CDC: Bacteria may be to blame for Ohio outbreak

ATLANTA - Bacteria stirred up by metalworking fluid may have caused a respiratory outbreak at an Ohio brake manufacturer that sickened more than 100 people, the government said Thursday. <br> <br> The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 107 workers at the TRW Inc. plant in Mount Vernon missed work in 2000 and 2001 because of respiratory illness, including symptoms of asthma and bronchitis. <br> <br> An investigation found high levels of a species of bacteria in metalworking fluid at the plant, the CDC said. Machinists probably were exposed to airborne particles of the fluid, the agency said. <br> <br> The CDC said more tests were needed to determine for sure whether the bacteria caused the sicknesses, one of the largest work-related respiratory outbreaks among machinists in the United States. <br> <br> The plant later steam-cleaned its machines and improved ventilation, and no new respiratory cases have been identified at the plant since April 2001, the CDC said. <br> <br> About 400 people work at the plant. <br> <br> More of the employees returned to work, but some are still showing respiratory symptoms and have not returned, said Dr. Douglas Trout of CDC&#39;s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. <br> <br> The CDC urged machinists, their employers and unions to use personal protective equipment and watch for any unusual respiratory illness.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/4/202377