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Despite increasing awareness and significant progress in reducing lead exposure among workers, elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) continue to be an occupational health problem. Little is currently known about the extent of personal protective equipment (PPE) use among lead-exposed workers. We examined the patterns and predictors of consistent PPE use and workplace hygiene behaviors among workers with elevated BLLs using a survey of 1,459 workers with an occupational lead exposure in New York State (NYS). Routine availability of respirators was commonplace, however only approximately half of workers consistently wore PPE while working with lead. Regular access to showers was reported by 41% of workers, but less than a quarter took showers and subsequently changed into clean clothing before leaving work site. Significant predictors of consistent PPE use and good hygiene behaviors were identified. The findings highlight the need for further educational and policy interventions for lead-exposed employees. Increased employer efforts are also required to provide workplace structures and a culture that supports compliance. These include the provision of routine training and hazard communication, provision of appropriate PPE and hygiene facilities, and enforcing its use where necessary.

The extent of methylmercury exposures among adults in New York State (NYS) has not been well characterized. Over the past few years, the NYS Heavy Metals Registry (HMR) has seen an increase in both blood mercury tests being reported, and nonoccupational exposures to mercury, which appear primarily due to fish consumption. This study will, (1) Characterize the adults who are tested for blood mercury in NYS; (2) Examine the circumstances for blood mercury testing; and (3) Characterize this population in terms of exposure history, specifically those individuals who are non-occupationally exposed through a diet of seafood consumption in reference to blood mercury levels. Data available from HMR laboratory results, including basic demographics and test results, were combined with data from telephone interviews. The interview contains information on the reasons for testing, possible sources of exposure, and the individual's work and home environment. Approximately 99 % of adults reported to the HMR, with identifiable exposures to mercury, had non-occupational exposures resulting from seafood consumption. Common types of fish consumed include salmon, tuna, and swordfish, with 90 % of adults eating seafood a few times or more per week. Information will be provided on the reasons for being tested and the range of blood mercury levels in relation to their seafood consumption. NYS residents who frequently eat fish should be aware of what types of fish contain mercury and avoid or reduce consumption of fish with high mercury levels.

Objective: The objective of this study was to characterize the work-related asthma population seen by the New York State Occupational Health Clinic Network (OHCN) to determine which industries, occupations, and causal agents are associated with work-related asthma in New York State (NYS)., Methods: The OHCN patient database was analyzed to identify those patients with a diagnosis of work-related asthma and medical charts were then abstracted for data on demographics, clinical history, disease severity, industry, occupation, and putative agent., Results: The OHCN patients with work-related asthma were most commonly employed in the service and manufacturing industries. Common occupations included teachers, farm operators/managers, and construction trades. The most frequently reported putative agents associated with work-related asthma were dust, indoor air, mold, and solvents., Conclusions: Our findings suggest the potential importance of prevention of workplace exposure in reducing adult asthma in NYS.