Occupational safety and health, green chemistry, and sustainability: a review of areas of convergence.

With increasing numbers and quantities of chemicals in commerce and use, scientific attention continues to focus on the environmental and public health consequences of chemical production processes and exposures. Concerns about environmental stewardship have been gaining broader traction through emphases on sustainability and "green chemistry" principles. Occupational safety and health has not been fully promoted as a component of environmental sustainability. However, there is a natural convergence of green chemistry/sustainability and occupational safety and health efforts. Addressing both together can have a synergistic effect. Failure to promote this convergence could lead to increasing worker hazards and lack of support for sustainability efforts. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has made a concerted effort involving multiple stakeholders to anticipate and identify potential hazards associated with sustainable practices and green jobs for workers. Examples of potential hazards are presented in case studies with suggested solutions such as implementing the hierarchy of controls and prevention through design principles in green chemistry and green building practices. Practical considerations and strategies for green chemistry, and environmental stewardship could benefit from the incorporation of occupational safety and health concepts which in turn protect affected workers.

Environmental manganese exposure in residents living near a ferromanganese refinery in Southeast Ohio: a pilot study.

Manganese (Mn) is an essential element, yet is neurotoxic in excess. The majority of Mn research has been conducted on occupationally exposed adults with few studies focused on an environmentally exposed population. Marietta, OH is home to one of the largest airborne Mn emission sources in the United States, a ferromanganese refinery. In preparation for a community-based participatory research study, a preliminary pilot study was initiated to characterize the community's exposure to Mn in ambient air and to evaluate the relationship between biological indices of Mn exposure and genes associated with Mn metabolism in Marietta area residents. Participants in the pilot study were recruited through newspaper advertisement, fliers and direct mailing. Exposure to ambient Mn was estimated using an air pollution dispersion model, AERMOD. A total of 141 residents participated in the pilot study ranging in age from 2 to 81 years. Estimated annual average ambient air Mn concentrations in the study area obtained from AERMOD varied from 0.02 to 2.61 microg/m(3). Mean blood and hair Mn values were 9.12 microg/L (SD 3.90) and 5.80 microg/g (SD 6.40 microg/g), respectively and were significantly correlated (r=0.30, p<0.01). Blood and hair Mn was significantly associated within families (r=0.27, p=<0.02 and r=0.43, p<0.01), respectively. The relationship between hair Mn and estimated ambient air Mn became significant when genes for iron metabolism were included in linear models. The preliminary ambient air and biological concentrations of Mn found in this population demonstrate the need for further research into potential health effects.

Sex differences noted in mercury bioaccumulation in Magicicada cassini.

This study focuses on quantitative differences in mercury bioaccumulation based on the sex of the specimen. The species of interest is an herbivorous, terrestrial insect. Male and female periodical cicadas (genus: Magicicada) analyzed using combustion atomic absorption spectrophotometry exhibit different levels of mercury bioaccumulation. The concentration of mercury in Magicicada cassini males was significantly higher than the concentration in females of the same species.