MMWR

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

Hazardous Chemical Incidents in Schools – United States, 2002-2007

PRESS CONTACT: Terica Scott
NCEH/ATSDR Office of Communication
(770) 498-0070

Government agencies, private companies, and community leaders can work with schools to 1) increase awareness about the risks associated with chemicals in schools; 2) facilitate the removal of outdated, unknown, unneeded, and potentially dangerous chemicals; 3) prepare teachers and schools to use less dangerous chemicals and in smaller quantities where appropriate; and 4) provide inventory tools and information to better manage chemicals that cause safety and health concerns in schools. Chemicals that can cause adverse health effects are used in many elementary and secondary schools: in chemistry laboratories, art classrooms, automotive repair areas, printing, and other vocational shops, and in facility maintenance areas. Every year, unintentional and intentional releases of these chemicals, or related fires or explosions, occur in schools, causing injuries, costly cleanups, and lost school days. The federal Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance (HSEES) system data indicate that most chemical incidents in schools are due to mistakes in the handling or use of a substance. The reduction in hazardous chemicals in schools coupled with proper chemical use and management (i.e., purchasing, keeping an inventory and properly storing, labeling, and disposing of chemicals) is essential to protect school building occupants. This analysis of that data found that 62 percent of chemical incidents reported at elementary and secondary schools resulted from human error, unintentional mistakes in the use or handling of a substance, and 30 percent of reported incidents resulted in at least one acute injury.

Update: Recall of Dry Dog and Cat Food Products Associated with Human Salmonella Infections – United States, 2008

PRESS CONTACT: CDC
Division of Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

This ongoing investigation, the first one to identify dry dog food as the source of human Salmonella infections, demonstrates that dry pet food may be contaminated with Salmonella and be an under-recognized source of human infections, especially in young children. Human illnesses with Salmonella Schwarzengrund have continued to be linked with exposure to certain brands of dry dog and cat food produced by Mars Petcare US at a single manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania. Eight persons with the outbreak strain were identified between January 1 and October 31, 2008. Between January 1, 2006 and October 31, 2008, at least 79 persons infected with the same strain of Salmonella Schwarzengrund have been reported to CDC from 21 states. The majority of illnesses are in children 2 years of age or younger. Illnesses related to this outbreak have not been reported in dogs or cats. Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall in September 2008 that involved approximately 23,109 tons of dry pet foods, representing 105 brands. It is important to note that dry pet food has a 1-year shelf life and contaminated product might still be in the homes of purchasers and could produce illness.

Prevalence of Self-Reported Prediabetes – United States, 2006

PRESS CONTACT: Dr. Carlos Castillio-Soloranzo, Regional Advisor
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
(202) 974-3269

An important opportunity exists to reduce the preventable burden of diabetes and its complications by increasing awareness of prediabetes among those who have the condition, and encouraging the adoption of healthier lifestyles and risk reduction activities among all U.S. adults. Prediabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. People with prediabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. However, lifestyle changes can prevent or delay the development of diabetes and its complications among persons with prediabetes. Our study of U.S. adults found that awareness of prediabetes is low, and participation in risk reduction activities is less than optimal. Although previous studies have shown that more than a fourth of U.S. adults have prediabetes, in 2006, only 4 percent of U.S. adults had ever been told that they had prediabetes. Among adults with prediabetes, 67.6 percent tried to lose or control weight, 54.7 percent increased physical activity or exercise, and 59.8 percent reduced dietary fat or calories. Only 42 percent engaged in all three risk reduction activities and 24 percent did not participate in any of these activities.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES