OSHA: Sandy contamination below permissible limits

Jan 09, 2013

(AP)—Tests done at Superstorm Sandy cleanup sites show that the level of contaminants does not exceed federal workplace exposure limits.

The Administration released initial results from tests of dozens of cleanup sites in New York and New Jersey. The agency tested for employee exposure to contaminants.

While some of the sites showed the presence of including asbestos, and lead, none were above OSHA's permissible exposure limits.

The sites will continue to be monitored. The agency warned that the results aren't an "all clear" to employers. OSHA didn't test sites that were previously known to be contaminated.

The agency says that at sites with known chemical spills, it's up to the employer to report exposure and assess the situation before employees return to work.

Explore further: Report: Cleanup of some contaminated groundwater sites unlikely for decades

not rated yet
add to favorites email to friend print save as pdf

Related Stories

Contamination threatens Utah water supply

Mar 31, 2008

The water supply for the Bountiful and Woods Cross areas of Utah are at risk for groundwater contamination due to nearby Superfund sites, officials worry.

Funding cuts jeopardize cleanup of nuclear waste sites

Mar 10, 2008

The Federal Government may need at least 20 years longer than previously planned — and an additional $50 billion — to clean up radioactive and hazardous wastes at nuclear weapons sites, according to an article scheduled ...

Industrial solvent TCE even more dangerous to people

Sep 30, 2011

One of the most widespread groundwater contaminants in the nation is more dangerous to humans than earlier thought, a federal agency has determined, in a decision that could raise the cost of cleanups nationwide, including ...

Recommended for you

Indonesia to use rain-making technology to stop fires

3 hours ago

Indonesia plans to use weather changing technology to try to unleash torrents of rain and extinguish raging fires on Sumatra island that have cloaked neighbouring Singapore in thick haze, an official said ...

The contribution of particulate matter to forest decline

4 hours ago

Air pollution is related to forest decline and also appears to attack the protecting wax on tree leaves and needles. Bonn University scientists have now discovered a responsible mechanism: particulate matter ...

World Bank warns global warming woes closing in

6 hours ago

The World Bank on Wednesday warned that severe hardships from global warming could be felt within a generation, with a new study detailing devastating impacts in Africa and Asia.

User comments : 0

More news stories

No danger of cancer through gene therapy virus

In fall 2012, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved the modified adeno-associated virus AAV-LPL S447X as the first ever gene therapy for clinical use in the Western world. uniQure, a Dutch biotech company, had developed ...

Antioxidant shows promise in Parkinson's disease

Diapocynin, a synthetic molecule derived from a naturally occurring compound (apocynin), has been found to protect neurobehavioral function in mice with Parkinson's Disease symptoms by preventing deficits in motor coordination.