Scientists are reporting that so-called “thirdhand smoke”—the invisible remains of cigarette smoke that deposits on carpeting, clothing, furniture, and other surfaces—may be even more of a health hazard than previously believed.
Yael Dubowski and colleagues note that thirdhand smoke is a newly recognized contributor to the health risks of tobacco and indoor air pollution. Studies show that that nicotine in thirdhand smoke can react with the ozone in indoor air and surfaces like clothing and furniture, to form other pollutants. Exposure to them can occur to babies crawling on the carpet, people napping on the sofa, or people eating food tainted by thirdhand smoke.
In an effort to learn more about thirdhand smoke, the scientists studied interactions between nicotine and indoor air on a variety of different materials, including cellulose (a component of wood furniture), cotton, and paper to simulate typical indoor surfaces. They found that nicotine interacts with ozone, in indoor air, to form potentially toxic pollutants on these surfaces. “Given the toxicity of some of the identified products and that small particles may contribute to adverse health effects, the present study indicates that exposure to [thirdhand smoke] may pose additional health risks,” the article notes.
The authors acknowledge funding from the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF) and the German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development (GIF).
IATA Update – What’s New for 2011?
Each year, the International Air Transportation Association (IATA) updates and revises the regulations for the transportation of dangerous goods (hazardous materials) by air. If you offer dangerous goods for transportation by air, you must follow the new regulations by January 1. A large number of significant changes are being implemented in the 2011 IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR).
At this live webcast, you will learn:
- Changes in the regulations for consumer commodities– new marking and shipping paper entries
- New test authorized to determine classification and packing group of corrosives
- Changes in the classification criteria for magnetized materials
- Revisions to the classification of environmentally hazardous substances, marine pollutants, and aquatic pollutants
- Phase in of new packing instructions for Class 3 flammable liquids, Class 4 flammable solids, Class 5 oxidizers/organic peroxides, Class 8 corrosives, Class 9 miscellaneous, and Division 6
- New entries on the IATA List of Dangerous Goods and new special provisions
- New marking requirements for net quantities, limited quantities, environmentally hazardous substances, and orientation arrows
Columbia, South Carolina RCRA and DOT Training
Advertising Opportunities Available
Environmental Resource Center is making a limited number of advertising positions available in the Safety Tip of the Week™, the Environmental Tip of the Week™, and the Reg of the Day™.
Toxic Waste Candy Recalled Because it’s Toxic
The product is imported from Pakistan.
A recent test performed by the California Department of Public Health has indicated that a lot (#8288A) of the cherry flavor of the above-listed product contains elevated levels of lead (0.24 parts per million; the U.S. FDA tolerance is 0.1 ppm) that potentially could cause health problems, particularly for infants, small children, and pregnant women.
Out of an abundance of caution, the company has determined to recall all lots and all flavors of the product distributed from the product’s inception in 2007 through January 2011.
The products are identified as: Toxic Waste? Nuclear Sludge? Cherry Chew Bar (UPC 0 89894 81430 6), Toxic Waste? Nuclear Sludge? Sour Apple Chew Bar (UPC 0 10684 81410 7), and Toxic Waste? Nuclear Sludge? Blue Raspberry Chew Bar (UPC 0 89894 81420 7). Each chew bar has a net wt. of 0.7 oz (20 g).
No other “Toxic Waste?” brand product is affected by this recall. According to the company, no illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.
The recalled Nuclear Sludge™ Chew Bars were distributed nationwide in retail stores and through mail orders. The company has discontinued distribution of the cherry flavor and had previously discontinued distribution of the other two flavors.
Candy Dynamics is sending recall notices to its direct customers. If you have any of the recalled candy, call the company for instructions on destruction of the product. Please call Eileen O’Neal at 317-228-5012 (Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm EST) for further information.
Mining Deaths Rise in 2010
Mining fatalities in the United States significantly increased in 2010, following a year marked by the fewest deaths in mining history, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Seventy-one miners died on the job last year, compared to 34 in 2009. Forty-eight of those deaths occurred in coal mines, and 23 occurred at metal and nonmetal operations.
Of the 71 mining fatalities reported, 23 of those victims were killed in surface mining accidents, while 48 miners died in underground mining accidents, 29 of whom were killed in the explosion at the Upper Big Branch mine in April. The leading cause of coal mining deaths was ignition or explosion, followed by powered haulage and roof falls. The leading cause of metal/nonmetal mining deaths was powered haulage, followed by falling or sliding material, and machinery.
“While 2010 will be remembered for the explosion that killed 29 men at the Upper Big Branch mine, we are mindful that 42 additional miners’ lives also ended in tragedy,” said Joseph A. Main, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health. “Increasing our efforts to ensure a safe and healthy workplace for our nation’s miners is the best way to honor the memory of those who died.
“First and foremost, mine operators must take responsibility for the health and safety conditions in their mines to prevent these tragedies,” Main added. “Mining deaths are preventable, and actions must be undertaken to prevent them.”
MSHA has taken a number of actions to identify mines with safety issues, and has initiated a number of outreach and enforcement initiatives, including “Rules to Live By,” a fatality prevention program spotlighting the safety and health standards most frequently cited during fatal accident investigations.
In addition, MSHA engaged in a number of targeted enforcement, awareness, outreach, and rulemaking activities in 2010 to reduce the number of mining fatalities, accidents, and illnesses. These efforts include:
- A monthly round of aggressively targeted impact inspections at mines with a history of significant and/or repeat violations, poor compliance records, and high numbers of closure orders, accidents, injuries, illnesses, or fatalities. Between April and December 2010, MSHA conducted 200 impact inspections and issued 4,142 citations, orders, and safeguards.
- New screening criteria and tougher procedures for the pattern of violations enforcement program, which gives the agency additional enforcement tools to use at mines with a history of violating safety standards, and notification of 14 mines for potential pattern of violations.
- First-time use under the federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to seek injunctive action against the most recalcitrant mine operators, resulting in a settlement requiring specific safety measures to be applied to the mine.
- New enforcement policies and alert bulletins addressing specific hazards or problems such as prohibitions on advanced notice of MSHA inspections, mine ventilation requirements to prevent mine explosions, and miners’ rights to report hazards without being subject to retaliation.
- A roof fall prevention awareness program aimed at reducing the high number of roof falls that occur in the nation’s underground coal mines
- A pilot program aimed at addressing the backlog of contested citations and the agency’s conferencing procedures at the Mine Safety and Health Review Commission.
- Issuance of a new emergency temporary standard for rock dust, which would strengthen miners’ protections and minimize the potential for coal dust explosions by requiring a higher percentage of inert rock dust in underground coal mines.
- A safety initiative calling special attention to the potential dangers that shuttle cars and scoops pose in underground coal mines pose to miners, a leading cause of miner injury and death.
- A new, proposed rule that would expand requirements at underground coal mines requiring mine operators to conduct pre-shift, supplemental, on-shift, and weekly examinations to determine compliance with mandatory health and safety standards.
- A two-part, comprehensive action plan to tackle black lung, which encompasses education, enhanced enforcement, training and rulemaking, including publication of a proposed rule on lowering miners’ exposure to respirable coal dust to end black lung disease among miners.
“No miners should have to die on the job just to earn a paycheck,” said Main. “MSHA will vigorously enforce the Mine Act, and look for ways to improve our policies and regulations to prevent these unnecessary deaths and provide miners the opportunity to return home safe at the end of every shift,” said Main.
2011 Oregon GOSH Conference Coming to Portland
With more than 140 workshops and sessions, registration is now open for the Oregon Governor’s Occupational Safety and Health (GOSH) Conference. The largest event of its kind in the Northwest, the conference will be held March 7–10, 2011 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland.
On Wednesday, March 9, the event features a moderated panel discussion with four Northwest business leaders. Management from L & M Industrial Fabrication, River Point Farms, Dallas Retirement Village, and ChristieCare will share their perspectives on the importance of safety and health within their organizations.
“This is a unique opportunity to hear from small business leaders on how to achieve management commitment and employee participation in safety and health,” said Michael Wood, Oregon OSHA Administrator. “I believe their tools for success could apply to any organization.”
Other general topics covered at conference include:
- Safety committee training
- What to expect from an OSHA inspection
- Hazard communication
- Advanced accident investigation
The conference also will feature session tracks on specialties such as health care, ergonomics, construction, emergency preparedness and response, alternative energy, safety for school districts, workplace culture, and wellness.
New to the conference this year is the Columbia Forklift Challenge. Trained forklift drivers will compete for cash in an obstacle course designed to test their skills and safe operation on Tuesday, March 8.
$175,000 Fine for Lockout Tagout Violations Following Explosion
OSHA has cited U.S. Steel Corp., and Power Piping Co., with safety citations for failing to provide an effective energy control procedure and exposing workers to burns following an explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Works facility in Clairton, Pennsylvania.
OSHA initiated an investigation in July 2010 after being notified that workers from both companies suffered first, second, and third-degree burns, as well as other serious injuries. As a result of the investigation, OSHA cited U.S. Steel for two willful and 11 serious violations, with a total penalty of $143,500.
Power Piping Co., which was contracted by U.S. Steel to provide steam-fitting services at the site, was cited for six serious violations, with $31,500 in penalties.
“U.S. Steel and Power Piping did not have the proper controls in place to prevent worker exposure to hazardous energy,” said Robert Szymanski, director of OSHA’s Pittsburgh’s Area Office. “These violations must be abated immediately to prevent future incidents.”
The alleged willful violations for U.S. Steel involve the company’s failure to provide an effective energy control procedure. A willful violation exists when an employer has demonstrated either an intentional disregard for the requirements of the law or plain indifference to employee safety and health.
That company’s alleged serious violations include a lack of fall protection, inadequate lockout/tagout to prevent the inadvertent release of energy, a deficient process safety management program, and failure to implement an emergency response plan, evaluate respiratory hazards, use flame retardant gloves, and use approved electrical equipment. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
Power Piping’s alleged serious violations include inadequate energy control procedures, a lack of flame-retardant hand protection,and the company’s failure to evaluate the respiratory hazards posed by coke oven gases.
Injunction against Rosebud Mining Co. for Warning Miners of Inspection
MSHA announced that a federal judge with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania has issued a preliminary injunction against Rosebud Mining Co. In a federal lawsuit filed on December 30, 2010, MSHA claimed that personnel at the company’s Mine 78 in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and Tracy Lynne Mine in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, provided advance notice of federal inspectors’ arrival, which violates Section 103(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.
During special impact inspections conducted August 12 and November 4, 2010, mine personnel were warned against giving advance notice that an inspection party was present on mine property. MSHA personnel immediately captured the phone systems at both operations to assure compliance. However, those instructions were ignored at both operations.
“Mine employees understand that advance notification is illegal,” said Solicitor of Labor M. Patricia Smith. “The fact that workers at these two mines were cautioned against warning their colleagues underground of the presence of federal inspectors, yet did so anyway, shows a total disregard for the law.”
A preliminary injunction hearing was held on January 7. On January 10, Judge Kim R. Gibson issued an order enjoining Rosebud Mining Co., from giving advance notice to any person working underground at these mines that a federal mine inspector is on site.
The judge also noted that the court will hold a status conference on this matter at intervals of approximately 60 days to ensure that the injunction is being enforced. The initial status conference is scheduled for March 1, 2011.
Department of Labor Completes Expansion of Site Exposure Matrices Website
The U.S. Department of Labor has completed its expansion of the Site Exposure Matrices website, an effort that began in May 2010. The final six additions to the website include the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (Livermore, California), the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant (also known as the East Tennessee Technology Park or K-25, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee), the Y-12 Plant (Oak Ridge, Tennessee), the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (Paducah, Kentucky), the Pantex Plant (Amarillo, Texas), and the Pinellas Plant (Clearwater, Florida).
This more robust public version of the SEM website provides additional ways to look for information regarding toxic substances used at U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) nuclear weapons facilities covered under Part E of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA). The enhanced SEM website contains more data and allows users to identify interrelationships among DOE buildings, work processes, labor categories, and toxic substances verified as having been onsite and used at DOE sites. In addition to toxic substance information, the SEM website contains information regarding confirmed causal links between certain toxic substance exposures and certain diseases or health effects.
Rachel Leiton, director of the department’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs Division of EEOICPA, expressed her appreciation of DOE’s agreement to make its sites fully accessible. “The expanded information shows the SEM data organized in the same format as it is for this division’s claims examiners,” she said.
Part E of the EEOICPA provides federal compensation and medical benefits to DOE contractors and subcontractors who worked at certain DOE facilities and sustained an occupational illness as a result of exposure to toxic substances. Certain survivors of these workers are also eligible for benefits.
Following the enactment of Part E in 2004, the Labor Department launched an effort to create the SEM database to assist claimants in substantiating their Part E claims. The Labor Department continues to expand the SEM database as new information is received and is always interested in obtaining new information to supplement and enhance the SEM database.
CONN-OSHA Seminar Addresses Powered Industrial Truck Operation
Driving a powered industrial truck isn’t as simple as climbing in behind the wheel, turning the key, and shifting the vehicle into gear.
Indeed, there’s a good deal more involved; operators of these “fork trucks,” as they are commonly known, have to meet OSHA’s Powered Industrial Truck Standard—which includes formal instruction—possess practical training, and be periodically graded by certified trainers who can evaluate their performance.
Operators of powered industrial trucks will be able to make sure they have addressed every detail of their training by attending a “Powered Industrial Truck (Fork Truck)” seminar scheduled for January 25, sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Labor’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CONN-OSHA).
The session, which will run from 10 a.m. to noon, will be held Conference Room A of the agency’s Central Office, located at 200 Folly Brook Boulevard in Wethersfield, Connecticut.
“There are always hazards associated with operating any type of equipment,” explains John Able, CONN-OSHA Occupational Safety Training Specialist, who is coordinating the program. “So, it’s best to be aware of all the latest training information and know all the requirements, including any updates or new information as it may pertain to your health and safety while you are operating this type of vehicle. That’s what we’re trying to accomplish with our Powered Industrial Truck (Fork Truck) seminar, and we welcome your participation.”
Admission to the seminar is free, but pre-registration for the seminar is required.
Stucco Contractor Fined $41,200 for Serious and Repeat Violations
OSHA has issued Westport Stucco of South Florida nine safety citations and $41,200 in penalties following an inspection of the company’s site in Cooper City, Florida.
OSHA is issuing four repeat safety citations with $34,800 in fines for failing to initiate and maintain a corporate safety program that complies with OSHA standards, failing to fully plank each working level of scaffolds, failing to equip scaffolds with guardrails, and using scaffolds that were not inspected by a competent person. A repeat violation is issued when an employer previously has been cited for the same or similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.
Four serious citations are being issued with fines of $6,400 for failing to place planking of a scaffolding over a support, to properly brace scaffolds, erect toe boards to prevent falling objects from striking employees beneath the scaffolds, and have a competent person inspect scaffolds after they have been erected, moved, dismantled, or altered.
“The dangers of scaffolding can be controlled by adhering to OSHA standards, but this company continues to expose its workers to unnecessary hazards,” said Darlene Fossum, OSHA area director in Fort Lauderdale.
$212,000 Fine for Failure to Provide Lockout/Tagout Training
OSHA has issued 10 safety citations to the Bridgford Foods Processing Corp., facility in Chicago for failing to implement and provide training for workers on lockout/tagout procedures, thereby exposing them to energized equipment. The meat processing plant is facing proposed penalties of $212,000.
“By failing to train employees and enforce lockout/tagout procedures, Bridgford Foods placed employees in danger of serious injury from equipment that was not properly de-energized,” said Gary Anderson, OSHA’s area director in Calumet City, Illinois. “OSHA is committed to ensuring that workers are provided a safe and healthful workplace.”
As a result of a July 2010 OSHA inspection, Bridgford Foods Processing has been issued one willful citation, with a proposed penalty of $70,000, for allowing workers to remove a shovel stuck in an auger screw conveyor without locking or tagging out the auger, placing employees in danger of the machine operating while they worked to remove the shovel.
Bridgford Foods Processing also has been issued six repeat citations, with proposed fines of $135,000, for having locked exit doors, failing to provide lockout/tagout or electrical safety training, failing to provide a load backrest extension on a powered industrial truck to minimize the hazard of material falling, and failing to specifically outline energy control procedures.
Additionally, two serious citations have been issued for failing to perform periodic energy control inspections and to maintain unobstructed exit routes. Those citations carry penalties of $7,000.
One other-than-serious citation has been issued for failing to properly illuminate exit signs. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.
Bridgford Foods’ Chicago facility has been inspected by OSHA three times since November 2007, resulting in 29 health and safety citations. The company is headquartered in Anaheim, California, and also operates two factories in Dallas, Texas, and one in Statesville, North Carolina.
This investigation falls under the requirements of OSHA’s Severe Violators Enforcement Program. Initiated in the spring of 2010, SVEP focuses on recalcitrant employers that endanger workers by committing willful, repeat, or failure-to-abate violations in one or more of the following circumstances: a fatality or catastrophe, industry operations or processes that expose workers to severe occupational hazards, employee exposure to hazards related to the potential releases of highly hazardous chemicals and all egregious enforcement actions.
Plastering Company Fined $99,000 for Fall Hazards
OSHA has issued five repeat citations to Best Plastering Contractors in El Paso, Texas, for exposing workers to fall hazards. Proposed penalties total $99,000.
“Falls are one of the most common and well-known hazards at a construction site. This is not the first time this company has jeopardized the safety of its workers,” said Jack Rector, OSHA’s area director in El Paso. “Falls can injure or kill a worker within seconds. It is fortunate in this case that there were no injuries or fatalities.”
OSHA’s El Paso Area Office initiated this inspection on October 19, 2010, when employees were observed working on a scaffold without the use of fall protection equipment at a worksite on Carole Jeschke Court in El Paso. Best Plastering employs about 18 workers at its El Paso facility and eight of them were at this worksite.
Violations include failing to provide base plates and mud sills to prevent scaffolds from becoming unstable, a ladder for safe access to all working levels of the scaffold, training for employees who perform scaffolding work, and failure to provide fall protection systems such as guardrails and/or personal fall arrest systems such as harnesses to employees working from a scaffold.
In 2009, the company was fined more than $106,000 and cited with four willful and three serious violations for exposing employees to the same safety hazards.
OSHA standards require that an effective form of fall protection, such as guardrails, safety nets, or personal fall arrest systems, be in use when workers perform residential construction activities 6 feet or more above the next lower level.
OSHA Fines Western Pennsylvania Companies for Exposing Workers to Flammable Materials Following Double Fatality
OSHA has cited Northeast Energy Management Inc., in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Huntley & Huntley Inc., in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, for workplace safety violations following an explosion at the Huntley-owned Murry Heirs #6 well site in Cheswick that caused the death of two workers.
OSHA began its investigation in July 2010 after being notified that a tank containing flammable materials had exploded and two Northeast Energy welders were killed. Huntley & Huntley contracted Northeast Energy to repair a leaking barrel tank at the well site and was responsible for ensuring that Northeast Energy properly trained its workers on safe welding procedures.
“These companies did not ensure that proper welding procedures were followed, resulting in this tragic loss of life,” said Robert Szymanski, director of OSHA’s area office in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. “OSHA remains committed to holding employers legally responsible when they fail to adhere to federal law and compromise the safety of workers.”
As a result of the investigation, Northeast Energy was cited for two willful violations involving failure to ensure workers were welding on a thoroughly cleaned tank that did not contain flammable materials which might produce a flammable or toxic vapor when subjected to heat, and determine whether flammable/combustible or other hazardous materials were present. Huntley & Huntley also received a citation for one willful violation for failing to ensure Northeast Energy suitably trained welders and supervisors in the safe operation of welding equipment and the safe use of the welding process.
Northeast Energy also was cited for serious violations for failing to provide workers with flame retardant clothing protection during welding operations, ensure that supervision determined the welder secured approval prior to commence welding operations and train employees in the specific procedures needed to protect themselves from hazardous chemicals.
Northeast Energy is involved in drill site preparation and reclamation. The company was assessed a penalty of $159,390. Huntley & Huntley develops oil and gas wells and has more than 350 gas wells in western Pennsylvania. The company was assessed a penalty of $70,000.
OSHA Cites Georgia Gulf Chemicals & Vinyls for 14 Violations
OSHA has cited Georgia Gulf Chemicals & Vinyls LLC, with 14 serious violations for exposing workers to multiple safety and health hazards at the company’s facility in Plaquemine, Louisiana. Proposed penalties total $55,000.
“An employer’s greatest resource is its workers, and exposing them to preventable injuries and illnesses will not be tolerated,” said Dorinda Folse, director of OSHA’s Baton Rouge Area Office. “The Occupational Safety and Health Act is designed to ensure that workers have a safe workplace.”
OSHA’s Baton Rouge Area Office initiated its investigation on July 20 after an OSHA inspector observed violations by Georgia Gulf Chemicals employees while conducting an investigation of a different company contracted to do maintenance work inside the same Plaquemine facility.
The violations include failing to illuminate exit routes, ensure vessels were inspected on a regular basis, train workers performing preventive maintenance on safety critical instruments, and ensure eyewashes had adequate flow and capped nozzles.
Georgia Gulf Chemicals & Vinyls LLC, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, employs approximately 2,000 workers company-wide, including about 600 located at the Plaquemine facility. The company also has operations in Texas and Mississippi.
Contractor Fined $20,000 for Failing to Provide Cave-in Protection
OSHA has issued JE Amorello Inc., willful and serious citations for exposing workers to trenching hazards at a Quincy, Massachusetts, worksite with the contractor facing a total of $20,020 in proposed fines.
OSHA’s inspection found Amorello employees working in a trench deeper than 8 feet that lacked proper shoring or sloping of its sidewalls to prevent them from collapsing onto the workers. As a result of this condition, OSHA has issued the company one willful citation, with a proposed fine of $15,400.
“Employers know the unprotected walls of a trench can collapse suddenly and without warning, stunning and crushing workers beneath tons of soil and debris before they have a chance to react or escape,” said Brenda Gordon, OSHA’s area director for Boston and southeastern Massachusetts. “Even though no collapse occurred this time, allowing employees to enter and work in an unprotected trench is both dangerous and unacceptable.”
The inspection also found that the trench did not have a ladder so workers could swiftly exit the trench, and that bricks and excavated material were stored at the edge of the trench wall. These conditions resulted in two serious citations with $4,620 in fines.
OSHA standards require that all trenches and excavations 5 feet or deeper be protected against collapse.
Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis to Establish Charter of Maritime Advisory Committee for Safety and Health
Established in 1995, the committee is composed of approximately 15 members who are industry professionals selected to represent the interests of the maritime community.
“Re-establishing MACOSH will allow the committee to proceed with its important work to advise OSHA in protecting the safety and health of workers in the maritime industry,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. “MACOSH meetings provide the public with an opportunity to participate in committee activities on issues related to the safety and health of shipyard, long shoring and marine terminal workers.”
The maritime industry has been selected for special attention due to high injury and illness rates and the specialized nature of some occupations. On behalf of Secretary Solis, Michaels may seek advice from the committee on a variety of subjects, which may include rulemaking to update regulatory requirements; development of guidance and outreach materials tailored to individual sectors of the industry; and other activities to help reduce work-related deaths, injuries, and illnesses. The committee may also provide advice in new areas in which OSHA chooses to pursue or expand its maritime programs to address specific needs.
Meetings of the committee are announced in the Federal Register and are open to the public. General information inquiries should be directed to Joseph Daddura, director of OSHA’s Office of Maritime in the Directorate of Standards and Guidance, at 202-693-2067.