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)

Read More

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)

Read More

READ: NIOSH Analyses FTIR Instrument for Respirable Crystalline Silica (I)

READ: NIOSH Analyses FTIR Instrument for Respirable Crystalline Silica (I)

(4 RC) - This document details how to implement field-based monitoring for RCS. It is primarily intended for industrial hygienists and other workers with health and safety responsibilities, specifically within the mining industry (although workers in other industries may also find it useful). The document has been written for a user with experience in respirable dust or RCS exposure assessment but who does not necessarily have specialized training in analytical techniques… (NIOSH, Jan 2022)

Read More

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)

Read More

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)

Read More

READ: OSHA recommends procedures for workplace safety and health programs

READ: OSHA recommends procedures for workplace safety and health programs

(3 RC) - Establishing a safety and health program at your job site is one of the most effective ways of protecting your most valuable asset: your workers. Losing workers to injury or illness, even for a short time, can cause significant disruption and cost to you as well as the workers and their families. It can also damage workplace morale, productivity, turnover, and reputation… (OSHA, Oct 2016)

Read More

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)

Read More

READ: Investigation of IEQ Practices During Renovation Projects

READ: Investigation of IEQ Practices During Renovation Projects

(.50 RC) - The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has conducted several Health Hazard Evaluations [NIOSH 2019] in workplaces with reported health concerns associated with construction and renovation in occupied buildings. During these evaluations, NIOSH investigators identified issues that could affect indoor environmental quality such as a lack of dust control, the use of high emission building materials…(NIOSH, Jan 2020)

Read More

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)

Read More

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)

Read More

READ: WHO Summarizes School Environment Policies (Part 2)

READ: WHO Summarizes School Environment Policies (Part 2)

(4 RC) - This report includes a summary of existing policies on providing healthy environments in schools and kindergartens, an overview of environmental risk factors in schools, information on design, methods and results of selected recently conducted exposure assessment surveys and a summary of pupils’ exposures to major environmental factors, such as selected indoor air pollutants, mold and dampness and poor ventilation in classrooms, sanitation and hygiene problems, smoking and the use of various modes of transportation to school… (WHO, Jan 2015)

Read More

READ: WHO Summarizes School Environment Policies (part 1)

READ: WHO Summarizes School Environment Policies (part 1)

(4 RC) - This report includes a summary of existing policies on providing healthy environments in schools and kindergartens, an overview of environmental risk factors in schools, information on design, methods and results of selected recently conducted exposure assessment surveys and a summary of pupils’ exposures to major environmental factors, such as selected indoor air pollutants, mold and dampness and poor ventilation in classrooms, sanitation and hygiene problems, smoking and the use of various modes of transportation to school… (WHO, Jan 2015)

Read More

READ: EPA Evaluates Residential Indoor Air

READ: EPA Evaluates Residential Indoor Air

(4 RC) - Possible exposure pathways associated with this site include inhalation of contaminated indoor air as well as dermal exposure to and incidental ingestion of contaminated soil, sediment, and surface water. The indoor air pathway was selected for evaluation first because of the potential for nearby residents to be exposed to volatile chemicals in their homes throughout the year… (ATSDR, Sept 2014)

Read More

READ: EPA Investigates Vapor Intrusion at Elementary School

READ: EPA Investigates Vapor Intrusion at Elementary School

(.50 RC) - The U.S. EPA collected six sub-slab samples and six indoor air samples at Holden Elementary School in July 2011. The primary contaminants of concern at the site are components of the petroleum-based product gasoline and include benzene, hexane, and trimethylbenzenes. In addition, chlorofluorocarbon products were identified… (ASTDR, Apr 2012)

Read More

READ: Australia Announces Workplace Health & Safety Strategy

READ: Australia Announces Workplace Health & Safety Strategy

(2 RC) - The Commonwealth, state and territory governments, industry and unions have strategies to support and improve work health and safety. The Australian Strategy has been designed to be sufficiently broad and high-level so that governments, industry, unions and other organizations can undertake activities that assist in meeting the desired outcomes… (National OHS Strategy, Mar 2020)

Read More

READ: WHO publishes guidance on indoor chemical sampling

READ: WHO publishes guidance on indoor chemical sampling

(4 RC) - Indoor air contains a wide variety of chemical compounds. Some of these compounds, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), originate mainly from indoor sources such as paints, building products, furnishings, glues, varnishes, and consumer and household products. Other pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3), are classical pollutants of outdoor air that penetrate indoor environments in different ways in additional to releases from indoor sources… (WHO, Jan 2020)

Read More

READ: WI Health Department Investigates Indoor Mercury

READ: WI Health Department Investigates Indoor Mercury

(1 RC) - In response to a request from a health care provider about a patient and husband with elevated mercury levels in blood and urine and related health symptoms, the Wisconsin Division of Public Health investigated for mercury contamination in their west-central Wisconsin house. DPH inspected the house and tested for mercury vapors and found high mercury levels associated with adverse health effects. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency cleaned up elemental mercury at the affected house… (ASTDR, July 2009)

Read More

READ: Wisconsin evaluates polyurethane on gym floors

READ: Wisconsin evaluates polyurethane on gym floors

(1 RC) - Milwaukee Public Schools requested assistance from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, to evaluate potential health concerns associated with mercury-catalyzed polyurethane flooring in the gymnasium of South Division High School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The intent of this health consultation is to characterize and assess the human health implications of elemental mercury vapor levels in the air of the SDHS gym… (ASTDR, Dec 2010)

Read More

READ: CDC Evaluates Indoor Air Sampling Methods

READ: CDC Evaluates Indoor Air Sampling Methods

(2 RC) - A soil­ gas data screening indicates that 1,4­ dioxane is a concern for vapor intrusion in a WI building occupied by workers and children. As 1,4­dioxane is highly soluble in water, it is possible that its presence in soil­ gas samples indicates the leading edge of the groundwater plume may be approaching the building. A complete indoor air investigation of the WI is necessary to evaluate the potential for current exposures… (ASTDR)

Read More

READ: Survey of Laws on Cannabis Smoking Indoors

READ: Survey of Laws on Cannabis Smoking Indoors

(1 RC) - Secondhand cannabis smoke, like secondhand tobacco smoke, creates unhealthy indoor air quality. Ventilation and engineering techniques cannot reduce this pollution to healthy levels, and complete smoke-free policies are the only way to provide healthy indoor environments. Even so, multiple state and local governments have begun to allow indoor smoking of cannabis in businesses… (AJPM, Aug 2021)

Read More