Los Angeles County residents have reason to feel concern about a recent series of air quality tests conducted in Paramount. The tests’ results show a disturbing level of toxic metals polluting the air. Carlton Forge Works, a local metal manufacturing company,...
Toxic Exposure
Teachers prompt investigation into toxic exposure at schools
Parents in Los Angeles County may have read about a group of teachers working to press their district into further testing for toxins on a campus shared by three schools. The action started with three teachers diagnosed positive for thyroid cancer. A series of tests...
OSHA makes safety reports available to public
In November 2013, the Occupational and Health Administration proposed changing its workplace safety reporting procedures, making detailed workplace reports available to be viewed online. The proposed changes come at a time when the Obama administration has pushed for...
Groups ask OSHA to extend comment time on silica exposure changes
Los Angeles construction companies and workers may be following with interest a request to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration that calls for an extension on the comment period on proposed changes to rules regulating silica exposure standards....
California agency fines county over asbestos exposure
A California workplace safety agency is fining a local government for failing to take appropriate safety measures after a hazardous substance was released into the workplace. The local government is appealing the fine. The California Division of the Occupational...
BP facing thousands of new lawsuits
Los Angeles residents may be interested to learn about the thousands of lawsuits that are being filed against BP Plc, the London-based multinational oil and gas company. The 48,000 lawsuits are the result of a 2010 incident in which the company allegedly vented over...
Employees injured due to gas leak
At approximately 5 a.m. on Sept. 3, Los Angeles County firefighters received notification of an ammonia leak at the building that houses Saputo Cheese USA, a cheese factory. The building, which is located in the 5600 block of East Imperial Highway, was evacuated....
Refinery fire leads to government agency infighting
Following an enormous fire that occurred at the Chevron refinery in California, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board and the Environmental Protection Agency are working at almost cross purposes. The fire, which sent more than 15,000 people to the...
Southern California launches healthy nail salon initiative
A new initiative in Southern California seeks to reward nail salons that make changes to reduce exposure to harmful nail polish additives for employees and customers. The suggested changes include improvements to ventilation, the requirement that workers use...
Asbestos and toxins can harm tornado volunteers
The attention of the nation has been focused on the injury and death caused by the recent tornados in several cities. However, there may be personal injury cases that result from the aftereffects of these tornados that have not even occurred yet. California and other...
