Future Environment Designs Training Center's Blog

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Colorado Man's Home is a Living Laboratory.

Part 2 of the "Killer In The Attic" articles from AOL News discussed the story of 71 year-old William Cawlfield, who has mesothelioma. Mr. Cawlfield lives in a two-story red-brick farmhouse in Pueblo, Colorado that had been his family's home for more than a century. When he was 15 years old Mr. Cawlfield helped his father install Zonolite insulation in the attic. In addition, Mr Cawlfield also said "I used to play up there and kept my toys and a bunch of books because it was like a sand pile where I could hide things,..." He had no knowledge that the material contained asbestos.

Last month, Cawlfield stood outside his family's home watching a specially trained asbestos-removal experts wearing respirators and dressed head to toe in Tyvek carefully remove the Zonolite insulation from inside. He was paying $15,000 to have them do so. The reason he was doing this was testing conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Denver regional office found that high levels of the lethal tremolite fibers were released from the Zonolite insulation that was spread between the rafters in its attic. EPA inspectors concluded that the almost-invisible asbestos-containing dust from the Zonolite sifted though the light fixtures and switches, ceiling fans and the seams of dried-out joint tape. Copies of the reports from EPA (that AOL News obtained) determined that some of the levels of asbestos recorded in the house exceeded the maximum number of lethal fibers that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says is too dangerous for workers.

Unfortunately, EPA continues to not provide any guidance to the asbestos abatement industry on how to handle this material and continues to rely on its website as the only source of information on this dangerous situation.

Related articles

Monday, December 06, 2010

OSHA Proposes $51,000 in Fines Against David H. Koch Theater in New York for Asbestos, Fall and Crushing Hazards

Image via WikipediaThe Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited the David H. Koch Theater, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in Manhattan, for alleged repeat and serious violations of workplace health and safety standards. The theater faces a total of $51,000 in proposed fines, chiefly for asbestos, fall and crushing hazards identified during an OSHA inspection prompted by worker complaints.

OSHA's inspection found that employees of the theater and of outside contractors had not been informed of the presence of asbestos-containing and potentially asbestos-containing materials in the theater's promenade area and in nearby electrical closets. The materials had not been labeled and asbestos warning signs had not been posted.
In addition, an exit door was stuck and unable to be used, and a portable fire extinguisher was not mounted. As these conditions were similar to those cited by OSHA during a 2009 inspection of the theater, they resulted in the agency issuing the theater four repeat citations with $45,000 in proposed fines. A repeat violation is issued when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.
"The recurrence of these conditions is disturbing," said Kay Gee, OSHA's Manhattan area director. "For the health and safety of its employees as well as outside contractors, the theater must take effective steps to identify and permanently eliminate these and other hazards identified during this latest OSHA inspection."
OSHA also found that, due to a lack of guarding, theater employees were exposed to falls into the orchestra pit when the stage was raised above the pit, and to being struck or crushed by the stage when it descended into the pit. These conditions, plus the use of temporary wiring in place of permanent lighting in the promenade area, resulted in OSHA also issuing the theater three serious citations with $6,000 in proposed fines. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
"One means of eliminating hazards such as these is for employers to establish an illness and injury prevention program, in which workers and management jointly work to identify and eliminate hazardous conditions on a continual basis," said Robert Kulick, OSHA's regional administrator in New York.
The theater has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA's Manhattan Area Office, telephone 212-620-3200. To report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).

Sunday, December 05, 2010

Review of Northeast Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition

This Friday, December 3, 2010, we went to the 64th Annual Northeast Industrial Hygiene Conference and Exposition held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel New Brunswick, NJ. The conference was presented by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), New Jersey Section, Inc. and co-sponsored by the Metro New York and Philadelphia Sections AIHA. The title of the conference was "Welcome to the Future! Evolving Industrial Hygiene Opportunities." The conference agenda included presentations in Nanotechnology by Dr. Chuck Geraci from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH); Prevention through Design by Ms. Donna Heidel from NIOSH; Managing Risk in the Face of Change by Mr. T.J. Lentz from NIOSH; Industrial Forensics by Mr. Ryan Hall from RJ Lee Group; Bioterrorism Response by Dr. Nancy Connell from University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ); Before and After Measurements of Ergonomic Successes from Mr. Dan MacLeod of Dan McLeod LLC; and then the Bedbugs Invasion Panel that included Mr. Jay Taylor from Chubb and Son, Mr. Roy Viola, Esq. from McGiveny & Kluger, Mr. Rick Cooper of Cooper Pest Solutions, and Dr. Howard Sandler of Sandler Occupational Medical Associates. The exhibition included AJ Abrams Co.; Analytics Corp., Belfor USA, Bomark Instruments, EMSL, Environmental Reports, Nilfisk, Sandler Occupational Medicine Assoc., Unitech Services Group, and Zefon International to name a few.

The event like usual is great day for networking and catching up with people you haven't seen in a while. It was great to see you folks, Mrs. Deborah Gul Haffner, Mr. Ed Olmstead, Mr. Stu Mirowitz, Mr. Jack Springston, Mr. Ed Gertz, Mr. Paul DeBiase, Mr. Ken Burns, Mr. Ron Smith, and Mr. Ken Shaw, to name a few. As with most conferences, we go in hopes of learning something new or possibly meet someone who will help your business. Well this conference was duo win on that front for us. The Bedbug Panel provided alot of information that we will discuss in our next newsletter. The Prevention Through Design presentation was our favorite. It discussed "Building Industrial Hygiene into the Plan for Safer and Greener Economy." Discussing the role of industrial hygiene in the green economy, and the need for industrial hygienist to be at the beginning of the design project. Interesting statistic, from this presentation, was from an Australian Study that determined that design continues to be a significant contibutor to work-related serious injury. 37% of workplace fatalities involved design-related issues and another 14% of fatalities, design-related issues may have played a role. If that statistic was not enough for us, the case studies presented emphasized how industrial hygienists involved at different stages of the project affected or prevented risk shifting. The presentation also discussed whether worker safety and health should be included in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system? A building could be rated platinum but were their any fatalities during construction, are the occupants happy with indoor air quality, or what are costs involved with operations and maintenance?

Kudos to the New Jersey section for an excellant conference.

Related articles

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Study suggests that being too clean can make people sick

2D structure of antibacterial / antifungal age...

Image via WikipediaA recent study by the University of Michigan School of Public Health suggests that people who are overexposed to endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) may suffer more allergies and negative effects to their immune systems. Study suggests that being too clean can make people sick. This study indicates that young people who are overexposed to antibacterial soaps containing triclosan may suffer more allergies, and exposure to higher levels of Bisphenol A (BPA) among adults may negatively influence the immune system. Triclosan is a chemical compound widely used in products such as antibacterial soaps, toothpaste, pens, diaper bags and medical devices. BPA is found in many plastics and, for example, as a protective lining in food cans. Both of these chemicals are in a class of environmental toxicants called endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), which are believed to negatively impact human health by mimicking or affecting hormones. "We found that people over age 18 with higher levels of BPA exposure had higher CMV antibody levels, which suggests their cell-mediated immune system may not be functioning properly," said Erin Rees Clayton, research investigator at the U-M School of Public Health and first author on the paper. The study also found that people age 18 and under with higher levels of triclosan were more likely to report diagnosis of allergies and hay fever. There is growing concern among the scientific community and consumer groups that these EDCs are dangerous to humans at lower levels than previously thought.

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Government Refuses to Act on Cancer-Causing Insulation

Image via WikipediaWe have discussed this issue in our asbestos initial and refresher classes. The Zonolite insulation made from vermiculite mineral mined from the Libby, Montana. The vermiculite from this mine is contaminated with tremolite asbestos. Mr. Andrew Schneider wrote this excellant article "Government Refuses to Act on Cancer-Causing Insulation". This is also an important issue for asbestos inspectors because the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is specifically saying not to take samples of this material. This material gives false negative results and EPA recommends that this material be treated and handled as an asbestos containing material. In addition, vermiculite was not only used as attic insulation, it was also used in sprayed-on fireproofing until late 1980s. High-rise buildings built between 1980-1989, using sprayed-on fireproofing made by W.R. Grace (monokote made with vermiculite) also is suspect and again it is suggested that you do not sample this material. This material should be assumed to be asbestos containing.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Revival & Expansion of Canadian Asbestos Mines Causes Uproar

Open Pit Asbestos Mine in Asbestos, Quebec

The recent free trade agreement between India and Canada (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)) will boost the asbestos trade. This agreement will allow an increase in asbestos exports from Canada to India. This agreement needless to say has caused an uproar among environmental, labour & health groups. The groups demanded that a ban of the asbestos trade must be deemed a pre-condition for future negotiations on CEPA.
The Quebec government has announced the offer of C$58 million ($57 million) in loan guarantees to convert the Jeffrey mine in Asbestos, Quebec from an open-pit to an underground operation. The open-pit reserves are almost exhausted but the deeper deposits are among the biggest in the world. Canada is the world’s fifth-biggest asbestos producer after Russia, China, Kazakhstan and Brazil. India is one of the biggest consumers of cancer causing asbestos fibers from Quebec, Canada. Revival and expansion of the mine would boost asbestos production from the 100-year-old mine from an estimated 15,000 tonnes this year to 180,000 tonnes in 2012 and an eventual capacity of 260,000 tonnes, or about 10 per cent of global production.
Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI) expresses its support and solidarity with the protest from health and environmental groups against an attempt by Indian and other investors to revive a big Canadian asbestos mine. Jeffrey and one other remaining mine in the Quebec province of Canada produce chrysotile, or white asbestos, used mainly to reinforce cement used for water pipes and other building materials. Exposure to asbestos fibers causes incurable and fatal lung diseases. In India there is a ban on asbestos mining but trade, manufacture and use of asbestos products is yet to be banned. There is a ban on trade in asbestos waste as well.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Goldberg & Connolly's Construction Law Update Covers Change Order Crisis at the SCA

BearAcade™ Sticky Poly is now patented–both the product and the method.
It’s US Patent No. 7,818,941

Hope all of you have a Happy Thanksgiving and may your family and friends make the day beautiful. As we have discussed in our classes, some of you are doing consulting and contracting work for the New York City School Construction Authority (SCA). Many of you have complained about the SCA and the way they handle accounts payables (your accounts receivables). Goldberg & Connolly are construction attorneys and they put out a monthly newsletter (Construction Law Update) discussing various construction issues. Their latest newsletter is titled "Change Order Crisis at the SCA." If you do business with the SCA, we strongly recommend you read this update discussing issues with the SCA's policy and the language in the terms and conditions on handling change orders that you submit to the SCA. The article starts with the following statistic: "It has been estimated that there are 5,000 outstanding, unresolved change orders pending at the New York City School Construction Authority totaling $600-800 million dollars." That is an amazing amount money to be still on the table waiting for payment and, in this economy, that amount of money is having a significant effect on small businesses. That effect probably matches the effect of unvailable financing for small businesses. The article is written well and is very understandable for us non-legal types.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

EPA Signs Agreement with Southampton Hospital to Enhance its Environmental Practices

Montauk Point, Long Island, NY

A few days ago the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Southampton Hospital signed an agreement with them to join the Green Team. The Green Team is an EPA Region 2 (includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands) team of experts that helps developers incorporate more sustainable construction, operation and maintenance practices into their projects through voluntary agreements called memorandums of understanding (MOU’s).

Under the agreement between Southampton Hospital and EPA, the hospital will:

Reduce and eliminate mercury and other toxic substances throughout its facility.
Join EPA’s WasteWise program, which provides technical assistance in developing waste reduction and recycling plans. A cardboard compactor will be purchased and installed at the loading dock so cardboard packaging can be recycled. The hospital estimates that it will recycle 10 tons of cardboard each year.
Join the EPA ENERGY STAR Program and set a goal of reducing energy use by10%.
Use water-saving WaterSense products in the renovation and upgrading of existing buildings and in new buildings. This will reduce water usage and the associated energy needs. An average WaterSense plumbing fixture saves 13,000 gallons each year.
Use materials with recycled content for construction wherever possible.

EPA has similar agreements in place with a number of major sports organizations (New York Mets), universities (St. John's University), hospital systems (North Shore-Long Island Jewish), and real estate firms (Cushman & Wakefield) in New York and New Jersey. For more information on EPA green agreements, visit http://www.epa.gov/region02/greenteam/. For more information on Southampton Hospital’s environmental efforts, visit http://www.southhamptonhospital.org/.

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Monday, November 22, 2010

OSHA Cites NJ Company For Scaffold Violations In Staten Island

Scaffolding in Glen Cove, NY

     The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited Exterior Stucco Systems Inc. of Wayne, New Jersey with five repeat violations involving fall hazards related to the improper construction of scaffolding on a Staten Island, New York worksite. Proposed penalties total $61,600.
     OSHA initiated the inspection of the site on Sept. 1 as part of a local emphasis program focused on fall hazards in construction. As a result, the company received citations for failing to maintain a safety program, not fully planking scaffold platforms, not providing a ladder for safe scaffold access, not removing and replacing damaged scaffold components, and not properly braceing scaffolds with cross braces.
     A repeat violation is issued when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. Due to the number of repeat violations cited, the company has been added to the Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP).
     Initiated in June 2010, SVEP is intended to focus OSHA enforcement resources on recalcitrant employers that endanger workers by demonstrating indifference to their responsibilities under the law by committing willful, repeated or failure-to-abate violations in one or more of the following circumstances: a fatality or catastrophe; industry operations or processes that expose workers to severe occupational hazards; employee exposure to hazards related to the potential releases of highly hazardous chemicals; and all egregious enforcement actions. For more information on SVEP, visit http://www.osha.gov/dep/svep-directive.pdf.

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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Importance of Personal Protective Equipment

An exterminator works yesterday (Saturday) inside the Huntington Public Library, which was closed Friday after bedbugs were found.

The above photo was published with the Newsday article "Huntington library fumigated for bugs." It is an interesting photo from a health and safety perspective. The article discusses the fumigation of the library using a chemical called Nuvan to eliminate the bugs. If we look up the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)for Nuvan 7 (Visit http://www.amvac-chemical.com/media/pdf/products/msds/nuvan_7.pdf for the MSDS for Nuvan 7), we learn this chemical is poisonous if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin and eyes. Based on the picture and the assumption that the worker is working with this chemical as the picture implies. The worker is not wearing the right safety equipment or as we call it in the industry, personal protective equipment or PPE. Since this chemical can be absorbed through the skin and eyes, the tyvek suit the worker is wearing in the photo is the proper PPE to protect his body. However, since the worker is not wearing gloves or goggles this chemical can absorb into the worker through his hands or eyes. If the amount absorbed is sufficient it could be fatal as the MSDS indicates. The worker in the picture is missing gloves (nitrile is recommended type of glove on the MSDS), in addition his shoes or the coverings over his shoes should also be chemical resistant (we can't see this so we don't know if this is correct or not), and chemical resistant gogggles are required, too. The half-mask air purifying respirator (APR) the worker is wearing seems to be correct since the cartridge appears to be purple (typically the color for HEPA cartridges) and black (the color associated with organic vapor cartridges, and specified on the MSDS). However, the worker is wearing the respirator incorrectly. The straps for the respirator always go under the hood of the protective suit. This way when you take off the contaminated suit the respirator can remain on until you have decontaminated yourself. For the worker in the picture to take off the suit, the worker would first have to take off the respirator exposing the worker to the chemicals that were on the suit.

On final item, it is our experience that when wearing a half-mask APR, like the one in the photo, together with goggles always causes problems. When the goggles are worn on the face with a respirator the goggles typically do not seal properly on the face. Since the MSDS requires workers to wear eye protection with this chemical (Nuven 7), we would recommend using a full-face air purifying respirator to make sure the eyes are protected, instead of the half-mask APR.

All of these issues indicate a possible lack of training (or is it showmanship for the article) of the worker wearing the PPE. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires workers to be trained in hazard communication (how to read MSDS) and using PPE. It is very important that workers are properly trained on the hazards they are exposed to and trained on the correct PPE for working with chemicals. This training and knowledge is what Keeps Employees Safe!

NYCDEP Requesting Comments On Proposed Changes to Asbestos Regulations

Asbestos Rat in New York City

New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) is requesting comments regarding the amendments to Title 15 (the asbestos regulations). These comments are due before December 6, 2010. The link on the title will provide you the location of the amendments and to make comments on the amendments. A public hearing will be held on December 6, 2010 at the NYCDEP, 59-17 Junction Boulevard, 6th Floor, Flushing, NY 11373, from 10:00 A.M. to 12 Noon. Persons who have questions about the hearing should contact Belinda Pantina at (718) 595-6555. Primary changes are made to the definition to clarify materials, the section on Alterations/Renovations/Modifications to include asbestos exemptions, the section on Asbestos Abatement Permits to detail what is included in a work place safety plan, section on Abatement from Vertical Exterior Surfaces was modified to provide guidance when abatement should not be performed, and to correct typographical errors and other small corrections. An example of the changes includes the following:

Asbestos Assessment Report. If the building (or portions thereof) affected by the work are free of asbestos-containing material or the amount of ACM to be abated constitutes a minor project, an asbestos assessment report (Form ACP-5) completed, signed, and sealed by a DEP-certified asbestos investigator, along with a fee of $[25]47.00 shall be submitted to [DOB] DEP prior to construction document approval and to any amendment of the construction document approval which increases the scope of the project to include (a) work area(s) not previously covered.

Note that the fee is now $47 for the asbestos assessment report and the form must be submitted to the DEP not the Building Department. This is an example of the changes in the document those things underline are new and those bracketted are deleted. Remember afte rreading it if you want to make comments you have till December 6, 2010 to make those comments.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Importance of Respiratory Protection at Demolition or Disaster Sites

The Newsday story "Ground Zero settlement tally delayed as deadline hits" had the above image as part of the story. Based on this image we see workers at the sight wearing two different types of respirators and one worker wearing only a neckerchief (or something similar). The predominant respirator worn in this picture is the filtering facepiece respirator. This respirator is primarily meant to handle nuisance dusts and is not intended in handling hazardous materials or chemical vapors. It has two straps and most have a metal nose clip that is meant to achieve a better seal around the nose. It seems most are wearing these correctly except the individual in the background which appears to have only one strap on. For this individual, the respirator is probably not providing the intended protection. Three individuals have the half-mask air purifying respirators two are wearing them properly while the third is wearing it as jewelry. The cartridges being worn are high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. The HEPA filter is the highest level filter you can get for particulates and will filter out asbestos, lead, and other hazardous dusts. However, this filter will not filter chemical vapors. Based on the contaminants previously published from 9/11, the standard respirator should have been a half-mask air purifying respirator with organic vapor, acid gas, and P100 (HEPA) filters. So all the respirators in the picture were the wrong type to protect them, based on published reports of the contaminants at the 9/11 work sight. Hopefully, the regulatory and disaster community learned the lessons of 9/11 and in the future we can ensure workers at the sight wear the proper respirator and wear it properly. Maybe then in the future we will not have to pay these claims on people who got sick for not wearing a respirator or wearing the wrong type.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

5 Easy Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality - My Money (usnews.com)

Image by kqedquest via FlickrThe garage as far as we are concerned is one of the most dangerous areas of the home. Between the car, tool, and chemical storage it can have various items that by themselves would have significant impacts on indoor air quality. Individually, cars can impact air quality with the carbon monoxide they produce that can infiltrate the home, tools, depending on what powers them, can also have the same effect as a car or can generate contaminants like sawdust, silica, asbestos or other hazardous vapors, and chemical storage by itself can generate volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other hazardous vapors and mists. The above article points out various ways you can improve your air quality and the ideas are excellent.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Kings Park Psychiatric Center Cleanup Estimated At $215 Million

Image via WikipediaThe verdict is in on the Kings Park Psychiatric Center environmental cleanup. The cleanup is estimated to cost $215 million. Compared to original estimates from developers ten years ago of $60 million, that is nearly 4 times the original estimates. Though we don't think the original estimates were accurate at all. The current estimate, developed by Dvirka and Bartilucci an environmental engineering firm based in Woodbury, NY, and TRC Environmental, an environmental consultanting firm based in NYC, is probably closest to the mark because Dvirka and Bartilucci and TRC spent several months on the property performing a number of inspections and surveys to get as accurate a picture of the materials and the costs involved with this project.
The $215 million price is for demolishing all 57 abandoned buildings on the property and returning the 368 acres to open space, said a statement from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, which commissioned the study by Dvirka & Bartilucci. The bulk of the cost, about $186 million, pays for tearing down the buildings and cleaning up asbestos and other hazardous materials. Other costs include $26 million to demolish and remediate five miles of underground steam tunnels and $3.7 million to excavate materials dumped on the property over the years. State Sen. John Flanagan (R-East Northport) had secured $29 million for park cleanup and agreed to spend $3.6 million for the environmental study. He said the actual cost will be determined when the projects are put out for bid.
In February 2009, after community groups clamored for some resolution of the property, then State Parks Commissioner Carol Ash ordered the demolition of 15 buildings deemed unsafe, which will cost $14 million. Requests for bids for that project will go out soon. Once that happens and those bids come in we will get a better idea what it will actually cost.

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Gov. Paterson Proposes Eliminating New York Participation in Federal Superfund Program

Workers in hazmat suits check the status of a ...

Image via WikipediaIt seems to us that our lame duck Governor is doing all the nasty and dirty work before the incoming Governor has to. Between laying off state workers, firing the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC), and now eliminating New York State's participation in Superfund, its to bad we can't get a tax cap in place, too. It concerns us how NYS DEC will be able to handle all the work that is scheduled for NYS. Between the Hudson River Dredging project, the Gowanus Canal and Newtown Creek just to mention a few. We need to make sure that Governor Patterson's obvious attack on the NYS DEC does not hamper or significantly hinder its ability to perform its functions in New York State.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Floorings Affect on Indoor Air Quality

Mold growing on wood tacking under carpeting.

When Future Environment Designs performs an indoor air quality assessment we typically look at what's on the floor to see if that is hindering or contributing to the air quality problems. Carpeting is a problem because the average person cannot clean it properly and if it gets wet you have to make sure you dry it completely to ensure mold (fungi) won't grow on it or in it. We have seen mold grow even on the wood used for the tacking down the carpet as seen in the photo. My preference is non-porous materials on the floor. Researchers are now concerned about certain non-porous floors containing vinyl. As the above linked article at Rodale.com "Caution: Floor May Be Toxic" discusses vinyl (PVC) and why it should be avoided. The article says that researchers found that "PVC building materials, namely, vinyl flooring and coated wallpaper, were seven times more likely to contain hazardous additives when compared to nonplastic flooring options." Vinyl flooring was also found to contain asbestos, cadmium, lead, and flame retardants. "These substances are linked to asthma, fertility problems, learning disability, hormone-related diseases, and cancer." It seems we will have to change our typical recommendation of vinyl floor tiles to linoleum, cork, bamboo and/or hardwood floors. These floors are also approved for points under the Leadership Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system. The next time you are having problems with your flooring or considering remodeling look at linoleum, cork, bamboo and hardwood as better alternatives to vinyl floors or carpeting.

Related articles

Friday, October 22, 2010

Bedbugs and Lice Make Comeback.

Image via WikipediaIt's interesting how certain news stories can just freak you out a bit. For some its blood, for others it could be molds. Well for me its bugs...in particular very small bugs. Like bedbugs and lice just really gets me itching. So when a story like the one in Newsday discussed the current bedbug and louse issue, it was all I could do to prevent myself from scratching like crazy. Recent news stories have bedbugs present at the Waldorf Astoria (where else would you stay if you visited New York City), at Lincoln Center (I guess they like ballet) and the Central Islip Library (they also like to read..or maybe they are really bookworms?). This shows that bedbugs have evolved, additional proof of this is that these bedbugs are
resistant to DDT and malathion, products used in the past to kill them. The article makes interesting reading and other articles have discussed how to avoid bedbugs while traveling or specifically discussed about bedbugs not being a public health emergency. The primary reason being that bedbugs are not known to spread disease. They just want to feed on us (ok, just writing that creeped me out...itch, itch, scratch, scratch).