EH&S Newsletter

March 1997

Susan Martin, Director
Sim Shanks, Radiation Safety Officer

Table of Contents

Repairing Lab Equipment

Collecting Trash Containing Blood or Tissue

GUMC Waste Guidelines

Cleaning Water Fountains

Eyewashes For GUMC Laboratories

New On the Web

CPSC Recalls Flammable Clothing

Home Safety Tip

IN THE NEWS (A collection of brief safety/ environmental related news articles

Communication can be a Challenge

Radiation Safety Training Schedule

Send EH&S an email message

Thanks to GU Facilities Personnel

This edition of the EH&S newsletter hopes to describe a few of the Facilities staff’s concerns with regards to working in laboratories. It is the responsibility of all laboratory staff to ensure that potential hazards are effectively explained to Facilities staff who clean or provide maintenance in the labs. Please review the activities and procedures in your lab that may impact GU Facilities staff.

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Laboratory staff should also notify Facilities staff of locations where it may not be safe to work (even if it is improbable that repair work will involve those areas).

EH&S provides annual training to Facilities staff in order to address their concerns and meet regulatory requirements. These concerns include inhaling hazardous vapors, skin contact with hazardous powders or liquids and working around radioactive materials. This training emphasizes that prior to performing work, Facilities staff should discuss safety issues with laboratory personnel.

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Housekeeping staff are required to refuse removal of suspect material. Contact EH&S or a housekeeping supervisor to resolve any misunderstandings.

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GUMC Waste Guidelines

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Once installed, eyewashes must be inspected and flushed by laboratory staff at least once per week for a minimum of 30 seconds. Weekly flushing is required by OSHA regulations to reduce microbial growth.

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Go to the Office of Dean of Research homepage at

http://macpost.odr.georgetown.edu/ and click on Environmental Health and Safety
to check out the EH&S homepage for:

· the updated Institutional Biosafety Committee protocol submission form;

· a link to safety concerns regarding peanut butter and radioactive materials;

· this edition and previous editions of the EH&S newsletter.

In the near future, we hope to have common forms used in the GU safety and health program available for downloading in both IBM and MacIntosh formats.

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Regent International is recalling women's fleece tops in polo, crew, and tunic styles. Some jackets and pants are also included in this recall. The garments have two sewn-in labels, one that reads "Jason Maxwell" and the other that reads "Made in Turkey...RN 34570." The garments were sold nationwide mainly by J.C. Penney, and other retailers, including Petrie, Jean Nicole, Stuarts, Dayton's, Hudson's, and Marshall Fields. The garments were sold from 10/96 - 01/97 for about $20 to $40.

Tomen America is recalling about 21,400 men's fleece long-sleeved henley-style pullovers with a five-button closure at the neck. The shirts have two sewn-in labels, one that reads "Fast" and the other that reads "Made in Korea...RN 57336." The fiber content of the shirts is 80% cotton/20% polyester. The garments were sold by Ross Dress For Less. The garments were sold from 7/96 - 01/97 for about $10 to $20.

This recall does not extend to other Jason Maxwell or Fast garments. For more information, consumers can call Regent International toll-free at (800) 536-1500 and Tomen America toll-free at (888) 287-2207.

For more information on CPSC recalls check out the EH&S homepage (see adjacent column) or the CPSC website: http://www.parentsplace.com/readroom/cpsc/Whats_New/

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A fire in a chemistry lab at the University of Texas (UT) began when a researcher attempted to dispose of sodium metal, a hazardous material that can ignite when exposed to water. The lab's disposal procedures called for submerging the metal in alcohol and disposing of that mixture through the sewer. A tiny amount of residual metal produced a small fire when it came into contact with water in the sink. The researcher then tried to remove a container of acetone that was in the sink. That bottle broke against the side of the sink, causing the original flame to grow instantly.

The resulting fire caused no injuries, but 40,000 square feet of the building were damaged, at an estimated cost of $300,000. In addition, many research notes and records kept in the lab were ruined. Some building occupants disregarded or did not hear the alarm and were unaware of the fire.

The Austin fire department blamed poor housekeeping of chemicals for the fire. Chemicals should not be stored around the sink.

Blast Destroys 2 Labs and Closes U. of Mass at Boston for a Day

On Thursday, March 13, 1997, an explosion destroyed two labs at the University of Massachusetts at Boston. The explosion occurred while a student was cleaning the inside of a refrigerator containing sodium amide, a chemical that reacts violently with water. Fire officials have yet to determine whether the origin of the water was from the refrigerator or the sponge. Fortunately, the student escaped serious injury. The campus however, was closed for the remainder of the day and damages were estimated to be between $200,000- $500,000.

Fire at University of Washington at Seattle

The fire, reportedly caused by a hot plate, took the fire department about 75 minutes to extinguish. One professor’s lifetime collection of insect specimens was lost.

Fire at NCI Laboratory Facility

Local news radio reports that the recent fire at an NCI lab in Fort Detrick (Frederick, MD) may have been caused by a roofing contractor. No employees were injured, but NCI technical staff are attempting to determine if the building should be repaired or demolished and rebuilt.

Brownfields Law Clears Way to Recycle Property."

"Washington Times, 3 March 97. The March 3, 1997 issue of the Washington Times featured and article discussing the proposed brownfields legislation recently signed by Maryland Gov. Parris N. Glendening. This article discussed how the bill was viewed: "Not only is this an environmental bill, but... it's an economic- incentive-and-jobs bill."

Brownfields are sites that do not meet criteria for being listed as Superfund clean up sites, but are polluted with hazardous substances. The brownfields legislation provides economic incentives to companies removing hazardous pollutants from listed properties in order to conduct business on the property.

Treadmill Testing In Maryland

Maryland legislature recently voted to make the controversial treadmill automobile emissions testing voluntary. The EPA has reportedly stated that if Maryland fails to require this test, penalties could include loss of federal highway funds, EPA seizing control of State run pollution control offices, and other penalties. Advocates of the test cite clean air mandates, while opponents cite the cost, alleged harm to vehicles and unproven benefits.

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At a Santa Fe gas station:
"We will sell gasoline to anyone in a glass container."

In a Florida maternity ward: "No children allowed."

In the offices of a loan company:
"Ask about our plans for owning your home."

In a New York medical building:
"Mental Health Prevention Center"

On a Maine shop: "Our motto is to give our customers the lowest possible prices and
workmanship."

On a display of "I love you only" Valentine cards:
"Now available in multi-packs."

In a funeral parlor: "Ask about our layaway plan."

In a clothing store:
"Wonderful bargains for men with 16 and 17 necks."

In a Tacoma, Washington men's clothing store:
"15 men's wool suits, $10. They won't last an hour!"

On a shopping mall marquee:
"Archery Tournament -- Ears pierced"

Outside a country shop: "We buy junk and sell antiques."

In the window of an Oregon store: "Why go elsewhere and be cheated when you can come
here?"

In a Maine restaurant: "Open 7 days/ week and weekends."

On a radiator repair garage: "Best place to take a leak."

On a roller coaster: "Watch your head."

On a Tennessee highway:
"When this sign is under water, this road is impassable."

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Or email a message to: thompsonp@odrge.odr.georgetown.edu