[Editors] April Newsletter from EHS

Wed Apr 13 15:55:03 EDT 2011

General Biosafety, and BBP: 4/5, 4/13, 4/285/3, 5/13, 5/18, 5/26

Laser Safety:4/11, 4/26, 5/12, 5/27

Radiation Safety: 4/6, 4/20, 5/4, 5/19

X-Ray Safety: 4/15, 5/10

EHS Rep:4/12

HF: 4/12

Hot Work:4/21

General Chem. Hygiene: 5/5

MIT has 150 fever. EHS is no exception to that. If you are planning a
project, please [1]let us know, so we can help you carry it out safely!
  Links:
    1. http://mit.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=79525bd2c1b2d0662ea0371d7&id=658db2c10f&e=0915b0c8d9

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.

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.

For the official rules, please visit our page on the [2]EHS website, and our
Facebook page under EHS Scavenger Hunt. If you’d like to participate,
[3]email us your team name, team captain, and team members. Teams can be up
to three people. Good Hunting!
  Links:
    2. http://mit.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=79525bd2c1b2d0662ea0371d7&id=70c27ec5e8&e=0915b0c8d9
    3. mailto:hunt.ehs at mit.edu?subject=Scavenger%20%20Hunt

Do you have an [4]uninterruptible power supply (UPS) device in your
workspace? If so, make sure the battery within your device is still within
its usable lifespan.
  Links:
    4. http://mit.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=79525bd2c1b2d0662ea0371d7&id=387b753d7a&e=0915b0c8d9

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:
  * Identify each of the UPS devices in your area(s).
    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.
  * 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.
  * 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.

The DOE annual [5]Laser Safety Workshop will be held at MIT on August 2-4,
2011.
  Links:
    5. http://mit.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=79525bd2c1b2d0662ea0371d7&id=1a056cadfd&e=0915b0c8d9

The event is being hosted by the MIT Environment, Health and Safety Office
and Kentek.

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.

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.
Any questions can be directed to [6]Judy Reilly.
  Links:
    6. mailto:jmreiley at mit.edu?subject=Laser%20Safety%20Workshop

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.

The [7]Clean Air Act (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 [8]EPA 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
  Links:
    7. http://mit.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=79525bd2c1b2d0662ea0371d7&id=935db13f24&e=0915b0c8d9
    8. http://mit.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=79525bd2c1b2d0662ea0371d7&id=60e3d10b66&e=0915b0c8d9

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 [9]climate change.
  Links:
    9. http://mit.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=79525bd2c1b2d0662ea0371d7&id=a715fc3a44&e=0915b0c8d9

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:
  * 15% of the respondents walked to MIT;
  * 42% took public transportation;
  * 14% bicycled;
  * 7% rode an a car- or vanpool and,
  * 20% of the respondents drove to MIT alone.

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.

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.

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.

Descriptions of EMP services and the means for engaging these services can
be found our website.

To reach the EMP staff, call the EHS Office at telephone number 617-452-3477
or direct email to: [10]emp at mit.edu
  Links:
    10. mailto:emp at mit.edu

Click on the puzzle for a full page printout.

To be entered for a Tech Cash Drawing, send completed puzzles to Martha
Adams N52-496 by Feb 20, 2011.

MIT 150

Laser Safety

What’s that Smell?

Cleaning up our Air

Spotlight– EMP

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