EPA’s asbestos risk evaluation faces litigation The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization continued its challenge of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, filing a petition for review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and an intent to sue notice under the Toxic Substances Control Act. The petition for review is aimed at the EPA’s Final Risk Evaluation for Asbestos from earlier…
The EPA has announced that it is reviewing actions issued under the previous Administration and will take any needed steps to ensure that they protect human health and the environment. The announcement included an update on chemical safety actions that have immediate or near-term effective dates or other steps associated with them. According to the announcement, these actions, along with…
The EU’s REACH chemicals regulations offers health benefits that are four times greater than the costs, according to new analysis by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The monetized health benefits of REACH from restricting the manufacture and use of chemicals that pose a risk to EU citizens amount to €2.1 billion ($2.5 billion) annually, while the associated costs to society add up…
By Dave Johnson, Phylmar Newsletter Editor How are you talking to your workforce about the COVID-19 vaccine? Has the discussion started? And how open are you to require them to take it? It’s not an easy conversation, but one that cannot be put off, even if the slowly developing rollout continues through the summer, say business leaders and public…
Leading textile chemical firms have come together in a new alliance to develop a globally harmonized chemical ‘sustainability standard’ along with screening tools that cover hazards through to environmental and social impacts, according to Exotextile News. The new Sustainable Chemistry for the Textile Industry (SCTI) aims to “drive transformational change, inspire action and lead the textile and leather industries through…
Critics of the EPA are renewing their call for a complete ban on asbestos after the agency’s release of Part 1 of a final risk evaluation concludes that the substance – a known human carcinogen – presents an unreasonable health risk to workers under certain conditions. Used in chlor-alkali production, consumer products, coatings and compounds, plastics, roofing products, and other applications, asbestos…
“Training using technology is a trend that has been underway for years, and now COVID has been an accelerator,” explains Chris Fanning, CEO of KPA, Inc. “Moving forward EHS training will become embedded in a company’s DNA.” The technology is easy-to-use and accessible for medium-sized companies. Once companies have a more formalized EHS system, based on technology, data can be…
EU “toxic-free” vision shapes safer chemicals strategy The European Union is proposing a new vision for a “toxic-free environment” and has published a strategy for moving the EU towards that goal, according to Green Buzz. It’s likely these new policies will drive significant changes in the U.S. EU chemical restrictions have gained limited traction in U.S. federal statutes and regulations,…
Many states resist adapting worker safety rules to pandemic Most states have not issued COVID-19 requirements for workplaces, according to Stateline News. Some cite existing rules or executive orders for enforcement, but workers’ rights advocates say many states have not been aggressive about inspecting workplaces or issuing citations, despite an overwhelming number of complaints, leaving workers in danger. Twenty-nine states…
Companies disclosing their impacts through the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) sustainability reporting standards are to adhere to new and updated standards for occupational health and safety. An update of GRI 403: Occupational Health and Safety 2018 addresses reporting on occupational health and safety management, including prevention of harm and promotion of health at work. With a central focus on the…
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