EH&S Newsletter

June, 1998

Susan Martin, Director
Sim Shanks, Radiation Safety Officer

Table of Contents

Radiation Safety Training Schedule

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Fume Hood Airflow Reset Saves Money

The exhaust ventilation system in The Research Building. was designed to permit fume hoods to operate at approximately 120 feet per minute. However, it has been shown that fume hoods work most effectively between 80-120 fpm. As an average, 100 fpm has been widely accepted as an industry standard. American Testing, Inc. has been contracted by GUMC to reset the NRB/ TRB fume hoods and flow alarms to 100 fpm. It is anticipated that this work will save approximately $25-30,000 / year in utility costs.

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The arrival of warm weather once again raises the issue of wearing shorts and sandals in the laboratory. Remember that adequate protective clothing must be worn whenever working in the laboratory. “Adequate” means, at a minimum, clothing that falls below the knees (i.e., a lab coat) and shoes that fully cover the feet. These, of course, are in addition to other personal protective equipment such as gloves and eyewear. EH&S suggests that you keep a spare pair of shoes and clothing (or, a lab coat) in the laboratory.

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Several placement programs (and individual Principal Investigators) at GUMC encourage individuals under 18 years of age to work in GUMC research laboratories. If a minor or graduate student will be working in your lab (only) for the summer, contact EH&S as soon as possible to schedule basic laboratory and radiation safety training .

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NFPA Postings

In accordance with Washington D.C. Fire Code, EH&S has begun posting all laboratory doors with an NFPA, National Fire Protection Association, diamond. The diamond alerts fire officials to the characteristics of the most hazardous chemicals in the laboratory. The diamond consists of a numerical rating for each of the following: health hazards, flammability hazards, reactivity hazards, and special hazards (i.e. a water reactive or an oxidizer).

In order for EH&S to post accurate information, the following requirements must be met:

A copy of the laboratory chemical inventory and Fire & Emergency Evacuation Plan must be provided to EH&S;

An emergency contact phone number must be provided; and

The laboratory MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) binder must be clearly marked and available immediately upon entering the laboratory.

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In The

"The Spring Pond Beavers." Wall Street Journal, 30 March 98. The Wall Street Journal presented the "Award for Environmental Lunacy" to the Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). The MDEQ reportedly sent a letter of warning to the owner of Spring Pond regarding two unauthorized "wood debris dams across the outlet stream of spring pond." The owner replied: "A couple of beavers are in the (State unauthorized) process of construction and maintaining two wood 'debris' dams across the outlet stream of my Spring Pond.

"Evaluation of Health-Care Worker Glove Protection During Surgery and Effects of Storage, Chemicals, Disinfectants on Glove Integrity; Availability of Funds." Federal Register: May 21, 1998 (V63, N98).
Natural latex allergies are increasing, especially among health care workers. A common substitute for latex gloves is nitrile gloves. However, additional research comparing the two materials is needed.

The CDC announced that almost $600,000 is available to fund approximately three awards. It is anticipated that the following evaluations will be funded.

The efficacy of non-latex gloves vs. natural latex gloves during human or veterinary surgery.

The effects of conditions such as chemicals, body fat, storage conditions, etc. on glove integrity will also be funded.

"15 Drugs, Dyes and Other Chemicals Newly listed as Known or likely Human Carcinogens." Report on Carcinogens, National Toxicology Program. These include: Cyclosporin, Thiotepa, Azacitidine, p-chloro-o-toluidine (and the HCl salt), Chorozotocin, Danthron, 1,6-Dinitropyrene, 1,8-Dinitropyrne, Disperse Blue, Furan, O-nitroanisole, 6-Nitrochrysene, 1-Nitropyrene, 4-Nitropyrene, 1,2,3-Trichloropropane.

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Fire Alarms Updated in Preclinical Science Building

Renovations should be complete in the fall (1998). Testing by the contractor and approval by the Fire Marshall is scheduled for early October. Testing will require each alarm to be activated. The Fire Marshall will then record noise levels in each laboratory, hallway, and office.

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The schedule for summer radiation safety training sessions will not be available until the end of July. The schedule will be distributed and posted in the near future. Or, visit our web site (http://macpost.odr.georgetown.edu/ehands/homepg.htm) around the end of July.

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The GUMC Radiation Safety Committee recently voted to suspend radioactive materials research of any Authorized User when he/she fails to respond to an EH&S Radiation Safety Lab Inspection or Authorization Renewal notice. Suspensions can also occur after failure to return a quarterly inventory.

Upon notification of suspension:

The RSO will be instructed by the committee to take custody of all of the Authorized user's radioactive materials.

RSO staff will perform a meter and wipe survey of the lab(s);

The Authorization to use Radioactive Material will be suspended for two weeks;

At the end of the suspension period, a letter including the following must be submitted.

The reason for non-compliance;

The corrective steps implemented and results achieved;

Corrective steps implemented to avoid further non-compliance;

The date when full compliance was achieved; and

A request to reinstate your Authorization.

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Did you ever wonder how this saying emerged? It may have some real history. On January 15, 1919, an unseasonably warm winter day in Boston, a bizarre calamity occurred. A 90-foot-wide, 50-foot high cast iron tank filled to the brim with molasses, was making strange sounds. Then, a loud boom was heard. The huge tank rose from its base, the steel plates groaned, and a loud 'pop-pop-pop' was heard. The tank began splitting into two, and molasses started streaming.

Large parts of the tank itself were hurled into all sorts of things; collapsing parts of the elevated trains, knocking Boston Firehouse No. 3 off it's foundation, and burying the firemen inside. Another municipal building was demolished, and at least a dozen city workers were trapped in molasses. Trolley cars were lifted off the road and smashed. Those who tried to outrun the unimaginable terror, had very little luck. Some people were knocked down, and crushed under tons of the hot liquid. Others who 'caught the wave' were tossed about like toys. A young boy struggled to stay atop the swell, managed to do so for only a few seconds, but then tumbled. A passerby grabbed the boy, but it was too late. The boy had stopped breathing, apparently drowned in the molasses.

Almost 150 people lay injured in the streets once the sticky wave had passed. Some had to be cut from their clothes. The final death toll was 21--including two victims who weren't discovered for another four days, their bodies so battered and glazed they couldn't be identified for some time.

Cleanup efforts made little progress until a fireboat began spraying salt water over the neighborhood. Residents claimed they were able to smell the sweet odor of molasses for months.

When the trial began, over 3,000 witnesses testified during 300 days of hearings. The court found United States Industrial Alcohol Company guilty. Shoddy construction and overfilling of the tank were described as the causes; along with the apparent sudden expansion of the molasses. The company was forced to pay almost $1 million in settlements. (Remember, this was 1919, in today's economy just imagine).

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The MIR space station is coming down! By sometime next year it will be brought down from its orbit to be burned up in the Earth's atmosphere. That's the plan anyway. After almost 20 years of service in the harsh environment of space, its ivory keys and leather seats will be just a fireball in the sky. Wow! Have to wait and see what really happens.

Closer to home, the Capitols are in line for the Stanley Cup. At the time this was written, only four more games and the cup could be coming to Washington D.C. for the first time. Good Luck Caps!! Have to wait and see what really happens.

Still even closer to home, the administration is making big changes in rapid succession. From benefits to education it promises to be a bumpy ride. Although Mr. Bloom proclaimed, "...this is not a democracy", I believe the administration will temper the changes given the watchfulness and involvement of the faculty, students, and the community at large. Have to wait and see what really happens.

Even closer to home, in our office we are about to acknowledge with sadness and celebration:

The retirement of our RSO, Sim Shanks. During Mr. Shanks' 12 year GU career, he changed the radiation safety program from one the Nuclear Regulatory Commission called among the "10 worst.." to an "exemplary program."

An office member will be delivering a baby.

This is all to take place before July 4. A definite and rapid change. But we still uphold our commitment and dedication to ensuring quality administration of the radiation safety program and care for all the community members under our umbrella. Have to wait and see what really happens.

Point is, things change. Hopefully for the better. But, in all cases, it takes significant effort f rom beginning to end to accomplish an acceptable goal. This means preplanning, interaction, and willingness to redirect effort when necessary. Patience is a virtue, but sometimes merely waiting to see what happens is not a good idea. Plan ahead.

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Be the first to answer any of the following questions and win the admiration of all your friends.

1. Which chemical or substance, naturally occurring or man made, can claim to be the most toxic substance known to science? (With acute toxicity as a reference. Does not include nerve gases.)
2. Which land snake carries the world's most toxic venom? (based on lethality of poison, not on capacity to deliver)
3. Ditto for spiders.
4. How many polychlorinated biphenyls are there? (molecules, congeners)
5. How do you definitively determine a safe dose for carcinogens?
6. Is pyrethrum safe for use around fish tanks? (why or why not)
7. What is thallium and describe a distinctive sign of poisoning in humans?
8. What is the pharmaceutical use of paracetamol; why is it dangerous if taken in excess?
9. Which of the following chemicals is not classified as a human carcinogen?
   methyl chloroform
   vinyl chloride
   bis(chloromethyl) ether
   

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