Crystalline silica dust study

Workers who manually grind concrete surfaces need better protection from crystalline silica dust, according to research from the University of Toledo in Ohio and the Center for Construction Research and Training in Silver Spring, MD.

Dust control methods, including general ventilation, local exhaust ventilation and wet grinding, reduced silica dust concentrations. However, no combination of factors or control methods brought the eight-hour exposure level to below the recommended level of 0.025 mg/m³, which study researchers said indicates the need for refined controls or respirators.

The study appeared in the December issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.

Press Release – FAA Proposes $140,000 Civil Penalty Against K-Mart

Tue Nov 23, 2010 5:54 am (PST)

Press Release – FAA Proposes $140,000 Civil Penalty Against K-Mart,Inc.

For Immediate Release November 19, 2010 Contact: Kathleen BergenPhone: 404-305-5100WASHINGTON – The Federal Aviation Administration is proposing a$140,000 civil penalty against K-Mart, Inc., of Royal Oak, Mich., forallegedly violating Department of Transportation hazardous materials regulations.The FAA alleges K-Mart offered two packages to UPS for transportation by air from Caguas, Puerto Rico to its returned goods center in McDonough,Ga.

The first shipment, Sept. 21, 2009, contained 15 three-ounce containers of nail color, which is classified as paint, a flammable liquid. The second shipment, Oct. 26, 2009, contained 18 five-ounce containers of aerosol sun block, a flammable gas. Neither shipment was declared to contain hazardous materials.

K-Mart allegedly offered the shipments for transportation by air when they were not packaged, marked, classed, described, labeled or in condition for shipment as required by regulations. UPS employees at the Louisville sort center discovered both packages leaking. K-Mart, Inc., has 30 days from receipt of the FAA's civil penalty letter to respond to the agency.

USFA Releases Thanksgiving Day Fires in Residential Buildings Report

Nov 12, 2010

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) issued a special report recently examining the characteristics of Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings. The report, Thanksgiving Day Fires in Residential Buildings, was developed by USFA's National Fire Data Center.

The report is part of the Topical Fire Report Series and is based on 2006 to 2008 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). According to the report, an estimated 2,000 Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings occur annually in the United States, resulting in an estimated average of five deaths, 25 injuries, and $21 million in property loss.

The leading cause of all Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings is, by far, cooking. In addition, these fires occur most frequently in the afternoon hours from noon to 4 p.m. Smaller, confined fires account for 71 percent and larger, nonconfined fires account for 29 percent of Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings. Finally, smoke alarms were not present in 20 percent of nonconfined Thanksgiving Day fires that occurred in occupied residential buildings.

The topical reports are designed to explore facets of the U.S. fire problem as depicted through data collected in NFIRS. Each topical report briefly addresses the nature of the specific fire or fire-related topic, highlights important findings from the data, and may suggest other resources to consider for further information. Also included are recent examples of fire incidents that demonstrate some of the issues addressed in the report or that put the report topic in context.


To view the report, click here

From ohsonline.com

"position entails work of considerable difficulty"

If you want brevity in your position descriptions for any of our EHS related classifications, you might consider this recent offering from the city of West Allis.

Thanks to Bob Grieshaber for the submission.

AT&T Building Leaks 1,000 Gallons Of Diesel Fuel

Emergency generators can leak!!

Posted: 7:35 pm PDT October 2, 2010
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- About one thousand gallons of diesel fuel have spilled from a ten-story building and into a storm drain and surrounding concrete in San Jose Saturday evening, a fire captain said.

Firefighters responded to a 5:15 p.m. call that fuel had been leaking out of an AT&T Corp. building at South Almaden Blvd., San Jose fire Captain Barry Stallard said.
On the building's roof, arriving crews discovered an engine -- meant to power the building in the event of an outage -- was inexplicably leaking diesel fuel into the roof's drain and down to the street, Stallard said.

The drain has leaked fuel into the nearby sewage system and onto a surrounding concrete recreational area where people jog.

The engine has a fuel capacity of about 100 gallons, Stallard said, but is connected to tanks in the building parking lot that hold about 50,000 gallons.

The building operates AT&T's 911 hub, which is used to route residents' emergency calls to local dispatchers. It also operates standard phone service.

Service has not been affected by the spill, Stallard said.

Almaden Boulevard is closed between West San Fernando and West Santa Clara streets, Stallard said.

No injuries have been reported.

Crews are continuing to respond to the incident with no estimation of when the oil will stop leaking or when the roads will be reopened.

From http://www.ktvu.com

Washington University to Pay Fine for Hazardous Issues

Posted 27 Sep 2010

Washington University in St. Louis is paying a $15,000 civil penalty over what the federal government calls "hazardous waste management issues."

The school also will spend at least $45,000 on a supplemental project to help clean local high school laboratories of hazardous waste, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said.

Washington University’s hazardous waste problems at the school’s Danforth and School of Medicine campuses were uncovered through inspections conducted in April 2008.

Inspections found violations for failure to make hazardous waste determinations and for operating a treatment, storage and disposal facility without a proper permit. There also were "issues related to the storage of hazardous waste beyond legal time limits," failure to properly label hazardous waste storage containers, and failure to manage waste lamps among the problems, the EPA said.

As part of a settlement, the school will spend a minimum of $45,000 on a supplemental environmental project to address hazardous waste issues in 12 high schools within the St. Louis Public Schools District.

The university agreed to conduct ongoing clean-out operations at laboratories at the two campuses, the EPA said.

*For more information on news about waste and recycling go to www.wasterecyclingnews.com

From: http://veoliaes-ts.com/buzz-newsletters/September2010/3

Portable Generator Hazards

For a printable version (pdf) of this fact sheet, click here

For a pdf poster on Using Portable Generators Safely, click here

Portable generators are useful when temporary or remote electric power is needed. However, if used incorrectly, gasoline, kerosene, and other gas-powered generators can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shocks, fires, and burns. Generator accidents can be fatal!

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning
Every year, people die in accidents related to portable generator use. For example, a young camper was killed by CO from a portable generator's exhaust tube adjacent to the victim's campsite. Most deaths involve CO poisoning from portable generators used indoors or in partially-enclosed spaces. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that between 1999 and 2004 portable generators caused 172 CO poisoning deaths in the U.S. (More....)

NFPA 1 Fire Code Seminar encore

This summer, Wisconsin Department of Commerce hosted four sessions on the 2009 changes to the NFPA 1 Fire Code. I attended one, and thought it was well done and informative. Due to demand, one more session will be offered on Saturday, January 22, 2011, in Stevens Point at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center, 1001 Amber Ave.  Further details will be announced in mid-September on the Fire Prevention Program website.


Note 9/27/2010: The details for the January session are now available.

Links: 
http://commerce.wi.gov/SB/SB-FirePreventionProgram.html
http://commerce.wi.gov/SB/docs/SB-EducationFirePrevNFPABrochJan2011.pdf

DNR Secretary Matt Frank announces staff changes at DNR

News Release Published: July 29, 2010 by the Central Office

Contact(s): Laurel Steffes (608) 266-8109

MADISON – Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank announced Thursday that veteran staffer Al Shea will replace Deputy Secretary Pat Henderson, who is leaving the agency to pursue options in the private sector. Henderson has served as deputy since 2007.

“Pat has done a tremendous job as my deputy and has been an invaluable leader within the agency and in Governor Doyle’s administration. I thank him for his tremendous service to the people of Wisconsin,” said Frank. (More....)

Surprise! That will be $78K please.

Came across this via CSHEMA and the Portland Tribune:

Lewis & Clark College officials were surprised to receive a $77,927 penalty from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality for discharging chlorinated wastewater from a swimming pool to a nearby stream for more than four decades.

It pays to know (or costs to not know) if you're discharging to sanitary or stormwater, and doing it the right way...

"...the college has been disposing of wastewater from the swimming pool through its stormwater conveyance system, which discharges to an outfall pipe into a stream to the north of the campus."

Washington University in St. Louis to Pay $15,000 Civil Penalty, Clean High School Labs to Settle Hazardous Waste Allegations

Release date: 08/09/2010

Contact Information: Chris Whitley, 913-551-7394,

whitley.christopher@epa.gov

Environmental NewsFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., August 9, 2010) - Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., will pay a $15,000 civil penalty and spend at least $45,000 on a supplemental project to help clean local high school laboratories of hazardous waste, as part of a settlement with EPA Region 7 over hazardous waste management issues at the university’s Danforth and School of Medicine campuses.According to an administrative consent agreement filed in Kansas City, Kan., an EPA representative conducted compliance evaluation inspections at the university’s Danforth Campus, at One Brookings Drive, and at the School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, on separate dates in April 2008.

Those inspections noted several violations of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which regulates the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste.At both campuses, the inspections found RCRA violations for failure to make hazardous waste determinations; operating as a treatment, storage or disposal facility without a proper permit; issues related to the storage of hazardous waste beyond legal time limits; failure to properly label hazardous waste storage containers; inadequacies in contingency plans for hazardous waste-related emergencies; inability to provide documentation of hazardous waste training plans; and failure to properly manage waste lamps.Additionally, the School of Medicine inspection noted RCRA violations for storage of mixed waste drums with inadequate aisle space, and storage of ignitable waste within 50 feet of the property line. The latter violation involved 13 drums of ignitable material stored on the Fourth Floor, and another four drums of ignitable material stored on the First Floor of the building.

As part of the settlement with EPA, Washington University has agreed to perform ongoing clean-out operations of laboratories at its Danforth and School of Medicine campuses, and provide documentation of those activities to EPA.Additionally, the university has agreed to spend a minimum of $45,000 on a supplemental environmental project to address hazardous waste issues in 12 high schools within the St. Louis Public Schools District.

Through the project, the university will hire an environmental services firm to remove, transport and dispose of wastes from school laboratories. University representatives also will meet with school staff members to discuss each school’s unique hazardous waste challenges and provide ideas to reduce future waste production.Schools targeted in project work plan include Beaumont, Blewett, Carnahan, Clark, Cleveland, Des Peres, Gateway, Laclede, Lyon, Mark Twain, Sherman and Sigal.“This enforcement action, coupled with the supplemental project to help the St. Louis Public Schools, will ultimately make academic laboratories, school campuses, and their surrounding urban communities safer places in which to learn, work and live,” said Karl Brooks, EPA Region 7 Administrator.

# # #Learn more about EPA’s civil enforcement of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

Locate this and other Region 7 news items on the News Where You Live interactive map

CSHEMA conference in Minneapolis, July 2011

I just received a timely reminder from our friend Andy Phelan at the University of Minnesota to hold July 17-20, 2011 for the CSHEMA (Campus Safety Health and Environmental Management Association) conference to be held in our neighboring state. Not much specific information is available beyond the conference site and submission requests for abstracts (due Oct. 15), but you can still check out the conference website.

CSHEMA website: http://www.cshema.org/

Conference website: http://www.cshema.org/minneapolis.aspx

Charter Street coal plant embarks on its transition to cleaner fuels

It's not easy going green.

Just ask John Harrod Jr., who is helping guide the $250 million green makeover of UW-Madison's Charter Street Heating Plant.

The coal-burning plant will be converted so that it burns natural gas and cleaner, farm-grown fuels such as switchgrass. The changeover won praise from the plant's many critics, including the Sierra Club, which sued the university for violating the Clean Air Act. Gone will be the giant, dust-generating pile of coal that has become a symbol of the plant and its grimy history.
But Harrod, director of the UW-Madison Physical Plant, said getting rid of that coal pile and moving to cleaner biofuels has brought its own set of problems to solve — accommodating longer and more frequent trains, for example, or expanding the plant's footprint in its already squeezed urban setting, or figuring out new air standards for burning biofuels when even environmental regulators aren't quite sure what those final standards will be.

Those issues and others will be up for discussion Wednesday when UW-Madison hosts a hearing on the final version of the environmental impact statement for the project. The hearing is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Room 1106 of the Mechanical Engineering Building, 1513 University Ave.

"I would have to say there would have been easier ways to do this," said Al Fish, head of facilities and planning management for UW-Madison. "It's been an adventure." (More....)

Rehab the Lab

This was developed for secondary schools in Washington, but may be of interest.

http://www.lhwmp.org/home/educators/rehabthelab.aspx

Hospital's History of Violence Leads to OSHA Fine

Interesting application of the General Duty Clause...

Jul 20, 2010
OSHA has cited Danbury Hospital in Danbury, Conn., for failing to provide its employees with adequate safeguards against workplace violence. OSHA's action follows an inspection begun in January 2010, in response to worker complaints.

OSHA's inspection identified several instances during the past 18 months in which employees in the hospital's psychiatric ward, emergency ward, and general medical floors were injured by violent patients. In addition, there have been about 25 cases over the past five years in which hospital employees lost workdays or were put on restricted duty after being injured by patients. OSHA found that the hospital's workplace violence program was incomplete and ineffective at preventing these incidents. (More....)

You think foreign oil dependence is bad, try radionuclides

Stephanie Salter The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE — This is a story of international finance and politics, involving such entities as Mo-99, Thallium 201, 73-hour half-lives and a medical industry character known as “Aunt Minnie.”This is also a story that should remind us that when we grudgingly swallow some sort of dye or offer our arm for an IV so our innards can be scanned, most of us have no clue about the infinitely complex and miraculous realm of science behind the process. (More...)

Electrical exam prep

The Department of Commerce is offering Electrical Exam Prep Training in Green Bay. It is a weekly course every Wednesday morning, starting September 29 through December 15, 2010. The times ares 9:00 am to 12:00pm, and it will be offered at the Brown County Library Auditorium in Green Bay.

Links: http://commerce.wi.gov/SB/docs/SB-EducationElecExam0910.pdf

NFPA-1 training

The Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Safety & Buildings Division is presenting four sessions of NFPA-1 Code training in July and August in conjunction with the National Fire Protection Association.


No walk-ins, register by July 8. Offered at four locations: Milwaukee area, Green Bay, Eau Claire, and Richland Center. Only $25 -- a bargain!

See PDF brochure.  


See PDF list of current registrants.

EPA Proposes New Permit Requirements for Pesticide Discharges

Action would reduce amount of pesticides discharged and protect America’s waters

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a new permit requirement that would decrease the amount of pesticides discharged to our nation's waters and protect human health and the environment. This action is in response to an April 9, 2009 court decision that found that pesticide discharges to U.S. waters were pollutants, thus requiring a permit.

(More....)

When natural disasters strike, tragedy can unfold in the lab

When Laura Levy returned to her laboratory
in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, there
was nothing to suggest that a violent storm had
pummeled the city. On the fifth floor of the
Tulane University School of Medicine, where
Levy’s lab sits, most things were in their proper
place. “It was really most peculiar,” she says.
The laboratories, she adds, “looked just as they
looked the day we left.” (More....)

Air News (Region 5): EPA: Manitowoc and Door Counties in Wisconsin Now Meet Smog Standards‏

EPA: Manitowoc and Door Counties in Wisconsin Now Meet Smog Standards

CHICAGO (May 7, 2010) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 plans to approve requests from the state of Wisconsin to redesignate the Manitowoc County and Door County areas to attainment of the national health-based eight-hour outdoor standard for ozone. Ozone is commonly referred to as smog.

EPA said three years of complete, quality-assured, outdoor air monitoring data for 2006, 2007 and 2008 show that the areas meet the standard. Complete quality-assured monitoring data for 2009 show that the areas continue to meet the standard.

EPA also proposes to approve Wisconsin’s plans to continue to meet the eight-hour health-based ozone standard in the areas through 2020 and to approve motor vehicle emission budgets for Manitowoc and Door counties.

The actions were published on Tuesday, April 27 in the Federal Register. The public has 30 days to comment. Comments may be entered at http://www.regulations.gov/. Refer to dockets ID No. EPA-R05-OAR-2009-0730 and follow online instructions for submitting comments.

Comments may also be e-mailed to bortzer.jay@epa.gov or faxed to 312-692-2054.

Smog is formed when a mixture of pollutants react on warm, sunny days. The pollutants are released from cars, factories and a wide variety of other sources. Smog can cause respiratory problems, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest pain.
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View all Region 5 News Releases

EPA Updates BP Spill Website with Information on Dispersants

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) yesterday posted information on BP’s use of dispersants to its oil spill response website, www.epa.gov/bpspill. The site includes EPA’s plan to monitor BP’s use of dispersants as well as additional background information and frequently asked questions on dispersants. EPA will add information to the site as it becomes available.

EPA continues to add information to its BP oil spill response website to keep the public informed about the impact of the spill and the EPA’s response.

The dispersant page can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/dispersants.html

Continue to track EPA’s response to the spill at http://www.epa.gov/bpspill.

Additional information on the broader response from the U.S. Coast Guard and other responding agencies is available at: http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/

EPA Launches New Web Tools to Inform the Public About Clean Water Enforcement

Interactive Web tool allows the public to check water violations in their communities

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching a new set of web tools, data, and interactive maps to inform the public about serious Clean Water Act violations in their communities. Improving water quality is one of EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s priorities and in 2009, Administrator Jackson directed the agency to develop concrete steps to improve water quality, to better enforce the Clean Water Act and to use 21st Century technology to transform the collection, use and availability of EPA data. The web tools announced today is part of EPA’s Clean Water Act Action Plan to work with states in ensuring that facilities comply with standards that keep our water clean.

"EPA is taking another important step to increase transparency and keep Americans informed about the safety of their local waters," said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. "Making this information more accessible and understandable empowers millions of people to press for better compliance and enforcement in their communities."

The new web page provides interactive information from EPA’s 2008 Annual Noncompliance Report, which pertains to about 40,000 permitted Clean Water Act dischargers across the country. The report lists state-by-state summary data of violations and enforcement responses taken by the states for smaller facilities. The new web page also makes it easy to compare states by compliance rates and enforcement actions taken and provides access to updated State Review Framework (SRF) reports.

Interactive Map for Clean Water Act Annual Noncompliance Report:
http://www.epa-echo.gov/echo/ancr/us/

State Review Framework: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/state/srf/index.html

Enforcement and Compliance History Online: http://www.epa-echo.gov/echo

News Release (Region 5) [RESEND]: EPA Announces Regional Administrator for Region 5‏

MEDIA CONTACT: Anne Rowan, 312-353-9391, rowan.anne@epa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE No.10-OPA042

EPA Announces Regional Administrator for Region 5

Regional Agency Headquarters in Chicago
(CHICAGO - April 21, 2010) Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced President Barack Obama's selection of Susan Hedman to be the Agency's Regional Administrator for EPA's Region 5. This region encompasses Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and 35 Tribal Nations.

"I look forward to working closely with Susan Hedman on the range of urgent environmental issues we face, in Region 5 and across the nation," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "At this moment of great challenge and even greater opportunity, I'm thrilled that Susan will be part of our leadership team at EPA. She will certainly play an instrumental role in our Agency's mission to protect our health and the environment."

Regional Administrators are responsible for managing the Agency's regional activities under the direction of the EPA Administrator. They promote state and local environmental protection efforts and serve as a liaison to state and local government officials. Regional Administrators are tasked with ensuring EPA's efforts to address the environmental crises of today are rooted in three fundamental values: science-based policies and programs, adherence to the rule of law, and transparency.

Susan Hedman has extensive experience in the environmental protection field dating back to the early 1980's when she taught environmental policy courses at Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin. Since 2005, she has served as Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's Environmental Counsel and Senior Assistant Attorney General, playing a role as chief negotiator for litigation and legislation relating to environmental protection, energy efficiency, renewable energy, carbon capture technology and associated consumer issues. Prior to that, she held numerous positions in environmental law and policy including senior policy advisor on energy and recycling at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; staff attorney for the Environmental Law and Policy Center with cases focused on facilities in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.; First Legal Officer for the United Nations Security Council team charged with analyzing environmental damage from oil fires in Kuwait; and as research director for the Center for Global Change at the University of Maryland. Dr. Hedman earned her B.A. in Politics and Government from Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin before earning her M.A. from the La Follette Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1979. She obtained her J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1987 before earning a Ph.D. from the Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies in Madison, Wisconsin two years later.

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View all Region 5 News Releases

2009-2010 College & University Green Power Challenge

UW-Oshkosh was recognized by EPA as Conference Champion for individual green power purchase.

Learn more about EPA’s Partner Initiatives:
Partner Initiatives
College & University Challenge
ABA/EPA Law Firm Climate Challenge
Throughout the 2009-10 academic year, EPA’s Green Power Partnership tracked and recognized collegiate athletic conferences with the highest combined green power purchases in the nation (More....)

EPA Requires Contractors to Become Lead-Safe Certified

CONTACTS: Dale Kemery kemery.dale@epa.gov 202-564-7839 202-564-4355 FOR

IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 8, 2010 Agency expects more than 125,000 contractors to be trained by April 22 deadline

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced it expects more than 125,000 renovation and remodeling contractors to be trained in lead-safe work practices by April 22, the effective date for a rule requiring such training. The agency is on target to implement the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule, which will protect millions of children from lead poisoning, on April 22, 2010. “There has been tremendous progress by people working in the construction and remodeling trades to become trained in lead-safe work practices,” said Steve Owens, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. “EPA has been working hard to get the word out far and wide to contractors working in older homes, schools and day care centers that this training is available to help stop lead poisoning in children. All a contractor needs to do to be certified is take a simple one-day course.”

Despite nearly 30 years of effort to reduce childhood lead exposures, a million American children are still poisoned by lead paint each year, putting them at risk for a wide range of health impacts, including lowered IQ and behavioral disorders. Some of that poisoning is a result of dust contaminated by old lead paint that is stirred up during remodeling activities. There are simple steps contractors can take during such renovations to minimize exposures to lead paint. To ensure contractors were following such procedures, the EPA finalized the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (LRRP) rule in 2008. The rule requires contractors to become trained and certified as lead-safe by EPA. Individuals take an eight-hour training course offered by private training providers to become a certified renovator. The certification is valid for five years.

To date, EPA has certified 190 training providers who have conducted more than 4,900 courses. An estimated 100,000 people in the construction and remodeling industries have been trained in lead-safe work practices. Based on current estimates, EPA expects more than 125,000 contractors to be certified by the April 22 deadline. EPA has a number of efforts under way to expedite the training and certification process. Included are a print and radio campaign to highlight the benefits of hiring lead-safe certified firms. As a result, it is expected that training capacity will continue to increase significantly as the April 22 deadline approaches. It is likely that many more contractors and renovators will seek and obtain training after the deadline.

To locate local EPA-accredited RRP training providers using EPA’s search tool: http://cfpub.epa.gov/flpp/searchrrp_training.htm Information on firm certification: http//:www.epa.gov/getleadsafe More information on EPA’s lead program: http://www.epa.gov/lead

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View all news releases related to pesticides and toxic chemicals

EPA Proposes Adding More Chemicals to Toxics Release Inventory List

First program chemical expansion in more than a decade

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to add 16 chemicals to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) list of reportable chemicals, the first expansion of the program in more than a decade. Established as part of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA), TRI is a publicly available EPA database that contains information on toxic chemical releases and waste management activities reported annually by certain industries as well as federal facilities. The proposal is part of Administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s ongoing efforts to provide communities with more complete information on chemicals.

EPA has concluded, based on a review of available studies, that these chemicals could cause cancer in people. The purpose of the proposed addition to TRI reporting requirements is to inform the public about chemical releases in their communities and to provide the government with information for research and potential development of regulations.

Four of the chemicals are being proposed for addition to TRI under the polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) category. The PACs category includes chemicals that are persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic (PBT) and are likely to remain in the environment for a very long time. These chemicals are not readily destroyed and may build up or accumulate in body tissue.

The TRI, established as part of the EPCRA of 1986, contains information on nearly 650 chemicals and chemical groups from about 22,000 industrial facilities in the U.S. Congress enacted EPCRA to provide the public with additional information on toxic chemicals in their communities.

EPA will accept public comments on the proposal for 60 days after it appears in the Federal Register.

For a list of the 16 chemicals: http://www.epa.gov/tri/lawsandregs/ntp_chemicals/index.html

More information on TRI: http://www.epa.gov/tri

R103
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View all news releases related to miscellaneous topics

Pediatric Lead Exposure From Imported Indian Spices and Cultural Powders

From http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/peds.2009-1396v1

Cristiane Gurgel Lin, MD, PhDa,b,c, Laurel Anne Schaider, PhDd, Daniel Joseph Brabander, PhDe, Alan David Woolf, MD, MPHb,f

aPediatric Residency Program, Department of Medicine, and
fPediatric Environmental Health Center, Division of General Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, Massachusetts;
bDepartment of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts;
cDepartment of Neonatology, Pediatrix Medical Group, Seton Medical Center, Austin, Texas;
dDepartment of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; and
eDepartment of Geosciences, Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts

Background Significant lead poisoning has been associated with imported nonpaint products.

Objectives To describe cases of pediatric lead intoxication from imported Indian spices and cultural powders, determine lead concentrations in these products, and predict effects of ingestion on pediatric blood lead levels (BLLs).

Patients and Methods Cases and case-study information were obtained from patients followed by the Pediatric Environmental Health Center (Children's Hospital Boston). Imported spices (n = 86) and cultural powders (n = 71) were analyzed for lead by using x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The simple bioaccessibility extraction test was used to estimate oral bioavailability. The integrated exposure uptake biokinetic model for lead in children was used to predict population-wide geometric mean BLLs and the probability of elevated BLLs (>10 µg/dL).

Results Four cases of pediatric lead poisoning from Indian spices or cultural powders are described. Twenty-two of 86 spices and foodstuff products contained >1 µg/g lead (for these 22 samples, mean: 2.6 µg/g [95% confidence interval: 1.9–3.3]; maximum: 7.6 µg/g). Forty-six of 71 cultural products contained >1 µg/g lead (for 43 of these samples, mean: 8.0 µg/g [95% confidence interval: 5.2–10.8]; maximum: 41.4 µg/g). Three sindoor products contained >47% lead. With a fixed ingestion of 5 µg/day and 50% bioavailability, predicted geometric mean BLLs for children aged 0 to 4 years increased from 3.2 to 4.1 µg/dL, and predicted prevalence of children with a BLL of >10 µg/dL increased more than threefold (0.8%–2.8%).

Conclusions Chronic exposure to spices and cultural powders may cause elevated BLLs. A majority of cultural products contained >1 µg/g lead, and some sindoor contained extremely high bioaccessible lead levels. Clinicians should routinely screen for exposure to these products.



Key Words: pediatric lead poisoning • childhood plumbism • spices • herbal products • cosmetics • religious powders • lead contamination • Indian • sindoor • culture-specific exposure


Abbreviations: CI = confidence interval

More Fines For UCLA

An additional $97,000 in fines for lax laboratory safety practices has been assessed against the University of California, Los Angeles, by a state agency.

The school's department of chemistry and biochemistry has been under scrutiny since a Dec. 29, 2008, laboratory fire led to the death of chemistry researcher Sheharbano (Sheri) Sangji (C&EN, Aug. 3, 2009, page 29). The California Division of Occupational Safety & Health (Cal/OSHA) investigated the incident and fined the university $31,875 in May 2009 (C&EN, May 11, 2009, page 7). (More...)

LEGIONELLOSIS, NOSOCOMIAL - USA: (WISCONSIN)

A ProMED-mail Date: Sat 13 Mar 2010 Source: WISN.com

Health officials said there could be a possible outbreak of the respiratory illness Legionnaires' disease at a Cudahy hospital. Sof ar, at least 8 people have come down with the illness. Of the 8 cases, 6 had some contact with Aurora Saint Luke's South ShoreHospital, 5900 S. Lake Drive.(More)

Medical practice needlesticks

Here's an interesting article from the New York Times on the safety culture around needle injuries in the medical profession, complete with time and peer pressure issues that are present with other safety concerns.

Link: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/03/a-silent-epidemic-of-needle-injuries/

Asbestos at U.S. university investigated

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/03/02/Asbestos-at-US-university-investigated/UPI-35051267577232/
Published: March. 2, 2010 at 7:47 PM

HARTFORD, Conn., March 2 (UPI) -- University of Connecticut authorities may have violated federal law when workers disposed of asbestos-laden material during a renovation, officials say.

Employees renovating the office of President Michael Hogan threw old flooring held together with asbestos-containing mastic out the office window, The Hartford (Conn.) Courant reported Tuesday.

School officials allegedly acknowledge they violated OSHA and federal Environmental Protection Agency standards for removal of asbestos, the newspaper said.

One of the violations alleges no inspection was completed to see if there was asbestos under the floor before it was removed.

Others include the unsafe disposal of asbestos particles into the air, asbestos-laden debris tossed out without being properly bagged and asbestos disturbance occurring without any employee monitoring, the Courant said.

In December six employees of the university's facilities management department were given emergency medical screening the results of which are confidential.

"The safety and well-being of university personnel is a paramount concern. As a result of the university's own investigation, its office of Environmental Health and Safety is working with facilities personnel to ensure compliance with all rules and regulations regarding asbestos," spokesman Michael Kirk said.

Biodiesel Process Uses Catalytically Active Particles

Feb 23, 2010
Sachtleben, a unit of Rockwood Holdings Inc. and a producer of specialty titanium dioxide and functional additives, has developed catalytically active particles that may revolutionize the production of biofuels using sustainable and environmentally friendly means. (More...)

Noise and ototoxic substances

Next item to be placed into my "Read This" folder comes from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. It is a literature review entitled, Combined Exposure to Noise and Ototoxic Substances.

"Workers are commonly exposed to multiple agents. Physiological interactions with some mixed exposures can lead to an increase in the severity of a harmful effect. This applies not only to the combination of interfering chemical substances but in certain cases to the co-action of chemical and physical factors as well. Hence, it is obvious that the effects of ototoxic substances on ear function can be aggravated by noise, which remains a well-established cause of hearing impairment."

Link: http://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/literature_reviews/combined-exposure-to-noise-and-ototoxic-substances

Aerial work platform guidance

Several industry groups associated with aerial work platform equipment joined to create a Statement of Best Practices of General Training and Familiarization for Aerial Work Platform (AWP) Equipment.

Intent of this initiative is to:

• Educate the industry on the industry-recognized-and supported standards, including the American National Standards Institute/Scaffold Industry Association (ANSI/SIA) A92 Standards and the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
• Present best practices and minimum general training guidelines for AWP equipment
• operators.
• Emphasize the differences between general training and familiarization.
• Clarify minimum qualifications of the trainer.

Links: http://www.ipaf.org/fileadmin/user_upload/documents/us/AWP_BPG_2010.pdf

NIOSH/IWH review of OHS training

Occupational health and safety (OHS) training is an important part of managing workplace hazards and risks. Such training may involve instruction on identifying occupational risks and how to control them, learning about safe workplace practices and how to properly use personal protective equipment.

Businesses want to know whether training can meet the goals of decreasing workplace injuries and illness, and whether the cost of training programs can be justified.

This systematic review was conducted to determine whether OHS training and education programs have a beneficial effect on workers and firms.

The review showed that:

Workplace education and training programs have a positive impact on OHS practices of workers. However, there is not enough high quality evidence to show whether OHS training on its own has an impact on health (for example, by reducing injuries or symptoms).

There is currently insufficient evidence to determine whether a single session of high engagement training has a greater impact compared to a single session of low/medium engagement training.

The report is available at:
http://www.iwh.on.ca/system/files/sys-reviews/sys_review_education_training_2010.pdf

New OSHA videos on respirators

OSHA has produced two new videos that feature training and guidance on respirator safety. The "Respirator Safety" video shows healthcare workers how to correctly put on and take off respirators, such as N95s. See it here:
http://www.youtube.com/usdepartmentoflabor#p/u/4/Tzpz5fko-fg

The "Difference between Respirators and Surgical Masks" video explains the particular uses for each one and how they prevent worker exposure to infectious diseases. See it here:
http://www.youtube.com/usdepartmentoflabor#p/u/5/ovSLAuY8ib8

Viewers can watch both English and Spanish versions by visiting the Department of Labor's YouTubehttp://www.youtube.com/usdepartmentoflabor> site.

These videos are available in both English and Spanish and are available for download athttp://www.osha.gov/SLTC/respiratoryprotection/index.html.

AED recall

February 3, 2010 - Bothell, WA – Cardiac Science Corporation [NASDAQ: CSCX] is initiating a worldwide voluntary recall after determining that approximately 12,200 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) may not be able to deliver therapy during a resuscitation attempt, which may lead to serious adverse events or death. These AEDs were manufactured in a way that makes them potentially susceptible to failure under certain conditions. The FDA has been informed of this situation.

Cardiac Science detected this issue through its internal quality systems and has received no complaints or reports of this problem in the field. The affected AEDs were manufactured or serviced between October 19, 2009 and January 15, 2010 and include the following models:

• • Powerheart 9300A, 9300E, 9300P, 9390A, 9390E
  • CardioVive 92532
  • CardioLife 9200G and 9231

For more information, go to http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/UCM200123

EPA Announces Agreement With the City of New York on PCBs in School Caulk—01/19/2010

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced an agreement with the City of New York to address the risks posed by PCBs in caulk found in some city schools. The agreement is intended to result in a city-wide approach to assessing and reducing potential exposures to PCBs in caulk in schools.

“The work that the City of New York has agreed to do will go a long way toward helping us better understand the potential risks posed by PCBs in caulk, and our work to reduce the exposure of school children, teachers and others who work in New York City public schools,” said Judith Enck, EPA Regional Administrator. “New York City’s 1,600 public schools make it the largest school system in the nation, and we believe that the program outlined in this agreement, along with general EPA guidance on managing the issue, will serve as a model for school systems across the country.”

The agreement announced today requires the city to conduct a study in five schools to determine the most effective strategies for assessing and reducing potential exposures to PCBs in caulk. The city will then produce a proposed plan for any cleanups needed in the five schools and use this information to develop a recommended city-wide approach. EPA is also requiring the city to develop and submit for approval best management practices for reducing exposure to PCBs in caulk in school buildings. These may include cleaning the schools, improving ventilation, and addressing deteriorating caulk.

Although Congress banned the manufacture and most uses of PCBs in 1976 and they were phased out in 1978, there is evidence that many buildings across the country constructed or renovated from 1950 to 1978 may have PCBs at high levels in the caulk around windows and door frames, between masonry columns and in other masonry building materials. Exposure to these PCBs may occur as a result of their release from the caulk into the air, dust, surrounding surfaces and soil, and through direct contact. In September 2009, EPA provided new guidance to communities and announced additional research to address PCBs that may be found in the caulk in many older buildings, including schools. Today’s agreement complements EPA’s national efforts by helping building owners and managers facing serious PCB problems develop practical approaches to reduce exposures and prioritize the removal of PCB caulk.

The legally binding agreement announced today settles potential violations of the Toxic Substances Control Act by the city for having caulk that contains PCBs above allowable levels in some schools. As part of the study of the five yet to be determined schools, the city will sample extensively in them, and will ensure that any PCB waste is properly removed. Once the study is concluded the city will work with EPA to develop and implement a plan to identify, prioritize, and address the presence of PCBs within the New York City school system. In addition, the agreement calls for the development of a citizens’ participation plan to ensure that school administrators, parents, teachers, students, and members of the public are kept fully informed throughout the process.

PCBs are man-made chemicals that persist in the environment and were widely used in construction materials and electrical products prior to 1978. PCBs can affect the immune, reproductive, nervous and endocrine systems and are potentially cancer-causing if they build up in the body over long periods of time. The greatest risks from PCBs involve sustained long-term exposure to high levels of PCBs.

EPA is currently conducting research to better understand the relationship between PCBs in caulk and PCB concentrations in caulk, air and dust. The Agency is doing research to determine the sources and levels of PCBs in buildings in the U.S. and to evaluate different strategies to reduce exposures.

The agreement and more information can be found at http://www.epa.gov/region2. To learn more about PCBs in caulk go to http://www.epa.gov/pcbsincaulk.
Anyone seeking technical guidance should contact the EPA at: 1-888-835-5372.

Source: Environmental Protection Agency. "EPA Announces Agreement with the City of New York On PCBs in School Caulk." [http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/d10ed0d99d826b068525735900400c2a/ac512237be18e863852576b00060bec0!OpenDocument] 01/19/2010

NCPA Report: Nuclear Power Is Safe, Could Answer Energy Mandates

Jan 04, 2010
Since many state governments now require a percentage of their electrical power to come from approved “renewable” energy sources, now is a good time for policymakers to allow the United States to expand the use of nuclear power as a reliable form of energy, according to a new report by the National Center for Policy Analysis.
“The demand for electricity is projected to increase 26 percent from 2007 to 2030,” said H. Sterling Burnett,” NCPA senior fellow and co-author of the report. “Nuclear power is one of the safest and most reliable forms of energy available and it emits no greenhouse gases.”

(More.....)

Coal-ash monitoring increased

BY JOSEPH BELK JANUARY 20, 2010 7:30 AM

UI officials expanded groundwater monitoring this week at the university’s coal-ash disposal site, ramping up efforts to determine if the byproduct from the UI Power Plant could be dangerous.
The university is working with Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa, and BMC Aggregates — which owns the quarry where the coal ash is stored — to extensively monitor the site, an abandoned quarry in Waterloo, where the byproduct from coal-fired power plants, or “coal ash,” is dumped, said UI environmental compliance manager Michael Valde. The UI Power Plant has two coal-powered boilers and uses approximately 100,000 tons of coal each year.

(More.... )

http://www.dailyiowan.com/2010/01/20/Metro/15070.html

EPA to Develop TSCA Chemicals of Concern List

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency intends to establish a “Chemicals of Concern” list and is beginning a process that may lead to regulations requiring significant risk reduction measures to protect human health and the environment. "

The agency’s actions represent its determination to use its authority under the existing Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to the fullest extent possible, recognizing EPA’s strong belief that the 1976 law is both outdated and in need of reform. (More..........)

U.S. EPA Releases Annual Enforcement Results and Mapping Tool

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released enforcement results for fiscal year 2009, and has developed a new Web-based tool and interactive map that allows the public to get detailed information by location about the enforcement actions taken at approximately 4,600 facilities.

In FY2009, EPA concluded enforcement actions requiring polluters to invest more than $5 billion on pollution controls, cleanup, and environmental projects. Civil and criminal defendants committed to install controls and take other measures to reduce pollution by approximately 580 million pounds annually once all required controls are fully implemented.

The new mapping tool allows the public to view the locations of facilities that were the subject of those enforcement actions on interactive maps of the U.S. and territories. The maps show facilities where civil enforcement actions were taken for environmental laws for air, water, and land pollution, and a separate map shows criminal enforcement actions.

Viewers can click on specific facilities to find historical information about specific enforcement actions, such as violations and monetary penalties. In addition, viewers can use the zoom function to find out which facilities are located near water bodies that are listed as "impaired” because they do not meet federal water quality standards. EPA mapped the locations of more than 90 percent of the facilities that were the subject of enforcement actions last year. EPA did not map the locations of drinking water treatment plants due to potential security concerns.

For the past 10 years, EPA has described annual enforcement results by focusing primarily on two measures, the estimated pounds of pollutants reduced and estimated cost of commitments made by defendants to control or reduce pollution. These measures vary significantly from year to year and are dependent upon the number of large cases that settle in a given year. While these large cases are a vital part of our work to protect public health and improve compliance, they do not reflect the totality of the annual environmental enforcement activities, and do not capture the number and variety of enforcement actions taken to help clean up local communities. The new mapping tool will help increase transparency, improve access to data, and provide the public with the bigger picture of enforcement activity occurring in communities around the country.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/reports/endofyear/eoy2009/index.html