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Publication date: Available online 19 June 2013
Source:Journal of Chemical Health and Safety

Publication date: Available online 19 June 2013
Source:Journal of Chemical Health and Safety

Author(s): David Rainer

Publication date: Available online 19 June 2013
Source:Journal of Chemical Health and Safety

Author(s): Harry J. Elston

Publication date: Available online 19 June 2013
Source:Journal of Chemical Health and Safety

Author(s): John DeLaHunt

Publication date: Available online 19 June 2013
Source:Journal of Chemical Health and Safety

Author(s): William E. Luttrell

Publication date: Available online 19 June 2013
Source:Journal of Chemical Health and Safety

Author(s): Peter C. Ashbrook

Publication date: Available online 22 May 2013
Source:Journal of Chemical Health and Safety

Author(s): Aaron C. Sieloff , Derek G. Shendell , Elizabeth G. Marshall , Pamela Ohman-Strickland

Injuries have become an important indicator of safety and risks to health in the laboratory, but few studies have examined injuries among undergraduate chemistry students. Respiratory and mucous membrane irritation due to exposures were also important potential outcomes of present concern, because they were potentially related to factors such as physician-diagnosed asthma and smoking. The present study, with a cross-sectional design, implemented an anonymous online survey among a sample of students enrolled in general chemistry and first semester organic chemistry laboratory courses from a single northeastern university. Survey questions were assimilated from existing validated national surveys or developed (and approved by Institutional Review Boards) to obtain demographic information, acute injury status, respiratory irritation and mucous membrane irritation symptoms due to exposures in academic chemistry laboratories, physician-diagnosed asthma, primary active smoking, and secondary passive smoking. A Likert-scale was created to assess behavioral risk factors (BRF). A prepared recruitment email was sent to 1,704 undergraduate students enrolled in either general chemistry laboratory or organic chemistry laboratory in the winter–spring semester, 2012; 319 participants completed the online survey during the 27-day data collection period (response rate 18.7%). Two hundred and sixty-five valid records were analyzed. Prevalence of current semester injury (11%) and also current semester respiratory irritation (22%) in the winter–spring, 2012 semester were elevated. Analysis of variance models suggested gender, course of enrollment, birth year, and class standing were significantly related to BRF scores. Current semester injury and also current semester respiratory irritation during laboratory courses were not significantly related to BRF scores. Current semester respiratory irritation during laboratory courses was not significantly related to asthma after controlling for primary active and secondary passive smoking. Further applied research into undergraduate sciences laboratory safety and health evaluations are warranted.

Publication date: May–June 2013
Source:Journal of Chemical Health and Safety, Volume 20, Issue 3

Publication date: May–June 2013
Source:Journal of Chemical Health and Safety, Volume 20, Issue 3

Publication date: May–June 2013
Source:Journal of Chemical Health and Safety, Volume 20, Issue 3

Publication date: May–June 2013
Source:Journal of Chemical Health and Safety, Volume 20, Issue 3

Author(s): Bill Brewer , Andrea Antell

Over the past few years there has been a growing awareness that trace amounts of discarded pharmaceuticals are present in waterways, including surface waters, wastewater, groundwater and drinking water. Discarded drugs enter the water cycle from discharges and disposal of spent pharmaceuticals from health-care institutions, disposal of household expired and unused drugs, and excretion of partially metabolized drugs from patients. In this case study, we examined the practices and procedures implemented by a major University Hospital to manage the collection and disposal of (1) discarded drugs subject to hazardous waste management rules and (2) certain cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs to avoid discharge into the local wastewater treatment system. Best practices suggested by US EPA and others were implemented. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of those practices to identify, capture, manage, and dispose of discarded pharmaceuticals generated throughout the hospital and recommend changes to improve certain aspects of the program.

Publication date: May–June 2013
Source:Journal of Chemical Health and Safety, Volume 20, Issue 3

Author(s): Markus E. Schaufele

What additional controls are required when adding toxic or flammable compressed gas cylinders or liquefied gases to an existing laboratory has sometimes been a perplexing one. Code officials, architects, engineers, EHS professionals, and research laboratory users may have different perspectives on the applicability of regulations and risk. This paper presents the decision making process for the installation of continuous leak detection systems to existing laboratories in business occupancy in light of current National Fire Protection Association and International Building Code requirements and future roll out of the Globally Harmonized System.

Publication date: May–June 2013
Source:Journal of Chemical Health and Safety, Volume 20, Issue 3

Author(s): Gary Spichiger , Nazia Zakir , Christina Tabor

The Office of Radiological Safety (ORS), part of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) was tasked with developing and implementing a comprehensive Laser Safety Program (LSP) for Class 3B and 4 lasers. This was the first non-ionizing radiation safety responsibility for ORS. A Laser Safety Committee (LSC) was established, a written policy and online training developed, and hazard assessments performed. The process that was followed is described, including how developing an accurate inventory of lasers, obtaining support from the Georgia Tech Administration, and meeting with Chairs of departments using lasers were all crucial to the successful development and implementation of the program.

Publication date: May–June 2013
Source:Journal of Chemical Health and Safety, Volume 20, Issue 3

Author(s): Maureen Kotlas

Institutions of higher education have been subject to regulatory requirements for radioactive materials and for certain biological materials, known as “select agents.” The requirements have been expanding and now include requirements for some chemicals as well as increased security for already regulated materials. This paper will provide information on the federal agencies that require security measures with comparisons made. The paper will conclude with suggestions for a master plan approach to developing and implementing a comprehensive security plan.

Publication date: May–June 2013
Source:Journal of Chemical Health and Safety, Volume 20, Issue 3

Author(s): Mark R. Banister

Most EH&S personnel in colleges and universities are called upon at some time to investigate complaints of building air quality: complaints of illnesses, irritation symptoms, odors and stagnant air. This presentation outlines strategies that have been helpful to the author in responding to these issues. It addresses pre-visit activities, interviewing of affected personnel, inspections of the areas in question, testing, evaluating investigation results, reporting results and identifying recommendations to alleviate the situations.

Publication date: May–June 2013
Source:Journal of Chemical Health and Safety, Volume 20, Issue 3

Publication date: May–June 2013
Source:Journal of Chemical Health and Safety, Volume 20, Issue 3

Author(s): Robert Hashimoto , Michael Hanna , Ben Fontes , Deborah Howard , Tom Boyle

Publication date: May–June 2013
Source:Journal of Chemical Health and Safety, Volume 20, Issue 3

Author(s): Tom Boyle

Publication date: May–June 2013
Source:Journal of Chemical Health and Safety, Volume 20, Issue 3

Author(s): Rob Ott , Paul Lorcheim

Publication date: May–June 2013
Source:Journal of Chemical Health and Safety, Volume 20, Issue 3

Author(s): Bethzayda Matos