Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are man-made chemicals that persist in the environment and were widely used in construction materials and electrical products prior to 1978. PCBs can affect the immune…
Many New Jersey public school employees have suffered sprains, strains, muscle tears, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and hernias that could have been avoided with relatively simple changes in workplace…
Of the estimated 100,000 public school classrooms in New Jersey, thousands are considered "temporary" – although in truth most of them remain in use indefinitely. While temporary classrooms may sometimes…
Despite misleading "nontoxic" labels, the truth is that there are toxic ingredients in many art and craft materials. Asbestos-contaminated talc in clays, glazes, and modeling products; silica dust in clay;…
Some school staff may be exposed to enough noise to cause hearing loss. Those at risk include physical education, shop, and music teachers; custodial and food service workers; and bus…
Mercury spills in schools continue to cause dangerous exposures, school evacuations, and costly cleanups. Liquid mercury, also known as quicksilver, is a silvergray heavy metal that vaporizes at room temperature.…
Personal protective equipment (PPE) can prove important after other methods to protect school staff from safety hazards have been exhausted. When properly selected, fitted, maintained, and used, PPE can limit…
Reliance on computers has resulted in secretaries, librarians, teachers, and other school staff spending more hours at the keyboard. They perform administrative tasks, do Internet searches, use e-mail, and create…