[CPEO-BIF] N.Y. vs IBM on occupational standards for TCE

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

N.Y.: TCE standards are too lax

State is inconsistent at Huron, IBM says

BY TOM WILBER
Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin (NY)
February 12, 2005 

ENDICOTT -- Federal occupational safety regulations are insufficient
protection for workers at the former IBM plant on North Street who might
unknowingly face exposure to chemicals from underground pollution,
according to a state health official. 

That is why the state is spending $250,000 to retest the 63-building
campus this month, according to Gary Litwin, director of the state
Department of Health's Bureau of Environmental Exposure Investigation. 

Officials at the state Department of Health are trying to minimize
public exposure to tricholoroethylene (TCE) and other chemicals pooled
under the plant and flowing into the village, Litwin said. 

"If you have people in there and they are not working with TCE, they
should not be expected to be exposed to TCE," Litwin said. The chemical
was once used extensively in the circuit board assembly process as a
cleaning agent, but has been phased out. 

...

For the entire article, see
http://www.pressconnects.com/today/news/stories/ne021205s147799.shtml


-- 


Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org
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