Summarizes findings from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry concerning the evaluation of data about hazardous substance release into the environment. Identifies the hazardous substances, exposure, health effects, and public health impact from 951 facilities identified on the National Priorities List (NPL) by the Environmental…

Examines recent journal literature about medical wastes and examines definitions, risks, and methods of minimizing risks. The consensus in the recent articles on medical waste is that medical waste is no more dangerous than nonmedical waste. (Contains 23 references.) (Author/MDH)

The role of the Environmental Protection Agency as ombudsman concerning waste disposal is examined with respect to both the current options of source reduction and recycling as pollution prevention, and alternative approaches that expand upon these current options, particularly with respect to toxic and medical waste. (JJK)

Discusses the sources of contaminants found in used solvents generated by the histopathological laboratories at health care facilities and the technical problems, corrective measures, and economic analysis associated with the on-site recycling and reusing of these solvents. An appendix contains an economic analysis for a used-solvent recycling…

An examination of the handling, storage and disposition of hazardous wastes from municipal and industrial sources, with a plea for the development of a uniform national hazardous waste code or listing that would be acceptable and useful to all state and federal agencies. (LK)

To determine how infectious waste is being defined, treated, and disposed, the Seattle/King County Department of Public Health conducted a waste survey and facility inspection at 26 hospitals and 22 medical offices. The results and conclusions are discussed in connection with a contemporary literature review. (65 references) (Author/JJK)

A multifaceted program, Goals 2000: Educate America," has as one of its top priorities the development of skills standards for certain key occupations. This articles examines the development of standards for Hazardous Materials Management Technology technicians. (LZ)

Residents of Larimer County, Colorado, were surveyed to determine their level of awareness and attitudes concerning the disposal of household waste. Results indicated that approximately 40 percent of the population were unable to identify hazardous products within their homes and nearly 70 percent were unaware of the potential environmental…

This article presents the results of a study to identify problems and recommend solutions to training and education deficiencies of the environmental workforce for risk assessment and hazardous waste. Cites five recommendations developed as a result of a workshop held in March 1986. (Author/CW)

A significant fraction of household hazardous waste (HHW) is generated by home mechanics who use such products as motor oil, cleaners and solvents, and batteries. This survey assessed the following aspects: (1) perceptions of their health-related effects; (2) perceptions of their pollution potential; and (3) their use and disposal. (LZ)

A survey of advertisements for personnel to manage toxic and hazardous substances was used to measure the demand for these persons in the workplace. Reported are the size of the current workforce and the expected growth in the number of new positions over a five-year period. (Author/CW)

Catalogued is the diversity of lead contaminated sources which, only recently, have been acknowledged as the principal producers of devastating toxic effects, particularly among children, despite only low-level exposure to these sources. A multifaceted approach in the effort to correct this serious health hazard to children is presented. (JJK)

Discusses Home*A*Syst, a self-assessment tool that helps residents identify health and environmental risks around their homes and form plans of action to reduce those risks. (WRM)

Describes a prototype hazard communication and training program for manufacturers. Discusses the necessary ingredients of such a program, including chemical inventorying, labeling hazardous chemicals, maintaining a current file of material safety data sheets, and written training programs. Includes samples of material safety data sheets, labeling…

Using information from the 1990 National Health Interview Survey, examined beliefs regarding radon and radon-testing activities among different sociodemographic groups. Results suggest relatively superficial knowledge regarding radon, and little testing, within the survey population. Significantly less knowledge was observed among female and…