The Ideal Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing Research Program - Agriculture Forestry and Fishing Research at NIOSH - page 25

related to production AFF. This effort would require a large financial commitment
and careful coordination on a local and national level. Some critical work aimed
at answering many important questions can be done only with a multicenter
approach. The ideal program would explore emerging topics, including genetic
susceptibility to health effects of AFF exposures. Gene-environment interactions
relevant to various illnesses and injuries common in AFF workers would be ex-
plored with a combination of laboratory and clinical methods in the new field of
genetic epidemiology. The risk of zoonotic disease transmission has emerged as
a concern; specifically, there have been several cases of avian influenza A (H5N1)
transmission from birds to humans in Asia and Europe (CDC, 2007), and this
could emerge as a threat to U.S. poultry handlers if the disease spreads to the
United States. Challenges to conducting large epidemiological studies include the
resources required and the diversity of the AFF industries with regard to regions,
occupations, methods, and exposures. Existing collaborations between NIOSH
and other agencies conducting the Agricultural Health Study could be expanded
to avoid duplication of efforts.
Toxicological Research
The ideal AFF Program would have partnerships with other agencies and or-
ganizations, including chemical manufacturers, to ensure that toxicological studies
are performed to characterize mechanisms of health effects and disease in connec-
tion with all exposures relevant to AFF occupations. Challenges would include the
resources required for detailed toxicological studies, the logistics of partnering with
other agencies to influence direction, and the large number of chemical, physical,
and biological agents to which AFF workers are exposed.
Laboratory-Based Physical and Safety Risk-Factor Research
The ideal AFF Program would have access to state-of-the-art laboratory facili-
ties adequately equipped to conduct the research needed to characterize safety risk
factors for each AFF occupation. The program would also work closely with the
manufacturers of equipment identified as being most often associated with injury
exposure. Challenges include the resources required, including physical facilities,
technical expertise, and partnerships with equipment manufacturers.
Exposure Assessment Research
The ideal AFF Program would have projects in place to ensure that exposures to
physical, chemical, and biological agents in the AFF industries that cause injury or
illness are fully characterized. Typical exposures, ranges of exposures, and exposure