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Just another WordPress.com siteOSHA PEL Announcement
OSHA announced this week their intention to review the issue of PELs.
They are asking for public comment and suggestions.
https://www.osha.gov/chemicalmanagement/index.html
An important Standard from ANSI /AAMI has been issued regarding Chemical Sterilization and High-Level Disinfection in Health Care Facilities. All interested parties in the healthcare field should obtain a copy of ANSI/AAMI ST58:2013.
Fortunately, many of the Kem Medical products will help to achieve and maintain compliance with this standard
The following overview of the AAMI Standard summarizes the content.
It provides guidelines for the selection and use of liquid chemical sterilants, high-level disinfectants, and gaseous chemical sterilizers that have been cleared for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in hospitals and other health care facilities. Included within the scope are functional and physical design criteria for chemical sterilization and high-level disinfection processing areas; staff qualifications, education, and other personnel considerations; criteria for gaseous chemical sterilizers; safety and efficacy considerations in the use of gaseous chemical sterilizers; preparation of devices for processing by chemical sterilization or high-level disinfection; quality control methods; and quality process improvement.
Glutaraldehyde and its dangers.
Glutaraldehyde is a colorless, oily, liquid-chemical with a pungent odor.
In the health care industry, glutaraldehyde is most often used to disinfect equipment that cannot be heat sterilized such as dialysis instruments, surgical instruments, suction bottles, bronchoscopes, endoscopes, and ear, nose, and throat instruments.
The chemical is most often used in a diluted form with solutions ranging from 0.1% to 50% glutaraldehyde in water.
Workers can be exposed to glutaraldehyde through inhalation or skin contact. Health effects that may occur as a result of exposure to glutaraldehyde include but are not limited to the following :
- Throat and lung irritation
- Asthma and difficulty breathing
- Contact and/or allergic dermatitis
- Nasal irritation
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
- Burning eyes and conjunctivitis
ISO9000rf
Kem Medical Products has successfully passed the ISO audit for 2012. Although, there is a lot of paperwork involved it does provide the framework for an organized company to focus on customer satisfaction.
Facts Regarding the Chemical Formaldehyde
Did you know?
All organic life forms – bacteria, plants, fish, animals and humans – produce formaldehyde. Humans produce it, inhale it, exhale it and eat it in fruits and vegetables. In fact, the average person processes about 1.5 ounces of formaldehyde each day as part of normal human metabolism.
The fruits and vegetables in which formaldehyde can be found naturally are. pears, apples, and green onions.
Interestingly enough, formaldehyde is emitted as a byproduct of certain vegetables, such as brussels sprouts and cabbage when they are cooked.
Additionally, topical creams, cosmetics and personal hygiene products contain active ingredients that prevent the growth of potentially harmful bacteria. Some of these ingredients are derivatives of formaldehyde.
The good news is that fortunately, because humans metabolize formaldehyde quickly, the chemical does not accumulate in the body. Formaldehyde does not accumulate in the environment either, because it is broken down within a few hours by sunlight or by bacteria.
Environmental Policy
Kem Medical Products and its Top Management recognize its responsibility to comply and be proactive with all legislation that will impact the environment. This proactive approach can help reduce the risk of non-compliance and improve health and safety practices for employees and the public.
Our focus is on minimizing waste, saving energy, and being more efficient in our office and in regards to our products. We will achieve this by:
Reviewing Kem Medical’s environmental goals as it relates to all areas of the business to identify ways to reduce our consumption;
Continually monitor and review progress in achieving the objectives to reduce the amount of waste generated by Kem Medical Products;
Ensuring employees’ involvement and support regarding environmental awareness and competence;
Encouraging recycling activities;
Reviewing and analyzing our office practices to reduce energy and paper usage in regard to an environmental impact;
Setting environmental objectives and targets to ensure we are in compliance with all relevant environment legislation;
A written policy commitment to pollution prevention;
Establishing and achieving programs to meet these objectives and targets and continuing environmental improvement over a declared time period.
How do you determine formaldehyde exposure?
The easiest and most convenient way to determine formaldehyde exposure is by wearing a formaldehyde monitoring badge (passive dosimeter). The Kem Medical Products badge can be used for either the 15-minute STEL level or the 8-hour PEL level. It is validated using OSHA/NIOSH Standards and criteria. The Kem Medical monitor is packaged as 4 badges per box, and includes a pre-paid mailer in which to return for analysis and the analytical report. The analysis report will be emailed to you to retain as evidence that you have shown due diligence in keeping your environment safe.
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