Asbestos Pipe Insulation in a Crawl Space |
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Thursday, February 03, 2011
Condo Covered In Asbestos Dust in Virginia Beach, VA
This news report and video from WAVY-TV10 In Virginia Beach, VA illustrates the importance of knowing what materials contain asbestos before performing any work in an area where the materials are suspected of containing asbestos. A Virginia Beach family moves out of their condo after building maintenance activities may have caused the release of asbestos. After the owners of the condo discovered that building maintenance activites had left a fine dust behind, they had the dust tested and the laboratory tests indicated the dust was asbestos dust. It would be interesting to determine the procedures used since sampling dust is still a controversial issue in the asbestos industry. The collection of the dust should follow the American Society of Testing Material (ASTM) Standard D5755-09 or D5756-02(2008). However, what do you compare the results to? The neither ASTM standard set a level for safety. There is currently no standard under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for a safe level of asbestos dust. Some laboratories will give you guidelines, again these are not standards or regulations. In addition, there are few published studies on what would be a safe level. Is there a safe level or is the presence of any asbestos dust mean that the area is contaminated and hence it is a danger. Most asbestos inspectors probably would say that any asbestos dust makes the area unsafe and hence the area is contaminated. Meaning some type of removal/cleanup is necessary. Which brings up the next question how clean is clean and can you clean porous items? According to New York State Department of Labor (NYS DOL) Industrial Code Rule 56 (ICR56), the asbestos regulation governing NYS, porous items would need to be cleaned and disposed of as asbestos containing materials. Asbestos dust sampling is one of the most difficult issues to deal with in the asbestos industry, I don't envy the Virginia Beach condo association trying to deal with this issue.
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
NIOSH Seeking Comments On The Draft Recommendations For Emergency Responder Health Monitoring and Surveillance
Image via WikipediaThe National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) today invited public comment on a draft document titled, "Emergency Responder Health Monitoring and Surveillance." This document was developed by a consortium of federal agencies, state health departments, and volunteer organizations, headed by the NIOSH with the goal of proposing a more comprehensive and systematic approach to worker safety and health for all emergency responders.
The set of guidelines and recommendations described in the document is the result of the collaborative efforts of the workgroup. When final, it is expected that this document will serve as an interagency resource that is intended for review and possible publication by the National Response Team.
"The gaps in our ability to ensure the safety and health of all workers involved in large scale and complex emergency responses have been documented through our responses to the World Trade Center disaster, Hurricane Katrina, and most recently, the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill," said NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D. "This document is the result of our shared learning from these events and our combined commitment to protect those workers who respond in times of need."
This draft document proposes a new framework for ensuring responder safety and health by monitoring and conducting surveillance of their health and safety during the entire cycle of emergency response, including the pre-deployment, deployment, and post-deployment phases of a response. The proposed system is referred to as the "Emergency Responder Health Monitoring and Surveillance (ERHMS)" system, and includes a guidance section describing the principles involved in ensuring optimal responder safety and health, as well as tools which can be utilized to help facilitate the execution of these principles during an actual response. The draft document is available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docket/review/docket223/ for written public comment until April 4, 2011.
Related articles
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Save The Date For PACNY's 15th Annual Environmental Conference
Image via Wikipedia |
Table-level view of Live Poker at Turning Stone. |
2010 Environmental Conference
2009 Environmental Conference
2008 Environmental Conference
Sunday, January 30, 2011
EPA & GE Agree On Next Phase of Hudson River PCB Cleanup
On December 17, 2010, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presented General Electric (GE) with the requirements for the next phase of the cleanup of the Hudson River. The second phase of the cleanup should begin in May 2011. This second phase would require GE to remove far more contaminated sediment from the river before sealing or "capping" any remaining polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). On December 23, 2010, EPA commended GE for agreeing to conduct the second and final phase of the Hudson River cleanup .
In the first phase of the cleanup, nearly 37% of the area was capped due to the continued presence of contamination, despite multiple dredging passes that removed the great majority of the PCBs. Capping in 15% percent of the area was unavoidable because of physical barriers in the river, leaving 22% percent capped in areas without these barriers. While fish and other aquatic life are not exposed to the contamination in the capped areas, the EPA has determined that it is necessary in Phase 2 to set a stringent limit on what percentage of the total project area can be capped if dredging does not meet the cleanup goals. This limit will be set at 11% of the total project area, not counting those areas where capping is unavoidable. This limit represents a significant improvement from Phase 1 and will require GE to employ considerably more rigorous dredging procedures.
Dredging during the second phase will go deeper into the sediment and, by relying on better information and lessons learned during the first phase, will remove more contaminated sediment in fewer passes. Phase two will require GE to remove an estimated 95 percent or more of PCBs from the areas designated for dredging.
Image via Wikipedia |
Dredging Boat in Bangladesh |
In the first phase of the cleanup, nearly 37% of the area was capped due to the continued presence of contamination, despite multiple dredging passes that removed the great majority of the PCBs. Capping in 15% percent of the area was unavoidable because of physical barriers in the river, leaving 22% percent capped in areas without these barriers. While fish and other aquatic life are not exposed to the contamination in the capped areas, the EPA has determined that it is necessary in Phase 2 to set a stringent limit on what percentage of the total project area can be capped if dredging does not meet the cleanup goals. This limit will be set at 11% of the total project area, not counting those areas where capping is unavoidable. This limit represents a significant improvement from Phase 1 and will require GE to employ considerably more rigorous dredging procedures.
Dredging during the second phase will go deeper into the sediment and, by relying on better information and lessons learned during the first phase, will remove more contaminated sediment in fewer passes. Phase two will require GE to remove an estimated 95 percent or more of PCBs from the areas designated for dredging.
Related articles
- GE Hudson Cleanup Must Release Fewer Toxins, EPA Says (businessweek.com)
- Green: River Advocates Fret That PCBs Will Linger in Hudson (green.blogs.nytimes.com)
- Rules Tightened for GE's Hudson River Cleanup (online.wsj.com)
- EPA Issues New PCB Hudson River Dredging Rules For GE (newyork.cbslocal.com)
- E.P.A. Sets Tighter Rules for Hudson River Cleanup (nytimes.com)
- Timesunion.com: PCB rules tighten for GE (timesunion.com)
- Time for GE to Cut the Spin, Commit to a Full Cleanup of Its Toxic PCBs from the Hudson River (switchboard.nrdc.org)
Friday, January 28, 2011
Big Businesses Causing More Problems For The Economy.
Like water flows, a business' cash must also flow steady & strong |
The New York Times article "Big-Business Deadbeats" highlights one of the biggest problems with the economy that, as far as I am concerned, is not reported about enough.
The article discusses how Cisco Systems announced..."effective March 31, 2010, Cisco announced to its small business suppliers that as a rule Cisco would wait sixty days after receipt of an invoice — or net 60, in business jargon — before cutting a check. The reason Cisco gave for this new policy was not that it was hard up: the company has nearly $39 billion of cash on its balance sheet, and in the third quarter of 2010 alone it spent $2.7 billion to repurchase its own shares. Rather, the corporation explained that it had been “benchmarking against our technology peers” and found a precedent for “new payment terms.” In other words: Everyone is doing it, so we are too."
As a small business owner myself, the issue of payment terms and how it efffects our cash flow cannot be emphasized enough. In the consulting business the time it takes to get paid is the hardest part of being in business. You perform a service and then have to wait 45 to 60 to 120 days to be paid for that service. During that period of time you had to pay your employees, if you got good terms you may have had to pay your suppliers and the overhead (phones, office space, etc.) is owed every month on the dot. How do you pay for all of these things without payment from the client? Which brings me to the second biggest problem with the economy - the lack of small business loans to handle this cash flow crunch. The big banks got a bail-out but they were not forced to maintain the credit lines to the small business owners that were running their business on these credit lines. Many of these credit lines were closed and shut down forcing businesses to use non-traditional sources as their credit lines (credit cards with high interest rates, etc.). I am not an economist, but in running my business if I don't have the flexibility to smoothen out the cash flow problems I face, then I can not hire someone even if I need to hire someone. If the government wants small businesses to start hiring again, then they need to address the lack of small business loans that are available for small businesses. They need to force banks to reduce the standards they are setting to get a loan. In addition, the government wherever possible should reduce the time period it takes to pay their suppliers, consultants, providers, etc. Reducing this time period would increase the cash flow to small businesses helping these businesses better handle the current economy and possibly allow them to start hiring.
Related articles
- Big-Business Deadbeats (economix.blogs.nytimes.com)
- You're the Boss: This Week in Small Business: Hu, Health Care and Why We're (Still) Not Hiring (boss.blogs.nytimes.com)
- Meet the Cash Kings of Oil (fool.com)
- Obama's Entrepreneur Problem (thedailybeast.com)
- "Net 60" is the increasingly common standard in big business (robbiz1978.blogspot.com)
Thursday, January 27, 2011
OSHA Website Focuses On Green Job Hazards
Wind Farm in California |
The Occupational Safety and Health Adminisitration (OSHA) standards cover many of the hazards in green industries and employers must use the necessary controls to protect workers. The green industry is being defined broadly as an industry that helps to improve the environment. The jobs created by this green industry (typically called green jobs) also create opportunities to help revitalize the economy and get people back to work. Examples of the different green industries include:
- Wind Energy
- Solar Energy
- Geo-thermal
- Biofuels
- Recycling
- Green Roofs
- Hydrogen Fuels
- Weather Insulating/Sealing
Green jobs do not necessarily mean that they are safe jobs. Workers in the green industries may face hazards that are commonly known in workplaces -- such as falls, confined spaces, electrical, fire, and other similar hazards. These hazards may be new to many workers who are moving into the fast-growing green industries. Additionally, workers may be exposed to new hazards which may not have been previously identified. An example of this are workers in the solar energy industry may be exposed to Cadmium Telluride, a known carcinogen, if adequate controls are not implemented. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) requires employers to comply with safety and health regulations promulgated by OSHA. In addition, the OSH Act’s General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1), requires employers to provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. In the absence of an OSHA standard, OSHA can enforce the General Duty Clause.
One of the key concept for all industries, but especially those that are just beginning to grow, is "Prevention through Design (PtD)" – designing the process/equipment in a way that eliminates hazards to the workers who use them. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a web page discussing this concept, visit it at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/PTD/. The basic premise of this is to address occupational safety and health needs in the design process (having occupational safety and health professionals working with design engineers) to prevent or minimize the work-related hazards and risks associated with the construction, manufacture, use, maintenance, and disposal of facilities, materials, and equipment. If the design eliminates the hazard before what is being designed is built, then the hazards may never be created. Visit OSHA's website at http://www.osha.gov/dep/greenjobs/index.html to better understand the job hazards in each of the different green industries.
Related articles
- OSHA Reminds Employers Of The Hazards Associated With Ice And Snow Cleanup (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- US Department of Labor's OSHA Withdraws Proposed Interpretation on Occupational Noise (ehssafetynews.wordpress.com)
- OSHA Acts To Protect Residential Roofing Workers (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- AIHA Survey Indicates Issues That Concern Industrial Hygiene Profession (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- OSHA to Roll Out 5 New Rules & Ergonomic Won't Be One of Them (ehssafetynews.wordpress.com)
- "I want those workers to be as safe as those shrimp" - What we still don't know about Deepwater Horizon response health impacts [The Pump Handle] (scienceblogs.com)
- California green job growth outstrips tired old brown economy (grist.org)
- NIOSH Science Blog - "Going Green: Safe and Healthy Jobs"
- OSHA Log Form 300A Posting Due February 1, 2011. (futureenv.blogspot.com)
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
OSHA Log Form 300A Posting Due February 1, 2011.
Section 1904 of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations require certain employers to comply with the OSHA recordkeeping guidelines (this includes most employers, see http://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/ppt1/RK1exempttable.html for a list of partially exempt industries). This regulation requires OSHA form 301 to be completed for each work related injury/illness. The information from the 301 form is logged onto the OSHA 300 form. At the end of calendar year 2010, the totals from OSHA 300 form is entered onto the OSHA 300A form. The 300A form is the total number of cases (injuries/illnesses), total number of work days lost (due to injuries/illnesses), and total number of injury/illness types from the calendar year 2010 for each facility/work site/employer. The OSHA 300A form must be posted from February 1, 2011 thru April 30, 2011. The 300A form should be posted in a conspicuous place where you normally post employee information. Failure to post can result in citations and penalties. You are required to maintain the OSHA 300 and 300A forms for 5 years following the year they pertain and make them available to employees upon request. To get the forms mentioned above and instructions on how to complete then visit OSHA's website at http://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/new-osha300form1-1-04.pdf. For more information on recordkeeping requirements visit OSHA's website on recordkeeping at http://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/index.html. If you need assistance or training on completing these forms you can also contact us at angelo3@futureenv.com.
Related articles
- OSHA's Vision for the Future & Opinion on "Safety Incentive Programs" (ehssafetynews.wordpress.com)
- OSHA Construction Safety Video: OSHA Fall Protection Standards (ehssafetynews.wordpress.com)
- 10 OSHA Recordkeeping Questions Employers Get Wrong (ehssafetynews.wordpress.com)
- 4 months and counting: when will Obama's Regulatory Czar free OSHA's injury surveillance rule? (scienceblogs.com)
- OSHA Proposes $51,000 in Fines Against David H. Koch Theater in New York for Asbestos, Fall and Crushing Hazards (futureenv.blogspot.com)
Sunday, January 23, 2011
OSHA Reminds Employers Of The Hazards Associated With Ice And Snow Cleanup
Image via WikipediaThe Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in Region 4 (Georgia) is warning employers of the hazards associated with ice and snow removal. However, with the Northeast being hit by more snow just this week it is important to remember these hazards ourselves.
Common hazards can include:
Common hazards can include:
- Electric shock from contact with downed power lines or the use of ungrounded electrical equipment.
- Falls from clearing ice jams in gutters, snow removal on roofs or while working in aerial lifts or on ladders.
- Being struck or crushed by trees, branches or structures that collapse under the weight of accumulated ice.
- Carbon monoxide poisoning from gasoline-powered generators in inadequately ventilated areas or idling vehicles.
- Lacerations or amputations from unguarded or improperly operated chain saws and power tools, and improperly attempting to clear jams in snow blowers.
- Slips or falls on icy or snow-covered walking surfaces.
- Being struck by motor vehicles while working in roadways.
- Hypothermia or frostbite from exposure to cold temperatures.
- Assuming all power lines are energized, keeping a distance and coordinating with utility companies.
- Making certain that all electrically powered equipment is grounded.
- Providing and ensuring the use of effective fall protection.
- Properly using and maintaining ladders.
- Using caution around surfaces weighed down by large amounts of ice.
- Making certain all powered equipment is properly guarded and disconnected from power sources before cleaning or performing maintenance.
- Using and wearing eye, face and body protection.
- Clearing walking surfaces of snow and ice, and using salt or its equivalent where appropriate.
- Establishing and clearly marking work zones.
- Wearing reflective clothing.
- Using engineering controls, personal protective equipment and safe work practices to reduce the length and severity of exposure to the cold.
Related articles
- What OSHA Expects: The Electrical & Arc Flash Safety Questions OSHA Will Ask During an Investigation (ehssafetynews.wordpress.com)
- OSHA Quick Takes - January 15, 2011 (ehssafetynews.wordpress.com)
- OSHA to Roll Out 5 New Rules & Ergonomic Won't Be One of Them (ehssafetynews.wordpress.com)
- OSHA Proposes $51,000 in Fines Against David H. Koch Theater in New York for Asbestos, Fall and Crushing Hazards (futureenv.blogspot.com)
Thursday, January 20, 2011
EPA Removes Saccharin As A Hazardous Waste
Saccharin 2-D Formula |
EPA amended its regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) to remove saccharin and its salts from the lists of hazardous constituents and commercial chemical products which are hazardous wastes when discarded or intended to be discarded. In addition, EPA amended the regulations under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) to remove saccharin and its salts from the list of hazardous substances. EPA responded to a petition submitted by the Calorie Control Council (CCC) to remove saccharin and its salts from RCRA and CERCLA, EPA will no longer list these substances as hazardous on the above mentioned lists. EPA granted CCC’s petition based on a review of the evaluations conducted by key public health agencies concerning the carcinogenic and other potential toxicological effects of saccharin and its salts. In addition, EPA assessed the waste generation and management information for saccharin and its salts, concluding that the wastes do not meet the criteria for hazardous waste regulations.
Related articles
- EPA Removes Saccharin from Hazardous Substances Listing (bespacific.com)
- U.S. removes saccharin from hazards list (theprovince.com)
- US removes saccharin from hazards list (alternet.org)
- Sweet: EPA Finally Declares Saccharin not a Health Threat (pajamasmedia.com)
- Saccharin Saga: EPA Finally Agrees It's Not Hazardous (reason.com)
- Sure NOW they tell us! (thedaleygator.wordpress.com)
- Barack Obama: Toward a 21st-Century Regulatory System (online.wsj.com)
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
OSHA Acts To Protect Residential Roofing Workers
Fall Protection established for this roof project. |
"Fatalities from falls are the number one cause of workplace deaths in construction. We cannot tolerate workers getting killed in residential construction when effective means are readily available to prevent those deaths," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "Almost every week, we see a worker killed from falling off a residential roof. We can stop these fatalities, and we must."
The National Association of Home Builders recommended rescinding the 1995 directive, as did OSHA's labor-management Advisory Committee for Construction Safety and Health; the AFL-CIO; and the Occupational Safety and Health State Plan Association, which represents the 27 states and territories that run their own occupational safety and health programs.
According to data from the department's Bureau of Labor Statistics, an average of 40 workers are killed each year as a result of falls from residential roofs. One-third of those deaths represent Latino workers, who often lack sufficient access to safety information and protections. Latino workers comprise more than one-third of all construction employees.
OSHA's action rescinds the Interim Fall Protection Compliance Guidelines for Residential Construction, Standard 03-00-001. Prior to the issuance of this new directive, Standard 03-00-001 allowed employers engaged in certain residential construction activities to use specified alternative methods of fall protection rather than the conventional fall protection required by the residential construction fall protection standard. With the issuance of today's new directive, all residential construction employers must comply with 29 Code of Federal Regulations 1926.501(b)(13). Where residential builders find that traditional fall protection is not feasible in residential environments, 29 CFR 1926.501(b)(13) still allows for alternative means of providing protection.
Construction and roofing companies will have up to six months to comply with the new directive. OSHA has developed training and compliance assistance materials for small employers and will host a webinar for parties interested in learning more about complying with the standard. To view the directive and for more information, visit http://www.osha.gov/doc/residential_fall_protection.html.
Related articles
- US Labor Department's OSHA Acts to Protect Residential Roofing Workers (ehssafetynews.wordpress.com)
- OSHA Announces Fall Protection Directive for Residential Construction Workers (ehssafetynews.wordpress.com)
- OSHA Cites New York Contractor for Steel Erection, Fall and Scaffold Hazards After Fatality (ehssafetynews.wordpress.com)
- OSHA Cites Naperville, Illinois Roofing Business (ehssafetynews.wordpress.com)
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
EPA Revises Lead Ambient Air Monitoring Requirements
On December 14, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the final lead (Pb) ambient air monitoring requirements. The purpose of this revision was to expand the nation’s lead monitoring network to better assess compliance with the revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for lead issued in 2008. In 2008, EPA substantially strengthened the lead NAAQS by revising the level of the primary (health-based) standard from 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) to 0.15 μg/m3, measured as total suspended particles (TSP). The agency revised the secondary (welfare-based) standard to be identical to the primary standard. EPA in this final rule (Dec. 2010) also changed the emission threshold that state monitoring agencies (such as New York State Department of Environmental Conservation [NYS DEC]) must use to determine if an air quality monitor should be placed near an industrial facility that emits lead. The new emission threshold is 0.5 tons per year (tpy), reduced from the previous threshold of 1.0 tpy. Any new monitors located near an emissions source must be operational no later than one year after this rule is published in the Federal Register. EPA maintained a 1.0 tpy lead emission threshold for airports. However, EPA is requiring a 1-year monitoring study of 15 additional airports (beyond those currently required to monitor at the existing 1.0 tpy emission threshold) for the New York area this includes Brookhaven and Republic airports. The study will help EPA determine whether airports that emit less than 1.0 tpy have the potential to cause the surrounding areas to exceed the lead NAAQS of 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3). The monitors participating in the study must be operational no later than one year after this rule is published in the Federal Register.
EPA is also requiring lead monitoring in large urban areas (Core Based Statistical Areas, or CBSAs, with a population of 500,000 people or more). Monitors will be located along with multi-pollutant ambient monitoring sites (known as the “NCore network”). Lead monitoring at these sites will begin January 1, 2012.
Air Quality Testing for several parameters. |
EPA is also requiring lead monitoring in large urban areas (Core Based Statistical Areas, or CBSAs, with a population of 500,000 people or more). Monitors will be located along with multi-pollutant ambient monitoring sites (known as the “NCore network”). Lead monitoring at these sites will begin January 1, 2012.
- The NCore network will consist of approximately 80 monitoring sites, of which 63 will be in large urban areas. The requirement to add these monitors replaces an existing requirement to place lead monitors in each CBSA with a population of 500,000 or more people.
Related articles
- "EPA to study 15 airports for lead levels" and related posts (generalaviationnews.com)
- The Environmental Protection Agency's End-Run Around Democracy (pajamasmedia.com)
- Pennsylvania DEP Secretary Announces Progress Made in Achieving Cleaner Air (prnewswire.com)
- "EPA Identifies Areas Violating Lead Standards" and related posts (aaenvironment.blogspot.com)
- More Protections to Keep Children Safe From Lead (doyourpart.com)
- EPA Announcement on Lead Pollution Monitoring is a Holiday Message to Children: We're Watching Out For You! (switchboard.nrdc.org)
- Major U.S. Cities Violate New EPA Lead Standards (scientificamerican.com)
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Asbestos Controversy in Troy New York.
Demolition of the Old Troy City Hall in Troy, New York has caused controversy regarding the asbestos discovered in the building. It seems based on the news report it seems like they got caught doing demolition before removal. The City Engineer says he is doing exploratory demolition and New York State Department of Labor approved it. Is he looking for more asbestos? When was this building built? Have they sampled all 46 of the presumed and suspect asbestos materials that is on the New York State Industrial Code Rule 56 list? These are just some of the questions I have regarding this demolition. Additional reports have mentioned a limited asbestos survey. Why is it limited? What hasn't been sampled?
Related articles
- Real demolition has yet to begin, according to city engineer (troyrecord.com)
- Riverhead is Soliciting Bids for Asbestos Abatement (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- Coralville businessman facing air quality violations (thegazette.com)
- Audits Planned for Asbestos Inspections (green.blogs.nytimes.com)
- "If you cut corners on asbestos removal to save money, we will pursue and prosecute you." (slog.thestranger.com)
- VIDEO: Old City Hall demolition officially under way (troyrecord.com)
- Asbestos-Tainted Zonolite Still Ignored By Feds: Government Refuses To Act (huffingtonpost.com)
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
NIOSH Science Blog Discusses Helical CT Scans and Lung Cancer Screening
Image via WikipediaThe National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) Science blog recently discussed the reported findings regarding the use of helical CT scans for lung cancer screening. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) launched the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) in 2002 to compare the effects of two screening procedures, low-dose helical computerized tomography (CT) and chest x-ray, in reducing lung cancer mortality in current and former heavy smokers aged 55 to 74. The preliminary results from this study indicated this relatively new form of screening using helical CT demonstrated fewer lung cancer deaths among individuals at high risk of lung cancer who received this screening than among a similar group screened with chest radiography (chest x-rays or CXRs). NIOSH has great interest in this finding, and there is hope that this might provide new approaches to cancer screening among workers with increased risk for lung cancer because of past occupational exposures.
Related articles
Related articles
- CT Scans of Smokers Cut Lung Cancer Deaths 20% (webmd.com)
- Worried About Your Lung Cancer Risk? Why a Chest CT Scan May Not Be Wise (health.usnews.com)
- CT Scans of Smokers Cut Lung Cancer Deaths 20% - WebMD (news.google.com)
- CT Scans Aid Lung-Cancer Screening, Study Shows (online.wsj.com)
- Helical CT scans reduce lung cancer mortality by 20 percent compared to chest X-rays (scienceblog.com)
CDC Website Has Indoor Safety Tips Regarding Winter Weather
Snow at Brewery Ommegang |
- Use fireplace, wood stoves, or other combustion heaters only if they are properly vented to the outside and do not leak flue gas into the indoor air space.
- Never use a charcoal or gas grill indoors—the fumes are deadly.
- Never leave lit candles unattended.
- Keep as much heat as possible inside your home.
- Check the temperature in your home often during severely cold weather.
- Leave all water taps slightly open so they drip continuously.
- Eat well-balanced meals to help you stay warmer.
Related articles
- "Winter weather: Know the lingo" and related posts (newsblog.projo.com)
- Many stores sold out of winter weather supplies (charlotte.news14.com)
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Mold Complaint Dismissed
Water-damaged ceiling tiles is an indication of a moisture control problem |
In a motion for dismissal, however, School Board attorney Wendell Waller noted that the school system had not been indifferent to Hood’s medical condition. The response states that the school’s management had allowed Hood to put a dehumidifier in her classroom and frequently inquired as to her condition. The School Board also retained a professional company to inspect Hood’s classroom for mold. The assistant director for facilities and planning also inquired about Hood’s past medical condition and her symptoms, inspected the classroom for mold and took air samples.
The school division also had Hood’s classroom cleaned thoroughly several times and was willing to transfer her to a middle-school position teaching seventh-grade math, but Hood was licensed only up to sixth grade.
“The facts alleged … fail to meet the strict ‘shock the conscience’ standard because the defendants did not ignore Hood’s complaints but did in fact take steps to remedy conditions in Hood’s classroom,” the motion for dismissal stated.
This case shows it is important for facility directors to take the concerns of individuals complaining about indoor air quality seriously. Facility directors should implement an indoor air quality management program to ensure you document all that was done to resolve the indoor air quality complaint.
Related articles
- Has indoor air quality been getting better or worse in recent years? (greenanswers.com)
- Christmas trees and decorations may trigger allergies (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
- Downtown schools face overcrowding pressure (cbc.ca)
- Investigate Your Indoor Air Quality (everydayhealth.com)
Friday, January 07, 2011
NYS Toxic Mold Task Force Completes Final Report
Section 1384 of the New York State (NYS) Public Health Law established the NYS Toxic Mold Task Force. The goals of the NYS Toxic Mold Task Force was to:
- assess and measure, based on scientific evidence, the adverse environmental and health effects of mold exposure, including specific effects on population subgroups at greater risk of adverse effects;
- assess the latest scientific data on mold exposure limits;
- identify actions taken by state and local government and other entities;
- determine methods to control and mitigate mold;
- and prepare a report to the Governor and Legislature.
- health effects of molds in indoor environments;
- exposure limits and assessment of mold in buildings;
- approaches to mold mitigation and remediation;
- building codes, regulations and other actions taken by other governments and private-sector organizations that relate to building mold problems.
- Since mold problems in buildings are preventable with proper building construction, maintenance, and housekeeping aimed at preventing excess building dampness, mold exposure is preventable.
- Overabundant growth of any mold or other dampness-related organisms is undesirable and can be addressed by removing contaminants and correcting water problems. Whether or not exposure to mold toxins is likely when mold growth occurs in a damp building does not substantially change the need for mitigation of the water and mold problem.
- Continue to improve building code requirements that address building design, construction techniques, and property maintenance so that they prevent or minimize the potential for water problems to occur.
- The presence and power of the code enforcement official (CEO) can also help minimize the potential mold problems in buildings when approving construction documents, during construction inspections of new buildings, and when issuing property-maintenance violations related to moisture conditions in existing buildings during required inspections.
- Regulating the mold assessment and remediation service industry is dependent upon how desirable it is to have persons poperly trained and following acceptable protocols. The main public health goal of any regulation or additional guidance to the mold industry will be to reduce the potential for mold exposures and the risk of health effects in damp buildings. Costs for such a program can range from $150,000 for using already developed general recommended work practices and certification programs to $4.5 million per year for a full regulatory program like the NYS asbestos program.
- The development of reliable, health-based quantitative mold exposure limits is not currently feasible.
- Their is limited evidence of the benefits of chemical disinfectants or encapsulant treatments for mitigating or preventing mold growth on building materials.
- The main approach to mold control and mitigation should be focused on identifying and repairing water damage in buildings and removing mold source materials. This method of mitigation is less complicated to implement than mitigation based on attaining a numerical clearance critertion, because the main goal is to return the building to a clean and dry condition.
Related articles
- Tenant, landlord of Watervliet apartment at odds over source of mold infestation (troyrecord.com)
- Beware: Toxic Mold (time.com)
- Timesunion.com: Mold is causing tenant to move (timesunion.com)
- Proper Roofing Maintenance Keeps the Threat of Mold at Bay (eon.businesswire.com)
Thursday, January 06, 2011
New York Times Lists the Top 10 Reasons Small Businesses Fail
Image via WikipediaNew York Times posted an excellent article regarding the top 10 reasons small businesses fail. As a small business owner myself I can say that all of these are definitely issues that make it hard to run a business over a long period of time. Poor accounting, lack of a cash cushion, and operational inefficiencies have all played a part at one time or another for causing me problems with running my business. However, though at times I have looked back and said what was I thinking going into business for myself, I feel it has been one of the best decisions in my life. I highly recommend that if you have this dream you go out and just do it!
Related articles
- Will Selling Your Business Make You Happy? (inc.com)
- Talking Small Business With the New York Times (ducttapemarketing.com)
- You're the Boss: This Week in Small Business: Going Mobile (boss.blogs.nytimes.com)
- Can Small-Business Owners Save Congress? (smallbusiness.aol.com)
- Outlook for Small Businesses in 2011 (online.wsj.com)
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Happy New Year One & All
Angelo Garcia III at a Metro NY AIHA meeting |
Related articles
- Wish Happy New Year In Many Languages: Feliz ano Nuevo 2011 (nowpublic.com)
- 2011 in Roman Numerals: Happy New Year 2011- Happy New Year MMXI (nowpublic.com)
- AIHA Survey Indicates Issues That Concern Industrial Hygiene Profession (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- AIHA Top Public Policy Occupational And Environmental Health And Safety Issues (ehssafetynews.wordpress.com)
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