Toxic Dusts - Demolition Implications

We have posted our Winter-Spring 2012 Newsletter on our website.  The main article discusses the implications of toxic dusts on demolition, disaster relief, and emergency response workers.  This is an issue I feel really strongly about and if my recommendations are taken seriously, maybe there will be no need for any Zadroga Bills to deal with 9/11 type illnesses in the future.

Demolition, Emergency Response, and Disaster Relief Workers should wear respirators when they respond.

Related articles

• WCO - the role of Customs in natural disaster relief (mpoverello.com)
• Disaster Relief Dirigible -Via Yanko Design (overview-effect.com)
• Kings Park Psychiatric Center Demolition Up For Bid (futureenv.blogspot.com)
• CDC Website Discusses Earthquakes (futureenv.blogspot.com)

This Saturday Is The Taste of Spring Event - See You There!

Even though it seems winter has only just arrived, it makes you wonder if spring will be late, too.  To help you get in the mood for spring and breakaway from the winter doldrums for one night, the Board of Directors and staff of the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center are hosting their 6th annual winter cocktail party, “A Taste of Spring”, on Saturday, January 21st.

Always a Great Event with Some Great People

This event is being held once again at the Main Greenhouse at Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park and hosted by Vinnie Simeone and the Arboretum staff.  Visitors will enjoy delectable hors d’oeuvres prepared by Pat Spafford of Periwinkles, while taking in the melodic sounds of tree frogs and the wonderful aromas of tropical flowers. This fun event will allow community members to mingle with fellow sanctuary supporters and get an up close view of the Sanctuary's birds of prey while having their questions answered about local wildlife and the Nature Center.  Proceeds from the event will support the programs and services offered by Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center.

Time:  6:00PM on Saturday, January 21

Place: Planting Fields Arboretum, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay

Cost: $85 per person (reservations required)

Reservations are required and limited to the first 100 patrons. Please call Brooke Roeper

or Ted Scherff for more details and to purchase tickets. (516) 922-3200.

Study: Number of NYC Construction Industry Workers Falls in 2011 | ENR: Engineering News Record | McGraw-Hill Construction

Study: Number of NYC Construction Industry Workers Falls in 2011 | ENR: Engineering News Record | McGraw-Hill Construction
Interesting study showing the number of construction industry workers fell from 2009. However, more interesting is the fact that 55% of construction workers are doing without health insurance. That is up from 53% from 2009. Another interesting statistic is that Black non-Hispanics were up 2% from 2009; and Asian workers were up 12% from 2009.  Though these statistics indicate what most of us already knew, that the economy is significantly hurting the construction industry.  We hope the New Year will bring new projects into construction industry.

Related articles

• Will the Construction Industry Rebound in 2012? The Debate Rages On (constructionlawva.com)
• The Best States For Construction Workers (larrysconstructionblog.com)
• Green Jobs Make Up One-Third of Construction Workforce: McGraw Hill (ibtimes.com)
• How Much Does A Construction Worker Make? (celebritynetworth.com)

Indoor Air Quality Television Posts Foreclosed Property Video

Indoor Air Quality television (IAQTV) on you tube just posted an excellent informational video on "Foreclosed Properties & Indoor Environmental Risks".  This video provides a basic informational warning on the potential indoor environmental risks in buying a foreclosed property.

Many of these dangers are well-known to those of us in the indoor environmental consulting industry.  Future Environment Designs strongly recommends before the purchasing of a foreclosed property (one that has been unoccupied for a long period of time), that the buyer hire a Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIEC) to perform an indoor environmental assessment  to ensure these dangers are not present or can be easily eliminated.  The CIEC will be able to help you determine what would be necessary to eliminate these hazards and help develop cost estimates to be used in negotiating a purchase price of the foreclosed property.  If we can help give us a call.

Related articles

• Investigate Your Indoor Air Quality (everydayhealth.com)
• Strong Link Between Mold & Asthma in Children. (futureenv.blogspot.com)
• Three Simple Steps for Improving Indoor Air Quality (prweb.com)

New OSHA Website For Winter Storms

Just before the holidays, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a new website regarding Winter Storms.  Even though the northeast got snow on halloween, so far this year it has been tame regarding winter storms.  Last winter was a different story, which is probably the reason OSHA has published this informational site to assist employers in proteecting workers from the anticipated hazards associated with winter storm response and recovery operations that workers are likely to conduct.

The site provides information in preparing for a winter storm, response and recovery, and additional resources.  Preparation includes such things as listening to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio or going to the NOAA Watch website for information on the storm, winterizing your car, preparing and carrying an emergency kit.  Response and recovery includes information regarding the different hazards workers may face, such as driving/vehicle accidents, carbon monoxide poisoning, hypothermia and frostbite, exhaustion, dehydration, back injuries and heart attack, slips and falls, electrocution, burns, being struck by falling objects, roof collapse, and lacerations or amputations.
The site is a very good source of information for preventing the hazards discussed above.  In particular the winterizing your car part is very helpful in getting yourself ready for the winter storms that are only a matter of time before they get here.

Related articles

• OSHA Winter Storm Preparedness Tips & Guidelines (ehssafetynews.com)
• Read The Preamble, To Better Understand The Standards (futureenv.blogspot.com)

FED Wishes Everyone A Happy New Year!

Future Environment Designs would like to wish everyone a Happy, Prosperous, and Healthy New Year.  Future Environment Designs hopes your 2012 will be better than 2011 and hope that the New Year will bring all of us peace, a better economy, safety, and health.  Happpy New Year!

Times Square December 2011