Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Good Indoor Air Quality in Schools is Vital for Proper Learning Environment

November 30 2010

DUCTZ Indoor Air Professionals recommends ventilation system inspection as part of improving indoor air quality

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), poor indoor air quality has a negative effect on students in schools nationwide. One third of all American schools, the learning environments for about 14 million students, have buildings in need of extensive repair, including the need for improved indoor air quality.

The EPA reports that poor indoor air quality increases student absenteeism, decreases student and staff concentration and student performance, and raises the risk of indoor-air-quality-related health conditions such as asthma and respiratory illnesses.

As the new school year commences, DUCTZ Indoor Air Professionals urges parents, teachers, and administrators to provide an optimal learning and teaching environment by seeing that measures are taken to improve the indoor air quality of schools.

According to the EPA, maintaining properly functioning heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems is an integral part to providing students with good indoor air quality. Coinciding with suggestions by the EPA, DUCTZ recommends taking the following measures to help improve the functioning of a schools’ HVAC system:

1. Call a professional who specializes in HVAC system restoration to inspect the school’s HVAC system for any elements that could aid in the deterioration of indoor air quality.

2. See that HVAC filters are changed on regular basis to prevent contaminant sources from entering the building.

“Improving a school’s indoor air quality benefits everyone involved,” said John Rotche, President of DUCTZ. “Parents should insist that their children’s school has its HVAC system inspected before the beginning of every school year. It is an easy step that can benefit students in a large way.”

To schedule DUCTZ service for a school, business, or residential HVAC system please visit www.ductz.com or call 877.DUCTZ.USA.

About DUCTZ Indoor Air Professionals:

DUCTZ Indoor Air Professionals, owned by Belfor Holdings Inc., is the country’s largest network of duct cleaning and HVAC restoration businesses and is headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. DUCTZ has enjoyed tremendous business growth since its establishment in 2004 and now includes over 100 franchise locations nationwide. DUCTZ is a member of the National Air Duct Cleaners Association and strictly adheres

to their stringent guidelines for superior service. Ranked by Entrepreneur Magazine as the number one duct-cleaning franchise in 2008, the expertise of DUCTZ reaches beyond cleaning air ducts to providing for energy efficient HVAC systems and improving overall indoor air quality. For more information or to schedule DUCTZ service, please call 877.DUCTZ.USA (877.382.8987) or visit www.ductz.com.

# # #

Contact:

Lindsey Grosso
313.964.4447
lgrosso@starrconstand.com
Source: http://www.ductz.com/

Beware of hidden toxic dangers in your household

November 30 2010 - Beware of hidden toxic dangers in your household - Read entire article here

Video Black Mold Found In Woman's Apartment 7 on Your Side Helps

November 30 2010
Black Mold Found in Woman's Apartment, 7 on Your Side Wants to Know What the Apartment's Manager is Doing to Help - See Video


Thursday, November 25, 2010

Mesothelioma: The On-the-Job Cancer That’s on the Rise

November 25 2010 - http://www.justicenewsflash.com/ reports on Mesothelioma: The On-the-Job Cancer That’s on the Rise

Asbestos Awareness Week to Raise Awareness about Asbestosis

November 25 2010 - Asbestos Awareness Week to Raise Awareness about Asbestosis - read more here about this asbestis awareness week

How to Have an Allergy-Free Hotel Stay

November 25 2010 - U.S. News and World Reports How to Have an Allergy-Free Hotel Stay - Many hotels now have hypoallegenic rooms. Travelers can also take steps to protect themselves.  Read article here 

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Mold Air Quality Test Kits With Free Mold Fact Sheet

MSCTESTKITS Alen Corporation Mold Air Quality Test Kit With Free Mold Facts Sheet
MSCTESTKITS Alen Corporation Mold Air Quality Test Kit With Free Mold Facts Sheet
Mold can become an annoyance to your everyday life. If your home is humid, warm, and not well-ventilating, it can become a breeding ground for mold colonies. They can engulf a loaf of bread in 3 days, ruin your fruit, and cause respiratory problems if you breathe them in. Figure out your mold contamination with the Alen MSCTESTKITS mold air quality test kit for these great features:Easy to UseThe MSCTESTKITS includes one test strip which you will use to collect a sample. There is also a sample collection device to help aid you in collecting the sample. Once your sample is collected, you simply mail it in using the MSCTESTKITS’s postage paid envelope.Comprehensible ReportAfter you mail in your sample to a AIHA accredited laboratory, in 7-10 days you will receive an emailed report. The report will include a descriptive analysis of your mold pollutants and contaminant levels. The test identifies hundreds of mold types!Mold ThreatMold can lower your standard of living and cause serious health problems if left untreated. Some individuals will grow an allergic or asthmatic reaction to molds and cause sinus and throat infections. Mold spores, as they are organic, may begin to live in your respiratory tract tissue and cause problems to your own health! Buy a MSCTESTKITS for peace of mind today! Please Note: Refunds/exchanges are only given on unopened/unused packages.






Tough new Asbestos Management Guidelines Australia go online

November 23 2010 - As reported by mysunshinecoast.com.au - The Department of Education and Training's asbestos management guidelines will be available online from today.

Expert warns of fresh wave of asbestos disease in Australia

November 22 2010 - ABC news reports that many homes in australia containing asbestos containing materials that could cause cancer in many homeowners - read entire article here

Teachers To Go On Strike Over Asbestos Found‎

As reported in the Sydney Morning Herald - teachers may go on strike over finding asbestos in Queensland Australia school -  "We're talking about asbestos contamination in the roof of the staff room falling on 21 teachers.."

Introduction to Mold and Mold Remediation Course

"Introduction to Mold and Mold Remediation for Environmental and Public Health Professionals"


As per the USEPA website - This course provides an overview of mold prevention and mold remediation. It is based on EPA's voluntary March 2001 guidance document Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Public health and environmental health professionals who are involved with mold issues may be interested in this course. Building managers, custodians, remediators, contractors, and other professionals who respond to mold problems may also want to refer to this course.

Research on mold and on its health effects continues. This course does not describe all of the potential health effects related to mold exposure; it provides only an overview. For more detailed information, consult a health professional or your state or local health department.

EPA does not regulate mold or mold spores in the air.  VIEW MOLD COURSE HERE

Monday, November 22, 2010

Asbestos: A Matter of Time Video From Bureau of Mines

This clip is from the 1959 film, "Asbestos: a Matter of Time," by the Bureau of Mines (US Department of the Interior.) The entire film is available on GoggleVideo. This clip describes key properties of asbestos and some of its uses in the 1950s. Inhaling asbestos dust, can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and esothelioma. Asbestos manufacturers knew of these diseases by the 1930s. Tens of thousands of (mostly) workers have been made sick and died from asbestos exposure

Black Mold Informational Video Part 2

Chet Wilke TXCN host of "Your Real Estate Advisor" with Legal Counsel and Mold Specialist covers the Black Mold phenomenon in an informational video. Mold Advice.

Black Mold Informational Video 1 of 2

Chet Wilke TXCN host of "Your Real Estate Advisor" with Legal Counsel and Mold Specialist covers the Black Mold phenomenon.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

New Compound Proves Effective Against Mesothelioma in Mice

November 21 2010 - New Compound Proves Effective Against Mesothelioma in Mice - Japanese scientists say they may have found a new substance to fight Mesothelioma which is caused by asbestos - read entire article here

NY Contractor Convicted of Illegal Asbestos Removal

November 20 2010 - Rochester, New York, Contractor Convicted of Illegal Asbestos Removal and False Statements to OSHA - read more here

Asbestosis victims seek compensation in Japan

November 20 2010 - Asbestosis victims seek compensation - Korean residents in Japan are seeking compensation for asbestosis damages

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

New Renovation Show Remediates Environmental Hazards as they Rebuild Schools

November 2 2010 -
New Renovation Show Remediates Environmental Hazards as they Rebuild Schools - EMSL Analytical offers environmental testing solutions for school districts across the country to protect students and faculty.

MOLD growing in the basement is a health hazard!

The Brookings Register has an article that is entitled Yuk! Is that MOLD growing in the basement?  report discusses what black mold looks like, health symptoms and effects and how to remove black mold

The Health of Your Home - Inspect for Mold

November 2 2010 - a report by Massapequa Patch states that The Health of Your Home - Homeowners should keep a sharp eye out for potential health hazardsThings to watch out for include black mold which is a very dangeous heath hazard

Latest on Black Mold Problems at Portsmouth, Ohio City Hall

November 2 2010 - As per a report by WSAZ3 - Latest on Black Mold Problems at Portsmouth City Hall -

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Mold forces New Mexico residents from homes

Mold forces New Mexico residents from homes - residents have to move out of their storm damaged homes which now have mold due to wet conditions

Mold Forces Relocations At Northeastern Pa. School

Mold Forces Relocations At Northeastern Pa. School

- mold tests show elevated levels that are deemed unsafe - read more

Asbestos closes another Illawarra school

Asbestos closes another Illawarra school - school is temporarily shutdown after hazardous asbestos materials are found

Asbestos 'disgrace' at school site

Asbestos 'disgrace' at school site - 30 pieces of asbestos have been found at Albion North Primary School.

Hidden Dangers May Lurk After A Return Home From A Flood - News Story - WCTI12 New Bern

Hidden Dangers May Lurk After A Return Home From A Flood - News Story - WCTI12 New Bern

Fighting Mold: Researcher Examines Power of ‘Green’ Products

Fighting Mold: Researcher Examines Power of ‘Green’ Products - study to determine whether commercially available "green" chemical products work in destroying mold on building materials

Mold causes Scranton School District to relocate Audubon classrooms

Mold causes Scranton School District to relocate Audubon classrooms - News - The Times-Tribune

Friday, September 3, 2010

Environmental Hazards Website Latest News and Info

Environmental Hazards including asbestos, mold, bed bugs, black mold, asbestosis, toxic chemicals, fiberglass, dust, allergies, mites, toxic mold, radiation, radon, allergens, dust mites, pollen, swine flu, biological hazards and other contaminants - See ENVIRO HAZARDS WEBSITE

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Environmental Hazards Website

Check out this new website Environmental Hazards - website provides information on mold, asbestos, bed bugs, west nile virus, black mold, toxic mold, radon and other environmental hazards and issues

Monday, August 23, 2010

Understanding and Identification the Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Smallbiz Central: READ - Understanding and Identification the Symptoms of Mesothelioma

EPA Completes Cleanup at Asbestos Dump Superfund

(New York, NY) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has successfully completed cleanup work at the Asbestos Dump Superfund site in Long Hill Township and Harding Township, Morris County, New Jersey and has deleted the site from the National Priorities List of hazardous waste sites, commonly known as the Superfund list.


After assessing monitoring data, EPA has determined that the primary contaminant of concern – asbestos – has been successfully contained, and no longer poses a significant threat to public health or the environment.

“Thanks to EPA’s efforts, the risk from the asbestos at this site has been addressed and now the site can come off the Superfund list,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith Enck. “Our assessment found that the cleanup was successful, clearing the way for the deletion of this property from the list of the country’s most hazardous waste sites.”

The Asbestos Dump site consists of four separate properties, comprising three distinct areas in which cleanup work has been conducted – the Millington unit (11 acres), the New Vernon and White Bridge Road unit (42 acres combined), and the Dietzman Tract (a 7 acre parcel of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge). The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, once under threat of becoming an airport in the 1950’s, covers approximately 7,700 acres of swamp, wooded, and wetland areas. This Registered National Natural Landmark is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for wildlife habitat and observation, and receives approximately 185,000 visitors per year.

Between 1927 and 1975, under the operation of several different manufacturing companies, waste products containing asbestos were disposed of throughout the site, resulting in soil contamination. The nearby Passaic River was also threatened by runoff of contaminated surface water from the site. Currently, site properties are owned by the State of New Jersey, USFWS, and private parties. National Gypsum Company is the responsible party for the site.

The site was placed on the National Priorities List in 1983. EPA selected cleanup approaches for the three areas of the site in 1988, 1991, and 1998, respectively. Cleanup actions included consolidating and solidifying contaminated material in designated areas on-site, capping those areas, installing systems to divert surface runoff, slope protection and stabilization plans, drainage improvements, erosion controls, assessments of wetlands impacts, and restrictions on future uses for particular portions of the site. EPA’s partner agencies, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP) and USFWS, are responsible for the ongoing monitoring and maintenance activities at the site. EPA will review conditions at the site every five years to ensure that the work it did continues to protect the public and the environment. In February 2002, the completion of cleanup activities at the White Bridge Road portion of the site enabled EPA to delete that property from the National Priorities List. The current deletion applies to the remaining two areas of the Asbestos Dump site – the Millington unit and the Dietzman Tract.
Source EPA