In response to evidence of adverse health and environmental impacts, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the manufacture of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in 1979 and imposed controls on the majority of PCBs in use at that time.

PCBs are mixtures of synthetic organic chemicals valued for their stability, low flammability, and high thermal conductivity. Because of these properties, PCBs were extensively used as a non-flammable replacement for mineral oil to cool and insulate transformers, fluorescent light ballasts, and other electrical devices. The use and disposal of this equipment has been strictly regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), found in the federal code of regulations at 40 CFR 761.50.

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Tetrachloroethene (PCE) is a colorless, nonflammable, liquid solvent widely used in the dry cleaning industry and in the automotive and metalworking industries as a metal degreaser. PCE is a chlorinated compound with the chemical formula Cl₂C=CCl_2, and has a sweet odor that is detectable by smell at concentrations as low as one part per million (ppm). PCE and its various breakdown products – trichloroethylene (TCE), dichloroethylene (DCE) and vinyl chloride (VC) – are classified as toxic and carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).

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In this time of COVID-19 – with flu season right around the corner and sometimes conflicting information making the rounds – it is a good idea to go over the basics of bacterial and viral infections. To begin with, what is the     difference between bacteria and viruses?

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Since the first advanced human civilizations were founded on rivers, it has been a challenge to maintain surface water quality. As human populations have grown, particularly since the Industrial Revolution, the old habit of using bodies of water as a convenient dumping ground has proven unsustainable and dangerous. An unfortunate byproduct of the technological advances of the Industrial Revolution was the vastly increased amount of toxic chemical, radioactive, and biological waste that was commonly discharged into rivers and lakes. Disposal of industrial wastes and the sanitary household wastes from rapidly growing dense urban centers resulted in the discharge of an unprecedented amount of pollution to the surface waters of the United States. To further complicate the problem, the environmental and human health impact from these unfamiliar waste constituents was poorly understood. Consequently, at the turn of the twentieth century, a crisis was at hand.

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After March 22, 2019, regulated composite wood products must be labeled as TSCA Title VI compliant by an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) TSCA VI Third Party Certifier (TPC) with all the required accreditations. These products include hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard and particleboard, as well as household and other finished goods containing these products. Laminated products, not exempted from the definition of hardwood plywood, must be tested and certified as meeting the hardwood plywood     formaldehyde emission standard beginning March 22, 2024. [For more info see: https://www.epa.gov/formaldehyde/formaldehyde-emission-standards-composite-wood-products.]

Because many of these composite and finished wood products release formaldehyde, there is always concern for the quality of indoor air both in the workplace and the home environments. Many indoor air contaminants – including formaldehyde – can pose serious human health risks. Continue Reading →

Hurricanes, tropical storms, floods. Unfortunately many of us have witnessed the havoc and devastation that unwanted water causes to a building or home, not to mention the emotional stress left in the aftermath. But cumulative secondary damage conditions – including adverse health effects from being exposed to compromised indoor air quality and mold – can occur when stagnant water is not dealt with in a timely manner (typically 48 to 72 hours upon discovery). Delays in responding to water events can also cause    business interruption and deplete the goodwill of employees and occupants.

Whether the cause of damages is a one-time catastrophic event (i.e., hurricane) or an ongoing hidden slow leak, a moisture intrusion plan can be a vital tool to help reduce the overall risks and save time and money. Continue Reading →

Many health and safety professionals think of wearable technology in terms of “sensor” instrumentation – such as monitoring devices for body temperature or for sampling air contaminants. However, exoskeletons have elevated this technology to the level of human/robotics interaction. For many years, comic books and more recently Hollywood, have capitalized on these futuristic concepts (for example, The Avengers Iron Man^® series). But with the latest available technology, some of these uses are starting to become a reality. Continue Reading →

Legionella-related illnesses should be a concern for many businesses and facilities that have been closed temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As we approach the warmer weather when demands of cooling and water consumption increase, the need for system maintenance is enhanced. So, we decided to re-visit the HETI Horizons we published in November 2018 on the need for Legionella Water Management Plans – updating it in light of the reopening and reoccupation of these facilities in the coming months. Continue Reading →

As we publish this edition of HETI Horizons, the world is in the midst of a global pandemic from COVID-19. Many aspects of daily life have changed. Terms such as “social distancing” and “self-quarantine” have become a part of our everyday lexicon. Another thing that has changed is the proliferation of retail, food service and other deemed essential workers wearing respiratory protection while interfacing with the general public.

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More than five years after being initially proposed, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) rule entitled “Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals and Amendment to the P075 Listing for Nicotine” was published in the Federal Register on February 22, 2019 ¹ and became effective August 21, 2019. It is codified in the federal regulations under 40 CFR 266, Subpart P (Subpart P).

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