Lowell Center for Sustainable ProductionPhoto
spacerHomeAbout the CenterOur WorkPublicationsEventsPersonnelPressContactspacer

Lowell Center for Sustainable Production

Helping to build healthy work environments, thriving communities, and viable businesses that support a more sustainable world.

New Tools and Reports

News and Events

Lessons Learned: Solutions for Workplace Safety and Health

Documents 6 cases of systemic failure to protect workers and identifies strategies for real change that protect workers while stimulating innovation and protecting communities.

Download Full Report [130 page pdf]
Download Executive Summary [12 page pdf]

Phthalates and Their Alternatives: Health and Environmental Concerns

Provides an overview of alternatives to phthalates used as plasticizers in a range of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic products, especially for children.
Download [24 page pdf]

Green Toys Inc. - Striving to Make Sustainable Products

Applies the Lowell Center Framework for Sustainable Products to a company that makes children's products from recycled high-density polyethylene.
Download [12 page pdf]

Investing in Best Practices for Asthma: A Business Case - August 2010 Update

Updates a 2007 report demonstrating the cost effectiveness of home-based interventions for asthma to supplement medical care.
Download [24 page pdf]

Preventing Toxic Exposures - Workplace Lessons in Safer Alternatives

Discusses the role of occupational health in the development of chemicals policies.
Download [10 page pdf]

The Sustainable Solutions Agenda

Presents a different approach for science—from the outset, to identify and assess possible pathways to enhanced sustainability. By contrast, a "knowledge first" approach focuses on causes and mechanisms, not solutions.
Download [20 page pdf]

 

SASI

Alternatives Assessment 101: Hands-On Training

June 4-June 5, 2012
Chatsworth, California

In partnership with California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control, this two-day training will introduce the process of assessing safer alternatives for chemicals and products.

Space is limited, so be sure to register early. More information about the training is here.

New Report on OSHA Identifies
7 Priority Reforms to Protect
Worker Health

Researchers: Protections Have Not Kept Up with Technology, Science

The Lowell Center has just released an analysis of successes and failures in the 40-year history of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). It outlines seven high-priority strategies for making workplaces safer.

These include comprehensive programs that tap worker and employer knowledge to systematically identify and control workplace hazards.

The report also identifies strategies for improvement without waiting for changes to OSHA. These include promoting “Prevention through Design” initiatives to design out hazards and make jobs, products, and materials inherently safer.

More information here.

Lowell Center Granted $1.8M to Improve Health, Safety in Home Care

Team to Research Ways to Make Conditions Safer for Workers and Patients

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently awarded UMass Lowell a $1.8 million, four-year grant to research issues facing Massachusetts home-care nurses and aides and to develop education and training programs.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health, home-care agencies, and labor unions are all collaborating in the Safe Home Care project.

Press Release [Download pdf] 2 pages

 

UML