Formaldehyde: Is It a Problem in My Home?

This guide is intended to help you decide if you want to investigate a possible indoor formaldehyde problem that you suspect is attributable to laminate flooring

Body of Knowledge: Field Use of Direct-Reading Instruments for Detection of Gases and Vapors

AIHA and its members and volunteers worked collaboratively to develop the technical framework, known as the Body of Knowledge (BoK), that outlines the knowledge and skills a competent person should possess and be able to demonstrate when operating direct-reading instruments (DRIs) for detection of gases and vapors

White Paper: Electronic Cigarettes in the Indoor Environment

Dr. Marcham was the team leader of this project and was one of 14 members who created this white paper. Electronic-cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery-powered devices of many different configurations that deliver vaporized nicotine and other chemicals or flavorings to users, but that do not contain tobacco or require combustion. E-cigarettes have an internal, rechargeable, battery-operated heat source that converts liquid nicotine and/or flavorings into a mist or vapor that the user inhales. These devices are frequently promoted as a healthier or safer alternative to traditional cigarettes for users and bystanders. Consequently, there has been growing interest among manufacturers and others to allow e-cigarettes to be used indoors and in other settings where traditional cigarettes have previously been banned. There has, however, been conflicting and at times confusing information presented to the public regarding the public health risks and benefits associated with e-cigarettes. This white paper attempts to present the best available science on the subject today

An Analysis of Cabin Ozone Regulations

Exposure to elevated levels of ozone have been reported to be associated with complaints of discomfort such as dry mouth, eye irritation and dryness, nasal irritation coughing, and headaches. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) established regulatory requirements in 1980 to limit cabin ozone levels to no more than 0.25 parts per million (ppm) at any time or 0.1 ppm averaged over a 3-hour interval for any flight over four hours in length. The FAA also published an Advisory Circular (AC), AC 120-38, to provide guidance to air carriers on how to comply with these then new ozone regulations. Methods of compliance include the use of catalytic converters, or ozone filters, designed to remove ozone, utilizing statistical methods to prove that ozone concentrations will not exceed limits for the carrier’s route structure and flight planning to avoid areas of reported high concentrations of ozone. The calculations used to determine cabin ozone concentration from manufacturer’s filter efficiency data and ozone levels are to be based on published ozonesonde data found in the AC 120-38 or an equivalent data set. Unfortunately, the published ozonesonde data in the AC 120-38 are outdated and the AC does not point to any other data source that is acceptable to the FAA to conduct the required statistical analysis. In addition, once compliance is shown, no followup measurements are required to ensure that ozone levels remain below these required levels. Actual ozone concentrations have been measured in the aircraft by several researchers that exceed these regulatory levels. Finally, FAA ozone regulations and AC 120-38 do not address cumulative effects of ozone exposure to crewmembers over multiple flights and do not offer any protection against ozone exposure for crewmembers on non-passenger carrying flights. A revision of federal regulations to afford protection to all crewmembers, account for cumulative effects, and updated compliance methods that rely on current ozonesonde data and periodic ozone monitoring should be accomplished to ensure crewmembers are not subjected to ozone levels that could potentially result in serious health concerns

E-Cigarettes: A Hazy Hazard

• Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or e-cigs) are battery-powered devices that deliver vaporized nicotine and other substances, such as flavorings, to users without smoke or combustion. They are commonly marketed as smoking cessation tools and, as such, are promoted as being a healthier alternative to smoking. • A common misperception is that that e-cigarettes only release water vapor. In reality, though, these devices release nicotine and other chemicals in a vapor form that can expose both the user (a.k.a., the vaper), as well as those in the immediate vicinity, to those contaminants. While the health risks of e-cigarettes compared to regular cigarette smoking is greatly reduced, many toxic compounds are still present. • The rapid increase in use of electronic cigarettes has generated a potential concern for indoor air quality in that there is still limited data on potential exposures and human health risks for users, or for others through second- and third-hand exposures

OSH Certifications: Behind the Exams

• The process for developing and scoring a certification exam is complicated and uses a scientific and mathematical psychometric process to achieve defendable outcomes. • However, how much of the process is well understood by either the general public, employers or even safety and health professionals? • The information presented is intended to help the safety and health professional understand why and how a properly developed and administered certification exam shows the mark of excellence in the field of safety and health

Developing Certification Exam Questions: More Deliberate Than You May Think

For more than 40 years, the multiple-choice examination has been the standardized assessment tool used in the certification process of OSH professionals (Wright, Turnbeaugh, Weldon, et al., 2015). The use of a multiple-choice exam to award a credential, however, has been criticized by many OSH professionals. This may be primarily due to a perception that relates to their previous academic experience with multiple-choice exams and a misunderstanding of the science behind the development of such exams. The use of standardized tests clearly ensures a consistent and rapid method of scoring, but the use of such tests is legally defensible only if the test is developed through a systematic, psychometric process that objectively measures the relevant skills and knowledge of the individuals being assessed (Wright, et al., 2015). These exams are not, as many perceive, developed solely by individual certificants intending to make the test questions as hard or as trivial as possible

The Value of IAQ: A Review of the Scientific Evidence Supporting the Benefits of Investing in Better Indoor Air Quality

Other studies have examined how ventilation rates, combined with the presence of pollutant sources, can affect productivity. These studies provide evidence that increased ventilation, including increases above common guidance levels such as ASHRAE’s ventilation standards, improve occupant productivity. Increased occupant control over ventilation has also been shown to improve productivity. Higher indoor carbon dioxide (CO2) levels have been directly associated with impaired work performance and increased health symptoms. Historically, it was believed that these associations exist only because higher indoor CO2 concentrations, resulting from lower outdoor air ventilation rates, are also correlated with higher levels of other indoor-generated pollutants that directly cause the adverse effects. More recent studies, however, have found that CO2 itself, even at levels previously considered acceptable, may have adverse effects. Considering the benefits and demonstrated return on investment, building owners and operators should consider proactive methods of improving IAQ. Established strategies and guidelines are readily available to help identify and implement IAQ-related improvements. These include recognizing and addressing potential and real IAQ issues during the design, construction, renovation, and ongoing maintenance of buildings. Research has found that the benefits of IAQ improvement far outweigh the costs, with estimates of 3–6 times returns for increased ventilation, 8 times returns for increased filtration, and up to 60 times returns when all improvements and related benefits are combined. Collectively, the scientific literature demonstrates that improved workplace productivity and reduced absenteeism from improved IAQ have been shown to provide substantial financial benefits, with the benefits often greatly outweighing the associated costs

Personal Protective Equipment

This manual presents the information supervisors need for the three aspects of loss control: recognizing hazards, determining levels of acceptable risk, and controlling hazards. This chapter presents information about personal protective equipment

Hazard Communication

This manual presents the information supervisors need for the three aspects of loss control: recognizing hazards, determining levels of acceptable risk, and controlling hazards. This chapter presents information about hazard communication