Jeremy Gernand

We need quick-response risk maps for media during pollution incidents like the recent refinery fire in El Segundo (https://bit.ly/4gZEcke), showing regions of concern, incorporating wind and sensor data for rapid predictions. This system would benefit emergency mgmt and help build public trust.

Indoor air quality and temperature are usually only thought of as a modern comfort issue, but they significantly affect our decision-making, risks, and cognitive function. (Sources: http://bit.ly/4gWaqNg, http://bit.ly/48cICSy, https://bit.ly/4nxaFAN, https://bit.ly/3VLVkQF)

This is my favorite Safety requirement for the International Space Station. I attended numerous meetings to discuss its purpose and rationale. We eventually waived it for the ARED weight machine after a design change.

NHTSA delays new auto pedestrian safety testing rules until 2027, raising concerns about effectiveness and costs. With 7,300+ US pedestrian deaths yearly, uncertainties persist on safety ratings. German and Swedish studies provide insights: https://bit.ly/42gFm4S; https://bit.ly/42Yy5Xs.

Air quality analysis reveals minimal changes after xAI data center opens in pollution-burdened Memphis neighborhood Analysis of the air quality data available for southwest Memphis finds that pollution has long been quite bad, but the turbines powering an xAI data center have not made it much worse.

Global expansion of data centers heightens environmental worries regarding power plants and water cooling systems. A study in Memphis revealed air pollution from natural gas burning, worsening local air quality issues. Choosing locations with low impact is crucial for public health.

Notifying consumers about the risks of chemicals is crucial, taking into consideration exposure, potency, and dosage in addition to toxicity. California's prop 65 did not decrease average chemical exposure and led companies to switch to lesser-known unlisted chemicals. https://bit.ly/46KPcx0

Extended exposure to air pollutants could be contributing to high rates of myopia, also known as short- or nearsightedness, in schoolchildren in China, new research found.

Read more: https://wapo.st/46BuakC

The UK's ONR is updating safety assessment principles (SAPs) with AI-enhanced drafting for improved document development. This approach seems to encourage feedback and responsible AI use, highlighting the benefits of using AI for clarity in writing without potential pitfalls.

The LA Fires Spewed Out Toxic Nanoparticles. He Made It His Mission to Trace Them Nicholas Spada is one of the only scientists in the world using a nuclear x-ray process to study deadly nanoparticles in wildfire smoke. What he’s uncovered in California is a nightmare.

Nicholas Spada is one of the only scientists in the world using a nuclear x-ray process to study deadly nanoparticles in wildfire smoke. What he’s uncovered in California is a nightmare. www.wired.com/story/the-la...

Air Quality Warning: Houston, Galveston and Brazoria County Four ways to protect your health indoors on days like this.

Air Quality Warning: Houston, Galveston and Brazoria County

#Click2Houston

Air quality analysis reveals minimal changes after xAI data center opens in pollution-burdened Memphis neighborhood Analysis of the air quality data available for southwest Memphis finds that pollution has long been quite bad, but the turbines powering an xAI data center have not made it much worse.

Global expansion of data centers heightens environmental worries regarding power plants and water cooling systems. A study in Memphis revealed air pollution from natural gas burning, worsening local air quality issues. Choosing locations with low impact is crucial for public health.

Airlines should do more to make sure passengers don’t try to evacuate with their carry-on bags, FAA says | CNN The Federal Aviation Administration announced a safety alert Friday morning telling airlines they should do more to make sure passengers don’t try to evacuate with their carry-on bags in an emergency.

Airlines should do more to make sure passengers don’t try to evacuate with their carry-on bags, FAA says (https://cnn.it/3VZJy5b) | Ok, but "do more" is pretty vague... requiring drills; having bins automatically lock; or automated instructions might help, but unclear. Needs experimentation.

Lawmakers Push for Driverless Vehicle Rules in New Bill Federal lawmakers are working on language for the surface transportation reauthorization bill that would promote creation of a national safety regulatory framework for self-driving cars.

Legislative proposal to require more data sharing for autonomous vehicles is a good start (https://bit.ly/46AE4Th), but why limit such information to collisions, unplanned stoppages, and total miles? Adding "near misses" would dramatically improve the usefulness of this data.

Regulations.gov

OSHA cites a DC Circuit dissent (SeaWorld, 2014) to redefine certain activities as outside the scope of the general duty clause. It only applies to a few performers, but OSHA asks for more examples and for help defining "inherently risky". | Comments open until 1 NOV 2025: https://bit.ly/4ppq47z

Are safety-related product recalls increasing? https://bit.ly/4nBrIkK Recalls indicate a failure of design and process control that put users at risk. How these recalls are quantified is probably a matter for further research, but supply chain disruptions could be partly responsible.

US mines are literally throwing away critical minerals The U.S. discards vast quantities of critical minerals in mine waste each year - including enough lithium to power 10 million EVs.

US mines are literally throwing away critical minerals.
There’s enough lithium in one year of U.S. mine waste to power 10 million electric vehicles.

grist.org/science/us-m...

#EV #Climate #Science #Mines #Batteries #LithiumBattery #Lithium

Should student visas be limited to only 4 years? https://jeremygernand.com/posts/should-student-visas-be-limited-to-only-4-years/ | This new proposed rule from DHS limiting all student visas to no more than 4 years is just

Heat index in Houston is 111. Air conditioning demand is high. Gas & coal plant outages are up sharply. But prices in Texas are the lowest in the country ($20/MWh). Why? Texas' nation leading solar resources are generating >30% of the power needed on peak. #txlege #txenergy

43 changes to regulations by MSHA and OSHA just published in the Federal Register https://jeremygernand.com/posts/43-changes-to-regulations-by-msha-and-osha-just-published-in-the-federal-register/ | There were 43 mostly deregulatory changes proposed by MSHA and OSHA in the federal registe

Be careful about leaning towards “pilot error” as the cause of Air India 787 crash https://jeremygernand.com/posts/be-careful-about-leaning-towards-pilot-error-as-the-cause-of-air-india-787-crash/ | There was recently a flurry of speculation around the preliminary report on the cause of t

As an EHS engineer I continually learn about new sources of danger, but am occasionally very surprised by a new one...

From an engineering perspective, fireworks are made of paper and gunpowder with minimal quality control meaning that actions like this are akin to Russian roulette.

Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning - NDPA Drowning is fast, silent, and can happen in as little as 30 seconds. No Splashing with Drowning. No Waving. No Yelling.

The National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) has a PSA and more info about the signs of drowning:

Mouth at water level.
Head titled back.
Facing shore or poolside.
Climbing ladder motion.
Body vertical.

Learn more: ndpa.org/DrowningDoes... 2/3

Methane Pollution Has Cheap, Effective Solutions That Aren’t Being Used The International Energy Agency estimates that 70 percent of the fossil fuel sector’s methane emissions could be cut with existing technologies—many of which would save polluters money.

The International Energy Agency estimates that 70 percent of the fossil fuel sector’s methane emissions could be cut with existing technologies—many of which would save polluters money. www.wired.com/story/cheap-...

Pro tip, folks: if you make a figure for a publication, don’t just hand the copyright over to the publisher. Post it on OSF first and then give yourself permission to use it in the first publication and then all future publications. That way, no permissions issues.

Weekly Toll: Killed At Work - Confined Space On average, over 100 workers are killed every week in the United States due to traumatic injuries suffered at work. Here are how a few died last week.

How workers died last week: Trapped in shredder, run over by a bulldozer, crane collapse, tree care, wind project, forklift, electrocution, building collapse, vehicle incidents, shootings.

The Weekly Toll

jordanbarab.com/confinedspac...

US science is being wrecked, and its leadership is fighting the last war Facing an extreme budget, the National Academies hosted an event that ignored it.

arstechnica.com/science/2025...

People can't do much to control their exposure to air pollutants, and as we achieve cleaner air, we typically find there is still benefit in further reductions. The private sector can meet these regulations, but won't without a govt push.

It's really frustrating that the environmental lobby will say stuff like "nuclear isn't clean, you have to mine uranium" as if solar and wind just grow out of the ground or something.

Over 70 million Americans on alert for severe weather, tornadoes Destructive, long-track tornadoes are possible on Friday as over 70 million Americans prepare for potential severe weather.

As severe weather continues to impact the country, make sure you have working carbon monoxide (CO) alarms if you are using a portable generator. One portable generator can produce as much CO as hundreds of cars. CO is a deadly gas you can't see or smell.

abcnews.go.com/US/70-millio...

Judge asked to force NIOSH to keep miner health programs in place at least for now - WV MetroNews wvmetronews.com/2025/05/07/j...