air quality compliance News
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EPA Announces Final Rule to Reduce Exposure to Ethylene Oxide in Puerto Rico and Across the Nation
Several years ago, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hosted a community meeting for residents of Salinas, Puerto Rico to share information about health risks from the chemical ethylene oxide (EtO), which was being emitted from a local contract sterilization facility. In March of this year, EPA declared a new final rule to slash emissions of EtO at nearly 90 of these commercial ...
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Pesticides and Protecting Building Occupants in Puerto Rico from Exposure Hazards
Pesticides are chemicals that are used to kill or control pests. In addition to insects and rodents, these pests can include bacteria, fungi and other organisms. With regards to pesticide use and indoor air quality, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shares information from a study that found 75% of U.S. households used at least one pesticide product indoors during the past year. ...
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Fatal Occupational Injuries Report Released by BLS and EHS Resources in Puerto Rico
Last month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) published its annual National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries. This latest report covers data from 2022 and tragically shows a one-year increase in fatal work injuries of 5.7 percent. For 2022, there were 5,486 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States, an increase from the 5,190 in 2021. The fatal work injury rate was 3.7 ...
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National Radon Action Month and Testing Resources in Puerto Rico
Radon is a naturally occurring cancer-causing radioactive gas that can be found in underlying soil, rock and groundwater. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) believes that radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers in this country, responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year. Radon gets into the air people breathe as it makes its way up from the ...
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Building Occupant and Worker Exposures to Elevated Levels of Nitrogen Dioxide in Puerto Rico
Nitrogen dioxide, along with nitric oxide, are the two most prevalent oxides of nitrogen according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Both are toxic gases with nitrogen dioxide being a highly reactive oxidant and corrosive. Nitrogen dioxide is also one of the indoor pollutants frequently listed by health authorities as a possible exposure concern in the built environment. ...
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Test Ceiling Materials for Asbestos before Beginning Renovation, Remodeling and Demolition Projects in Puerto Rico
Building renovation, remodeling and repurposing projects often involve changes to ceiling materials. This may include removing popcorn ceilings or taking down ceiling tiles, insulation or other actions that involve disturbing existing building materials. Before beginning this type of project, there are some important safety issues to address that involve ceiling materials. One that should not ...
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Global Asbestos Awareness Week and Protecting Building Occupants and Workers in Puerto Rico from Exposure Risks
The 20th Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW) takes place this week from April 1st through the 7th. The annual event is meant to raise public awareness of asbestos hazards and diseases that continue to impact people around the globe, and promote ways to prevent exposure to deadly asbestos fibers. Asbestos is a generic name given to six fibrous minerals that have been used in commercial ...
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New Safety Standards to Protect Communities in Puerto Rico and Nationwide from Chemical Accidents
Earlier this month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced finalized amendments to the Risk Management Program (RMP) to further protect communities from chemical accidents, especially those located near facilities in industry sectors with high accident rates. The Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention Rule includes EPA’s most protective safety provisions for ...
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New Lower Screening Levels for Lead in Contaminated Soil and Resources to Protect Children and Families in Puerto Rico
In January, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it was lowering recommended screening levels and strengthening guidance for investigating and cleaning up lead-contaminated soil in residential areas where children live and play. As a result of the lower screening levels, EPA also declared it expects to investigate more residential properties for potential cleanup under the ...
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Legionella Experts in Puerto Rico Support Water Management and Infection Control Programs on Cruise Ships
One of the largest cruise line operators recently issued a letter to passengers that had sailed on one of their ships after learning that two prior passengers had a Legionella diagnosis. The letter was reportedly sent out of an ‘abundance of caution’ as the two individuals were not diagnosed onboard. During the time of the two illnesses, the ship in question was based in Florida with ...
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EPA Proposes All Lead Service Lines Be Replaced within Ten Years
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed strengthening its Lead and Copper Rule to require water systems across the country to replace lead service lines within a decade. EPA is also proposing additional changes to protect public health. These include lowering the lead action level and improving sampling protocols utilized by water systems. The proposed Lead and Copper ...
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Protecting Building Occupants from Ringworm and Other Pathogens in Puerto Rico
Ringworm is a skin infection that is actually caused by a fungus. It’s called “ringworm” because it can create a circular rash that is usually red and itchy. The infection goes by many names, the medical terms are “tinea” or “dermatophytosis.” The name given to the unique group of fungi that can infect keratinized tissue, such as skin, hair and nails, ...
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