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Staff Reporter

Secondhand Marijuana and Tobacco Smoke Can Create Indoor Air …

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The indoor air quality and industrial hygiene professionals at Clark Seif Clark provide testing and consulting services to identify and mitigate exposure to airborne pollutants and surface residues.

Chatsworth, CA, March 1st, 2022 — For years it has been recognized that exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke can be a threat to a person’s health. For those who do not smoke, many do not have a choice when being exposed to secondhand smoke and the thousands of chemicals found in it, including about 70 known to cause cancer according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

 

CDC reports that secondhand smoke, sometimes referred to as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), is a known cause of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), respiratory infections, ear infections, and asthma attacks in infants and children. It is also associated with heart disease, stroke and lung cancer in adult nonsmokers.

 

Marijuana smoke is also an issue for many. According to the CDC, smoked marijuana has many of the same cancer-causing substances as smoked tobacco. It also contains tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects. The smoke is a complex mixture of many chemicals and particulate matter (PM). Exposure to PM can cause lung irritation, may trigger an asthma attack in some people with the condition, and can be a concern for people who have lung diseases.

 

“As recently as 2019, CDC estimates 48.2 million people, or about 18% of Americans, have smoked marijuana,” said Derrick A. Denis, Vice President of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) for Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “Since then, even more states have legalized medical and recreational marijuana use. Whether we are talking about secondhand marijuana smoke, secondhand tobacco smoke or secondhand vape emissions, millions of people are being exposed without consent to contaminants in the air they breathe. This can be especially true in apartments and condominium complexes, where smoke can often migrate from one unit to another. Smoke is at best a comfort issue. At worst, smoke residues can impact current and future occupant health. Residues can also negatively impact contents and structural materials resulting in unforeseen clean-up or repair costs and difficulties selling or leasing properties.”

 

Providing testing and consulting services to assess buildings for odor complaints and health concerns arising from ongoing marijuana and tobacco smoke are the indoor air quality and industrial hygiene professionals at Clark Seif Clark. These services are frequently requested by landlords, prospective tenants, real estate professionals and even prospective buyers who are concerned about smoke residues left behind by a previous tenant or seller. These can leave intolerable odors, unsightly discoloration and a long list of measurable chemical residues.

 

CSC also recently sponsored an educational video about secondhand marijuana smoke exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/Yld5gP8Hz2M

 

To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, building science, industrial hygiene, environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email [email protected] or call (800) 807-1118. 

 

About Clark Seif Clark

CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational, environmental, and health and safety (EH&S) issues.  CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest.  The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.

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How to Clean Each Type of Flooring the Easy Way

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When cleaning your house, you would often do a general sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping of the floors. Cleaning your floors this way is great for general, everyday cleaning, but it does not get rid of the dirt that piles up on the surface and in the nooks of your floorboards.

Floors are notoriously dirty. They catch all the falling dust and debris from the air, and we tend to track dirt from outside when bringing in our shoes. If you have pets or children, then your floors may have the occasional accident, scratch, or prints as well. Floors need to be cleaned often to maintain a pristine home.

However, there are many different types of flooring, and each material would have a different method of cleaning and disinfection. In this list, we’ve gathered the different ways you can clean your floors based on each type of flooring. Never again will you have to second guess whether you’re cleaning the correct way!

1. Carpeted Floors: Professional Carpet Cleaning

For carpets and rugs, your best bet in completely cleaning them is to wash them. Washing rugs is relatively easier than washing carpets, as rugs are not adhered to the floor, and they can be washed in the laundry machine. However, carpets will require professional cleaning and shampooing instead.

Carpets are adhered to the floor using an adhesive, which may dissolve when submerged in water too long. Your carpets may lose their grip to the floor, causing bubble spots and uneven patches. Shampooing your carpets professionally would ensure your carpet fibers and the adhesive aren’t damaged, as professionals have the tools and knowledge to execute cleaning.

For a thorough carpet cleaning, look no further than Luce Cleaning Company, which provides all-around cleaning services to homes and businesses across Singapore. Give your carpets a refreshing look with a yearly professional cleaning!

2. Natural Stone Floors: DIY Marble Cleaner

You may have heard that marble and other natural stone floors do not fare well with commercial cleaning solutions. This is usually because of the harsh, acidic chemicals used in common household cleaners. Acids, even mild acids such as vinegar, cause etching on natural stone, which eats away at the material.

Instead, make your own floor cleaning using castile soap, a few drops of essential oil, and warm water. Mix 2 tablespoons of castile soap in a liter of water, and add no more than 10 drops of tea tree, lavender, or other essential oils. Use this solution to safely wipe or mop your stone floors clean without fears of etching or damage!

3. Disinfection: Steam Disinfection

As we’ve mentioned, floors are notorious for being dirty. Disinfection is a must, especially when tracking shoes indoors. Get rid of the germs, bacteria, and viruses through a proper disinfection. However, not all floors can be disinfected with a bleach solution, alcohol, or commercial disinfectant as these solutions may cause damage to the floor material.

Steam cleaning is a great way to disinfect your floors without the potential damage. You can steam clean almost any modern floor material: from wood to carpets, and even vinyl flooring. Grab a steam mop, and disinfect while you remove stains at the same time! Steam cleaning also kills off mold, mildew, and other microorganisms from tiles, carpets, and textured floors.

4. Wooden Floors: Homemade Floor Shine

Wooden floors need a proper shine every once in a while, and a combination of olive oil, white vinegar, and water would do the trick! Mix two tablespoons of olive oil, a tablespoon of white vinegar, and 2 cups of warm water together. Add some essential oils of your choice for fragrance, but this is optional.

After giving your floors a good sweeping and mopping, apply the homemade floor shine using a soft cloth, wiping a little bit at a time. The vinegar cleans the nooks and crannies of your wooden floors, while the oil seals the surface and keeps the wood from drying out. Let the solution dry.

5. Tiled Floors: Baking Soda for Grout Cleaning

Tiles floors have the most common place for mold and mildew to grow: grout! To clean grout, you can use a soft toothbrush, and set a day to scrub out all that mold and mildew growth. But you can also go the hassle-free way with some vinegar and baking soda!

Vinegar and baking soda creates a powerful cleaning paste that will kill off those mold colonies without the need to forcibly scrub them away! For natural stone floors, use hydrogen peroxide and baking soda instead to avoid etching. Simply create a paste, and apply directly to mold spots. Let the paste dry, and wipe the stains away!

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    Originally Appeared Here

    Over Rs 1279 crore allocated to MP for tap water supply

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    Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Central Government has allocated Rs 1279.20 crore to Madhya Pradesh for tap water supply under Jal Jeevan Mission, according to state government officials.

    With the amount allocated by the Central Government, 47.14 lakh (39%) rural families of Madhya Pradesh will be benefitted.

    Under the Mission, water from tap, till now, has been provided to every household of more than 4,000 villages and 46 lakh families. Special attention is also being paid to the purity of water.

    Chief Minister Chouhan said that a provision of Rs. 45,000 crores has been made to ensure easy availability of drinking water in every village through the mission, in which central share is 50 percent and 50 percent amount is being spent by the state government.

    So far, the work of operation and maintenance of more than 4000 villages in which the project has been implemented is being done by the Village Level Water and Sanitation Committee. CM also asked the rural families to take advantage of the mission and focus on water conservation.

    CM said that the Central and State Governments are working to change the face of the village. For easy availability of drinking water in the village, Prime Minister Modi has given the gift of Jal Jeevan Mission, which is proving to be a boon especially for rural women. Work is being done on a war-footing by making single and group drinking water schemes in all rural areas of the state through the mission.

    CM said that Prime Minister Modi aims to ensure “Har Ghar Jal” in the country. The Jal Jeevan Mission of Prime Minister Modi has now taken the form of a revolutionary mass movement.

    (To receive our E-paper on whatsapp daily, please click here. We permit sharing of the paper’s PDF on WhatsApp and other social media platforms.)

    Published on: Friday, March 04, 2022, 11:37 AM IST

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    Originally Appeared Here

    The ideal indoor plant to purify air in your workspace

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    A study has found that houseplants have the capacity to remove 87 per cent of air toxins in 24 hours, giving them the ability to purify the air and brighten up any work-from-home space.

    The two-year NASA study found plants such as the peace lily and English ivy had “demonstrated the potential for improving indoor air quality by removing trace organic pollutants from the air”.

    With this in mind, Clear It Waste Collection investigated which houseplant is most suitable for each zodiac sign. 

    They analysed the main characteristics of each zodiac sign to work out which greenery was the perfect match.

    “With the rise of working from home, more and more people are using houseplants to brighten up their living and working spaces,” they said.

    Along with refreshing the room, NASA has found that plants have the capacity to remove up to 87 per cent of air toxins from an area within 24 hours. 

    “Other benefits include reducing stress, increasing attentiveness, raising productivity and helping you recover from illness faster.”

    Calathea (Prayer plant) Photo: Firn Shutterstock

    Sign: Aries (Mar 21st – Apr 19th) Houseplant: Calathea (Prayer Plant)

    Bold rams love to have a big presence in any room which is why the Calathea (Prayer Plant) is a perfect fit.

    With lush multi-coloured foliage; everyone’s gaze will never be too far away, and similar to their star sign counterpart, Prayer Plants can wilt from a lack of attention.

    Ponytail Palm. Picture: SZB, Shutterstock

    Sign: Taurus (Apr 20th – May 20th) Houseplant: Ponytail Palm

    Like bulls, the Ponytail Palm loves to relax in serene environments.

    Preferring to bask in the sun, this plant is forgiving in nature; only needing rays half the time to thrive. Their low maintenance watering needs of once every few weeks also align well with Taurus’ trademark patience and perseverance.

    Bromeliad. Picture: Suttiratwiriyanon, Shutterstock

    Sign: Gemini (May 21st – Jun 21st) Houseplant: Bromeliad

    Gemini is a busy sign that some say needs a clone of itself in order to get everything done.

    The Bromeliad does exactly that! This long-lasting plant produces pups that will replace the original. Like their zodiac counterparts, too much attention is the biggest turn off for this greenery, so water sparingly.

    Asparagus Fern, Studio Light and Shade, Shutterstock

    Sign: Cancer (Jun 22nd – Jul 22nd) Houseplant: Asparagus Fern

    Those under the Cancer sign are attractive yet intuitive, meaning they easily pick up on any energy around the home. An Asparagus Fern is similar in that it can thrive in the right environment but also possesses a need for healthy attention. 

    Yucca. Picture: Horiyan, Shutterstock

    Sign: Leo (Jul 23rd – Aug 22nd) Houseplant: Yucca

    This spirited fire sign is known to enjoy the sun while holding a natural air of regality, much like the Yucca plant and its expansive plumage.

    The Yucca embodies vivacity and is a great plant to bring a taste of nature indoors, provided you bring the sunshine in with it!

    Begonia. Picture: Andreidubadzel, Shutterstock

    Sign: Virgo (Aug 23rd – Sep 22nd) Houseplant: Begonia

    This earth sign represents practical, perfectionist qualities that match the Begonia plant perfectly.

    Its beautiful blooms come in a variety of colours and patterns that need minimum upkeep when situated well indoors. This allows detail orientated Virgos time to focus on other areas of their lives.

    Peace Lily. Picture: Littlehoney, Shutterstock

    Sign: Libra (Sep 23rd – Oct 23rd) Houseplant: Peace Lily

    Libras champion harmony and equality, which makes them perfectly suited to the Peace Lily.

    The Peace Lily is great for detoxifying the home, beautiful to look at and considered one of the easiest plants to care for. This combination makes it suitable for any space or situation, just like Libras.

    Cast-iron Plant. Picture: Mizy, Shutterstock

    Sign: Scorpio (Oct 23rd – Nov 21st) Houseplant: Cast-Iron Plant

    Scorpios are strong characters that embody independence and persistence.

    As its name suggests, the Cast-Iron Plant shares similar traits. Considered one of the hardiest plants to grow indoors, it’s comfortable at extremes that others wouldn’t survive, just like members of this water sign.

    African Violets. Picture: Nature 100, Shutterstock

    Sign: Sagittarius (Nov 22nd – Dec 21st) Houseplant: African Violets

    This sign is known for being spontaneous and having a thirst for adventure.

    In African Violets a Sagittarius would find a good match with one of the most popular houseplants across the world. Like the fire sign, this plant has a few quirks involved in its care, but if these are met it will produce an elegant display of purple petals.

    Money Tree. Picture: The Tao of Dana

    Sign: Capricorn (Dec 22nd – Jan 19th) Houseplant: Guiana Chestnut (Money Tree)

    Capricorns are known for being practical, ambitious and self-reliant.

    The Guiana Chestnut is a perfect match with a low maintenance personality and slender, interwoven roots to keep its flowers and fruits on another level. The Feng Shui belief that this plant brings luck to its owner will also help with this sign’s lofty aspirations.

    Air Plant. Picture: Patchii, Shutterstock.

    Sign: Aquarius (Jan 20th – Feb 18th) Houseplant: Air Plant

    This humanitarian sign represents a mystical healer who bestows water and life upon the land.

    An Air Plant is a great fit for this zodiac. They are epiphytes, which means that they grow beside other plants or in suitable gaps, not in soil – breathing new life into everything they touch.

    Mist them regularly to keep them hydrated, or immerse in water for an hour if in need of rejuvenation.

    Jade Plant. Picture: Olgamiltsova, Shutterstock

    Sign: Pisces (Feb 19th – Mar 20th) Houseplant: Jade Plant

    The Jade Plant is an apt botanical comparison to reflect the conflicted nature of the Pisces sign.

    Liable to fade if not given enough water, but quick to bounce back when their needs are met, with proper care these plants can grow to up to six feet tall. They’re often generational good luck gifts within families, reflecting the giving nature of this water sign.

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    Originally Appeared Here

    Things to know about … the entity that wants to deliver water to county resident

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    The topic of water delivery to residents inside the county has come up during county election campaigns and even during the most recent Midland City Council planning session.

    When the delivery of water is discussed, it often leads to a district created to ultimately provide water for those residents. It is called the Midland County Utility District or MCUD.

    Here are some things to know about the Midland County Utility District offered in a question and answer with MCUD’s Shelton Viney.

    —

    MRT: What is the Midland County Utility District?

    MCUD: The Midland County Utility District (MCUD) is a special law district created under Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution and confirmed by voters of the district in May of 2013. The MCUD service area consists of approximately 84.5 square miles of land in Midland County, just south and east of Midland City limits. The district is governed by a five-member board of directors elected under section 49.102 of the state water code.

    Its mission is provide dependable, safe drinking water to the residents of the district. The population within the district is estimated at approximately 40,000 people. The district provides an affordable place to live for many of the community’s residents and workforce population. These residents and the many businesses in the district contribute to the overall success of the Midland Community.

    MRT: Don’t these homes depend on groundwater?

    MCUD: Over the past eight years, local groundwater wells in the district have become less reliable, resulting in many residents and businesses not having safe drinking water. Numerous residents are now regularly hauling water and storing it for use in their homes or businesses because their wells have run dry.

    Several locations within the district have had their groundwater sources contaminated. These areas are under regulation from the Environmental Protection Agency, requiring water to be filtered and/or treated before it is suitable to drink or can be used in the home.

    MRT: Are there other government entities involved?

    MCUD: The district is grateful that the county and the city have expressed their concern for the lack of reliable drinking water within the district and have been cooperatively participating in developing a long-term solution for the good of the overall Midland community. The district board believes that a win-win solution is possible between the three entities that not only would benefit the residents within the district, but also all Midland residents living in the city limits and within the county. 

    In 2014, the groundwater resources within Midland County were evaluated and it was determined that there is not enough reliable groundwater within the county to sustain the population growth and increasing demand for water throughout the county. Therefore, the county studied potential water sources in the region and ultimately decided to purchase groundwater rights in Winkler County, approximately 12 miles away from the City of Midland’s T-Bar Well Field. With this purchase, the county commissioners stated that it was their hope that this additional groundwater would eventually be made available to all the residents in the county, including those living inside and outside the city limits.

    MRT: How can the city factor in the delivery of water to county residents?

    MCUD: The county and the city have continued to discuss the best way to utilize the community’s valuable water sources, it has been determined that the best use of the county’s water in Winkler County is to combine it with the city’s water resources in Winkler County. By combining the county’s water source in Winkler County with the city of Midland’s, the available water for the city is increased by approximately 50 percent from a projected supply of 40 years to 60 years.

    With the City’s utility department controlling the County’s water supply in Winkler County, the production and transportation of the water to Midland can be done most efficiently and effectively. In return, the city will begin to provide wholesale water to the district from the city’s supply provided by the Colorado River Municipal Water District. The city has determined two locations within their existing water distribution system and one additional location within the city’s future system that can be tapped by the Midland County Utility District as wholesale delivery points within the county. This will provide a reliable, safe source for drinking water within the district.

    MRT: Once water is set up, what’s the next step?

    MCUD: With the source of reliable drinking water established, the Midland County Utility District is now able to begin development of a potable water utility system for its residents. The development of the system will be prioritized for the residents with the greatest need for water receiving services first and ultimately all district residents having access to a reliable, safe drinking water system.

    The district will pursue all avenues of funding available for the development of the utility system. There are funding programs available through state and federal agencies for the areas with contamination. The district also will apply for other state and federal funds for other areas within the district that may qualify for specific programs

    MRT: How will county residents be impacted financially?

    MCUD: After all grant and assistance funding has been evaluated, the district will consider funding infrastructure development from users’ fees. The district will seek input from its residents before setting rates for purchase of drinking water. It is the intent of the district to provide drinking water to its residents at a rate that is affordable to them, while covering the operation and maintenance costs of the system. It is possible that the rates could also cover the cost of necessary installation of tanks, pump stations, piping, meters, etc. 

    Finally, after all other funding mechanisms have been fully vetted, the district may ask the voters within the district to approve the issuance of bonds at an election, which would increase property taxes if approved.

    The district will continue to study all the financing options available to it to determine the best plan for funding the improvements needed to provide a reliable water supple to the community before the district asks the residents to approve any proposed bond program. However, the district wants to assure its residents that no bond program will be pursued without significant opportunity to receive input from its residents.

    Again, the district is grateful for the spirit of cooperation and assistance in getting to this point from the county and the city. The entire community will benefit from these efforts by insuring all the community’s residents have safe and reliable drinking water for generations to come.

     

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    Norovirus outbreaks increasing in England

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    The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is reminding the public of simple actions that they can take to reduce the spread of norovirus. The advice comes after routine surveillance in England shows that the number of outbreaks caused by the vomiting bug has increased in recent weeks (4-week period from end January to February), initially in educational settings and now in care home settings.

    Norovirus is highly infectious and causes vomiting and diarrhoea but usually passes in a couple of days. It is easily transmitted through contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces.

    The increase in reported outbreaks was initially in educational settings, particularly in nursery and childcare facilities, with 48% more incidents reported to UKHSA than would be expected.

    Reports of norovirus outbreaks in care home settings to UKHSA have also increased in recent weeks in 2022 – with a rise from 24 reported in week 6 (week commencing 7 February), to 40 reported in week 7 (week commencing 14 February).

    While outbreaks reported in care home settings overall remain below pre-pandemic expected levels, it is likely they will continue to increase in the coming weeks and a rise in norovirus outbreaks in care home settings often precedes an increase in outbreaks in hospital settings. Therefore, it is important to take steps to limit the spread of norovirus.

    Professor Saheer Gharbia, Gastrointestinal Pathogens and Food Safety Directorate, UKHSA, said:

    Norovirus, commonly known as the winter vomiting bug, has been at lower levels than normal throughout the pandemic but as people have begun to mix more, the numbers of outbreaks have started to increase again.

    Symptoms include sudden onset of nausea, projectile vomiting and diarrhoea but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs. Stay at home if you are experiencing norovirus symptoms and do not return to work or send children to school or nursery until 48 hours after symptoms have cleared.

    Please avoid visiting elderly relatives if you are unwell – particularly if they are in a care home or hospital. As with COVID-19 and other infectious illnesses, hand washing is really important to help stop the spread of this bug, but remember, unlike for COVID-19 alcohol gels do not kill off norovirus so soap and water is best.

    How to reduce the spread of norovirus

    1. Stay at home if you are experiencing norovirus symptoms. Do not return to work or send children to school until 48 hours after symptoms have cleared. Also avoid visiting elderly or poorly relatives, particularly if they are in hospital or a care home.

    2. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water. Alcohol hand gels don’t kill norovirus.

    3. When an infected person vomits, the droplets contaminate the surrounding surfaces. A bleach-based household cleaner or a combination of bleach and hot water should be used to disinfect potentially contaminated household surfaces and commonly used objects such as toilets, taps, telephones, door handles and kitchen surfaces.

    4. If you are ill, avoid cooking and helping prepare meals for others until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped, as norovirus can be spread through food contaminated by the virus when food is handled by symptomatic people or infected individuals.

    5. Wash any contaminated clothing or bedding using detergent and at 60°C and, if possible, wear disposable gloves to handle contaminated items.

    Norovirus activity has risen as people have begun to mix more – it is possible that unusual or out-of-season increases could be seen in the coming months.

    UKHSA’s National Norovirus Surveillance Team will continue to closely monitor all available surveillance data to ensure early detection of any unusual norovirus activity and outbreaks.

    You can view the National Norovirus and Rotavirus Bulletin here.

    Those showing symptoms should avoid visiting their GP, but if they are concerned should contact NHS 111 or talk to their GP by phone.

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    Originally Appeared Here

    Rood and Kim named to leadership positions in

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    Multiple national laboratories, with direction from Argonne experts, join U.S. federal agencies and other partners to advance net zero energy system goals.

    Marcy Rood and Hyekyung (Clarisse) Kim of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory will help lead a multilaboratory effort to accelerate global energy system decarbonization and worldwide investment in net zero energy systems. Rood, an environmental transportation analyst, will serve as the deputy director and chief operating officer of the Net Zero World Action Center, and Kim, a physicist and principal scientist, will act as its deputy manager for technical programs.  

    The Net Zero World Action Center furthers the goals of the Net Zero World Initiative launched by U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties on Nov. 3. With the initiative, partnering nations can harness the powerful resources of DOE laboratories, federal agencies, think tanks, businesses and universities to develop clean energy projects that promote net zero, resilient, just and inclusive energy systems. Argentina, Chile, Egypt, Indonesia, Nigeria and Ukraine have joined the United States in the initiative. 

    “The national laboratories have the expertise, facilities and partnerships to accelerate the decarbonization of the global energy system and mitigate the impacts of climate change.” — Paul Kearns, Argonne laboratory director

    “Argonne proudly supports Marcy and Clarisse in their leadership roles with the Net Zero World Action Center,” said Argonne Laboratory Director Paul Kearns. “The national laboratories have the expertise, facilities and partnerships to accelerate the decarbonization of the global energy system and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Marcy and Clarisse, through their work with Net Zero World Partners, will contribute to highly tailored, actionable technology road maps and investment strategies that put our net zero emission goals within reach.” 

    Rood joins an executive leadership team that includes a Deputy Director and Chief Technology Officer from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and an Executive Director from National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Together, they will manage a team from multiple DOE labs, including Argonne, NREL, PNNL, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.  

    Rood has more than 25 years of experience in the DOE Vehicle Technologies Office’s Technical Integration program and its national Clean Cities Coalition Network, in which she coordinated teams working on a range of clean vehicle technologies and systems. She has an exceptional record of collaborating with international, national, state and local stakeholders to increase U.S. economic, environmental and energy security. Most recently, she was recognized as a Chicago Area Clean Cities Clean Fuels Champion for her long-term commitment to advancing energy security, clean fuel and clean air, one fleet and one consumer at a time. 

    “Marcy brings substantial clean energy program management, analysis and stakeholder engagement expertise to her role,” said Bruce Hamilton, Argonne’s Net Zero World Lab lead and Global Energy Solutions program lead in the Energy Systems division.  

    Hamilton, who will coordinate Argonne’s technical expertise for the Net Zero World Action Center as country work programs are formulated, noted that both Rood and Kim were selected from a highly qualified pool of interested applicants.  

    Kim, working alongside a technical programs team manager from LBNL, will be responsible for coordinating cross-laboratory teams and for planning and implementing support to various countries. Kim brings to the role her systems-level perspective, leadership in interdependent modeling for infrastructure resilience, and understanding of global critical material supply chains and energy technology deployment strategies. She will coordinate with country teams and U.S. government and international programs to ensure effective scoping and implementation of technical work programs. 

    “As a partner in the Net Zero World Initiative, and through the involvement of Marcy and Clarisse, Argonne has the opportunity to demonstrate its leadership in decarbonization technical assistance,” said Hamilton. “They can ensure our science has continuing societal impact by supporting informed decision making on global transition to net zero emissions.” ​

    Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology. The nation’s first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities, and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific problems, advance America’s scientific leadership and prepare the nation for a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.

    The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit https://​ener​gy​.gov/​s​c​ience.

    Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.

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    Originally Appeared Here

    Improve your home’s indoor air quality, sponsored by Southern Air

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    Improve your home’s indoor air quality, sponsored by Southern Air

    • Sponsored Content
    • March 3, 2022

    Spring can take a toll on a home’s indoor air quality, but knowing how to improve it can be a valuable tool in staying safe and healthy. Indoor air quality can be affected by the following sources of pollutants:

    • Tobacco smoke

    • Asbestos

    • Pollen

    • Household cleaning products

    • Hygiene and hair care products

    • Outdoor air pollution

    • Excess moisture

    • Fuel-burning appliances

    Southern Air Baton Rouge can perform inspections and tune-ups to your system. We recommend scheduling maintenance twice a year … and don’t forget to change your filters. Every bit counts when it comes to keeping your home fresh. Learn more or schedule your EXCLUSIVE $69 tune-up.


    Family night, plant sales and more this weekend in Baton Rouge

    Will the high price of crabmeat impact Lenten menus?

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    Originally Appeared Here

    School mask mandate will continue for youngest NYC students, City Hall says as end of policy looms

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    New York City students who are under the age of five will need to continue wearing masks in class, even if the school mask mandate is lifted by Mayor Eric Adams next week, as those kids are not currently eligible for COVID vaccines, a City Hall official said Thursday.

    The Department of Education will continue to offer masks on campuses for students, teachers and staff, said Amaris Cockfield, a spokesperson for the mayor. It was not immediately clear if unvaccinated students over the age of five will be required to wear masks at school.

    In anticipation of Adams lifting the public school system’s mask mandate on March 7th, Comptroller Brad Lander and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams sent to City Hall a letter Wednesday urging the city to require students to be vaccinated for COVID by the next school year and offer opt-in masked classes.

    Their call to require COVID vaccinations for all eligible students by the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year follows the lead of the Washington D.C. and Los Angeles school systems (though those systems have faced various delays and legal challenges to their proposed mandates).

    “It makes pretty clear sense that for next fall, COVID vaccination should be required, just like meningitis vaccination is required,” Lander told Gothamist. “If we knew that now, that would help us have confidence vaccination rates will go up in places where they’re really low, and we would be taking the steps necessary to keep people safe.”

    Williams said “all the science says that it’s beneficial, that it is helpful,” and added there would be the same medical exemptions as available for other required vaccinations.

    “We want to make sure that there are legitimate exemption options, but I think it should be treated like any other vaccination that is already mandated,” Williams told Gothamist.

    The mayor has said he would consider a vaccine mandate for students 12 and older once the vaccine is fully approved by the FDA, since the shots for that age group are currently under emergency authorization. But vaccination uptake has been inconsistent among the city’s schoolkids.

    The Department of Education said systemwide, 51.6% of eligible New York City students were fully vaccinated as of February 22nd.

    DOE spokesman Nathaniel Styer said “in the coming days” the department will launch a campaign targeting school communities with lower vaccination rates. He did not immediately respond to an inquiry about requiring the COVID vaccine for students for the next school year.

    DOE employees were required to be vaccinated under former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration.

    If the mask mandate is lifted next week as expected, Williams and Lander say the school system needs to find a way to quickly offer “an opt-in approach for teachers and students who wish to remain in all masked classrooms.”

    When asked how this alternate structure would work, Lander said the DOE could survey each school community to determine if students and teachers wanted to be in a masked setting.

    “I think it’d be very different in different schools. But in those places where some meaningful number of people would like to stay in a masked classroom, it’d be great if we could offer it,” Lander said. “We should try to support principals who would want to do it.”

    The city also needs to focus on upgrading ventilation in school buildings, Williams said, and criticized the de Blasio administration for not prioritizing air quality in the school system’s 1,800 buildings.

    “I think the last administration let this lapse for too long,” Williams said. “I’m sure it’s a big project. But we have to get started, because ventilation is important in schools and air quality is important.”

    READ MORE: NYC Schools Bought Weaker Air Purifiers. Now Underventilated Campuses Are More Prone To COVID Cases

    Lander and Williams urged the DOE to release the data the city collected on airflow and on airborne pollutants within classrooms and to commit to equipping each classroom with indoor air quality sensors that can dispense real-time measurements.

    The officials also requested that the DOE continues to conduct in-school COVID testing and continue to provide masks on campuses even after the mandate is lifted.

    Williams said he personally was wary that Adams is trying to lift too many restrictions simultaneously – in addition to lifting the school mask mandate on March 7th, Adams announced that the Key to NYC policy requiring customers of restaurants, gyms and entertainment venues to be vaccinated will also be lifted the same day.

    “Those two things are concerning to me. I think you have to do one at a time and see how … things are impacted,” Williams said. “But I think the combination of those things are of concern too – you have to do one thing, see what happens and then do something else.”

    This story has been updated with new information.

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    Originally Appeared Here