r2p: Research to Practice at NIOSH

Research to Practice (r2p) is a new NIOSH initiative focused on the transfer and translation of research findings, technologies, and information into highly effective prevention practices and products which are adopted in the workplace.

The goal of r2p is to reduce illness and injury by increasing workplace use of effective NIOSH and NIOSH-funded research findings. In order to achieve this, NIOSH is continuing to work with our partners to focus research on ways to develop effective products, translate research findings into practice, target dissemination efforts, and evaluate and demonstrate the effectiveness of these efforts in improving worker health and safety.

r2p in Action

Several recent NIOSH successes exemplify the types of activities the new r2p initiative is designed to promote and enhance:

Personal Dust Monitor (PDM) for Assessment of Particulate Exposure

In collaboration with manufacturers, labor and industry, NIOSH developed a new personal dust monitor (PDM) for assessing coal miners’ exposure to coal dust in underground coal mines. The first advancement in more than 30 years for monitoring exposures, the PDM provides real-time exposure data during a work shift. It warns of potential over-exposures in time for mine operators to reduce exposures that might lead over time to development of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis or “black lung,” a debilitating lung disease that caused 14,000 deaths between 1991 and 2000. NIOSH plans to commercialize the device, following additional testing this year to verify its performance.

Hand Wipe Method for Detecting Lead

Through a simple color change, a NIOSH-developed hand wipe method quickly and easily detects the presence of lead on both the skin and on surfaces in industries where lead is produced or used. This alert prompts workers to identify exposures and perform more thorough hand washing to decrease the risks of taking home toxins and ingesting lead during eating, drinking, or smoking. Through this novel technology, lead exposure can be reduced for more than 10,000 workers and 900,000 children in the United States. NIOSH has patented, commercially licensed, and disseminated information on this method. Contact: Eric Esswein at eesswein@cdc.gov.

Injury Prevention in the Commercial Fishing Industry

In partnership with an engineering firm, NIOSH in 2003 helped to produce a detailed, easy-to-read booklet recommending and describing engineering measures on commercial crab fishing vessels to prevent injuries in this highly hazardous industry. More than 3,000 copies of the booklet have been distributed in the U.S. and abroad. The recommendations in the booklet resulted from NIOSH’s partnerships with many stakeholders to develop practical interventions that address hazards posed by machinery, fishing equipment, and physical design and layout of fishing vessels. Contact: Brad Husberg at bhusberg@cdc.gov.

Do-it-Yourself Kit for Detecting Mold

NIOSH developed an innovation that provides the basis for a new, commercially available do-it-yourself kit to detect the mold Stachybotrys chartarum. S. chartarum is a toxigenic mold commonly found in chronically water-damaged buildings. Determining if a building is contaminated with S. chartarum has been difficult due to the lack of a good detection device. The NIOSH-developed species-specific monoclonal antibody is being used as a diagnostic reagent in this novel technology kit. This kit provides building inspectors, industrial hygienists and homeowners with a simple tool to detect the mold in less than 5 minutes. Contact: Detlef Schmechel at dschmechel@cdc.gov.

Reducing Worker Exposure to Asphalt Fumes

alsphalt paving machine, dumptruck, workers

A unique government, industry, and labor partnership was formed to reduce worker exposure to asphalt fumes during paving operations. In a departure from the traditional occupational safety and health (OSH) approach, government researchers partnered with representatives from industry and labor to create a cooperative research effort. The research partnership included all U.S. manufacturers of highway-class asphalt paving equipment, numerous paving contractors, and the full participation of labor unions representing paving workers. This partnership was successful in developing practical, effective control systems to control asphalt fume exposures and a voluntary agreement to incorporate these controls on all newly manufactured highway pavers. Related NIOSH Publication (No. 97–105): Engineering Control Guidelines for Hot Mix Asphalt Pavers.

Historically, NIOSH has been a leader in applying research into workplace solutions that reduce injury and illness. Now we are challenged to work more efficiently and effectively with our partners, to apply r2p practices at every turn, and to evaluate their effectiveness so that our best practices keep getting better and more universal at NIOSH and among our partners. To learn more, contact: DeLon Hull at dhull@cdc.gov.

Related Resources

Stakeholder Meetings

Health Risks Associated with Occupational Exposure to Titanium Dioxide
April 29, 2004, Cincinnati, Ohio. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the health data relevant to titanium dioxide exposure and the scientific and technical issues associated with the development of recommended exposure limits. http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/
edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-5855.htm

Concepts of Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) Standards Development for Respiratory Protection Against CBRN Agents
May 4, 2004, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. The purpose of the meeting is to continue discussions of conceptual standards and testing processes for powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) standards suitable for respiratory protection against CBRN agents.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl

Public Comment Opportunities

Transferring Technology

CDC's Technology Transfer Office provides leadership and expertise to promote and effect the timely transfer of knowledge and technology for development of products and processes that improve public health. The TTO staff is responsible for the patenting and licensing of CDC inventions.

Translating Research - Featured NIOSH Publications

Does it Really Work? How to Evaluate Safety and Health Changes in the Workplace
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-135 (2004)
Intended for managers interested in improving their business by ensuring the health and safety of workers. It invites managers to look carefully at changes they have made to improve occupational health and safety in the workplace.

NIOSH "Workplace Solutions" Series
The NIOSH “Workplace Solutions” series offers easy-to-understand, easy-to-access, and easy-to-use recommendations that turn the results of NIOSH research into occupational safety and health practice.