Respiratory


Minnesota Dry Cleaning Plant Ordered to Stop Using Banned Machine

The company is subject to the dry cleaning rule of the national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants because it uses perchloroethylene in its dry cleaning process. EPA says perchloroethylene may cause serious health effects including birth defects and cancer, and it may also cause harmful environmental and ecological effects.

FDA Reviewing Preliminary Safety Information on Asthma Drug Xolair

The Food and Drug Administration recently announced that it is conducting a safety review of Xolair (omalizumab), a drug used to treat certain adults and adolescents with moderate-to-severe persistent asthma.

French Government Buying $35 Million More of Sperian’s Disposable Respirators

The company also announced it is boosting its capacity to make single-use protective masks by 60 percent. Sperian is scheduled to release its second quarter 2009 sales results on Thursday.

a lit cigarette

WHO Launches Global Noncommunicable Disease Network

Focused on prevention and control, the new network will "unite currently fragmented efforts by bringing the cancer, cardiovascular, diabetes and respiratory communities together with tobacco control, healthy diets and physical activity advocates," the agency said.

EPA to Clear Lead-Contaminated Soil along Penobscot River

The agency estimates it will take three to four months to clean the four-acre site that once held both an auto salvage shop and a gas station, situated a half mile from the center of town in a mixed residential and commercial area.

Former Owner of Largest U.S. Asbestos Mine Agrees to Address Contamination

Under the settlement, G-I will take immediate steps at the VAG Site by constructing fencing, gates, and road barriers to restrict public access; providing onsite surveillance and securing the mill buildings. The company also will monitor air emissions from the piles; conduct dust suppression, if necessary, and provide support to EPA and Vermont for future sampling and monitoring.

Ohio Furniture Maker Cited for Particulates Emissions

In addition, EPA alleges the manufacturer violated notification and recordkeeping requirements and requirements to continuously monitor emissions from its boilers.

How Many Respirators to Handle H1N1?

The American public's concern about potentially pandemic influenza A(H1N1) waned in early May as schools in some affected states reopened and Mexico appeared to have its outbreak in hand. The number of confirmed cases and countries in which they were found continued to rise steadily, however, primarily in the Americas and Europe, the World Health Organization reported.



This photograph shows signage indicating the area may have hydrogen sulfide hazards.

Oil and Gas Drilling Rig Hazards

With rigs in use in many non-traditional areas, emergency responders and company health and safety professionals must work together.

Jack Welch, keynote speaker for SHRMs 2009 annual conference

ASSE vs. SHRM: Who Wins Their June 28-July 1 Smackdown?

Going head to head in two sizzling destination cities this week are the annual conferences of the American Society of Safety Engineers (San Antonio, featuring Labor Secretary Hilda Solis) and the Society for Human Resource Management (New Orleans, featuring business titan Jack Welch).

CDC Estimates 1 Million U.S. H1N1 Flu Cases

The “ballpark figure” was given Friday by Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases in Atlanta. She said five manufacturers are working on vaccines for this strain of influenza, with clinical trials to happen this summer.

Mesothelioma in Australia May Peak in 2014

This prediction is contained in a new report the Safe Work Australia Council agreed to post at its first meeting earlier this month. The council also created a Strategic Issues Group to write the planned model OSH act.

CSB to Begin Chemical Release Reporting Rulemaking

The agency wants comments by Aug. 4 on how it should write a rule that will require accidental chemical releases to be reported to it or to the National Response Center.

OSHA Won't Add Shorter Bitrex Qualitative Fit Test

The test is "not sufficiently accurate to include among the qualitative fits tests listed in Part II of Appendix A of its Respiratory Protection Standard," the agency said in its Federal Register notice.

Baton Rouge-Based Employers Face $112,000 Fine for Asbestos-Related Charges

Three separate companies were issued willful violations for failing to provide a competent person to supervise the removal of a ceiling that contained asbestos, to provide the required respiratory equipment, and to inform workers that the worksite contained asbestos.

NY Textile Plant Cited for Potential Asphyxia, Amputation Hazards, Other Violations

"These citations encompass a cross section of fall protection, flammable, confined space, lockout, and bloodborne pathogen hazards as well as inadequate personal protective equipment and hazard communication training," said Edward Jerome, OSHA's area director in Albany, N.Y.

Beer Brewer's Barley Storage Facility Earns OSHA's Highest Approval

The Burley, Idaho-based worksite has not experienced an occupational injury or illness in the last four years, the agency said.

EPA Declares Libby Superfund Public Health Emergency

The asbestos contamination there has been known for years, and a high-profile criminal trial ended in acquittals of W.R. Grace and three individuals and a dismissal of charges on Monday against a fourth defendant.

OSHA Targets Lead Exposure in Midwestern States

This special regional emphasis program will set targeted inspections in industries or workplaces where there is a potential for lead exposure, and also will cover complaints and referrals regarding lead exposure.

U.S. Government Accountability Office logo

GAO Finds Problems in Government's Flu Readiness

A June 16 report summarizing three agencies with essential occupations that cannot be done remotely, including air traffic controllers, indicates the FAA in particular isn't ready and believes long-term use of respirators during a pandemic is impractical.

Featured

Artificial Intelligence