NIOSH Seeks Public Comment on Draft Hazard Review Document: Wildland Fire Smoke Exposure Among Farmworkers and Other Outdoor Workers

Today, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), released the draft Hazard Review: Wildland Fire Smoke Exposure Among Farmworkers and Other Outdoor Workers. It is open for public comment until November 12, 2024. Smoke from wildland fires has become an increasingly widespread and potentially serious threat to public health in recent years, and CDC/NIOSH invites the public to review and provide input on the draft document.

“This hazard review will close the gap in our knowledge about how exposure to wildfire smoke impacts outdoor workers,” said NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D. “With wildfires increasing in frequency and size, it is imperative that we have the knowledge and tools to protect the health of farmworkers and other outdoor workers who must perform their jobs even if the air quality is unhealthy or hazardous.”

This draft Hazard Review is the first federal level authoritative document with a focus on wildland fire smoke for outdoor workers and will increase awareness about the overall risk of exposure to wildland fire smoke on outdoor worker health. It provides a concise review, critical analysis, and evaluation of scientific evidence related to the impact of occupational exposure to wildland fire smoke among farmworkers and other outdoor workers. This draft Hazard Review can drive the development of new, innovative controls to reduce outdoor worker exposures to wildfire smoke.

NIOSH’s draft Hazard Review aligns with a Department of Health and Human Services initiative, “Protecting Farmworkers from Extreme Heat and Wildfire Smoke.”

To view the draft Hazard Review: Wildland Fire Smoke Exposure Among Farmworkers and Other Outdoor Workers and provide comment, visit www.regulations.gov and search CDC-2024-0065.

NIOSH is the federal institute that conducts research and makes recommendations for preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. For more information about the work visit www.cdc.gov/niosh.