Marcus M. Key
Encyclopedia
Marcus M. Key is a public health administrator and practitioner who served as the first director for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH). The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, signed by President Richard Nixon, gave new responsibilities to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW), including the mandate to perform research on occupational safety and health problems, hazard evaluation
, toxicity determinations, manpower development and training.
The Act established in the establishment of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and Marcus M. Key was appointed as the new Institute's first director. Previously Key had been the Assistant Surgeon General
and director of the Bureau of Occupational Safety and Health. At NIOSH, Key oversaw 475 employees and worked with an initial budget of $17.8 million.
In 1974, B.F. Goodrich Chemical Company
contacted NIOSH concerning deaths and illnesses in its Louisville factory. After a coordinated investigation, Key issued recommendations for exposure limits to vinyl chloride
. His published recommendation suggested that vinyl chloride used in the factory resulted in four fatalities from angiosarcoma
of liver. By 1975, Dr. Key had resigned as director and was eventually replaced by John Finklea
, who had overseen the Environmental Protection Agency's
national laboratory in Durham, N.C.
Key began teaching at the University of Texas School of Public Health
. In 1985, he was contacted by Labor Secretary William E. Brock about heading the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA). After considering the post, Key opted to continue with his professorship.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is the United States’ federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injury and illness. NIOSH is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the U.S...
(NIOSH). The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, signed by President Richard Nixon, gave new responsibilities to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW), including the mandate to perform research on occupational safety and health problems, hazard evaluation
Health Hazard Evaluation Program
The Health Hazard Evaluation program is a workplace safety program administered by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health . It was developed by NIOSH to comply with a mandate included in the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to investigate occupational hazards reported...
, toxicity determinations, manpower development and training.
The Act established in the establishment of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and Marcus M. Key was appointed as the new Institute's first director. Previously Key had been the Assistant Surgeon General
Surgeon General of the United States
The Surgeon General of the United States is the operational head of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and thus the leading spokesperson on matters of public health in the federal government...
and director of the Bureau of Occupational Safety and Health. At NIOSH, Key oversaw 475 employees and worked with an initial budget of $17.8 million.
In 1974, B.F. Goodrich Chemical Company
Goodrich Corporation
The Goodrich Corporation , formerly the B.F. Goodrich Company, is an American aerospace manufacturing company based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Founded in Akron, Ohio in 1870 as Goodrich, Tew & Co. by Dr. Benjamin Franklin Goodrich. The company name was changed to the "B.F...
contacted NIOSH concerning deaths and illnesses in its Louisville factory. After a coordinated investigation, Key issued recommendations for exposure limits to vinyl chloride
Vinyl chloride
Vinyl chloride is the organochloride with the formula H2C:CHCl. It is also called vinyl chloride monomer, VCM or chloroethene. This colorless compound is an important industrial chemical chiefly used to produce the polymer polyvinyl chloride . At ambient pressure and temperature, vinyl chloride...
. His published recommendation suggested that vinyl chloride used in the factory resulted in four fatalities from angiosarcoma
Angiosarcoma
Angiosarcoma is a malignant neoplasm of endothelial-type cells that line vessel walls. This may be in reference to blood or lymphatic vessels ....
of liver. By 1975, Dr. Key had resigned as director and was eventually replaced by John Finklea
John Finklea
John F. Finklea was a physician, professor, researcher, and public health administrator notable for his leadership at the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.-Background:...
, who had overseen the Environmental Protection Agency's
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
national laboratory in Durham, N.C.
Key began teaching at the University of Texas School of Public Health
University of Texas School of Public Health
The University of Texas School of Public Health is one of eight component institutions of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston ....
. In 1985, he was contacted by Labor Secretary William E. Brock about heading the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Labor. It was created by Congress of the United States under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, signed by President Richard M. Nixon, on December 29, 1970...
(OSHA). After considering the post, Key opted to continue with his professorship.