Activity-based cost management. Part II: Applied to a respiratory protection program.

To demonstrate the relevance of activity-based cost management (ABCM) for the occupational and environmental health community, the investigators used data generated by an ABCM model of a respiratory protection program (RPP) to develop options for solving a business problem. The RPP manager in this hypothetical but realistic business scenario is faced with a 25% budget cut and a 10% increase in demand for RPP services. The manager's dilemma is to maintain the integrity of the RPP while absorbing a significant budget cut. Various cost savings options are developed, and the assumptions under which these options operate are presented. It is emphasized that the RPP manager's primary responsibility is to assure worker health and safety by first understanding the technical issues, merits, and implications of any cost-cutting option that may be considered. It is argued that only then should the manager consider the financial merits of the possible solutions to this business problem. In this way worker health and safety, and environmental protection goals, can continue to be achieved in an economic climate of cost cutting and downsizing.

Generation and characterization of aerosols and vapors for inhalation experiments.

Control of aerosol and vapor characteristics that affect the toxicity of inhaled contaminants often determines the methods of generating exposure atmospheres. Generation methods for aerosols and vapors are presented. The characteristics of the resulting exposure atmosphere and the limitations of the various generation methods are discussed. Methods and instruments for measuring the airborne contaminant with respect to various charcteristics are also described.

Calibration standards for counting asbestos.

A laboratory proficiency testing program has been initiated by NIOSH to permit standardization of asbestos counting procedures by various state agencies. This has required preparation of multiple membrane filter samples containing "identical and predictable" concentrations of asbestos fibers, with consistent particulate backgrounds. A technique to filter liquid (toluene) suspensions was developed to provide chrysotile asbestos standards ranging from 200 to 1,500 fibers/mm-2 of filter area, with an aluminum oxide particulate background. Details of the necessary techniques are described. To evaluate variations inherent in preparing these "identical" samples and to estimate variations between different counters, extensive replicate fiber counting was performed. Count data from several counters at a single facility show that this liquid suspension filtration technique provides reproducible asbestos standards as measured by optical microscopy with a coefficient of variation of plus or minus 20% with the maximum individual variations of plus or minus 50%.