Learn to assess the human health risks posed by exposure to environmental hazards including chemicals, pollution, and contaminated food. Explore the basics of health risk assessment and discuss applications of risk assessment to diverse problems.
In the event of a nuclear disaster, it’s essential that nuclear plants have air-cleaning systems that have been properly maintained in order to minimize radioactive exposure and protect the safety of workers, neighbors, and the environment. Air-cleaning systems in nuclear facilities (and elsewhere) play a crucial role in protecting public health—both on a day-to-day basis … Continue reading “The Need for Maintaining Nuclear Air-Cleaning Systems Properly to Protect Public Health and Safety”
Fukushima. Chernobyl. Three Mile Island. Each is immediately recognizable for the radiological accident that wreaked havoc on plant workers and nearby residents. And while it’s true that nuclear disasters can and do cause devastation, the surprising reality is that the psychosocial impacts can vastly outweigh the physiological effects. “The sociological impacts can kill people,” says … Continue reading “Radiological Accidents: The Surprising Physiological and Sociological Impacts”
Air cleaning systems are often the final line of defense in the event of radiological release or nuclear disaster. The role of air cleaning systems in nuclear accidents is vital in minimizing public exposure to radioactive material and protecting public safety. When nuclear accidents occurred in the past, air cleaning systems successfully prevented disaster by … Continue reading “How Foolproof Air Cleaning Systems at Nuclear Power Plants Protect Public Health”
The threat of a radiological or nuclear disaster strikes fear in the hearts of most Americans; this is why commercial nuclear facilities need comprehensive crisis plans. Yet even the most effectively executed and successful technical response to a radiological/nuclear crisis will likely be viewed as a failure by the public if this response does not … Continue reading “The Need for a Strong Communications Strategy in the Face of a Radiological or Nuclear Accident”
Organizations are responsible for the overall health and safety of the workers they employ, from warehouse workers to the executive suite at their desks. Keeping employees safe and healthy requires knowledge of industrial hygiene, which is the science dedicated to the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, communication, and control of environmental stressors in the workplace that may … Continue reading “Industrial Hygiene: Keeping Workers Healthy and Safe”
Radiation safety may not always be the top concern of lab workers, but it is a crucial step in working with radioactive materials, and lab managers who overlook it could be jeopardizing the long-term health of their workers. “It’s not that people don’t want to follow [safety procedures]. It’s just that once they become comfortable … Continue reading “Radiation Safety in Laboratory Settings”
