Environmental Health and Safety - Articles - Page 90

Industrial uses and potential impact of PFAS-based fire suppressants

March 6, 2020

The airports across the United States have been using aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), the premier firefighting foam in the United States for several decades. AFFF contains per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), which are a large family of man-made fluorinated chemicals with thermal stability that enhances its ability to rapidly extinguish hazardous fires.

Colorectal cancer burden shifting to younger individuals

Half of new diagnoses are now in people 66 and younger

March 6, 2020

The burden of colorectal cancer is swiftly shifting to younger individuals as incidence increases in young adults and declines in older age groups, according to Colorectal Cancer Statistics 2020, a publication of the American Cancer Society. A sign of the shift: the median age of diagnosis has dropped from age 72 in 2001-2002 to age 66 during 2015-2016.

ACGIH® enters into Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with six Allied Industry Partners during Indoor Air Quality’s Annual Meeting & Exposition

March 6, 2020

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH®) and six of its Allied Industry Partners entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Indoor Air Quality Association’s (IAQA) Annual Meeting & Exposition in West Palm Beach, Florida. Frank Mortl III, CAE, ACGIH®’s Executive Director signed the agreement on behalf of ACGIH®.

Public health experts: Open, science-based communication key to mitigating harms of COVID-19

Statement from APHA warns against political interference

March 6, 2020

The American Public Health Association (APHA) says preparing communities in the U.S. for COVID-19 – the illness caused by coronavirus – is going to require a coordinated national response, with leadership from the top levels of government. “Attempts to silence public health officials — or manipulate public information — will only make it harder to get ahead and stay ahead of this virus."

Feds announce black lung benefits reforms

March 5, 2020

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) announced changes to the self-insurance process for coal mine operators that it says will better support the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund. The Black Lung Benefits Act requires each coal mine operator to secure the payment of its potential benefits liability by either qualifying as a self-insurer or by purchasing and maintaining a commercial insurance contract.

AIHA, other groups partner for indoor air, environmental quality

March 5, 2020

The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA®) and six other non-profit organizations, including the convening organization, Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA), announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for indoor air and environmental quality. Donald Weekes, CIH, AIHA Fellow, and member of AIHA's Technical Committee on indoor environmental quality, signed the agreement on behalf of AIHA.

Join COVE for a Complimentary Webinar

March 5, 2020

Eliminating Workplace Hazards: 4 Critical Support Mechanisms to Guide You

2 triangles: Visual literacy and effective safety controls

Doug Pontsler

March 5, 2020

A discussion in a recent workshop caused me to reflect on the relationship between our work in Visual Literacy and how it integrates with established practices defined by the Hierarchy of Controls. It is critical that through Visual Literacy we improve our ability to see the hazards that can easily disappear into the background.

For older adults, more physical activity could mean longer, healthier lives

March 5, 2020

Two studies demonstrate that older adults may be able to live longer, healthier lives by increasing physical activity that doesn’t have to be strenuous to be effective, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2020. The EPI Scientific Sessions, March 3-6 in Phoenix, is a premier global exchange of the latest advances in population-based cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians.

A NIOSH Science Blog post

Year of the Nurse

Megan Casey RN BSN MPH

March 3, 2020

The World Health Organization has designated 2020 the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. Nurses play a critical role in our healthcare system and in the lives of the patients they care for. The very act of caring for and serving others can place nurses at risk for many workplaces injuries and illnesses.