Seven female employees of a polyacrylic coating facility in Beijing, China have been diagnosed with severe lung disease. The root cause, as described in a case report published in the European Respiratory Journal, is inhaled nanoparticles present in the polystyrene boards that the women worked with on a daily basis. All seven women were admitted […]
Nanoparticles Linked to Lung Disease in Seven Chinese Workers Read More »
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid introduced a bill to amend the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970. The bill, marked as S. 1580 and backed by Senator Edward Kennedy, seeks to expand the power of OSHA. Major changes that would result from the bill’s approval include: An expansion of OSHA protection to public
Senate Introduces Bill to Amend Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 Read More »
Overall, men are 40 percent more likely to die from cancer, according to a recent study. Additionally, men are 16 percent more likely to contract cancer in the first place. The study, which was initiated by Cancer Research UK, suggests alarmingly different expectations of cancer survival between men and women.When looking specifically at cancers that
Men Estimated to be 40 Percent More Likely to Die From Cancer Read More »
The number of Americans expected to contract cancer as a result of inhaling toxic air pollution has dropped according to recent estimates by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Based on a recent EPA report that looked at 2002 levels of air pollution, it is estimated that 36 out of every 1 million U.S. residents is
Risk of Cancer Caused by Air Pollution on the Decline Read More »
The Smithsonian is one of our nation’s most treasured museums. It is also one of the countless buildings in the country that was built with asbestos-containing materials. And though the presence of such hazardous materials has been known for more than 17 years, upper management has been accused of failing to raise awareness and follow
Smithsonian Museum Embattled With Employee Over Asbestos Exposure Read More »
The Pump Handle blog had a post the other day by David Michaels (a professor at George Washington University) questioning government efforts in occupational exposure of beryllum. Chronic Beryllium Disease is an inflammatory lung disease. OSHA regulations are based on old data which has been superceded by new findings. The Department of Energy has already
Do OSHA regulations keep up with the science? Read More »
The new year brings in establishment of a new asbestos management plan in the Australian state of Queensland. The rules was instituted in 2006, but employers were given time to meet the new code. Good news for everyone concerned with workplace safety.
New workplace asbestos rules in Queensland Read More »
The American Council on Science and Health (ACSH) released a report claiming asbestos isn’t all that bad this week. Pretty lame. ACSH is well known as a biased think tank beholden to Washington conservatives. In the words of Sourcewatch, the organization “it takes a generally apologetic stance regarding virtually every other health and environmental hazard
American Council on Science and Health doubts Read More »
Quaker Chemical settled with an insurance company and agreed to pay part of the costs “in connection with asbestos bodily injury claims” according to the Associated Press. Part of the long shake-out of the tragic asbestos legacy.
Quaker Chemical settlement Read More »
No details, but a report out of Britain about two “first degree” relatives being diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma at more or less the same time. Sad, but a too-often occurance. Asbestos is either in the home or is brought home by someone from the workplace.
Two family members with mesothelioma Read More »