Appx H3_Flav_Announcement

Appendix H.3: Study Announcement for Flavoring Workers (English)

Dear ______________,

We are writing to invite you to participate in a research study being conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). NIOSH is a public health agency within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). NIOSH is responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related illnesses and injuries. NIOSH is not part of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and does not enforce workplace health and safety laws.

In the past, NIOSH conducted a Health Hazard Evaluation at Sensient Flavorings. As part of the evaluation, NIOSH reviewed spirometry (a breathing test) on 112 workers conducted by the company’s healthcare provider. In these workers, we found a higher than expected number with an abnormality called restriction on their spirometry tests. Restriction is when the amount of air exhaled is smaller than normal. This is not always due to lung disease; overweight and muscle weakness can contribute. There were also some workers with an abnormality called obstruction on their spirometry tests. Obstruction is when air is exhaled from the lungs more slowly than normal. Investigations on other flavoring-exposed workers have found both restriction and obstruction. Some workers had a rare lung disease called bronchiolitis obliterans. We are offering spirometry and other breathing tests to better understand the spectrum of lung disease that may be associated with flavoring exposure. NIOSH will not be visiting the Sensient Flavorings plant during this study. Your participation is completely voluntary.

The medical testing is FREE and will be offered the week of DATES. The medical survey will include a private interview about your health and work history, breathing tests, blood draw, and a high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan, which is a sensitive type of X-ray (also known as a CT scan or CAT scan). You can choose to participate in any or all of the tests offered. The private interview and breathing tests will take place at LOCATION. The HRCT scan will take place at LOCATION, and we will arrange transportation to and from the X-ray clinic. We expect the testing to take approximately 3 to 3.5 hours. We have enclosed an informational handout and a consent form that describe the study. If you decide to take part in the medical testing, we will compensate you for your time and effort with a $50 GIFT CARD to a local merchant.

It would be helpful for you to bring to your appointment a list of medications you have taken in the past 12 months, along with a list of jobs you have held at Sensient Flavorings and elsewhere. It is important that you know that your medical test results will only be available to you, and if you wish, your personal physician.

If you have any questions and/or would like to participate, please contact us at 1-800-232-2114 and ask for Dr. Rachel Bailey. You can also email Dr. Bailey at feu2@cdc.gov.

Sincerely,

Rachel L. Bailey, DO, MPH

Project Officer

(304) 285-5757

feu2@cdc.gov

Jean Cox-Ganser, PhD

Co-Project Officer

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Division of Respiratory Disease Studies

(304) 285-5818

JCoxGanser@cdc.gov