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.
Category: HETI Horizons Newsletters
Regulating Formaldehyde In Wood Products
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 →
The Need For Moisture Intrusion Plans
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 →
Exoskeletons: Is Wearable Technology Ready To Reduce Workplace Injuries
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…In The Wake Of COVID-19
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 →
Respiratory Protection
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.
Federal Pharma Waste Standards Finalized And In Force: What Healthcare Facilities Need To Know Now
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).
New EPA Rule: Is Regulating Perchlorate Necessary?
On June 26, 2019, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a draft perchlorate rule proposing a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 56 micrograms per liter (µg/L) for drinking water. Thousands of U.S. public water supply systems will experience increased administrative and monitoring costs once an MCL for perchlorate is finalized.
Beryllium: An Introduction To EHS Issues & Regulations
More precious than emeralds? A metal that is lighter than aluminum and stronger than steel, beryllium is a critical material of vital importance to a plethora of modern technologies.
While studying the chemical composition of emeralds in 1798, French chemist Louis Nicolas Vauquelin discovered the element beryllium. The metal was first isolated in 1828, revealing the interesting and useful properties of the silver-grey material. Beryllium is never found in its metallic elemental form in nature.
Workplace Wellness And Occupational Safety Programs
Workplace wellness programs in various forms have been around since about the late 1970s. Many employers view these programs as an employee “benefit”. However, successful wellness programs have been found to be a factor in identifying and preventing chronic illnesses while also promoting a culture of wellness in the workplace. The RAND report 1, one of the first comprehensive research survey studies into the effectiveness of these programs, found in 2010 that about half of U.S. employers of 50 or more employees had some sort of workplace wellness program. Most center around screening, chronic illness “intervention”, and disease prevention. Primary prevention includes “lifestyle management” (i.e., diet and exercise); secondary prevention includes chronic disease management (i.e., adherence to prescribed medications).