The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) are issuing an updated remediation protocol for homes with problem drywall. A study conducted on behalf of CPSC by Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico, finds no evidence of a safety hazard to home electrical systems. Sandia simulated long-term exposure of wiring and other electrical components to hydrogen sulfide gas, which is associated with problem drywall.
Based on this study, CPSC and HUD staff, representing the Interagency Task Force on Problem Drywall, are no longer recommending the removal of all electrical wiring in homes with problem drywall. This change in the government's protocol may reduce the cost of remediation for many homes.
After simulating more than 40 years of corrosive conditions that could exist in problem drywall homes, Sandia staff did not observe any acute or long-term electrical safety events, such as smoking or fire. Corrosion and blackening of the exposed electrical components did occur and was observed to be consistent with the characteristic corrosion reported to CPSC by thousands of consumers. Based on this study, it is the belief of the staffs of CPSC, HUD and Sandia that long-term exposure of wiring and other electrical components to hydrogen sulfide gases does not indicate a safety hazard to a home's electrical systems.
With these changes, the remediation guidance for homes with problem drywall calls for the replacement of all:
* problem drywall;
* fire safety alarm devices, including smoke and carbon monoxide alarms;
* electrical distribution components, including receptacles, switches and circuit breakers; and
* gas service piping and fire suppression sprinkler systems.
CPSC and HUD staffs are also issuing an updated identification guidance, which broadens the range of installation years of affected homes to include homes where drywall was installed as late as 2009. Importantly, the drywall installed in 2009 had been previously imported during the years 2006-2007 and does not represent any new importation of problem drywall.
The staffs of CPSC and HUD believe that following the updated identification and remediation protocols will enable homeowners to correctly identify homes containing problem drywall and comprehensively remediate those homes to address any potential health and safety issues associated with the problem drywall.
CPSC is in the final stages of completing its scientific investigation into problem drywall. For additional findings from the Interagency Drywall Task Force's investigation, visit www.DrywallResponse.gov
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Showing posts with label hazard. Show all posts
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Saturday, March 19, 2011
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Study raises concerns about outdoor second-hand smoke
Indoor smoking bans have forced smokers at bars and restaurants onto outdoor patios, but a new University of Georgia study in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that these outdoor smoking areas might be creating a new health hazard.
The study, thought to be the first to assess levels of a nicotine byproduct known as cotinine in nonsmokers exposed to second-hand smoke outdoors, found levels up to 162 percent greater than in the control group. The results appear in the November issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.
“Indoor smoking bans have helped to create more of these outdoor environments where people are exposed to secondhand smoke,” said study co-author Luke Naeher, associate professor in the UGA College of Public Health. “We know from our previous study that there are measurable airborne levels of secondhand smoke in these environments, and we know from this study that we can measure internal exposure.
“Secondhand smoke contains several known carcinogens and the current thinking is that there is no safe level of exposure,” he added. “So the levels that we are seeing are a potential public health issue.”
Athens-Clarke County, Ga., enacted an indoor smoking ban in 2005, providing Naeher and his colleagues and ideal environment for their study. The team recruited 20 non-smoking adults and placed them in one of three environments: outside bars, outside restaurants and, for the control group, outside the UGA main library. Immediately before and after the six-hour study period, the volunteers gave a saliva sample that was tested for levels of cotinine, a byproduct of nicotine and a commonly used marker of tobacco exposure.
The team found an average increase in cotinine of 162 percent for the volunteers stationed at outdoor seating and standing areas at bars, a 102 percent increase for those outside of restaurants and a 16 percent increase for the control group near the library.
Naeher acknowledges that an exposure of six-hours is greater than what an average patron would experience but said that employees can be exposed for even longer periods.
“Anyone who works in that environment—waitresses, waiters or bouncers—may be there for up to six hours or longer,” Naeher said. “Across the country, a large number of people are occupationally exposed to second-hand smoke in this way.”
Studies that measured health outcomes following indoor smoking bans have credited the bans with lowering rates of heart attacks and respiratory illness, but Naeher said that the health impacts of outdoor second-hand smoke are still unknown.
In Naeher’s study, cotinine levels in the volunteers at the bar setting saw their levels increase from an average pre-exposure level of 0.069 ng/ml (nanograms per milliliter) to an average post-exposure level of 0.182 ng/ml. The maximum value observed, however, was 0.959 ng/ml. To put that number into context, a widely cited study has determined that an average cotinine level of 0.4 ng/ml increases lung cancer deaths by 1 for every 1,000 people and increases heart disease deaths by 1 for every 100 people.
Still, the researchers caution that it’s too early to draw policy conclusions from their findings. Cotinine is a marker of exposure to tobacco, Naeher said, but is not a carcinogen. The team is currently planning a study that would measure levels of a molecule known as NNAL, which is a marker of tobacco exposure and a known carcinogen, in people exposed to second-hand smoke outdoors.
“Our study suggests that there is reason to be concerned about second-hand smoke levels outdoors,” said study co-author Gideon St. Helen, who is pursuing his Ph.D. through the university’s Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, “and our findings are an incentive for us to do further studies to see what the effects of those levels are.”
The study was funded by the Northeast (Georgia) Health District, the Athens (Georgia) Community Wellness Council and the Athens Tobacco Prevention Coalition.
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The study, thought to be the first to assess levels of a nicotine byproduct known as cotinine in nonsmokers exposed to second-hand smoke outdoors, found levels up to 162 percent greater than in the control group. The results appear in the November issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene.
“Indoor smoking bans have helped to create more of these outdoor environments where people are exposed to secondhand smoke,” said study co-author Luke Naeher, associate professor in the UGA College of Public Health. “We know from our previous study that there are measurable airborne levels of secondhand smoke in these environments, and we know from this study that we can measure internal exposure.
“Secondhand smoke contains several known carcinogens and the current thinking is that there is no safe level of exposure,” he added. “So the levels that we are seeing are a potential public health issue.”
Athens-Clarke County, Ga., enacted an indoor smoking ban in 2005, providing Naeher and his colleagues and ideal environment for their study. The team recruited 20 non-smoking adults and placed them in one of three environments: outside bars, outside restaurants and, for the control group, outside the UGA main library. Immediately before and after the six-hour study period, the volunteers gave a saliva sample that was tested for levels of cotinine, a byproduct of nicotine and a commonly used marker of tobacco exposure.
The team found an average increase in cotinine of 162 percent for the volunteers stationed at outdoor seating and standing areas at bars, a 102 percent increase for those outside of restaurants and a 16 percent increase for the control group near the library.
Naeher acknowledges that an exposure of six-hours is greater than what an average patron would experience but said that employees can be exposed for even longer periods.
“Anyone who works in that environment—waitresses, waiters or bouncers—may be there for up to six hours or longer,” Naeher said. “Across the country, a large number of people are occupationally exposed to second-hand smoke in this way.”
Studies that measured health outcomes following indoor smoking bans have credited the bans with lowering rates of heart attacks and respiratory illness, but Naeher said that the health impacts of outdoor second-hand smoke are still unknown.
In Naeher’s study, cotinine levels in the volunteers at the bar setting saw their levels increase from an average pre-exposure level of 0.069 ng/ml (nanograms per milliliter) to an average post-exposure level of 0.182 ng/ml. The maximum value observed, however, was 0.959 ng/ml. To put that number into context, a widely cited study has determined that an average cotinine level of 0.4 ng/ml increases lung cancer deaths by 1 for every 1,000 people and increases heart disease deaths by 1 for every 100 people.
Still, the researchers caution that it’s too early to draw policy conclusions from their findings. Cotinine is a marker of exposure to tobacco, Naeher said, but is not a carcinogen. The team is currently planning a study that would measure levels of a molecule known as NNAL, which is a marker of tobacco exposure and a known carcinogen, in people exposed to second-hand smoke outdoors.
“Our study suggests that there is reason to be concerned about second-hand smoke levels outdoors,” said study co-author Gideon St. Helen, who is pursuing his Ph.D. through the university’s Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, “and our findings are an incentive for us to do further studies to see what the effects of those levels are.”
The study was funded by the Northeast (Georgia) Health District, the Athens (Georgia) Community Wellness Council and the Athens Tobacco Prevention Coalition.
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Monday, November 24, 2008
New Consumer Health Guide -- 'Pass Up the Poison Plastic, The PVC-Free Guide for Your Family & Home' Released Just in Time
New Consumer Health Guide -- 'Pass Up the Poison Plastic, The PVC-Free Guide for Your Family & Home' Released Just in Time for the Holiday Shopping Season
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new guide released today just in time for the holiday shopping season empowers parents and consumers worried about toxic chemicals in toys, baby products, and the home to find safer products. Pass Up the Poison Plastic -- the PVC-Free Guide for Your Family & Home lists the most common consumer products made out of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic and suggests safer PVC-free options. PVC, also known as vinyl, is the worst plastic for our health and environment, releasing dangerous chemicals that can cause cancer. The Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ), who coordinates a national campaign to phase out PVC, released the new guide. It can be downloaded for free at www.besafenet.com/pvc.
It also includes the top ten reasons for purchasing PVC-free products, quick tips for avoiding PVC, a listing of common household products that may contain PVC, information about other toxic plastics to avoid, a cheat sheet to common plastic acronyms, information on simple actions consumers can take for safer products and a healthier environment, and more.
"We need to take personal responsibility for the health and environmental impacts of the products we purchase," said Mike Schade, co-author of the guide and PVC Campaign Coordinator for the Center for Health, Environment and Justice. "We've created this new guide to empower consumers to find safer solutions to PVC, the most toxic plastic for our health and environment. We can help build consumer consciousness and demand for safer, healthier products by purchasing PVC-free products."
PVC products often contain dangerous toxic additives such as phthalates, lead, and organotins, which can leach out and pose avoidable dangers to consumers. Many toxic toys recalled over the past few years were made out of PVC. In the summer of 2008, Congress enacted legislation to ban phthalates in children's toys, but they are still allowed in all other PVC products in the home, despite their known hazards. A number of studies have identified correlations between phthalates in PVC products and asthma in children and adults.
A number of major retailers, including Target, Sears Holdings, Wal-Mart, JCPenneys, and IKEA have enacted major policies to reduce or phase out PVC products and/or packaging.
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/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new guide released today just in time for the holiday shopping season empowers parents and consumers worried about toxic chemicals in toys, baby products, and the home to find safer products. Pass Up the Poison Plastic -- the PVC-Free Guide for Your Family & Home lists the most common consumer products made out of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic and suggests safer PVC-free options. PVC, also known as vinyl, is the worst plastic for our health and environment, releasing dangerous chemicals that can cause cancer. The Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ), who coordinates a national campaign to phase out PVC, released the new guide. It can be downloaded for free at www.besafenet.com/pvc.
It also includes the top ten reasons for purchasing PVC-free products, quick tips for avoiding PVC, a listing of common household products that may contain PVC, information about other toxic plastics to avoid, a cheat sheet to common plastic acronyms, information on simple actions consumers can take for safer products and a healthier environment, and more.
"We need to take personal responsibility for the health and environmental impacts of the products we purchase," said Mike Schade, co-author of the guide and PVC Campaign Coordinator for the Center for Health, Environment and Justice. "We've created this new guide to empower consumers to find safer solutions to PVC, the most toxic plastic for our health and environment. We can help build consumer consciousness and demand for safer, healthier products by purchasing PVC-free products."
PVC products often contain dangerous toxic additives such as phthalates, lead, and organotins, which can leach out and pose avoidable dangers to consumers. Many toxic toys recalled over the past few years were made out of PVC. In the summer of 2008, Congress enacted legislation to ban phthalates in children's toys, but they are still allowed in all other PVC products in the home, despite their known hazards. A number of studies have identified correlations between phthalates in PVC products and asthma in children and adults.
A number of major retailers, including Target, Sears Holdings, Wal-Mart, JCPenneys, and IKEA have enacted major policies to reduce or phase out PVC products and/or packaging.
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Sunday, November 23, 2008
Major Retailer Agrees to Pay $500,000 Civil Penalty for Failure to Report Hazardous Outdoor Candles
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that IKEA North America Services LLC, of Plymouth Meeting, Pa., has agreed to pay the government a $500,000 civil penalty. The penalty, which has been provisionally accepted by the Commission, settles allegations that the company failed to immediately report incidents about defective outdoor candles.
CPSC alleged that IKEA failed to report to the government in a timely manner that outdoor candles sold by the firm could unexpectedly flare up and pose fire and burn injury hazards to consumers, when they attempted to extinguish the candles by blowing them out.
IKEA sold about 133,000 six-pack sets of the outdoor candles in the United States between February 2001 and July 2005. The firm also sold an additional 1.3 million candle sets internationally. During that time, the firm received at least 32 reports worldwide of unexpected flare-ups, including fire, scorching and twelve reported injuries, including minor to serious burns. In May 2006, CPSC and IKEA announced the recall of the candles.
Federal Law requires manufacturers, distributors and retailers to report to CPSC immediately after obtaining information reasonably supporting the conclusion that a product contains a defect, which could create a substantial product hazard or create an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death.
In agreeing to settle the allegations, IKEA North America Services denies that it knowingly violated federal law.
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CPSC alleged that IKEA failed to report to the government in a timely manner that outdoor candles sold by the firm could unexpectedly flare up and pose fire and burn injury hazards to consumers, when they attempted to extinguish the candles by blowing them out.
IKEA sold about 133,000 six-pack sets of the outdoor candles in the United States between February 2001 and July 2005. The firm also sold an additional 1.3 million candle sets internationally. During that time, the firm received at least 32 reports worldwide of unexpected flare-ups, including fire, scorching and twelve reported injuries, including minor to serious burns. In May 2006, CPSC and IKEA announced the recall of the candles.
Federal Law requires manufacturers, distributors and retailers to report to CPSC immediately after obtaining information reasonably supporting the conclusion that a product contains a defect, which could create a substantial product hazard or create an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death.
In agreeing to settle the allegations, IKEA North America Services denies that it knowingly violated federal law.
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Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Nine Firms Agree To Pay More Than $350,000 in Civil Penalties For Failing To Timely Report Drawstrings In Children's Outerwear
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that nine firms have agreed to pay a total of $355,000 in civil penalties. The penalties settle allegations that the firms knowingly failed to report to the CPSC immediately, as required by federal law, that their children's hooded sweatshirts, jackets, or sweaters were sold with drawstrings at the hood and neck. These products, which the firms eventually recalled, pose a strangulation hazard that can cause death to children. The settlements have been provisionally accepted.
The firms paying the penalties are:
AJ Blue LLC, of New York City, N.Y.
A&R Knitwear Inc., of New York City, N.Y.
Cobmex Inc., of Lakewood, Calif.
Liberty Apparel Co. Inc., of New York City, N.Y.
Rebelette International Trading Corp., of South El Monte, Calif.
Scope Imports Inc., of Houston, Texas
Sears Holdings Management Corp., of Hoffman Estates, Ill.
Siegfried & Parzival Inc., of City of Industry, Calif.
Vacation Clothing Exchange Inc., d/b/a Basix USA, of Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.
In February 1996, CPSC issued drawstring guidelines (pdf) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstrings in upper outerwear, such as jackets and sweatshirts. In May 2006, CPSC's Office of Compliance announced (pdf) that children's upper outerwear with drawstrings at the hood or neck would be regarded as defective and a substantial risk of injury to young children.
Federal law requires manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to report to CPSC immediately (within 24 hours) after obtaining information reasonably supporting the conclusion that a product contains a defect which could create a substantial risk of injury to the public, presents an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, or violates a federal safety standard.
In agreeing to settle the matters, the firms deny CPSC's allegations that they knowingly violated the law.
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The firms paying the penalties are:
AJ Blue LLC, of New York City, N.Y.
A&R Knitwear Inc., of New York City, N.Y.
Cobmex Inc., of Lakewood, Calif.
Liberty Apparel Co. Inc., of New York City, N.Y.
Rebelette International Trading Corp., of South El Monte, Calif.
Scope Imports Inc., of Houston, Texas
Sears Holdings Management Corp., of Hoffman Estates, Ill.
Siegfried & Parzival Inc., of City of Industry, Calif.
Vacation Clothing Exchange Inc., d/b/a Basix USA, of Lauderdale Lakes, Fla.
In February 1996, CPSC issued drawstring guidelines (pdf) to help prevent children from strangling or getting entangled on the neck and waist drawstrings in upper outerwear, such as jackets and sweatshirts. In May 2006, CPSC's Office of Compliance announced (pdf) that children's upper outerwear with drawstrings at the hood or neck would be regarded as defective and a substantial risk of injury to young children.
Federal law requires manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to report to CPSC immediately (within 24 hours) after obtaining information reasonably supporting the conclusion that a product contains a defect which could create a substantial risk of injury to the public, presents an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, or violates a federal safety standard.
In agreeing to settle the matters, the firms deny CPSC's allegations that they knowingly violated the law.
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Friday, December 28, 2007
Tot Tower Blocks Recalled by eeBoo Corp.; Children's Toy Can PoseChoking Hazard
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product.
Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Tot Tower toy blocks
Units: About 170,000
Importer: eeBoo Corp., of New York, N.Y.
Hazard: The plastic covering on the toy blocks can detach, posing a choking hazard to children.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received two reports of the plastic covering detaching from the blocks and being mouthed by young children.
No injuries have been reported.
Description: The recalled Tot Tower blocks are sold in sets of 10 blocks ranging from 6 x 6 inches to 1.5 x 1.5 inches. The cardboard blocks are covered in a plastic laminate film. The blocks have various images and themes including Things I Know New; Garden Fairies; Hardware Store; Around the Land; Read-To-Me; Animal Sounds; Animal Alphabet; ABC; and Nursery Friends. "Tot Towers" and "eeBoo Corporation" are printed on the product's packaging.
Sold at: Specialty and gift shops nationwide from January 2003 through September 2007 for about $20.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy away from children, and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund, or contact eeBoo Corp. directly to receive a replacement toy.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact eeBoo Corp. at (800) 791-5619 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.eeboo.com
Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Tot Tower toy blocks
Units: About 170,000
Importer: eeBoo Corp., of New York, N.Y.
Hazard: The plastic covering on the toy blocks can detach, posing a choking hazard to children.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received two reports of the plastic covering detaching from the blocks and being mouthed by young children.
No injuries have been reported.
Description: The recalled Tot Tower blocks are sold in sets of 10 blocks ranging from 6 x 6 inches to 1.5 x 1.5 inches. The cardboard blocks are covered in a plastic laminate film. The blocks have various images and themes including Things I Know New; Garden Fairies; Hardware Store; Around the Land; Read-To-Me; Animal Sounds; Animal Alphabet; ABC; and Nursery Friends. "Tot Towers" and "eeBoo Corporation" are printed on the product's packaging.
Sold at: Specialty and gift shops nationwide from January 2003 through September 2007 for about $20.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy away from children, and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund, or contact eeBoo Corp. directly to receive a replacement toy.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact eeBoo Corp. at (800) 791-5619 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.eeboo.com
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