CHICAGO-Several workers at Argonne National Laboratory have tested positive for blood abnormalities after being exposed to beryllium-a toxic metal.
Argonne, owned by the US Department of Energy, is located in suburban Chicago. The center does research on high-energy physics, chemistry, and materials science. Workers at the site include: a welder, a scientist, a truck driver, a technician, and a clerical worker. This is the first time cases of beryllium exposure have been discovered at the lab. The cases were found during a national beryllium-exposure campaign by the Energy Department. More than 27,000 workers were screened nationally, with 183 reportedly having beryllium disease and 546 having blood abnormalities.
Beryllium disease is an incurable lung illness that is caused after the lightweight metal is inhaled. Beryllium is used in the production of nuclear weapons and other experiments.
Officials at the laboratory report more than 1,700 workers have potentially been exposed to the metal.
Information from www.latimes.com
CDC Urges Vigilance: New Recommendations for Monitoring and Testing H5N1 Exposures
July 11th 2025With avian influenza A(H5N1) infections surfacing in both animals and humans, the CDC has issued updated guidance calling for aggressive monitoring and targeted testing to contain the virus and protect public health.
IP LifeLine: Layoffs and the Evolving Job Market Landscape for Infection Preventionists
July 11th 2025Infection preventionists, once hailed as indispensable during the pandemic, now face a sobering reality: budget pressures, hiring freezes, and layoffs are reshaping the field, leaving many IPs worried about their future and questioning their value within health care organizations.
A Helping Hand: Innovative Approaches to Expanding Hand Hygiene Programs in Acute Care Settings
July 9th 2025Who knew candy, UV lights, and a college kid in scrubs could double hand hygiene adherence? A Pennsylvania hospital’s creative shake-up of its infection prevention program shows that sometimes it takes more than soap to get hands clean—and keep them that way.