LOGIN

A cannabis worker died on the job from an asthma attack. It’s the first reported case in US

by Ryan Lee
0 comments
Occupational Asthma

The inaugural recorded instance of an occupational asthma fatality within the U.S. cannabis production sector has claimed the life of a worker in the state of Massachusetts, according to federal health and safety authorities.

A 27-year-old woman, employed at a cannabis cultivation and processing facility, suffered a deterioration in work-related respiratory symptoms culminating in a fatal asthma attack in January 2022, as outlined in a federal report released on Thursday. The report highlights the mounting concern of allergic conditions, including asthma, within the rapidly expanding U.S. cannabis industry, largely driven by the recent wave of state-level legalizations.

The report underscores that the worker’s tragic demise “demonstrates missed opportunities for prevention, including workplace exposures, medical surveillance, and adherence to existing asthma guidelines.” While the report refrains from disclosing the worker’s identity or the specific Massachusetts facility, it emphasizes the necessity of evaluating individuals with newly onset or worsening asthma in cannabis establishments. This approach, when combined with prompt diagnosis and medical management, could potentially avert workplace fatalities, the report asserts.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published this report, emphasizing that it represents the findings of a federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation, encompassing an assessment of worksite exposure, interviews with coworkers and next-of-kin, reviews of medical records, and collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

The report cites studies identifying respiratory hazards within the cannabis cultivation and production sector, including microbial and plant allergens. Additionally, it underscores the potential hazards associated with chemicals like pesticides and allergens unique to the cannabis plant itself.

This revelation comes at a time when the legalization of recreational marijuana and the resultant expansion of the cannabis industry continue to spread. Nearly half of the U.S. states permit adult recreational use of marijuana, with the legalization movement commencing in 2012 in Washington and Colorado.

Advocates for safety within the marijuana industry are urging the implementation of further safeguards to ensure that the cannabis business does not pose risks to its workers or the general public. Scott Gagnon, a watchdog in the cannabis industry advocating for substance abuse prevention in Maine, where marijuana has been legal for several years, views the death of the Massachusetts worker as a critical signal for lawmakers to introduce more stringent regulations for the industry.

Paul Armentano, the deputy director of NORML, the marijuana law reform group, expresses the industry’s commitment to safety, asserting that the likelihood of such incidents is substantially reduced in environments where cannabis businesses are subject to licensing, regulation, and adherence to the same workplace safety standards as other industries. Furthermore, Armentano emphasizes that in regulated markets, incidents of this nature are thoroughly investigated, and corrective actions are taken to prevent their recurrence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Occupational Asthma

What is the significance of the reported occupational asthma death in the U.S. cannabis industry?

The reported occupational asthma death is significant as it marks the first documented case of such a fatality in the U.S. cannabis production sector. It highlights the growing concern of allergic conditions like asthma within the industry, which has expanded rapidly due to state-level legalizations.

What were the circumstances surrounding the worker’s death?

The worker, a 27-year-old woman, was employed at a cannabis cultivation and processing facility in Massachusetts. She experienced worsening work-related respiratory symptoms, ultimately resulting in a fatal asthma attack in January 2022.

What does the federal report emphasize regarding prevention?

The federal report underscores missed opportunities for prevention, including workplace exposures, medical surveillance, and adherence to existing asthma guidelines. It emphasizes the need for evaluating individuals with new-onset or worsening asthma in cannabis establishments to prevent such tragedies.

Who published the report, and what did it involve?

The report was published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and resulted from a federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation. This investigation included worksite exposure assessments, interviews with coworkers and next-of-kin, reviews of medical records, and collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

What are the identified respiratory hazards in the cannabis industry?

The report cites studies that identify respiratory hazards in the cannabis cultivation and production sector, including microbial and plant allergens. It also mentions chemicals like pesticides and allergens specific to the cannabis plant itself as potential hazards.

How is this revelation related to the broader context of marijuana legalization?

This revelation comes at a time when recreational marijuana legalization is spreading across the U.S., leading to significant growth in the cannabis industry. It underscores the importance of implementing safety measures to protect workers and the public as the industry expands.

What do safety advocates in the marijuana industry recommend?

Advocates for safety in the marijuana industry call for the introduction of more safeguards to ensure that the cannabis business does not pose risks to its workers or the general public. They argue for stringent regulations and adherence to workplace safety standards, emphasizing that regulated markets enable thorough investigation and preventive actions in case of incidents.

More about Occupational Asthma

You may also like

Leave a Comment

BNB – Big Big News is a news portal that offers the latest news from around the world. BNB – Big Big News focuses on providing readers with the most up-to-date information from the U.S. and abroad, covering a wide range of topics, including politics, sports, entertainment, business, health, and more.

Editors' Picks

Latest News