All Healthy News

Clean Air. Pure Water. Healthy Home.

HEALTH BEGINS WITH:
Clean Air. Pure Water. Healthy Homes.

Staff Reporter

Your home, your garden

by

No matter your skill level or how much space you have to spare, there’s a houseplant for you here

EVEN people without green thumbs can appreciate the beauty of indoor plants. If you are one of those people, then this story is for you! This outdoor touch is a great way to brighten up the mood, add colour to your interior and develop your gardening skills.

Houseplants add beauty to a space while providing functional benefits such as creating a positive atmosphere, purifying the air, and allowing you to connect with nature without going out. Plants can put your mind at ease. No wonder many people want to fill their homes and offices with beautiful green leaves.

Luckily, there are several types of houseplants that can fill your home and don’t require much effort to sustain life. We compiled eight indoor plants for you to consider for your home.

CALATHEA

Low sunlight and very humid environment are the ideal conditions for Calathea plants to thrive! They have colourful, bright patterns and come in many varieties, with distinctive rounded leaves with a light green pattern on the top and a maroon pattern below, or long wavy dark green leaves with a deep purple tint. They are generally easy to care for, but like all plants, don’t water them too much! They like to be wet all the time, so a rule of thumb is to make sure the soil is dry, then water it regularly and drain excess liquid.

ALOEVERA

Aloe vera, also called the “healing plant,” is the ultimate multitasker. It not only decorates your home, but is also a popular ingredient in skincare products. Its super low maintenance and is also extremely easy to keep alive. Aloe likes the sun and only needs to be watered once a week. Aloe vera will love a spot on your desk or bedside table as it’s perfect for indirect light. Place the plant in a tall pot so that the leaves do not fall on the table. Soak well every week or every two weeks for optimal growth. They also make a great gift for a friend who has problems with other plants! They look great in almost any type of container and in any type of interior. They are just that flexible.

SPIDERPLANT

Bright indirect lighting and occasional watering make spider plants the easiest to care for. This houseplant has nothing to do with real spiders. However, this plant is named after a spider because of its long, tapering leaves that look very much like spider legs! Spider plants grow well in damp places with limited light, so it’s a good idea to put them in the bathroom. Spider plants act as natural indoor air fresheners, so there is no need to invest in artificial plants. Make it stand out by putting it in a pot on your bathroom windowsill. If you want to mix things up, try adding them to hanging ornaments near the sink or bathtub. Give it an earthy industrial feel with a metal pot in shades of rose gold, gold and silver gray.

ENGLISH IVY

English Ivy has lush evergreen leaves. You can leave the long tendrils hanging from the fireplace or shelf. English Ivy is a houseplant and should be placed in a basket on the wall close to the window to receive sunlight. This plant is very effective at filtering out harmful pollutants and odours from the air, making it a great addition to your bathroom. In terms of interior design, these houseplants hang picturesquely from ceilings or walls, especially when placed next to a sink or bathtub. English Ivy brings the essential tropical wonderland vibe to any bathroom, especially one built of white and gray marble or quartz.

POTHOS PLANT

Also known as ‘money plants’, pothos plants are considered a lucky plant by many, and are easy to grow indoors especially if you are new to gardening. Money plants thrive anywhere, whether in soil pots or pots of water. The plant is also referred as “the devil’s ivy” for its toughness. The plant can access indirect sunlight and water every few days. If your home has a minimalistic visual style, you can hang it on the wall of your bedroom. The vines can grow incredibly long, making them a great choice for hanging from high ceilings. If you’re worried about your plants taking up extra space, you can position them on or near a shelf for a cleaner look.

LILIES

Sometimes flowering plants are the most difficult to maintain. Durable and beautiful, the Peace Lily is appreciated for its ability to purify the air. Peace Lilies are hardy but grow best in indirect sunlight with access to shade. For best results, wait until you see the leaves droop slightly. Consider planting them in simple pots so that beautiful flowers can take center stage. If your bedroom is decorated in a minimalist or industrial style, the soft aesthetic of the Lily will be a welcome contrast. Not only will you sleep better, but you will also get fresh air.

SNAKE PLANT

Also known as “snake plant”, mother-in-law’s tongue is visually very attractive – a bunch of strong spikes covered in yellow, green and grayish patterns. This plant, officially known as Sansevieria Laurentii, is a very hardy and unique plant with high-contrast stripes that cannot be ignored. This sturdy shrub requires minimal maintenance. It is enough to water every week.

Mother-in-law’s tongue is best seen as a central decoration of a living room or dining room. To ensure a good visual impact, place the plants in colourful pots. If you don’t want the plants to obscure the rest of your beautiful home interior, you can complement it with small decorations like glass vases or jars. Decorating your home with snake plants has a number of benefits as it absorb various toxins, pollutants and odors and improve overall air quality.

ORCHID

Phalaenopsis orchid prefers low light and a humid climate, but is calmer than its colourful flowers suggest. If you love decorating your home with colorful flowers, check out orchids. These flowering plants are easy to find in Malaysia, so you have plenty of choices when choosing the type you want to grow at home. Also, because the orchid family is vast, varieties can vary by character, so be careful when deciding what kind of flower to work with.

Growing orchids indoors requires exposure to moderately strong sunlight, and regular watering in hot months. If you have an open or semi-open kitchen with large windows for ventilation, plant an orchid there. And if the aesthetics of your kitchen are generally monochromatic, bright orchids will add some colour to the room.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Surface Cleaners and Disinfectants | Bovine Veterinarian

by

Cleaning and disinfecting various surfaces have always been important practices for bovine veterinarians.

With the ongoing circulation of COVID-19 in the U.S. for the past two years, the general public is also keen to disinfect all kinds of surfaces — everything from doorknobs to grocery carts at the supermarket.

At times, the products needed to get the job done have been in short supply or unavailable. Thanks to the Beef Quality Assurance National Manual, here is a handy chart you can use the next time you need options and a quick reference on various compounds for disinfecting purposes. 

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

North Tonawanda, NY HVAC Air Duct Cleaning – Lint/Dust Removal Service Launched

by

Cleanway Cleaning & Restoration (716)990-2110 has announced a new service update for clients in North Tonawanda, N.Y. The team offers professional air duct cleaning for air quality and unit efficiency.

Niagara Falls, United States – February 21, 2022 —

The updated service is both environmentally and pet friendly, with a no-hassle guarantee for added peace of mind and convenience. Unclean air ducts can be a health hazard, but can also be a safety issue and cause fires in both furnace and dryer vent systems in the home.

More information can be found at: https://www.nycleanway.com

The latest industry research shows that more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies, asthma, emphysema, and other respiratory issues. Indoor air pollutants can be a health risk, but the latest move from Cleanway Cleaning & Restoration provides a healthier and safer environment.

Over time, dust, hair, allergens, and mold can collect in the air ducts of customers’ homes. The air circulating the property can quickly become dirty, harming the health of the family.

As mold certified indoor air specialists, Cleanway uses state-of-the-art equipment to clean air ducts of dust, lint, and other particles that build up throughout the day. Regular service is encouraged to ensure optimal efficiency and performance, while maximizing safety.

There are several benefits to hiring an air duct cleaning company throughout the year. Experts like Cleanway can help to reduce allergies, and ensure families can breathe easier.

Ensuring a thorough clean of the HVAC system also improves furnace efficiency. Customers can be sure that their unit will run better, and require less maintenance throughout the year.

Additional information is available at: https://www.facebook.com/NYCleanway

The company has been serving the North Tonawanda, N.Y area since 1989 and has an experienced and knowledgeable team. They understand how important it is for both families and businesses to have clean air supply, especially during the ongoing health crisis.

In addition to the above-mentioned air duct cleaning services, Cleanway also provides upholstery cleaning, power washing, and floor care. Customers can get in touch for personalized service that caters to all their cleaning needs.

A spokesperson for the company states: “Cleanway specializes not only in cleaning, but we do it with the environment in mind. We use only sustainable, non-toxic agents, making your place – and the environment – as clean as possible.”

Interested parties can learn more at: https://www.business.google.com/posts/l/18392057459908170456?hl=en

Contact Info:
Name: Doug p Neumann
Email: Send Email
Organization: Cleanway Cleaning & Restoration
Address: 1426 Elderberry Place, Niagara Falls, NY 14304, United States
Phone: +1-716-990-2110

Release ID: 89062051

comtex tracking

COMTEX_402782008/2773/2022-02-21T01:00:18

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

NICD punts hand hygiene, clean water as preventative steps against Typhoid fever

by

The NICD says people can prevent infection of enteric fever by practising good hand hygiene and consuming safe drinking water.

CAPE TOWN – The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) says people can prevent infection of enteric fever, also known at Typhoid fever, by practising good hand hygiene and consuming safe drinking water.

There has been a recent increase in cases of enteric fever in South Africa.

The last time there was a large outbreak in the country was in Delmas in 2005 but since then South Africa averaged less than 150 cases per year.

During 2020 and 2021, the total number of cases reported didn’t differ much from previous years but the NICD noticed an increase in the Western Cape and North West’s numbers.

The NICD’s Dr Juno Thomas said using whole genome sequencing they found there were clusters or small localised outbreaks caused by different strains in three districts of the Western Cape and one district in the North West.

She said the number of cases in each cluster was relatively small, ranging from 11 to 16.

“The provinces are aware of these clusters and are investigating them. Contaminated municipal water is extremely unlikely to be the source of infection in any of these clusters and the root of transmission are probably quite complicated and challenging to investigate at this point.”

This article first appeared on EWN : NICD punts hand hygiene, clean water as preventative steps against Typhoid fever

More from Local

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Air quality inside homes worse than office buildings, study suggests

by

 

Indoor pollution from gas ranges exceeds outdoor state regulated air quality thresholds

According to the report, homes with gas stoves can emit nitrogen dioxide concentrations that are 50-400 percent higher than homes with electric stoves, putting consumers at risk for serious respiratory illnesses and other harmful effects.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – A new study from Texas A&M University of Public Health suggests the air quality inside homes may be worse than the air quality inside office buildings.

Researchers published their study in the journal Atmosphere after studying indoor air quality and health outcomes for people who have been working remotely during the COIVD-19 pandemic.

Part of the study included measuring indoor air quality in both offices and homes in 2019 and 2020 and then looking at the health outcomes during that time period. Researchers used an air quality monitor to collect data on air temperature, relative humidity, concentrations of a particular matter and volatile organic compounds, known as VOCs.

RELATED: Air quality briefly improved amid 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, UN says

They then had participants complete a survey where they ranked the prevalence of symptoms like dry, itchy or watery eyes, stuffy nose and dry or irritated skin on a scale ranging from not experiencing symptoms to having them every day.

Results showed the fine particulate matter concentrations were significantly higher in the participants’ homes than in their offices, and the home levels were greater than the standard for a healthy work environment. Results also showed that VOC concentrations were higher in homes compared to offices; however, the VOC concentrations in both places were well below the limit set by health standards.

The majority of employees in the study also reported higher frequencies of symptoms while working at home, according to the university.

Researchers noted that indoor air pollution is often linked to building materials and household activities. They can include VOCs from carpet and furniture, paints and other chemicals as well as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and mold.

RELATED: Maryland company’s product detects COVID-19 by testing air quality

They said prolonged exposure to indoor air pollutants can lead to adverse health effects from headaches and dry eyes to cardiovascular disease and lung cancer. They add that significant work has gone into improving office building indoor air quality because of these possible outcomes.

But with the percentage of people working remotely growing amid the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists believe home indoor air quality can now be considered a workplace health issue.

The university hopes its findings will lead people to improve home indoor air quality, such as opening windows. They also advise companies to provide air purifiers to remote workers.

“Taking steps to improve indoor air quality in both conventional office buildings and home offices will likely become a growing area of study for public health researchers and employers looking to ensure health, safety and productivity,” the university said in a statement.

This story was reported from Los Angeles.

Originally Appeared Here

What is Chloramine in Water Treatment?

by

Breaking down what is chloramine in water treatment, & the pros &. cons of chloramine use

All public drinking water must be treated before it can be delivered to our homes. A big part of the water treatment process involves using a chemical disinfectant to kill microorganisms like viruses and bacteria, making water safe to drink. 

Traditionally, chlorine was used to disinfect water. Nowadays, however, a compound combining chlorine and ammonia is rapidly increasing in popularity: chloramine. 

This quick guide will look at how chloramine works to disinfect water, what makes it different to chlorine disinfection, and why chloramine is becoming so popular in the water treatment industry.

RELATED: Top 5 Rising Consumer Trends Related to Water Quality

What is Chloramine?

Chloramine is made from a group of chemicals that contain ammonia and chlorine. The most commonly used chloramine in municipal water treatment is monochloramine. This is added to water in measured amounts, ensuring that microorganisms are killed, but water is still safe to drink. 

The EPA estimates that today, more than one in five Americans drink water that has been disinfected with chloramine. 

Water containing up to 4 milligrams per liter (mg/L) or 4 parts per million (ppm) of chloramine is safe for drinking, bathing, cooking, and other household uses, and meets the EPA’s regulatory standards. Health effects are unlikely to occur when chloramine is present in these levels. 

How Does Chloramine Disinfect Water?

As a chlorine-based compound, chloramine is one of the only disinfectants capable of killing harmful pathogens, while still maintaining water quality. 

There are a number of theories on how chlorine and chlorine-based compounds work to disinfect water. Scientific American highlights this possible sequence of events: 

  • Chloramine disrupts the cell wall barrier of the cells of microorganisms;
  • The cells release vital cellular constituents, which are needed for the microbes’ survival;
  • As a result of this alteration, membrane-associated functions are terminated; and
  • The cell is no longer able to perform cellular functions, and can no longer replicate.

Chloramine disinfection is usually the seventh stage in the water treatment process. By the time of disinfection, water has been collected, screened and strained, and undergone processes including coagulation and flocculation, clarification and sedimentation, and filtration. Chloramination is the last treatment stage before water is stored and distributed.

A History of Chloramine Water Treatment

According to the CDC, chloramine has been used for water treatment since 1929. Cleveland, Ohio; Springfield, Illinois; and Michigan were among the first places to replace chlorine with chloramine in the water disinfection process. 

An EPA survey carried out in 1998 found that at the time, chloramine-disinfected water was being delivered to around 68 million Americans. This number is steadily increasing as major cities like Washington, D.C, and San Francisco have switched to chloramine for water treatment. 

What Makes Chloramine Different from Chlorine?

Chlorine and chloramine are structurally different. Chlorine is made from chlorine atoms, while chloramine combines chlorine and ammonia. 

You might wonder why chloramine has been introduced if chlorine and chloramine can both be used for the same purpose. However, there are some notable differences between chlorine and chloramine: 

  • Chloramine is less volatile. This is the major difference between chloramine and chlorine. Volatile substances, like chlorine, easily evaporate at room temperatures. Being less volatile than chlorine, chloramine stays in water longer, providing longer-lasting protection. 
  • Chloramine has a less distinct taste and odor. While chlorine can have a bleach-like smell and taste in water, chloramine is less potent. 
  • Chloramine is more corrosive. Compared to chlorine-treated water, water treated with chloramine can have more of a corrosive effect on pipes and plumbing. 

Unless you have a very sensitive palette, you probably will not be able to tell the difference between chlorine and chloramine by smelling or tasting your water. The easiest way to know which chemical disinfectant your water contains is to look at your Water Quality Report. Alternatively, contact your municipality directly. 

Why Have So Many States Switched to Chloramine Use?

Because the EPA deems chloramine a safe disinfectant, all water treatment plants in the country are allowed to use this chemical compound to disinfect drinking water. There are benefits and drawbacks to using both chlorine and chloramine as disinfectants, but, with chloramine having more benefits, this disinfectant is more popular today. 

The biggest issue with chlorine is that it produces traces of dangerous chemicals, known as disinfection byproducts, as it travels to our homes. This is especially likely if the water that has been treated contained high quantities of microorganisms that reacted with chlorine. Disinfection byproducts include chlorate and benzene, which both have known health effects with long-term exposure. 

Additionally, chlorine is used up at a faster rate, which means that, in water that’s particularly badly contaminated, there may not be enough chlorine to kill all the microorganisms before the water needs to be used for drinking. 

Chloramine does not release disinfection byproducts and lingers in water for longer, which makes it more popular in water utilities. 

The Pros and Cons of Chloramine Use

To summarize the advantages and disadvantages of using chloramine as a disinfectant: 

Pros of Chloramine Use: 

  • Chloramine is more stable, remaining in water for longer and providing longer-lasting protection against harmful microorganisms.
  • Because chloramine has a low oxidation potential, it does not produce concerning levels of disinfection byproducts. 
  • Chloramine is easy to use and inexpensive in large-scale applications. 
  • Chloramine does not have such a strong chemical taste or odor in water. 

Cons of Chloramine Use: 

  • To make monochloramine on-site, chlorine gas or hypochlorite are needed, and safety measures must be imposed.
  • Additional safety precautions are needed to prevent ammonia from vaporizing and to stop nitrogen trichloride from forming. 
  • Chloramine is weaker than chlorine as a disinfectant against viruses and cysts, and requires longer contact times with water to produce the same outcomes. 
  • Chloramine is more corrosive to metal pipes.

The Bottom Line

Chloramine is a safe, effective disinfectant that is becoming more and more popular as a chloramine alternative in municipal water treatment. In low levels, chloramine does not have any known health effects. However, like chlorine, you may still taste chloramine in your water. 

Although chloramine is essential to maintain safe, pathogen-free water as it travels underground to our homes, this chemical compound can be safely removed from water with an at-home filtration system before drinking. 

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

BOFA, Air Extractors Compatible With All 3D Printing Technologies

by

Whether it is FDM, SLA, DLP, MJF, SLS or any other printing process, fine particles are emitted during the additive manufacturing process. Studies conducted by the Georgia Institute of Technology and Fraunhofer WKI have shown that more than 200 types of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Ultra Fine Particles (UFPs) can be emitted during the printing of standard polymers such as PLA, PETG or ABS. These fine particles or VOCs can cause unpleasant odors and potentially harm health in the absence of proper ventilation.

In order to prevent the risks linked to the particles emitted and to protect the users and operators of 3D printers, the company specialized in air extraction BOFA has developed an adapted protection solution. The PrintPRO is a range of air purification systems, specially designed for 3D printing. Marketed in France and Europe by the French distributor Atome3D, this range aims to ensure a healthy working environment.

The characteristics of BOFA extractors

The range developed by BOFA includes 4 machines suitable for all types of 3D printers and includes the PrintPRO 1, 2, 3 and 4, sold respectively at a price of €390, €649.90, €729.90 and €1,490.90 without tax. The main differences between these machines are the extraction power, the volume and the filtration level.

All extractors in the range have two levels of filtration. The first is a Hepa filter that filters 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns and removes harmful particles; the second is an activated carbon filter that captures odors, gases and nanoparticles.

BOFA

BOFA’s PrintoPRO system purifies the air with interchangeable filters

In order to filter optimally, the activated carbon needs to capture the air long enough to purify it. In order to ensure sufficient air circulation time, BOFA has developed a labyrinth-like network system to slow down the air flow in the activated carbon filter. In order to ensure long-lasting filtration, BOFA has equipped the PrintPRO extractors with sensors that monitor the efficiency and service life of the filters. Unlike the PrintPRO 1, the PrintPRO 2, 3 and 4 models have a pre-filter that removes 95% of 1 micron particles and 80% of 0.2 micron particles. This pre-filter extends the life of the HEPA and chemical filters.

PrintPRO extractors can be used to filter air and exhaust it into the workroom or outside, but also to recirculate air within a print enclosure. Recirculation can be used to prevent temperature variation in a closed printing environment. Since some materials require a stable and high temperature, this system allows to filter and purify the air in the printing chamber of the machine while maintaining the temperature of the environment.

Among the accessories delivered with the extractors, we find a suction hose and an exhalation hose. In order to easily adapt to all types of machines in diffusion or recirculation, 3D models are also available for download. To learn more about the BOFA PrintPRO range of extractors, please visit the website of the French reseller Atome3D.

What do you think of these air extractors? Let us know in a comment below or on our Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

KT to Present Future of Digital Innovation at MWC

by

KT’s exhibition hall at MWC 2022

KT will participate in this year’s Mobile World Congress (MWC), which will be held for the first time in three years.

KT announced on Feb. 20 that it will run an exhibition hall at MWC 2022, which will run in Barcelona, Spain, from Feb. 28 to March 3 (local time). The KT exhibition hall, formed under the theme of “DIGICO KT, an engine for digital innovation,” is composed of the ground (the floor of the exhibition hall) and the sky (the ceiling of the hall) facing each other around the main road. KT intends to let visitors intuitively feel the era of digital innovation, where boundaries between time and space collapse.

KT’s hall is part of Industry City, a joint hall of the World Mobile Telecommunications Business Association (GSMA) at MWC 2022. The KT exhibition hall consists of three zones — AI, Robot and KT Group & Partners.

In the AI zone, visitors will be able to meet a total of six technologies and services. They include traffic digital twins, a technology that analyzes traffic flow with Twin/AI to derive optimal signals, a hybrid 5G MEC platform that analyzes CCTV images based on mobile edge computing, real dance that compares and analyzes users’ dance movements with AI, Dr. Wais, a technology that monitors 5G base stations and telecommunication buildings with AI and AI NQI which analyzes wireless telecommunication quality based on AI.

The Robot Zone will introduce various technologies centering on a quarantine robot. It will demonstrate an AI quarantine robot-related technology unveiled for the first time at the MWC. In the future, the quarantine robot will clean space by checking indoor air in real time with Air Map Korea.

KT will also take the wraps off the Giga Wi-Fi Home 6E, which provides an indoor robot communication environment with 6GHz frequency-enabled Wi-Fi, and introduce next-generation integrated terminal S-Box consisting of a single home AP, an Android TV-based set-top box, and AI Giga Genie. In addition, it will exhibit Giga Atto, which provides a seamless communication environment between robots and servers, an AIoT electric wheelchair that support location tracking and emergency calls and automatic auxiliary driving and a 5G IoT router that convert 5G signals into Wi-Fi signals.

The KT Group & Partners Zone will showcase A.UX Alive, a next-generation use environment of KT Group affiliate Altimedia. A.UX Alive makes it easier to use Android OS-based IPTV and OTT services. KT provided small and medium-sized partners with opportunities to participate in the MWC. IdeaLink will introduce smart golf AI coaching technology for IPTV while Coresoft metaverse-based 3D digital twins production technology.

KT has also prepared programs for those who cannot not visit the exhibition hall in person. People can also watch KT’s exhibition in MWC 2022 at home by visiting DIGICO Land, a metaverse exhibition hall. Various participatory programs will provide interesting exhibitions in the virtual reality world.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

The Recorder – My Turn: Time to clean up the mess at 298 Federal St.

by

Published: 2/20/2022 8:09:47 PM

Modified: 2/20/2022 8:09:27 PM

I was relieved to see the article titled “Lunt property under audit by Mass DEP” in the Saturday, Feb. 12 edition of the Recorder. I’ve been concerned about mismanagement at the 298 Federal St. site and was grateful to hear that others in the community were sharing these same concerns. I was delighted to see that some citizens have even gone as far as contacting the MassDEP’s audit section chief, John Ziegler, which in turn triggered the opening of an investigation. An audit is not a “normal part of the (PIP) process” as stated by the mayor in that article. It is something that needs to be requested, or is brought about by the MassDEP if enough concerns are voiced.

So why is an audit so desperately needed? It’s because those we hired to be in charge of the cleanup did not do their job. Michael Hootstein, the principal hydro geologist of the Legacy Environmental Group,volunteered his time to look into the cleanup activities in an effort to understand why we are in the situation we are now. He wrote a very detailed report citing all the ways that O’Reilly, Talbot and Okun (OTO) allegedly violated 310 CMR 40.0000 regulations of the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP), leaving people in harm’s way, and the city open to lawsuits. The 14-page report shows serious deficiencies in the investigation, characterization and clean-up efforts at the Lunt property.

OTO has failed us. They failed us by allowing the premature redevelopment of the property before containment controls were in place. They failed us by allowing patients and staff members to occupy the residential detox and rehabilitation facility before it was certain that air quality tests were within normal limits. It wasn’t until a week after the facility opened that testing was done. Trichloroethylene levels came back so high that a two-hour immediate response action was required per the U.S. EPA because of “imminent hazardous conditions”. They failed us by not installing a groundwater collection and treatment system as they said they would. It would have isolated the contaminates, to keep the released materials from further spreading, and contributing to public exposure by way of groundwater and vapor intrusion into indoor air. They failed us by not following through with the project.

In general, a site like the Lunt property should be fully remediated within a 6-year time frame, and yet it’s been over 10 years from the initial Phase II report. Both a phase III and a Phase IV report should have already been filed. Interestingly enough, activity wasn’t resumed until after the question of whether the site was clean or not came up in October 2021. It was December 1, 2021, when OTO filed for a 6-month extension to present MassDEP with a Phase III report. They mislead us by having us believe that the documents filed with the MassDEP were a sort of ‘certificate’ on what was being done and that it was accurate and correct. In her letter to Glen Ayers, Elizabeth Stinehart, the deputy regional director of the Bureau of Waste Site Cleanup states, “The cleanup of contaminated sites in MA is a privatized program that requires the Licensed Site Professionals (LSP) to evaluate and oversee the remediation”. The MassDEP does not provide direct oversight of remediation efforts, they rely on the veracity or truthfulness of the LSP professionals. OTO did a sub-standard job, then reported that everything was up to par, which was clearly not the case.

I have listed a few of the many reasons why an audit is necessary. Michael Hootstein offered 11 much more detailed deficiencies in the work submitted to the MassDEP by OTO. In his conclusion, he writes, “a full audit of the Lunt property contamination investigation, cleanup and compliance with the Massachusetts MCP regulations, 310 CMR 40.0000, is urgently needed today: 1) to determine how this process went so far off the rails; and 2) what steps will be necessary to gain control of the remaining site contamination so as to mitigate ongoing threats to public health and bring the cleanup into compliance with the MCP”.

In my opinion, not only do we need an audit, but O’Reilly, Talbot and Okun must be replaced with a remediation company that will abide by the rules and standards set forth by the MassDEP. This is too important an issue. We need to take a stand in order to make sure our neighbors are safe. I urge you to contact the City Council by phone at 413-772-1555 x6163 or by email at [email protected].

Stephanie Duclos lives in Greenfield.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Travel rebounds for February break | Web Extra

by

 

Travel is on the rebound as the upcoming school break arrives. AAA’s online travel bookings for January were up nearly 250 percent compared to January 2021, and January travel reservations even surpassed pre-pandemic levels, increasing 20 percent over January 2019.

Some travelers are taking a long weekend for the President’s Day holiday while many families are taking advantage of mid-winter break from area school districts to escape for the whole week. It’s no surprise that our top five most popular destinations all feature warm climates!

Top destinations for area travelers based on AAA bookings:

1. Orlando

2. Fort Lauderdale and Miami – cruises and South Florida beaches

3. Cancun, Mexico

4. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

5. Montego Bay, Jamaica

For those driving to destinations, Florida remains at the top of the list with Orlando and Tampa very popular, followed by Myrtle Beach, SC, Savannah, GA, and Charleston, SC.

Here are AAA’s top tips for travelers this February break:

• Pack N95 or KN95 masks, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes and disposable gloves in your carry-on and make sure it is easily accessible.

• Purchase travel insurance that specifically provides coverage for travel interruption and additional expenses due to COVID-19.

• Anticipate the expenses associated with delays and cancelations including the possibility of having to stay longer if stranded. A negative test is required to return to the U.S. from an international trip.

• Notify credit card providers of your travel details (specify location and duration) to reduce the risk of frozen cards due to unusual activity.

• Have photos of your vaccination card and other important documents (like your passport) on your phone as a backup.

• Understand your destination’s COVID-19 restrictions and requirements including if you will need to take a test ahead of leaving and/or returning home.

From family vacations to couples retreats to spring break fun here in the U.S. or around the globe, AAA, the foremost authority in travel, is the premier choice for vacations. Simply visit https://westerncentralny.aaa.com/travel or call 855-862-6651 or stop into a AAA Travel & Insurance Center. Travelers can also download the free AAA Mobile app to map a route, find the lowest gas prices, access exclusive member discounts, find more than 59,000 AAA Approved and Diamond Rated hotels and restaurants, request roadside assistance and more.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here