Benzene

After Maui fires, human health risks linger in the air, water and even surviving buildings

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, August 12, 2023
People, Plastic, Human, N95 respirator, Rash, Campfire, Drinking water, Atmosphere, Filter (signal processing), Wildfire, Garden, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, Nail, Lead, Fire, Research, Burn, Drinking, Marshall Fire, Wood, Vomiting, Disaster, Dizziness, Soil, Cooking, River, Risk, Asbestos, Water, Dust, Pet, Hydrocarbon, Nausea, HEPA, Health, Glass, Benzene, Lake, Personal protective equipment, Bottled water, Demolition, Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, Environmental remediation, Dredging, N95

The fires also left lingering health risks for humans and wildlife.

Key Points: 
  • The fires also left lingering health risks for humans and wildlife.
  • When fires spread through communities, as we’ve seen more often in recent years, they burn structures that contain treated wood, plastics, paints and hazardous household wastes.
  • Lahaina and other Maui communities face similar risks ahead.

Chemical hazards in fire debris

    • Less obvious are the chemical hazards that can reach well beyond the fire zone.
    • State health officials recommended that residents wear close-toed shoes, N95 respirators, chemical resistant gloves and other protective equipment while looking through property debris.
    • When disaster debris is eventually removed by professionals, the contractors will be wearing Tyvek suits and possibly respirators to protect their health.

Buildings that didn’t burn can still have hazards

    • Particles and vapors can enter buildings through cracks, doors, windows and other portals.
    • Some of these pollutants settle onto surfaces, while others penetrate fabrics, stick to walls and enter air ducts.

Drinking water risks and soil testing

    • My colleagues and I have documented benzene levels that exceeded hazardous limits for drinking water after several previous fires.
    • These and other chemicals pose an immediate health risk to water users, even if the water smells fine.
    • Proper inspections and testing in buildings and for private wells and larger water systems are important.

Protecting waterways and aquatic life

    • Lahaina stretches along Maui’s west coast and has long been a popular site for seeing sea turtles and other marine life.
    • That sea life may now be at risk from pollutants from burned coastal buildings and runoff.
    • Communities can avoid more harmful runoff during the cleanup process by placing pollution-control barriers near storm drains, around properties and near waterways.

What happens to all the debris?

    • After the 2021 Marshall Fire in Colorado, where about 1,200 structures were destroyed, the cleanup generated 300,000 tons of waste.
    • In the process, I recommend residents reach out to public health departments for advice to help them stay healthy and safe.

New Study of US EPA Methane Rule Highlights Jobs Potential of Plugging Methane Leaks in Oil and Gas Industry

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Methane, White House, Maintenance, Employment, Carcinogen, Public, Organic compound, Volatile organic compound, Carbon, Formaldehyde, EPA, Climate change, Investment, Acetaldehyde, Environment, Benzene, Oil, Natural gas

This is a two-fold increase in jobs compared to our analysis of the 2016 rule.

Key Points: 
  • This is a two-fold increase in jobs compared to our analysis of the 2016 rule.
  • "The EPA's proposed rule will prevent unnecessary methane leaks in our nation's oil and gas industry, resulting in good jobs for workers, reducing methane emissions driving climate change, and protecting workers and communities," said BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director Jason Walsh.
  • "Unnecessary methane leaks in the oil and gas industry represent a health risk for workers and communities around facilities," said BlueGreen Alliance Legislative Director Dr. Katie Harris, a co-author of the report.
  • Plugging the Leaks: Protect Workers, Reduce Pollution, and Create Quality Jobs by Reducing Methane Waste in the U.S. Oil and Gas Industry can be found online: https://www.bluegreenalliance.org/pluggingtheleaks .

Military Mid IR Sensors Market Report 2023: Military Mid IR Market is Forecast to Reach $130 Billion by 2029 - ResearchAndMarkets.com

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 3, 2023
Semiconductor, Health, Defense, Technology, Health Technology, Military, Medicine, IR, QCL, MID, Smartphone, Internet, Toluene, Growth, Research, Benzene, Disease, Medical imaging

The "Military Mid IR Sensors Market Research Forecasts 2023-2029" report from Wintergreen Research, Inc has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Key Points: 
  • The "Military Mid IR Sensors Market Research Forecasts 2023-2029" report from Wintergreen Research, Inc has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.
  • Military mid IR markets at $34.19 billion in 2022 are anticipated to reach $130 billion by 2029 as price performance increases and unit costs decrease from $3,000 per unit to $900 per high-end unit.
  • Military medical applications include human breath monitoring, glucose sensing, cancer detection and diagnostics, eye surgery, and environmental health monitoring.
  • Worldwide military mid IR sensor markets are poised to continue to achieve significant growth with the implementation of smartphone apps.

NZ workers have unacceptably high exposures to carcinogens – they need better protection and long-term health monitoring

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 29, 2023
International, NZCS, Human, Employment, Carcinogen, Prevalence, IARC, Group 1, Group 3, Agriculture, Farmer, Workplace, Eye, Electricity, Data collection, Woman, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Emergency, Asbestosis, Death, Solvent, Forestry, Man, Health authority, Work, Population, UV, Risk, Styrene, Mining, Water, Occupation, Solution, Health, Hydrocarbon, Periodic table, Research, Smoking, WorkSafe New Zealand, Benzene, Disease, Personal protective equipment, Mobile phone, Oil, Mineral wool, Mineral oil, Nursing, Pacific Ocean, Cancer

The New Zealand Carcinogens Survey (NZCS), commissioned by WorkSafe New Zealand, was the first to examine the prevalence of occupational carcinogens in the working population.

Key Points: 
  • The New Zealand Carcinogens Survey (NZCS), commissioned by WorkSafe New Zealand, was the first to examine the prevalence of occupational carcinogens in the working population.
  • Workers in primary industries are exposed to the highest number of carcinogens at any level.
  • Māori and Pacific workers and men are the most likely to be exposed to at least one carcinogen.

Work-related exposures


    Work-related disease is estimated to account for 750-900 deaths a year in New Zealand. Cancer contributes to about half of these deaths and at least a third of work-related hospitalisations. These figures are largely based on overseas estimates applied to Aotearoa New Zealand health data. Establishing the number of workplace injuries is relatively straightforward but investigation of work-related cancers is much more difficult because:
    Therefore, understanding the prevalence, frequency and distribution of exposure to work-related carcinogens is crucial.

    Read more:
    Nail salon workers suffer chemical exposures that can be like working at a garage or a refinery

Which exposures matter?


    How do we know which workplace exposures contribute to cancer risk? The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) regularly undertakes expert reviews of the relevant scientific literature to identify cancer-causing substances and practices. They classify exposures on the basis of the quality of evidence as:
    • Until the NZCS report, New Zealand-specific data on work exposures to carcinogens have been lacking.
    • It used a web-based exposure-assessment programme to estimate the likelihood of exposures and probable level based on questions to workers about substances, jobs and specific tasks.

What is to be done?

    • However, it is important to concentrate on the unmistakable evidence that a large number of people are exposed to high levels of workplace carcinogens.
    • But data alone are not sufficient; they need to inform action.
    • There are too many examples of Aotearoa being slower than other countries to act when sufficient evidence exists.
    • New Zealand was the last country in the world to halt the production of the toxic dioxin-contaminated herbicide 2,4,5-T, in 1987.
    • A lack of dedicated health services for occupational health hampers progress in addressing work-related diseases in New Zealand.

World Industrial Explosion Protection Industry Research Report 2023: Key Players, Competitive Strategies, Outlook and Forecasts 2022-2031 - ResearchAndMarkets.com

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 16, 2023
Other Manufacturing, Manufacturing, Fossil fuel, Food, Metal, Atmosphere, Water pollution, Algonquin Power & Utilities, BTEX, End organ damage, Cancer, Oil, Government, Formaldehyde, Pollutant, Air pollution, Death, US, Carbon monoxide, Soil, Investment, Nervous system, Toluene, Methane, Growth, Environment, Birth, Benzene, Safety, Mining, Renewable energy, Explosive, Natural gas, Video game, Fine chemical, Marketing, OECD

The " Industrial Explosion Protection Market Report 2023-2031: "Increasing Demand for Energy Leading to Exploration of New Mines " report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Key Points: 
  • The " Industrial Explosion Protection Market Report 2023-2031: "Increasing Demand for Energy Leading to Exploration of New Mines " report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.
  • As a result, industrial explosion protection equipment is in high demand to continuously monitor activities and ensure safety and productivity.
  • What are the key micro and macro environmental factors that are impacting the growth of Industrial Explosion Protection market?
  • Who are the key competitors and what are their key strategies to enhance their market presence in the Industrial Explosion Protection market worldwide?

DEVACURL UNVEILS DRY NO-POO: A DUAL-USE DRY SHAMPOO THAT REDEFINES CURL CARE

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Communication, Amazon, DevaCurl, Hair, ULTA, Health, Beauty, Dry, Perspiration, Benzene, Cosmetics

NEW YORK, June 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DevaCurl, the award-winning haircare innovator, is proud to announce the launch of its latest breakthrough formulation, Dry No-Poo! The revolutionary dry shampoo sets a new standard in curl care, going beyond oil absorption to deliver an exceptional experience for curly hair. With Dry No-Poo, DevaCurl invites you to embrace "2 Ways 2 Extend Your Style," with the non-drying dual-use formulation that refreshes roots, enhances curl shape, adds texture, and boosts volume.

Key Points: 
  • The revolutionary dry shampoo sets a new standard in curl care, going beyond oil absorption to deliver an exceptional experience for curly hair.
  • With Dry No-Poo, DevaCurl invites you to embrace "2 Ways 2 Extend Your Style," with the non-drying dual-use formulation that refreshes roots, enhances curl shape, adds texture, and boosts volume.
  • Dry No-Poo breaks free from the limitations of traditional dry shampoos that often leave curls feeling parched and stripped.
  • For more information on Dry No-Poo, visit devacurl.com and @devacurl on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Global Petrochemical Market Insights & Forecasts Report 2023-2027 Featuring Exxon Mobil, Chevron, BASF, China National Petroleum Corporation, DOW Chemical and LyondellBasell Industries - ResearchAndMarkets.com

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Chemicals, Plastics, Manufacturing, China National Petroleum Corporation, Plastic, ExxonMobil, Linear low-density polyethylene, COVID-19, Type, LLDPE, US, Polyethylene, Natural gas, Economic development, LDPE, Toluene, SE, BASF, BASF SE, Growth, LyondellBasell, Travel, HDPE, Chevron Corporation, Benzene, Dow Chemical Company, Chemical, Airline

The "Global Petrochemical Market (By Type & Region): Insights & Forecast with Potential Impact of COVID-19 (2023-2027)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Key Points: 
  • The "Global Petrochemical Market (By Type & Region): Insights & Forecast with Potential Impact of COVID-19 (2023-2027)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.
  • However, the market growth is expected to be restrained by rising crude oil prices, rising environmental concerns.
  • The global petrochemical market by type can be segmented as follows: polypropylene, benzene, toluene and polyethylene.
  • The company profiles of leading players (Exxon Mobil Corporation, Chevron Corporation, BASF SE, China National Petroleum Corporation, DOW Chemical Company and LyondellBasell Industries N.V. ) are also presented in detail.

MagDrive Technologies named as a Fast Company 2023 World Changing Ideas Company

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Blockchain, Housing, Education, Defense, Politics, Workplace, Agriculture, Torque, Research, Creativity, NASA, Nature, Love, Water, Methane, Climate, AI, Health, Department of Defence, Benzene, Renewable energy, Clothing, Natural gas

BOZEMAN, Mont., May 4, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The winners of Fast Company's 2023 World Changing Ideas Awards were announced today, honoring sustainable designs, innovative products, bold social initiatives, and other creative projects that are changing the way we work, live, and interact with the world.

Key Points: 
  • MagDrive Technologies, creator of the magnetically actuated valve drive, was listed among the top ‒19 companies actively working to address the climate crisis,– according to a recent Fast Company announcement.
  • BOZEMAN, Mont., May 4, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The winners of Fast Company's 2023 World Changing Ideas Awards were announced today, honoring sustainable designs, innovative products, bold social initiatives, and other creative projects that are changing the way we work, live, and interact with the world.
  • This year's World Changing Ideas Awards showcase 45 winners, 216 finalists, and more than 300 honorable mentions—with health, climate, energy, and AI among the most popular categories.
  • "The MagDrive team is honored to be recognized by Fast Company, a publication that we all know and love.

Thousands of Americans call for safeguards from gas stove health risks, as public health organizations mark World Asthma Day

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
General Health, Philanthropy, Consumer, White House, Federal Government, Public Policy, Other Policy Issues, Advocacy Group Opinion, Parenting, Foundation, Children, Health, Government, Asthma, CPSC, Carcinogen, Atmosphere, Commission, Parent, NO2, Create, RFI, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Public housing, Research, Meta-analysis, PIRG, Ventilation, Formaldehyde, Organization, Carbon monoxide, Nitrogen dioxide, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Restaurant, Risk, Particulates, Radio, Social responsibility, Environment, Benzene, Caregiver, Kerosene, Physician

Thousands of Americans and a diverse range of organizations are calling for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to take concrete steps to protect the public from gas stove pollution, as health bodies across the globe mark World Asthma Day.

Key Points: 
  • Thousands of Americans and a diverse range of organizations are calling for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to take concrete steps to protect the public from gas stove pollution, as health bodies across the globe mark World Asthma Day.
  • More than 3,000 individuals, 205 health professionals, and 139 organizations have submitted comments expressing concern over gas stove pollution in response to the CPSC’s request for information (RFI) about chronic hazards associated with gas ranges.
  • A recent peer-reviewed study found that nearly 13% of childhood asthma in the U.S. can be attributed to gas stove pollution.
  • “Many people are now learning for the first time that the air we breathe indoors can be unhealthy due to gas stove pollution.

Bill To Hold Oil Companies Presumptively Liable for Harms in Safety Zones Passes First Hurdle in the California Senate, Says Consumer Watchdog

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Climate, Senate Judiciary Committee reviews of nominations to the Supreme Court of the United States, Asthma, Senate, Big Oil, Life, Atmosphere, Weeping Angel, Public, Cancer, Oil, Uriarte, Multimedia, Gonzalez, Firearm, United States Senate Committee on Appropriations, School, Climate change, Poisoning, Risk, APEC Climate Center, Water, Consumer Watchdog, Place of birth, Health, Jamie Court, Poison, Death, Environment, Benzene, SB, Legislation, Dietary supplement, Natural gas

SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SB 556 — legislation that gives people who live near oil wells and have developed cancer, respiratory illnesses and birth defects the right to hold oil drillers liable for their illnesses — passed the California Senate Judiciary Committee in a 8 - 2 vote. SB 556 will now be heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Key Points: 
  • SB 556 will hold oil companies presumptively liable for causing cancer, asthma, preterm and high risk births for people living within 3200 ft of an oil well.
  • The legislation will hold the oil drillers presumptively liable for damages with minimum penalties of $250,000 and maximum penalties of $1 million.
  • Oil drillers qualified a referendum that put SB 1137 on hold until voters vote on it in November 2024.
  • If SB 556 becomes law, it would further protect communities by making drillers liable for the harms they cause starting January 2024.