The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) focus this week is on its National Safety Stand-Down, taking place from May 7-11. National Safety Stand-Down is a voluntary event to encourage companies to talk about safety with their employees, especially about fall hazards and fall prevention. As you’ve read here before, the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry […]
Tag Archives: Chemical Safety
Are there really thousands of untested chemicals in everyday products?
If you’ve ever read a news article or blog post about chemicals, you may have come across the oft-cited claim that there are 84,000 untested chemicals in the products we use every day. Taken at face value, this figure is startling. But, if you check the facts and take a closer look, you’ll also find […]
Growing pains in implementing the new TSCA: Section 5 and its critical role in innovation
On December 14, 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will host a public stakeholder discussion on the implementation of section 5 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The section was revised by the Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act, approved by an overwhelming bipartisan majority of Congress in mid-2016. At issue in the stakeholder meeting will […]
Listening to the science on BPA from Austria
If you live in Austria, should you be concerned about exposure to bisphenol A (BPA)? Not according to the results of a new study from Austrian government researchers that was just published in the peer-reviewed scientific literature. The title of the new study (Human biomonitoring of bisphenol A exposure in an Austrian population) may not […]
Helping to keep schools safe for children
This National Education Week, I would like to express my thanks to all those who contribute to educating American students. My hat is off to teachers and school administrative staff and to the community of school employees known as “Educational Support Professionals” (ESPs) who keep our schools maintained and running on a daily basis. Case […]
Spooky and scary can be safe, too: Tips for a fun and safe Halloween
Are you ready for the tricks and treats of Halloween? We hope your All Hallows’ Eve is filled with spooks and spirits. Before you embark on your ghostly adventure let’s make sure you’re taking proper safety precautions. Fire hazards pose a significant risk on Halloween. In fact, 10,300 fires were reported in the United States […]
Setting the record straight on BPA (again)
The topic of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has been popular lately with many “experts” weighing in with their opinions on everything from the basic definition of EDCs to what to do about them. With scientific issues like this, the words attributed to Daniel Patrick Moynihan bear repeating: “everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but […]
Spray foam insulation brings ambitious sustainability goals within reach
In September, California Governor Jerry Brown signed ambitious climate change legislation that set an even higher bar than previous laws – California would now have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. This integrated plan to address climate change includes doubling energy efficiency savings at existing buildings. Along with other […]
