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Materials Science Bridges the Gap between Catastrophic Event and its Root Cause

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  • 12:58PM Jul 25, 2013
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Notable catastrophic bridge collapses in Minneapolis and Washington State have garnered public attention related to the structural integrity of many of the nation’s bridges. More cause for concern is the 2013 Report Card published by the American Society of Civil Engineers which states that one in nine bridges in the United States is structurally deficient. […]

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New ASTM Adult Jewelry Standard Treats Adults Like Children

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  • 12:51PM Jul 25, 2013
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The recently released “Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Adult Jewelry” (ASTM F2999) is surprisingly similar to ASTM F2923 which specifies requirements for Children’s Jewelry. The limits are identical for the content of paints and surface coatings for antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg), and selenium (Se). While the lead […]

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Top 3 Reasons to Watch Additive Manufacturing

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  • 12:23PM Jul 25, 2013
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If additive manufacturing (AM) has not made its way onto your “topics to watch” list, it soon should. Unlike traditional subtractive forms of manufacturing (e.g., casting, machining) that have gone through decades of regulatory fine-tuning, additive manufacturing is still in its infancy when it comes to standard development and regulatory requirements. AM describes various production […]

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Chemical Safety Improvement Act – Status and Implications

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  • 10:54AM Jul 25, 2013
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The Chemical Safety Improvement Act (CSIA) will impact toxic tort cases and pre-empt state regulations and bans, such as California’s Proposition 65 and Green Chemistry Program, if it makes its way through Congress as currently written. Introduced as a bi-partisan bill in the Senate on May 22, 2013, the CSIA (S. 1009) is an attempt […]

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Wash. State Working to Ease Burden on Small Businesses that Use Hazardous Drugs

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  • 5:54AM Jul 25, 2013
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The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries recently released Draft Model Program Templates designed to help employers create the hazardous drug control plan required by the Hazardous Drug rule, WAC 296-62-500. Earlier this year we discussed the State’s new rules for the workplace that handles hazardous drugs including chemotherapy agents. Draft Model Programs were […]

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A Strategy for Assessing Workplace Exposures to Nanomaterials

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  • 3:21PM May 21, 2013
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The exposure potential to nanomaterials is a hot topic for industry, government, health organizations and those concerned with the environment. A strategy is needed that can identify the jobs or tasks that carry the risk of potential exposure; one that can ensure that the risks to workers handling nanomaterials are being managed properly. This article […]

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Addressing Chemical Concerns with Fire Code Changes

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  • 1:20PM Apr 15, 2013
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On January 14, 2013, a bill potentially impacting residential fire safety was introduced in the State of California legislature. The proposed bill, AB127, “declares that it is in the best interest of the state to reduce the use of flame retardant chemicals from building insulation, while preserving building fire safety and encouraging healthy building practices.” […]

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The Global Supply Chain: Risky Business for Pharmaceutical Ingredients

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  • 1:17PM Apr 15, 2013
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By Crystal Morrison, Ph.D. Diversity within the global supply chain may provide competitive benefits for industry, but its complicated nature may also mask risk and liability. Recent headlines regarding adulterated pharmaceuticals have provided a sobering reminder of the importance of supply chain security and quality control. While regulatory agencies are doing what they can to […]

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What We’re Reading: April 12, 2013

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  • 1:38PM Apr 12, 2013
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Check out the latest articles, hand-picked by our experts for your reading pleasure: EPA Announces New List of Chemicals Targeted for Risk Assessment Under TSCA, Including 20 Flame Retardants A Strike against Fracking in California Analysts expect nanotech drug delivery boom despite safety concerns Scientists call for more neurotoxicity tests for PBDEs

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Hazardous Drugs and Worker Safety: Emerging Regulations

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  • 1:27PM Apr 12, 2013
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In February, California introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 1202 that would require its state Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board to promulgate a standard for hazardous drugs, which includes antineoplastic agents or “chemotherapy.” If enacted, California will become the second state to regulate hazardous drug handling in the workplace, as the state of Washington passed a […]

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