The agency's recent residual risk assessment found that after application of the MACT standards the chronic cancer risks are below 1-in-1 million, and no further cancer risk reduction is required. The analysis also found that non-cancer and acute risks to humans, as well as ecological risks from these facilities are low and that no further controls are warranted.
NIOSH has engaged The National Academies' Institute of Medicine to review the draft NIOSH Current Intelligence Bulletin: "Asbestos Fibers and other Elongated Mineral Particles: State of the Science and Roadmap for Research."
While LEED and healthy building design were initially focused on commercial environments, there has been rapid growth extending to educational, healthcare and residential environments.
Covering material handling, reconstruction exposures, and wellness programs, the publications illuminate industrial hygienists' many roles.
Detailed particulate analysis of the smoke produced by previous California wild fires indicates that the composition posed more serious potential threats to health than is generally realized.
Interestingly, the issue of emergency preparedness and response—previously one of the public policy issues most on members' minds—was nowhere near the top of the list of concerns in the latest survey.
Installing an effective ventilation system and ensuring compressors used to supply breathing air are equipped with a high-temperature alarm or carbon monoxide alarm are among the agency's recommendations for lowering employees' risk of exposure. Using compressors that are not oil lubricated is another.
Combining efforts of materials scientists and measurement laboratories with those of biological and medical researchers, a new Internet-linked "community of interest" will exploit Web 2.0-style social networking technologies to enable creating and sharing information, as well as deliberating over technical details of in-process standards.
The great advantage of this system, according to NIST researchers, is that you don't need to expose the array to every chemical it could come in contact with in order to recognize and/or classify them.
Choosing individuals primarily from the post-World War II era, the Institute's short list of top 100 chemical engineers are categorized for their technical achievements, leadership of the profession, or pioneering work at the frontiers of technology.