Staff Reporter

District 518 staffing, technology on the list of potential uses for federal ESSER funds – The Globe

April 11, 2022 by Staff Reporter

WORTHINGTON — District 518’s deadline for spending $5.68 million in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief isn’t until 2024, but a new list of staff and technology needs is being developed after the district decided to use other available funds to pay for indoor air quality improvements.

“It’s strategic investment by the board to support those initiatives that either principals or the teachers have been promoting,” said Superintendent John Landgaard, presenting a preliminary list to the Instructional Committee of the District 518 Board of Education Monday.

He emphasized the list still needs to be refined, and that some items may be removed from it before it goes before the full board for approval.

Potential options on the tentative list include:

Putting paraprofessionals in every second grade classroom.
Adding a fifth grade teacher at the Intermediate School, which would reduce class sizes from 25-26 to 23.
Adding a guidance counselor for Worthington High School, allowing each grade at WHS and Worthington Middle School to have a counselor.
Hiring a fourth physical education teacher at the middle school.
Adding another language arts teacher at the Learning Center.
Hiring a middle school activities coordinator.
Adding a faculty liaison coordinator position for Community Education.

Technology upgrades have also made the list of possibilities, including the replacement of the district’s phone system, which will become obsolete in six months, as well as audio systems for classrooms, security for vape sensors, and televisions and monitors for classrooms and offices.
In total, all the items on the list add up to nearly $1.8 million.

If District 518 doesn’t spend its ESSER funds by the deadline, the money will be taken back, but if the district spends all the money on hiring staff, it will either have to pay for those positions itself when the two years of ESSER funding are over, find an alternative funding source or cut the positions.

“I’m trying to avoid a funding cliff at the end of ‘24,” Landgaard said.

In other news Monday, the committee:

Heard that the “Grow Your Own” pathway aimed at getting Worthington-area candidates their teaching credentials had received a $624,375 grant.
Received an update on the draft of the employee incentive policy.
Learned that eight candidates have applied for District 518’s three open administrative positions, and that candidates could potentially be hired by the first week in May. School board members will be involved in the interviewing process for administrators. The district is also making progress in hiring speech therapists, as well as teachers and food service workers.
Heard a request from the Worthington Area Youth Baseball Association to sell beer during two WAYBA home tournaments for 13- and 14-year-olds. Beer has been sold at events for older groups without incident, Landgaard said, and noted that because the school leases the ball field to the city of Worthington, the city ultimately has the final say on the matter.

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Originally Appeared Here

14 Unexpected Household Uses for Nail Polish Remover

April 11, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Photo: Pelagija (Shutterstock)

Mmm, nail polish remover. That sweet-smelling elixir—wait, sorry. I was sniffing my nail polish remover and I blacked out for a minute. We all know this pungent beauty staple definitely does not smell sweet. But the same chemical that provides its trademark unpleasant scent is what makes it great at cleaning dirt, grime, scuffs and stains off many surfaces in your home: Acetone.

This colorless, flammable liquid is a solvent that dissolves substances such as paint, varnish, or grease. Which makes that $.99 Target purchase a jack-of-all-cleaning trades around the house, capable of wiping away all manner of goo, oil, residue beyond that layer of “Louvre Me, Louvre Me Not” nail color on your digits.

If you wear gloves, crack a window for proper ventilation, and never use it near a flame or heat, this versatile, inexpensive liquid can be safely used for much more than mani-pedis.

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Originally Appeared Here

Clean Air Services Is the Name to Trust for Quality Air Vent Cleaning in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi and Metairie, Louisiana

April 11, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Homes and offices based out of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi looking forward to enjoying good indoor quality must hire professional air duct cleaning services from trusted experts like Clean Air Services. The professionals always ensure delivering excellence minus any compromises.

This press release was orginally distributed by ReleaseWire

Theodore, AL — (ReleaseWire) — 04/11/2022 — Homeowners often roll their eyes at cleaning an HVAC system’s air ducts and vents. Little do they realize that the ducts can be a breeding ground of dust, allergens, mold, mildew, and other contaminants or pollutants. Also, many families seem unaware that a clogged or dirty duct can affect the health of family members leading to long-lasting respiratory problems. Additionally, polluted ducts also reduce the machines’ operational efficiency, resulting in frequent breakdowns and repair needs. Good indoor air quality is the holy grail of a pleasant and comfortable interior.

Homes and offices based out of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi can rest all such concerns with professionals like Clean Air Services. Specializing in air duct cleaning service, the company presents a clean air environment by following a systematic process. The professionals don’t just focus on getting rid of the dust and dirt from the air ducts; instead, they ensure a comprehensive and complete air vent cleaning in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, and Metairie, Louisiana. The certified and licensed technicians excel in mold remediation and decontamination to get rid of allergens and pollutants. The experienced and trained professionals improve indoor air quality and enhance the quality of living.

Commercial air duct cleaning demands a different set of skills and expertise. Professionals like Clean Air Services ensure quality commercial duct cleaning in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, and Metairie, Louisiana. The trained professionals employ the use of advanced equipment and modern tools assuring complete clean-up. Usually, the cleaning process adopted by the experts involves brushing, air rinsing, vacuuming, and finally sanitizing the entire ductwork to present an all-new duct system all over again. The company also specializes in cleaning air handling units and diffusers, including fan assemblies, coil, and return/supply plenums.

The secret to a successful operation is using EPA-approved and registered anti-microbial encapsulates and disinfectants. This is further empowered by the continuous expansion of the processes in compliance with regulatory requirements and clients’ needs. To experience the service, call 601-583-6690 (MS), 251-660-6090 (AL), or 985-690-6066 (LA).

About Clean Air Services
Clean Air Services was established to provide quality air duct cleaning services to residential, commercial, and industrial clients across Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. Being in the business for over two decades now, the company has earned a reputation by delivering the best clean-up using better products, processes, and equipment.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/clean-air-services-is-the-name-to-trust-for-quality-air-vent-cleaning-in-bay-st-louis-mississippi-and-metairie-louisiana-1355813.htm

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Further Updates to Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards Likely Coming Soon | Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP

April 11, 2022 by Staff Reporter

At its upcoming April 21, 2022 meeting, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (“Cal/OSHA”) Standards Board will decide whether to readopt the fourth iteration of its COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (“ETS”), which first went into effect on November 30, 2020. The ETS apply to all employees not covered by Cal/OSHA’s Aerosol Transmissible Disease Standard or employees working alone or at home, and require employers to establish, implement, and maintain a COVID-19 Prevention Program (“CPP”), among other things. Sheppard Mullin previously wrote about the implementation of the original ETS here, and previous revisions to its requirements here and here.

After the Board readopts the new version of the ETS, it will replace the current version on May 6, 2022. And while many aspects of the current ETS would remain unchanged, there are some notable proposed changes, including but not limited to the following:

Vaccination Status:

Under the current ETS, certain requirements differ based on an employee’s vaccination status. However, under the proposed ETS, an employee’s vaccination status no longer matters. The definition of “fully vaccinated” has been removed. Any employee can now request a respirator from their employer for voluntary use, and effective training and instruction must be provided to employees who make this request. Further, the proposed ETS require employers to make COVID-19 testing available at no cost to all employees with COVID-19 symptoms during employees’ paid time. This revision represents a significant departure that unfortunately will require employers to foot the bill for testing employees for potential exposures that occurred outside the workplace.

Face Coverings:

Under the proposed ETS, employers no longer need to provide face coverings to employees who are not fully vaccinated to wear indoors or in vehicles. However, employers must still provide face coverings and ensure they are worn by employees when required to do so by orders from the California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) or applicable local public health order. The CDPH’s “Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings” currently requires face coverings be worn only in specific high-risk settings, such as healthcare settings. Under the proposed ETS, face coverings can also now be made of fabrics that let light pass through.

COVID-19 Tests:

Under the proposed ETS, to meet the return-to-work requirements, a COVID-19 test may now be both self-administered and self-read, but only if another means of independent verification of the results can be provided. The example noted is a time-stamped photograph of an employee’s COVID-19 test results. Except for meeting the return-to-work criteria, there is no restriction on the type of COVID-19 test that can be used as long as it is approved (including by way of an Emergency Use Authorization) by the United States Food and Drug Administration to detect current infection and administered in accordance with authorized instructions. That said, this change may allow employers to curb some abuse of the new COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave law, which allows employers to require a positive test result in order to receive a second bank of paid leave but only requires minimal documentation.

Close Contacts:

Under the proposed ETS, employers still must make testing available at no cost to any close contact, but there is no longer any requirement to exclude close contacts from the workplace. Instead, employers must review and follow CDPH guidance for persons who had close contacts, including any guidance regarding quarantine or other measures to reduce transmission. Currently, the CDPH’s quarantine guidance instructs that asymptomatic individuals who are not fully vaccinated and boosted must quarantine (stay home) for five days. Thus, while the proposed ETS may no longer require an employer to exclude close contacts, the CDPH’s current guidance, which the proposed ETS requires employers to follow, may still require exclusion (and knowledge of an employee’s vaccination status). Employers are also required to develop, implement, and maintain effective policies to prevent transmission of COVID-19 by persons who had close contacts.

COVID-19 Cases:

The proposed ETS clarify that for COVID-19 cases, regardless of vaccination status or previous infection,

Those who do not develop COVID-19 symptoms or whose COVID-19 symptoms are resolving shall not return to work until: (1) at least five days have passed from the date the symptoms began or, if the person does not develop symptoms, from the date of the first positive test; (2) at least 24 hours have passed since a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher has resolved without the use of fever reducing medications; and (3) a negative test from a specimen collected on the fifth day or later is obtained. If the employee is unable to test or the employer chooses not to require a test, 10 days must have passed from the date the symptoms began or, if the person does not develop symptoms, from the date of the first positive test.
Those whose COVID-19 symptoms are not resolving, may not return to work until: (1) at least 24 hours have passed since a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher has resolved without the use of fever-reducing medication; and (2) symptoms are resolving or 10 days have passed from when the symptoms began.

Further, a COVID-19 case shall wear a face covering in the workplace until 10 days have passed since the date that the symptoms began or, if the person did not have symptoms, from the date of their first positive test.

Importantly, Executive Order N-84-20 replaces, for the duration of the Executive Order, the exclusion periods and requirements noted above with the CDPH isolation and quarantine requirements or applicable local health officer isolation and quarantine requirements, whichever is longer. Employers should consult with their legal counsel regarding which isolation and quarantine requirements apply to them.

Cleaning and Disinfecting:

Under the proposed ETS, there are no longer cleaning and disinfecting requirements, including the previous requirement to clean areas used by a COVID-19 case. Notably, the definition of “COVID-19 hazard” no longer includes objects or surfaces that may be contaminated with COVID-19. Despite this change, the potential exposure notice that Labor Code section 6409.6 requires employers to send employees still must describe an employer’s cleaning and disinfecting efforts. Presumably, Cal/OSHA’s guidance will address this apparent conflict when it issues guidance on the proposed ETS.

Outbreaks and Major Outbreaks:

Under the proposed ETS, an “outbreak” has been redefined as 3 or more COVID-19 cases within an exposed group in the workplace during the infectious period over a 14-day period. Previously, the ETS defined an outbreak as 3 or more COVID-19 cases within an exposed group in the workplace during the high-risk exposure period over a 14-day period. Unless otherwise defined by the CDPH in which case the CDPH definition will apply, “infectious” period means, (1) for COVID-19 cases who develop symptoms, from two days before they first develop symptoms until all of the following are true: it has been 10 days since symptoms first appeared; 24 hours have passed with no fever, without the use of fever-reducing medications; and symptoms have improved, and (2) for COVID-19 cases who never develop symptoms, from two days before until 10 days after the specimen for their first positive test was collected.

In an outbreak setting, employers must still make COVID-19 testing available at no cost to all employees in the exposed group, regardless of vaccination status. There are some exceptions, including those who were not present at the workplace during the relevant 14-day period, and now those who are considered to be a “returned case.” Notably, employees who had close contacts must have a negative test taken within 3-5 days after the close contact or must be excluded and follow the return-to-work requirements.

For major outbreaks (defined under the proposed ETS as 20 or more employees within an exposed group in the workplace during the infectious period over a 30-day period), employees in the exposed group are required to be tested or must be excluded and follow the return-to-work requirements. Lastly, employers no longer need to consider using cleanable solid partitions when social distancing cannot be maintained.

Returned Cases:

Under the second iteration of the ETS that became effective in June 2020, employees who had returned to work after having COVID-19 had some relaxed protocols due to their temporary immunity (90 days). The relaxed protocols were similar to those of fully vaccinated employees. However, the third iteration of the ETS removed the relaxed protocols for those returned employees. The proposed ETS contains a definition for “returned case,” which means a COVID-19 case met the ETS return-to-work criteria and did not develop any COVID-19 symptoms after returning. Notably, a person shall only be considered a “returned case” for 90 days after the initial onset of COVID-19 symptoms or, if the person never developed COVID-19 symptoms, for 90 days after the first positive test. Under the proposed ETS, employers do not need to provide testing to returned cases who are close contacts or to asymptomatic returned cases in the exposed group for an outbreak.

Main Takeaway:

Consistent with recent CDC guidance, the proposed ETS relaxes multiple protocols and requirements under the current ETS. Sheppard Mullin will continue to monitor updates from Cal/OSHA and will write about the revised Cal/OSHA ETS if readopted. Once the Board readopts the proposed ETS, employers will then have a couple weeks to update their CPP and corresponding protocols and policies. Employers with any questions or concerns about the proposed ETS should consult with experienced employment counsel to ensure they are compliant once the proposed ETS becomes effective.

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Originally Appeared Here

Watershed moment: Valley grapples with proposed water quality standards | Western Colorado

April 11, 2022 by Staff Reporter

A regulatory alphabet soup involving the EPA, the state CDPHE and what are called TMDLs has some local government and elected officials and business-community representatives signaling SOS.

They’re worried that proposed limits on surface water pollution for much of the Grand Valley may result in costly measures in pursuit of goals that are impossible to meet.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Water Quality Control Division is proposing the limits for 11 Colorado River tributaries in the valley with impaired water quality because of high levels of dissolved selenium and total recoverable iron, and in the case of two of the tributaries, E. coli.

The river itself along that stretch, which meets water quality standards for selenium and E. coli, but not iron, is not itself targeted by the proposal, although it would benefit from it.

As required by the federal Clean Water Act and by Environmental Protection Agency regulations, the state is developing what it calls total maximum daily loads (TMDL) that would establish how much of those pollutants can enter each of the tributaries each day while maintaining water quality standards.

The area being targeted by regulators altogether encompasses about 138 square miles, stretching from Lewis Wash in the Clifton area to Salt Creek in western Mesa County. The area is all north of the Colorado River and is bounded on the northern end by the Government Highline Canal.

That location beneath the canal is noteworthy because selenium is naturally occurring in the Mancos shale geological formation in the area, but at high levels in water can be harmful to fish and aquatic birds. The Water Quality Control Division, in its draft Grand Valley TMDL public notice, says that “the predominant source of selenium in all of the watersheds is likely groundwater inflow from canal seepage and deep percolation from irrigated lands.”

Put another way, the valley’s irrigated agriculture, lying downgrade of the Government Highline Canal, is mostly driving the selenium problems in the drainages.

But as it happens, state water-quality regulators have little say over that agricultural activity. The Water Quality Control Division holds permitting authority over point sources of surface water discharges. Agricultural stormwater discharges, and return flows from irrigated agriculture, aren’t considered point sources under the Clean Water Act.

The state relies on incentive-based approaches to encourage partners to work on voluntary measures to address contaminants, something that grant funding is available to support. This can include measures such as lining or piping canals and changing irrigation methods and schedules to reduce the leaching of selenium.

The Water Quality Control Division says its “Nonpoint Source Program has a long-standing history of working with local partners in the Grand Valley area to reduce nonpoint source pollution and will continue to do so to support the implementation of this TMDL through technical assistance and funding assistance (contingent on funding availability).”

URBAN IMPLICATIONS

Still, a concern for some people, including Trent Prall, public works director for the city of Grand Junction, is that because of the state’s lack of authority over the agricultural side of things, it will lean on permitted sources of surface water discharges to fix a problem that is largely agriculture-driven.

Both Prall and Carrie Gudorf, regulatory programs manager for Mesa County, in a joint interview voiced concern about whether the state is accurately allocating pollution loads between point sources and nonpoint sources in the 11 tributaries.

A total maximum daily load established by the state for a pollutant in a waterway is the sum of loads from permitted point source discharges, that’s attributable to natural or nonpoint sources, a margin of safety, and in some cases a reserve capacity for future growth.

The concern is what measures point source permittees might be required by the state to implement, based on the total load allocation allowed for point sources.

Among some point source permit holders in the county that directly discharge to impaired tributaries are Mesa County School District 51 and some private businesses. A key permit is held by Mesa County. It’s called an MS4, or municipal separate storm sewer system, permit.

“Mesa County has intergovernmental agreements with the City of Grand Junction, City of Fruita, and Town of Palisade to implement, administrate, and enforce all aspects of the MS4 Stormwater Program,” the state TMDL document says.

Erin Garcia, a health and environment spokesperson, said in an email that while pollution covered by local MS4 permits isn’t a significant pollution source for the Colorado River, it is a significant source in some tributaries and the primary source in the urban watersheds of Lewis and Indian washes.

“There is no way to attain standards in these tributaries without some reductions in pollutant contributions from MS4s,” she said.

Said Gudorf, “There’s going to be additional requirements to our permit. We don’t know what those implications are going to be yet.”

She said additional work most likely will be required when the permit is renewed. That renewal is to occur over the coming year or so.

Gudorf said Colorado Springs just went through an MS4 permit renewal process, and the new permit is requiring a lot more water sampling, and also best management practices to try to reduce contaminants, which could include from nonpoint sources.

Garcia said that typically in the case of MS4 permits and general industrial stormwater permits, “initial TMDL requirements are focused on monitoring and identifying pollutant sources within the permitted area.”

MORE COSTLY DEVELOPMENT?

One question looming large is how developers of housing and commercial projects could be affected by potentially stricter stormwater permits. Gudorf said that within the urbanized boundary of Mesa County, projects disturbing more than an acre require both a state and an MS4 municipality permit.

“I don’t know entirely how (TMDLs) will affect the homebuilders and what exactly that piece will look like,” he said.

Diane Schwenke, president and CEO of the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, worries that the pollution limits will result in an undue burden on urban areas, driving up the costs of housing and commercial development to fund measures to address contaminants in waterways.

She added, “My simplistic view of it is they’re setting us up for failure. … Everything we’re hearing from all the experts on this is the (TMDL) level they’re setting is not attainable. With current technology, we can’t even get there.”

Garcia described the TMDL undertaking as “the first step in determining if a standard is not feasible.”

“MS4 permittees need to do additional monitoring and implement measures for the Water Quality Control Commission to evaluate whether standards are or aren’t feasible,” she said.

Nonpoint sources of pollution from agricultural activities “also need to be voluntarily addressed as part of evaluating the water quality standard,” and implementing the TMDL will facilitate “data collection and evaluation of feasible water quality improvements,” she said.

Shawna Grieger, executive director of the Western Colorado Contractors Association, expects to see municipalities implementing permit fees to pay for projects related to reduction of contaminants, and developers of commercial properties having to pass on additional costs to business owners buying properties.

“Ag is exempt so it does fully fall on those business owners and developers,” she said.

GUNNISON LESSONS

Concerns about selenium go beyond the Grand Valley. High dissolved selenium levels led to the Lower Gunnison River being added by the state to its impaired waters list in 1988. Canal lining and pipeline projects and irrigation efficiency measures involving partners from federal agencies to local ditch companies and conservancy districts contributed to the Lower Gunnison being removed from that list last year.

The Colorado River District was a leader in that effort and is supporting a local stakeholder group that already has been working on the Grand Valley issue.

“Because there are similarities, those similarities, we can certainly take the lessons learned to good benefit,” said Dave Kanzer, a river district official long involved in the Lower Gunnison work.

But there are differences as well. Kanzer said he thinks the sand and gravel industry was the main one affected by the lower Gunnison River’s listing as impaired. The more urbanized Grand Valley looks like it could be a different story, and Kanzer noted that the situation is more complicated because it involves not just selenium but high iron and E. coli levels.

Like selenium, iron is naturally occurring in Mancos shale, and is considered a threat to aquatic life.

The high E. coli levels are found in Adobe and Leach creeks. People recreating in contaminated water can become sick from E. coli. The bacteria typically is introduced into waterways via animal or human waste, and among the possible local sources of the contaminant in the two creeks are faulty septic systems and small farms bordering the creeks, according to the state.

MORE TIME, PLEASE

Last April, representatives for Grand Junction, Mesa County, Fruita and the Grand Valley Water Users Association wrote to the state to raise concerns about the TMDL process and ask for a three-year delay in its implementation.

“Our concern is that it’s based on inadequate data,” Prall, one of those who signed the letter.

The letter noted that Grand Valley stakeholders are updating a 2012 watershed plan for the Lower Gunnison River Basin and Grand Valley, and pointed to water quality monitoring the U.S. Geological Survey is doing and research on the E. coli issue that Colorado Mesa University is conducting.

“The Updated Watershed Plan will enhance the Grand Valley area with information and develop a water quality monitoring strategy to understand the data gaps and pollutant loadings causing stream impairments,” the letter said.

Schwenke likewise would like to see the process by the state delayed.

“We have concerns about the data that they have been using and their methodology,” she said.

The state says in its current TMDL draft document that a delay isn’t warranted because “sufficient data are available to fulfill the scope of a TMDL analysis.”

It said the Water Quality Control Division “acknowledges the unique nature of the Grand Valley watershed and encourages monitoring efforts by local stakeholders to continue to help facilitate effective implementation,” but added that the division lacks resources to do a more in-depth analysis for the region due to obligations to do TMDL analyses elsewhere.

Garcia said the division already delayed the TMDL once, three years ago, at the request of stakeholders so more data could be gathered.

She said that selenium levels are 20 times higher than the nonimpairment standard in some tributaries.

Said Garcia, “Collecting more data will only continue to confirm existing impairments and not change the conclusions of the TMDL.”

The document says that in response to concerns raised by stakeholders, the division updated its methodology for quantifying current selenium loading conditions “by specifically including the unlined ditches as a source of selenium. While this is a unique approach compared with other TMDLs in Colorado, the division determined that these revisions were warranted for the Grand Valley, because the urban and agriculture lands are significantly interspersed.”

Many unlined ditches go through urban areas in the valley, the document noted.

Barbara Bennett, work group lead for the division’s TMDL group, said in a recent online meeting on the proposal that additional analysis of selenium contributions from unlined ditches as a nonpoint source resulted in a reduction of contributions attributed to permitted urban stormwater sources.

IMPLEMENTATION PHASE

Peter Brumm, regional TMDL coordinator for the EPA, said in that meeting that TMDLs are plans to restore waters not meeting standards, and aren’t self-implementing.

Rather, they are implemented through regulatory means via permits and through voluntary programs.

Mary Welch, who works in stormwater permitting for the state, said permits can be modified to incorporate TMDL requirements, or that can happen at the time of renewal. She said a stakeholder process occurs during permitting that involves getting feedback, and permittees also have the opportunity to comment on a draft permit once it is issued.

She said that in the case of MS4 permits, the state tends to implement a practice-based approach to target the pollutants a TMDL focuses on, rather than assigning fixed numbers when it comes to the allowable amount of pollution. Garcia said required actions might involve things such as street sweeping and pipe inspection and lining.

Welch said the state likes to work with permittees regarding which practices make the most sense.

Also, she said, when developing a permit, the state can consider what practices permittees already have implemented.

Garcia said that for industrial stormwater permits, “if the industrial activity is a likely source for pollutants, the permit may include a numeric effluent limit, and the source will then need to determine the strategy for meeting that limit.”

The state also usually sets out a compliance schedule in the case of new requirements, providing an extended timeframe for meeting them.

“It’s an understanding that there needs to be time to accomplish those things,” said Randi Johnson-Hufford, stormwater permitting work group lead for the state.

Some local officials and other community leaders, however, continue to hope that instead more time is provided to allow for more data collection and analysis before the TMDL is finalized.

Said Prall, “At the end of the day we all want good water. We’re just asking the CDPHE to move forward with good science.”

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Originally Appeared Here

RHP Risk Management Inc. Welcomes Rod Harvey, P.E., CIH, CSP, CHMM as Director OEHS

April 11, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Rod Harvey, P.E., CIH, CSP, CHMM

CHICAGO, IL, UNITED STATES, April 11, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ — RHP Risk Management Inc., an Occupational Safety and Health consulting firm based in Chicago, Illinois, with locations in Pennsylvania, California and Tennessee, today announced the hiring of Rod Harvey, P.E., CIH, CSP, CHMM, as Director OEHS including Industrial Hygiene and Field Technical Services.

Rod Harvey has over 35 years of technical experience in performing and managing environmental health and safety consulting projects. He has broad experience providing industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, built environment, safety, and environmental services to a wide range of clients in both the private and public sectors. Mr. Harvey received his bachelor’s degree in Biology from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin and his master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois. He is a Certified Industrial Hygienist, Certified Safety Professional, Certified Hazardous Materials Manager, and registered Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois. He also holds a variety of asbestos and lead related licenses issued by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Mr. Harvey is a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). Mr. Harvey has been active in the AIHA serving on several committees and has served two terms on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Local Section of the AIHA and as President of the Section in 2010-2011.

Mr. Harvey has extensive experience with asbestos, including building inspections and abatement designs, exposure assessments involving chemical and physical hazards, and environmental health and safety auditing and training. Mr. Harvey has given numerous presentations regarding asbestos, silica, heat stress, hexavalent chromium, and OSHA’s medical surveillance requirements.

About RHP
RHP Risk Management is an environmental and occupational consulting firm of scientists, public health professionals, and risk assessors that cover practices including environmental engineering, industrial hygiene, exposure science, and human health risk assessment.

RHP works with clients to develop solutions to their most pressing concerns. Understanding exposures and risks through a grounding in a sound, defensible, state-of-the-art scientific approach gives our clients peace of mind. Empowered by a comprehensive understanding of exposures we can provide, clients are better equipment to recognize previously unseen business risks, manage known risks, target areas for control systems, comply with regulations, and to be braced for regulatory or litigation actions.

Jonathan Redmond
RHP Risk Management Inc.
+1 866-481-8188
email us here

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Zentek Announces Start of Phase Two Testing of ZenGUARD(TM) – Coated Filters Under ISC Testing Stream Contract

April 11, 2022 by Staff Reporter

GUELPH, ON / ACCESSWIRE / April 11, 2022 / further to its press release dated November 30, 2021, Zentek Ltd. (“Zentek” or the “Company“) (NASDAQ:ZTEK)(TSX-V:ZEN), a Canadian intellectual property development and commercialization company, announces that after successful completion of Phase 1 testing of its ZenGUARD™-coated HVAC filters, it will proceed to Phase 2 testing within its Innovation Solutions Canada (“ISC”) Testing Stream contract.

Pursuant to its press release dated November 30, 2021, the Company announced that it has been awarded a research and development test contract through the ISC Testing Stream Call for Proposals to test ZenGUARD™-coated HVAC filters with interest from three different units within the National Research Council of Canada (“NRC“). The goal of the testing was to demonstrate: (i) a net reduction in the airborne viral load with ZenGUARD™ coating applied to standard filters; (ii) no modifications required to existing HVAC systems to achieve (i) above; (iii) no reduction in air flow rates, which means air exchange rates in the space will be unchanged; and (iv) no reduction in the air quality as the ZenGUARD™ coating will be tested to ensure it does not contribute particles into the air stream.

Phase 1 testing was conducted by CremCo Laboratories (“CCL”) with assistance by the Aerospace Research Centre (“ARC”), a department of the National Research Council of Canada (“NRC”). A test rig was installed inside an aerobiology chamber to push air through HVAC filter material with test organisms to study how these live airborne organisms were reduced by the ZenGUARD™ coating. Testing involved multiple samples with repeated tests so that each filter’s performance could be compared. It was determined that all Phase 1 targets were met including sufficient reduction in live airborne test organisms, no significant shedding of the ZenGUARD™ coating, and air flow rates that were not impacted by the coating.

“We are pleased to confirm that Phase 1 testing of our ZenGUARD™ coating was successful in reducing airborne organisms from passing through coated filter material while not inhibiting air flow,” said Greg Fenton, CEO of Zentek. “Moving into Phase 2 testing of our patent-pending, antimicrobial coating in a real-world classroom environment is aimed to generate additional safety and efficacy data. The importance of indoor air quality and improving health is a top priority for numerous organizations globally – including the Canadian and U.S. governments – and this is an important commercialization milestone for Zentek in this critical area.”

Phase 2 testing will commence shortly and be conducted at ARC with assistance from CCL. Airborne test organisms will again be used, and testing will be conducted in a controlled environment. The objective of Phase 2 testing is to demonstrate a reduction in live airborne surrogate contamination within a modular classroom environment, simulating a real-world environment.

By testing ZenGUARD™-coated HVAC filters, NRC is also expected to gain the knowledge and equipment to evaluate how airborne infectious diseases spread within aircraft cabins and other indoor spaces. The Testing Department has three units interested in Zentek’s ZenGUARD™ innovation: Centre for Air Travel Research, Construction Research Centre, and Real Property Planning and Management.

The ISC Testing Stream aims to evaluate, test, and procure innovative late-stage pre-commercial prototypes, and create pools of pre-qualified innovations that Canada may select from to address a broad range of the Government of Canada organizations’ requirements.

About Zentek Ltd.

Zentek is an IP development and commercialization company focused on next-gen healthcare solutions in the areas of prevention, detection and treatment. Zentek is currently focused on commercializing ZenGUARD™, a patent-pending coating shown to have 99% antimicrobial activity, including against COVID-19, and the potential to use similar compounds as products against infectious diseases. The Company also has an exclusive agreement to be the global exclusive commercializing partner for a newly developed aptamer-based rapid pathogen detection technology.

For further information:

Matt Blazei
Tel: (212) 655-0924
Email: [email protected]

To find out more about Zentek Ltd., please visit our website at www.Zentek.com. A copy of this news release and all material documents in respect of the Company may be obtained on ZEN’s SEDAR profile at http://www.sedar.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although Zentek believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Zentek disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Zentek Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/696832/Zentek-Announces-Start-of-Phase-Two-Testing-of-ZenGUARDTM–Coated-Filters-Under-ISC-Testing-Stream-Contract

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Questar III honored by Utica National Insurance Group | Local Announcements

April 11, 2022 by Staff Reporter

CASTLETON — The Utica National Insurance Group recently awarded Questar III BOCES its titanium level School Safety Excellence Award for 2022, marking the 14th consecutive year the BOCES has received the honor, which is presented annually and recognizes safety efforts as BOCES and school districts work to help keep students, staff, and visitors safe.

The Utica, N.Y. based insurance agency presented the award to Questar III’s Director of Health & Safety Craig Hansen at its 40th School Safety Seminar, one of seven such seminars the company hosts in the state.

“This award reflects the collective efforts of Questar III and its staff. Thank you to our staff for their continuing efforts to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for our students, staff, and visitors,” said Hansen.

Utica National’s School Safety Excellence Award Program has three levels: titanium, platinum, and gold, in which schools can earn a meritorious distinction by meeting specific criteria to enhance overall safety. Through the program, schools with their own transportation, schools with contract transportation, and BOCES are evaluated. Categories covered include bullying prevention programs, playground safety, and other areas.

“Safety and health concerns continue to be a priority in our school districts,” explained Brian Saville, senior vice president in Utica National’s Educational Institutions Unit. “Districts that go ‘above and beyond’ to provide a safe, healthy, and focused culture for learning are to be applauded, and we’re pleased to count the Questar III BOCES among them.”

Questar III’s Health & Safety Service continues to lead and support safety efforts for the BOCES and school districts across New York State. The service provides safety and security audits, program development, training, and consultation to assist districts in compliance with state and federal mandates. This includes a regional response to the pandemic in partnership with the counties, emergency management planning, blood-borne pathogens, hazard communication, personal protective equipment, lockout/tagout, indoor air quality investigation, pest management and playground inspections. The Health & Safety Service also provides on-site consultation, emergency notification communication and AED/CPR/First Aid training.

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Kiplinger Fellowship in Climate Change Reporting announces list of expert speakers for April presentations

April 11, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Published: April 11, 2022

Author: Staff reports

Ben Siegel
The Schoonover Center

The Kiplinger Fellowship in Climate Change Reporting is proud to announce its list of professional speakers who represent some of the top leaders in journalism and climate sciences.

This year’s fellowship will feature 15 trainers who will give presentations to 19 environmental journalism fellows while on Ohio University’s Athens campus, April 18-22.

“We are especially pleased to present to our U.S. and international fellows such an impressive group of journalists, scientists and policy analysts. This is our first time dedicating our fellowship to such an important topic and we are delighted to have some impressive trainers helping us,” Kevin Z. Smith, executive director of the Kiplinger Program in Public Affairs Journalism, said. “And, many of them have roots in Ohio University.”

The fellowship will begin with a roundtable discussion led by Kiplinger Program benefactor Knight Kiplinger, former editor-in-chief of the Kiplinger media company that gave America Kiplinger Financial Newsletter and Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine.

Other speakers/trainers will include:

Doug Haddix is an independent media consultant and former director of the national journalism group Investigative Reporters and Editors. He was previously a vice president for communications and director of the Kiplinger Program in Public Affairs Journalism at Ohio State University. He is a former newsroom editor having worked for the Columbus Dispatch, Scranton Times Tribune and Springfield (Ohio) News Sun. Haddix will discuss social media tools and tactics for covering climate change.
Amy Nordrum, (B.S.J., HTC, ’10) is the current editorial director of special projects and operations at MIT Technology Review. She coordinates the annual lists of 10 Breakthrough Technologies and Innovators Under 35 and oversees the newsroom’s copy flow processes, freelance contributions, fellowship program, and engagement team. She will talk along with Maria Gallucci on freelancing climate change stories.
Maria Gallucci, (B.S.J., HTC, ’08), is the clean energy reporter at Canary Media where she covers hard-to-decarbonize sectors and efforts to make the energy transition more affordable and equitable. She was most recently a contributing writer for Grist and IEEE Spectrum, and was previously a staff reporter for InsideClimate News, Mashable, and Mexico City newspapers.
Tom Henry, (M.A. ’94) is a longtime award-winning environmental writer for the Toledo Blade. His work has appeared in the Washington Times, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Dayton Daily News, Stars and Stripes, Yahoo News and on ABC Radio.
Sheri McWhirter is an environment reporter for MLive Media Group who covers climate change, energy, and infrastructure in Michigan. Her public affairs and environmental stories appear in a series of daily newspapers, including the Petoskey News-Review and the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Stephen Mencher is a multimedia reporter, editor, producer and pioneer in podcasting, digital audio and production on the web from Baltimore. He spent a previous three-year stint in Sonoma County, California working as news director of PBS/NPR stations KRCB radio and TV and KPJK TV, under the umbrella of Northern California Public Media.
Henry, McWhirter and Mencher will hold a panel discussion on localizing climate change stories.
Offering a session on Google Tools for reporting on climate change will be longtime journalism trainer Mike Reilley. He has been a lecturer at the University of Illinois, Chicago for the past seven year and is the creator/administrator of The Society of Professional Journalists’ successful online Reporter’s Toolbox. He is an SPJ trainer the Google News Initiative training program and also owns Penny Press Digital, LLC, a digital consulting company.
A duo of digital veterans will offer a session on mobile journalism. Dr. Len Clark and Michael Castellucci, the brains behind “Create With Mobile,” will spend a day showing fellows the ins and outs of mobile journalism with only their smartphones in hand.
Castellucci is a veteran TV journalists who’s worked in Dallas, Los Angeles and San Diego. He is the creator of “Phoning It In” a course on mobile journalism and is currently a video news artist in residence at Michigan State University.
Clark was an early adopter and pioneer in mobile technology, who is a professor of practice in sports communication at Virginia Tech University. In his spare time, he covers Notre Dame football for Irish 101 and Irish Illustrated.
Dr. Vijay Limaye is a senior climate and health scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council. As an epidemiologist, he broadly addresses international environmental health challenges. He is a former scientist with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, focusing on Clean Air Act regulatory implementation, air quality monitoring policy, and health risk communication. Limaye will talk about the impact of climate change on personal health and public health policies aimed at countering climate change effects.
Justin Worland, senior correspondent for Time, is covering climate change and the intersection of policy, politics and society. A Harvard College graduate, his work aims to tell the climate story in new ways, connecting the dots between the changing planet and changes in policy, business and society. Since coming to the beat in 2015, his work has included an array of features and cover stories—from Greta Thunberg’s Person of the Year story to his recent “Climate Is Everything” cover. He will speak on environmental justice and how to properly report on the issues of this theme.
Dr. Sarah Davis is an Ohio University associate professor in the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service where she teaches courses in environmental studies and sustainability. She researches system-level energy conversion efficiency, carbon sequestration, and greenhouse gas fluxes in managed landscapes using experimental and modeling approaches. She will talk about the intersection of science and governmental policy making.
Sara Schonhardt, (B.S.J. ’03) is an international climate reporter for Environment and Energy News in Washington, D.C. She currently serves as first vice president and programs chair for the international organization – Society of Environmental Journalists. She will specifically talk about international climate change policy and the relation with U.S. climate initiatives.
Angie Massie, (B.S.C., HTC, ’99) is the senior vice president of live storytelling and interim head of marketing at the WeatherChannel. She is a former executive producer at CNN and previously worked at NBC. She is also a WOUB alumna. She will present on covering natural disasters related to climate change.

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Become a Spring Cleaning Pro with These Genius Tips

April 11, 2022 by Staff Reporter

The days are getting longer and warmer, and that means one thing: It’s time to start thinking about spring cleaning. It’s an important ritual—nothing feels quite as refreshing and satisfying as a sparkling-clean living space—but one that can feel incredibly daunting.

That’s why we’ve called on Clorox® Canada ambassador Melissa Maker, known best as the cleaning expert behind online platform and YouTube channel Clean My Space, for some help. Here, Maker shares some of her best tips and tricks for cleaning and disinfecting your home, for the spring and beyond.

Clorox®

Make a distinction between every day and spring cleaning

“Cleaning your house regularly is important: it helps keeps things dirt- and dust-free, germs at bay, and visually looking great,” says Maker. Tasks like laundry, dirty dishes and disinfecting surfaces*** are all things that should be part of your daily or weekly rotation.
But, as you start to think about your big spring-cleaning overhaul, it’s important to approach it differently than you would any other type of cleaning, Maker explains. “Spring cleaning is more about maintaining your finishes, fixtures and appliances***—kind of like an annual oil change for your house,” she says. Focus on things you may do less often, like dusting your baseboards or picture frames, to avoid getting overwhelmed.

Start with a checklist

Whether you’re doing a big spring clean or just your run-of-the-mill house maintenance, Maker encourages people to go online and find a checklist (Pinterest has great, aesthetically-pleasing ones) that overlaps with some of your needs, then customize it so it works for you. The trick is to remember that it should only ever serve as a starting point, because everyone has different living spaces, time commitments, lifestyles and priorities. “I don’t actually think it’s important for you to do all the cleaning things all the time,” Maker says. “Cleaning is about caring for your home, but there’s also self-care, and if spending a ton of time cleaning doesn’t make you happy, you shouldn’t [go overboard]. It shouldn’t feel like a punitive task—just stick to the requirements.”

That said, there are a couple of things you shouldn’t skip, especially if you’re not a renter. “Maintaining your appliances is really important,” Maker says. “It helps your machine run more efficiently, makes them look more visually appealing and prolongs their lifespan.” Your spring cleaning session is a great time to, say, check your dishwasher for microbial growth or remove any grime that’s built up in your oven***.

Know your PTTs

Before you even start cleaning, Maker says you have to understand the PTTs—the products, tools and techniques—that are essential for getting the job done. This is why Maker relies on Clorox’s easy-to-use products, many of which can kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria.

For any spills or messes on the floor, she turns to the Clorox® Disinfecting Wet Mopping Cloths, which are textured to trap four-times more particles, dirt and hair.* “They’re really multi-purpose,” she says. “My cat—like many cats do—will throw up sometimes, and there’s something to be said about having the certainty of using something like these mopping cloths and not having to think twice about what’s living on the floor.”

Clorox®Clorox® Disinfecting Wet Mopping Cloths Shop Now

Maker also loves the Clorox® Disinfecting Mist, which is equipped with a reusable trigger. She’ll spritz some on her countertops (it also works as a deodorizer, with a delightful lemongrass-mandarin scent), kids’ toys**, or even door knobs for effortless disinfection-sanitization. Pro-tip: like with most other disinfecting products, read the back label to see how much time the spray is needed to settle on a surface for it to work effectively.

Clorox®Clorox® Disinfecting Mist Shop Now

And, of course, there’s the classic and always-reliable Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes, which are perfect for tables, countertops, refrigerator doors and more. There are fewer products that are more convenient, according to Maker. “They work really, really well,” she says. “When you use something like this on a surface, you know it’s going to be clean afterwards.”

Clorox®Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes Fresh Scent Shop Now

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*vs. Clorox Wipes Disinfecting
** Avoid contact with food. Rinse surface prior to use.
***Always read and follow the product label.

The Kit created this content; Clorox® funded and approved it

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