NIOSH News
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Identifying and Mitigating Formaldehyde Exposure Risks in the Built Environment
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen as far back as 1987. In 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) determined that formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen based on sufficient human and animal inhalation studies. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) also classifies formaldehyde as a human ...
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Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month and EHS Resources to Protect First Responders from Hazardous Substances
Each year, Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month is recognized in January. Both the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) report that cancer is a leading cause of death among firefighters. The agencies also state that research suggests firefighters are at a higher risk of certain types of cancers when compared to the general population. ...
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Property Damage and Occupational Health Hazards Caused by Wildfire Smoke
Smoke from countless wildfires in Canada have blanketed communities from New York City to Charlotte with unhealthy air this summer. During one day alone, over 125 million people in the region were under an air quality alert and the air quality in New York City registered as the worst in the world. A New York Air Quality Health Advisory about the wildfire smoke warned: Exposure can cause ...
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Protecting Outdoor Workers from Exposure to Wildfire Smoke Discussed in New Online Video
The IAQ Video Network and Cochrane & Associates announced the release of their latest educational video today. Their newest production discusses wildfire smoke and protecting outdoor workers from exposure hazards. “Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of gases and particles from burning vegetation and other materials,” said Paul Cochrane, President of Cochrane & Associates ...
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Histoplasmosis and Resources to Protect Workers and Building Occupants from Infection Risks
Histoplasmosis is the name for an infection caused by a fungus known as Histoplasma capsulatum. The New York State Department of Health describes histoplasmosis as an infection that affects the lungs and may occasionally invade other parts of the body. The fungus lives in the environment, particularly in soil or other materials that contain large amounts of bird or bat droppings. The New York ...
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Protecting Workers from Occupational Exposure Risks to Carbon Disulfide and Other Chemical Hazards
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) describes carbon disulfide as a colorless liquid with an ether-like odor. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) reports that carbon disulfide evaporates at room temperature and the vapor is more than twice as heavy as air. Carbon disulfide is used in many industries as a building block in organic chemistry ...
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1,4-Dioxane and Resources to Protect Workers from Exposure Hazards
1,4-Dioxane is a colorless liquid with a sweet odor that easily dissolves in water. It is used primarily as a solvent in the manufacture of chemicals and as a laboratory reagent. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that 1,4-dioxane has been found in groundwater at sites throughout the United States and goes on to share that it does not readily biodegrade in the environment. ...
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SoundPLANmanda 1.0
SoundPLANmanda 1.0 is the new program for occupational health and safety experts to help them assess environmental hazards and map and analyze noise in workplaces. The tool provides the possibility to map and analyze harmful immissions, including noise, temperature, or air pollution.Highlights:Data Import interface for georeferenced measurement data and display it with interpolated color coded ...
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Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month and EHS Resources in Puerto Rico to Mitigate Exposure Risks to Hazardous Substances
Each year, January is recognized as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the U.S. Fire Administration both state that cancer is a leading cause of death among firefighters and that research suggests they are at a higher risk of certain types of cancers when compared to the general population. Firefighters can be exposed to ...
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New NIOSH Study Examines Work-Related COVID-19 Exposure and Resources to Protect Workers in Puerto Rico
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently announced a new study conducted by the agency. The study examined the differences in exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19 among people who worked outside of the home in non-healthcare settings. NIOSH researchers partnered with six states to collect information about workers who were diagnosed with COVID-19 between ...
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Protecting Workers in Puerto Rico from Exposure Risks to 2-Butoxyethanol and Other Chemical Hazards
2-Butoxyethanol is used in a number of industries, including as a solvent. It can be found in paint strippers, thinners and some household cleaners. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) describes the organic compound as a colorless liquid with a mild odor. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) reports it smells like ether and goes by many names. ...
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Protecting Workers from Exposure Risks to Carbon Disulfide and Other Industrial Chemicals
Carbon disulfide (CS2) is described by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as a colorless liquid with an ether-like odor. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) reports that carbon disulfide evaporates at room temperature and the vapor is more than twice as heavy as air. Occupational exposure can cause dizziness, poor sleep, headache, anxiety, ...
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Protecting Workers from Exposure Risks to 2-Butoxyethanol and Other Potential Chemical Dangers
2-Butoxyethanol is described by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as an organic compound that is a colorless liquid with a mild odor. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) reports it smells like ether and goes by various trade names. It is used in numerous industries, including as a solvent. 2-Butoxyethanol can be found in paint strippers, ...
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Portable Generators and Protecting Workers and Building Occupants from Carbon Monoxide Hazards
Businesses use portable back-up generators powered by fossil fuels to provide electricity when utility power fails or because no other source is available. These generators can help to keep a business open after a natural disaster or to power a worksite, but they can also expose people to carbon monoxide (CO) if not properly used. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that is ...
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Protecting Building Occupants, Workers and Children from Lead Hazards
Lead is a toxic metal and the dangers of exposure have been known for years. Despite this, some people are still being exposed to unsafe levels of lead in their homes, schools and in the workplace. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) notes that it does not matter if a person breathes-in, swallows or absorbs lead particles, the health effects are the same; however, ...
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Construction Projects in Occupied Buildings and Indoor Environmental Quality Concerns
At some point, almost every commercial and institutional property will undergo some type of remodeling, renovation, or construction activity during the building’s usable lifetime. In most cases, property owners and managers do not have the ability or luxury to completely or partially vacate these buildings slated for improvement projects. Construction activities in an occupied building ...
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Identifying and Mitigating Occupational Exposure Risks to Dermal and Respiratory Chemical Hazards
More than 13 million workers in the United States are potentially exposed to chemicals that can be absorbed through the skin according to estimates from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also reports that skin exposure to chemicals in the workplace is a significant problem. Dermal exposure to hazardous ...
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2-Butoxyethanol and Potential Occupational Exposure Risks Discussed in New Online Video
The IAQ Video Network and Cochrane & Associates announced the release of their latest educational video today. Their newest production discusses 2-butoxyethanol and potential exposure risks in the workplace. “2-Butoxyethanol is a colorless liquid with a mild odor that is used in a number of industries,” said Paul Cochrane, President of Cochrane and Associates and the IAQ Video ...
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Ethylene Glycol and Potential Occupational Exposure Risks
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) describes ethylene glycol as a synthetic liquid substance that absorbs water, is odorless, and has a sweet taste - although it is poisonous. Ethylene glycol is used in hydraulic brake fluids and inks used in stamp pads, ballpoint pens and print shops. It can also be found in some air-conditioning systems and geothermal heating/cooling ...
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1,4-Dioxane and Potential Occupational and Environmental Exposure Risks in Puerto Rico
1,4-Dioxane is a chemical that is used in a number of industries. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) reports it easily dissolves in water and is used primarily as a solvent in the manufacture of chemicals and as a laboratory reagent. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that 1,4-dioxane has been found in groundwater at sites throughout the United States ...
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