Every day, Clark Seif Clark professionals are deployed across the nation helping both large and small customers resolve health & safety, industrial hygiene, environmental and indoor air quality issues.
At a moment's notice, Clark Seif Clark can send their experts anywhere they are needed. No matter if it's in response to a hurricane, wildfire, flood, tornado or other natural disaster, Clark Seif Clark is ready to help and can respond in no time at all.
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Mitigating Occupational Exposure Risks to Leptospira and Other Microbial Pathogens
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Leptospirosis is described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals that can cause a wide range of symptoms, or none at all. Some symptoms may be mistaken for other diseases, and without proper treatment, leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress and even death. |
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Clark Seif Clark (CSC)
800.807.1118
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Worldwide, CDC estimates there are more than 1 million cases of leptospirosis each year, including 60,000 deaths. While the bacterial disease is less common in the United States, cases do occur here, most frequently in tropical or subtropical parts of the country. It is most common in places like Hawaii and Puerto Rico, but even the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health) had to issue a health advisory last year after more than a dozen people were diagnosed with the disease in the city.
The bacterium Leptospira is spread through the urine of infected animals (including rodents), which can get into water or soil and can survive there for weeks to months according to the CDC. Humans can become infected through contact with urine (or other body fluids, except saliva) from infected animals; or from contact with water, soil or food contaminated with the urine of infected animals. The agency reports the disease can be an occupational hazard for many people who work outdoors or with animals, including:
- Farmers
- Mine workers
- Sewer workers
- Slaughterhouse workers
- Veterinarians and animal caretakers
- Fish workers
- Dairy farmers
- Military personnel
“Surface water runoff entering buildings, wading through flood waters, demolition of rodent infested structural materials, and other restoration activities put occupants and restoration workers at risk of contact with Leptospira bacteria,” said Derrick A. Denis, Disaster Ready Emergency Preparedness and Infection Control (DR EPIC) Program Industrial Hygienist for Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “Leptospirosis is just one of a number of diseases of concern for flood victims, restoration professionals and demolition contractors. Avoiding bacteria is impossible, but universal precautions are available to reduce hazardous exposures to Leptospira and other pathogens.”
To help protect workers and the public from exposure risks to Leptospira and other microbial pathogens, the infection control and industrial hygiene professionals at CSC provide training, testing and consulting services to clients nationwide. CSC has even sponsored an educational video about leptospirosis and various occupational and environmental exposure risks that can be seen below:
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To learn more about this or other environmental, health and safety services, please: |
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Ethylene Glycol and Potential Occupational Exposure Risks
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) describes ethylene glycol as a synthetic liquid substance that absorbs water, is odorless, and has a sweet taste - although it is poisonous.
Ethylene glycol is used in hydraulic brake fluids and inks used in stamp pads, ballpoint pens and print shops. It can also be found in some air-conditioning systems and geothermal heating/cooling systems, and is an important precursor to polyester fibers and resins. Antifreeze and de-icing solutions for cars, airplanes and boats are also made with ethylene glycol.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that exposure can harm the eyes, skin, kidneys and respiratory system, and can cause death if swallowed. ATSDR states that exposure to large amounts of ethylene glycol can damage the kidneys, nervous system, lungs and heart.
Some examples of workers that could be at risk of exposure according to NIOSH include:
- Factory workers involved in the manufacture of polyester
- Workers who use certain solvents
- Employees working with heating and cooling systems
- Factory workers exposed to certain manufacturing processes
“To help protect workers from exposure risks to ethylene glycol, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists has set a Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for it,” said Zahid Iqbal, MPH, CIH and Technical Director at Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “Back in 2015, it was added to California’s Proposition 65 list of chemicals known to the state to cause reproductive toxicity. These are all reasons why the industrial hygiene and environmental professionals at CSC offer testing, monitoring, consulting and training services to identify and mitigate risks associated with ethylene glycol and many other occupational hazards. These services protect workers and help to keep companies in regulatory compliance.”
CSC recently sponsored an educational video about ethylene glycol and workplace exposure hazards that can be seen below:
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To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118. |
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About Clark Seif Clark: CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both the public and private sectors address environmental issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering making them the preferred environmental consultants to healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals. |
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21732 Devonshire St., Ste. B,
Chatsworth, CA 91311
800.807.1118
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