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Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Future Environment Designs Sponsors Aspergillus & Aspergillosis Video
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Monday, May 16, 2011
OSHA at 40
Image via WikipediaOn April 28, 1971 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was created by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 that was signed by President Richard Nixon on December 29, 1970. Last month, OSHA celebrated it's 40th anniversary/birthday by creating a webpage with a timeline documenting OSHA's 40 years, a video discussing OSHA successes over 40 years, and Assistant Secretary David Michael's presentation to mark its anniversary at the public forum hosted by the Center for American Progress. From this presentation came the following quote: "OSHA doesn't kill jobs, it stops jobs from killing workers." It is an important quote and their are enough statistics that support this statement. If employers get serious about safety, productivity increases, workmen's compensation costs decrease, and employers become more competitive.
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Asbestos Dangers Crop Up In Japan's Disaster
Image by Getty Images via @daylifeOur prayers go out to Japan in the aftermath of Japan's March 11 earthquake and tsunami, including the swamped nuclear reactor that has leaked radiation. However, like most disasters the tragedy doesn't end after the disaster. The next phase of the disaster is handling the devastion that has occurred and try to handle this in the most productive and safe manner possible. As the MSNBC report, "Japan Disaster's Other Hidden Danger: Asbestos," indicates activitists have found asbestos, the cancer-causing fibrous mineral, in the air and debris collected from the devastated northeastern coast of Japan. As we clean-up from these disasters it has become more important to ensure the safety of the clean-up workers and those near the area of the disaster from being exposed to the various environmental hazards that occur after a disaster. Asbestos, lead, mercury, silica, volatile organic compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, and dioxin are just a few of the various chemicals that these workers could be exposed to. Though Japan is overwhelmed with enormity of the task ahead of them and needless to say the nuclear reactor leak is extremely serious. We hope they learn the lessons we seem unable to learn (mistakes made during the World Trade Center, Katrina, and Gulf-oil spill clean-ups) regarding the importance of ensuring the occupational health (illness prevention) of the clean-up workers. The proper use of respirators (including fit testing and training), proper decontamination of workers before they go home to their families, and the proper use of dust control practices during demolition and construction work to reduce dust emissions all should be standard practice for clean-up activities after a disaster. 
Monday, May 02, 2011
First Quebec, Now Zimbabwe
Image via WikipediaIn a previous posting we discussed that the Quebec government had decided to back the loan that would reopen the Jeffrey Mine in Asbestos Canada. This loan would allow the mine to begin mining asbestos again and exporting it to countries like India. Now in the following article "Zimbabwe in bid to revive asbestos mines" in the English version of the People's Daily Online (China), we find out that Zimbabwe intends on doing the same thing for two of their mines (Shabanie and Mashava). These mines used to produce about 180,000 tons of asbestos fibers per year. According to this article, Zimbabwe has been spending millions of dollars on fiber imports from Russia and Brazil. Seems to me, that Zimbabwe is tired of importing asbestos when they could be mining it. 
Friday, April 29, 2011
EPA Region 2 Coordinator Discusses the RRP Rule
Image via WikipediaOn Friday, April 1, 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Region 2 Renovation, Repair , and Painting (RRP) Rule Coordinator Ms. Jeanette Dadusc was discussing the requirements and background of the rule. The topics covered included: introduction to the problem of childhood lead poisoning; Federal government’s response to childhood lead poisoning; how the RRP Rule was developed; the regulated universe of RRP facilities and activities; certification requirements for training providers, individuals, and firms; notification and work practice requirements; cleaning verification card; proposed rule changes; RRP frequent questions; and RRP enforcement strategy.Her presentation was wide ranging, covered the full time of the presentation, and the handouts supplemented her presentation and were useful. Visit our website at http://futureenvironmentdesigns.com/news.html to find a copy of her handouts. Some of the points regarding the childhood lead problem were:
- Lead based paint is the number one environmental health threat to children
- Children absorb 50% of the lead they ingest compared to adults, which absorb only 10%.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there is no known safe level of lead in blood.
- Discussions are ongoing regarding dropping the standard of lead blood level to 5 micrograms per deciliter (ug/dl) versus the current 10 ug/dl.
- Lead bioaccumulates in the body because it mimics calcium
- Children, who live in homes where renovation & remodeling activities were performed within the past year, are 30% more likely to have a blood lead level that equals or exceeds 10 ug/dl.
- Target housing is defined as housing constructed prior to 1978. There are only 2 exceptions housing for the elderly or for person with disabilities (unless one or more children under 6 years old resides or is expected to reside in such housing), and 0-bedroom dwellings. Meaning hotels, motels, timeshares, and student housing is not exempt.
- Child Occupied Facility (COF) is defined as a building or portion of a building built prior to 1978 that is visited by the same child under age six for at least 3 hours per day, or at least 6 hours per week, or at least 60 hours per year. This includes common areas routinely used by the children under age 6 (i.e, restrooms, cafeterias), and adjacent exterior areas.
- Delead test kit added to the list of EPA approved test kits. The test kits must be used according to the manufacturer’s directions including materials that the test kits cannot be used on.
- Lead Based Paint Abatement Contractors require RRP Renovator Certification. Previous certification as a worker/supervisor allows the person to take the ½ day refresher class to become a renovator.
- Lead Waste – residential (homeowners & contractors) can dispose of lead waste bags with household waste. COFs must follow the hazardous waste regulations.
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