EH&S E-News and Notes
Archives
Fall '02, No. 3

Stanford University
Environmental Health and Safety
480 Oak Road
Stanford, CA 94305-8007
650-723-0448

C o n t e n t s

• Automobile Refueling Fire Hazard
  
  
• Biological Agents and Toxins Database
  
  
• Environmental Health and Safety Tips Regarding Building Projects
  
  
• EH&S Passes State Radiological Inspection with No Citations
  
  

Automobile Refueling Fire Hazard

Contributed by Assistant Fire Marshal, Alison Pena

The Petroleum Equipment Institute has launched a public information program, "STOP THE STATIC CAMPAIGN," to increase awareness of fires that result from static electricity while refueling. While filling up their vehicles with gasoline, many motorists return to their cars for various reasons. When they slide out of the car a static charge is generated. Then, when they touch the nozzle, a spark can ignite the fuel vapors around the nozzle.

The Institute has documented more than 150 incidents of static ignition at the fuel pump nationwide. With an estimated 18 billion refuelings a year, it is estimated that there are hundreds of unreported incidents. All motorists should be aware of the potential that re-entering their car will create static electricity that can cause a fire. If you absolutely have to get in your vehicle while the gas is pumping, make sure you get out, close the door touching the metal, before you pull the nozzle out. This way the static from your body will be discharged before you ever remove the nozzle. Please share this information with ALL your family and friends, especially those who have kids in the car with them while pumping gas. You can find out more information by going to www.pei.org once here, click in the center of the screen where it says "Stop Static".

Biological Agents and Toxins Database

Contributed by BioSafety Manager, Ellyn Segal

There is a new Stanford University database of all biological agents and biological toxins that are used or stored in campus facilities. The database includes National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) exempt and non-exempt material and certain toxins. Notification of the database was sent out to over 1100 Stanford faculty; this was intended to provide a one-time campus-wide inventory as a baseline from which to manage oversight for the future. Only Stanford faculty or their designated staff have access to the database. Registered faculty may enter and update their materials at anytime. The information collected from the database is solely for use by Stanford personnel. You may access more information about the database from our EH&S BioSafety web pages.

Environmental Health and Safety Tips Regarding Building Projects

Contributed by Industrial Hygienist, Yong Kim

As many campus departments are involved with local construction and renovation projects this season, the Department of Environmental Health and Safety would like to remind all departmental project managers and coordinators of the importance in adequate project preparation to minimize health and safety impacts on local building occupants.

Minimally, posting building pre-project notification is highly recommended and very helpful in providing general awareness to building occupants. In addition, taking basic measures to help address dust, odor, and noise control before a building project begins can greatly minimize negative project impacts and complaints. For specific guidance on these and other health and safety-related project management tips, refer to "EH&S GUIDELINES FOR PROJECT MANAGERS: Minimizing Impacts on Local Building Occupants" found at http://web.stanford.edu/dept/EHS/prod/mainrencon/Guide_Proj_Manag.pdf

For any questions, feel free to contact EH&S - Occupational Health & Safety Program at x5-3209.

EH&S Passes State Radiological Inspection
with No Citations

Contributed by Health Physicist, Jan Kirkley

The Department of Health Services (DHS), Radiological Health Branch, performed an on site inspection at Stanford University March 22nd through the 26th, focusing primarily on Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Oncology and the radioactive waste facility. Several isotope labs and our bioassay program were also reviewed. There were no cited items of noncompliance with regulations. While commenting on the overall quality of our program they did however list several items of concern. The Health Physics team has carefully reviewed these issues, and several new procedures have been developed as a response. The Health Physics group appreciates the hard work of all Stanford University employees in keeping our facilities in compliance.

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