Venetian Gala Table Decoration |
Future Environment Designs Training Center specializes in asbestos, indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, and occupational safety training programs. We offer New York State asbestos and mold certification courses. We design, develop, and maintain the various indoor air quality, asbestos, and safety programs that are Keeping Your Employees Safe.
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Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Venitian Gala Benefits the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center - A Night To Remember
Monday, May 30, 2011
Future Environment Designs Sponsors Stachybotrys Public Outreach Video Link
Future Environment Designs is proud to sponsor this Public Outreach Video on Stachybotrys Charturum. The video was designed to help the public have a better understanding of this fungi and the mycotoxin it may produce. We hope you enjoy it and it assists you better understand stachybotrys charturum.
Stachybotrys Charturum on Sheetrock |
Related articles
- Future Environment Designs Sponsors Aspergillus & Aspergillosis Video (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- Black Mold Symptoms & Blood Tests (brighthub.com)
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Daily Show Exposes Asbestos Hypocrisy in Quebec Canada
Open-pit Mine Asbestos Quebec |
Related articles
- Quebec Government Decides to Back Loan to Restart Asbestos Mine (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- Does asbestos mean something different in Quebec than it does everywhere else? (scienceblogs.com)
- The City of Asbestos In Canada Talks About the Safety of the Mineral They Mine and Export - Daily Show (Video) (ducknetweb.blogspot.com)
- First Quebec, Now Zimbabwe (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- Quebec town of Asbestos mocked on U.S. comedy show (theprovince.com)
- Daily Show mocks Asbestos, Que. (cbc.ca)
- Asbestos industry strikes back at Jon Stewart (ctv.ca)
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Mesothelioma Early Detection Test Shows Promise
"About Mesothelioma.net" reported on April 8, 2011 that researchers from New York University Langone Medical Center presented promising research this week on a new diagnostic test designed to identify mesothelioma at an early stage. Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer of the lining of the lung or abdomen associated with breathing asbestos dust. Because the diagnosis is difficult, the asbestos-related cancer often goes undetected until it has reached an advanced stage, limiting patients’ treatment options. The NYU cancer researchers used a a new diagnostic blood assay test to identify proteins secreted by malignant mesothelioma tumors. Developed by the biotechnology company SomaLogic Inc., the test measures protein biomarkers found in the blood. Using the simple blood test, the NYU researchers identified 19 biomarkers associated with malignant mesothelioma. The aim is to detect mesothelioma early enough to allow for effective treatments, and improve survival rates and the quality of life for patients with mesothelioma.
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In a presentation at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, the research team, led by NYU cardiothoracic surgeon Harvey Pass, reported comparing 170 blood samples from 90 patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and 80 patients who had been exposed to asbestos, but who had not been diagnosed with cancer. Using the protein detection assay, the researchers detected 15 of 19 cases of stage 1 or stage 2 malignant pleural mesothelioma.
With approximately 3,000 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed each year in the U.S., and researchers estimating the disease would not peak for another 20 years. Discovering a better method for diagnosing the disease would hopefully lead to better treatments and improvements in survival rates.
Related articles
- New test detects early-stage, asbestos-related pulmonary cancer (eurekalert.org)
- Protein test detects early-stage, asbestos-related pulmonary cancer (eurekalert.org)
- Union Carbide Settlement in The Case of Mesothelioma (socyberty.com)
- An Overview of Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma (brighthub.com)
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Future Environment Designs Sponsors Aspergillus & Aspergillosis Video
Related articles
- Drug-resistance fears for deadly fungal disease (eurekalert.org)
- Same fungus, different strains: A comparative genomics approach for improved 'green' chemical production (sciencedaily.com)
- Parents sue Campbell school board over classroom mold (knoxnews.com)
- Allergic Fungal Sinusitis Overview (brighthub.com)
Monday, May 16, 2011
OSHA at 40
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- OSHA Wins Key Battle Against Insurer in Grain Elevator Accident (legaltimes.typepad.com)
- Long Island OSHA Rep Speaks to the Association of Facilities Engineers (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- 40 Years of OSHA milestones, Visualized (ehssafetynews.wordpress.com)
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Asbestos Dangers Crop Up In Japan's Disaster
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- Asbestos, Japan tsunami's other hidden danger (sfgate.com)
- Asbestos, Japan tsunami's other hidden danger (cbsnews.com)
- Asbestos, Japan tsunami's other hidden danger (ctv.ca)
- Asbestos Article in Indoor Environment Discusses Cross Issues with Radon (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- Short-term Recovery Activities in Japan (recoverydiva.com)
- Japan's parliament passes tsunami recovery budget (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
- Triple disaster and the Constitution (search.japantimes.co.jp)
Monday, May 02, 2011
First Quebec, Now Zimbabwe
Related articles
- Quebec Government Decides to Back Loan to Restart Asbestos Mine (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- Canada labeled ‘immoral asbestos pusher’ as Harper visits Quebec mining town (theglobeandmail.com)
- Harper rejects export ban on asbestos (canada.com)
- Cancer society 'disappointed' with Quebec asbestos expansion (canada.com)
- Que. hands $7.5M to asbestos mine (cbc.ca)
- Duceppe wades into asbestos mining debate (cbc.ca)
- Air has high asbestos levels at Que. worksites: study (cbc.ca)
- Air at many Quebec worksites high in asbestos levels: study (theglobeandmail.com)
Friday, April 29, 2011
EPA Region 2 Coordinator Discusses the RRP Rule
Her presentation was wide ranging, covered the full time of the presentation, and the handouts supplemented her presentation and were useful. Visit our website at http://futureenvironmentdesigns.com/news.html to find a copy of her handouts. Some of the points regarding the childhood lead problem were:
- Lead based paint is the number one environmental health threat to children
- Children absorb 50% of the lead they ingest compared to adults, which absorb only 10%.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there is no known safe level of lead in blood.
- Discussions are ongoing regarding dropping the standard of lead blood level to 5 micrograms per deciliter (ug/dl) versus the current 10 ug/dl.
- Lead bioaccumulates in the body because it mimics calcium
- Children, who live in homes where renovation & remodeling activities were performed within the past year, are 30% more likely to have a blood lead level that equals or exceeds 10 ug/dl.
- Target housing is defined as housing constructed prior to 1978. There are only 2 exceptions housing for the elderly or for person with disabilities (unless one or more children under 6 years old resides or is expected to reside in such housing), and 0-bedroom dwellings. Meaning hotels, motels, timeshares, and student housing is not exempt.
- Child Occupied Facility (COF) is defined as a building or portion of a building built prior to 1978 that is visited by the same child under age six for at least 3 hours per day, or at least 6 hours per week, or at least 60 hours per year. This includes common areas routinely used by the children under age 6 (i.e, restrooms, cafeterias), and adjacent exterior areas.
- Delead test kit added to the list of EPA approved test kits. The test kits must be used according to the manufacturer’s directions including materials that the test kits cannot be used on.
- Lead Based Paint Abatement Contractors require RRP Renovator Certification. Previous certification as a worker/supervisor allows the person to take the ½ day refresher class to become a renovator.
- Lead Waste – residential (homeowners & contractors) can dispose of lead waste bags with household waste. COFs must follow the hazardous waste regulations.
Related articles
- Hofstra is Hosting an Information Session on EPA's Lead RRP Law. (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- EPA's Local Coordinator for the Lead Paint Rule at Hofstra University (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- EPA / Mass DOS Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Safe Practices (unitedallianceservices.typepad.com)
- Restoration & Remediation Magazine - The RRP Rule: One Year Later (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- Girlfriends Talking: Lead Renovations in Older Homes (epa.gov)
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Inexpensively Handling IAQ Problems in Schools
An excellant article "Little Things Can Fix a Big Problem on National Healthy Schools Day" written by Claire Barnett, Founder and Executive Director, Healthy Schools Network, Inc., for the Huffpost Heath. Describes what teachers, parents, and facility directors can do, inexpensively, to help improve indoor air quality and help students stay in school. I would add that teachers, staff, and students should avoid using perfumes and colognes in school or any strong smelling deodorants. In addition, teachers and staff should not bring home cleaning supplies to clean their rooms, request from the facility director or the custodians cleaning supplies that are used by the school. Many times I have inspected facilities where the facility has gone to green supplies, only to inspect a classroom to find cleaning supplies not used by the facility (ie, windex, pledge, etc.). It doesn't help being green, if teachers/staff are using non-green cleaning products that they brought from home.
Related articles
- Green Cleaning: Six Requirements for LEED Compliance (green-buildings.com)
- Indoor air pollution and self-reported diseases - a case study of NCT of Delhi (iapnews.wordpress.com)
- Opening a Commercial Cleaning Business: What You Need to Know (brighthub.com)
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Controversy Regarding Brodeur's Asbestos Research Information at The New York Public Library.
As the title indicates the New York Public Library has notified Mr. Brodeur that they intend on breaking up his collection of papers that he donated to the library. Included in this collection of papers is Mr. Paul Brodeur's investigation of the asbestos health hazard and its cover-up by the asbestos industry. Though I am not a curator or librarian, it seems to be a waste of the research that Mr. Brodeur did to back-up the facts, assertions, and evidence he writes about in his articles. I hope the New York Public Library reconsiders their decision or at least allow the collection to remain together by returning the full documents to Mr. Brodeur.
Related articles
- Paul Brodeur Battles New York Library Over Archives - NYTimes.com (nytimes.com)
- Writers, Historians, Researchers - This One's For You (businessinsider.com)
- CDC's NIOSH corrects statement about asbestos, a known human carcinogen (scienceblogs.com)
- Inspectors Discover Asbestos at East Hampton Middle School (futureenv.blogspot.com)
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Quebec Government Decides to Back Loan to Restart Asbestos Mine
To justify the decision, Gignac told reporters that millions of people in India die of cholera every year because they lack access to potable water and proper sanitary infrastructure. "Excuse me, but the fact is that chrysotile asbestos cement can be used to make many more kilometres of infrastructure because it is less expensive and is a durable material and we can improve the quality of life of citizens in India," he said.
Related articles
- Cancer society 'disappointed' with Quebec asbestos expansion (canada.com)
- Que. hands $7.5M to asbestos mine (cbc.ca)
- Asbestos Expert Demands Canada Retract "Safe Use" Statement (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- Asbestos mine gets $7.5 million from Quebec (canada.com)
- Air has high asbestos levels at Que. worksites: study (cbc.ca)
- In a Town Called Asbestos, a Plan to Restart the Industry That Made It Prosperous (nytimes.com)
Thursday, April 14, 2011
NIOSH Study Designates Bisphenol A as a Skin Sensitizer
Image via Wikipedia
On April 12, 2011, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published a skin notation profile for Bisphenol A (BPA). This profile found enough evidence to classify BPA as causing skin sensitization. Sensitization is a specific immune-mediated response (responses mediated by the immune system, including allergic responses) that develops following exposure to a chemical, which, upon re-exposure, can lead to allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) or other immune-mediated diseases such as asthma, depending on the site and route of re-exposure. BPA is a high-production-volume (HPV) chemical used in the manufacturing of epoxy resins, plastics, and flame retardants. NIOSH evaluated several case reports and predictive animal studies that indicated BPA as being a skin sensitizer and can cause photoallergy. Hence, NIOSH has assigned a SK:SEN notation (skin:sensitizer) for BPA. With BPA used as a flame retardant avoiding coming into skin contact with it could be very difficult.
Related articles
- Does the NIOSH Science Blog Improve Communication? (cdc.gov)
- Portfolio Management at NIOSH (cdc.gov)
- Risks Associated with Bisphenol A in Baby Bottles (education.com)
- Skin...Exposed! (cdc.gov)
- Making the Business Case for Prevention through Design (cdc.gov)
- Rapid reduction in Bisphenol-A body levels by using fresh foods (amanwithaphd.wordpress.com)
- Bisphenol A exposures lower in Canadians compared to Americans (eurekalert.org)
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Inspectors Discover Asbestos at East Hampton Middle School
Mold behind sheet rock (asbestos joint compound?). |
Related articles
- New York State Releases FAQ on Asbestos Analysis (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- How to cover your Asbestos insulated plumbing pipes.. (sellinghighpoint.com)
- Dollar Tree Store in Newport fined for asbestos violations; repairs scheduled (newdayunderwriting.wordpress.com)
- All clear for asbestos-affected classroom (news.theage.com.au)
- Asbestos Article in Indoor Environment Discusses Cross Issues with Radon (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- Popcorn ceilings no treat to get rid of (sfgate.com)
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Asbestos Article in Indoor Environment Discusses Cross Issues with Radon
In the March 2011 issue of Indoor Environment Connections, Douglas Kladder the Director of the Center for Environmental Research & Training in Colorado Springs, Colorado wrote an excellant article regarding asbestos. Being on the asbestos side of the fence, it is interesting how sometimes we get tunnel vision in dealing with indoor air quality/environmental issues. Mr. Kladder article "Asbestos? What Asbestos? I'm a Radon Guy!" discusses the dangers of tunnel vision. Mr. Kladder discusses that their are few activities involved in radon mitigation that would not impact asbestos containing materials. He then provides several war stories of issues related to this topic. In many ways the same statement can be made to those of us in the asbestos field. We tend to get tunnel vision regarding asbestos and forget that lead, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or, even for that matter, radon may also be a concern. For example, lead paint could be on asbestos siding or asbestos spackles/joint compounds, and window caulk, in addition to containing asbestos, may also contain lead and/or PCBs. It is important for indoor air quality/environmental professional to keep abreast of the field and to consider the potential possibilities of various environmental hazards being present.
Related articles
- New York State Releases FAQ on Asbestos Analysis (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- Indoor Air Pollution and how it affects your Long-term health (easyayurveda.com)
- Board Member of Queens Cooperative Has An Asbestos Question (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- Charted Average Levels of Radon Exposure in the Home (digitalnewsgathering.wordpress.com)
- Radon (7thstreetannarbor.wordpress.com)
- Invisible and Odorless, Radon Poses Risks to Lungs (nlm.nih.gov)
Monday, April 11, 2011
New York State Releases FAQ on Asbestos Analysis
Related articles
- Condo Covered In Asbestos Dust in Virginia Beach, VA (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- CDC's NIOSH says WHAT about asbestos??? (scienceblogs.com)
- Air has high asbestos levels at Que. worksites: study (cbc.ca)
- Building owner guilty in asbestos case (newdayunderwriting.wordpress.com)
- Board Member of Queens Cooperative Has An Asbestos Question (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- Libby, Mont., asbestos victims consider $43M deal (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
- Asbestos Expert Demands Canada Retract "Safe Use" Statement (futureenv.blogspot.com)
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
Asbestos Expert Demands Canada Retract "Safe Use" Statement
However, Leslie Stayner, sent a letter sent to Paradis last week and obtained by Postmedia News, says the comments to the media are a "total misrepresentation" of the expert panel's report, commissioned by Health Canada. The letter to Paradis, Stayner said the expert panel was never asked to address the question of whether chrysotile asbestos could be used safely. "Had we been asked this question, I would certainly not have supported the argument that the continued production and use of asbestos in any form, including chrysotile, is safe. It is impossible to believe that developing countries such as India will be able to use chrysotile asbestos in a manner that protects public health when more technically advanced countries like Canada and the United States have failed to do so," Stayner wrote to Paradis.
Visit Canada.com for the full article at: http://www.canada.com/health/Expert+demands+feds+retract+statement+safe+asbestos/4517500/story.html. It seems Canada (Quebec) is determined to show that chrysotile asbestos should not be regulated and their is a potential safe use for chrysotile asbestos. We will see if Quebec reopens the Asbestos mine.
Related articles
- Expert demands feds retract statement on 'safe' use of asbestos (canada.com)
- Quebec's asbestos industry could lose union support (ctv.ca)
- Ignatieff fundraiser to be hosted by asbestos supporter (ctv.ca)
- BBC asbestos report slams Canada (cbc.ca)
- Global asbestos trade (bbc.co.uk)
- Asbestos mine backer helped raise cash for federal, Quebec Liberals (canada.com)
- Air at many Quebec worksites high in asbestos levels: study (theglobeandmail.com)
- Duceppe wades into asbestos mining debate (cbc.ca)
Monday, April 04, 2011
Board Member of Queens Cooperative Has An Asbestos Question
Habitat Magazine does twice a month podcast where they invite a New York co-op or condo board director to ask a legal question, and they host a panel of attorneys who address it. In this podcast, Karen Ward, a board director of a 67-unit co-op in Queens, is facing an asbestos problem. The board president of her co-op had hired a contractor to remove asbestos in their meeting room and a tenant' apartment. The contractor was not licensed to do this type of work, and the proper disposal protocols were not followed. According to Ms. Ward, the building is now facing fines and penalties. Find the podcast at: http://www.habitatmag.com/rss/feed/podcast
The podcast was interesting to listen to on how the panel of attorneys address this issue. First, the panel did not include a specialist (environmental attorney) in this type of problem. These attorneys said they would bring on an environmental attorney, which should have been done as part of the podcast. However, the individuals on the panel acknowledge their limited knowledge of the regulations impacting this issue and made excellant recommendations on how this individual should handle this problem. Including potentially removing the President, calling the insurance company, and possibly even calling the regulatory agencies. Highly recommend this podcast for Co-op and Condo Board members considering asbestos removal.
Related articles
- Lynnfield asbestos removal company, owners indicted (newdayunderwriting.wordpress.com)
- Asbestos found in Uptown Kingston canopies (newdayunderwriting.wordpress.com)
- Building owner guilty in asbestos case (newdayunderwriting.wordpress.com)
- Dollar Tree Store in Newport fined for asbestos violations; repairs scheduled (newdayunderwriting.wordpress.com)
- Condo Covered In Asbestos Dust in Virginia Beach, VA (futureenv.blogspot.com)
- Asbestos Controversy in Troy New York. (futureenv.blogspot.com)
Friday, April 01, 2011
Hazardous Waste In Landscape Mulch
Image via WikipediaLong Island Business News reported yesterday that Victor Liotta, owner of an Oceanside company, Liotta Bros. Recycling Corporation, was arrested and is being charged of scheming to defraud, prohibited disposal of solid waste, operation of a solid waste management facility without a permit and misbranded or adulterated fertilizer.
The arrest occurred after a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) engineer uncovered that a sample of wood chips from Liotta’s landscaping company contained altered wood and demolition debris, including plastic chips, floor tiles, rags, sheet metal and rubber.
Liotta Bros. Recycling Corporation, operates a solid waste management facility in Oceanside and a retail store called “Island Hopper Landscape Supplies” in Island Park.
Floor tiles being part of the waste in the mulch brings up the question is it asbestos containing or not. If it is asbestos the mulching process obviously makes it friable and would make it regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a category I nonfriable that has become friable. Hopefully, not many people used this company's products. It will be interesting to see how this is handled.
Related articles
- Long Island Landscaper Accused Of Selling Bad Mulch (newyork.cbslocal.com)
- Second Solid Waste Management Research Forum on 8th November 2010 (solidwasteforum.wordpress.com)
- Meeting to discuss new play equipment in Washington Park (centraldistrictnews.com)
- $50,000 for Seattle's top waste-reduction neighborhood (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
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Still Not a #BanAsbestos: Over 40 Years in the Asbestos Industry and the Ongoing Fight for Real Change
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Image via Wikipedia The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) today invited public comment on a draft document titl...