Hazards

Lyon, France — The World Health Organization has reclassified firefighting as a carcinogenic profession.

Birmingham, AL — A recent study of health care workers in U.S. ERs shows masks, gloves, gowns and other personal protective equipment were highly effective at shielding them from infection during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Washington — A new law permanently restores a recently expired excise tax rate increase on coal production, which will help fund health care and other benefits for coal miners who have black lung disease.

Washington — The National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health has scheduled a virtual public meeting for Sept. 13, a day after its work group on heat injury and illness prevention is slated to convene.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency is accepting comment until Aug. 8 on a draft revised final risk evaluation that states the toxic chemical trichloroethylene, as a whole chemical substance, poses “unreasonable risk” to workers under certain conditions.

Washington — Legislation recently introduced in the House would direct NIOSH to create a national workplace training program aimed at helping employers recognize, respond to and prevent on-the-job impairment.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency is requesting public comment on a draft revised final risk evaluation that states methylene chloride, as a whole chemical substance, poses “unreasonable risk” to workers under certain conditions.

Washington — The creation of a website with heat- and health-related information is one of several measures recently taken by the Biden administration in response to extreme heat being experienced across the nation.

Gaithersburg, MD — “In many buildings, ventilation is often misunderstood or infrequently assessed,” says the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which has created an online tool designed to help determine indoor air quality.

Tumwater, WA — Health care workers should rely on their clinical recognition skills, workplace safety protocols and personal protective equipment to avoid contracting and spreading monkeypox, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries advises.