Recent News & Blogs

In April 2024, the EPA finalized a major update under TSCA that slashes the occupational exposure limit for methylene chloride—also known as dichloromethane—to just 2 ppm as an 8 hour TWA (Time Weighted Average) , and sets a sharp 15 minute STEL (Short Term Exposure Limit) of 16 ppm. It now falls under a rigorous Workplace Chemical Protection Program (WCPP), which includes mandatory exposure monitoring, regulated areas, exposure control plans, and more.

Initially, coal operators were expected to meet MSHA’s new respirable crystalline silica (RCS) standard by April 14, 2025. However, on May 22, 2025, MSHA announced a delay—pushing enforcement back to August 18, 2025 for coal mine sites. This delay applies only to coal; metal and nonmetal mines must adhere to the original April 8, 2026 deadline.

Creating safe environments in pharmaceutical compounding and hazardous drug handling is critical to protecting both patients and healthcare workers. While the standards set by the United States Pharmacopeial Convention - USP <797> and USP <800> - are often mentioned together, they focus on very different goals.

In any workplace, safeguarding employees' health and safety is paramount. Industrial hygiene plays a crucial role in identifying, evaluating, and controlling environmental factors that can harm workers. But what exactly are the types of hazards that industrial hygiene focuses on?

For decades, a common misconception has plagued Americans across the nation; that the United States was one of more than 60 countries worldwide that entirely banned the use and manufacturing of the harmful carcinogen, asbestos. In reality, the US didn’t ban Chrysotile asbestos until March of 2024 after decades of failed legislation, public outcry, and partial regulation.

To effectively evaluate employee exposures to hazardous drugs (HDs), it is essential to create and implement a comprehensive HD wipe sampling to comply with USP 800 and NIOSH guidelines.

The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) is a non-profit organization that sets quality standards for drugs and healthcare products. USP publishes guidelines for the safe handling of hazardous drugs, known as USP 800.