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Showing posts with label Long Island. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Long Island. Show all posts

Saturday, February 07, 2015

New York State Mold Licensing & Minimum Standards Law Is Signed By Governor Cuomo

On January 29, 2015 Governor Andrew Cuomo signed New York State Senate Bill S3667D-2013 which will create Article 32 to the Labor Law.  This article will establish the licensing of mold inspection, assessment, and remediation specialists and minimum work standards.  According to the bill the law goes into effect in 180 days of January 29, 2015, or if we calculate this right July 28, 2015.  This law is so important to the abatement industry the Professional Abatement Contractors of New York (PACNY) at the last minute added two speakers (Mr. Chris Alonge from DASNY and Matthew Darin from Bluepoint Environmental) to speak on the law at their 19th annual environmental conference at Turning Stone Casino being held from February 25-27.  Click here for the registration form.

Article 32 will require companies doing mold remediation, like above, to be licensed in NYS
Several important points of the new law are in the bill already, in Section 1: Title 1 is the definitions and the following points:

  • Defines the difference between mold remediation (conducting the business of removal, cleaning, sanitizing, or surface disinfection of mold, mold containment, and waste handling of mold) and mold assessment (inspection or assessment of real property that is designed to discover indoor mold growth, toxic mold growth, conditions that facilitate indoor mold growth, and/or indicia of conditions that are likely to facilitate indoor mold growth).
  • To be licensed in NYS you must be at least 18 years old; must have completed a NYS Department of Labor (NYSDOL) approved course work including training on the appropriate use and care of personal protection equipment (PPE) as approved by NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH); and paid appropriate fees.
  • Exemptions to licensing in the standard include:
    • Design professional licensed pursuant to Title 8 of the Education Law (Registered Architects or Professional Engineers) performing mold inspection, assessment, remediation, and or abatement tasks or functions if the person is acting within the scope of his or her practice, 
    • residential property owner who performs mold inspection, assessment or remediation on his or her own property;
    • non-residential property owner, or the employee of such owner, who performs mold assessment or remediation on an apartment building owned by that person that has not more than four dwelling units; and
    • an owner or a managing agent or a full-time employee of an owner who performs mold assessment or remediation on commercial property owner by the owner provided, however, that this subdivision shall not apply if the managing agent or employee engages in the business of performing mold assessment or remediation for the public.
  • Prohibits a person licensed to perform mold-related services from acting as both the mold assessment contractor and the mold remediation contractor.
  • Authorizes NYS to impose civil penalties and revoke a contractor's license after a notice and hearing, suspend or revoke any license, or censure, fine, or impose probationary or other restrictions on any licensee for good cause. (the bill has a list of items).
The next area, Title 2, details the minimum work standards for the conduct of mold assessments and mold remediation by licensed persons.  This includes:
  • A mold assessment licensee to prepare a mold remediation plan that is specific to each remediation project, the plan must specify:
    •  the rooms or areas where the work will be performed;
    • the estimated quantities of materials to be cleaned or removed;
    • the methods to be used for each type of remediation in each type of area;
    • the PPE to be supplied by licensed remediates for used by licensed abaters;
    • the proposed clearance procedures and criteria for each type of remediation in each type of area;
    • when the project is a building that is currently occupied, how to properly notify occupants of such projects.....
    • an estimate of cost & an estimated time frame for completion; &
    • when possible, the underlying sources of moisture that may be causing the mold and a recommendation as to the type of contractor who would remedy the source of such moisture.
  • Requires posting of the remediation project
  • Requires that containment cannot be removed any person until the mold remediation licensee overseeing the project has received a notice from a mold assessment licensee that the project has achieved clearance which shall be determined by post-remediation assessment.
  • The post-remediation assessment shall determine:
    • the work area is free from all visible mold; and
    • all work has been completed in compliance with the remediation plan and remediation work plan and meets clearance criteria specified in the plan.
The interesting parts that are left out are the specifics about the training requirements to become licensed as an assessor or remediator/abater.  These specifics have been left to NYSDOL to create with some assistance from NYSDOH.  Licensing and recertification will be good for two years and you will need to take a refresher course which is also left to NYSDOL to create.  It will be interesting to see if individuals certified by the American Council for Accredited Certifications (ACAC), or the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) will have to take the courses that NYSDOL creates.  The only exemption in the law are for Professional Engineers & Registered Architects.  Whoever, creates this process could go to ACAC which has assisted other states with this type of licensing.  Only time will tell.  Tick Tock! Tick Tock! 

Tuesday, July 02, 2013

DiNapoli's Audit of Asbestos Control Bureau Finds Problems

The New York State Office of the State Comptroller, run by Thomas P. DiNapoli, performed an audit titled "Assessment and Collection of Selected Fees and Penalties" of the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) to determine if the NYSDOL was assessing and collecting all required fees and penalties.  The audit covered the period April 1, 2008 through July 31, 2011. The focus of this blog will be on the comments made regarding the Asbestos Control Bureau (ACB).

The overall key findings of the audit found:

  • The NYSDOL does not assess and collect all required fees and fines.  In total, the Department did not collect about $3.8 million, including associated penalties.
  • The NYSDOL does not have accurate records to show who is required to pay boiler inspection and asbestos-related project fees.  As a result, the health and safety of New York State residents may be at risk and potential revenue is not realized.
Details of this audit found:

  • Most contractors adhere to the self-notification process and pay the required project notification fee.
  • However, the Department has no method for determining whether there are other contractors that should be paying the fee, or how much the fee should be.
  • As a result, there is no way to know how much more the Department could be collecting in revenue each year.
  • To determine whether there are contractors which did not pay the required project notification fee, we obtained a list of landfills throughout the State that accepted asbestos and reviewed their associated documentation. In total, landfills accepted asbestos from 50 projects during our audit period where the amount of asbestos contaminated refuse disposed was at least ten tons.  We found that 45 out of the 50 contractors paid the project notification fee (one was exempt).  We averaged the amount paid by the 45 projects and estimate that the Department could have collected an additional $6,992 for the remaining four projects ($1,748 per project).
  • The audit noted that the project notification fee was not equitable, as small asbestos projects can pay as much as those that are much larger. For example, a project with 1,725 linear feet and 35,263 square feet would pay the same $4,000 maximum fee as a project with 1,650 linear feet and 1,000 square feet. The Department should review this structure to determine whether a more equitable fee structure could be created based on the size of a project to provide greater equity and possibly increase revenue. Fees are statutorily set and any revisions would have to be sought through a change in the statute establishing the fees.
NYSDOL ACB's response to the audit is included in the document.  That response was:
  • In 2011, NYSDOL used a reconcilitaion of Department records to ensure and verify that asbestos contractors, building owners, & others in the regulated community follow all regulations.
  • This reconcilitation included examination of air monitoring records, demolition permits, site-specific variances, surveys, & waste manifests.
  • Elevated air monitoring reports are cross checked with notifications listed in the system.
  • Demolition permits from all major cities and many towns, villages, & smaller cities have been obtained.  Local fire companies is listed as another source of information, regarding a list of fires in their area (late 2011 this started).
  • In early 2012 contact with all major landfills that accept friable waste for access to data was established.  Some of these landfills have begun sending monthly waste manifests for their site.  ACB has now expanded the contact to landfills outside NYS that accept waste from NY.
  • ACB has discussed possibly changing the fee structure, however, revisions need legislative action.
Based on the above, ACB feels this is sufficient to protect the public.  We strongly disagree!  We recommend the following, in addition to what they are already doing:
  • ACB should investigate all emergency response, plumbing, electrical, roofing, floor tile, and siding contractors for licensing and certification of their workers.  If these contractors indicate the subcontracting of asbestos work require proof of subcontracting, and proof of asbestos inspections performed before they performed work on materials that were not ACM.
  • ACB should investigate Department of Public Works, Water Authorities, and other water works companies that manage asbestos cement pipe systems for licensing, certification, and work practices. 
  • ACB should also initiate contact with landfills that accept nonfriable ACM (construction /demolition waste) throughout NYS.  Most of the illegal dumping is going on at these sites.
  • ACB should cross train the Boiler inspectors to recognize ACM.  This would allow them to inform the ACB of suspicious activities.
As we've complained before, ACB needs to spend more time/resources investigating those that are breaking the rules by not notifying, not air monitoring, and not disposing ACM properly versus those in the asbestos industry who according to Mr. DiNapoli's audit are mostly following the rules.
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Thursday, November 29, 2012

Super Storm Sandy Cleanups, Educate Yourself!

Hope everyone survived Sandy, the Nor'easter, and Thanksgiving!  Since Sandy we've been getting a lot of phone calls on handling all the different issues related to the super storm.  Questions regarding mold, asbestos, lead, and the use of biocides.  In order to assist with providing information on these issues their are several videos we have worked with IAQTV and Cochrane & Associates to provide some basic information on these issues.  The most recent video is based on what it takes to dry out an area based on the type of water that has infiltrated the area. See our video "Dry Out Hazards Following a Flood or Water Incursion" at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64u9RNPKbtI&feature=em-uploademail

Superstorm Sandy Uprooted/Broke Many Trees Causing Severe Power Outages
After super storm Sandy building materials were probably disturbed and may have become damaged requiring removal or replacing.  Anytime you are dealing with building materials, you are probably going to have to deal with asbestos and/or lead.  Asbestos was typically used as an insulator, however, the material can also be found in floor tiles & mastics, plaster-on-lathe, ceiling tiles, siding shingles, window caulking, & roofing shingles (remember asbestos is not banned and can be found in certain new building materials).  For more information about asbestos threats in the home, see our video "Asbestos Threats in the Home" at:  http://www.prlog.org/10943541-asbestos-threats-in-the-home-revealed-in-new-video.html.  In New York State workers and companies that disturb or handle asbestos are required to be certified and licensed.  In addition, projects that disturb/handle asbestos in quantities greater than 10 square feet and/or 25 linear feet require asbestos air/project monitoring to determine if the project has been completed properly.  This air/project monitoring firm and individuals must also be licensed and certified and are required to be completely independent of the contractor (must be hired by the owner of the facility/residence) handling/disturbing the asbestos.
Lead was usually used in paint and also in window caulking.  For more information about lead in the home, see our video "Lead Hazards in the Home" at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5UnRr0tj88.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rules (RRP) requires renovation, remodeling, and painting contractors must be certified in lead paint work procedures.  Visit EPA's website regarding how this rule applies for post-disaster renovations: http://epa.gov/lead/rrp/emergency.html  . 
With significant water infiltration on the shore areas, if these areas were allowed to stay damp for longer than 48-hours, then mold had the opportunity to grow.  The extent of mold growth and type of mold would be based on the type of water (black, grey, or white) and the amount of water.  To learn more about mold see our video "Health Effects of Mold Exposure" at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbKoonHwvHM  For those who have had sewage water (known as black water) infiltration into their residence/facility should see our video "Sewage Contamination Dangers" at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4XORptvcX8.  When looking for contractors to handle mold, unlike asbestos and lead there is no federal, state or local licensing.  However, you should make sure the contractor you hire has workers who are industry certified in mold remediation from the American Council for Accredited Certifications (ACAC).  Find the ACAC and those certified individuals at:  http://acac.org/.
When it comes to biocides it is very important to be cautious, when using bleach or other stronger biocides.  Biocides (meaning kills life) are designed to kill and must be registered (licensed) with EPA under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).  The label is the law for these products.  Meaning the chemical must be used in accordance with the label.  The label must list all the limitations and where the product is allowed to be used.  For information about biocides visit EPA's website on FIFRA at:  http://www.epa.gov/lawsregs/laws/fifra.html and visit the following website for registered disinfectants: http://www.epa.gov/oppad001/chemregindex.htm  Remember EPA does NOT recommend the use of biocides for mold cleanups, visit EPA's website regarding using bleach for mold cleanups at http://iaq.supportportal.com/link/portal/23002/23007/Article/20290/Should-I-use-bleach-to-clean-up-mold .  See EPA's website and the EPA manual "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home" at: http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.html.
To quote a Long Island retailer, "An educated consumer is our best customer.". In the case of environmental hazards it is the same.  Educate yourself on the hazards and you can better avoid hazards, unnecessary expenses & services, and headaches.  Please be safe and take care!
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Tuesday, December 06, 2011

Kings Park Psychiatric Center Demolition Up For Bid

We realize the Kings Park Psychiatric Center Demolition being up for bid is a bit old since this was announced back in October.  However, our understanding is that the bid documents were not ready at the time of the announcement in Long Island Business News.  Contact Dvirka & Bartilucci or TRC Environmental for more information regarding this bid opportunity.  This definitely will be a large project and look forward to seeing the results of the bid for this project.
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Tuesday, November 01, 2011

CDC Website Discusses Earthquakes

The Centers for Disease Control has updated their Emergency Preparedness and Response website with information on surviving an Earthquake.  Considering we had a small one on the east coast this year, that we even felt on Long Island, it is important to be prepared and knowledgeable about what to do.  The website discusses the things you can do before, during, and after the earthquake.  The key point of the website is that in MOST situations, you will reduce your chance of injury from falling objects (and even building collapse) if you immediately: 


The website discusses emergency supplies, and inspecting the home for hazards.  One of the more interesting suggestions is the following from "Inspecting Home for Hazards:"  - Check to see if your house or garage is securely fastened to the foundation. (If your house was built before 1950, it probably does not have bolts securing the wood structure to the concrete foundation.)  If your house is not secured to the foundation, take the following steps:
  • Using a hammer drill and carbide bit, drill a hole through the sill plate into the foundation. Holes should be approximately 6 feet apart.
  • Drop a 1/2- x 7-inch expansion bolt into each hole and finish by tightening the nut and washer
We suggest you visit the website, so you can be prepared, just in case we get a more severe earthquake, next time.
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Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Future Environment Designs does an Asbestos Presentation to BOMA's Long Island Chapter


The asbestos mine in Asbestos, Canada
We were invited to do an asbestos presentation to the Long Island Chapter of the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), last week.  Our presentation discussed a little about asbestos in the past, current issues with asbestos, and a discussion about asbestos in the future.  Visit our website at http://futureenvironmentdesigns.com/news.html to access the presentation.  It was an enjoyable presentation and it was a pleasure discussing asbestos with a group of people who deal with asbestos on a facility/ownership level.   Thank you Mr. Robert Bloom for inviting me.  If you have any comments on my presentation please post them here.
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Tuesday, September 27, 2011

New Joint NIOSH/OSHA Publication on Nail Gun Safety

Nail gunImage via Wikipedia
The National Institue of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have a new publication called "Nail Gun Safety: A Guide for Construction Contractors."  This publication was created as a resource to prevent injuries in the construction industry, including residential construction.  While nail guns may boost productivity, nail guns are responsible for tens of thousands of painful injuries each year.  One study found that 2 out of 5 residential carpenter apprentices experienced a nail gun injury over a four-year period.  When these injuries occur they are often not reported or given any medical treatment.  The risk of injury is twice as high when using a multi-shot contact trigger versus using a single-shot sequential trigger nailer.  Many years ago, Linda Archipolo of Massapequa made the news on Long Island, when she was working in a Burger King at the Sunrise Mall.  A three-inch nail, shot with a nail gun, accidentally went through two walls and landed in Ms. Archipolo's skull.  Luckily, she survived.  This new publication is intended for residential home builders and construction contractors, subcontractors, supervisors and workers to prevent these kinds of injuries.

The guidance was developed in response to a unanimous recommendation by employer, labor and public members of OSHA’s Advisory Committee for Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH), asking OSHA to develop awareness and materials about nail gun risks.  OSHA and NIOSH worked together to make sure the guidance reflects the most current information available. The publication highlights what is known about nail gun injuries, describes the common causes of nail gun injuries and provides six practical steps that contractors can take to prevent these injuries. The guidance includes actual workplace cases along with a short section on other types of nail gun hazards and sources of additional information.
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Monday, June 06, 2011

CDC Providing Resourses for Hurricane Preparedness

May 22-28, 2011 was National Hurricane Preparedness Week.  The Centers for Disease Control is raising awareness about the importance of taking steps to protect your health and safety during hurricane season.  Visit their website at http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/?source=govdelivery, it will provide you ideas and resources to prepare yourself for hurricane season.  For example, the site list the following as emergency supplies you should stock in preparing for a hurricane:
  • Several clean containers for water, large enough for a 3-5 day supply of water (about five gallons for each person).
  • A 3-5 day supply of non-perishable food.
  • A first aid kit and manual.
  • A battery-powered radio, flashlights, and extra batteries.
  • Sleeping bags or extra blankets.
  • Water-purifying supplies, such as chlorine or iodine tablets or unscented, ordinary household chlorine bleach.
  • Prescription medicines and special medical needs.
  • Hurricane Supplies
  • Baby food and/or prepared formula, diapers, and other baby supplies.
  • Disposable cleaning cloths, such as "baby wipes" for the whole family to use in case bathing facilities are not available.
  • Personal hygiene supplies, such as soap, toothpaste, sanitary napkins, etc.
  • An emergency kit for your car with food, flares, booster cables, maps, tools, a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, sleeping bags, etc.
You can find more information on emergency plans and supply kits at www.ready.gov.
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Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Venitian Gala Benefits the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center - A Night To Remember

Venetian Gala Table Decoration
Saturday, May 7, 2011, we attended the Venetian Gala, benefitting the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center (TRSAC), located in Oyster Bay, New York, held at the Piping Rock Club in Locust Valley, NY.  This annual Gala is held to benefit the environmental education programs at the Sanctuary and honor the winners of the Sanctuary's highest award for environmental leadership, the 2011 Legacy of Conservation Award.  This year the Sanctuary honored Helen Crosson (an old school mate), Alice DelBosco (serving with her on the TRSAC Board), Carol DuBois, and Julie Rinaldini for their legacy of conservation.  We attended the event and it was some event.  We had a great time, the pass around food was delicious, the band had us dancing our feet off, the bar was well stocked, and the decorations, as you can see from the table setting, were fantastic.  Ms. Bernadette Castro doing the live auction was excellent and generated alot of excitement.  It was a grand event that helps the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center bring its environmental education programs to schools and the community, every year. 
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Friday, April 29, 2011

EPA Region 2 Coordinator Discusses the RRP Rule

Environmental journalism supports the protecti...Image via WikipediaOn Friday, April 1, 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Region 2 Renovation, Repair , and Painting (RRP) Rule Coordinator Ms. Jeanette Dadusc was discussing the requirements and background of the rule. The topics covered included: introduction to the problem of childhood lead poisoning; Federal government’s response to childhood lead poisoning; how the RRP Rule was developed; the regulated universe of RRP facilities and activities; certification requirements for training providers, individuals, and firms; notification and work practice requirements; cleaning verification card; proposed rule changes; RRP frequent questions; and RRP enforcement strategy.

Her presentation was wide ranging, covered the full time of the presentation, and the handouts supplemented her presentation and were useful. Visit our website at http://futureenvironmentdesigns.com/news.html to find a copy of her handouts.  Some of the points regarding the childhood lead problem were:
  • Lead based paint is the number one environmental health threat to children
  • Children absorb 50% of the lead they ingest compared to adults, which absorb only 10%.
  • According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there is no known safe level of lead in blood.
  • Discussions are ongoing regarding dropping the standard of lead blood level to 5 micrograms per deciliter (ug/dl) versus the current 10 ug/dl.
  • Lead bioaccumulates in the body because it mimics calcium
  • Children, who live in homes where renovation & remodeling activities were performed within the past year, are 30% more likely to have a blood lead level that equals or exceeds 10 ug/dl.
Some of the points regarding regulated universe of RRP facilities and activities were:
  • Target housing is defined as housing constructed prior to 1978.  There are only 2 exceptions housing for the elderly or for person with disabilities (unless one or more children under 6 years old resides or is expected to reside in such housing), and 0-bedroom dwellings. Meaning hotels, motels, timeshares, and student housing is not exempt.
  • Child Occupied Facility (COF) is defined as a building or portion of a building built prior to 1978 that is visited by the same child under age six for at least 3 hours per day, or at least 6 hours per week, or at least 60 hours per year. This includes common areas routinely used by the children under age 6 (i.e, restrooms, cafeterias), and adjacent exterior areas.
Other major points she covered were:
  • Delead test kit added to the list of EPA approved test kits. The test kits must be used according to the manufacturer’s directions including materials that the test kits cannot be used on.
  • Lead Based Paint Abatement Contractors require RRP Renovator Certification. Previous certification as a worker/supervisor allows the person to take the ½ day refresher class to become a renovator.
  • Lead Waste – residential (homeowners & contractors) can dispose of lead waste bags with household waste. COFs must follow the hazardous waste regulations.
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Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Asbestos Article in Indoor Environment Discusses Cross Issues with Radon

In the March 2011 issue of Indoor Environment Connections, Douglas Kladder the Director of the Center for Environmental Research & Training in Colorado Springs, Colorado wrote an excellant article regarding asbestos.  Being on the asbestos side of the fence, it is interesting how sometimes we get tunnel vision in dealing with indoor air quality/environmental issues.  Mr. Kladder article "Asbestos? What Asbestos? I'm a Radon Guy!" discusses the dangers of tunnel vision.  Mr. Kladder discusses that their are few activities involved in radon mitigation that would not impact asbestos containing materials.  He then provides several war stories of issues related to this topic.  In many ways the same statement can be made to those of us in the asbestos field.  We tend to get tunnel vision regarding asbestos and forget that lead, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or, even for that matter, radon may also be a concern.  For example, lead paint could be on asbestos siding or asbestos spackles/joint compounds, and window caulk, in addition to containing asbestos, may also contain lead and/or PCBs.  It is important for indoor air quality/environmental professional to keep abreast of the field and to consider the potential possibilities of various environmental hazards being present.  
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Thursday, March 31, 2011

Restoration & Remediation Magazine - The RRP Rule: One Year Later

In this month's issue of Restoration & Remediation Magazine, Mr. John Banta wrote an excellant article regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Lead Paint regulation - Renovation, Remodeling, & Painting Rule.  The article covers the history of the rule and discusses enforcement issues.

As the article discusses the roll-out period for firms to become certified by filing their paperwork and paying their fees to the EPA, as well as for the Certified Renovators supervising these jobs to be trained, was extended to the end of 2010, but the effective date for using lead safe work practices remained April 22, 2010.  As Mr. Banta indicates in his article "this means...that any firm performing work for hire in target housing or child-occupied facilities built prior to 1978 is required to follow the regulations, even if their paperwork hasn’t been processed or even filed."  However, this grace period is over.

The EPA may audit the records of any firm in violation of the regulation for up to three years after the job is complete and be fined up to $37,500 per occurrence per day. If the violation of the law is willful, the fine can be doubled and jail time may be assigned by the courts.  This law applies in all federal jurisdictions; except states, tribes, and territories that EPA has approved to administer their own RRP programs.  According to the article those states are, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Carolina, Mississippi, Kansas, Rhode Island, Utah, Oregon, Massachusetts, and Alabama have had their programs approved in lieu of the Federal program. Approved State programs must be at least as strict as the EPA regulations.
Don't forget tomorrow is the EPA Information Session at Hofstra and if you have any questions please post them here or at Future Environment Designs Forum, and I will try to get an answer to your questions.


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Monday, March 28, 2011

EPA Proposes to Add Area Near Hicksville, New Cassel, Westbury, Hempstead and Salisbury, N.Y. to the Federal Superfund List

Map of regional administrative divisions of Ne...Image via WikipediaMarch 8, 2011 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that they are proposing consolidating areas in Hicksville, New Cassel, Westbury, Hempstead and Salisbury in Nassau County, N.Y. into one site and adding it to the Superfund National Priorities List of the country’s most hazardous waste sites.  Ground water throughout the site is contaminated with harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The Magothy aquifer, Nassau County’s primary source of drinking water, has likely been impacted by the contamination.  Residents of the affected towns are currently receiving drinking water that is being treated to remove the VOCs.  EPA has conducted an initial investigation of the site, and the Superfund designation will allow EPA to further investigate the extent of the contamination and its sources and remediate it.  EPA will solicit input from the public before reaching a final decision on whether to add the area to the Superfund list.

With the proposal of this site to the Superfund List, a 60-day comment period will begin during which EPA solicits public input regarding this action.  For instructions on how to submit comments, go to http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/npl/pubcom.htm or contact Dennis Munhall at (212) 637-4343 or munhall.dennis@epa.gov.

VOCs are often used as ingredients in paint, solvents, aerosol sprays, cleaners, disinfectants, automotive products and dry cleaning fluids.  Repeated and direct exposure to VOCs can cause serious health effects including damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system.
“By placing the site on the federal Superfund list, EPA can do the extensive sampling needed to determine the best ways to address the widespread ground water contamination in this area of Long Island,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith Enck.  “Residents of Long Island rely on ground water as their source of drinking water.  It is imperative that Long Island’s drinking water is protected from toxic contamination. Placing these areas on the federal Superfund list is an essential step to cleaning up this water contamination. EPA needs to take a more comprehensive look at the contamination and any potential health and environmental threats it poses.”
New York State had been examining a number of areas contained in the newly proposed site individually, and determined that the contamination would be better addressed as one large site.  Ground water testing by EPA in 2010 confirmed the presence of elevated levels of VOCs in 11 public water supply wells, six in Hicksville, four in Hempstead and one on Westbury.  The impacted towns have installed treatment systems to remove VOCs from the contaminated ground water before it goes into the water distribution systems, and to monitor water quality and the treatment systems regularly.
A variety of past industrial and commercial activities in the area may have caused the ground water contamination, although investigations by the New York State Department of Environmental Protection (NYSDEC) have yet to identify the specific sources contaminating the wells.  NYSDEC has investigated 17 facilities in the New Cassel industrial area between Frost St. in New Cassel and Swalm Ave. in North Hempstead.  NYSDEC and some of the entities in the New Cassel industrial area potentially responsible for the contamination have already installed systems to remove contaminants from the ground water at and near some of the sites.  The New Cassel industrial area is just north of the four contaminated wells – the Bowling Green wells – in Hempstead.
With all Superfund sites, EPA does an extensive search to identify and locate the parties potentially responsible for the contamination and make them pay or perform the cleanup work.  The majority of Superfund cleanups are performed by or paid for ny polluters, not tax dollars.  Superfund money s used for EPA oversight costs and when no responsible party can be identified.

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Thursday, March 17, 2011

Long Island OSHA Rep Speaks to the Association of Facilities Engineers

List of references to Long Island places in po...Image via WikipediaOn Tuesday, March 8, 2011, Mr. Anthony Ciuffo, CSP, the Long Island Area Director of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) gave an overview of OSHA's function in the workplace and what OSHA currently doing in the area.  His presentation was to the Long Island Chapter of the Association of Facilities Engineers (AFE) which held this meeting at the Hofstra University Club.  The event was sponsored by Hofstra University Continuing Education.
The presentation covered the typical taglines we've come to hear from other OSHA representatives - strong enforcement; partnering for a purpose; emergency preparedness; rule making in requiring an injury illness prevention program (I2P2); and safety and health management systems.  Top ten inspection targets for the Long Island area are:
  1. Fall hazards in construction
  2. Heavy highway and bridge construction
  3. Gut rehab and demolition
  4. Amputations
  5. Warehousing
  6. Construction
  7. Landscaping & Horticultural
  8. High Hazard 50
  9. Isocyanate
  10. Lead
For OSHA's calendar year, last year saw 343 inspections (on Long Island).  Average serious violation before October 2010 was $1,200, after October 2010 the average serious violation has increased to $2,400.
Dinner was included in the meeting and the organization several future meetings and a golf outing planed in the future.  For more information on AFE visit their website at: http://www.afechapter4.org/

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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

NIOSH Science Blog Discusses Law Enforcement Injury Causes

The male lion statue at the National Law Enfor...Image via WikipediaLast week on Long Island many mourned the death of Nassau County Police Officer Michael J. Califano.  Officer Califano was killed when a flatbed truck slammed into his car during a routine traffic stop on the Long Island Expressway last Friday night (February 4, 2011).  Though his death was outside his vehicle, it is interesting that the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) science blog posting on February 9, 2011 was a discussion on "Cops and Cars".  The blog points out that, the occupational injury fatality rate for police officers was 4 times higher than the U.S. average [BLS, 2009] in 2009.  The blog also discussses a new report by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, line-of-duty deaths have dramatically increased – 40% – from 2009 to 2010 (NLEOMF, 2010).  Possible reasons for this significant increase include budget cuts, the expiration of semi-automatic weapon bans, and a diminishing respect for police officers; but these are, at best, speculations.

The blog then points out that, traffic-related incidents are actually the leading cause of death among our nation's law enforcement officers and have been for the past 13 years (NLEOMF, 2010).  In fact, over the past 5 decades, overall line-of-duty deaths have steadily declined and traffic-related fatalities have increased (2010).  More recently, traffic-related fatalities increased 43% between 2009 and 2010 (2010).  This increase includes officers involved in motor-vehicle crashes and those struck while outside their vehicles.

It is interesting that statistics indicate that law enforcement use of seat belts may be a factor.  Two studies showed that seat bealt use by law enforccement was between 38%-42%.  However, law enforcement have good reasons for not wearing seat belts, including the design of the seat belts can catch their gun holster as they quickly get out of their cars.  Because of this NIOSH is undertaking the first state-wide study of attitudes and beliefs of seatbelt usage among law enforcement officers.  This study will survey a random sample of Iowa law enforcement officers through their agency leadership.  The study will include officers in municipal departments, the state patrol, and sheriff's offices.  As NIOSH begins this research, they are requesting (through the NIOSH Science Blog) to hear from police officers, police administration, law enforcement unions, training academies, and motor-vehicle researchers about their experiences with motor-vehicle crashes and the usage of seatbelts while in patrol cars.  For more information visit the NIOSH Science Blog at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/blog/.

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Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Asbestos Worries Close Saint Louis Park Schools

Asbestos Handler Initial Class at IUOEImage by angelogarciaiii via FlickrThose of us in the asbestos industry will find the above news story very interesting (find the original news story at StarTribune.com).  The officials of St. Louis Park schools in Minnesota were worried that asbestos floor tiles (approximately 10% asbestos) were being worn down, by tracked-in salt and sand, and could be releasing dangerous asbestos.  The officials decided to close the city's junior and senior high schools on Monday, February 14, 2011.  The schools will remain closed Tuesday as state and school officials work to assess the hazard and determine if other schools face similar problems.  Asbestos floor tile was commonly installed in hundreds of 1960s-era schools across the metro area, but it remains unclear how many could still have the asbestos tile or how much risk St. Louis Park students faced, said one expert at the Minnesota Department of Health.
Quoted in the article was Diedra Hudgens, senior project manager at Brooklyn Park-based Institute for Environmental Assessment, or IEA.  Her company tested the two St. Louis Park schools for asbestos Monday and Tuesday and will be "taking a closer eye" on the 60 other Minnesota schools it works with.  "We're definitely going to be informing our clients -- other school districts -- about what we found, and we'll definitely be taking steps to monitor it," said Diedra Hudgens.  "Every district has an elementary school or something this vintage."
So what started this concern of salt and sand releasing asbestos?  St. Louis Park school staffers complained late last week about dust outside a school nurse's office, prompting IEA tests on Saturday.  A protective wax layer had been worn down by salt and sand tracked in from roads and sidewalks, dulling the floor.  As a precautionary measure on Monday, school was dismissed for additional testing at both the high school and the nearby junior high -- which has similar flooring.  These tiles were removed from the high school and Monday the school was tested by IEA crews in full protective gear.
What makes this interesting is that the article does not discuss the results of any of the testing done nor does it discuss what type of testing was done?  We can only assume that the results must of indicated a need to do something because the schools were closed and the tiles were removed.  Since Long Island had alot of snowfall this year, and I'm sure we used more salt and sand this year then in the past, this news story implies that there is an increase potential for the release of asbestos from floor tiles that are subjected to tracked-in salt and sand.  It will be interesting to see if and how this story plays out or if it just dies on the vine.
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That Time of Year! Conferences, Posting Requirements, and OSHA Violations Increased!

It's that time of year again. We're between conferences.  February 15-16, 2024 was the Professional Abatement Contractors of New Yor...