READ: Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter

READ: Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter

(2 RC) - On February 7, 2024, EPA strengthened the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter to protect millions of Americans from harmful and costly health impacts, such as heart attacks and premature death. Particle or soot pollution is one of the most dangerous forms of air pollution, and an extensive body of science links it to a range of serious and sometimes deadly illnesses… (EPA, Feb 2024)

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READ: Fact Sheet: Fentanyl

READ: Fact Sheet: Fentanyl

(1 RC) - Illicit drug operations present multiple exposure pathways. Responders may encounter packaged powder, loose powder, pill mills, aqueous liquids and hardened (described as concrete-like) fentanyl analogs. Bulk fentanyl is mixed with other narcotics because it is a cheap filler material. Makeshift laboratories are found in apartments, houses, garages and storage facilities… (EPA, May 2018)

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READ: Emergency Management Accomplishments Report

READ: Emergency Management Accomplishments Report

(2 RC) - This report details major response and removal actions from October 1, 2021, to September 30, 2022, and outlines regulatory actions to protect community health through chemical accident and oil spill prevention and preparedness. It features science-based solutions that EPA utilizes during all phases of crisis and consequence management… (EPA, Sept 2022)

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READ: Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Anthrax, 2023

READ: Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Anthrax, 2023

(1 RC) - Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by infection with Bacillus anthracis and still occurs in agricultural regions of the Americas, sub-Saharan Africa, central and southwestern Asia, and southern and eastern Europe. Sheep, goats, cattle, and other herbivores are primarily affected. Humans are secondarily infected through contact with infected animals, contaminated animal products… (CDC, Nov 2023)

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READ: WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines Chapter 3

READ: WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines Chapter 3

(4 RC) - The WHO air quality guidelines set goals for protecting public health on a worldwide scale. They were established through a rigorous process of revision and evaluation of scientific evidence on the health effects of air pollutants and, like other WHO guidelines, are not legally binding recommendations … (WHO Global AQG, 2021)

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READ: NIOSH Standard: Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Pentanedione - Toxicology

READ: NIOSH Standard: Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Pentanedione - Toxicology

(2 RC) - Diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione have a long history as components of food, suggesting that exposures can occur in diverse work-places. They occur as natural products in many foods. Diacetyl imparts the flavor and aroma of butter to many common foods and drinks including butter, cheese, yogurt, beer, and wine… (NIOSH Standard, Oct 2016)

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READ: NIOSH Standard: Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Pentanedione - Risk Assessment

READ: NIOSH Standard: Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Pentanedione - Risk Assessment

(3 RC) - The goal of this chapter is first to present a numerical estimate of the risk of developing respiratory disease due to occupational exposure to diacetyl using standard epidemiological methods. This estimate is based on statistical models that describe the relationship between exposure to diacetyl and the development of impaired lung function in a known population of exposed employees… (NIOSH Standard, Oct 2016)

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READ: NIOSH Standard: Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Pentanedione - Hazard Prevention

READ: NIOSH Standard: Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Pentanedione - Hazard Prevention

(4 RC) - Work practices are procedures followed by employers and employees to control hazards in the workplace. The use of good work practices, incorporated into the facility’s standard operating procedures, can help reduce exposures to diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and other flavoring compounds while at the same time maximizing efficiency and product quality… (NIOSH Standard, Oct 2016)

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READ: NIOSH Standard: Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Pentanedione - Exposure Monitoring

READ: NIOSH Standard: Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Pentanedione - Exposure Monitoring

(.50 RC) - Employers should develop and implement comprehensive occupational safety and health programs to prevent occupational injuries, illnesses, and deaths. To be successful, safety and health programs should be developed and implemented as part of an employers management system, with strong management commitment, employee involvement, and occupational safety and health expertise. A safety and health program designed to protect employees from the adverse effects of exposure to diacetyl, 2,3-pentanedione, and other flavoring compounds… (NIOSH Standard, Oct 2016)

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READ: NIOSH HHE Autobody Repair Shop

READ: NIOSH HHE Autobody Repair Shop

(2 RC) - NIOSH received a request for help in assessing worker exposure to isocyanates during spray painting of automobiles. An autobody repair shop whose other concerns for worker exposure included solvents, total dusts, noise, carbon monoxide, and metals. An initial survey was conducted in September 1995 and an interim report was issued in January 1996. To assess effects of seasonal variation… (NIOSH, June 1995)

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READ: NIOSH Standard: Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Pentanedione

READ: NIOSH Standard: Occupational Exposure to Diacetyl and Pentanedione

(2 RC) - This chapter discusses available sampling and analytical techniques for monitoring diacetyl and pentanedione vapor in the workplace; techniques for measuring diace-tyl and pentanedione in airborne dust and bulk materials; real-time techniques for measuring relevant airborne analytes and other flavoring compounds; and results of some occupational exposure assessments by NIOSH and others of facilities that use diacetyl andpentanedione… (NIOSH Standard, Oct 2016)

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READ: NIOSH specifies best practices for dust control in coal mining (part 3)

READ: NIOSH specifies best practices for dust control in coal mining (part 3)

(4 RC) - Respirable dust can be inhaled into the gas exchange region of the lungs and has long been known to be a serious health threat to workers in many industries. In coal mining, overexposure to respirable coal mine dust can lead to coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly known as black lung. CWP is a lung disease that can be disabling and fatal in its most severe form, progressive massive fibrosis. In addition, miners can be exposed to high levels of respirable silica dust… (NIOSH, Aug 2021)

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READ: NIOSH specifies best practices for dust control in coal mining (Part 2)

READ: NIOSH specifies best practices for dust control in coal mining (Part 2)

(4 RC) - Respirable dust can be inhaled into the gas exchange region of the lungs and has long been known to be a serious health threat to workers in many industries. In coal mining, overexposure to respirable coal mine dust can lead to coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly known as black lung. CWP is a lung disease that can be disabling and fatal in its most severe form, progressive massive fibrosis. In addition, miners can be exposed to high levels of respirable silica dust… (NIOSH, Aug 2021)

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READ: NIOSH specifies best practices for dust control in coal mining (Part 1)

READ: NIOSH specifies best practices for dust control in coal mining (Part 1)

(4 RC) - Respirable dust can be inhaled into the gas exchange region of the lungs and has long been known to be a serious health threat to workers in many industries. In coal mining, overexposure to respirable coal mine dust can lead to coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), commonly known as black lung. CWP is a lung disease that can be disabling and fatal in its most severe form, progressive massive fibrosis. In addition, miners can be exposed to high levels of respirable silica dust… (NIOSH, Aug 2021)

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READ: NIOSH Evaluates Elastomeric Half-Mask Respirators

READ: NIOSH Evaluates Elastomeric Half-Mask Respirators

(3 RC) - Elastomeric half-mask respirators (EHMRs) and filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs), the most common filter class being “N95,” are both classified as air-purifying respirators. Unlike FFRs, which are not designed to be cleaned or disinfected, EHMRs are designed to be routinely cleaned, which could include disinfection, and maintained for longer-term use. Their reusability and durability to withstand disinfection makes EHMRs appealing for use in the healthcare industry… (CDC NIOSH, Jan 2022)

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READ: NIOSH investigates lead exposure at Ohio police department

READ: NIOSH investigates lead exposure at Ohio police department

(3 RC) - The Health Hazard Evaluation Program received a request from employees at a police department in Ohio. The request concerned lead exposures in and around the firing range, a history of water intrusion and mold growth on the ceiling tiles in the juvenile office, and lack of ventilation in the property room where illicit drugs were stored. We made two site visits to the police department to evaluate exposures, work conditions, and employee health concerns… (NIOSH HEE, July 2013)

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READ: SafeWork Australia Explains Emergency Plans

READ: SafeWork Australia Explains Emergency Plans

(4 RC) - An emergency plan may also be aimed at limiting or managing the effects of consequences on property or the environment. Further, emergencies may occur that are not associated with hazardous chemicals, such as those arising from natural events (e.g. flood or fire). It is advisable that a facility not have multiple plans. A single plan facilitates rapid response and avoids confusion about which plan should be executed in the event of a particular type of emergency.… (Safe Work Australia Mar 2012)

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READ: NIOSH investigates officer exposures inside a drug vault

READ: NIOSH investigates officer exposures inside a drug vault

(4 RC) - In November 2009, NIOSH received an HHE request from a police department in Kentucky. The request concerned possible health effects from working inside a vault used to store drug evidence, including marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and oxycodone. We conducted evaluations in December 2009 and July 2010… (NIOSH, July 2011)

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READ: Australia Investigates Biotoxin-related Illnesses

READ: Australia Investigates Biotoxin-related Illnesses

(.50 RC) - The Australian Government is concerned for those patients who are suffering debilitating symptoms they believe to be associated with exposure to mould and/or biotoxins. At this point in time, further research is required into the link between such symptoms and exposure to mould. The Australian Government acknowledges that there is a need to provide better multidisciplinary care to patients (WHO, Mar 2020)

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