CSC EHS Newsletter: April 2022

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Environmental Newsletter

April 2022

Every day, Clark Seif Clark professionals are deployed across the nation helping both large and small customers resolve health & safety, industrial hygiene, environmental and indoor air quality issues.

At a moment's notice, Clark Seif Clark can send their experts anywhere they are needed. No matter if it's in response to a hurricane, wildfire, flood, tornado or other natural disaster, Clark Seif Clark is ready to help and can respond in no time at all.

Global Asbestos Awareness Week and Exposure Risks

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that approximately 125 million workers across the globe are exposed to asbestos in the workplace and about half the deaths from occupational cancer are likely caused by exposure to it. The agency also shares the fact that some asbestos-related deaths are also due to exposure in the home.

It has long been recognized that asbestos can cause a number of diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. To raise awareness of this preventable threat, the first week of April is recognized as Global Asbestos Awareness Week (GAAW).

“Asbestos is with us now and for the foreseeable future. So too are the hazards asbestos presents. Older buildings often contain dozens of products that contain asbestos fibers. Even buildings built today can contain asbestos,” said Derrick A. Denis, Vice President of Indoor Environmental Quality at Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “Asbestos bans are not what people think. Asbestos restrictions on consumer products and building materials are extremely limited. But, even if asbestos uses were to be completely banned tomorrow, it would not resolve the dangers posed by the existing stock of residential, commercial and institutional properties constructed with asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos in both old and new buildings poses a threat of inhalation exposure to workers and bystanders. Disease risk increase as these materials naturally deteriorate, are damaged during building use, or are disturbed by demolition or renovation activities. This is why the efforts of Global Asbestos Awareness Week are still so important.”

To help protect workers, the public, and to keep companies and institutions in regulatory compliance with asbestos regulations, Clark Seif Clark’s industrial hygiene and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) professionals provide asbestos sampling and consulting services to identify and mitigate exposure risks. CSC also recently sponsored an educational video about Global Asbestos Awareness Week that can be seen below:

To learn more about this or other building science, indoor air quality, occupational, environmental, health and safety services, please:

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Identifying and Mitigating Occupational Exposure Risks to Sulfuric Acid and Other Industrial Chemicals

Sulfuric acid is a mineral acid composed of the elements sulfur, oxygen and hydrogen. It is a corrosive substance used in many industries. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) warns it is destructive to the skin, eyes, teeth and lungs, with severe exposure potentially resulting in death.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) reports that touching sulfuric acid will burn the skin, and breathing sulfuric acid can result in tooth erosion and respiratory tract irritation. Drinking sulfuric acid can burn the mouth, throat and stomach; which can result in death. If sulfuric acid gets in the eyes, it will cause the eyes to water and burn.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that occupational exposure to strong inorganic acid mists containing sulfuric acid is carcinogenic to humans. IARC has not classified pure sulfuric acid for its carcinogenic effects. Strong Inorganic acid mists containing sulfuric acid were added to California’s Proposition 65 list back in 2003 as a chemical known to cause cancer.

Sulfuric acid is used to produce other chemicals, fertilizers, explosives and glue; to refine petroleum; to cure metal; and in lead-based car batteries. Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to sulfuric acid according to NIOSH include:

Outdoor workers who work in areas where coal, oil or gas are burned
Mechanics who handle dirty batteries
Plumbers and contractors who come in contact with toilet bowl cleaners mixed with water
Workers in publishing, printing or photography shops
Firefighters and steelworkers who are exposed to acid mists

“To protect workers from airborne exposure to sulfuric acid, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and NIOSH has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL),” said Zahid Iqbal, MPH, CIH and Technical Director at Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “At CSC, our industrial hygiene and environmental professionals are dedicated to helping companies and institutions safeguard their workers and maintain regulatory compliance. We offer testing, monitoring, consulting and training services to identify and mitigate exposure risks associated with sulfuric acid and many other hazards in the workplace."

CSC also recently sponsored an educational video about sulfuric acid and potential occupational exposure risks that can be seen below:

To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118.

About Clark Seif Clark: CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both the public and private sectors address environmental issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering making them the preferred environmental consultants to healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.