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<td align="left" valign="top" bgcolor="#670001" class="sidebar"><p>General Biosafety, and BBP: 4/5, 4/13, 4/285/3, 5/13, 5/18, 5/26<br />
</p>
<p>Laser Safety:4/11, 4/26, 5/12, 5/27<br />
</p>
<p>Radiation Safety: 4/6, 4/20, 5/4, 5/19<br />
</p>
<p>X-Ray Safety: 4/15, 5/10<br />
</p>
<p>EHS Rep:4/12<br />
</p>
<p>HF: 4/12<br />
</p>
<p>Hot Work:4/21<br />
</p>
<p>General Chem. Hygiene: 5/5 </p>
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<td align="left"><p>MIT has 150 fever. EHS is no exception to that. If you are planning a project, please <a href="http://mit.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=79525bd2c1b2d0662ea0371d7&id=742658275e&e=0915b0c8d9">let us know</a>, so we can help you carry it out safely! </p>
<p>To celebrate, we’re having our own Open House here at N52-496 on April 26th from 2:00-4:30pm. We will be serving light refreshments, along with presentations on the different areas of EHS.</p>
<p>We will also be hosting a Scavenger Hunt, with a $300 cash prize. It is open to anyone with an MIT email address, and will be held from April 21st, to our open house. Registration is only open to 75 teams, and closes April 20th. </p>
<p><a href="http://mit.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=79525bd2c1b2d0662ea0371d7&id=2d44c43d2d&e=0915b0c8d9"><img src="http://ehs.mit.edu/newsletter/images/Scavenger-Hunt-Earth-Day-small-.jpg" width="350" height="240" border="1" /></a></p>
<p>For the official rules, please visit our page on the <a href="http://mit.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=79525bd2c1b2d0662ea0371d7&id=0e40e6d920&e=0915b0c8d9">EHS website</a>, and our Facebook page under EHS Scavenger Hunt. If you’d like to participate, <a href="mailto:hunt.ehs@mit.edu?subject=Scavenger%20%20Hunt">email</a> us your team name, team captain, and team members. Teams can be up to three people. Good Hunting!</p>
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<td align="left" valign="top"><p>Do you have an <a href="http://mit.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=79525bd2c1b2d0662ea0371d7&id=64b0b26f5e&e=0915b0c8d9">uninterruptible power supply</a> (UPS) device in your workspace? If so, make sure the battery within your device is still within its usable lifespan. </p>
<p>Old batteries can overheat leading to an unpleasant, often sulfur-like odor. Overheating batteries can also rupture or cause fires. There have been many cases of overheating UPS batteries over the years at MIT. EHS recommends the following steps to prevent overheating UPS batteries:</p> <ul>
<li>Identify each of the UPS devices in your area(s).<br />
Place UPS devices in plain view and off the floor. Many UPS devices have visual and/or audible indicators of the battery’s status, including low battery and replace battery conditions. Keep visual indicators in plain view of the user and don’t impede any audible annunciation alarms (beeping). Put the devices on non- or low-combustible surfaces (i.e., not carpeted/ upholstered surfaces) whenever possible.<br />
</li>
<li> If any device has the “replace battery” LED illuminated, remove the unit from service. You may be able to purchase a replacement battery from the manufacturer.<br />
</li>
<li> Check the age of each UPS device and/or the lead-acid battery. Consider replacing all batteries in units that have been in service for more than 3 years.</li>
</ul>
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<td align="left" valign="top"><p>The DOE annual <a href="http://mit.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=79525bd2c1b2d0662ea0371d7&id=def20cdb02&e=0915b0c8d9">Laser Safety Workshop</a> will be held at MIT on August 2-4, 2011. </p>
<p>The event is being hosted by the MIT Environment, Health and Safety Office and Kentek.</p>
<p> The workshop brings together experts in the field of laser safety to present solutions to real-world lasers safety issues.Attendees will hear about the latest in laser technology, laser safety topics, and methods for integrating solutions into your laser safety programs. </p>
<p>The presentations and panel discussions make this workshop a premier laser safety event.The workshop is open to all with a primary focus for individuals with responsibilities and interest in laser safety in an academic, research, or medical setting. Continuing education credits will be granted.<br />
Any questions can be directed to <a href="mailto:jmreiley@mit.edu?subject=Laser%20Safety%20Workshop">Judy Reilly</a>.</p>
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<td align="left" valign="top"><p>The Environmental Management Program (EMP) may be best known for its chemical waste removal services, but EMP also has important oversight of other environmental programs including MIT’s air emissions permits.</p>
<p> <img src="http://ehs.mit.edu/newsletter/images/Picture1.png" width="222" height="265" align="right" />The <a href="http://mit.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=79525bd2c1b2d0662ea0371d7&id=1f1a914b57&e=0915b0c8d9">Clean Air Act</a> (CAA) was enacted in order to protect and enhance the quality of the nation’s air. Last year marked the 40th anniversary of the Clean Air Act and although significant progress has been made in improving air quality in most U.S. cities and communities, there is more to be done over the next 40 years. According to <a href="http://mit.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=79525bd2c1b2d0662ea0371d7&id=3349c61c80&e=0915b0c8d9">EPA</a> in 1990 it prevented more than 200,000 premature deaths, and almost 700,000 cases of chronic bronchitis were avoided. Over the last 20 years, total emissions of the six principal air pollutants (particulates, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides and lead) have decreased by more than 41 percent, while the Gross Domestic Product has increased by more than 64 percent. Both EPA and Massachusetts DEP impose significant regulatory requirements on the use and operation </p>
<p>of a wide variety of combustion equipment, which emit these criteria pollutants. Covered equipment at MIT includes stationary sources such as boilers, generators and even the rowing machine at the boathouse, and mobile sources. Today, motor vehicles are responsible for nearly one half of smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs), more than half of the nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, and about half of the toxic air pollutant emissions in the United States. Motor vehicles also account for a third of carbon dioxide emissions nationwide. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas associated with <a href="http://mit.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=79525bd2c1b2d0662ea0371d7&id=c8c41a4631&e=0915b0c8d9">climate change.</a></p> <p>Last fall all members of the MIT community were invited to participate in a biennial transportation survey, run by EMP , the Department of Facilities Parking and Transportation Office and the Office of Provost, with 58% of the invited participants completing the survey. The results (excluding the students who live on campus) showed that:</p>
<ul>
<li>15% of the respondents walked to MIT;<br />
</li>
<li>42% took public transportation;<br />
</li>
<li>14% bicycled;<br />
</li>
<li>7% rode an a car- or vanpool and,<br />
</li>
<li>20% of the respondents drove to MIT alone.<br />
</li>
</ul>
<p>According to the Massachusetts DEP annual carbon dioxide savings from avoiding just 10 miles of driving per week per vehicle is 500 pounds. We encourage everyone to consider using public transportation. MIT provides subsidized monthly MBTA passes to all eligible commuters. MIT actively encourages students and employees who commute to campus to form car and vanpools by providing them with reserved and subsidized parking.</p>
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<td align="left" valign="top"><p>The MIT EHS Environmental Management Program (EMP) conducts services and activities for assurance that air, water and waste discharges sourced from MIT are protective of the environment and systems of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) as well as be compliant with environmental regulations.</p> <p>EMP provides environmental oversight, advice, consultation and training as well as provide direct operational services for obtaining environmental permits, environmental data reporting, hazardous waste collection, and responses to release / potential release of harmful materials to the environment.</p> <p>Descriptions of EMP services and the means for engaging these services can be found our website.</p>
<p> To reach the EMP staff, call the EHS Office at telephone number 617-452-3477 or direct email to: <a href="mailto:emp@mit.edu">emp@mit.edu</a></p>
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<td align="left" valign="top"><a href="http://mit.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=79525bd2c1b2d0662ea0371d7&id=fa3ec75279&e=0915b0c8d9"><img src="http://ehs.mit.edu/newsletter/images/crossword.jpg" width="150" height="201" align="left" /></a>
<p>Click on the puzzle for a full page printout. </p>
<p>To be entered for a Tech Cash Drawing, send completed puzzles to Martha Adams N52-496 by Feb 20, 2011.</p>
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<td align="left" valign="top" bgcolor="#670001" class="sidebar"><p>MIT 150</p>
<p>Laser Safety</p>
<p>What’s that Smell?</p>
<p>Cleaning up our Air</p>
<p>Spotlight– EMP</p></td>
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