In the meantime, check out our most recent blog posts.
Lead Hazards in Schools
Lead has historically been used in materials due to its useful properties. It prevents corrosion, kills mold and mildew, blocks radiation, blocks sound, brightens the color of paint, helps paint dry faster, and more. However, while lead is useful, it is now known to be hazardous to health. Exposure to lead is especially harmful for children. Lead exposure in children can lead to learning disabilities, developmental delays, and many other health problems. And since school is where most children spend much of their time, we must make sure schools are not a source of lead exposure. Unfortunately, the truth…
Infectious Disease and Species: Level Sampling For Mold in Healthcare Settings
Sampling for Mold in Healthcare Settings Mold in healthcare settings can pose significant health risks and liability issues. Along with an effective mold and moisture management program, consulting with an environmental health consultant to assist in evaluations will help achieve a safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors. This article outlines key standards and guidelines, the fundamentals of mold biology, examples of health risks of mold, sampling methods, and risk management strategies. Standards and Guidelines Effective mold management in healthcare settings begins with understanding and adhering to established standards and guidelines. Key documents include, but are not limited to:
- APIC
CAL/OSHA Lead Standards Updates: How We Got Here and Where We’re Going
2,000 years ago lead was used for piping water, minting coins, as an ingredient in cosmetics, to sweeten wines, and for many other things. Lead is malleable, durable, and abundant — all valuable properties for many products still produced today. Unfortunately, lead is also toxic to humans. The Roman architect, Vitruvius, warned about the negative health effects of lead in the first century BCE. Mining with lead, working with lead, drinking water from lead pipes — Vitruvius said all are hazardous and that clay is much preferred for potable sources of water. It took hundreds of years before those warnings…
New MSHA Silica Rule Overview
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) recently updated its standard on respirable crystalline silica (RCS) that took effect on June 17, 2024. These changes follow extensive review of testimonies and written comments from a broad range of stakeholders. Companies operating any mine (metal, non-metal or coal), quarries, sand, gravel, and other aggregate activities should know and apply the new requirements to remain in compliance with federal law. Below is a summary of the major provisions in the final rule. Key Changes under the New MSHA Silica Rule Establishes a Uniform Permissible Exposure Limit and Action Level: The rule sets…