Environmental, Health and Safety News

Public information is only useful if it is Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR). The Pistoia Alliance was pleased to … The post HELM is now a FAIR standard appeared first on Pistoia Alliance.
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he Government of Canada made a commitment to Canadians through Bill C-65 to help ensure that federally regulated workplaces, including Parliament Hill, are free from harassment and violence. On July 24th, 2018, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, invited Canadians to voice their opinion on the proposed regulatory framework to...
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Data Update to Facts and Figures Website and Fact Sheet   EPA has released its most recent Facts and Figures data on national municipal solid waste (MSW), which is for the year 2015. EPA published these data on its Facts and Figures about Materials, Waste and Recycling website and in a summary fact sheet,...
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PAINT.ORG – On July 24, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published in the Federal Register a notice of data availability and extension of the comment period for its May 30 proposed rule to reconsider the final Risk Management Program (RMP) amendments. The extension follows an inquiry from nonprofit EarthJustice, which questions 2017 RMP data that EPA collected from industrial...
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DOE –  today’s H2@Scale project kickoff meeting in Chicago, EERE’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Steven Chalk announced the release of a request for information (RFI) soliciting stakeholder feedback on opportunities to enable high volume production and multi-sector use of hydrogen. Hydrogen is an energy carrier and a feedstock used in industrial applications today including petroleum refining, ammonia production...
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PAINT.ORG: On July 26, the U.S. Senate approved the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill Act of 2018 by a voice vote with amendments offered by Finance Committee Chair Orrin Hatch (R-UT). The measure now returns to the U.S. House of Representatives. If the House concurs with the Senate amendments, the legislation would be cleared for the...
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Owners of 2010–2015 model-year vehicles must replace faulty emissions components SACRAMENTO – The California Air Resources Board announced today that 500,000 heavy-duty trucks manufactured by Cummins Inc. will be recalled due to excess emissions caused by defective catalysts. Cummins worked collaboratively with CARB on the voluntary recall which constitutes the largest such effort for...
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ESQUIRE: French scientists just released a study that found trace amounts of radioactive material in California wines from 2011 that are a direct result of Fukushima—in case you had a taste for some slight radiation along with those tannins. The scientists vaporized bottles of California cabernet and rosé from 2009 to 2012 and studied the ashes...
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Source: Science, 7/20/18. Humans and wildlife are continuously exposed to multiple chemicals from different sources and via different routes, both simultaneously and in sequence. Scientific evidence for heightened toxicity from such mixtures is mounting, yet regulation is lagging behind. Ensuring appropriate regulation of chemical mixture risks will require stronger legal stimuli as well as...
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) today announced the recipients of grants totaling more than $300,000 to help rural health care providers increase the number of physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses. The grants support the development of eight training sites and will help ensure access to quality health care in rural...
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Emissions down 13% since their 2004 peak while economy grew 26% Sacramento — The California Air Resources Board today announced that greenhouse gas pollution in California fell below 1990 levels for the first time since emissions peaked in 2004—an achievement roughly equal to taking 12 million cars off the road or saving 6 billion gallons...
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In the current issue of the American Journal of Public Health and via the reporting of Howard Berkes from NPR, we know the continued high rates of coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP) is rising among American coal miners. https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdfplus/10.2105/AJPH.2018.304517 https://www.npr.org/2018/07/19/630470150/black-lung-rate-hits-25-year-high-in-appalachian-coal-mining-states
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DOE – The Energy Department today announced up to $3.6 million for 4-6 projects that will focus on early-stage R&D applications in machine learning to develop technology improvements in exploration and operational improvements for geothermal resources. The rapidly advancing field of machine learning offers substantial opportunities for technology advancement and cost reduction throughout the...
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Integrating Functional Outcomes with Clinical Measures Tuesday, July 24, 2018 10:00:00 AM PDT – 11:30:00 AM PDT Join us for a special NIOSH Total Worker Health (TWH) and Center for Workers' Compensation Studies (CWCS) webinar on Tuesday, July 24, 1- 2:30 pm Eastern, in which Dr. Kathryn Mueller and Dr. T. Warner Hudson will...
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PAINT.ORG Following a review of the requirements put in place in 2016 regarding the “Improve Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses” regulation, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has taken action to correct an error that was made with regard to implementing the final rule. OSHA determined that Section 18(c)(7) of the Occupational...
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the La Crosse County Health Department today announced the first documented death from Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in the state. RMSF is rarely reported in Wisconsin and most commonly occurs in the central and southeastern regions of the United States. Most tickborne diseases transmitted in Wisconsin...
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Today is National HIV Testing Day and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is taking this opportunity to share information about medical advances that allow those diagnosed with HIV to live long, healthy, happy lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many people living with HIV who seek appropriate...
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is warning people about the dangers of synthetic cannabinoids , often called “fake weed”, “K2”, and “spice” as people continue to be hospitalized with severe bleeding after using these products which have contained rat poison. Wisconsin has seen a total of 15 cases since March of this...
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The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) are alerting Wisconsin consumers to a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Adelaide infections linked to the consumption of pre-cut melons. At this time, no cases have been identified in Wisconsin residents, but the recalled products were sold at locations...
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), and local health departments are working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Mbandaka infections linked to the consumption of Kellogg’s Honey...
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When it comes to blockchain technology in R&D, clearly: “It’s All About The Data Sharing”!  This is the main conclusion … The post “It’s All About The Data Sharing!” Pistoia Alliance’s “Blockchain in Life Sciences R&D” Project Idea Assessment Completes appeared first on Pistoia Alliance.
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A collection of answers to frequently asked questions about the Pistoia Alliance President’s Startup Challenge 2016. The post President’s Startup Challenge 2018 FAQs appeared first on Pistoia Alliance.
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These are the complete official rules, or terms and conditions (Ts&Cs), for the President’s Startup Challenge 2016. The post President’s Startup Challenge 2018 Rules appeared first on Pistoia Alliance.
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The Unified Data Model team is delighted to announce the first release of the now-open UDM file format specification which … The post Pistoia Alliance’s UDM team release first file format specification for chemical reaction information exhange appeared first on Pistoia Alliance.
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Pistoia Alliance Centre of Excellence for AI in Life Sciences: Workshop Tues 9 Oct 2018 Call for Workshop presentations & … The post Pistoia Alliance Centre of Excellence for AI in Life Sciences: Workshop Oct 2018 – call for presentations appeared first on Pistoia Alliance.
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This chemical inventory is OSHA’s premier one-stop shop for occupational chemical information. It compiles information from several government agencies and organizations. Information available on the pages includes: Chemical identification and physical properties Exposure limits Sampling information, and Additional resources. OSHA Standards and Exposure Limits Employers must comply with a number of standards where employees...
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North Carolina-based Clear Water Manufacturing has launched a machine that can filter, fill and cap more than 300 bottles of water per one-hour cycle on-site at any location, including campuses, hotels, stadiums or in retail spaces. Read on at HTTPS://WWW.BEVERAGEDAILY.COM/ARTICLE/2018/06/27/NEW-SUSTAINABLE-BEVERAGE-FILL-TECH-COULD-ELIMINATE-PLASTIC-BOTTLES 
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Source: Waste360, 6/4/18. The company recycles and processes chewing gum into compounds that can be used in the rubber and plastics industry.
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The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), the Minnesota Department of Health, and local health departments are investigating an increase of Cyclospora infections . To date, 11 ill patients in Wisconsin and three in Minnesota have reported purchasing a vegetable tray from a Wisconsin or Minnesota Kwik Trip location prior to their illness. The...
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United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Acting Deputy Under Secretary and Administrator of Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services (FNS) Brandon Lipps traveled to Wisconsin today to learn more about the state’s unique approach to helping more people move from government assistance to true independence, as well as Wisconsin’s innovative approach to integrated services and...
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Life science professionals highlight technology and healthcare as collaboration priorities for ensuring successful application of AI Boston, 7th June, … The post 72% of Life Science Professionals Believe Their Industry is Behind in the Development of AI, Finds Survey from The Pistoia Alliance appeared first on Pistoia Alliance.
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Our latest Innovation in Action newsletter is available: Hear about: The launch of the Centre of Excellence of AI in … The post Innovation in Action, May 2018 appeared first on Pistoia Alliance.
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Since April 2017 the Pistoia Alliance has welcomed several companies and individuals as new members. The post More new members welcomed in 2018 appeared first on Pistoia Alliance.
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Department of Energy Selects University of Utah Site for FORGE Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that the University of Utah will receive up to $140 million in continued funding over the next five years for cutting-edge geothermal research and development. After three years of planning, site characterization, and competition, the proposed...
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Regulatory Alert: The e-Manifest User Fee Final Rule was published in the Federal Register on January 3, 2018, and is effective June 30, 2018. The new 5-part form cannot be used until June 30. As soon as EPA approves the form, it will be available for order and begin shipping. The current 6-part form...
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OSHA was one of 24 organizations to participate in the Institute for Healthcare Improvement‘s efforts to develop a national strategy for reducing hazards for healthcare workers. The agency joined the National Steering Committee for Patient Safety, which includes members from the healthcare, policy, regulatory, and advocacy communities. See OSHA’s healthcare page for resources on keeping workers safe.
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National Forklift Safety Day, sponsored by the Industrial Truck Association (ITA), will be recognized on June 12 in Washington, D.C., and workplaces nationwide. Throughout the day, forklift manufacturers will highlight the safe use of forklifts, the importance of operator training, and the need for daily equipment checks. ITA works with OSHA through an Alliance to provide training...
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General industry and maritime employers must comply with OSHA’s silica standard by June 23, except for phase-in dates for medical surveillance and for engineering controls in the oil and gas industry. Visit the silica webpage for guidance on complying with the standard, as well as information on silica sampling and analysis, health effects of silica exposure, and answers...
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By David Abel, Boston Globe Buried in the mountains of refuse at Casella’s recycling plant in Charlestown are tons of material that should have gone straight to the landfill — from tires and pots to lobster buoys and garden hoses — items that can gum up the machines and taint the byproducts ultimately sold...
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This piece from the National Geographic is very well done.  https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/06/the-journey-of-plastic-around-the-globe/
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Four people in two states have become ill The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), Minnesota Department Agriculture (MDA), and local health departments are investigating at least four cases of salmonellosis affecting three Wisconsin residents and one Minnesota resident. All four of...
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In a global economy where your suppliers can be across town or half way around the world it can be difficult to determine if those businesses are adhering to the same health and safety standards that you are. Think of the Rana Plaza tragedy in Bangladesh in 2013 when 1,129 people were killed when...
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WASHINGTON  –– Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt announced at a meeting with water sector associations that the deadline to submit letters of interest for Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans has been extended to July 31, 2018. Administrator Pruitt also sent a letter highlighting the deadline extension to governors...
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Stay up-to-date with outdoor and indoor air quality and monitoring trends. When:  Tue, Jun 5, 2018 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM CST Webinar will cover: – legislation governing air quality in the U.S. and Europe; – how the air quality compares in the two regions; – basics of the major pollutants and main industrial sources; –...
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EPA is Pleased to Announce the Selection of $3.3M in FY18 Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training (EWDJT) Funding EPA is selecting approximately $3.3  million in grant funding to 17 communities across the country to recruit, train, and place unemployed and underemployed individuals with the skills needed to secure long-term employment in the environmental...
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The EPA has released its Five-year Review of the 2012 Recreational Water Quality Criteria (RWQC), as required by the BEACH Act amendments to the Clean Water Act (CWA). The review report describes the state of the science since the release of the 2012 RWQC, related to the protection of human health in water bodies...
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