NIOSH Program Portfolio : Immune Dermal Infectious Disease : Dermal : Strategic Goals

NIOSH Programs > Immune, Dermal & Infectious Diseases > Dermal > Strategic Goals

Dermal Diseases

Inputs: NIOSH Strategic Goals

Occupational skin exposures cause significant disease, and reducing those hazardous exposures is a priority for NIOSH. Bureau of Labor Statistics and other data indicate that occupational dermatitis causes significant suffering and lost productivity. Exposure of workers’ skin to chemicals is known to cause systemic disease in some situations and can be expected to cause health problems in many other work situations. Occupational skin cancer is known to be caused by some chemicals, although the significance of occupational exposures to sunlight in the increasing rates of some types of skin cancers is unclear. Injuries to skin caused by caustic chemicals, high temperatures, and mechanical trauma are very common in workplaces.

Reducing occupational skin exposures and resulting disease is part of the NORA priority area Allergic and Irritant Dermatitis and the Healthy People 2010 Draft Objective Occupational Skin Disease or Disorders. Although NIOSH has been working in this area, the development and careful implementation of Strategic Goals offers a fresh opportunity for NIOSH to contribute even more to the reduction of the burden workers face due to hazardous skin exposures.

NIOSH Program Portfolio Approach

NIOSH has been organizing research, guidance, information, and service efforts into specific programs that can be readily communicated and strategically governed and evaluated. Eight NORA Sector Programs represent industrial sectors, and twenty-four Cross-sector Programs organized around adverse health outcomes, statutory programs and global efforts.

The NORA Sector Programs intersect with Cross-Sector Programs in a matrix-like fashion. For example, an Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Program goal of reducing farm-related deaths and injuries due to tractor rollovers and trucks would likely be a shared goal with the Transportation Program and if appropriate would be adopted by both programs. This approach provides an added advantage and will allow multiple Programs to work towards accomplishment of intersecting goals.

Each of the 32 programs in the NIOSH Program Portfolio has a Manager and Coordinator. Each of the 8 NIOSH Sector Programs facilitates the work of a NORA Sector Council to engage external stakeholders in the process of developing sector goals for the nation and methods to measure the short-term, intermediate and long-term outcomes arising from those goals. The NORA goals for the nation will be considered when choosing NIOSH sector program goals. Cross Sector programs have internal Steering Committees that develop program goals and monitor outcome measures.

These planning efforts will position NIOSH to align with the most current governmental approaches for evaluating program effectiveness, i.e., the Program Assessment Rating Tool (or PART). PART is a mechanism to hold governmental agencies accountable for accomplishing results. As part of our comprehensive approach to performance measurement, NIOSH has engaged the National Academies to independently evaluate our sector and cross-programs for relevance and impact.

Strategic Goal 1

Prevent occupational dermatitis by translation of research results and recommendations into workplace practice.

Strategic Goal 1 aims to provide research in identification of OCD hazards and assessment of workplace exposures and to explore effective strategies of exposure prevention and control. The ultimate goal is to translate research findings into recommendations and solutions of workplace practice to guide the occupational safety and health (OSH) community, consisting of employers and employees in affected industries, policy makers, health care providers, and researchers, in the collective effort of reducing morbidity among our nation’s workers.

Strategic Goal 2

Prevent systemic disease from occupational skin exposure to chemicals by translation of research results and recommendations into workplace practice.

Strategic Goal 2 aims to provide research in identification of systemic hazards and assessment of workplace exposures and to find and promote effective strategies for preventing harmful exposures. The ultimate goal is to translate research findings into recommendations and solutions of workplace practice to guide the OSH community, consisting of employers and employees in affected industries, policy makers, occupational health professionals, and researchers, in the collective effort of reducing morbidity and mortality among our nation’s workers.

References

Determinants of Chlorpyrifos exposures and urinary 2,3,6-Trichloro-2-Pyridinol levels among termiticide applicators.
Ann Occup Hyg, 2001, 45(4):309 321.

Environmental Protection Agency (2004) In vitro dermal absorption rate testing of certain chemicals of interest to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Fed Reg, 69(80):22402 22441, April 26, 2004.

National Occupational Exposure Survey 1981-1983
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 88-106

Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund, Volume I: Human health Evaluation manual (Part E, Supplemental guidance for dermal risk assessment) interim review draft – for public comment; Environmental Protection Agency (2001) EPA/540/R/00/005, September 2001.
External Link: http://www.epa.gov/oswer/riskassessment/ragse/index.htm

Role of the TSCA Interagency Testing Committee in meeting the U.S. government data needs: Designating chemicals for percutaneous absorption rate testing.
Dermatotoxicology, 1996, 5^th edition, p. 371-381, Bristol, Pennsylvania.

Systemic toxicity from skin exposures, extended abstract in proceedings of the International Conference on Occupational & Environmental Exposures of Skin to Chemicals: Science and Policy.
Arlington, VA, September 8-11, 2002.

TLVs® and BEIs® based on the documentation of the threshold limit values for chemical substances and physical agents & biological exposure indices.
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 2004, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Strategic Goal 3

Prevent occupational skin cancer by translation of research results and recommendations into workplace practice.

Strategic Goal 3 aims to examine and share available information relating occupational exposures to skin cancer and then conduct a small number of high impact studies to demonstrate improved prevention of over-exposures.

The objective of examining and widely sharing available information relating occupational exposures to skin cancer is to 1) make information about known hazardous chemicals, industries, occupations, tasks, and ionizing and non-ionizing exposures more accessible to those who can directly implement prevention programs, 2) suggest areas where occupational exposures could be expected to significantly increase the risk of skin cancer but which have not yet been studied sufficiently, and 3) suggest worker populations where demonstration of improved prevention programs could have a high impact in reducing hazardous exposures.

As this work is reaching conclusion, the objective of conducting a small number of epidemiological and intervention studies is to 1) determine whether a suspected but under-studied exposure situation can be shown to increase the risk of skin cancer, and 2) demonstrate that implementation of a practical prevention program in concert with partners can reduce exposures that are associated with a significantly increased risk of occupational skin cancer.

References

International Agency for Research on Cancer (1992) Solar and Ultraviolet Radiation
Vol. 55, 316 pages, ISBN 92 832 1255 X
PDF Only (38 KB 9 pages)
External Link: http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol55/volume55.pdf

Preventing skin cancer: Findings of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services on Reducing Exposure to Ultraviolet Light,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2003) MMWR, 52(RR15):1 12.

This site contains documents in PDF format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access the file. If you do not have the Acrobat Reader, you may download a free copy from the Adobe Web site.

Page last updated: February 19, 2008
Page last reviewed: April 2, 2010
Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Health Effects Laboratory Division

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	NIOSH Programs > Immune, Dermal & Infectious Diseases > Dermal > Strategic Goals Dermal Diseases Inputs: NIOSH Strategic Goals Occupational skin exposures cause significant disease, and reducing those hazardous exposures is a priority for NIOSH. Bureau of Labor Statistics and other data indicate that occupational dermatitis causes significant suffering and lost productivity. Exposure of workers’ skin to chemicals is known to cause systemic disease in some situations and can be expected to cause health problems in many other work situations. Occupational skin cancer is known to be caused by some chemicals, although the significance of occupational exposures to sunlight in the increasing rates of some types of skin cancers is unclear. Injuries to skin caused by caustic chemicals, high temperatures, and mechanical trauma are very common in workplaces. Reducing occupational skin exposures and resulting disease is part of the NORA priority area Allergic and Irritant Dermatitis and the Healthy People 2010 Draft Objective Occupational Skin Disease or Disorders. Although NIOSH has been working in this area, the development and careful implementation of Strategic Goals offers a fresh opportunity for NIOSH to contribute even more to the reduction of the burden workers face due to hazardous skin exposures. NIOSH Program Portfolio Approach NIOSH has been organizing research, guidance, information, and service efforts into specific programs that can be readily communicated and strategically governed and evaluated. Eight NORA Sector Programs represent industrial sectors, and twenty-four Cross-sector Programs organized around adverse health outcomes, statutory programs and global efforts. The NORA Sector Programs intersect with Cross-Sector Programs in a matrix-like fashion. For example, an Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Program goal of reducing farm-related deaths and injuries due to tractor rollovers and trucks would likely be a shared goal with the Transportation Program and if appropriate would be adopted by both programs. This approach provides an added advantage and will allow multiple Programs to work towards accomplishment of intersecting goals. Each of the 32 programs in the NIOSH Program Portfolio has a Manager and Coordinator. Each of the 8 NIOSH Sector Programs facilitates the work of a NORA Sector Council to engage external stakeholders in the process of developing sector goals for the nation and methods to measure the short-term, intermediate and long-term outcomes arising from those goals. The NORA goals for the nation will be considered when choosing NIOSH sector program goals. Cross Sector programs have internal Steering Committees that develop program goals and monitor outcome measures. These planning efforts will position NIOSH to align with the most current governmental approaches for evaluating program effectiveness, i.e., the Program Assessment Rating Tool (or PART). PART is a mechanism to hold governmental agencies accountable for accomplishing results. As part of our comprehensive approach to performance measurement, NIOSH has engaged the National Academies to independently evaluate our sector and cross-programs for relevance and impact. Strategic Goal 1 Prevent occupational dermatitis by translation of research results and recommendations into workplace practice. Strategic Goal 1 aims to provide research in identification of OCD hazards and assessment of workplace exposures and to explore effective strategies of exposure prevention and control. The ultimate goal is to translate research findings into recommendations and solutions of workplace practice to guide the occupational safety and health (OSH) community, consisting of employers and employees in affected industries, policy makers, health care providers, and researchers, in the collective effort of reducing morbidity among our nation’s workers. Strategic Goal 2 Prevent systemic disease from occupational skin exposure to chemicals by translation of research results and recommendations into workplace practice. Strategic Goal 2 aims to provide research in identification of systemic hazards and assessment of workplace exposures and to find and promote effective strategies for preventing harmful exposures. The ultimate goal is to translate research findings into recommendations and solutions of workplace practice to guide the OSH community, consisting of employers and employees in affected industries, policy makers, occupational health professionals, and researchers, in the collective effort of reducing morbidity and mortality among our nation’s workers. References Determinants of Chlorpyrifos exposures and urinary 2,3,6-Trichloro-2-Pyridinol levels among termiticide applicators. Ann Occup Hyg, 2001, 45(4):309 321. Environmental Protection Agency (2004) In vitro dermal absorption rate testing of certain chemicals of interest to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Fed Reg, 69(80):22402 22441, April 26, 2004. National Occupational Exposure Survey 1981-1983 DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 88-106 Risk Assessment Guidance for Superfund, Volume I: Human health Evaluation manual (Part E, Supplemental guidance for dermal risk assessment) interim review draft – for public comment; Environmental Protection Agency (2001) EPA/540/R/00/005, September 2001. External Link: http://www.epa.gov/oswer/riskassessment/ragse/index.htm Role of the TSCA Interagency Testing Committee in meeting the U.S. government data needs: Designating chemicals for percutaneous absorption rate testing. Dermatotoxicology, 1996, 5^th edition, p. 371-381, Bristol, Pennsylvania. Systemic toxicity from skin exposures, extended abstract in proceedings of the International Conference on Occupational & Environmental Exposures of Skin to Chemicals: Science and Policy. Arlington, VA, September 8-11, 2002. TLVs® and BEIs® based on the documentation of the threshold limit values for chemical substances and physical agents & biological exposure indices. American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 2004, Cincinnati, Ohio. Strategic Goal 3 Prevent occupational skin cancer by translation of research results and recommendations into workplace practice. Strategic Goal 3 aims to examine and share available information relating occupational exposures to skin cancer and then conduct a small number of high impact studies to demonstrate improved prevention of over-exposures. The objective of examining and widely sharing available information relating occupational exposures to skin cancer is to 1) make information about known hazardous chemicals, industries, occupations, tasks, and ionizing and non-ionizing exposures more accessible to those who can directly implement prevention programs, 2) suggest areas where occupational exposures could be expected to significantly increase the risk of skin cancer but which have not yet been studied sufficiently, and 3) suggest worker populations where demonstration of improved prevention programs could have a high impact in reducing hazardous exposures. As this work is reaching conclusion, the objective of conducting a small number of epidemiological and intervention studies is to 1) determine whether a suspected but under-studied exposure situation can be shown to increase the risk of skin cancer, and 2) demonstrate that implementation of a practical prevention program in concert with partners can reduce exposures that are associated with a significantly increased risk of occupational skin cancer. References International Agency for Research on Cancer (1992) Solar and Ultraviolet Radiation Vol. 55, 316 pages, ISBN 92 832 1255 X PDF Only (38 KB 9 pages) External Link: http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Monographs/vol55/volume55.pdf Preventing skin cancer: Findings of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services on Reducing Exposure to Ultraviolet Light, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2003) MMWR, 52(RR15):1 12. This site contains documents in PDF format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to access the file. If you do not have the Acrobat Reader, you may download a free copy from the Adobe Web site. Page last updated: February 19, 2008 Page last reviewed: April 2, 2010 Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Health Effects Laboratory Division < National Research Agenda (NORA) \| NIOSH Strategic Goals \| Partners >				NIOSH Program: Dermal Diseases Immune, Dermal, and Infectious Diseases Home Immune Diseases Dermal Diseases Program Description Inputs Occupational Risks National Research Agenda (NORA) NIOSH Strategic Goals Partners NIOSH Contacts Activities NIOSH Research Projects NIOSH Funded Research Grants Outputs Publications Topic Pages Products Research to Practice Conferences Outcomes
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