NIOSH Blog Discusses Erionite

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The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) Science Blog posted the following article "Erionite: An Emerging North American Hazard."  The importance of this mineral is that in its fibrous form it is very similar to asbestos.  It is a naturally occurring mineral with deposits in many western states (on the blog post is a map indicating the areas) and disturbance of the fibers can generate airborne fibers with physical properties and health effects that are similar to asbestos.  Residents of Turkish villages where erionite-containing rock was used to construct homes, had a high risk for developing malignant mesothelioma.  The United States Geological Survey found that the erionite from the Cappadocian region of Turkey, North Dakota, and Oregon were chemically and morphologically similar.
Reading this blog post, is like reading an article on asbestos exposure or how to control asbestos exposure.  According to the post, the focus of potential exposure are road construction and maintenance workers that work with erionite-containing gravel used in road surfacing.  Recommendations by NIOSH are to treat erionite-containing gravel in the same way as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) treats asbestos-containing materials.  Train workers, control dust emissions and utilize wet methods, all sounding very familar to us in the asbestos industry, however currently their is no occupational exposure limit for erionite.  Which will make things difficult for those exposed to erionite-containing gravel.  Let's hope OSHA heeds NIOSH's recommendations

Related articles

• Erionite: An Emerging Hazard in North America (cdc.gov)
• Environs: U.S. Warns Workers on Cancer-Causing Mineral Erionite (habwwe.wordpress.com)
• Concerns Over Potential Mesothelioma Threat Lead to Environmental Meeting, Says Surviving Mesothelioma (prweb.com)
• New study finds cancer-causing mineral in US road gravel (eurekalert.org)
• Health concerns grow over little-known mineral (openchannel.msnbc.msn.com)

Kings Park Psychiatric Center Demolition Up For Bid

We realize the Kings Park Psychiatric Center Demolition being up for bid is a bit old since this was announced back in October.  However, our understanding is that the bid documents were not ready at the time of the announcement in Long Island Business News.  Contact Dvirka & Bartilucci or TRC Environmental for more information regarding this bid opportunity.  This definitely will be a large project and look forward to seeing the results of the bid for this project.

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2011 Northeast Regional Industrial Hygiene Conference & Exposition is Friday

This Friday is the 2011 Northeast Regional Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition held annually at Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Brunswick, New Jersey.  The title of this year's conference is "Emergency Preparedness - 10 Years Beyond & GHS - New Horizons".  According to the published program interesting topics include the "Fukushima Accident in Japan" by Dennis Quinn, CHP, DAQ, Inc. and the "Making a Difference: Sustainable Construction Practices at MTA & NYCT" by Thomas Abdallah, P.E. LEED AP, Chief Environmental Engineer, MTA New York City Transit.  We are looking forward to attending the Conference, and the Exposition Hall with the vendors is always like going to a class reunion for us.  We hope you get a chance to attend this event and hope to see you there. 

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CDC Website Discusses Earthquakes

The Centers for Disease Control has updated their Emergency Preparedness and Response website with information on surviving an Earthquake.  Considering we had a small one on the east coast this year, that we even felt on Long Island, it is important to be prepared and knowledgeable about what to do.  The website discusses the things you can do before, during, and after the earthquake.  The key point of the website is that in MOST situations, you will reduce your chance of injury from falling objects (and even building collapse) if you immediately: 

The website discusses emergency supplies, and inspecting the home for hazards.  One of the more interesting suggestions is the following from "Inspecting Home for Hazards:"  - Check to see if your house or garage is securely fastened to the foundation. (If your house was built before 1950, it probably does not have bolts securing the wood structure to the concrete foundation.)  If your house is not secured to the foundation, take the following steps:

• Using a hammer drill and carbide bit, drill a hole through the sill plate into the foundation. Holes should be approximately 6 feet apart.
• Drop a 1/2- x 7-inch expansion bolt into each hole and finish by tightening the nut and washer

We suggest you visit the website, so you can be prepared, just in case we get a more severe earthquake, next time.

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• If a Natural Disaster Occurred, Are You Ready to Help?" (futureenv.blogspot.com)

October 31, 2011 Is FEMA's Registration Deadline

It is important that residents in Nassau & Suffolk County who have been impacted by Thunderstorm Irene register for FEMA aid as soon as possible.  October 31, 2011 is FEMA’s registration deadline and registrations cannot be accepted after the October 31, 2011 deadline. "Registration keeps open the possibility of a wide range of assistance," said Philip E. Parr, FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer. "If your insurance coverage comes up short, or other damage appears later, you need to be registered with FEMA to be considered for disaster assistance."

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The following list is a sample of the assistance available through FEMA:

Temporary Housing: (a place to live for a limited period of time): Money is available to rent a different place to live, or a government provided housing unit when rental properties are not available. 

Repair: Money is available to homeowners to repair damage from the disaster that is not covered by insurance.  The goal is to make the damaged home safe, sanitary, and functional.

Replacement: Money is available to homeowners to replace their home destroyed in the disaster that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to help the homeowner with the cost of replacing their destroyed home.

Permanent/Semi Permanent Housing Construction: Direct assistance or money for the construction of a home.  This type of help occurs only in insular areas or remote locations specified by FEMA, where no other type of housing assistance is possible.

Other Needs: Money is available for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, moving and storage, and other expenses that are authorized by law.

To register, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.  Phone lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET,

seven days a week until further notice.  People with hearing disabilities can use the TTY number, 800-462-7585.

Applicants can also register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or with any web-enabled mobile device or smart phone at m.fema.gov. Follow the link to "apply online for federal assistance."

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Total Environmental & Safety Blog Post - Discusses Economic Prosperity

As an Indoor Air Quality Professional we agree completely with Mr. Ralph Carito's blog post on Total Environmental & Safety's blog.  His post "Linking EHS, Ethics and Economic Prosperity", is another post that shows how environmental health and safety regulations not only don't drive up costs but actually allow companies to be more competitive, more risk averse, and more efficient.  Helping companies become more competitive.

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Safety Regulations Don't Add Costs They Decide Who Pays Them

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Robert S. Adler, who is a lawyer and a commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, wrote an excellent Op-Ed piece in the New York Times defending regulations.  With the daily barrage of individuals complaining about regulations and how regulations are stifling employment.  His Op-Ed piece "Safety Regulations Don't Add Costs They Decide Who Pays Them" tells us what these individuals complaining about over-regulation are leaving out.  That these costs are already being paid for by society (us) including death, injury, and increased costs for health insurance (or taxes for the uninsured).  We totally agree with his points, and his points also apply to environmental and occupational safety regulations.  Where the numbers may be a little more murky (i.e., relations with asthma and pollution, and productivity and safety), nonetheless, regulations basically ensure the company producing the product pays the cost.  Society pays for the true price of the product and decides whether that product is worth buying. 

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