Database

Following the introduction of the workplace exposure limits (WEL) scheme and corresponding reliance on good practice, HSE have produced this extensive, detailed guidance on hazard control and health surveillance measures for work with respirable crystalline silica. Although very detailed, there remains uncertainty over the value of compliance when defending a civil or H&S enforcement action. Good practice, as defined in this guidance, includes compliance with permitted exposure levels; suggesting that exposure levels are the ultimate test of compliance, a situation which HSE have been trying to steer away from. Evidence from: HSE Series of publications on Silica The guidance covers: Brick and tile making, construction, ceramics, foundry work, silica manufacture, quarry work and slate work. The detail provides evidence of first hand insight into good practice. Further detail: 6#7-8 2

The established associations between silicosis and TB and with pneumoconiosis were confirmed. Support for an association with liver cancer in men is demonstrated. There was very weak, support for links with kidney disease and, lung cancer. Evidence from: A Marinaccio et al. Occ Env Med (2006) Vol. 63 p 762-765 “Retrospective mortality cohort study of Italian workers compensated for silicosis” There was no association with cardiovascular disease. Further detail: 6#7-8 1

Evidence from: SC Larsson et al. Int. J. Cancer (2006) Vol.119 p 2186 – 2189 “Coffee consumption and stomach cancer risk in a cohort of Swedish women” S Coon et al. Env Health Persp (2006) Vol.114 p 1872 – 1876 “Whole-Body Lifetime Occupational Lead Exposure and Risk of Parkinson’s Disease” E Carragee et al. Spine (2006) Vol.31#25 p 2942 – 2949 “Does Minor Trauma Cause Serious Low Back Illness?” Evidence for compensation-related deterioration. MA Nunno et al. Child Abuse & Neglect (2006) Vol. 30 p 1333–1342 “Learning from tragedy: A survey of child and adolescent restraint fatalities” Further detail: 6#9-10 30 BB

Evidence from: S Rohrmann et al. Am J Epidemiol. (2006) Vol.164 p 1103–1114 “Ethanol Intake and Risk of Lung Cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)” A Smith et al. International Journal of Epidemiology (2006) Vol.35 p 1504–1513 “Childhood leukaemia and socioeconomic status: fact or artefact? A report from the United Kingdom childhood cancer study (UKCCS)” W Anees et al. Thorax (2006) Vol.61 p 751 – 755 “FEV1 decline in occupational asthma” CM Villaneuva et al. Am J Epidemiol (2007) Vol.165 p148–156 “Bladder Cancer and Exposure to Water Disinfection By-Products through Ingestion, Bathing, Showering, and Swimming in Pools” PR Salameh et al. European Journal of Epidemiology (2006) Vol.21 p 681–688 “Chronic bronchitis and pesticide exposure: a case–control study in Lebanon” Further detail: 6#9-10 29 BB

Evidence from: EC C(2006) 6839 “FP7 theme 4 Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and New Production Technologies -Nmp” 14th November 2006 DEFRA news release “Atypical scrapie found in sheep flock considered to be TSE-free” DoH news release 15th Jan 2007. “Advice to pregnant women during lambing season” JS Felton et al. Carcinogenesis (2006) vol.27#12 p.2367–2370 “REVIEW: A meat and potato war: implications for cancer etiology” M Fischer et al. Accident Analysis and Prevention (2007) Vol.39 p94–105 “Hyperactive children as young adults: Driving abilities, safe driving behavior, and adverse driving outcomes” Further detail: 6#9-10 28 BB

Evidence from: MMWR Weekly (2006) Vol.55(48) p 1293 – 1296 “Alcohol and Other Drug Use among Victims of Motor-Vehicle Crashes — West Virginia, 2004—2005” DWP Com 7003 “Completion of the review of the scheduled list of prescribed diseases” Further detail: 6#9-10 27 BB