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From Gary Greenberg's Occ-Env-Medicine Listserve today:
Study: PFCs lower tetanus, diphtheria immune response in kids http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/bt/plague/news/jan2512newsscan.html Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), widely used in fast-food packaging, non-stick cookware, and waterproof clothing, were associated with lowered immune responses to two childhood vaccines, according to a study today in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). ... Analysis showed that PFC exposure was associated with antibody responses lower than needed for long-term protection. Doubling of concentrations of three major PFCs was associated with a 49% lower level of serum antibodies in children at age 7 (95% confidence interval, 23%-67%). "We were surprised by the steep negative associations, which suggest that PFCs may be more toxic to the immune system than current dioxin exposures," said lead author Philippe Grandjean of the Harvard School of Public Health in a Harvard news release. PFCs have thousands of industrial uses, according to the release, and the concentrations in the children studied were similar to or slightly below levels in US women and lower than in US 3- to 5-year-olds. This is from the latest AIHA updates I receive by email:
"Charges Filed in UCLA Lab Death The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office has charged the University of California and a UCLA chemistry professor with three counts each of willfully violating occupational safety standards in connection with a 2008 fire that fatally burned a staff research assistant. As reported in the Los Angeles Times, on Dec. 29, 2008, 23-year-old Sheharbano Sangji was not wearing a protective lab coat during an experiment involving t-butyl lithium, which catches fire easily when exposed to air. Sangji was transferring the substance from one container to another when the accident occurred. She suffered severe burns and died 18 days later. UCLA and Sangji’s supervisor are accused of failing to correct unsafe work practices, failing to require adequate protective clothing and failing to provide proper safety training. In a statement, UCLA called the charges “outrageous” and said that “the facts provide absolutely no basis for the appalling allegation of criminal conduct.” The UCLA accident was one of several laboratory incidents that prompted the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) to produce a video on lab safety at academic institutions. For more information on lab safety, visit the CSB website." Unfortunately, the conditions which caused the incident are not unique to this university. Students aren't even covered by OSHA. This was an employee--a staff research assistant who would be covered by OSHA or California OSHA in this case. Illinois university employees are covered by OSHA as a state-plan state for them, but in my recent experience, some administrators do not take safety and health as seriously as they should. An institution can provide a higher level of care to those within its borders than required or even if not required. Added on 1/25/12: Cal OSHA's formal report is published on line at: http://cen.acs.org/content/dam/cen/static/pdfs/Article_Assets/90/CalOSHA-report-UCLA.pdf Heat Stress
The middle of the country is under a weather high-pressure dome which means we are in for intense heat without relief soon. In Chicago, another aspect of weather came in to play today, when fog gathered over the lake and beaches in the Chicago area because the cold lake cooled off the hot air and water droplets condensed in it. The fog caused poor visibility for the lifeguards at the beaches, so 23 of the 24 beaches were closed. Fortunately, it also cooled off the affected areas a little. If you can, stay indoors in cooled air and make sure you drink enough water and clear fluid to replace perspiration and usual metabolism. (Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugary drinks as they won’t help.) If you have to go outside, wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing made of natural fabric such as cotton or linen to reflect the sun. Performance wicking fabrics may also be an option if they work for you. Again, drink lots of clear fluid as previously recommended. Sunscreen, big sunglasses, and wide-brimmed hats to shade your head, face, ears and neck are also appropriate fashion in this sweltering weather. Work-rest regimens need to be considered in this weather to prevent heat stress and heat stroke. Avoid strenuous activities in the hottest part of the day and take frequent breaks. If you feel dizzy, nauseous, fatigue, excessive sweating, headache, stop what you are doing and cool down immediately as fast as you can. Heat Rash--Body powder can help absorb perspiration and prevent heat rash and chafing. Ken's right. Even clean water in the wrong places can cause trouble. If you have clean water flooding your basement or living areas--maybe a water leak from the upper floor, time is of the essence. Dry it up within 24-48 hours to limit mold growth. Some of these websites mentioned in my first blog address cleaning it up.
I had focused on the combined sewer issue since I personally went through it and learned the hard way about inspections and what they do not cover! Tip--a plumber told me that the wax ring beneath a toilet is supposed to be replaced about every 7 years so it doesn't leak. Disaster Management--Flooding
Spring is flood season. Those of you native to sea level have likely experienced flooding. From the east coast of the United States to the Midwest, rivers which led to early settlement of these areas overrun their banks after heavy spring rains. Western states may flood from snow melt and rain. "Developing" land doesn't stop nature from doing what it has always done. In fact, putting buildings, roads, parking lots and mown grass lawns on wetlands and prairie which normally absorb water makes flooding worse. This is why permits are now required before large projects are started in areas which are crucial to flood control. Many metropolitan areas such as Chicago and its suburbs have combination sewage/storm water systems. These are no longer allowed by the US EPA, but older communities are grandfathered in since it is expensive to separate storm water from sewer water once the combo sewer system is already in place. Storm water is essentially clean water while sewer water is from toilet flushing and household use. When heavy rains come, the storm water collects in sewers and overwhelms their capacity, sometimes pushing back into the co-sewer lines from the street into your home. In order to prevent this unsanitary flow from entering your house, have the exterior system checked, especially the lateral from your property to the main in the street. Sometimes sewer lines are not pitched correctly or are blocked. A blockage can be from tree roots in cracked clay lines, broken sewer lines, dips or "bellying" in the sewer pipes etc. Sewer systems are not inspected as part of the home inspection when buying a house (at least in IL), so it is highly desirable to have a sewer expert videotape the sewer lines to determine their condition prior to finalizing purchase. Repairing or replacing them can cost many thousands of dollars and headache if you get sewer/stormwater flooding. Check the URL's below for more flood prevention and clean up advice: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm http://www.epa.gov/naturalevents/flooding.html http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/hazards/flooding.shtml http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/ These resources are provided as a courtesy to readers to help protect themselves and their property. Check all information for applicability and accuracy prior to use. Also, look into disaster preparedness tips for items to keep on hand in case of emergency--bottled water, flashlights, canned food, etc. http://www.ready.gov/america/index.html for emergency preparedness tips. Giles Occupational Safety & Health, LLC makes no claims as to accuracy of the websites and their content. As most of the country is prone to flooding, one should know what to do ahead of time to prevent damage and how to address the aftermath of flooding. Please keep in mind that nothing is perfect, especially when dealing with natural disasters and living organisms. All risk cannot be eliminated. Carol A. Giles, MPH, CIH Member/Owner Giles Occupational Safety & Health, LLC Copyright 2011 Use with credit |
AuthorCarol Giles is an environmental and occupational health and safety consultant in the western suburbs of Chicago, IL. She is seeking new clients. Categories
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