While grassroots movements against endocrine-disrupting chemicals like BPA heat up, so do the American Chemical Industry’s attempts to undermine those efforts.

Last week held some exciting action with supporters of chemical reform speaking out across the country. The Safer Chemical Coalition chronicled the happenings with much excitement:

* U.S. Senate held hearings on Thursday February 4 to find out what scientists know about how chemicals are affecting human health. During the hearing, witnesses from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) called for reform, to provide greater protection to families and children.

* New research was published showing that: common flame retardants can lower sperm counts, lead contributes to ADHD and human placenta cells die after exposure to BPA.

* New mom Molly Gray told Congress how, as a participant in a recent bio-monitoring study, she was shocked to find high levels of industrial chemicals in her body. See Molly’s blog on her experience here.

* The Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative (LDDI) published their thought-provoking new report called Mind, Disrupted. The report explores the question: Can toxic chemicals change how we think and who we
are?

* Healthy Child, Healthy World launched their “Wake-Up Story” video – a powerful and entertaining ‘story’ meant to jostle worried parents into taking action to protect their families from toxic chemicals. Check it out and send it to your friends who are not yet on fire about toxic chemicals-it’s an entertaining, easy-to-follow introduction to the issue (you can watch this amazing video on our side bar).

The Safer Chemical Coalition wrapped up their hope-filled update with a warning, “As the prospect of a strong bill becomes more possible, we expect the chemical industry to launch a serious offensive campaign.”

And they couldn’t have made a better prediction.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel rang the bell for round one of the counter-offensive yesterday. They uncovered details about the American Chemical Industry’s strategic lobbying effort, after which the EPA went strangely silent and not surprisingly, federal regulators delayed action on including BPA in a new effort to better regulate dangerous chemicals.

Lobbyists for the trade group presented a group of studies – most of which the industry paid for – that downplayed the risks of the chemical. They complained that the EPA’s plan to designate certain chemicals as a “chemical of concern,” prompting tougher scrutiny, will hurt their profits. And they asked the government for preferential treatment – to give them notice of any action before letting the public know.

Last fall, Lisa Jackson, head of the EPA, included BPA high on her list of chemicals needing more regulation. Now, BPA has been ousted and the EPA has decided to prioritize four other chemicals instead. I’m still blown away by the sheer power they have, even in the face of millions of Americans who are insisting on change.

In light of the situation, I don’t think we’ll see a ban on BPA at the federal level anytime this year. We’ll have to continue ramping up our local efforts to create change in our hometowns first. Several states are already making headway and have imposed BPA bans in baby bottles and cups for children ages 3 and under. Wisconsin’s ban was unanimously voted in earlier this month and the California’s Environmental Protection Agency announced plans for a ban as well.

Choosing the right industrial apparel is vital for implementing an effective personal protective equipment program that will both meet OSHA compliance standards while keeping workers safe on the job. OSHA regulates the use and selection of personal protective industrial equipment and offers a comprehensive guide for every category of hazards and numerous specific applications, with more rules being added as new hazards are identified. The government draws on numerous standards from practical experience and other safety organizations, such as the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in order to produce working rules for employer safety.

In total, these guidelines cover a wide range of topics and fill multiple volumes. This article will endeavor to briefly touch upon industrial apparel selection and usage in a general manner in order to familiarize employers and employees alike with OSHA’s main points. In the end, referring to official documents is necessary to ensure compliance.

OSHA Selection Factors For Personal Protective Industrial Equipment

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration lists six factors to consider when selecting industrial apparel and equipment for inclusion in a safety program. All industrial apparel should be evaluated on clothing configuration, components and options, sizes, ease of donning and doffing, clothing construction, accommodation of other selected ensemble equipment, comfort, and restriction of mobility. These factors are used to ensure personal protective equipment (PPE) will fit properly, will not create a hazard in itself, and will provide thorough protection. The available components and options should be weighed against an industry’s specific processes and materials.

For the chemical industry or worksites that utilize chemicals, OSHA has specific rules on industrial apparel. PPE must be chemically resistance in three ways, including permeation, degradation, and penetration of substances to the body. Choosing the right material that offers all three modes of protection requires reference to specific material safety data sheets. Always be aware of chemical interactions and combinations in the case of simultaneous exposure to multiple agents. Furthermore, industrial equipment must also be evaluated for its ability to be decontaminated. In many instances, this means that disposable safety gear is appropriate. Otherwise, chemicals need to be neutralized and clothing laundered before returning it to service.

OSHA also allows for cost considerations to be a part of the selection process. In a compromise to business, safety features should not be cost prohibitive. The exact wording of the OSHA guidelines states that, ‘Protective clothing end users must endeavor to obtain the broadest protective equipment they can buy with available resources to meet their specific application.’ It often helps to shop around with different industrial equipment suppliers to find the best deal that satisfies safety requirements.

Inspecting Industrial Apparel

All equipment must be routinely inspected for proper functioning. Each user needs to be trained in an inspection routine in order to maintain their own PPE in addition to having knowledgeable supervisors. Any of the following issues are a reason to discontinue use of a piece of PPE:

1. Degradation of the protection ensemble;
2. Perception of odors while wearing a respirator;
3. Skin irritation;
4. Unusual residues on clothing material;
5. Discomfort;
6. Resistance to breathing;
7. Fatigue due to respirator use;
8. Interference with vision or communication;
9. Restriction of movement;
10. Physiological responses such as rapid pulse, nausea, or chest pain.

Proper Industrial Equipment Usage

Of course, even the best protective gear is useless if it is not used correctly. OSHA goes to great lengths to specify proper usage. In general, all PPE should fit securely without restricting motion and should be free of abnormalities like cracks that could compromise their integrity.

What follows is a sample checklist that OSHA could use. It assumes that the user is putting on a full body chemical suit with respiration, and a second person is on hand to assist and supervise during the process. This procedure, or one like it, should be routinely practiced so workers can safely and quickly equip their protective gear.

1. Inspect all clothing and respirators before use.
2. While standing or sitting, step into the legs of the suit, ensure proper placement of the feet within the suit, then gather the suit around the waist.
3. Put on chemical-resistant safety boots over the feet of the suit.
4. Tape the leg cuff over the tops of the boots.
5. Perform negative and positive respirator face piece seal test procedures.
6. Put on long-sleeved inner gloves (similar to surgical gloves). Secure gloves to sleeves.
7. Begin to secure the suit by closing all fasteners on openings and secure all belts and/or adjustable leg, head, and waistbands.
8. Have assistant check all closures and observe the wearer for a period of time to ensure that the wearer is comfortable, psychologically stable, and that the industrial apparel is functioning properly.

This guide touches briefly on gaining an understanding of OSHA regulations and how to create an effective safety program. Do not stop here; safety is a lifelong learning pursuit.