Massachusetts state Rep. Frank Smizik recently introduced to the state house a bill that aims to “reduce asthma and other health threats from emissions of toxic chemicals from cleaning products used in schools, hospitals” and other public buildings.

The Healthy Cleaning Products Act relies on a list, generated by the Massachusetts Operational Services Division, of cleaning products which are deemed safe, and free of harmful chemicals. Cleaning products on the list would be substituted for those currently in use that are harmful or contain toxic chemicals.

More than 100 health, environmental and labor organizations back the bill.

More information.

CDC Publishes Environmental Infection-Control Recommendations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published new recommendations for preventing infections associated with air, water and other elements in the environment in health-care facilities.

The report covers the infection-control impact of environmental surface cleaning and disinfection strategies; recovery from water leaks and flooding; dust barriers; and airborne particle sampling and monitoring.

The report is part of a four-part guideline to be published by the CDC. View the document.

SHA Proposes Respiratory Protection Standard Revision

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently published two proposed rules to better protect workers from on-the-job respiratory hazards.

OSHA’s proposed amendments include a new fit-testing procedure and Assigned Protection Factors (APFs) to help employers and workers select the proper respirators. APFs are numbers that reflect the workplace level of respiratory protection required for workers

OSHA is seeking comments until Sept. 4, 2003.




POSTED ON: 8/1/2003