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.
In The News
The National Research Council calls for a strategic approach for addressing the potential risks related to the use of engineered nanomaterials.
The use of nanomaterials in a wide range of products is expected to dramatically increase over the next few years. According to the National Academy, sales are expected to grow from $1 billion in 2009 to $3 trillion by 2015. Nanomaterials, because of their unusual characteristics, require the development of new techniques to evaluate human exposure and effects.
The report of the Committee to Develop a Research Strategy for Environmental, Health, and Safe Aspects of Engineered Nanomaterials, available here, recommends the following four research categories be addressed within five years:
identify and quantify the nanomaterials being released and the populations and environments being exposed;
understand processes that affect both potential hazards and exposure;
examine nanomaterial interactions in complex systems ranging from subcellular to ecosystems; and
support an adaptive research and knowledge infrastructure for accelerating progress and providing rapid feedback to advance research.
The study was sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council make up the National Academies. They are independent, nonprofit institutions that provide science, technology, and health policy advice under an 1863 congressional charter.
NIH says risk for Parkinson's may be linked to certain chemical solvents
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.
Alice Hamilton Centennial Celebration
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.
