High formaldehyde exposure linked with ALS
Men exposed to high levels of formaldehyde on the job—mostly funeral directors—may have triple the death risk from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, as men with lower levels of exposure, according to a…
VA extends benefits to Air Force reservists exposed to Agent Orange
July 6, 2015 -- Up to 2,100 Air Force reservists who may have been exposed to harmful levels of Agent Orange on contaminated cargo planes are now eligible for disability benefits from the Veterans Administration (VA). The VA…
Improved safeguards needed at biosafety labs
More needs to be done to improve safety and public accountability at the nation’s high-containment biosafety laboratories that work with deadly viruses and bacteria, according to Marc Lipsitch, professor of epidemiology and director of the Center for Communicable…
Building safety into construction sites
May 8, 2015 — Emily Sparer may be the first Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health student to have construction workers cheering her on at her dissertation defense. Sparer, who is graduating in May with a ScD…
Air Force reservists possibly exposed to Agent Orange from planes
Between 1,500 and 2,100 U.S. Air Force reservists who trained and worked on C-123 cargo planes that were used during the Vietnam War to spread the toxic defoliant Agent Orange may have been exposed to potentially dangerous levels…
Mediterranean diet and workplace health
Research suggests that “eating like a Greek”—with lots of olive oil, fruits, vegetables and fish, and smaller amounts of dairy, eggs, meats and sweets—can lead to longer, healthier lives. This “Mediterranean diet” will be the focus of a…
Student profile: Sandra Pirela SD '15
Q: Why did you choose Harvard School of Public Health? A: The decision to attend the Harvard School of Public Health was not a hard one. The state of the art research facilities and expertise of the faculty…
Solvent exposure may cause long-term brain damage
Workers exposed to solvents may continue to experience cognitive difficulties decades later, according to new findings by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers and colleagues. In a study of retired male utility workers, the researchers found evidence…
Cancer prevention: Flexible work environment, folate supplementation may be protective
A flexible work environment that enables staff to make time for physical activity appears to reduce cancer risk in middle-aged workers, according to researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) Center for Work, Health, and Well-being.…
Construction workers struggle with pain, stress from injuries
October 28, 2013 – Construction workers are frequently stressed about work-related injuries and pain and often fail to seek help, putting themselves at risk for more injuries and mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and even suicide, according…
