Doctoral Dissertation Research in DRMS: Using Transparency to Increase Awareness of Chemical Hazards in University Laboratories

本项目审查改进的化学品信息如何能够增进对化学品健康和安全的了解，以及大学研究实验室在化学品管理方面决策的有效性。大学研究实验室是许多有毒化学物质的场所，不仅威胁到学生和大学工作人员的健康和安全，而且威胁到周围社区的健康和安全。对于在实验室工作的研究人员和清洁设施的保管员来说，这种风险尤其高。这两组人可能都没有意识到实验室中的化学物质所带来的危害；他们可能不完全了解风险。简单地提供信息（例如材料安全数据表）并不能确保信息是准确的、被使用的、被理解的，或被纳入化学品采购、处理或处置的决策中。为了评估信息来源的质量，该项目向两组测试对象（研究生和工人）提出了关于化学品暴露的假设性问题。然后，受试者在几个网站上搜索答案，并根据信息有效性的标准对他们的体验进行评分。研究结果确定了加强化学品安全信息对工人和学生的好处。本研究为职业安全卫生专业人员和工作环境决策者提供了有用的信息。与任何工作场所一样，研究实验室也有几个重叠的工作场所群体——学生、员工、管理人员、管理员以及环境健康和安全专业人员。改进化学品管理做法可以减少有毒化学品的采购和使用，减少与危险材料的接触，减少废物。它们还可以减少大学的环境暴露和责任。

This project examines how improved chemical information can increase the understanding of chemical health and safety and the effectiveness of decision making with regards to chemical management in research laboratories at universities. University research laboratories are places where many toxic chemicals not only threaten the health and safety of students and university staff, but also threaten the health and security of the surrounding neighborhoods. The risk is especially high for researchers who work in the laboratories and custodians who clean the facilities. Individuals in both groups may not be aware of the hazards presented by the chemicals in the lab; they may have incomplete knowledge of the risks. Simply providing the information (e.g. Material Safety Data Sheets) does not insure that the information is accurate, used, understood, or incorporated into decision making about chemical purchasing, handling or disposal. In order to evaluate the quality of information sources, the project gives hypothetical questions about chemical exposures to two groups of test subjects: graduate students and workers. Then, the subjects search for the answers on several websites and rate their experiences using criteria for the effectiveness of the information. The results identify the benefits of enhanced chemical safety information for workers and students. This research provides useful information for the occupational safety and health profession and work environment policy makers. Research labs like any workplace have several overlapping workplace cohorts--students, staff, managers, custodians, and environmental health and safety professionals. Improvements in chemical management practices can reduce procurement and use of toxic chemicals, reduce exposures to hazardous materials and reduce waste. They can also reduce environmental exposures and liability for universities.