Kerin Occupational Health Blog

Occupational Asthma

KOHC — 2007-04-03T10:30:49-05:00

Occupational asthma (OA) is a serious and sometimes fatal illness; it is a growing problem in many Canadian workplaces. A very wide range of chemicals, and agents of biological origin, has been described as causes of OA. The costs to the worker and the employer are significant but preventable. Advances in effective management of asthma bring new hope to the employer when attempting to handle this chronic disease effects on their workers and the workplace. About 10% (5-15%) of asthma cases are occupationally caused. The proportion of asthma cases attributable to workplace factors may be as great as 28% (US National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety, 1996).

Announcing An International Conference: Occupational Lung Disease: Up Close

KOHC — 2007-03-20T11:26:13-05:00

May 10th, 2007 at Cambrian College’s eDome in Sudbury, Ontario
The Sudbury Occupational Health Clinic is pleased to announce an International Conference on Occupational Lung Disease: Up Close, and we hope that you will join us. This conference will provide a forum and discussion of Occupational Lung Diseases in order to address scientific understanding and draw public attention to these health issues.

Composition for treatment of a hydrofluoric acid burn

KOHC — 2006-12-29T20:33:17-05:00

Agent: Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale And Dorr LLP - Boston, MA, US
Inventors: Noel Kerin, Gioulchen Tairova, Engin Ozberk

Applicaton #: 20050266098 Class: 424682000 (USPTO)

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/575,397, filed Jun. 1, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a composition comprising a non-toxic calcium compound and a carrier for the treatment of a hydrofluoric acid burn. In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a calcium levulinate composition for treatment of a hydrofluoric acid burn.

New ATS Criteria for Non-Malignant Asbestos Related Diseases

KOHC — 2006-12-28T10:58:33-05:00

The American Thoracic Society (ATS) recently updated their Statement on the Diagnosis and Initial Management of Non-Malignant Asbestos Related Disease.

Asthma Breathe Easy

KOHC — 2006-12-03T15:37:33-05:00

BREATHE EASY

Today is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease day. What better an opportunity to learn about this disease, asthma and The Asthma Society of Canada’s support of Canadians in exercising their right to breathe easily and freely?

Mesothelioma

KOHC — 2006-12-03T14:43:34-05:00

Mesothelioma is a most lethal cancer. It has unusual characteristics. The more I look at it the more I am convinced it does not behave like a true solid tissue cancer.

Occupational Medicine Conference Invites General Public to Attend and Learn of an Unfolding Crisis

KOHC — 2006-06-06T17:32:53-05:00

The Occupational & Environmental Medical Assoc. of Canada (OEMAC) hosts “The Impact of Chronic Disease on Business & Industry — A crisis unfolding” 12/13 June, 2006, Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Employee and Family Assistance Programs (EFAP)

KOHC — 2005-08-16T18:31:03-05:00

Over the past 25 years there have been widespread improvements to both the design and delivery of Employee and Family Assistance Programs (EFAP). There does however, remain, significant concern among occupational medical personnel as to the measured effectiveness of these programs in helping to identify and manage, in particular, mental health issues.

The Miracle Mineral Fibre - Asbestos

KOHC — 2005-07-28T09:39:37-05:00

By Dr. Noel Kerin

Asbestos was recognized for centuries before scientists and industrialists saw it as the dream answer to acid and heat resistance. Asbestos did not conduct electricity and was resistant to the massive heating/cooling cycles that were the basis of the industrial revolution. No wonder the great industrial corporations of the late-19th and 20th centuries embraced asbestos with such fervor.

Welcome to KOHC’s Discussion Format

KOHC — 2005-07-27T11:15:09-05:00

I’m Doctor Noel Kerin, and this is my small spot on the web to express opinions, organize observations and, very possibly, vent on issues surrounding occupational, environmental and ergonomic medicine.