Geometric Means for PCBs in Humans
Pascale Krumm, PhD, Office of Policy and External Affairs, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Table 1 shows the geometric means of serum PCBs levels found among the general population. 

Because PCB production is banned or sharply curtailed throughout the world, these levels are decreasing steadily. 

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New Emergency Response Line Numbers

The joint Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/ATSDR 24-hour emergency response line numbers have changed. 

• For public health consultative support from ATSDR during chemical emergencies, call 404-498-0120.
  
   
• For public health consultative support from CDC during natural disasters, oil spills, or biological incidents, call 770-488-7100. 
  
  
• The new fax number for ATSDR is 404-498-0056. 
  
  
• The CDC fax number remains the same (770-488-7107). 

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Health Web Public Health Electronic Discussion Groups
www.lib.umich.edu/

Includes information about selected public health listservs 

World Wide Web Virtual Library 
www.ldb.org/vl/top/index.htm 

Link to selected topics in public health 

Partners in Public Health Access for Public Health Professionals
www.nnlm.nlm.nih.gov/partners/ 

A collaborative project providing public health professionals with timely, convenient access to information resources to help them improve the  health of the public.

Global Health: Key Resources 
www.publichealth.pitt.edu/

Healthline: Michigan's Public Health Portal 
www.hline.org/

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Courses      

Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Center
Sound Solutions
Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety

Occupational Safety and Health Education and Research Center 

Contact information for courses: University of North Carolina, PO Box 16218, Chapel Hill, NC 27516-7579 
Phone: 1-888-235-3320 (toll-free) or 919-962-2101 
Fax: 919-966-7579 
E-mail: oshercww@sph.unc.edu 
Web page: www.sph.unc.edu/osherc/ 

Supervising Lead Abatement Programs. This course is designed for those responsible for designing, planning, or conducting lead-based paint, soil, and/or dust abatement. Emphasis will be placed on safe removal techniques for steel structures and residential and commercial buildings. 2001 Course Dates: August 28—31; Refresher Date: July 12. 

Comprehensive Industrial Hygiene (CHI) Review Course. This course is designed for practicing industrial hygienists seeking a review of the field or preparing to take the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) core/comprehensive examination. 2001 Course Dates: September 17—21. 

Building Inspection and Management Planning for Asbestos. Comprehensive training required for conducting inspections for asbestos-containing materials and preparing management plans that address asbestos in public and private schools. Course meets AHERA regulations and has been granted full approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2001 Course Dates: October 22—26; Refresher Date: September 7. 

Supervising Asbestos Abatement Projects. Comprehensive supervisor training as required by AHERA. Course developed in coordination with and approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2001 Course Dates: June 11—15; Refresher Date: September 6. 

Asbestos Operations and Maintenance. This course is required under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.1101 (k)(9)(v) for those who perform operations, maintenance, and repair activities involving asbestos-containing materials or presumed asbestos-containing materials. This course meets training requirements for Class III operations equivalent to the 16-hour maintenance and custodial training detailed in the AHERA regulations. Hands-on workshops will be held. 2001 Refresher Date: September 19. 

Sampling and Evaluating Airborne Asbestos Dust (NIOSH 582). Accurate determination of the quality of asbestos in the air is critical to the health of exposed workers. This 4.5-day course will address state-of-the-art methods for making that determination as well as the proper way to sample and analyze for airborne asbestos fibers. 2001 Course Dates: September 24—28. 

24th Annual Occupational Safety and Health Summer Institute, Norfolk, Virginia, August 6—10, 2001. Thirty-six courses will be presented. To review course descriptions, visit the North Carolina Education and Research Center Web site at www.sph.unc.edu/osherc/ or call the center at 1-888-235-3320. 

Sound Solutions 

Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety 

Contact: Melinda Sledge, The Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety, University of Alabama Birmingham, School of Public Health, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022; phone: 205-934-7178; e-mail: dsc@uab.edu; home page: www.uab.edu/dsc.  

Audiometric Testing and Hearing Conservation. Course content includes effects and analysis of noise, parameters of sound, anatomy and physiology, ear pathology, instrumentation, audiometric technique, hearing protection and federal and state legislation. Tuition: $495 full course; $200 second-day refresher. 2001 Course Dates: October 3—5, Ft. Walton Beach, FL; November 7—9, Birmingham, AL. 

Spirometry Workshop. Objective is to teach the basics of respiratory anatomy and physiology, lung volumes, determinants of respiratory flow and explain how the environment affects the respiratory system. Proper techniques for obtaining valid spirometric values as defined by NIOSH will be taught. Various types of spirometers and calibration syringes will be demonstrated and used. Certificate awarded upon satisfactory completion of the examination. Tuition: $410 full course; $175 first-day refresher. 2001 Course Dates: October 1—2, Ft. Walton Beach, FL; November 5—6, Birmingham, AL. 

Respirator Fit Testing Workshop. This 1-day workshop will provide a brief history of respiratory protection and standards (ANSI, OSHA, NIOSH). Emphasis is placed on respiratory fit testing, with hands-on including qualitative and quantitative fit testing procedures. Scholarships are available. Tuition: $125. 2001 Course Date: October 15, Birmingham, AL.  

Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene. This five-day program will cover the basics involved in industrial hygiene for the anticipation, recognition, evaluation, and control of potential health hazards in the worksite. This course is geared toward those with minimal formal training in industrial hygiene. Tuition: $850. 2001 Course Dates: October 1—5, Ft. Walton Beach, FL. 

Air Sampling for Toxic Substances. This two and half day program provides a thorough overview on industrial hygiene air sampling. Exposure assessment, sampling strategies, measurement methods, and calibration will be covered. Participants will spend time in hands-on workshops. Scholarships are available. Tuition: $600. 2001 Course Dates: October 1—3, Fort Walton Beach, FL.  

Confined Space Entry and Rescue. This course is intended to promote safe  confined space operations. Compliance with confined space entry program requirements, as specified in 29 CFR 1910.146, will be emphasized. Scholarships are available. Tuition: $450. 2001 Course Dates: October 10—12, Birmingham, AL. 

AHERA Refresher. This course is designed to re-accredit those who have already taken and passed an Inspection and/or Management course. Inspectors attend the first half-day. Management planners must attend full day. Tuition: $85/half day; $170/full day. 2001 Course Date: October 9, Birmingham, AL.

14th Annual Occupational Medicine Update. This offering will provide useful and applicable information on current issues in occupational medicine. Although designed for physicians practicing in occupational and environmental medicine or general and family practice, this update will have topics that should be of interest to the occupational health nurse, safety professional, industrial hygienist and anyone who has an interest in safety and health at the workplace. Tuition: $350. 2001 Course Dates: September 21—22, Destin, FL. 

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