D8: The Upton Sinclair Memorial Lecture - The Silicosis Epidemic
Mon, 5/20: 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM EDT
Education Session
Education Session
Greater Columbus Convention Center
Room: A 210
CM Credit Hours: 1
Description
Veteran journalist Jim Morris discusses Public Health Watch's investigation into the nation's biggest modern workplace cluster of silicosis -- among artificial-stone fabricators in Southern California. The investigation, done in collaboration with Southern California Public Radio and Univision, prompted increased inspections by Cal/OSHA and an emergency rule requiring owners of fabrication shops to suppress silica dust with water and take other protective measures. Because virtually all of the workers in this industry are Spanish-speaking, the Univision segment was a vital communication tool, alerting workers to the risks of silicosis and motivating some to see physicians. This project revealed that a preventable disease that afflicted the ancient Greeks and Romans is still among us, and makes a case for stricter workplace regulation and greater accountability among manufacturers of artificial-stone products.
Learning Outcomes
Attendees will
- understand how ancient occupational diseases can resurface given weak regulation, a largely immigrant workforce and inattentive or indifferent employers
- realize the importance of surveillance -- in this case by the state of California -- and how it played a crucial role in identifying this silicosis cluster and another one in the Bay Area
- understand that, in a public health crisis, health professionals can and should speak on the record with the media without violating patient confidentiality. This story would not have been as powerful as it was without the cooperation of two physicians.
- understand how ancient occupational diseases can resurface given weak regulation, a largely immigrant workforce and inattentive or indifferent employers
- realize the importance of surveillance -- in this case by the state of California -- and how it played a crucial role in identifying this silicosis cluster and another one in the Bay Area
- understand that, in a public health crisis, health professionals can and should speak on the record with the media without violating patient confidentiality. This story would not have been as powerful as it was without the cooperation of two physicians.
Content Level
Introductory
Interactive Session Experience
Q&A
Keywords
Social Concerns
Primary Industry
Manufacturing
Topics
Aerosols & Airborne Particulates
Available as part of AIHA CONNECT OnDemand
Chemical Hazards
Hazard Recognition/Exposure Assessment
Respiratory Protection