Study of Contamination of Workers' Homes by Substances Carried Home

Preface

The legislative directive (Public Law 102-522, Section 209, the Workers' Family Protection Act, [29 U.S.C. 671a]) to conduct this study of contamination of workers' homes by substances carried home on workers' clothing or bodies was enacted on October 26, 1992. However, this is not a new problem. Holt [1923] cited two early studies of lead-workers' families that were published in 1860 and 1896. Oliver [1914] reported on lead poisoning in wives of house painters who washed their husbands' overalls, observations that resulted in a series of laws in Great Britain to protect the workers' families from lead poisoning. Lead poisoning continues to be a problem; this report cites about 65 incidents of lead poisoning among workers' families. Of these, 35 are from the United States, 24 of which were reported in the last 10 years.

Lehmann [1905] reported that the mother and child of a worker exposed to chlorinated hydrocarbons developed chloracne (a condition similar to acne caused by certain chlorinated chemicals) ascribed to the worker's contaminated clothing. Lehmann also wrote of a laundress who developed chloracne as a result of washing the contaminated clothing of workers. Thirty years after Lehmann's report was published in Germany, a similar case was reported by Fulton and Matthews [1936] from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. In this case a child's father who was exposed to hexachloronaphthalene and chlorodiphenyl wore his soiled clothing home from work. Additional cases of workers' homes being contaminated with chlorinated hydrocarbons have been reported in the last 10 years.

Prior to 1960, beryllium, toxaphene, mercury vapors, and diethylstilbestrol were also identified as hazards to the families of workers. In the last 10 years, 10 additional chemical substances have been identified in incidents of workers' home contamination, as well as allergens, radioactive materials, and infectious agents.

This report to Congress and the Workers' Family Protection Task Force summarizes the incidents of home contamination this study has discovered, including the health consequences, the sources, and the levels of contamination. The report contains information on the effectiveness of preventive measures and of decontamination procedures that have been used or studied. The report summarizes the relevant laws and regulations and responses of Federal and State agencies and industry to incidents of workers' home contamination.

The report should be useful not only to Congress and the Workers' Family Protection Task Force in deciding future actions, but also to all who have responsibilities and concern for protecting workers and their families from preventable illnesses.

Linda Rosenstock, M.D., M.P.H. Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health