Preventing Work-to-Home Transmission of Hazardous Substances: A Review of Recent Para-Occupational Exposure Studies

Abstract

MAA2-PD-11 Introduction: The Workers' Family Protection Act 1991 required the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to provide the U.S. Congress with a report on contamination of workers' homes caused by work-to-home transmission of hazardous substances. NIOSH reviewed all available literature, and issued its report in 1995. Methods: We analyzed 50 reports published since that time (1996–2005) with regard to study design, type of hazardous agent, workplace and/or home sampling methods, exposure pathway assessment, and proposed or implemented interventions. Results: We found that nearly all studies focused on the presence or absence of a statistical association between parental workplace exposures and family exposures. Few of the studies attempted to investigate the mechanism by which hazardous agents made their way from the workplace to the home. Many of the studies provided general recommendations to reduce residential contamination and family exposures, but did not provide documentation of the effectiveness of these recommendations. Very few reports included an intervention trial. Follow-up interviews with the lead investigators of these reports indicated that most did not know if any action had been taken as a result of their research. Conclusion: With a growing demand for “research-to-practice” in the fields of occupational and environmental health, we conclude that scientists have a responsibility to follow through with such investigations to ensure that exposures are demonstrably reduced if research indicates health risks of concern for family members of workers.