—US Senate confirms Chemical Safety Board nominees “” Two new members of the US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) were confirmed by the Senate on Dec. 9. The five-member board had been hamstrung, operating with a single member since April 2020. The new members are Sylvia Johnson, an epidemiologist with labor union experience, and Stephen Owens, an attorney and former federal and Arizona state regulator who focused on environmental, safety, and health issues.
by Jeff Johnson, special to C&EN | December 17, 2021
Giordan elected 2022 ACS president-elect “The ecosVC vice president will focus on diversity, safety, sustainability, and chemistry advocacy” Judith C. Giordan, managing director and vice president of ecosVC, has been elected the 2022 American Chemical Society president-elect by members of ACS. Giordan will serve as president of the society in 2023 and immediate past president in 2024; she will also serve on the board of directors from 2022 through 2024.
by Alexandra A. Taylor | October 27, 2021
—Chemical Safety Board head quizzed by skeptical US Congress members “Backlog of incomplete investigations and hiring challenges plague the board” Support mixed with criticism confronted the US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) at an oversight hearing of the US House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee on Sept. 29.
by Jeff Johnson, special to C&EN | October 06, 2021
—Chemical Safety Board finalizes two fatal accident investigations “6 workers were killed in incidents at AB Specialty Silicones and Evergreen Packaging” The US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board on Sept. 24 approved two final reports on accidents that killed a total of six workers. The reports were critical of AB Specialty Silicones of Waukegan, Illinois, where four workers were killed May 3, 2019, and an Evergreen Packaging paper mill in Canton, North Carolina, where two workers died Sept. 21, 2020.
by Jeff Johnson, special to C&EN | October 01, 2021
—Formosa to pay $2.85 milllion in penalties plus follow new safety requirements “DOJ agreement stems from chemical releases in 2013–16” Formosa Plastics has agreed to pay $2.85 million in civil penalties and to correct alleged Clean Air Act violations at its petrochemical manufacturing facility in Point Comfort, Texas, the US Department of Justice announced Sept. 13.
by Jeff Johnson, special to C&EN | September 16, 2021
Service in ACS national offices: Committee on Corporation Associates, member, 2015–18, consultant, 2019–21; Women Chemists Committee, committee associate, 2012–14, consultant, 2006–11; Board of Directors, District III, 1993–96; councilor, ex officio, 1993–96; Committee on Public Affairs and Public Relations, 1995–96, chair; Committee on Professional and Member Relations, 1993–94; Committee on Publications, 1991–96; Task Force on Public Image, 1995; Ad Hoc Committee on Industry Relations, 1995; Chemical & Engineering News Publishing Board, 1992–93, 1995–96.
by Judith C. Giordan | September 10, 2021
Honors: ACS Volunteer Service Award, 2017; ACS Fellow, 2017; Northeast Region, ACS Volunteer Award, 2006; ACS Division of Chemical Technicians, Special Recognition Award, 2005 and 2002; ACS Rochester Section Award, 2005 and 2001; ACS Rochester Section, Salutes to Excellence Award, 2004. Professional positions (for the past 10 years): Eastman Kodak Company, senior research associate, retired, 1969–2011, Division Health, Safety and Environment, director, 2000–11.
by D. Richard Cobb | September 10, 2021
Honors: ACS Fellow, 2012; Harry and Carol Mosher Award, ACS Silicon Valley Section, 2016; University of Bath, sustainability global chair, 2020; Doris and Kenneth Kolb Chemistry Lectureship, Bradley University, 2019; The John Warner Center for Green Chemistry Startups, German Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Technical University of Berlin, 2017; American Association for the Advancement of Science, Lemelson Invention Ambassador, 2016; SCI Perkin Medal, Science History Institute, 2014; One of the “25 Visionaries Changing the World” Utne Reader, 2012; Environmental Merit Award, US Environmental Protection Agency, 2011; International Career Institute, “One of the Most Influential People Impacting the Chemical Industries and Sciences,” 2008; Outstanding Leadership Award, Council of Science Society Presidents, 2008; Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, National Science Foundation, 2004; Distinguished Chemist of the Year, American Institute of Chemists, New England Chapter, 2002; Reinventing Government, National Performance Review, US Vice President Al Gore, 1997.
by John C. Warner | September 10, 2021