Staff Reporter

New Mexico doubles workplace safety staff as cannabis industry launches

April 1, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Apr. 1—In the past seven years, the state’s Occupational Health and Safety Bureau has conducted just eight on-site inspections of medical cannabis facilities.

But with sales of recreational cannabis starting Friday, more cannabis production, manufacturing and retail facilities are set to develop and expand — and so will the number of Occupational Health and Safety Bureau on-site inspections.

On Wednesday, the state Environment Department, which oversees OHSB, announced the number of employees in that bureau has grown from 28 to 64.

Part of that growth is in preparation for the rollout of the new cannabis companies. However, the 19 staff members who eventually will work as inspectors will not all focus on cannabis, OHSB Chief Bob Genoway said Wednesday.

Some will be tasked with inspections in the oil and gas and construction industries, among other places, he said.

But, Genoway added: “Moving forward we anticipate doing a significantly larger number of inspections [in the cannabis field]. It’s hard to give a number.”

He said it’s difficult to say at this early stage how many of those inspectors might be devoted to cannabis businesses.

“At some point, it may be we have a quarter of our inspectors dedicated to the cannabis industry, but it’s hard for me to see that now,” Genoway said.

His agency still has three openings for inspectors.

“We could always use more,” Genoway said.

For all the potential benefits — economic growth, job creation — supporters of legalized cannabis say will come with the new industry, so might workforce safety hazards and, perhaps, violations.

In the cultivation phase, exposure to carbon dioxide, cleaning materials and pesticides are risks. Poor indoor air quality at some facilities can also be problematic.

All the other fields associated with the business — agriculture, distribution, lab testing and sales, to name a few — come with on-site dangers as well.

Genoway cited the use of flammable liquids in the cannabis extraction process as being dangerous and leading to fires.

Story continues

Genoway said not all the new hires, who were brought aboard in the past four months, are inspectors.

Among the other new jobs filled within the agency are a whistleblower investigator, two compliance assistance specialists and staff members assigned to outreach activities.

Genoway said the extra workers are necessary because “there are still far too many injuries, illnesses and unfortunately deaths occurring among the New Mexico workforce.”

The additional employees can help “reduce those numbers,” he said.

He said his bureau gets 400 to 500 complaints covering an array of industries every year. About half those come from former or current employees, family members of employees and union representatives, Genoway said.

Each inspector conducts an average of 50 inspections a year, he said. While most are based on referrals or complaints, some are random visits.

Although he did not have a list of medical cannabis violation reports on hand, Genoway said he recalled “several cases where we have inspected and issued citations. I can think of two cases involving accidents where we issued fines” in the $20,000 to $30,000 range.

He said he expects the cannabis manufacturing field to bring about the highest number of complaints and inspections.

Ben Lewinger, executive director of the New Mexico Cannabis Chamber of Commerce, wrote in an email he welcomes the news of more hires. He said oversight of the new industry has to involve multiple state agencies, including Genoway’s bureau, to ensure safety.

“I’m grateful to hear that the state is adding workers and resources in several places to ensure adult use cannabis launches with stable footing,” Lewinger said.

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Originally Appeared Here

10 tips to help survive allergy season in Louisiana | Entertainment/Life

April 1, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Pollen is upon us. If the yellow dusting of oak pollen on cars and front porches hasn’t made that clear, symptoms like sneezing, watery eyes, sore throat and congestion should have gotten the message across.

Or, you could ask Dr. Sandhya Mani, allergist and immunologist for Our Lady of the Lake Physicians Group.

Mani

PROVIDED PHOTO

“We’re getting slammed here,” Mani said. “It’s obvious that it’s a really bad time that’s occurring.”

’Tis the season, and it’s a long one in South Louisiana. Trees get things started in February through June, grasses overlap in March through September, when ragweed takes over. What can we do to get some relief?

If you’re an allergy sufferer, Mani’s best advice is to find out which particular pollen triggers your symptoms.

“Certainly, it’s possible to try to manage your symptoms on your own, but seeing an allergist or expert in the field is important because knowing what you’re allergic to and allow us to start the right medication regimen perhaps in advance of the season,” she said.

A bee collects pollen from an orange cosmos flower Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Lafayette, La.

STAFF PHOTO BY LESLIE WESTBROOK

As for fighting allergies on your own, Mani’s advice falls into two categories.

Minimize exposure

Allergens can’t hurt you if they can’t reach you. While you can’t avoid them altogether, you make the odds more favorable.

Pay attention to pollen counts. If the forecast is for a high pollen day, limit your time outdoors. Various news and weather sites provide this information. One source is pollen.com.

Each week we’ll highlights the best eats and events in metro Baton Rouge. Sign up today.

Avoid outdoor activities from sunrise to mid-morning. That’s when pollen is at its worst. Think about taking your walk later in the day.

Wear a mask. You remember masks, don’t you. Whatever you think about their value warding off COVID-19, they can keep pollen out of your nose and mouth. If you have to be out in high-pollen times, masks make a difference, Mani said.

Use indoor air purifiers with HEPA filters. A study by the Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology saw big decreases in many allergy symptoms with air purifier usage. Use high-quality filters for your air conditioning system, too. “It needs to be appropriate for the room size,” Mani said. “Unfortunately, a lot of times we’re using smaller air purifiers for larger rooms like the living room.”

Fresh pollen grows on an oak tree, Tuesday, March 5, 2019, on LSU’s campus in Baton Rouge, La.

Advocate staff photo by HILARY SCHEINUK

Change and wash your clothes and take a shower after being outside. That removes the pollen that you’d otherwise bring into the house.

Don’t use a clothesline. Pollen will stick to the clothes. “You’re bringing those back indoors, so that’s not going to help as far as those symptoms,” Mani said.

Keep the windows closed. Yes, the temperature may be wonderful, but you won’t enjoy it if you’re sneezing. “The windows will just let that in, and it does collect on items in the home, and then it’s a constant exposure when you’re having that,” Mani said.

Self care

Take allergy medications before symptoms start. It helps to know what you’re allergic to so you can anticipate when the season will begin. A daily antihistamine during allergy season can prevent a lot of discomfort.

Know what OTC medicines do. Antihistamines relieve sneezing, itching, runny nose and watery eyes. Decongestants fight stuffy noses. Some nonprescription medicines combine the two. Don’t take decongestants more than four or five days. “After that, people develop what we call rebound congestion,” Mani said. “The body feels like it requires that medicine to relieve the symptoms, then we become dependent.”

Use a nasal sinus rinse. These are available over the counter and flush mucus and pollen out of the nasal passages. Use distilled or sterile, bottled water, Mani said, and rinse the irrigation device after each use.

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Originally Appeared Here

House in Monte el Pardo / Slow Studio

April 1, 2022 by Staff Reporter

House in Monte el Pardo / Slow Studio

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https://www.archdaily.com/978973/house-in-monte-el-pardo-slow-studio

Area
Area of this architecture project

Area :
230 m²
Year
Completion year of this architecture project

Year :

2021
Photographs
Manufacturers
Brands with products used in this architecture project

Manufacturers : Astigarraga Kit Line, Carreté Finestres, Ecoclay, Fermacell, Roth, Sancal

Text description provided by the architects. The chosen location is Monte el Pardo, 30 kilometers from Madrid in a plot with fantastic views and orientation. Our clients expect their house to be empty for a good part of the year so they want to find a way to make it pay for itself by renting it out when they are away but maintaining a private space. Thus, the commission starts like a house with two independent areas that can be converted into one in the future. The sloping layout of the plot helps us to solve both needs by generating a two-story house with independent access from the outside to each level.

Axonometric© Salva LópezAxonometric

On the first floor, the access is carried out via a walkway that resolves the steep slope of the first meters of the plot. This floor can be completely independent of the ground floor, where the living-dining room, kitchen, and a small study that can be converted into a bedroom are located in complete connection with the exterior.

As this is a compact house, the bioclimatic strategy looks for a way to guarantee good sunlight and ventilation in all the rooms through two courtyards. The south courtyard of the house is key to ensuring good natural ventilation without incurring energy losses. It is a double-height courtyard with a south façade and a glazed roof that can be opened or closed depending on the season.

In winter, the glazing is closed, creating a greenhouse effect that preheats the natural air outside. In summer, the glazing is opened and ventilation is carried out through a Canadian well, a 30-meter long tube that runs under the house and introduces air at a temperature of 20 ºC during the hottest year’s months.

The longitudinal shape of the house allows taking advantage of the north façade to generate cross ventilation in all the rooms on the upper floor. On the lower floor, which is semi-buried, ventilation is guaranteed thanks to the north patio. The project not only takes into account the renewal of air but also indoor air quality, avoiding finishing products (varnishes, glues, and paints) containing toxic substances that are emitted into the indoor air in the form of volatile organic compounds.

Two construction systems are combined to save costs and guarantee comfort according to the use of each area. The semi-buried ground floor is built with a system of concrete block inertia walls that function as a foundation and wall element. The first floor is raised with a semi-prefabricated structure of lightweight timber frame based on pinewood with a PEFC certificate.

Upper Floor PlanSection

The façade structure is composed of a framework of laminated pine laths, protected on the outside by OSB panels and on the inside by glue-free gypsum fiber panels. The interior partitions are made with clay-coated cellulose panels, the floors with manual terracotta pieces and all the enclosures are in the wood. In order to make the best use of water resources, an 8,000-liter rainwater recovery tank is installed to store rainwater for use in cleaning and toilets.

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EPA Announces Plan to Protect the Public from Perchlorate in Drinking Water

April 1, 2022 by Staff Reporter

March 31, 2022

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it completed review of a July 2020 determination to not regulate perchlorate in drinking water. The agency concluded that the 2020 decision is supported by the best available peer reviewed science. Additionally, EPA announced multiple integrated actions to ensure that public health is protected from perchlorate in drinking water.

“EPA is taking action and applying the right tools to support public health protections,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “Funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a new monitoring study, financial and technical tools, and cleanup of contaminated sites will enhance protections and help ensure that communities can rely on clean and safe drinking water.”

The agency is committed to partnering with state co-regulators, Tribes, and communities to address perchlorate. Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is providing $11.7 billion through the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds supplemental, and $4 billion in dedicated funding to address emerging contaminants. This funding is part of the single-largest investment in U.S. water infrastructure and can be used to address perchlorate and other drinking water needs.

Investing in infrastructure will complement additional actions the agency is announcing today. EPA will support research to better understand perchlorate as it relates to firework displays. EPA also plans to establish a web-based toolkit to provide updated technical information to assist drinking water systems and communities that may have concerns about perchlorate contamination of their source water. EPA anticipates that this toolkit would be available online in 2022.

Additionally, cleaning up existing contamination and protecting drinking water sources from future contamination is central to the Agency’s approach for addressing perchlorate in drinking water. EPA is working with states to address perchlorate contamination under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as the Superfund program. These cleanups have already reduced perchlorate levels at some sites. The agency will also consider proposed revisions to Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) standards for the open burning and open detonation of waste explosives and bulk propellants to reduce impacts of perchlorate to human health and the environment.

While EPA is not pursuing a drinking water regulation at this time, the agency will continue to consider new information on the health effects and occurrence of perchlorate. EPA’s decision does not impact any state standards for perchlorate. The agency will continue to consider if perchlorate should be added to future Contaminant Candidate Lists for possible regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

For more information visit: Perchlorate Drinking Water.

Background

Perchlorate is commonly used in solid rocket propellants, munitions, fireworks, and airbag initiators for vehicles, matches, and signal flares. Perchlorate may occur naturally, particularly in arid regions such as the southwestern U.S., and can be found as a byproduct in hypochlorite solutions used for treating drinking water and nitrate salts used to produce fertilizers, explosives, and other products.

In July 2020, EPA made a final determination that perchlorate is not found in drinking water with a frequency and at levels of public health concern to support a meaningful opportunity for health risk reduction through a national perchlorate drinking water regulation. EPA’s review of the perchlorate 2020 final action was completed in accordance with the Executive Order 13990. Today’s action is consistent with EPA’s previous decision.

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Here’s what you need to know

April 1, 2022 by Staff Reporter

The governor signed the Cannabis Regulation Act into law in June of 2021 after a special legislative session. The bill paves the way for the statewide legalization of recreational cannabis in New Mexico. April 1 marks the first day recreational cannabis is legal in New Mexico. A store in Las Cruces opened at 12:01 a.m. to a line of people waiting to purchase recreational cannabis. Most stores in Albuquerque will open for recreational sales at 10:00 a.m. Some business that already have a medical marijuana license may open as early as 8:00 a.m.In Santa Fe, sales can start at 7:00 a.m. Recreational sales in Grants and Las Vegas are allowed at 8:00 a.m. Related Video Above: Colorado town offers advice to New Mexicans ahead of legalization of recreational cannabis salesHere’s what you need to know. Who Regulates Cannabis in New Mexico?The Cannabis Regulation Act authorizes the state to regulate sales of recreational cannabis through the Regulation and Licensing Department. The Cannabis Control Division within the department has set rules to help regulate sales and keep growers, dispensaries and consumers safe. This includes rules for businesses on packaging, labeling and marketing cannabis at retail shops, quality control, testing and inspection of products and plant limits for cultivators. More on the rules set by the Cannabis Control Division on licensing and plant limits can be found here. Who can buy cannabis in New Mexico? Like alcohol, a person must be 21 years old to legally purchase cannabis in the State of New Mexico. Each person purchasing cannabis cannot purchase more than two ounces of cannabis, sixteen grams of a cannabis extract, and eight hundred milligrams of edible cannabis at one time. A person cannot possess the same amounts at one time outside of a person’s residence. Any cannabis in the amounts that exceed two ounces of cannabis, sixteen grams of a cannabis extract, and 800 milligrams of edible cannabis may store the excess inside the person’s residence. The law states the storage cannot be viewed from a public place. Where can cannabis be bought and used in New Mexico? The Cannabis Regulation Act allows local jurisdictions to set their own rules for the use and sale of cannabis. While there are no limits on the number of licenses the Cannabis Control Division may issue, local entities may place limits on the density of licenses, and adopt rules that don’t conflict with the act or the Clean Indoor Air Act. This includes establishing limits on the distance a cannabis retailer can be from schools and daycares. It is also illegal to buy, give or sell cannabis to anyone under 21 years old. To search for a licensed business that sells cannabis, click here.Can you grow cannabis for personal use? No. The Cannabis Regulation Act does not allow a person without a license to grow cannabis. Is Cannabis Legal in New Mexico? It’s complicated. The Cannabis Control Act legalizes recreational cannabis in New Mexico. However, it is still illegal at the federal level.

The governor signed the Cannabis Regulation Act into law in June of 2021 after a special legislative session.

The bill paves the way for the statewide legalization of recreational cannabis in New Mexico.

April 1 marks the first day recreational cannabis is legal in New Mexico.

A store in Las Cruces opened at 12:01 a.m. to a line of people waiting to purchase recreational cannabis.

Most stores in Albuquerque will open for recreational sales at 10:00 a.m. Some business that already have a medical marijuana license may open as early as 8:00 a.m.

In Santa Fe, sales can start at 7:00 a.m. Recreational sales in Grants and Las Vegas are allowed at 8:00 a.m.

Related Video Above: Colorado town offers advice to New Mexicans ahead of legalization of recreational cannabis sales

Here’s what you need to know.

Who Regulates Cannabis in New Mexico?

The Cannabis Regulation Act authorizes the state to regulate sales of recreational cannabis through the Regulation and Licensing Department. The Cannabis Control Division within the department has set rules to help regulate sales and keep growers, dispensaries and consumers safe. This includes rules for businesses on packaging, labeling and marketing cannabis at retail shops, quality control, testing and inspection of products and plant limits for cultivators.

More on the rules set by the Cannabis Control Division on licensing and plant limits can be found here.

Who can buy cannabis in New Mexico?

Like alcohol, a person must be 21 years old to legally purchase cannabis in the State of New Mexico. Each person purchasing cannabis cannot purchase more than two ounces of cannabis, sixteen grams of a cannabis extract, and eight hundred milligrams of edible cannabis at one time. A person cannot possess the same amounts at one time outside of a person’s residence. Any cannabis in the amounts that exceed two ounces of cannabis, sixteen grams of a cannabis extract, and 800 milligrams of edible cannabis may store the excess inside the person’s residence. The law states the storage cannot be viewed from a public place.

Where can cannabis be bought and used in New Mexico?

The Cannabis Regulation Act allows local jurisdictions to set their own rules for the use and sale of cannabis. While there are no limits on the number of licenses the Cannabis Control Division may issue, local entities may place limits on the density of licenses, and adopt rules that don’t conflict with the act or the Clean Indoor Air Act. This includes establishing limits on the distance a cannabis retailer can be from schools and daycares. It is also illegal to buy, give or sell cannabis to anyone under 21 years old.

To search for a licensed business that sells cannabis, click here.

Can you grow cannabis for personal use?

No. The Cannabis Regulation Act does not allow a person without a license to grow cannabis.

Is Cannabis Legal in New Mexico?

It’s complicated. The Cannabis Control Act legalizes recreational cannabis in New Mexico. However, it is still illegal at the federal level.

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Originally Appeared Here

Clean Concepts Maid Service Provides Top Rated Cleaning Services in St. Louis, Missouri

April 1, 2022 by Staff Reporter

St. Louis, MO: Clean Concepts Maid Service provides top-rated house cleaning and maid services in St. Louis. The company has adopted a top-bottom, left-to-right systematic cleaning approach, which reduces errors and uses the latest time management techniques to eliminate backtracking. They use eco-friendly chemicals and offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Cleaning Concepts Maid Service offers a variety of house cleaning options and also customizes its services as per the client’s needs. The key services at the premier home cleaning service company include cleaning and maid services. They offer routine house cleaning, maid services, and move-in and move-out cleans. This is in addition to deep house cleaning and electrostatic disinfection. The company uses the latest technology to deliver the best cleaning outcomes. They have a 7000 square foot center, which houses the company and acts as a training center. Their products are formulated locally and also pre-tested at the facility.

Clean Concepts Maid Service was founded in 1991, bringing over 30 years of experience in the industry and services in the Louis community. They have a team of highly trained maids who offer top-notch services while maintaining company standards in every home. They arrive in uniform and a clearly marked company car during the scheduled time. A happy client had this to say about their St. Louis cleaning services, “My antique stove looks brand new after a deep clean. Their staff were polite and very professional, which assured us that the outcome would be great, we were right. I highly recommend the company to anyone looking to work with professionals without looking behind their back.”

The company is top rated with 5-star ratings on Google reviews, Yelp and Facebook. They are also highly rated on Better Business Bureau, which implies utmost trust from their clients with minimal or no complaints. The company has adopted a top-bottom, left-to-right systematic cleaning approach, which reduces errors, ensuring they do the cleaning right the first time. They also use environmentally friendly chemicals for the safety of the entire family and pets. The company also uses the latest time management techniques to eliminate backtracking. For instance, they have customized aprons that allow their technicians to have the tools and proper chemicals at hand. This maximizes efficiency by reducing back and forth movement across the room to retrieve additional supplies.

The company employs full-time workers who are paid a living wage. They do not use subcontractors assuring top-notch services to their clients. They have built a 5-star customer service experience and offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. The professional cleaners follow strict protocols to ensure safety and avoid damaging anything in a client’s home. They also use EPA registered cleaning products that guarantee effectiveness while at the same time protecting the client’s health. These products are potent hospital-grade disinfectants that kill harmful viruses, fungi, and bacteria. The disinfection process is safe and highly controlled to ensure human health is prioritized.

The cleaning expert has also designed a service for cleaning and disinfecting strategic surfaces such as doorknobs and faucets, which have a greater chance of containing viruses and other germs. Combined with a deep clean, their process gets rid of all harmful germs leaving everything sparkling clean and disinfected.

Clean Concepts Maid Service is headquartered at 8837 Manchester Rd, St. Louis, Missouri, 63144, USA. Clients can call the company at 314-781-0018 or check their website for more information on their services.

Media Contact

Company Name
Clean Concepts Maid Service
Contact Name
Jeffrey Marquie
Phone
314-781-0018
Address
8837 Manchester Rd
City
St. Louis
State
Missouri
Postal Code
63144
Country
United States
Website
https://stlouismaidservice.com/

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Pourakarmika woman inaugurates Pure Drinking Water Unit

April 1, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Mysore/Mysuru: A pure drinking water unit, installed at KHB Colony, Kuvempunagar, in MCC Ward No. 57, was inaugurated by a Pourakarmika woman yesterday.

The drinking water unit, which has been installed using the 14th Finance Commission Grant, was inaugurated by Pourakarmika Uma in the presence of Corporator M.C. Ramesh, BJP Booth-level President, Secretary and other Pourakarmikas.

Speaking on the occasion, Ramesh said that the pure drinking water unit was inaugurated as part of ‘Seva Divas,’on the occasion of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya’s birth anniversary celebration.

Pointing out that Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya was an Indian politician and thinker of right-wing Hindutva ideology espoused by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and leader of the political party Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Corporator Ramesh said that Deen Dayal Upadhyaya’s wish was to see even the lowest strata of the society to come to the mainstream and hence, the drinking water unit was inaugurated by a Pourakarmika woman.

He said that because of the tireless work by the Pourakarmikas, his Ward was clean and he is receiving a lot of appreciations from the residents.

On the occasion, rice bags were distributed to the security staff of the Main MCC Office.

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Indoor Air Quality Initiative to Safely Reopen 500 Churches in the DMV area ahead of Easter

April 1, 2022 by Staff Reporter

EnviroKlenz

Following the EPA’s “CLEAN AIR IN BUILDINGS CHALLENGE,” hundreds of religious leaders find solutions to hold safe services and increase attendance overall

IAQ Initiative Looks to Safely Reopen 500 Churches Ahead of Easter

Members behind the IAQ Initiative will use grant support to supply educational materials for churchgoers, assistance with comprehensive IAQ reports for religious centers, installation of EnviroKlenz air systems, and provide financing and grants for qualifying centers of worship.

WASHINGTON, March 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EnviroKlenz, an innovative manufacturer of patented air quality products for commercial and residential settings, and AIM-X, a global health care supply company, join religious leaders and additional air purification experts to help 500 local churches restore a sense of security among their congregants with a holistic plan for safe indoor gatherings before Easter Sunday.

The consortium will provide guidance for an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Initiative for religious spaces to take part in the Biden Administration’s “Clean Air Buildings Challenge.” Together, members behind the IAQ Initiative will use grant support to supply educational materials for churchgoers, assistance with comprehensive IAQ reports for religious centers, installation of EnviroKlenz air systems, and provide financing and grants for qualifying centers of worship.

The EnviroKlenz Air System Plus combines patented advanced chemistry technology, germicidal UVC and HEPA filtration to remove toxic particulates, allergens, bacteria and viruses, allowing for quick and easy placement to increase filtration where needed during times of worship. EnviroKlenz is rolled out in businesses and homes worldwide, including throughout DC and in Baltimore, Fairfax and DC Public School classrooms.

“Throughout times of crisis, churches have always been a source of stability and comfort in our communities,” said Bill Sanford, Chairman and CEO of Timilon Corporation. “We at Timilon are fortunate to be working with church leaders who recognize the importance of taking the necessary steps to provide a safe and healthy indoor air environment throughout their facilities.”

On March 17, 2022, the US Government launched the “Clean Air in Buildings Challenge,” wherein the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Department of Energy and the CDC, published a best practice guide for improving indoor air quality in order to reduce the risk of spreading dangerous airborne particles. The White House calls upon leaders and building operators of all types to prioritize ventilation and air filtration to curb the spread of COVID-19.

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“Easter has always one of been our biggest celebrations of the year,” says Dr. E. Gail Anderson Holness, senior pastor at Adams Inspirational AME Church. “It’s essential that we protect our friends, families and loved ones with everything in our arsenal for not only Easter, but also services to come.”

According to a Gallup poll, in-person church attendance has dropped roughly 50% across the country since the start of the pandemic, sparking feelings of isolation amongst regular churchgoers. Church leaders hope that by creating a safer environment with enhanced mitigation efforts, wary congregation members will be encouraged to attend. Some of the churches in the greater Washington area that are taking part of the IAQ Initiative include Philadelphia’s White Rock Baptist Church, Adams Inspirational AME Church in Fort Washington, Md., and Imani Temples across the region.

“When we gather, we’re singing together, hugging one another, sharing microphones and exchanging worship materials. We were looking for a solution to have our congregation feel safe upon returning for Easter, which is how we came across EnviroKlenz,” says George Augustus Stallings Jr., founder of Imani Temple African American Catholic Congregation. “We’ve learned a lot since the onset of the pandemic and we’re spreading the word about how to best support one another while preparing our spaces for new variants and beyond. The IAQ Initiative grants and generous funding programs allowed us at Imani Temple to install commercial grade portable air filtration equipment by EnviroKlenz.”

The IAQ Initiative will be hosting a town hall for religious leadership for all denominations at Imani Temple in Hillcrest Heights, Md., at 10 a.m. EDT on Friday, April 1, 2022. To register for the event, visit here.

For more information on how best to prepare worship centers for a busy Easter season, read through the IAQ Initiative’s guide, found here.

About Timilon
The Mission of Timilon Corporation is to help individuals and communities create a healthy, safe, and comfortable personal environment where they assemble, learn, live, work, and play. Timilon develops, manufactures, and markets a broad array for patented environmentally safe and effective products, technologies, systems, and applications for the capture, neutralization, and elimination of a wide variety of chemical and biological toxins, pathogens, and other nuisance surface and air contaminants. The Company serves multiple domestic and international educational, commercial, industrial, governmental, military, recreational, and consumer markets. More information is available at www.timilon.com.

About AIM-X
AIM-X (www.aim-xglobal.com) is an established global health care supply company and premium brand, serving 17 countries. We provide a full spectrum of FDA approved PPE Products such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and home testing kits. All AIM-X 3ply and respirator masks are made in the USA and Turkey. AIM-X is an advocate for the communities it serves via the AIM-X Foundation (www.aim-xfoundation.org). AIM-X Foundation has been a sponsor of such initiatives as 2020 World Peace in Germany and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Media Contact
Melanie du Mont
Uproar PR for EnviroKlenz
[email protected]
321-236-0102

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3980dadc-4d6b-4acf-a5dc-17dedcf097ee

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Leadership: How CRE Workplace Strategies Are Evolving

April 1, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Almost every company is rethinking workplace strategy in the wake of the pandemic—and commercial real estate companies, which are office users in their own right, are no exception. The COVID-health crisis changed the way that people work and think about office space, and CRE wasn’t exempt from the changes. Despite being an office-centric industry, CRE has had to adapt and adopt new office environments and strategies to reflect the needs and demands of employees—which now include everything from health and safety to flexible work schedules and a better work-life balance.

NEW WORKPLACE STRATEGY “The pandemic brought the hybrid workplace concept to scale,” says Peter Miscovich, managing director of Strategy + Innovation at JLL. Like most other industries, commercial real estate companies adopted widespread remote work policies during the pandemic, and those concepts stuck even as the pandemic waned. “We have allowed for a lot of diversity in terms of workplace behavior, and we have offered a lot of flexibility for our people,” adds Miscovich about how JLL has started to adapt its workplace experience.

The pandemic wasn’t the catalyst for hybrid workplaces, as Miscovich says, it merely expanded the concept. JLL began reimaging its office environment back in 2015 with the renovation of its headquarters office. “We have always strived to have a balance between our in-office collaborative, culture and community building to allow for flexibility for our employees,” he says. “Now in 2021, we’re continuing to provide flexibility to our workforce. We have a very strong in-office culture, but we also have flexible work arrangements as a firm.”

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Karachi ready for Ramazan sans coronavirus restrictions

April 1, 2022 by Staff Reporter

KARACHI:

After two gloom-struck years under Covid-19, the port city is finally ready to break free from pandemic-related restrictions and welcome the holy month of Ramazan with uncompromised fervor and the once lost spirit of togetherness.

Days ahead of the month of fasting, mosques across the city appear abuzz with anticipation, many being installed with new speakers, lighting systems, water dispensers, and carpets to wholeheartedly welcome back worshippers this year.

Karachi’s Muslim residentiary on the other hand also seems to be counting days until the start of Ramazan, hoping to delve into all the rituals and festivities they had to hold back on during the worst of Covid-19.

According to Muhammad Shakeel, who is part of a local mosque committee, the National Command and Operation Centre’s decision to scrape off all pandemic-related restrictions has renewed the enthusiasm of mosque management and worshippers alike. “The good news has filled us with joy, but there is also a lot of work to do. A lot of mosques have expedited their renovation works to have everything ready for the worshippers when they come,” he told, adding that despite the abolishment of Covid-19 protocols they are keen on continuing to disinfect mosque premises to keep the virus at bay.

Speaking in the same vein, Maulana Yasir, Imam of another local mosque pointed out that mosques across Karachi tend to see an influx of worshippers, who come to not only pray the five daily prayers but also for Taraweeh prayers and various other supererogatory acts of worship all day long. “So mosques get really busy during the holy month, and cannot conduct repairs or arrangements- everything has to be done beforehand. It’s going to be particularly hot this year, so we also have to make sure that praying areas are well-ventilated and all electrical works are taken care of. The finances for all of this come from generous donors and benefactors, who have been very keen to contribute to the mosque’s expenses and are overjoyed to witness the return of festivities,” he expressed.

Muhammad Saif, a young, Muslim resident of Karachi believes that Taraweeh prayers are an essential element of the holy month and that he had always enjoyed partaking in the practice with his friends and family. “Although not Farz, this congregational prayer really makes up the Ramazan experience. It is something that we participate in communally, be it at home, on some open ground, or at the mosque. That is very much in line with the spirit of togetherness that the month of fasting is all about, and something that we were deprived of for two years. I am excited to return to normalcy and enjoy both Ramzan and Eid with my friends and family, without any impediments of the past,” he told The Express Tribune.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 1st, 2022.

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Originally Appeared Here