Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:00 AM
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is planning a series of strategic planning meetings whose goal is to develop a sustainable occupational health surveillance system in Colorado. Although the first meeting occurred on March 10th there is plenty of time to participate and provide comments individually, by company or by association. I plan to attend and comment for the AIHA - Rocky Mountain Section where appropriate.
Dates, times and locations of the meeting are listed on the web link located at [http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/dc/OH/planning.html]. I copied the e-mail received from Corey Campbell of the CDPHE informing the Rocky Mountain Section of the meetings, below, so you could review the summary information it contains. As to why I didn't pass this e-mail along sooner my only excuse is that I was on vacation when the e-mail was sent. I hope to make up for lost time with this e-mail.
I encourage you to open the web link because you will find a number of interesting, pertinent sets of data already collected and analyzed by the CDPHE. For example the Section - Colorado Occupational Health Indicators has data on Elevated Blood Leads Among Adults and is fascinating. The data word summary reads as follows.
• According to NIOSH, approximately 10-15% of elevated BLLs among adults nationwide are caused by non-occupational exposures. In 2009 in Colorado, at least 42% of all exposures were due to a non-occupational exposure; 38% of all elevated blood lead tests (BLL≥25µg/dL) were due to lead exposure from hobby shooting/bullet loading or at a recreational shooting/firing range, and 4% were due to an exposure at home. (Figure13.1)To see this report go to:[http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/dc/OH/reports/Indicator%2013%20Elevated%20Blood%20Levels%20Among%20Adults.pdf].
• In 2009, 39% of all elevated blood lead tests (EBL≥25µg/dL) in Colorado were workrelated; 12% as part of a work blood lead testing/biomonitoring program and 27% due to a work-place lead exposure. (Figure 13.1)
• For blood lead tests greater than 40µg/dL in Colorado in 2009, 27% were due to lead exposure from hobby shooting/bullet loading or at a recreational shooting/firing range. (Figure 13.2)
• For blood lead tests greater than 40µg/dL in Colorado in 2009, 54% were work-related as part of a work blood lead testing/biomonitoring program (9%) or due to a work-place lead exposure (45%). (Figure 13.2)
If I was running an occupational medical surveillance program for lead in Colorado I'd want this information!
I look forward to your feedback on this exciting opportunity.
Michael J. Richen, CIH
Boulder County Public Health, Industrial Hygienist and
President, AIHA - Rocky Mountain Section
3450 Broadway
Boulder, CO 80304
Phone: 303-441-1566; Fax: 303-441-1468
Work Mobile: 303-961-9995
Email: mrichen@bouldercounty.org
Websites: www.BoulderCountyAir.org www.Boulder.CountyHealth.org
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