FUNDAMENTALS OF INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE

SPEAK

VPPA Conference – Region II

July 2011

Ken Bickerton, CIH, CSP

PHASE Associates, LLC

Hot Topics Today Ionizing Radiation Heat Related Illnesses Global Harmonized System Chemical Exposures

Changing Exposure LimitsCarcinogen DesignationsNanotechnology Materials – Titanium dioxide

Occupational Noise Confined Spaces - Construction Bedbugs

Communicating With Your Audience Trust is Paramount Understand the Audiences’ Concerns Timely, Factual, but with Empathy Simplicity is Key It’s an Ongoing Dialog

As VPP Sites this should not be new!

Radiation from Japan

Client with Reporters Returning from JapanExtensive ScreeningContaminated Items

Japanese based Client Concerned About Raw Materials Imported from JapanTraining of EmployeesGeiger Counter Training of Select

Employees

Ionizing Radiation from Power Plants Matter transforms from unstable to stable

energy states. Radioactive materials are substances

which spontaneously emit various combinations of ionizing particles (alpha and beta) and gamma rays of ionizing radiation to become more stable.

Radioactive parent decays to a "daughter" which may also be radioactive, therefore, is also simultaneously decaying.

Ionizing Radiation from Power Plants

Ionizing Radiation from Power Plants Naturally occurring

background radiation is the main source of exposure for most people. The average dose received by all of us from background radiation is around 2.4 mSv/yr

Ionizing Radiation from Power Plants Natural occurrences in Japan leading to

radioactive contamination release from a nuclear power plantIodine with half-life of 8 daysCesium with half-life of 30 yearsStrontium with half-life of 29 years

These are beta and gamma emitters

Ionizing Radiation from Power Plants Limiting time

Dose is reduced by limiting exposure time Distance

The intensity of radiation decreases with distance from its source

Doubling the distance reduces the energy by a factor of 4

ShieldingBeta by PlexiglasGamma by Lead

BP Gulf Response - HRI News Accounts of Workers Falling Ill from

Vapor ExposureNeed to Sell News

Heat Related Illness (HRI) Was Biggest IssueMore than 1,000 Potential HRI recordedTyvek Suits, Respirators, Gloves, Heat & Humidity

Florida Hospital Discharge and Emergency Department

Data from 2005–2009Identified 2,198 cases of Occupational HRI

Changing Exposure Limits OSHA

Hexavalent Chromium ○ Used New Information Regarding Nasal

CancerSilica

○ Updating to Reflect ACGIH or NIOSH○ Weight Concentration vs. Fiber Concentration

Flavoring Chemicals○ Diacetyl and Similar Compounds

Changing Exposure Limits ACGIH – Adopted

2011Acetic anhydrideAllyl chlorideCarbon blackEthyl benzeneMaleic anhydrideMethylacrylonitrileMethyl isopropyl

ketone

ACGIH – Adopted 2011 2,4-PentanedioneSoapstone

(Documentation and    adopted TLV® withdrawn; see    Documentation for Talc)

4,4'-Thiobis(6-tert-butyl-m-cresol)

Changing Exposure Limits Notice of Intended Changes

20 ChemicalsLasers & Non-ionizing RadiationBiological Indices for Fluorine

Under Study110 Chemicals12 Biological IndicesElectromagnetic FieldsErgonomicsThermal Stress

Global Harmonized System Significant Changes to Safety and Health

PhrasesNew Information driven by Registration,

Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)

TSCA with Teeth Changes to Labeling

Flammable Liquid – 140°F Changes to MSDSs

16 Section FormatPrescribed Sequence

Carcinogens National Toxicology Program – June 6, 2011

Known Human Carcinogen○ Formaldehyde* and Aristolochic acids

Reasonably Anticipated to be a Human Carcinogen○ Captafol○ Cobalt-tungsten carbide (in powder or hard metal

form)○ Certain inhalable glass wool fibers○ o-Nitrotoluene○ Riddelliine○ Styrene

Nanotechnology Materials Have Unique Properties not Exhibited by

Bulk Quantity of Same Chemicals Health Effects are not Well Understood

Naturally Occurring as Extremely Fine Particles in Smoke and Diesel Fumes

Titanium dioxide – April 2011○ NIOSH – nano-TiO should be considered a

potential occupational carcinogen○ 2.4 mg/m3 for airborne but 0.3 mg/m3 for

nanoparticle○ Expect New and Lower Limits on Nanoparticles

Occupational Noise

Persistent, loud noise in the workplace more than doubles the risk for heart disease, Canadian researchers say – Elevated BP

OSHA’s to require Engineering Controls if Technically Feasible (Not Considering Economical) – rescinded after outcry

OSHA vs ACGIH vs DOD vs Int’l Octotoxic Chemicals

Confined Spaces General Industry 1910.146

Potentially Hazardous Atmosphere Proposed Construction Industry

Final Rule Stage – set for November 2011Isolated-Hazard Confined Space, Controlled-

Atmosphere Confined Space, Permit-Required Confined Space, and Continuous System-Permit-Required Confined Space

Testing for Hazardous Atmosphere○ Training of Monitoring Employee○ Maintenance and Calibration of Meter

Bedbugs Not Known to Transmit Disease Draw Blood from Host Health Effects

Range of Allergic Reacts Anxiety, Insomnia and Systemic Reactions

Around or Near the Areas Where People Sleep or Spend a Significant Period of Time No Socio-economic Preferences

Transported from Place to Place as People Travel

Bed Bugs

Difficult to Identify Infestation Until Significant Populations

Resistance to Pesticides has Increased Significantly over Time

Mechanical Approaches Vacuuming up the insects Heat Treating Wrapping MattressesSealing Cracks and Crevasses

Wrap Up

Need to Keep Ahead of the Rest Need to Keep Your Ears Open Know What You Know and What You

Don’t Know Know the Resources That Go To