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CDC temporarily halts work at biosafety labs because of air hose concerns
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2017/02/17/cdc-temporarily-halts-work-at-biosafety-labs-because-of-air-hose-concerns/ ^ | February 17 at 1:13 PM | Lena H. Sun

Posted on 02/17/2017 8:04:41 PM PST by BenLurkin

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has temporarily suspended work at its most secure biosafety lab that handles dangerous pathogens because air hoses that are part of the required full-body protective suits worn by lab workers were not certified for breathable air, officials said Friday.

About 100 employees have worked in the labs, at CDC’s Atlanta headquarters, since the air hoses were introduced in 2008. There is no evidence that any of the employees were exposed to infectious agents or to hazardous material from breathing air through the hoses, said Stephan Monroe, CDC’s associate director for laboratory science and safety.

“There have been no reports of acute health effects during the entire time” the hoses have been in use in the labs, Monroe said.

The problem was discovered during a routine inventory check Monday, and work at the labs was immediately suspended out of an abundance of caution, he said.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: cdc

1 posted on 02/17/2017 8:04:41 PM PST by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin

See everyone?

Blindly trust your g-d government.


2 posted on 02/17/2017 8:08:14 PM PST by Secret Agent Man ( Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: BenLurkin

The cdc is a cavalcade of monumental jokes. Credibility has worn away a long time ago.

They really need to go, period. Anything else just keeps rewarding stupidity.


3 posted on 02/17/2017 8:09:45 PM PST by Secret Agent Man ( Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: BenLurkin

How the HELL could they procure hoses for breathable air not rated for that purpose? Did the government specs just say “hoses”? Did the supplier parts-pickers just say “Aw, just them these hoses. They’ll never know the difference,”

They should have bought the hoses from a California supplier. Then every hose would have had a sticker saying “This hose contains stuff that will give you cancer.” (Every new car comes with that sticker on the window!)


4 posted on 02/17/2017 8:12:51 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: BenLurkin

Oh No! Oh No! There are no MSDS on file with OSHA. The EPA has not checked for BPAs or Organometallic compounds in the hoses. The researchers will surely die due to regulatory neglect!!


5 posted on 02/17/2017 8:15:04 PM PST by calico_thompson (Vanity sarcasm)
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To: BenLurkin

OK Freepers, help me out here. Breathable air VS unbreathable air. Unbreathable air imported from downtown Bejing ?


6 posted on 02/17/2017 8:29:59 PM PST by Newbomb Turk (Hey Newbomb, where's your brothers ElCamino ?)
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To: BenLurkin

Thank gawd they are East of here considering the Jet Stream.


7 posted on 02/17/2017 8:30:36 PM PST by RushIsMyTeddyBear (****happy dance**** BIGLY!!!! Shadilay!)
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To: BenLurkin

I’m taking bids on how long it takes the media to either blame Trump or blame someone in his family.


8 posted on 02/17/2017 9:02:12 PM PST by BobL (In Honor of the NeverTrumpers, I declare myself as FR's first 'Imitation NeverTrumper')
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To: Newbomb Turk
Actually they import the air from Mars. :)

A breathable air hose is the kind you find on a scuba tank, a non breathable air hose is what you find on a tire pump.

Now in this case there may be a problem or there may not. It sounds like it is a paperwork issue.

But they are right to stop everything until they have certified hoses.

9 posted on 02/17/2017 9:07:34 PM PST by Harmless Teddy Bear (Not a Romantic, not a hero worshiper and stop trying to tug my heartstrings. It tickles! (pink bow))
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To: Newbomb Turk
There are specs for breathable air such as the amount of oil in the air.

Since breathable air bottles are filled by air compressors that require oil lubricated parts the compressed air will have some amount of oil entrained in it when it leaves the compressor. This oil must be filtered out before it gets to the human lung on the other end.

Breathable air must meet requirements that ensure the safety of the people that depend on it for their lives.

10 posted on 02/17/2017 10:25:49 PM PST by Pontiac (The welfare state must fail because it is contrary to human nature and diminishes the human spirit.)
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