NIOSH eNews – March 2026

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Mar 5, 2026, 6:47:24 PM (6 days ago) Mar 5

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The Monthly Newsletter of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Volume 23 Number 5, March 2026

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From the Director's Desk John Howard, M.D., Director, NIOSH

3D Printing: Protecting Workers Turning Plastic Waste into Filament

Converting plastic waste into filament for 3D printing (from left to right): milk jugs, melting into filament, spool of filament, and 3D printing with filament.

NIOSH researchers are tackling the global problem of plastic waste. They are studying good workplace practices for workers to safely recycle plastics so these materials can be used for three-dimensional (3-D) printing products.

Plastics are all around us. In 2020, enough plastic was made to circle the earth 1500 times. Demand for plastics is predicted to continue increasing, reaching approximately 1 billion tons worldwide by 2050. Most plastics are designed for single use, meaning they are used once and then either disposed of or sometimes recycled.

Read More Research Rounds

Trends in Parcel Delivery Driver Injury: Evidence from NEISS-Work

Study authors: Evan Iacobucci, Missouri State University; Suzanne Marsh, NIOSH; Rebecca Naumann, CDC; and Noreen McDonald, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Why is this study important?

With the continued popularity of online shopping, or e-commerce, parcel delivery drivers handle more packages, drive more miles, and serve more customers during their daily routes. To prevent injuries from this increased delivery volume, we need to understand the nature of these injuries.

How did you do the study?

We looked at injuries among two groups: (1) U.S. Postal Service delivery drivers and (2) couriers and messengers. These injuries involved workers aged 18 and older who were treated in U.S. emergency departments during 2015–2022. Using information from the occupational supplement to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), we described injury characteristics and trends for both worker groups.

Read More

Highlights

NIOSH Announces New Black Lung Screening Dates

The NIOSH Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program announced it will offer black lung screenings March 17–21 in Summersville, Oak Hill, and Beckley, West Virginia. Participation provides coal miners with a free health exam and a confidential report on their lung health.

NIOSH Seeks Public Input on Firefighter Safety and Health Priorities

NIOSH recently published a Request for Information to gather public input on priority topics related to firefighter safety and health. This feedback will help NIOSH refine its existing research, service, and engagement priorities related to firefighter safety, health, and well-being. The input will also help ensure that NIOSH's work stays responsive to emerging risks, workforce needs, and opportunities to collaborate with the fire service and related organizations. Comments must be received on or before April 3.

NIOSH Partners With AIHA in the Annual Safe-in-Sound Award Program

NIOSH welcomes the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) as a new Safe-in-Sound Award partner, joining existing partners. The partnership was announced last month at the 50th annual Hearing Conservation Association annual conference. Nominations for the 2027 Safe-in-Sound Award are now open. Learn more or apply on the award website.

National Firefighter Registry for Cancer Is Now the Largest in the Nation

More than 40,000 firefighters have joined the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer. It is now the largest firefighter cohort in the country focused on understanding job-related cancer risk and advancing prevention efforts to protect firefighters' health. Read this CDC press release for more information about this milestone.

NIOSH Scientists Receive Public Health Service Outstanding Unit Citation

Dr. Wesley Attwood, CAPT John Gibbins, and LCDR Sarah Hughes were recently recognized by the U.S. Public Health Service with an Outstanding Unit Citation for their service on the Interagency Correctional Food Safety Workgroup. Working with other federal agencies this group of officers and civilians developed the first Model Food Safety Practices for Correctional Facilities guidance. This guide aims to make over 3,000 U.S. correctional facilities safer from food safety threats.