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In this latest installment of What You’re Reading, which reviews the most-viewed posts and articles appearing in Synergist publications over the previous month, we revisit the implications of the Toxic Substances Control Act, a workplace evaluation of peracetic acid exposures, the challenges of nuisance odors, and the insidious effects of imposter syndrome.

Most read in Synergist Newswire:

Debate Swirls Over Agency Oversight of Workplace Chemical Safety

This brief discussion of the EPA-vs.-OSHA dynamic in Bloomberg Law lays out the main issue. On one side, EPA, in its administration of TSCA, is producing regulatory occupational exposure limits that are sometimes orders of magnitude lower than OSHA’s; on the other, OSHA has been unable to update most of its permissible exposure limits for decades and even admits the PELs aren’t protective of worker health. On a deeper level, as we’ve seen in recent Synergist articles, many OEHS professionals have serious concerns about the ways EPA arrives at its occupational exposure values. AIHA has been working directly with the agency to address these concerns; for more information, review the resources available from AIHA’s TSCA Advisory Group.

Most read in The Synergist Weekly:

Employees of Beverage Manufacturer Show Symptoms of Peracetic Acid Exposure, Evaluation Finds

Peracetic acid is used as a disinfectant in healthcare and during water treatment, and as a sanitizer in the food industry. This article summarizes a recent NIOSH health hazard evaluation of a beverage processing plant where employees experienced symptoms consistent with peracetic acid exposure, including eye and nasal irritation, coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. The agency recommended several actions to prevent leaks of the chemical as well as ventilation improvements.

Most read in the digital Synergist:

Using Odor Science to Guide Workplace Investigations

Written by the editors of the AIHA publications Odor Thresholds for Chemicals (fourth edition) and Handbook for Investigating Odor Complaints, this article characterizes research on odor thresholds and summarizes the “four Ps” model for investigating nuisance odors (pollutants, pressures, pathways, and people). OEHS professionals investigating odor complaints typically are expected to perform sampling right away, but as the authors explain, the ephemeral nature of odors often means that sampling before identifying the source is a waste of resources.

Most read on SynergistNOW:

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is a common condition characterized by intense feelings of self-doubt. If unaddressed, imposter syndrome can lead to depression, anxiety, and other health problems. In this post, Reg Richards, an occupational health behavioral scientist, identifies factors that contribute to imposter syndrome and offers tips for managing it. At AIHA Connect 2026 in New Orleans, Richards will present an educational session on imposter syndrome and a professional development course on psychosocial risk management.

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