Research by Sciences Experts Plays Key Role in OSHA's Reevaluation of Occupational Standard for Hexavalent Chromium.

Dr. Herman Gibb, Senior Epidemiologist and Vice President at Sciences International, is the primary author of studies on the lung cancer risk (abstract) and signs of clinical irritation (abstract) among chromate production workers. The studies are recognized as the most detailed examinations of exposure and effects ever conducted in a chromium-exposed population. The mortality study was used by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to estimate the risk of lung cancer from hexavalent chromium exposure. OSHA is proposing to lower its permissible exposure limit (PEL) for hexavalent chromium and for all CrVI compounds in construction, shipyards, and general industry from 52 to one microgram of CrVI per cubic meter of air as an 8-hour time weighted average (See Federal Register and News Release). Dr. Gibb was invited by OSHA to be its first expert witness at the public hearing on February 1, 2005 on the proposed PEL. Dr. Gibb is the author of numerous publications and presentations on the health effects of chromium.

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