Future Environment Designs Training Center's Blog

Friday, August 12, 2011

White House and EPA Misled Public on Air Quality After 9/11 Attack.

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 08: Construction continue...

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeBased on a New York Times article "Public Misled on Air Quality After 9/11 Attack, Judge Says" - Federal judge Deborah A. Batts of Federal District Court in Manhattan, found that Christine Whitman, when she led the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), made "misleading statements of safety" about the air quality near the World Trade Center in the days after the Sept. 11 attack. These statements may have put the public in danger. This pointed criticism of Mrs. Whitman came in a ruling by the judge in a 2004 class action lawsuit on behalf of residents and schoolchildren from downtown Manhattan and Brooklyn who say they were exposed to air contamination inside buildings near the trade center. The suit, against Mrs. Whitman, other former and current EPA officials and the agency itself, charges that they failed to warn people of dangerous materials in the air and then failed to carry out an adequate cleanup. The plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages and want the judge to order a thorough cleaning. In her ruling, Judge Batts decided not to dismiss the case against Mrs. Whitman, who is being sued both as former administrator of the EPA and as an individual.

In a separate but similar article by CBS News titled "W. House Molded EPA's 9/11 Reports", the EPA's internal watchdog found that the White House influenced the statements released by the EPA and that the data did not support the statements that were released. Making the 9/11 tragedy even deeper considering the amount of harm we did to ourselves by these actions.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Mold Exposure Has Greater Impact on Infants

Image by yori kato via FlickrA new study published in the journal Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology has shown that mold exposure has much greater impact in infants during their formative years. The article on this study was published online at the Environmental News Network. For certain individuals, the inhalation of mold can be extremely hazardous for the lungs, respiratory system, and overall well-being. Some people are more susceptible than others to the symptoms caused by airborne mold, but it is generally accepted that mold exposure is unhealthy for all. The new study found that infants living in moldy homes are much more likely to develop asthma by age 7.
"Early life exposure to mold seems to play a critical role in childhood asthma development," says Tina Reponen, PhD, lead study author and University of Cincinnati (UC) professor of environmental health. "Genetic factors are also important to consider in asthma risk, since infants whose parents have an allergy or asthma are at the greatest risk of developing asthma."
Mold growth is linked to environments with elevated levels of moisture. For example, basements are a common spot for mold because of underground moisture, periodic flooding from storms, and lack of air flow. Mold will start growing on surfaces like drywall, concrete, plywood, and other building materials. Microscopic spores can then be released into the air and find their way into the lungs. Once in the body, the spores can cause fungal infections, allergic reactions, irritation of the eye, nose, and throat, etc. Long-term effects include serious respiratory infections like asthma or bronchitis.
The recent study, conducted by researchers from UC and Cincinnati Children's Hospital, utilized seven years of comprehensive data for 176 children. The data was used to evaluate the effects of mold exposure from early life. The analysis took into account the likelihood of developing allergies based on family medical history.
The children in the study came from a much larger study in the Cincinnati area. The 176 children selected come from homes which contained mold. Mold was measured in the their homes using an EPA method known as environmental relative moldiness index (ERMI). In this method, mold exposure levels are measured using a DNA-based analysis tool which combines the analysis of 36 different mold types into a single index. Link to published article: http://www.annallergy.org/article/S1081-1206%2811%2900313-9/abstract

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Rudy Giuliani and Air Quality After 9/11: Part 1 & Part 2

Mike Metzer, from the Environmental Protection...

Image via WikipediaAfter listening and reading this newscast I found it interesting how everyone is pointing at the federal government experts (Giuliani, Cohen, etc.), as the reason why the first responders were allowed to expose themselves to the asbestos and other hazardous materials on the site. A very interesting two part, newscast by WNYC titled Rudy Giuliani and Air Quality After 9/11: Part 1 & Part 2. The 9/11 cleanup was a huge failure on the part of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Especially, OSHA who should've been on the site making sure workers were wearing respirators and wearing them properly. OSHA crowed about 0 injuries at the site after the cleanups were done. Where are they now, that we know that some 20,000 workers at the site are ill from their exposure to the contaminants at 9/11?

Tuesday, August 09, 2011

NYSDOL Asbestos Inspector Indicted in Kensington Towers Probe

Thank you to Darren Yehl of Cornerstone Training for bringing this indictment to my attention:

A state inspector and two City of Buffalo inspectors are among nine individuals and two companies indicted Thursday on felony charges related to an asbestos removal project in the city. The 23-count federal indictment also charges six of the contractors' employees with improperly removing and disposing of asbestos at the Kensington Heights housing project on Fillmore Avenue. Federal and state officials would not confirm the likelihood that workers or neighborhood residents were put at risk during the asbestos removal, but they would not rule it out either.

"These are very serious charges," U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul Jr. told reporters. "Asbestos is a highly dangerous substance."

The charges outlined in the 62-page indictment center around the work done by two companies -- Johnson Contracting of Buffalo and JMD Environmental Inc. of Grand island -- and the allegations that they violated the federal Clean Air Act by improperly disposing of asbestos. The indictment also charges a state Labor Department inspector, Theodore Lehmann, and two city inspectors, Donald Grzebielucha and William Manuszewski, with falsifying inspection reports.

"They certified false documents or lied about what they saw," Hochul said.

Prosecutors said one of the inspectors has reportedly retired but two others remain on the job. State and city officials declined to comment, and Lehmann, Grzebielucha and Manuszewski could not be reached to comment. When asked if bribes were involved, Hochul said his office has yet to uncover any evidence of payoffs.

"At this point, I can't comment on the motive," he said of the inspectors.

Most of the indictment focuses on the work of the two companies hired to remove and dispose of asbestos at Kensington Heights. Visible from the Kensington Expressway, the 17-acre public housing project has been a symbol of decay and abandonment for three decades. The complex, made up of six vacant towers behind Erie County Medical Center, is owned by the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority and was targeted for demolition two years ago. Tearing down the eight-story towers is the first step in the Housing Authority's proposal for a new $105 million retirement community.

As part of the demolition, Johnson Contracting was hired to remove and dispose of the estimated 63,000 square feet of asbestos in each of the towers. JMD was hired to monitor their work. The indictment alleges that from June 2009 to January 2010, Johnson and two of its managers -- President Ernest Johnson and Supervisor Rai Johnson -- instructed workers to dump asbestos down holes cut through the floors of each building. They also are charged with failing to wet the asbestos and leaving it in open containers for disposal.

Aaron Mango, the assistant U.S. attorney overseeing the case, said Johnson's practices violated a wide range of regulations regarding the disposal of asbestos.

"It is so dangerous," Mango said, "you have to insure you're taking these steps."

The indictment also alleges that JMD, the company hired to monitor Johnson's work, conspired to violate the Clean Air Act. The company was hired to conduct air sampling tests and other oversight work but, according to prosecutors, failed to do those tests properly. The government also claims JMD falsified inspection reports. The indictment also charges four of JMD's employees: Field Supervisor Evan Harnden of North Tonawanda and Project Monitors Henry Hawkins of Buffalo, Chris Coseglia of Niagara Falls and Brian Scott of North Tonawanda.

Each of the 23 counts carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both.

"Asbestos is a known carcinogen and we take very seriously these investigations," said David G. McLeod Jr., assistant special agent in charge of the Criminal Investigative Division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

According to the EPA, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung disease, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. State and federal officials would not speculate on the public health risks posed by the asbestos-removal effort at Kensington Heights. They did acknowledge, however, that given the companies' alleged practices and the six-month period in which the alleged violations took place, it is possible the public was put at risk.

"There are plenty of good reasons why the (Clean Air Act) is on the books," Hochul said.

Prosecutors said the indictment is the culmination of an investigation involving a wide range of state and federal agencies, including the FBI, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Work on Kensington Heights stalled last year and prompted the Housing Authority to terminate its demolition contract with developer Hormoz Mansouri in January. Mansouri countered by suing the authority for breach of contract. Federal officials said Mansouri, a politically connected contractor, is not accused of any wrongdoing.

Friday, August 05, 2011

The Engineering Job Interview - How an Engineer Dresses Professionally

Two suits, one navy blue and one grey, with ti...

Image via WikipediaIn a previous posting we discussed that we enjoy reading or viewing Menswear expert Antonio Centeno's posts on dressing. Here is a posting regarding how to dress for an engineering job interview that first got me interested in his posts and his videos. This article discusses the interview suit, including the suit's style, fabric, and fit and the shirt, tie, and shoes. Considering the economy and number of unemployed, this article may give you an edge on the competition when interviewing for a job.

Monday, August 01, 2011

NYS Senate Considering Asbestos Notification Fee Changes

ALBANY, NY - JUNE 16: The New York State Senat...

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeThe New York State Senate is considering changes to the notification fees paid by residential homeowners. These changes are being considered, because currently, a very small percentage of asbestos project notifications are received from projects involving owner occupied one or two family structures. The NYS Senate believes that so few of these notifications are received because the current fee structure is cost prohibitive, which results in homeowners either doing the abatement project illegally themselves or not doing the project at all. If home-owners are charged a fee of no more than five hundred dollars ($500) for the project notification it will result in improved compliance and an increase in the number of homeowner asbestos project notifications received by the NYS Department of Labor, since it would become more economically feasible to comply with the law. For more information S748-2011 can be found at: http://m.nysenate.gov/legislation/bill/S748-2011.

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Friday, July 29, 2011

Judge Stops Changes to Manufacturers Trust Company Building

Marble Columns Required Protection from the Poly, Spray Glue, & Duct Tape.

This article in the New York Times regarding "Judge Stops Changes to Manufacturers Trust Company Building" brought back some memories for me. Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company (MHT) was one of Future Environment Design's first and largest clients. Over the time we worked with MHT we removed alot of asbestos containing materials, including troweled-on amosite asbestos containing reflectance material on the first and second floors of 510 Fifth Avenue, New York. This building was the location of our most profitable and successful projects. We actually discuss this project in our initial asbestos project designer classes (reviewing the original asbestos drawings and discussing problems with amosite asbestos and negative air units). MHT wanted to perform an energy efficient upgrade to reduce the amount of electricity they were using to light the first and second floor 510 Fifth Avenue. In addition, New York City Landmarks Preservation Committee had landmarked the building, so the general contractor (Adelhardt Construction Corp.) had to figure out how to maintain the appearance while also saving electricity. Under that landmark interior was troweled-on amosite asbestos containing reflectance material. As the asbestos consultant for MHT, we designed the asbestos removal portion of the project. The entire project ended with an extremely happy client that had a payback period of 1-2 years and the project came in under budget by at least 1 million dollars.