aged <55 years by selected characteristics, employment status, occupation category, and industry of employment. The results of that analysis showed that 1.9% of employed adults aged <55 years reported a history of CHD/stroke, compared with 2.5% of unemployed adults looking for work, and 6.3% of adults not in the labor force (e.g., unemployed adults who stopped looking for work, homemakers, students, retired persons, and disabled persons). Workers employed in service and blue collar occupations were more likely than those in white collar occupations to report a history of CHD/stroke. Two industry groups also had significantly higher adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) for CHD/stroke: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services* and Accommodation and Food Service.† Workers in these occupation and industry groups might especially benefit from a Total Worker Health approach to reducing the risk for CHD/stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thhe article discusses a research study on cases of indoor firing ranges and elevated blood lead levels in the U.S. from 2002 to 2013. The results of an investigation into the Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillace (ABLES) program managed by the Washington State Division of Occupational Safety and Health (WaDOSH) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are presented.

The article explores the prevalence of influenza-like illness (ILI) and seasonal and pandemic H1N1 influenza vaccination coverage among workers in the U.S. from 2009 to 2010. Topics discussed include the risk factors of ILI and H1N1 influenza, the prevalence of the diseases by industry and the implications of the situation for public health practice. Also mentioned are several ways to prevent influenza in workplace settings, including education on hand hygiene and cough etiquette.

The article discusses the injuries and illnesses that arise from occupational exposure to pesticides in the U.S. from 2007 to 2010. Topics mentioned include the occurrence of acute pesticide-related illness and injury due to lack of compliance with pesticide regulations, categorization of illness and injury severity using standardized criteria for state-based surveillance programs, and measurement of incidence rates of such illness and injury.

The article reports on very high blood lead levels among U.S. adults from 2002-2011. The Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance (ABLES) program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) monitored elevated blood lead levels (BLLs). It was found that a total of 11,536 adults had very high BLLs during the period. Case histories of several workers who had very high BLLs are also discussed.

The article presents a report by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which assesses frequency of illness and injury related to pool chemicals. Swimming pools need chemicals to maintain water quality, and when chemicals are stored or used improperly, illness or injury can result. Analyzed by CDC were data from six states that took part in Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risk-Pesticides surveillance program and from National Electronic Injury Surveillance System.

This article discusses a report on acute diseases associated with the use of insecticides to control bed bugs in the U.S. from 2003 to 2010. Released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the report identified the factors which contributed to illnesses, including excessive insecticide application and failure to wash or change pesticide-treated bedding. It also presented some illnesses caused by insecticide exposure, including headache and upper respiratory tract pain.

The article reports about an environmental investigation conducted as a result of the exposure of two workers to methyl bromide (MeBr) at a cold storage facility in Carson, California. MeBr fumigation of grapes from Chile is required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prevent the entry of Chilean false red mite, Brevipalpus chilensis. Case reports involving a 22-year old worker and a 52-year old independent quality inspector are presented with the findings and recommendations.

The article discusses the problem of lead exposure in adults worldwide particularly the U.S., noting a study's finding that 95 percent of cases of high blood lead levels (BLL) among U.S. adults are work-related. It cites the Adult Blood Lead Epidemiology and Surveillance (ABLES) program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which identified high lead exposure of workers mostly in manufacturing and mining.

The article discusses reports of pesticide poisoning received by the Washington State Department of Agriculture in Douglas County. An investigation by the state's Department of Health is said to have determined that 20 Hispanic farmworkers in a cherry orchard were exposed to airblast spray of novaluron, pyridaben and triflumizole in a nearby pear farm. Off-target pesticide drift is noted to produce moderate-severity neurologic, ocular and respiratory illnesses.

The article describes cases of occupational phosphine gas poisoning at several U.S. veterinary hospitals from 2006 to 2011. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received reports of poisoning due to the highly toxic gas phosphine at hospitals in Michigan, Iowa and Washington. Workers at said hospital were reported to have transient symptoms after treating dogs that ingested zinc phosphide.

On August 19, 2015, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) was notified by the Florida Poison Information Center Network and a local hospital of possible sulfuryl fluoride poisonings affecting a family in Martin County, in southeastern Florida. Sulfuryl fluoride is a highly toxic (toxicity category I) gas fumigant used for termite control of homes and buildings.* FDOH personnel in Martin County commenced an investigation and identified a family of five (a grandmother, mother, father, son, and daughter) exposed to sulfuryl fluoride after their house was fumigated. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Criminal Investigation Division also conducted an investigation after being notified by FDOH. Medical records were reviewed, and the father was interviewed by FDOH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the acute sulfuryl fluoride poisoning in a family reported by the Florida Poison Information Center Network in Florida. It states that the network notified the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) on a possible sulfuryl poisoning that affects a family in Martin County. It mentions that it is the first report of basal ganglia injury in humans caused by systemic sulfuryl fluoride poisoning.

The article explores the prevalence of pest strip-associated acute illness across the U.S. and Canada from 2000 to 2013. The number of cases reported on the Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks (SENSOR)-Pesticides Program, the National Pesticide Information Center and Health Canada are explored, including its causes and the statistics of those affected. Practices associated with labeling of Dichlorvos-impregnated resin strips (DDVP) are presented.

The article discusses the U.S. Centers for Disease Control Prevention's (CDC) review of data from the SENSOR-Pesticides program and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation for 1993-2009 to identify cases of acute pesticide-related illness due to occupational exposure to acrolin. Among the cases involved workers employed by Washington irrigation districts. Some of the common symptoms include eye irritation, headache and dyspnea.