Publications by authors named "Robert R Harvey"

Background: Sporicidal products containing hydrogen peroxide (HP), peracetic acid (PAA), and acetic acid (AA) are used widely in multiple industries, including healthcare. Despite widespread use in healthcare, few studies have assessed associations between exposures to HP, PAA, and AA, and work-related symptoms in these settings.

Methods: In 2018, we performed a health and exposure assessment at a hospital where a sporicidal product consisting of HP, PAA, and AA, was used as the primary cleaner on hospital surfaces.

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From July−November 2020, mink (Neogale vison) on 12 Utah farms experienced an increase in mortality rates due to confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. We conducted epidemiologic investigations on six farms to identify the source of virus introduction, track cross-species transmission, and assess viral evolution. Interviews were conducted and specimens were collected from persons living or working on participating farms and from multiple animal species.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study analyzed 72 mink affected by SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks on US farms, discovering respiratory damage similar to that seen in humans with COVID-19, including bronchiolitis in 74% of mink found dead.
  • - Testing methods showed that conventional reverse transcription-PCR (cRT-PCR) was more effective at detecting SARS-CoV-2 in upper respiratory tract tissues than in lung specimens, indicating the virus primarily affects the nasal area.
  • - The presence of the viral receptor ACE2 was noted in the nasal epithelium, suggesting that mink could serve as a useful model for studying SARS-CoV-2 infection and its effects in humans.
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At least four workers at a metal recycling facility were hospitalized and one died after exposure to chlorine gas when it was accidentally released from an intact, closed-valved cylinder being processed for scrap metal. This unintentional chlorine gas release marks at least the third such incident at a metal recycling facility in the United States since 2010. We describe the fatal case of the worker whose clinical course was consistent with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) following exposure to high concentrations of chlorine gas.

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