From: "Stuart, Ralph" <Ralph.Stuart**At_Symbol_Here**KEENE.EDU>
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Minimizing risk in reopening research laboratories
Date: Fri, 24 Apr 2020 13:23:11 +0000
Reply-To: ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**PRINCETON.EDU>
Message-ID: 23A4259B-72D0-4CBE-919A-7BC0B561744E**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu
In-Reply-To


> In fact, just compiling a list of coronavirus-related issues that should be addressed would be valuable.
>
I'll throw one in: An issue I am concerned about in regard to reopening any public area is the cloth mask protocol. Cloth masks are community health measures rather than personal safety measures, so I would be reluctant to impose OSHA style expectations on the use of cloth masks by the public. On the other hand, I can imagine that these masks are likely to become reservoirs for many contaminants beyond the Covid virus.

I think that we face a major challenge in maintaining the quality of the cloth masks if we ask people to wear them in public areas while relying on the wearers to maintain them. I suspect that professional laundry services will be required to assure co-workers and the community that the masks are being appropriately cleaned.

A related question is: Are labs public areas? Few academic labs I have seen have security protocols that control who enters them and it will take a significant change in both protocol and culture in change this situation.

Thanks for asking an interesting question.

- Ralph


Ralph Stuart, CIH, CCHO
Environmental Safety Manager
Keene State College
603 358-2859

ralph.stuart**At_Symbol_Here**keene.edu

---
For more information about the DCHAS-L e-mail list, contact the Divisional membership chair at membership**At_Symbol_Here**dchas.org
Follow us on Twitter **At_Symbol_Here**acsdchas

Previous post   |  Top of Page   |   Next post



The content of this page reflects the personal opinion(s) of the author(s) only, not the American Chemical Society, ILPI, Safety Emporium, or any other party. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. Unauthorized reproduction of these materials is prohibited. Send questions/comments about the archive to secretary@dchas.org.
The maintenance and hosting of the DCHAS-L archive is provided through the generous support of Safety Emporium.