MIT MEDICAL DEPARTMENT - ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICAL SERVICE


The Environmental Medical Service (EMS) is part of the Medical Department with service, teaching, and research as its principal activities. The EMS Staff includes physicians, biologists, chemists, engineers, and physicists especially qualified in radiation protection and the recognition and control of disease due to harmful dusts, toxic chemicals and infectious agents. The EMS headquarters is in Room 20B-238. Advice regarding medical aspects is available by telephoning 3-5360.

Services relating to physical methods of hazard control are provided by the three EMS offices: The Industrial Hygiene Office , the Radiation Protection Office , and the Biohazard Assessment Office . These services are available to everyone. Some of the services available are listed below.

Industrial Hygiene Office (X 3- 2596)

Advises on the toxicity of materials and safe handling precautions.

Evaluates existing laboratory ventilation and assist in designing new ventilation.

Dispenses proper respiratory protection equipment, on loan, for short term use and advises on the procurement of respirators for long term use.

Evaluates exposure to noise, and recommend controls when necessary. This will include the provision of hearing protectors on a loan basis.

Evaluates potential health hazards by analysis of air, and/or appropriate biological specimens, for toxic contaminants.

Analyzes materials for toxic components.

Advises on the possibilities of substituting a less toxic material for a potentially toxic material.

Provides lectures or informal talks on industrial hygiene subjects.

Radiation Protection Office (X3- 2180)
Evaluates potential hazards of equipment that emits ionizing or non-ionizing radiation, and advise on methods of controlling personnel exposure.

Advises on storage, handling, and disposal of radioactive material.

Provides personnel radiation monitoring (i.e., dosimeter badges, bioassays, etc.)

Provides repair and calibration services for radiation survey instruments.

Conducts periodic radiation surveys on laboratories.

Provides radioactive waste disposal service.

Registers and interview radiation workers.

Provides lectures or informal talks on radiation protection subjects.

Biohazard Assessment Office (X3- 1740)
Evaluates the risk involved in biological research.

Develops methods for monitoring environmental and personnel exposure to microbial organisms.

Conducts surveys of bio-research laboratories.

Registers and interview recombinant DNA workers.

Provides lectures or informal talks on biohazard assessment subjects.

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