NIOSH: Reported Employee Health Problems at MONOC Not Caused by Zimek
Wall, NJ – September 19, 2014 -- Several years ago, while closely monitoring the H1N1 pandemic spreading through the country, MONOC investigated and subsequently purchased a Zimek Rapid Disinfecting and Decontamination System for their ambulances.
Previous to the purchase, the Zimek system was used in government facilities, schools, hospitals, businesses and various types of vehicles. By killing infectious pathogens on contact, the Zimek disinfecting system allowed MONOC to better achieve its safety commitment by killing dangerous bacteria and viruses that remain on ambulance surfaces long after the patient has been transferred to the emergency department.
Soon after the purchase and implementation of the Zimek system, the labor union that represented MONOC staff claimed that the process and the chemicals used with it, were causing harm to employees. The union communicated its concerns to the company, the employees and several government agencies.
Shortly thereafter, a group of employees began complaining of irritated eyes, skin rashes, breathing trouble, asthma, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, ulcers and neurological problems, to name a few. MONOC immediately ceased using the Zimek system and its chemicals and again researched the product and the chemicals it used. OSHA, the EPA and the New Jersey DEP investigated the complaint. In the end, the EPA issued an order to MONOC to not use the Zimek system because its use as directed by the manufacturer was not allowed by the label on the chemicals it used, (quaternary ammonium compounds {QACs} and phenol). MONOC had already ceased using the Zimek system before they received the EPA order.
Some of the employees who complained of symptoms they associated with the Zimek system filed Workers’ Compensation claims. In addition, the union continued to communicate with its members that it believed Zimek was the cause of the health issues employees were having. At that time MONOC contacted the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), to conduct an in-depth scientific review and study of the Zimek system and the chemicals it used, for the purpose of determining whether they were the cause of the health complaints raised by the union and several employees.
After more than three years of investigation and study, NIOSH has completed their work and issued a final report. It was sent to both the union, who requested a similar study by NIOSH, and MONOC. MONOC received the report on September 17, 2014.
The NIOSH report concluded the following;
1) “Our [NIOSH] evaluation showed that phenol fogging could not explain any of the reports of symptoms or illnesses.”; page 12.
2) “…our [NIOSH] evaluation did not show that any of the reported symptoms and illnesses were related to disinfectant fogging with phenol or QACs.”; page 13.
3) "Our [NIOSH] evaluation found no relationship between the disinfectant fogging of ambulances and the reported symptoms and illnesses…”; page 14
4) “The types of information included in and omitted from the PEMSA-NJ letter and the EPA Stop Sale, Use or Removal order might have been perceived by employees and their physicians as (1) support for the cause-and-effect relationship between disinfectant exposure and health problems and (2) validations of employees’ concerns. However, these perceptions were not supported by our evaluation.”; page 14
MONOC is pleased that a final scientific determination has been made concerning this issue. It demonstrates that their product research at the time was appropriate, that their reaction to the situation at the time was appropriate and that, most importantly, their employees’ health was not adversely affected by our use of the Zimek system.
Since forming in 1978, MONOC has a proven track record in providing a safe workplace for their employees and is committed to enhancing safety whenever and wherever possible.
