New report on particulate air pollution in London

The IOM's Brian Miller is the author of a recent report on the effect of particulate air pollution on mortality in different parts of Greater London. The study, carried out on behalf of the Lord Mayor's office, estimated the potential benefits of reducing particulate levels, in terms of gains in life expectancy.

To read more about the findings from this study, go here.

Follow up study of cancer at semiconductor plant published

The HSE have published the results of a follow up study of cancer amongst workers at National Semiconductor in Greenock, the initial study having been published in 2001. The findings from this later study, jointly carried out by IOM and HSE, do not support earlier concerns about a possible link between working at the factory and developing cancer.

For more details, go here.

REACH deadline looms

The European legislation governing the registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemicals (REACH) has its first important deadline at the end of November. This is the date by which dossiers for the most hazardous classes of chemicals, and those manufactured and distributed in the largest volumes, must be submitted.

For more information on the registration requirements, and on how IOM can help organisations fulfil their obligations under REACH, go here.

Default retirement age to be phased out

The Government's announcement that the default retirement age of 65 is to be phased out has reopened the debate about how the health and wellbeing of the ageing population affects capability in the workplace, and what steps can be taken in order to accommodate older people in the workplace for longer.

To learn more about the IOM's work in this field, go here.

IOM appoints new Governor

The IOM is delighted to announce that Margaret Burns CBE has been elected to its Board of Governors. Margaret is a former Health and Safety Commissioner, and chaired the Partnership on Health and Safety in Scotland (PHASS) when it was set up in 2005. She is currently Chair of NHS Health Scotland, and a member of the UK Government's Committee on Radioactive Waste Management.

Reduction in IOM's environmental impact

For over a year now, the IOM has been measuring a variety of factors which contribute to environmental impact, such as gas and electricity consumption, business travel and commuting patterns, and paper consumption. We have achieved a 7% reduction in our carbon footprint in the last 12months, and hope to build on this by encouraging more environmentally friendly ways of travelling to work.

For more information on IOM's environmental initiatives, go here.