If an employee has a diagnosis of sensorineural hearing loss in both ears AND the employee was exposed to one of the listed chemical solvents AND worked in one of the listed labor categories for the required concurrent and unbroken 10year period ID: 916553
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Slide1
current DOL criteria solvent related hearing loss
If an employee has a diagnosis of sensorineural hearing loss in both ears
AND
the employee was exposed to one of the listed chemical solvents
AND
worked in one of the listed labor categories for the required concurrent and unbroken 10-year period
Then the claim can be accepted for hearing loss.
Slide2DOL will accept a claim for these solvents as cause of hearing loss
Toluene
Styrene
Xylene
Trichlorethylene
Methyl Ethyl
Ketone
Methyl Isobutyl
Ketone
Ethyl Benzene
Slide3DOL accepts the following job categories, when held for a period of at least ten consecutive years prior to 1990, as qualifying for compensation for solvent induced hearing loss
Boilermaker
Chemical Operator
Chemist
Electrician/Electrical Maintenance/Lineman
Electroplater/Electroplating Technician
Garage/Auto/Equipment Mechanic
Guard/Security Officer/Security Patrol Officer (i.e. firearm cleaning activities)
Instrument Mechanic/Instrument Technician
Janitor
Laboratory Analyst/Aide
Laboratory Technician/Technologist
Lubricator
Machinist
Maintenance Mechanic
Millwright
Operator (most any kind)
Painter
Pipefitter
Printer/Reproduction Clerk
Refrigeration Mechanic/HVAC Mechanic
Sheet Metal Worker
Utility Operator
Slide4Systematic reviews
Recent reviews conclude that both animal and human studies clearly establish effect on solvents on hearing
Review of compound specific data has clear limitations since most workers are exposed to multiple solvents
Review of mixed exposure data more limited
Consensus statements are available from NIOSH (2003), EPA (2003), Nordic Expert Group, EU OSHANo consensus on dose-response or existence of threshold in reviews although recent paper has addressed it (through European collaborative study)
Slide5Animal and human data
Systematic review by NIOSH and Nordic
Nordic Expert Group for Criteria
Documentation of
Health Risks from ChemicalsStyrene, toluene, xylene carbon disulfide cause hearing loss at or below current OELsXylene, ethylbenzene: more limited occupational data. Animal data show effects
at or below current
OELs
TCE and solvent mixtures show significant effect in human studies. Mixtures most often MEK, MIBK, xylene and toluene
NR 2010;44(4) The
Nordic Expert Group for Criteria
Documentation of
Health Risks from
Chemicals; 142
. Occupational exposure
to chemicals
and hearing
impairment. A C
Johnson and
T
C Morata
Slide6Good data that noise and solvent exposure are synergistic in causing hearing loss
However, SEM does not include any information on noise exposure, since noise is not a hazard considered under EEOICPA
Slide7Recommended exposure presumption for solvent induced hearing loss
A claim would meet the presumption for solvent-related hearing loss if there is
A
diagnosis of sensorineural hearing lossAND
Significant solvent exposure defined as:
Work for at least 7 cumulative years in any of the job titles on list in current presumption, or in any construction or maintenance
job.
OR
Reported exposure to styrene toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene TCE, carbon disulfide on OHQ, or evidence for exposure organic solvents in the SEM, for at least 7 years cumulative
OR
Reported exposures to solvent mixtures on OHQ, or evidence for sustained exposure to those solvent mixtures in the SEM, for at least 7 years cumulative
OR
Exposure for 7 years cumulative established through work history and DDWLP
Slide8Recommendations
Committee recommends that DOL develop direct disease work links for tasks with exposure to above solvents in the range of the OEL
Slide9Recommended exposure presumption for solvent induced hearing loss
, continued
Additionally, claims examiners should not
routinely deny
claims for solvent induced hearing loss
if the worker
has had
fewer than
10
years of
exposure, does not have a DDWL for task, or is not in a labor category on list.
Claims that do not meet the requirements set forth here but do have reported exposure to
organic solvents for at least 5
years cumulative should
be sent for IH and/or CMC
review