DuPont, 3M and other makers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) knew the chemicals caused harm but didn’t sound the alarm, according to a report published in the Annals of Global Health. Company scientists ran tests with animals and noted laboratory rats with enlarged livers and dogs that died soon after exposure. As far back […]
Emergency responders to oil and hazardous substance spills should appreciate updates to regulatory revisions announced by EPA. Manufacturers of sorbents, chemicals and biological agents, on the other hand, have some work to do to comply with Subpart J of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). This final rule goes into effect […]
Does it seem like chemical-related accidents are on the upswing? It’s not your imagination according to The Guardian, a British news outlet. “[A]ccidental releases – be they through train derailments, truck crashes, pipeline ruptures or industrial plant leaks and spills – are … occurring, on average, every two days. “The precise number of hazardous chemical […]
The East Palestine, Ohio chemical disaster is spurring a bipartisan push for better rail safety. Ohio Senators J.D. Vance (R) and Sherrod Brown (D) are proposing tougher guidelines for trains carrying hazardous materials: Bipartisan support in Congress may be there “Right now, fines don’t make a dent in the profits of big [rail] corporations,” says […]
Statistically speaking, commercial rail transport of oil, liquefied gas, chemicals and other hazardous materials is very safe. Just don’t try telling that to the residents of East Palestine, Ohio whose lives were upended by the Norfolk Southern train derailment. The results of a controlled burn of toxic chemicals in damaged rail cars and untold spillage […]
Three persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals are at the top of EPA’s list for significant restrictions, and perhaps an eventual ban on one or more. The exposure risks and long-term health effects are most serious for chemical industry workers who handle the substances. EPA and OSHA warn that chemical manufacturers, distributors and importers don’t always […]
OSHA may toughen its workplace exposure to lead standard for the first time since 1978. The safety agency proposes to lower the blood lead levels (BLLs) for medical removal and for returning to lead-exposed work for both general industry and construction. Recent medical studies show adverse health effects can occur at levels lower than OSHA’s […]
Improving safety often means changing worker behavior. And to do that successfully, there’s one question every supervisor should ask before a training session: “What do I want this safety training session to change?” Why? Because it sets up a goal for the session. Having a clear, targeted goal for each session will improve your safety […]
Believe it or not, EPA may add polyvinyl chloride (PVC) piping to its hazardous waste list! A court ruled EPA must reconsider a 2014 petition to regulate PVC, vinyl chloride and associated phthalate plasticizers under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Rulemaking would end dumping PVC in landfills Suffice to say, such a move would […]
OSHA hasn’t been able to ban substances that harm workers the most - but the EPA is making some headway. Chrysotile asbestos will soon be banned in a wide range of industrial uses under a Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) rule. EPA is calling for a manufacturing, distribution and import ban on chrysotile asbestos in: […]
