Examines exposure to chemicals within the home and three important ways in which hazardous substances can be identified and evaluated. Suggests a rational picture of human health risks and contains an introductory discussion of reasons for exposure, epidemiology, cancer causes and patterns, animal testing, toxins, and risk. (LZ)

Laborers' International Union and Associated General Contractors' Education and Training Fund has two strands: (1) skills training that includes workplace literacy and a career path program and (2) training in environmental clean-up. (SK)

Describes problems related to old underground storage tanks (USTs) that may leak toxic contents, focusing on relevance for American Indian reservations. Discusses design, installation, and upgrading of UST systems; federal definitions and regulations; leak detection; legal responsibility; and education for public awareness. Includes 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 Vancouver Declaration on Survival in the 21st Century discusses the history of human activities that threaten the environment and an alternative set of human values that allow people to survive in harmony with their environment. Signatories to the declaration are listed. (BG)

Data on the health of wildlife in the Great Lakes ecosystem are reviewed. Researchers infer from data on eight species that the effects in offspring are the result of exposure to chlorinated chemicals by adults and passed to the offspring via maternal transfer. Policy implications are discussed. (CW)

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)

Many school buildings with high radon levels also exhibit high carbon dioxide levels that starve the minds of students for oxygen. Administrators must realize that the world's best educator cannot teach minds made dysfunctional by their environment. This article describes Environmental Protection Agency testing results and offers radon monitoring…

An inspection of 138 New Jersey school buildings revealed that a significant percentage of school officials do not have a good understanding of their asbestos management plan and, therefore, are failing to meet all of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act's requirements. (MLF)

The background of the proposal is discussed. The debate over the management of hazardous materials by ban or phase-out is related. The conclusions of the meeting of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development are presented. (CW)

Discusses how a higher education facility can prepare for an Environmental Protection Agency inspection with some quick topics designed to smooth the process. Tips include determining if waste is hazardous, labeling waste properly, preventing pollution, improving housekeeping, and having good hazardous materials management practices. (GR)

Argues that schools should use a planned communications program to allay fears brought on by asbestos removal. Offers tips on informing the public, such as developing an informative handbook and distributing flyers. Claims that special meetings offer the opportunity to hand out materials and answer questions. (RJM)

Uses dartboards to represent magnitude-frequency relationships of natural hazards which engage students at different levels of preparation in different contexts, and for different lengths of time. Helps students to mitigate the misconceptions that processes occur periodically by emphasizing the random nature of hazards. Includes 12 references.…

Discusses the September 11 terrorist attacks' implications for school safety. Explores various schools' security procedures and any changes that have been made in the aftermath. Includes a sidebar on dealing with suspicious packages. (EV)

Mercury tends to vaporize when exposed to air. The warmer the air, the more quickly it vaporizes. Although swallowing mercury can be a problem, the greater risk results from inhalation and skin absorption. Symptoms and health-related problems can result within hours of exposure. Spilled mercury settles in cracks and absorbent material such as…