D. Ausdemore, CDC, Atlanta, GA.
Environmental management systems (EMS) are becoming common in the workplace and provide a strong foundation for business decision and operational improvements. Laboratory and research operations and facilities are unique and pose a variety of environmental factors that must be considered during the planning phase of establishing an EMS. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) executed the planning phase of their EMS, numerous laboratory- and facility-related operations were identified and incorporated into their EMS operations. During this presentation, the strategy and process will be discussed with examples of CDC’s EMS planning components. EMS planning areas that will be highlighted include discussion of key laboratory activities with associated environmental aspects, identification of legal and other requirements, and derived environmental objectives and targets. CDC was selected as the pilot program for the Department of Health and Human Services and recently was named as the 2005 White House Office of the Federal Environmental Executive’s “Closing the Circle” award for the EMS category.
C. Peart, Merck, West Point, PA.
An approach for handling pharmaceutically active biological materials was employed for research laboratories at a pharmaceutical facility. These materials are not easily classified as either traditional chemicals or traditional biologicals, and providing handling guidance can be a challenge. The definition of a biological material is provided in the context of the presentation. Biological materials include fragments and fractions from killed biological organisms. Biological materials are also defined to include polypeptides and polysaccharides, for example, enzymes, monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, recombinant peptides, antigens, and antibodies. The approach includes the following elements: (1) risk assessment, (2) containment, (3) personal protective equipment, (4) work practices, and (5) hazard communication.
S. Eston, I. Tachibana, W. Iramina, A. Beltrame, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Industrial hygiene is being taught at the School of Engineering of the University of São Paulo at undergraduate, graduate, and specialization levels: at undergraduate levels in mining, petroleum and environmental courses; at graduate level for master and doctorate programs; and at the specialization level in the safety engineering and occupational hygiene courses. Since 2004, the specialization courses are offered also in the e-learning mode, with an enrollment of more than 300 students from Brazil and other countries in Central and South America, Portugal, and Africa. Laboratory practice is mandatory in traditional classroom format, which creates a problem for more than 20 students per class. Computer simulation of physical agents monitoring using flash and macromedia software was developed in 2005 and has been received enthusiastically by students. Although developed for previous training before the real laboratory, it has proved to be even more appreciated for training after the real laboratory. The virtual laboratory (LAV) features include measuring quantities only if virtual instrument is correctly operated by means of mouse commands, virtual instruments are actual size on the screen, several working places can be chosen for practice, different brands of instruments may be selected, values can be compared with limit values, and measures can be taken to improve work conditions. The virtual laboratory is now being expanded to electrical safety and chemical agents.
Y. Cho, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Yeosu City, Republic of Korea.
Toluene diisocyanate has been designated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as a possible human carcinogen and as a skin, eye, and respiratory irritant. Although workers at petrochemical laboratories that used toluene diisocyanate are exposed, assessment reactions to exposure in laboratories have not been conducted. The purpose of this study is to assess exposure to toluene diisocyanate and reduce human exposure in petrochemical laboratories that use toluene diisocyanate. OSHA methods were used to assess exposure when samples were gathered from both workers and work areas. To evaluate the performance of chemical fume hoods, tests on personnel were carried out when using chemical fume hoods and without the use of chemical fume hoods. Samples were also collected from laboratory workbenches where toluene diisocyanate testing did not take place, in order to illustrate the spread of toluene diisocyanate. Results from tests carried out on personnel showed that levels were found not only in those who worked with toluene diisocyanate, but also those who had no direct contact with it. Eight-hour tests showed that exposure to toluene diisocyanate for workers was 0.003~0.077 ppb at a lower level than the threshold limit values of toluene diisocyanate. Eight-hour time-weighted average taken in the area samples was 0.109~2.034 ppb. The highest exposure level (2.034 ppb) was taken from the area where the chemical fume hood was not in operation. These high exposure levels could cause diseases and health problems to workers. In order to reduce toluene diisocyanate exposure: (1) a laboratory chemical hygiene plan should be implemented, (2) chemical fume hoods in laboratories should be inspected properly and measured periodically, (3) workers must have a knowledge and an understanding of chemical materials and of their safe handling.
D. Larson, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA.
While performing a customer-requested assessment of an inventory of old FIDLER (field instrument for the detection of low energy radiation) probes, unexpected high levels of removable beryllium were discovered on probe windows and on surfaces throughout a calibration laboratory. Previous assumptions would not have anticipated that handling beryllium articles with some compromised integrity could contaminate a facility. Beryllium residue detected on many facility surfaces exceeded the “release limit” in 10 CFR 850, and a few locations exceeded the “housekeeping limit” that is allowed in a designated beryllium work area. The high level of beryllium contamination ignited a cascade of additional DOE requirements, well beyond those identified in 10 CFR 850, as part of DOE’s approval for allowing cleanup work to commence. These additional requirements will be discussed. Cleaning facility surfaces to meet the DOE’s release limit required multiple cleanings by two different methods that spanned 3 months with temporary loss of some of this laboratory’s calibration capabilities. Midway through this process, a management decision changed the method used for collecting wipe samples from dry to wet wipes. A comparison of side-by-side field data by each sample collection method will be presented and discussed. In previous assessments of beryllium windows, direct wipe samples had not been collected as it had been assumed that removable beryllium levels would be low and wiping the window could result in damage. Removable beryllium detected on the windows ranged from 5.4 to 512 µg/100 cm2. The consequences of presuming that a beryllium article could not result in widespread beryllium contamination and adversely impact facility operations can be a lesson learned for other sites that handle FIDLER probes.
V. Feuerstein, Reclamation, Billings, MT; K. Smit, Northern Analytical Laboratories, Inc, Billings, MT.
An industrial hygiene assessment was initiated when medical monitoring revealed elevated metals in more than 75% of a field office crew tasked with the maintenance and operation of three hydroelectric power plants. Breathing zone and high volume area air monitoring failed to locate the metals. Surface wipe, dust, water, and soil sampling identified a wide distribution of the metals on common surfaces and equipment. Skin wipe sampling was implemented on the crew, supervisors, and administrative staff. The comparison of pre-work and post-work shift skin wipe sample data revealed significant skin concentrations of several metals were acquired during work shifts. Secondary exposure from personal contamination was identified as the source of the metals exposures.
Posted May 30, 2006