What some are calling the largest mass poisoning in history is happening literally under our feet! According to researchers from the University of California and Linkoping University, Sweden, “Bangladesh is grappling with the largest mass poisoning of a population in history because groundwater used for drinking has been contaminated with naturally occurring inorganic arsenic. It […]
Author Archive: Randall D. Shaw, Ph.D.
What You Need to Know About Asbestos in Asia – Because What You Don’t Know Can Kill
Asbestos kills! According to the World Health Organization, about 125 million people in the world are currently exposed to asbestos at the workplace, and more than 107,000 deaths per year are attributable to occupational exposure to asbestos. This equates to roughly a 1 in 1000 chance of mortality from asbestos exposure for those 125 million […]
Five of the Worst Mistakes (and Best Lessons) of My Career!
I am terrible with languages, but, that has not stopped me from studying Thai, French, German and now Italian. Why? Probably because I travel a lot and am exposed daily to many different languages and cultures. Plus, I love challenges and can’t stand wasting time watching TV. The biggest lesson I have gained from studying […]
How to Manage Hazardous Wastes When Disposal Facilities Are AWOL
Effective and responsible management of solid wastes is one of the most challenging issues faced by companies operating in the developing world, as discussed in a previous blog post – Garage, Garbage Everywhere – A Primer on Solid Waste Management. As a result, the issue of hazardous waste management is near the top of the […]
Lead Exposure in the Workplace – Is This Really a Problem and Who is at Risk?
Occupational health issues are typically ignored by the vast majority of workers and businesses operating in developing countries, especially for those issues where exposure to toxins may take years to exhibit symptoms. There are multiple reasons for this, including behavioural, cultural and socio-economic. Regardless of the reason, the result is the same – workers are […]