IAQA Digest is your weekly summary of newspaper articles, press releases and widely distributed reports about indoor air quality and mold. It is distributed exclusively to the members of the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) as a member benefit to assist you in keeping on top of all the latest industry news. For more information, contact
[email protected]
 

April 23, 2014 
In This Issue
TOP STORIES
ASTHMA & ALLERGIES
GOING GREEN
MOLD
IAQ AND SYSTEMS MAINTENANCE
ASSOCIATIONS
GASES & PARTICLES
VIRUSES & BACTERIA
SMOKING BANS
COMPANY RELEASES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nocanduski vertical

QLab

Top Stories

IAQA WEBINAR - MEASURING CARBON MONOXIDE - IT'S MORE COMPLEX THAN YOU THINK

Friday, May 16, 2014, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT 

Do you measure carbon monoxide along with other indoor air quality parameters? That's a good start, but you may be missing some serious carbon monoxide (CO) risks. In this webinar you'll learn quick tips on how to find some not-so-obvious issues using your existing equipment. Although this webinar is not a substitute for a full class on combustion safety, it will improve your ability to find CO problems during an indoor air quality assessment. Register

 

U.S., LOWE'S REACH SETTLEMENT ON LEAD DUST FROM RENOVATIONS

Indoor Environment Connections

Lowe's Home Centers, one of the nation's largest home improvement retailers, has agreed to implement a compliance program at more than 1,700 stores to ensure that the contractors it hires to perform work minimize lead dust from home renovation activities. The settlement is part of the Environmental Protection Agency's ongoing effort to enforce the federal Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule. The company will also pay a $500,000 civil penalty, which is the largest ever for violations of the RRP Rule.

 

IOWA GOVERNOR SIGNS RADON BILL

Indoor Environment Connections

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has signed a bill designed to address the problem of radon exposure in the state's school buildings, but some activists say the legislation does not go far enough. The bill signed by the governor requires the state's Department of Education to gather information from schools about whether they are testing for radon gas levels.

 

IAQA TECH TIP: SEWAGE TESTING, PART 1

 

 

REFERENCES TO CIH, CSP DESIGNATIONS INCREASING IN STATE LAWS AND REGULATION

Indoor Environment Connections

An increasing number of state laws and regulations relating to industrial hygiene make reference to professional certifications such as Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) and Certified Safety Professional (CSP), according to a survey by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH).

 

THIS WEEK ON IAQ RADIO

Hosted by: Joe Hughes & Cliff Zlotnik

Next episode: April 25, 12 noon EDT

Guest: To be announced

Listen live or download the show later at www.iaqradio.com

 

Asthma and Allergies

POLLUTION IS SUBSTANTIALLY WORSE IN MINORITY NEIGHBORHOODS

Washington Post

Researchers at the University of Minnesota, writing in the journal PLOS ONE, have created a picture of unequal exposure to one key pollutant -- nitrogen dioxide, produced by cars, construction equipment and industrial sources -- that's been linked to higher risks of asthma and heart attack. They've found, all over the country, in even the most rural states and the cleanest cities, that minorities are exposed to more of the pollution than whites.

 

STATES BATTLE ASTHMA AS NUMBERS GROW

USA TODAY

The state has also pioneered advances in addressing asthma treatment and costs. Two years ago, the Missouri legislature became the first to allow schools to stock quick-relief asthma medications for emergencies. Missouri also became the first state to permit school nurses and other trained staff to administer that medication to any child suffering an asthmatic attack while at school, whether or not the child has an asthma diagnosis or a prescription at the school.

 

NEW ANSWERS ON THE CAUSE OF ASTHMA

WTOP

Pollen counts are through the roof, and for a lot of us, allergy season is in full bloom. 

 

   

Going Green

DOES LEED-ND WORK FOR ESTABLISHED NEIGHBORHOODS?
 
Sourceable

Similar in ambition and execution to GBCA's Green Star - Communities program, LEED-ND provides a framework for "greener" development on a neighborhood scale. Thanks to the different missions of the principals involved in its genesis, LEED-ND combines elements of green building, New Urbanism, and smart growth.

 

GREEN BUILDING INITIATIVE PRESIDENT KEYNOTES ASHRAE HIGH PERFORMANCE BUILDINGS CONFERENCE

Green Building Initiative (GBI) President Jerry Yudelson presented a keynote talk on April 8th at the ASHRAE High-Performance Buildings conference in San Francisco. Yudelson also participated in a discussion organized by the National Institute of Building Sciences around the topic of defining net zero energy buildings. Yudelson says, "The pressing issue of our time is dealing with climate change, and reducing the operating energy use of buildings is critical to that effort." He has committed the GBI to take a leading role in rating and certifying high-performance buildings as it updates and improves its national Green Globes rating standards over the next few years.

 

LEED: WHAT IT IS AND WHY IT MATTERS TO YOUR BUSINESS

MLive.com

Something you may have read or seen in recent time is a building described as LEED-certified. Maybe it caught your cat-like curiosity.

 

Mold

WEST LAFAYETTE CITY HALL INSPECTION UNCOVERS 'GROW ROOM' FOR MOLD

Journal and Courier

Broken drywall litters a room in the basement of West Lafayette City Hall. Mold in the building is far worse than initially believed.

 

MOLD IS LATEST HEALTH WORRY ON TREASURE ISLAND

Washington Times

A growing number of residents and workers on Treasure Island are complaining about mold in aging buildings.

 

EXPERTS SAY DEAL WITH MOLD BEFORE HEALTH ISSUES ARISE

SFGate

Health experts say any apparent mold growth or dampness needs to be taken care of swiftly or it could lead to asthma or other respiratory problems.

 

MOLD CAUSING MAJOR PROBLEMS AT UMATILLA POLICE HEADQUARTERS
WFTV Orlando

Umatilla police headquarters in Lake County is under attack by mold and mildew. The building sits along State Road 19 down the street from City Hall. On Monday, officials told Channel 9 nobody has gotten sick, but employees and visitors alike can smell the mold.

 

 

IAQ and Systems Maintenance

DELAWARE IS FIRST STATE TO ADMINISTER FEDERAL LEAD PROGRAM

The U.S. Environmental Protection announced that Delaware has become the first state in the Mid-Atlantic Region authorized by the EPA to administer and enforce the lead-based paint Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Program, previously administered by the federal government. Delaware joins 14 states nation-wide that have committed to administering the RRP Program, which was established in 2010.

 

FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR LEAD PAINT REMOVAL

Sandusky Register

Erie County is at risk of losing up to $150,000 in federal funds aimed at abating a toxin known for harming babies, toddlers and young children. Local officials are inching toward a drop-dead date to spend grant money for removing lead-based paints in certain homes. If they don't, the county will be forced to surrender any leftover money - estimated at $150,000 today - from a $3.1 million federal grant obtained about three years ago.

 

Associations

NADCA RECOGNIZES SAFE HVAC CONTRACTORS
As the world's most respected authority on the inspection and cleaning of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, NADCA presents its Safety Awards to contractors that have shown a verifiable commitment to employee, customer and community safety throughout the year.

 

ASHRAE ANNUAL CONFERENCE ANNOUNCED FOR SEATTLE

Indoor Environment Connections

While abundant rain and thriving evergreens, Seattle has taken the concept of "green" to a whole different level. Sustainability is promoted in all aspects of life, which is why ASHRAE has chosen the city as the location for its 2014 Annual Conference, which will take place June 28-July 2. The Technical Program kicks off June 29 and concludes July 2. The program addresses broad topics in the application of technology to practice, specific applications in ground source heat pumps, operations and maintenance and indoor environmental quality, as well as new reports on research taking place worldwide.

 

GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL ANNOUNCES LEED HOMES AWARD WINNERS

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has named the recipients of the 2013 LEED for Homes Awards, recognizing projects, developers and homebuilders that have demonstrated outstanding leadership in residential green building. The award categories recognize innovative multi- and single-family projects, production builders, affordable housing projects and developers, an overall commitment to LEED for Homes and Project of the Year.

 

Gases and Particles

HIGH-RISK FOR RADON IN COLORADO

Packet Online

All 64 counties in Colorado are now considered high risk for radon exposure, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment says.

 

OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL SPEND $1 MILLION TO PUT IN CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

NewsOK.com

Oklahoma City Public Schools will spend $1 million to equip every building and classroom in the district with carbon monoxide detectors.

 

CARBON MONOXIDE POISONINGS MAY RISE DURING STORMS

U.S. News & World Report

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that can reach dangerous levels in unventilated areas and cause serious illness.

 

   

Viruses and Bacteria 

SECOND WAVE OF MILDER FLU HITTING NORTHEAST

Newsday

A second, milder wave of flu is hitting the Northeast. Months ago, the flu season seemed to be winding down.

 

NC FLU DEATHS REACH 100

WRAL.com

The best protection against the flu is a flu shot, which is available for anyone 6 months old or older.

 

IAQA Education horizontal

Smoking Bans  

LOCAL TAVERNS, PATRONS FLOUT SMOKING LAW

Toledo Blade

But nearly eight years after Ohio voters approved the statewide smoking ban, officials are still struggling to get these owners to pay thousands in fines.

 

SMOKING RESTRICTIONS HAVING HUGE BENEFIT FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
Ars Technica

Bans on smoking in public places were justified on the basis of limiting involuntary exposure to the hazards of second-hand smoke. On some levels, this seems to have worked; in areas where bans were implemented, cardiovascular events dropped by 15 percent, while hospital admissions for respiratory problems are down by a quarter.

 

COMMUNITY VOICED OPINIONS ABOUT PROPOSED SMOKING BAN

WHAG

"At our club they smoke. You have a choice to walk in there, watch a game, smoke a cigar, a cigarette," said one resident against the ban.

 

 

Compay Releases 

CONTRACTORS SUPPORT EARTH DAY'S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE AIR QUALITY

Just as polluted outdoor air is a threat to indoor air quality (IAQ), there are also a number of contaminants that can be generated in an indoor environment.

 

EASY WAYS AIR FILTERING AND VENTILATION CAN RID YOUR HOME OF SPRING POLLEN AND ALLERGIES

By merging top-tier efficiency, advanced technology, and over 60 years of expertise, Jacobs improves indoor air quality for all types of homes.

 

 

 

IAQA APPROVED INDOOR ENVIRONMENTALIST TRAINING

For more information, please click on the links below:

 

Course

Date

Location

IAQA Indoor Environmentalist

May 12-13, 2014 (Fundamentals Level)

Greenville, SC

 

May 14-16, 2014 (Intermediate Level)

Greenville, SC

 

May 12-16, 2014 (All Days)

Greenville, SC

IAQA Indoor Environmentalist

June 3-4, 2014

Orlando, FL

IAQA Indoor Environmentalist

July 14-15, 2014 (Fundamentals Level)

San Francisco, CA

 

July 16-18, 2014 (Intermediate Level)

San Francisco, CA

 

July 14-18, 2014 (All Days)

San Francisco, CA

IAQA Indoor Environmentalist

August 18-19, 2014 (Fundamentals Level)

Seven Springs, PA

 

August 10-22, 2014 (Intermediate Level)

Seven Springs, PA

 

August 10-22, 2014 (Advanced Level)

Seven Springs, PA

IAQA Indoor Environmentalist

August 19-20, 2014

Chicago, IL

IAQA Indoor Environmentalist

December 1-2, 2014 (Fundamentals Level)

Greenville, SC

 

December 3-5, 2014 (Intermediate Level)

Greenville, SC

 

December 1-5, 2014 (All Days)

Greenville, SC

  

For more information on online classes, please click the links below:

  

Course

Format

Training Provider

IAQA Indoor Environmentalist

Online, Video-based

 

Indoor Sciences, Inc.

 

IAQA APPROVED MOLD REMEDIATION TECHNICIAN AND SUPERVISOR COURSES

The IAQA approved Mold Remediation courses have all been revised with the latest information available in 2014.

 

Course

Date

Location

IAQA Mold Remediation Technician

May 12-13, 2014

Greenville, SC

IAQA Mold Remediation Technician

June 17-18, 2014

Somerset, PA

IAQA Mold Remediation Technician

July 29-30, 2014

Langhorne, PA

IAQA Mold Remediation Technician

September 16-17, 2014

Chicago, IL

IAQA Mold Remediation Technician

October 7-8, 2014

St. Louis, MO

IAQA Mold Remediation Technician

December 2-3, 2014

Greenville, SC


Course

Date

Location

IAQA Mold Remediation Supervisor Refresher

April 29-30, 2014

St. Petersburg, FL

IAQA Microbial Remediation/ Supervisor (CMR/CMRS)

April 29-May 1, 2014

Tampa, FL

IAQA Microbial Remediation/ Supervisor (CMR/CMRS)

May 12-14, 2014

Greenville, SC

IAQA Microbial Remediation/ Supervisor (CMR/CMRS)

June 17-19, 2014

Somerset, PA

IAQA Microbial Remediation/ Supervisor (CMR/CMRS)

July 29-31, 2014

Langhorne, PA

IAQA Microbial Remediation/ Supervisor (CMR/CMRS)

September 16-18, 2014

Chicago, IL

IAQA Microbial Remediation/ Supervisor (CMR/CMRS)

October 7-9, 2014

St. Louis, MO

IAQA Microbial Remediation/ Supervisor (CMR/CMRS)

December 2-4, 2014

Greenville. SC

    

For a full schedule of courses and brochures for each course visit http://www.iaqtraining.com/schedule/course_dates.asp

  

ARIZONA

Phoenix, May 13: Beyond Basic First Aid: Introduction to Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), a Primer for Environmental Contractors. ACR, The NADCA Standard for Assessment, Cleaning and Restoration of HVAC Systems. August 12: Back to Basics, Everything You Need to Know About Encapsulants and Mobile Mini-Enclosures. Wildfires from the Perspective of a Remediation Contractor. November 18: Legally Defensible Combustion Byproducts Analysis Associated with Wildfire Investigations. Water Activity: What is it, and Why Should You Care.  Contact Derrick Denis at [email protected] or call Stephanie at 480-460-8334.

 

FLORIDA

Ft. Lauderdale, May 8: 2014 License Compliance Renewal MADE EASY! Email [email protected] or call 954-967-0011.

 

Ft. Myers, May 23: Estimating Fire, Smoke and Water. July 18: TBA. September 19: TBA. November 21: TBA. December 19: TBA. Contact Tom Ricci at [email protected] or call 954-214-4448.

 

GEORGIA

Atlanta, May 2: Find Out What Happens Behind the Crime Scene Tape & More. Fixing the GREAT Indoors IAQ Problems & Solutions, History, Visual Assessments. August 1: TBA. November 7: TBA. Contact Wendy Miller at [email protected] or 706-278-3202.

    

WASHINGTON

Seattle, May 8: Toxic Mold and Other Microbial Controversies Revisited. Contact Mike Smith at [email protected] or 425-368-0969.