Chemical

Washington — “Robust worker safety programs” that protect against exposure to the chemical substance carbon tetrachloride will be required, under an Environmental Protection Agency final rule that went into effect Jan. 17.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency will ban the use of the toxic chemical trichloroethylene and prohibit most uses of the carcinogenic chemical substance perchloroethylene, under separate final rules announced in December.

Washington — Despite precautionary safety measures put in place months earlier, a chemical plant in Conyers, GA, still experienced multiple fires and a “massive plume of potentially toxic smoke” that endangered the surrounding community, the Chemical Safety Board says.

Washington — Citing an uptick of incidents at chemical facilities over the past few winters, the Chemical Safety Board is urging refineries, chemical plants and other facilities that contain hazardous materials to prepare for freezing temperatures.

Washington — Updates to an Environmental Protection Agency tool that can be used to analyze chemicals and predict whether they have carcinogenic effects are geared toward “expanding the tool’s usability.”

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency is set to publish a final rule intended to improve the efficiency” of the agency’s chemical review process and provide better information.

Washington — The Chemical Safety Board is emphasizing the importance of thorough risk assessments and emergency preparedness as it continues to investigate a fatal release of hydrogen sulfide.

Washington — Clouds of anhydrous ammonia – which is toxic when inhaled – may not be visible “if the cloud does not condense sufficient atmospheric moisture,” the Chemical Safety Board warns.

Washington — A final, revised risk determination from the Environmental Protection Agency affirms that the potentially carcinogenic chemical substance 1,4-dioxane poses “unreasonable” risk to workers under certain conditions, including domestic manufacturing.

Washington — OSHA is accepting comments ahead of the 47th session of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.