News
EPA Identifies Alternatives to Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs)
EPA has identified eight safer alternatives to nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) in its final report on alternatives to NPEs published May 9, 2012.
Read EPA’s final report and press release.
Chicago Tribune Investigation of Flame Retardants Prompts Senator's Call for TSCA Reform
May 14, 2012 - The Safe Chemicals Act would require chemical manufacturers to prove chemicals are safe before placing them on the market. (press release)
NIOSH Publishes Health Hazard Evaluation on Tuberculosis Exposure
NIOSH released a new health hazard evaluation (HHE) report May 10, 2012 titled “Evaluation of Exposure to Tuberculosis Among Employees at a Medical Center — Arizona.” View more NIOSH HHE reports on the agency’s website.
NIOSH Field Effort: Health Hazards of Hydraulic Fracturing
In May the NIOSH Field Effort to Characterize Chemical Exposures in Oil and Gas Extraction Workers aims to identify, characterize and control workplace chemical exposures through partnerships within the oil and gas extraction industry. View the full presentation on the Institute of Medicine website.
OSHA Launches Summer Campaign for Heat Illness Prevention
On Monday, May 7, 2012 - OSHA announced a new national outreach initiative to raise awareness about hot weather hazards facing outdoor workers.
NIOSH Publishes Health Hazard Evaluation on Campylobacter Infection and Exposure
NIOSH released a new health hazard evaluation (HHE) report for April 2012 titled “Campylobacter Infection and Exposures Among Employees at a Poultry Processing Plant — Virginia.”
OSHA, NIOSH Launch Fall Prevention Awareness Campaign
April 26, 2012 - A new fall prevention awareness campaign led by OSHA will provide employers and workers with information and educational materials about preventing fatal falls in the construction industry. OSHA’s press release.
OSHA Issues Alert about Defective Self-rescuer Respirators
OSHA issued an alert on April 26 to employers and workers using CSE Corporation's SR-100 Self-Contained Self-Rescuer (SCSR) respirators.
NIOSH and MSHA announced an “orderly phase-out” of the respirators.
MSHA’s plan requires that the phase-out of all respirators be completed by Dec. 31, 2013.
Researchers Develop New Personal Exposure Monitoring Technology
A team of researchers has developed new personal exposure monitoring technology that allows scientists to calculate how much pollution enters the respiratory system in real time. RTI press release, For more information about NIEHS, visit the agency website.
GAO Finds "Multiple Challenges" Lengthen OSHA Standard Setting
The report focuses on the challenges that OSHA faces in developing and issuing standards to regulate workplace health and safety. Read the full report on GAO’s website, and find more details in the press release.
California Study Uncovers Toxic Chemicals in Nail Products
Last week, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) released a study that showed some nail care products sold in Northern California contain toxic chemicals, and are labeled otherwise.
EPA Proposes Requiring Electronic Reporting of Chemical Information
NIOSH released a new health hazard evaluation (HHE) report on Monday titled "Chemotherapy Drug Evaluation at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital – Michigan."
EPA Proposes Requiring Electronic Reporting of Chemical Information
A new rule proposed by EPA would require electronic reporting rather than paper-based reporting for various actions under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). For more details on this proposed rule, visit EPA's website or read the press release
OSHA Launches National Emphasis Program for Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
OSHA has announced a new national emphasis program (NEP) for nursing and residential care facilities, which the agency hopes will reduce occupational injury and illness associated with hazards in the medical industry. OSHA press release,
Pledge to drive cell free this Distracted Driving Awareness Month
To mark Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Council will launch the campaign, "How many will it take?" to raise awareness of the thousands who die needlessly each year because people continue to use their cell phones while driving. NSC will be encouraging drivers throughout the month to take a pledge to drive cell free to reduce this rising trend. Visit distracteddriving.nsc.org for more information.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) U.S. Fire Administration (USFA)
On March 14, 2012 FEMA/USFA issued the report, Civilian Fire Fatalities in Residential Buildings (2008-2010) (PDF, 916 Kb), was developed by USFA’s National Fire Data Center and is based on 2008 to 2010 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS).
EPA Announces Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) 2012 Work Plan Chemicals
March 7, 2012 – EPA has posted its Work Plan identidying 83 chemicals for risk assessment under the TSCA. The agency has slso released the Existing Chemicals Program Stragety.
Study Links Heavy Exposure to Diesel Exhaust to Lung Cancer Death in Miners
March 7, 2012 – Results from the landmark Diesel Exhaust in Miners Study led by researchers from NIOSH and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) show that heavy exposure to diesel exhaust increased risk of death from lung cancer in miners.
EMPG Provides Valuable Returns on Investment to local Commuitites
March 5, 2012 (Falls Church, Va.) – The U. S. Council of the International Association of Emergency Managers today released its fifth annual look at what the Federal government gets in return for its investment in local emergency management through the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG).
OSHA's Revised Acetylene Standard Will Take Effect March 5
Acetylene Standard for general industry is effective March 5. Revised standard replaces a reference to an outdated consensus standard with an updated reference from the Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet G-1-2009, Acetylene. The update will provide employers with guidance that reflects current industry practices to better protect their workers from injury or death. In a Dec. 5 Federal Register notice, OSHA announced the direct final rule would go into effect after three months, barring any significant adverse comments on the rule.