Shigellosis cases on the rise in child care facilities

WILMINGTON, NC — The number of Shigellosis cases in New Hanover County are on the rise, according to WECT-TV.

The health department stresses the importance of good hand washing practices to prevent the spread of the illness, the article noted.

According to the article, Shigellosis is a diarrheal illness caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella and is usually transmitted when an infected person fails to properly wash their hands after using the restroom.

Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, cramping, nausea and vomiting: Children and providers can quickly spread the infection to parents, siblings or other children, the article stated.

Daycare facilities are responsible for excluding any child from care that has diarrhea and refer them to their medical care provider for evaluation, the article added.

Click here to read the complete article.

The University of North Carolina hire consultant to resolve housekeeping complaints

CHAPEL HILL, NC — The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) will hire an external consultant to address a range of complaints raised by housekeepers in recent months, according to The Daily Tar Heel.

"I want to help everybody who's had difficulty in this situation, and I'm happy to make this investment of time and some money to pay an external consultant to see if we can come up with some new ideas," said Chancellor Holden Thorp.

Jackie Overton, chairwoman of the forum, said four themes were expressed at the meetings with Thorp: Retaliation, intimidation, management issues and inconsistent application of rules, the article noted.

Housekeepers presented their complaints to Thorp in a previous meeting, which occurred after weeks of controversy within the housekeeping ranks that began with a debate over the wage-hour policy that prohibits employees from taking additional breaks without prior approval from their supervisors, the article stated.

"After that meeting, we had three others because the chancellor really wanted their concerns to be heard fully," Overton said.

"So the decision was, after much discussion, to bring in an outside source to not let anybody at the university handle the issue, because there could always be the accusation that it's tainted," Overton added.

Click here to read the complete article.

EPA seeks policy shift

WASHINGTON — Aiming to reform its policies, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has enlisted one of the biggest guns in the federal arsenal to help: The National Academy of Sciences, according to a press release.

On Tuesday, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and National Academy of Sciences President Ralph Cicerone launched an effort to develop the so-called Green Book, a project to ensure all EPA policies are driven by sustainability, the release stated.

The effort is reminiscent of the 1983 Red Book, written by the National Research Council to develop a strategy of risk assessment to guide the agency's policies, the release noted.

According to the release, that project triggered a dramatic shift in how the EPA developed regulations, focusing for the first time on scientifically evaluating risks to human health and the environment.

Paul Anastas, EPA's assistant administrator for research and development, said a new strategy focusing on sustainability is a necessary but challenging step in the "evolution" of the nation's environmental laws and programs.

"This is no small shift. This is a seismic shift in how we pursue our mission. We are under no illusion that it will happen by next Tuesday," Anastas added.

Click here to read the complete release.

IU Student Sustainability Council seeks to establish Sustainability Fund

BLOOMINGTON, IN — The Indiana University Student Sustainability Council (SSC) and its 22 member organizations are campaigning to establish a Sustainability Fund for the promotion of "green" initiatives and projects on the Indiana University Bloomington campus, according to a press release.

The Sustainability Fund would be supplied by a voluntary five-dollar fee offered during course registration, the release noted.

According to the release, to make this optional fund available, the SSC must collect signatures in support of the Sustainability Fund from one quarter of the enrolled student body — nearly 10,000 students — by the end of this semester.

If the Sustainability Fund is established, students and student organizations will have the opportunity to apply for funding for sustainability-related initiatives and projects on campus, the release stated.

"The voluntary nature of the fee and the fact that it is student-administered sends a clear message to IU officials and officials from peer universities that Indiana students are interested in and capable of identifying and addressing large-scale problems," said Jacob Bower-Bir, Graduate and Professional Student Organization sustainability officer and SSC logistics chair.

Click here to read the complete release.

University of Alberta janitors form union

EDMONTON, AB — Janitors at the University of Alberta have cleaned up problems with their employer over unpaid overtime and their desire to form a union, according to CHQT-AM.

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) said it has reached a first contract with Bee-Clean Building Maintenance to represent janitors who work at the university, the article stated.

Merryn Edwards, a union spokeswoman, said the contract has been ratified and all issues regarding unpaid overtime and unfair labor practices have been addressed in the agreement.

According to the article, 82 of the janitors have received their overtime pay and the province is trying to locate the remaining 40, who may have left the country.

Click here to read the complete article.

'Project Haiti' to help orphans build a home

WASHINGTON DC — The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is hosting a fundraising drive to help design and construct a new Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified orphanage in Haiti replacing the facility that was destroyed during the recent earthquake, according to a press release.

The announcement was made at Greenbuild 2010 in Chicago during the closing plenary, the release noted.

Together with the Lend Lease Corporation, USGBC has committed to catalyzing the unrivaled passion, expertise and generosity of the green building movement to provide the people of Haiti with both a powerful symbol of hope for the future and a model of sustainable building practices upon which to rebuild their nation, the release stated.

According to the release, once the center is constructed, it will be operated by Fondation Enfant Jesus, which operated the original orphanage on the building site.

Donations can be made through the USGBC site, the release added.

Click here to read the complete release.

ARAMARK Sports and Entertainment achieves ISSA certifications

I worked for Aramark Sports and Entertainmet back in 2007 so I am happy to report this story:

PHILADELPHIA — ARAMARK Sports and Entertainment, a leading provider of professional services at sports and entertainment facilities, convention centers and parks and other destinations, has received Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) and CIMS-Green Building (CIMS-GB) certification with Honors by ISSA, according to a press release.

This achievement recognizes ARAMARK's commitment to promoting cleaning operations that deliver consistent, quality services designed to meet customers' needs and expectations, the release stated.

"This prestigious honor is a testament to our facility services team's hardwork and devotion to developing cleaning programs and solutions that produce fresh and inviting environments for guests every time they attend an event at one of our venues," said Jack O'Brien, president of convention centers, facilities and culinary operations, ARAMARK Sports and Entertainment.

ARAMARK Sports and Entertainment partners with 19 clients to provide a wide variety of facility services, including maintenance, engineering, janitorial, custodial, landscaping, housekeeping, energy management and set-up and venue conversion, the release noted.

Click here to read the complete release.

Kimberly-Clark Health Care Launches "Not on My Watch"

The Department of Health & Human Services recently released its annual report on the quality of health care Americans receive. While there have been some improvements, hospitals still have work to do to put an end to the ongoing - but solvable - problem of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs).

To help achieve this goal, Kimberly-Clark Health Care launched "Not on My Watch" (www.haiwatch.com), a website that provides tools and information to help facilities eliminate HAIs.

Kimberly-Clark will match all year-end gifts made by AORN members up to $20,000! The donation will be used to support the advancement of through education, research and patient safety initiatives. A few of these nurses’ programs include scholarships, educational tool kits, and webinars and conferences for professional development. Click on the link to make your donation today!

To find get more information please visit http://haiwatchnews.com

Inventor Drives Car 3,000 Miles on Nothing But Water

Many of you know I report on building, custodial, hospitals and the trend on green cleaning. I read this story on Before It's News and thought it would be good for me to share it:

The vehicle in the video below supposedly went on a 3,000 mile road trip running only on water.

...Inventor Frederick W. Wood, and his associate, David Seigler, from Future Energy Concepts, Inc., give a video tour of the pickup truck that they claim to have converted to run on nothing but hydroxy gas, electrolyzed on-board, and on-demand, via a super-efficient electrolysis (from water) method they have developed. Their system allegedly produces 55 liters per minute on 55 amps. They also say the truck recently completed a road trip of more than 3000 miles, running on this set-up...(youtube)

Supposedly the inventor is willing to give away the basic design. He is doing it for the planet and so "our children can stop dying."

Resurgent bedbugs don't spread disease

CHICAGO — Once relegated to third-world nations, grandparents' memories and old nursery rhymes, bedbugs have enjoyed a dramatic and surprising resurgence, according to the Daily Herald.

The United States is experiencing "an alarming resurgence in the population of bedbugs," according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), because the pests have developed a resistance to pesticides and are able to spread so much faster due to increased international travel, the article stated.

The bugs don't spread malaria or other blood-borne diseases: Their beak-like mouths generally pierce the skin without causing enough pain to wake their victims, the article noted.

"They come out at 2 in the morning when you are least alert, feed on you for five minutes or so, and then go back into hiding," said Curt Colwell, entomologist with the Illinois Department of Public Health.

"A high percentage of people don't react at all," Colwell added.

Click here to read the complete article.

Five Oklahoma tribes receive EPA monetary awards

OKLAHOMA CITY — Five American Indian tribes in Oklahoma have received monetary awards totaling $720,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), according to KTUL-TV.

The Miami, Modoc and Seneca-Cayuga tribes and the Wyandotte Nation each have received $120,000, the article noted.

The EPA says the tribes will use the money to help implement tribal-wide recycling programs, develop tribal indoor air and education and outreach programs, update environmental codes and ordinances and train staff on environmental protection issues, the article stated.

According to the article, the Seneca-Cayuga tribe also will use the money for implementing solid waste cleanup activities, conducting baseline monitoring for indoor air contaminants and developing emergency management plans.

Click here to read the complete article.

Cintas settles racial and sexual harassment claim

PHILADELPHIA — Cintas Corporation, which manufactures uniforms and provides specialized services to businesses, has agreed to pay $152,500 to settle a racial and sexual harassment lawsuit filed against it by the Equal Employment and Opportunities Commission (EEOC), according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The suit alleged that a supervisor in Cintas' fire-protection unit subjected a group of black employees "to egregious sexual and racial harassment," the article stated.

In a consent decree, Cintas also agreed provide training about the federal antidiscrimination laws to all employees at their Conshohocken plant, the article noted.

Click here to read the complete article.

Seattle is turning its rooftops green

SEATTLE — Seattle rooftops are starting to look more like parks as a new report shows half of all new commercial structures developed in the area are being built with green rooftops, according to My Northwest.

"Green roofs can lead directly to reduced utility rates for storm water, an increase in property values, energy efficiency benefits for buildings and opportunities for urban agriculture in existing 'food deserts,'" said City Councilmember Mike O'Brien, chair of the Council's Seattle Public Utilities and Neighborhoods.

As of December 2009, Seattle had 62 structures with green roofs, with total rooftop green space amounting to 359,375 square feet, the article noted.

The Bastille restaurant in Ballard and McMahon Hall at the University of Washington, reportedly use vegetables and herbs grown on rooftop spaces for their food service, the article stated.

Other local apartment buildings report setting up community P-patch gardens atop their buildings, the article added.

Click here to read the complete article.

A majority of Americans are immune to swine flu

WASHINGTON DC— Swine flu no longer represents a major threat to the U.S. population, because most people are immune to the virus that caused last season's pandemic, according to USA Today.

Researchers believe that, of the 310 million people in the USA, 59 percent are now believed to be immune to pandemic H1N1 flu, the article noted.

According to the article, approximately 62 million people were vaccinated against the virus, 61 million people were infected by it and another 60 million people 57 or older carry protective antibodies against similar viruses that date back to previous pandemics.

"It's very unlikely that the virus will explode in the fall," says Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and an author of the analysis. "We now have evidence of that."

The evidence comes from studies on the 2009-2010 pandemic carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If this virus follows the pattern set by earlier flu bugs, it will either die out completely or continue to circulate in the ever-shrinking pool of people still susceptible to it, the article stated.

Click here to read the complete article.

$100 million class action filed against LEED and USGBC

WASHINGTON — Henry Gifford has been a thorn in the side of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for a couple of years, since he wrote an article claiming that Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rated buildings used 29 percent more energy than conventional buildings, according to Treehugger.

LEED has changed a lot since then, but not enough for Henry: He's launched a $100 million class action lawsuit against the USGBC, the article stated.

Henry is going after them for Sherman Act Monopolization through fraud, unfair competition, deceptive trade practices, false advertising, wire fraud and unjust enrichment, the article noted.

Environmental lawyer Shari Shapiro at Green Building Law describes the suit in plain language: His theory is that the USGBC has falsely claimed that its rating system makes buildings save energy.

According to the article, Henry believes that building owners have spent more money to have their buildings certified, that professionals have gotten worthless professional credentials and people in general have been duped into thinking LEED has meaning.

Click here to read the complete article.

Custodians file grievances to University of Washington human resources

SEATTLE — A delegation of 20 custodians on campus — accompanied by union and activist allies — delivered individually signed copies of a grievance form to the University of Washington's (UW) human resources, outlining what they believe are violations of the 2009-11 contract between the university and the union that represents the custodians, according to The Daily.

According to the grievance form, UW facilities custodial managers posted on September 30 new requirements at one custodial area's clocking stations in regards to the use of custodial closets as break rooms and new standards for the custodians' timekeeping, the article stated.

The custodians allege that these new rules deny comfortable facilities for their breaks and the ability to heat meals, and that the rules violate their rights to overtime payment, the article noted.

According to the article, some of the custodians' specific concerns with the new requirements include insufficient time to travel between the clocking station and work area, and the lack of overtime payment for the extra time needed to walk back and forth, as well as insufficient break time to walk between the work area and the few custodial break rooms on campus.

Click here to read the complete article.

Touch-screen devices can harbor flu germs

SACRAMENTO, CA — Personal touch-screen devices — iPads, BlackBerrys and Droids — are now seemingly everywhere, potentially harboring the germs and viruses that turn voices raspy and send noses running, according to The Sacramento Bee.

"If you're sharing the device, then you're sharing your influenza with someone else who touches it," said Timothy Julian, a Stanford University doctoral student who co-authored a study on the spread of viruses.

British researchers provide some stomach-churning data: Mobile phones harbor 18 times more bacteria than a flush handle in a typical men's restroom, the article stated.

According to Julian's study, published online in July by the Journal of Applied Microbiology, the risks of transmitting pathogens from glass surfaces to a person's skin are relatively high.

"If you put virus on a surface, like an iPhone, about 30 percent of it will get on your fingertips," Julian said. In turn, "a fair amount of it may go from your fingers to your eyes, mouth or nose," the most likely routes of infection.

Click here to read the complete article.

Hampton Inn Hotel sued for race discrimination

INDIANAPOLIS — The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) said it is suing the owner of an Indianapolis hotel, charging that it treated black housekeepers unfairly, according to the Indianapolis Business Journal.

The EEOC's complaint against New Indianapolis Hotels Inc. is on behalf of a class of fired black housekeepers, as well as a class of black applicants who sought housekeeping jobs at the Hampton Inn hotel, the article noted.

The lawsuit alleges that the hotel denied employment to black housekeeping applicants, offered lower pay and hours to black housekeeping staff, terminated black housekeepers who complained of the less-favorable treatment and destroyed records since at least September 2, 2008, the article stated.

According to the article, the suit alleges that the general manager of the hotel advised her employees that she wanted to hire "Mexicans" who do a better job and complain less than her black housekeeping staff.

The agency is seeking damages and back pay, in addition to a permanent injunction to prevent New Indianapolis Hotels from engaging in race discrimination, the article added.

Click here to read the complete article.

University of Alberta janitors say they are being mistreated

ALBERTA, CANADA — Janitors at the University of Alberta appear to be fed up with how they're being treated, and they're taking their complaints to the Alberta Labor Relations Board, according to News i880AM.

At least one janitor claims they were fired by cleaning contractor Bee Clean for standing up for temporary foreign workers, the article noted.

The cleaners say they've had ongoing concerns over pay and other issues, but anytime they bring it up Bee Clean threatens to send them home, the article stated.

According to the article, the workers have filed an unfair labor practice and they're also going public with their complaints at a news conference.

Click here to read the complete article.

Elevator buttons hotbed of germs

WASHINGTON — A typical elevator button could be thriving with harmful germs, viruses and bacteria, according to a press release.

According to researchers, though toilet seats are considered filthy because they are crawling with millions of disease-causing germs, the innocuous elevator button touched by many people every day harbors nearly 40 times more bacteria.

Researchers from the University of Arizona carried out a study on behalf of Mircoban Europe, which manufactures antibacterial protection products, the release noted.

The investigators found only eight "colony forming units" on every square centimeter of the public toilet seat; however, an alarming 313 units of bacteria were found on an equivalent surface area of the elevator button, the release stated.

Click here to read the complete release.

OSHA announces top 10 violations of 2010

WASHINGTON — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) used the National Safety Council's 2010 Congress and Expo to announce the top 10 violations of 2010, according to a press release.

Thomas Galassi, OSHA's directorate of enforcement programs, made the announcement with Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of OSHA, the release stated.

The list was little changed from 2009, with a couple of violations switching places, the release noted.

According to the release, the top five violations were:

1. Scaffolding
2. Fall protection
3. Hazard communication
4. Respiratory protection
5. Ladders

To see the complete list of violations, click here.

Click here to read the complete release.

Pasadena Convention Center awarded LEED Gold

PASADENA, CA — Because of its commitment to sustainability, the expanded Pasadena Convention Center has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, making it one of only three U.S. convention centers to earn the prestigious Gold designation, according to a press release.

"We are proud to be one of the greenest convention centers in North America," said Pasadena Center Operating Company Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michael Ross.

"It is enticing to our clients, knowing they are hosting events in a facility that is actively protecting our precious resources," Ross added.

The Pasadena Convention Center achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use, as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies, the release stated.

According to the release, by using less energy and water, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

Click here to read the complete release.

Criminals were working in Nashville schools

NASHVILLE — Metro Nashville Public Schools is pledging to take a hard look at its personnel policies after a routine background check of custodians found 56 with criminal records serious enough to bar them from working in a school, according to the Tennessean.

The district recently outsourced its janitorial work, and the new company, Ohio-based GCA, required district workers to be fingerprinted and undergo background checks before they could reapply for their old jobs: For many longtime employees, it was the first time anyone had checked to see whether they had a criminal record, the article stated.

According to the article, there were three incidents of aggravated assault with serious bodily injury and eight cases of aggravated assault with a razor or pistol, as well as cases of domestic assault, drug possession, robbery, forgery, driving under the influence, sexual battery, indecent exposure and patronizing a prostitute.

In the end, 56 members, or 9.3 percent, of the district's 600-person custodial staff could not be rehired because they flunked the background check, the article noted.

"This was disturbing, to see those results," said district spokeswoman Meredith Libbey. "We are discussing some options."

Click here to read the complete article.

Nuclear facility goes green with LEED Gold

AIKEN, SC — Shaw AREVA MOX Services was recently awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification at the Gold level for its Administration Building, according to Your Nuclear News.

The MOX Administration Building, which houses business operations and support personnel for the National Nuclear Security Administration's (NNSA) plutonium disposition program, received 40 out of a possible 43 points in the LEED process, the story stated.

The Administration Building is the first structure at the Savannah River Site to be LEED Gold-certified and the first of three MOX project buildings to pursue LEED certification at the Gold level, the story noted.

NNSA Principal Assistant Deputy Administrator for the Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Ken Baker said: "Achieving LEED certification on this facility highlights our commitment to transforming a Cold War-era nuclear weapons complex into a 21st Century nuclear security enterprise."

LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system that provides third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance in energy savings, water efficiency, carbon dioxide emissions reduction and other critical areas, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article.

Window washer alive after four-story plunge

NEW YORK — A worker from Domino Window Cleaning is in the hospital after falling four stories from a building and landing on his head while cleaning the windows, according to the Daily News.

Igor Vnuk, who fell around 3:45 p.m. Friday after losing his balance, was not wearing a safety harness, the story stated.

Co-workers rushed to Vnuk's aid before emergency workers arrived at the scene and transported the injured window washer to Bellevue Hospital, the story noted.

It is unclear whether or not Vnuk violated any work codes by failing to don a safety harness, but the New York City Department of Investigations said they were looking into the fall for more answers, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article.

Restaurant high chairs harbor more bacteria than the average toilet seat

LONDON — Baby high chairs found in restaurants have been found to harbor more bacteria than the average public toilet seat, according to the Daily Mail.

Teams took swabs from high chairs in 30 different restaurants and found that, on average, the number of bacteria on a high chair — including some that can lead to serious illness — was 147 per square centimeter, the article stated.

By comparison, the average public toilet seat has just eight per square centimeter, the article noted.

"The test results varied considerably and while some of the high chairs were relatively clean, others had concentrations of bacteria as high as 1,200 bacteria per square centimeter, which is worrying," said Dr Nicholas Moon director of technical affairs at Microban, makers of antibacterial products, which conducted the research across a variety of restaurants.

"This is of concern because a child's immune system tends to be far less robust than an adult's and children tend to touch things and put their hands in their mouth a lot — so they easily infect themselves with any germs they encounter," Moon added.

Click here to read the complete article.

JCPenney achieves LEED distinctions for green building design

PLANO, TX — JCPenney Company Inc. has been awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for its home office campus, according to a press release.

The 1.9 million square-foot building serves as a workplace for more than 5,500 associates and is the third largest campus facility in the nation to receive this designation, the release stated.

Adding to this distinction, JCPenney recently received a LEED for New Construction Silver certification for the JCPenney store in Fairview, TX and a LEED for Existing Buildings Silver certification for the JCPenney supply chain facility in Reno, NV, the release noted.

"JCPenney's LEED certifications demonstrate tremendous green building leadership," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, chief executive officer (CEO) and founding chair of the U.S. Green Building Council.

"JCPenney makes a conscious effort to efficiently use natural resources in order to bring an immediate, positive impact on our planet, which will benefit future generations to come," Fedrizzi added.

Click here to read the complete release.

Bedbug infestation prompts evacuation

YORK, ME — York resident Joyce Forthman first noticed bite marks on her daughter's arms several months ago, and then she saw tiny bugs hiding in her apartment, according to the York Daily Record.

But it wasn't until the fire department declared her Beaver Street building unfit for human occupancy that she realized they were bedbugs, the article stated.

Forthman said she tried everything to get rid of the bugs, including bleaching her entire apartment.

According to the article, a statement appeared taped to the door of the three-story apartment building: "This dwelling contains a serious hazard to the health and safety of the occupants because of the infestation of bed bugs."

"It seems like it's getting worse," Forthman said. "They're so easy to spread, and you don't know they're there."

Only the most extreme cases of bedbugs result in a building being closed, but this isn't the first time that's happened, according to Captain Gil Kimes with the York City Fire/Rescue Services.

Click here to read the complete article.

Beware of Chinese drywall 'remediation' scams

HOUSTON, TX — The remediation of problem Chinese drywall is a multi-million dollar market, and whenever there is money to be made you can be sure that there is someone out there trying to pull off a scam, according to a press release.

There have been numerous reports of Chinese drywall victims being scammed by opportunistic "remediators" offering everything from diagnosis to air clean machines and drywall removal, the release stated.

Homeowners affected by Chinese drywall are often in search of anything that can help rid their homes of the problem drywall and can be susceptible to con artists who prey on the people who are already vulnerable due to their desperation and concern for the well being of their family, the release noted.

A recently published article on the subject of Chinese drywall remediation scams in Florida identified 47 remediation and inspection companies working in the Palm Beach area alone: Of these, 26 were created during or after January of 2009 and only 18 were operated by licensed contractors.

Click here to read the complete release.

Daycon Products Company joins Strategic Market Alliance

OAK BROOK, IL — Strategic Market Alliance (SMA) is pleased to announce that Daycon Products Company has become a member of SMA effective August 1, 2010, according to a press release.

"The distributor owners of SMA welcome Daycon Products to SMA," said SMA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard McGann.

"Daycon is truly a market leader and an innovative organization. Their business focus and market segment strategy align very well with direction of the distributor owners of SMA." McGann stated.

"As a catalyst in the supply channel, SMA's stated mission and vision will be significantly enhanced with the addition of Daycon, as they will enable SMA to more effectively support our suppliers and service local and multi-unit account customers," McGann added.

Texas universities selling branded renewable energy

DALLAS — The University of Texas (UT) and Texas A&M have started selling branded energy alongside other team gear — so you can now watch the Texas Longhorns game in your Longhorns underwear while sitting in a house powered by Texas Longhorns Energy, according to a press release.

The deal, made possible thanks to Texas' deregulated energy market, will see Texas Longhorns Energy and Texas A&M Aggies Energy selling electricity and natural gas as soon as next month, the release stated.

"We're very conscientious about our brand. We want to be careful with that logo and that symbol," said University of Texas Senior Associate Athletic Director Chris Plonsky.

"When BRE and IMG brought it to us, we went 'Huh?' But it made sense because the issue of sustainability, especially on large college campuses that use a lot of energy, is important to us," Plonsky added.

Champion Energy Services is supposedly providing the branded power companies with renewable energy and every Texas fan that opens an account contributes to a sustainability initiative for either Texas A&M or UT, the release noted.

Click here to read the complete release.

Battling public bedbug infestation

NEW YORK — According to New York City health officials, one out of every 15 New Yorkers have battled bed bugs in the last year, according to a press release.

Health officials have announced a plan to fight the spreading infestation, which has been discovered in theaters, clothing stores, office buildings, housing projects and even upscale hotels, the release stated.

According to the release, health officials reported that bedbugs have rapidly multiplied throughout New York and many other U.S. cities in recent years: Across the country, the National Pest Management Association notes a 57 percent increase in calls over the past five years for bedbug infestation.

Bedbugs, once thought to be eliminated because of widespread use of the pesticide DDT in the 1940s and 1950s, are thought to be on the rise because of the decreasing use of pesticides and due to immigration and travel from the developing world, the release noted.

Acting on a report by a government advisory board, New York City is re-appropriating $500,000 of health department money to begin the first phase of a "bedbug battle plan," the release detailed.

Some of the money will go toward creating an online portal where New Yorkers can find information about avoiding bedbugs as well as how to treat their homes, the release added.

Click here to read the complete release.

It takes a small city to clean Disneyland

ANAHEIM, CA — Long after Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Pluto wave goodbye to the park's last guests, hundreds of dedicated workers emerge from the darkness to ensure the Disneyland Resort is cleaned, maintained and in prime operating condition for the following day, according to the Los Angeles Times.

A team of about 600 custodians, painters, gardeners and decorators scrapes chewing gum off the sidewalks, sands and recoats chipped handrails and pulls stubborn weeds in the 85-acre park each and every night to achieve Walt Disney's vision of an immaculate land, free of the litter and grime of the outside world, the story stated.

According to the story, because much of the custodial and maintenance work at the Disneyland Resort is performed at night, some workers don miner's headlamps and others work underneath portable floodlamps.

David Caranci, the manager of resort enhancement and decorating at Disneyland, said: "To keep the park in good order, it takes a crew that works 365 nights a year. It's a city that never sleeps. There is something always happening, and for nearly every nighttime task, there is a specific worker."

To assist in their rodent removal efforts, Disneyland Resort officials decided to cease evicting the estimated 200 feral cats that roam the 85-acre park and instead decided to spay or neuter them and allow their rodent-repelling presence, the story noted.

Though it is unknown how much money is spent each year on cleaning and maintaining the Disneyland Resort, one can imagine the thousands of gallons of paint, landscaping materials, cleaning chemicals and hourly wages for workers add up quickly, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article.

Thirteenth university building receives LEED certification

ATLANTA — Emory University's Emory Conference Center Hotel (ECCH) recently received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification at the Silver level from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), according to the Emory Wheel.

According to the story, The ECCH certification brings the total number of LEED-certified buildings on the Emory University campus to 13.

Sustainable aspects of the five-story building include the recycling and reuse of building materials, water and energy efficiency and access to alternative transportation, the story stated.

General Manager of the ECCH Kathryn Johnson said: "There was so much thought put into it. I give accolades to the university and the trustees for having the vision that all new constructions will be LEED-certified. It definitely helps us get business because there are other folks out there that are passionate about their business, and they want to know what is different about us."

The Atlanta Business Chronicle recently recognized Emory University's sustainability efforts during their awards ceremony for "Deals of the Decade" where Emory won in the "Design" category for its green building program, the story noted.

All future Emory University buildings will be LEED-certified at the Silver level as a minimum, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article.

Mary Kay Henry named president of the SEIU

WASHINGTON — Saturday marked an historic occasion for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) as it elected the first woman to the head of the politically influential organization, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Mary Kay Henry, whose goal is to continue to maintain the union's strong political force, with hope for a meeting with President Barack Obama in the near future, was elected for her promise to "restore relations with the American labor movement," the story stated.

According to the story, Henry has made it known that she wishes to settle an on-going dispute between the SEIU and the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees-Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union (UNITE-HERE), both of which are battle over jurisdiction over some 300,000 hotel, gaming, airport and other workers nationwide.

Until her rise to the role of president, Henry was fairly unknown in the labor union field and detractors of her appointment have cited her lack of time served in the ranks as a detriment to the union, the story noted.

Stan Lyles, a SEIU steward at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, said: "Mary Kay is the kind of person who can communicate and tell you the facts. She listens to the members."

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OSHA cites Jersey City firm with 36 violations

JERSEY CITY — A Jersey City manufacturer has been cited for three dozen violations and fined nearly $160,000 by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), according to The Jersey Journal.

Importers Service Corp. failed to lock out energy sources and exposed workers during the maintenance and repair of equipment to potential injuries, the article stated.

OSHA initiated its inspection on November 10 as part of a program designed for industries with high injury and illness rates.

The company, which OSHA says has 36 employees, received citations for two willful violations, with a penalty of $98,000; 33 serious violations, with a penalty of $60,500; and one other-than-serious violation, which carries no penalty, the article noted.

According to the article, the serious violations include a lack of training, electrical hazards, inadequate personal protective equipment, failing to implement an adequate hazard communication and respiratory protection program and failing to properly handle confined spaces.

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2010 Federal Summit convenes in Washington

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) seventh annual Federal Summit convened at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. for a two-day exchange of ideas on how to best meet the goals of increased sustainability in existing buildings and communities in order to significantly impact the environment and economy, according to Green Building Pro.

High level officials from throughout the federal sector, including Administrator Martha N. Johnson, U.S. General Services Administration, and Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), discussed topics such as the current state of sustainability in the federal government, the article stated.

"Considerable progress has been made on the path to sustainability in all parts of the United States with stimulus funds supporting the improvement of government buildings at the federal, state and local levels," said Rick Fedrizzi, president, chief operating officer (CEO) and founding chair of USGBC.

Fedrizzi added, "By working together to change the way we design, build and operate buildings, implement best practices and utilize green building programs, we can dramatically improve the performance of our public building stock."

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OSHA begins cracking down

WASHINGTON DC — Pushing a bit harder at the constraints of its administrative authority, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a new enforcement policy for employers who "demonstrate indifference to their responsibilities under the law," according to Business and Legal Resources.

The intent of OSHA's Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP) is to identify and punish employers who, in OSHA's view, repeatedly violate worker safety standards, the article stated.

According to the article, the "instruction" describing SVEP replaces OSHA's Enhanced Enforcement Program (EEP).

Significant changes from EEP include targeting high-emphasis hazards (fall hazards, amputations, combustible dust, crystalline silica, excavation/trenching, lead and ship breaking); inspections of other workplaces of the same employer where similar hazards and deficiencies may be present; and a nationwide referral procedure for U.S. OSHA regions and state plan states, the article noted.

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Rogue Community College LEEDs the way

MEDFORD, OR — The Higher Education Center in downtown Medford has received an advanced certification for environmentally friendly construction from the U.S. Green Building Council, joining an elite league of universities in the Western United States, according to the Mail Tribune.

The three-story, 68,700-square-foot education center, which opened in September 2008, is jointly operated by Southern Oregon University (SOU) and Rogue Community College (RCC), the article noted.

"With the emphasis on sustainability at SOU, achieving the LEED Platinum certification and being first in the Oregon University System was a very high priority for us," said Larry Blake, SOU planning and sustainability officer, who headed up the certification process for about the past three years.

"LEED Platinum certification is eventually going to become commonplace, but it's certainly a distinction for us now. We are trying to raise the profile of sustainability of this institution, and this is an important step," Blake added.

The Higher Education Center features heat wheels that transfer energy from exhaust air to pre-heat and pre-cool fresh air, occupancy sensors that control light, heating and air conditioning use and a 56-kilowatt solar array on the roof that produces 6 percent of the building's power supply, among other items, the article stated.

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Don't let those bed bugs bite!

UNITED KINGDOM — Research suggests that while an unmade bed may look scruffy it is also unappealing to dust mites thought to cause asthma and other allergies, according to the BBC.

A Kingston University study discovered the bugs cannot survive in the warm, dry conditions found in an unmade bed, the article noted.

The warm, damp conditions created in an occupied bed are ideal for the creatures, but they are less likely to thrive when moisture is in shorter supply, the article stated.

Researcher Dr. Stephen Pretlove said: "We know that mites can only survive by taking in water from the atmosphere using small glands on the outside of their body."

"Something as simple as leaving a bed unmade during the day can remove moisture from the sheets and mattress so the mites will dehydrate and eventually die," Pretlove added.

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Empire State Building achieves ENERGY STAR goal

NEW YORK — The ground-breaking energy efficiency work at the Empire State Building has achieved a milestone on its journey for sustainability leadership in the commercial real estate community by receiving an ENERGY STAR rating of 90 from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), according to a press release.

The designation for the Empire State Building signifies that the property's energy performance is in the top tenth percentile of all commercial office buildings, new and old, across the nation. An ENERGY STAR rating of 90 was a stated objective in the iconic property's overall sustainability retrofit initiative launched in April 2009, the release stated.

In April 2009 President Bill Clinton, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and the Empire State Building partnership team consisting of the Clinton Climate Initiative, Johnson Controls, Jones Lang LaSalle, and the Rocky Mountain Institute announced details of an energy retrofit as part of a $550 million upgrade program, the release noted.

Anthony E. Malkin of Malkin Holdings, which directs the operation of the international icon on behalf of building owner Empire State Building Company, stated, "Receiving an ENERGY STAR rating of 90 out of 100 is a significant accomplishment for any building, and an especially groundbreaking accomplishment for our Pre-War Trophy Empire State Building."

"With the building's overall energy efficiency retrofit project still in progress, we may see a higher number when all of the initiatives are completed," Malkin added.

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University of Illinois makes plans to improve sustainability

CHAMPAIGN, IL — With the release of the Office of Sustainability's Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP), the University of Illinois pledged to take steps toward carbon neutrality, less energy use and overall improved sustainability in the future, according to the Daily Illini.

As part of the university's signing of the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment in 2008, the plan calls for carbon neutrality by 2050, which refers to net zero carbon emissions, the article stated.

Tom Abram, sustainability coordinator for facilities and services, said in addition to energy reduction, the plan calls for a "significant increase in renewable energy usage."

In the iCAP, the university pledges to use renewable energy generation systems to supply at least 5 percent of its electrical needs by 2015 and 25 percent by 2025, the article noted.

According to the article, officials said other projected goals include implementing a campus bicycling master plan and requiring that all new buildings and major renovations meet the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standards by 2011.

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Janitor accused of stealing from students' lockers

ASHLAND, MA — A janitor at Ashland High School is accused of stealing iPod Touches, $900 cash and other items from students' bags and lockers, offices and classrooms during gym class and team practices, according to WBZ-TV.

After students reported thefts around times they had seen Wesley Jarrell, 22, in the girls' locker room, officers put the locker room under surveillance, encountered Jarrell, confronted him and he confessed, the story stated.

The thefts of which Jarrell's accused date back to late January and involve at least a dozen victims, the story noted.

Ashland police say Jarrell told them he was "dealing with some personal issues such as money problems as well as a medical problem," but did not say what it was, the article added.

According to the story, Ashland police have sent out a reverse 911 call asking anyone who believes they were victimized by theft at the high school to call the police department.

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Starbucks opens first LEED registered store in Canada

TORONTO — Members of the Toronto community and other guests gathered at Starbucks to mark the grand opening of their first-ever Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified store in Canada, according to a press release.

The new store format and design is part of Starbucks' Shared Planet initiative. Starbucks' Shared Planet environmental stewardship program represents the company's commitment to creating a better future for farmers, communities and the environment and significantly reducing its environmental footprint through recycling and green construction, the release stated.

"We are truly excited to have opened the first Canadian store in Starbucks' global LEED pilot project," said Robert Luciano, Starbucks' director of store development for Eastern Canada.

"This store is unique in terms of its design and the materials which have been used to construct it. Through this opening, and those happening around the world, Starbucks continues its commitment to delivering a specialty coffee experience while refreshing our store design approach with an amplified focus on local relevance and environmental responsibility," Luciano added.

According to the release, if the pilot is successful, Starbucks aims to achieve LEED certification for all new company-owned stores worldwide by late 2010.

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Georgetown Univ. Rafik B. Hariri Building has been awarded LEED Silver certification

As expected, the Rafik B. Hariri Building has been awarded LEED certification for its environmentally-friendly features. Georgetown applied for LEED Certification, which is awarded to buildings that are sustainable, and water, energy, resource, and material efficient, during the fall semester.

LEED certification is awarded by the U. S. Green Building Council, a non-profit organization which bills the award as the “nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings,” but LEED certification has been criticized for similarly weighting expensive green features with large environmental impacts and inexpensive projects with minimal impact.

According to a press release from the Georgetown McDonough School of Business, the following are some of the features that the LEED certification recognized:

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For more information click here

On a personal note, as part of Georgetown's Facilities Management team, this means a lot.

Washington State Univ. Custodians complain of doing too much with too little

PULLMAN, WA — The custodians at Washington State University at Pullman are complaining that they have more work piling up than they can complete, according to the Daily Evergreen.

Lately, the custodians have been asked to complete more tasks in significantly less time, something they find troubling as it could easily lead to the campus becoming unsanitary, the story stated.

Because custodians used to have over nine hours to complete their daily tasks and now only have eight, corners are being cut to meet productivity requirements, the story noted.

Lawrence Davis, associate vice president of facilities operations, said: "This isn't a problem unique to Washington State University or custodians. This is a problem across the board. We're all stretched thin."

Custodians are no longer required to empty trash cans in offices and classrooms and the frequency of tasks such as sweeping and dusting have been reduced, the story added.

According to the story, numerous custodians have also complained that work assignments are not divided evenly among staff, making it increasingly difficult for those with time-consuming tasks to complete them in a timely and orderly fashion.

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Allstate Insurance data center receives LEED-Gold certification

ROCHELLE, IL — The new Allstate Insurance data center recently received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification at the Gold level from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), making it one of a handful of data centers in the nation to achieve the designation, according to a press release.

Some sustainable aspects of the data center include: A heat-reflecting white roof; use of natural lighting; use of recycled materials for making concrete; and native landscaping that requires minimal maintenance, the release stated.

Buildings that are LEED-certified use less water and energy and help taxpayers, businesses and families save money while contributing to a more healthy environment for workers, residents and the community, the release noted.

According to the release, the certification was verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI).

The LEED-Gold-certified data center also uses technology that mixes heat generated from computers, mechanical equipment and outside air to keep equipment rooms cool and office areas consistently comfortable, the release added.

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Thousands may have been exposed to Legionnaires' disease

CUDAHY, WI — Thousands of people may have been exposed to Legionnaires' disease at Aurora St. Luke's South Shore hospital last month, according to TMJ4-TV.

According to the story, eight people have been officially diagnosed with the disease, which presents symptoms similar to pneumonia, and hospital officials have been making phone calls searching for others who may have been exposed.

Carol Wantuch, Cudahy's health officer, said: "I'm sure we're going to be getting more cases."

Two of the eight people diagnosed are still hospitalized with the disease that, although easily treatable, can be deadly if not caught early, the story stated.

Wantuch feels that the hospital is now safe after the facility was thoroughly cleaned by workers and that officials are close to determining the source of the disease, the story stated.

Symptoms include a high fever, cough and difficulty breathing, the story added.

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Maintenance chief used school equipment for private business

MONROE, LA — Energy and Maintenance Manager Kirk Clark has been suspended for 10 days and ordered to repay the Monroe City Schools district $2,000 for allegedly using school equipment for his private janitorial business, according to the Associate Press.

According to the story, Clark used two buffers, a carpet cleaner and wet vacuum to perform services for area businesses through his company, Kz Clark Enterprises.

Clark has worked with the school district for 29 years and receives an annual salary of about $50,000, the story stated.

According to the story, the Monroe Federation of Teachers has complained that any other employee would have been fired for the same transgressions, and that they first asked the district to investigate Clark's actions over two years ago.

Clark will not receive pay during his 10-day suspension, the story added.

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Alarming rise in cruise ship norovirus outbreaks despite cleaning

CHARLOTTE, SC — Only three months into 2010, there have already been eight cruise ship norovirus outbreaks — a startling number compared to the total 15 outbreaks last year, and one that cruise companies fear may set a trend for the months to come, according to USA Today.

According to the story, experts can’t confirm whether the outbreaks — four of which happened in one week — are coincidence or are indicative of something worse, such as the possibility that the virus may have changed to become more easily-spread or resistant to cleaning.

Dr. Claire Panosian, a clinical professor of infectious diseases at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California at Los Angeles, said: "It could be a blip or it could be a trend. It's too early to say."

The outbreaks are occurring despite cruise ships taking extra precautions to clean and disinfect, some even delaying the boarding to allow for additional cleaning time between groups of passengers, the story stated.

Royal Caribbean spokesperson Cynthia Martinez said: "In these situations, there will be heightened cleaning procedures being carried out throughout the ship during the entire sailing."

Norovirus is particularly difficult to eradicate because it can linger on surfaces like doorknobs, countertops and buffet tables and can sometimes even survive being cleaned with a bleach solution, the story noted.

The virus also has an incubation period, the story added.