The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hopes to soon publish final rules that will modify the Hazard Communication Standard to conform with the United Nations' (UN) Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). These changes will impact virtually all employers and chemical manufacturers. The proposed modifications to the standard include revised criteria for classification of chemical hazards; revised labeling provisions that include requirements for use of standardized signal words, pictograms, hazard statements, and precautionary statements; a specified format for safety data sheets; and related revisions to definitions of terms used in the standard, requirements for employee training on labels and safety data sheets. Proposed rules and other relevant information is available from OSHA, here.

A November 14, 2011 press release from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported that an NIH-funded study found that repeated occupational exposure to certain chemical solvents increases the risk for Parkinson's disease.

Researchers analyzed the occupational histories of twins in which one of the pair developed the neurodegenerative disorder, and assessed that twin's likelihood of exposure to six commonly used chemicals of interest.

The researchers, led by Samuel Goldman, M.D., M.P.H. and Caroline Tanner, M.D., Ph.D. at the Parkinson's Institute in Sunnyvale, Calif., collected the histories of 99 pairs of twins in which one of the pair developed Parkinson’s and the other twin did not.

The study is available in the Nov. 14 issue of Annals of Neurology.

When the ground breaking Deneen Commission Report was published 100 years ago it provided a set of recommendations for preventing occupational illnesses in Illinois. The Deneen Commission sought to determine the extent of occupational illness in Illinois by defining and finding "poisonous occupations" and gaining access to those workplaces. It was the first effort of its kind. Dr. Alice Hamilton lead the investigation and was the principal editor of the Report.

Alice Hamilton was notable in many ways. She was the first female faculty member of the Harvard Medical School. She was a pioneer in the field of occupational medicine, toxicology and industrial hygiene. Soon after moving to Chicago Dr. Hamilton became a member and resident of the Hull House, the settlement house founded by Jane Addams. There she became interested in the problems of the community, especially occupational injuries and illnesses.

Alice Hamilton's unique story is documented in her autobiography: Exploring the Dangerous Trades. On September 21, 2002 the American Chemical Society designated the work of Alice Hamilton as a National Historic Chemical Landmark, at the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum in Chicago, Il.

On September 13, 2011 a celebration of the Deneen Report and Dr. Hamilton's work was held at the University of Illinois at Chicago, sponsored by the Illinois Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety Education and Research Center (Illinois ERC). The university campus also happens to be the site of the Jane Addams Hull House Museum. Video of speaker and panel presentations and photos of the event are available at the Illinois ERC website along with information about ongoing educational efforts. Robert Safe, of Safe Technology was honored to participate as a panel member.