Volume 4, Issue 1

March 2011 Caliche Connection

Karen joined our company on August 23, 2001.
She is a key member of our staff and handles
numerous responsibilities that include both
draft and final reports, preparing proposals,
scheduling meetings, finalizing travel arrange-
ments, completing both internal and external
audit documents, coordinating employee train-
Employee Spotlight
ing, submitting license, and company insurance
requirements, and QA/QC for asbestos labora-
tory analysis. Karen and her husband Rick have
been married for 30 years and have three chil-
dren, Heather, Justin, and Jennifer. (All three
currently in college.) Without Karen our com-
pany would definitely not be the same!

Dangers and Properties of Hydrogen Sulfide

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a colorless gas
that is said to have a “rotten egg” odor to it
that often results due to the bacteria break-
down of organic matter in the absence of oxy-
gen which occurs in sewers, swamps, volcanic
gasses, natural gas, and sometimes even well
waters, all due to human activities. Hydrogen
sulfide is a highly dangerous threat to workers
who are around it. It has been known to be
explosive, corrosive, heavier than air, and highly
toxic. Hydrogen sulfide interacts with hemoglo-
bin in red blood cells and myoglobin in muscle
tissue, Hydrogen sulfide poisoning caused at
least 52 occupational-related deaths in the U.S.
from 1993 to 1999. In 1998 hydrogen sulfide
was found to be the second leading cause of
death from toxic chemicals, following right
behind carbon monoxide (CO). Some perma-
nent and long term affects to the body of hy-
drogen sulfide are headaches, poor memory,
poor attention span, and poor motor function.
Short term affects include irritation of eyes,
throat, nose, and difficulty breathing. In 2003,
an uncontrollable natural gas well in Chongqing,
China led to the deaths of approximately 240
people. The majority of deaths occurred
around the area 200 to 500 miles away from
the well head, but was exposed to people as far
as 1200 miles away which lead to death. More
than 1000 people were hospitalized, and thou-
sands were evacuated. Dogs, cats, rabbits,
birds, and even fish did not survive this incident.
Recently ACGIH® lowered the 8-hour
TWA to 1.0 ppm and the 15 minute
STEL to 5.0 ppm due to airborne health
affects which forced many practitioners to re-
consider exposure limit guidelines and restrict
alarm set points to insure the safety of the
workers.

Can Stress Put You in Harms Way While

Get Involved this Earth Day
on the Job?
Take Care of the World this Earth Day! According to the New York-based Fami- stress for long periods of time, it is
April 22nd will be here before you know it. Be sure and show the lies and Work Institute, 41% of workers important to get help.
earth some appreciation. Not only will you help the earth, but you who took a survey on workplace stress Here are a few different reasons
will also lower the cost of your electric and water bill. said that they were under quite a bit of
you might have stress due to
stress. Workers reported having stress
work.
Here are some simple ways you can help the earth out. “often” or “very often” while being on
• Not blasting you air conditioner will help out more than the job. Stress is nothing to ignore. Many • Task Design: Overwhelming
people under estimate the effects of amount of hours, little amount
you think. You should set you thermostat at 78 degrees or
stress and pay the price in the end. Re- of breaks, no time to complete
higher over summer, for winter no more then 68 degrees to
search shows that stress can lead to the job.
reduce the use of energy.
many things including: cardiovascular
• Sharing rides to work or just to the store with a friend or disease, musculoskeletal disorder, usually • Management Style: No say
family member will reduce the cost of gas and help the world in the back and upper parts of your in any decisions, not enough
out; Think about all of the pollution you would be stopping if body . Studies show that people who responsibility in working on a
more people rode places together. have severe levels of stress have a 68 project,
• Don’t let your faucets run water when your not using percent higher risk of developing heart
water. whether its from brushing your teeth or watering the disease due to eating unhealthy foods • Interpersonal Relation-
grass, reducing your water use will help with your water bill and a lack of proper exercise which ships: Poor social environment
and the environment. causes you to have a lower heart rate. and lack of support from co-
• Make sure you turn your lights off when you leave a Studies show that when you deal with workers and bosses, discrimina-
room in the house. This is a big one for many people. See how stress for long periods of time it can lead tion due to religion, gender,
much less your next electricity bill is after you try this. to more serious, chronic illnesses. It is age, or race.
• Leaving TVs on while they are not in use is a big one as well, extremely important to get help espe- • Work roles: Conflicting or
turning your televisions off can help with your electricity cially if you your stress is caused from uncertain job expectations, too
bill as well as help the world. work or work related activities. If you much responsibility, too many
are dealing with extreme amounts of bosses.

Caliche’s goal through this quarterly publication is to provide valuable information that will be of interest, and helpful to you in your workplace. Your
feedback is important to us! Do you have topics you would like us to include? Starting the 3rd quarter of 2011 we will be submitting the Caliche Connec-
tion electronically. If you prefer a copy submitted by US mail, please let us know at calicheltd@calicheltd.com or 281-356-6038. For more information
about Caliche, Ltd. visit us at www.calicheltd.com.