FEA to guide Austin Convention Center through LEED-EBOM certification

DALLAS, TX — Facility Engineering Associates (FEA) has announced a contract with the city of Austin to provide consulting relative to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Existing Buildings (EB) process, according to a press release.

According to the release, FEA will guide the city through the LEED-EB certification process for the Austin Convention Center, which began working toward their goal of energy efficiency and LEED Gold certification in 2007.

FEA works with a team consisting of many Austin-based firms like Winterowd Associates Inc., Baer Engineering and Environmental Consulting Inc. , MWM Design Group Inc. and Encotech Engineering Consulting Inc., the release stated.

In addition to their Dallas office, FEA also has locations in Austin, Washington, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Indianapolis, San Diego, Milwaukee, San Francisco, Kansas City, Fairfax, Virginia, and Greenville, South Carolina, the release added.

Janitors protest Safeway's use of harsh cleaning chemicals

ROCKRIDGE, CA — A group of janitors joined protesters against the expansion of two Safeway locations to oppose the use of harsh cleaning chemicals at the stores, according to the San Francisco Business Times.

According to the story, organizations in the community oppose the proposed design for the locations, saying the two-level, modern stores will not fit with the neighborhood.

Janitors say that their cause falls in line with the opposition to the expansion, the story stated.

A statement from the union representing the janitors, the Service Employee International Union (SEIU) Local 1877 of Northern California, stated: "The demonstration comes as Safeway's plans to expand its two stores in North Oakland's Rockridge neighborhood are facing opposition from community stakeholders concerned about potential negative impacts on public safety and the environment."

SEIU Local 1877 of Northern California Vice President Denise Solis added: "If Safeway wants to expand its stores in our community, they must take meaningful steps to protect the health and safety of workers, customers and the environment."

Click here to read the complete article.

EPA: Companies can no longer claim chemical confidentiality

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it has overturned a policy that allowed companies to make a confidential business information (CBI) claim when reporting potentially dangerous chemicals to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Chemical Inventory, according to a press release.

According to the release, companies that manufacture, process or distribute chemicals are required to immediately provide notice to the EPA if they learn that a chemical presents a substantial risk of injury to health or the environment under Section 8(e) of the TSCA.

Under the previous policy, however, companies would often claim CBI to avoid providing the actual identity of the chemical to the public, the release stated.

According to the release, this new action will give the public more identifying information in the Section 8(e) reports, which are published on the EPA website.

This latest move is part of an ongoing effort by the EPA to utilize authority through the TSCA to the fullest extent possible, the release added.

Click here to read the complete release.

Blue Ridge Elementary school has four times the acceptable levels for radon

WALLA WALLA, WA – Blue Ridge Elementary School is taking immediate measures — including running heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems most of the day and notifying families — after an independent test found levels of radon as much as four times the acceptable amount recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), according to the Union-Bulletin.

According to the story, the tests, performed by Fulcrum Environmental Consulting, showed elevated levels occurred during evening and weekends when the school's HVAC system was not operational.

Walla Walla Public Schools Superintendent Rich Carter said: "The safety of our staff and students is our number one priority. We will do whatever it takes to develop a permanent solution to ensure radon levels are mitigated."

District officials are planning to perform a second round of tests to gain more data and test other facilities in the district as a precaution, the story stated.

The district is meeting with air quality professionals to develop a more permanent long-term plan, the story added.

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Alcohol-based hand sanitizer ignites at mall

SAUGUS, MA — Efforts by the Square One Mall to keep patrons healthy by providing alcohol-based hand sanitizer stations backfired after one of the sanitizing units spontaneously combusted earlier this week, according to The Daily Item.

The machine is powered by batteries rather than electricity, so many are puzzled as to how the blaze ignited, the story stated.

Town of Saugus Fire Department Chief James Blanchard said: "It had spread up the wall and set off the sprinklers. We're still looking into how that got started. We're trying to see if anyone else has had a similar problem. It's kind of unusual. I've never seen anything like this."

No one was hurt in the incident that was contained to a small area near the restrooms of the Square One Mall’s food court, the story noted.

Simon Malls, which owns Square One Mall, has placed similar dispensers in all of its malls, the story added.

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SCA Tissue joins relief efforts in Haiti

PHILADELPHIA — SCA Tissue, a global personal hygiene product company, has announced their commitment to assisting in relief efforts following the devastating earthquake in Haiti with a $50,000 gift to the American Red Cross, according to a press release.

According to the release, in addition to the financial donation, SCA is also implementing a dollar-for-dollar employee donation matching program and has committed to providing personal care products for survivors and disaster relief teams.

SCA Tissue North America President Don Lewis said: "Our employees expressed strong interest in supporting the relief efforts, and our matching gift program gives them the opportunity to make an immediate impact. We hope this inspires others to do same."

Funds from the employee matching program will go towards the American Red Cross and Direct Relief International, the release added.

The first LEED-certified public school in New York State

AUBURN, NY — The Cayuga-Onondaga Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) Regional Education Center has been awarded the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification, according to The Citizen.

According to the story, the 64-acre campus is the first public school in New York State to achieve LEED certification.

BOCES superintendent Bill Speck said: "It couldn't make us prouder."

According to the story, the campus earned points for its more than 200 125-foot-deep geothermal wells, recycled construction-related waste, locally-manufactured building materials and monitoring devices in all building systems to collect data and ensure efficient energy use when the building is not in use.

A presentation ceremony will take place Friday, January 22 on the campus, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article.

Texas college to be fully powered by wind

GEORGETOWN, TX — Starting in February, Southwestern University will rely solely on wind to power the entire campus, according to News 8 Austin.

According to the story, Southwestern University will become the first college or university in the state of Texas and one of only six in the nation to be fully powered by green energy.

Leah Jones, a student from the university who helped initiate the idea for a wind-powered campus, said: "We just wanted to go 100 percent, all the way. It seems like a great opportunity to get sustainable energy on campus."

The power, which will come from two wind farms in West Texas, is being offered at a fixed rate to the university over 18 years and, while the details of the contract are confidential, the city of Georgetown said they are competitive with rates for conventional energy, the story stated.

Other sustainability initiatives at the university include the dining hall's decision to go 'trayless' last year, the story added.

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California adopts mandatory green building standard

SACRAMENTO — California has become the first state in the nation to adopt a mandatory green building standard — CALGREEN — requiring all new buildings to be more energy efficient and environmentally responsible, according to a press release.

According to the release, the California Building Standards Commission unanimously adopted CALGREEN, comprised of comprehensive regulations to achieve major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and water use, to go into effect January 2011.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said: "The code will help us meet our goals of curbing global warming and achieving 33 percent renewable energy by 2020 and promotes the development of more sustainable communities by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency in every new home, office building or public structure."

California property owners will be able to label their facilities as CALGREEN-compliant after passing a state building inspection, the release added.

Prior to the adoption of CALGREEN, six environmental and non-profit certification groups — including the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council — wrote a letter opposing the proposed code, saying it would be "a setback for California's leadership on green building," according to the Los Angeles Times.

According to the story, more than 200 architects, engineers and builders e-mailed Schwarznegger in opposition of the CALGREEN label, saying it is less thorough than third-party certifications would be open to conflicting interpretations and be unenforceable by local building inspectors.

Mary Nichols, chairwoman of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), said that while CALGREEN might not be as thorough as third-party systems, "it is a heck of a lot better than anything we have now."

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Students and staff help save janitor’s life

SAGINAW, MI — Members of the Martin G. Atkins Elementary School staff are credited with helping save custodian Fred Cruz's life earlier this week, according to the Saginaw News.

Students on the way to Martin G. Atkins Elementary School found Cruz lying on his back near the entrance incapacitated with the motor of the snowblower he was operating still running, the story stated.

After students notified staff members of the incident, Cruz was quickly brought into the building and had cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed on him, the story noted.

Martin G. Atkins Elementary School Principal Chuck Lesser said: "They thought he slipped and fell and they were expecting him to get back up, but when he didn't get back up, they notified [school employee] Pam Brill, who paged me. We followed the directions that came with the automated external defibrillator (AED), and we shocked [Cruz's chest] with it, and then myself and several staff members started performing CPR."

Cruz, who was in critical condition at the time of press, is being treated at Covenant HealthCare's Cooper Campus for an apparent heart attack, the story added.

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Couple sues hotel after contracting Legionnaires' disease

MCHENRY, IL – Albert and Judith Kooi of Allegan County, Michigan, filed a lawsuit last week against the McHenry Hampton Inn for an unnamed amount of damages after the husband contracted Legionnaires' disease after using the hot tub in May 2008, according to the Northwest Herald.

According to the story, officials from the State Health Department had samples taken from the spa in May of 2008 that tested positive for the bacteria and the hotel subsequently had the spa drained and cleaned.

Legionnaires' disease, which is contracted after breathing mist or vapor contaminated with Legionella bacteria, has pneumonia-like symptoms that can be treated in most cases with antibiotics, the story stated.

The lawsuit alleges that Albert Kooi incurred medical bills for treatment and suffered pain and mental anguish, the story added.

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Irish hospital uses copper to combat MRSA

MULLINGAR, Ireland — St. Francis Private Hospital is the first in the world to use copper doorknobs to prevent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other infectious "superbugs," according to the Irish Independent.

According to the story, Noeleen Sheridan, general manager of the hospital, decided to install over 100 doorknobs after a University Hospital Birmingham study that copper on surfaces could reduce contamination by 90 to 100 percent.

Sheridan said: "Our decision to specify anti-microbial copper products is based on this conviction and the compelling evidence from the Birmingham clinical trial."

A spokesperson for the Health Service Executive said that it will consider the merits of copper surfaces — as it does with any health technology innovation — in due course, the story added.

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College arts building certified LEED Gold

ALBANY, NY — The Massry Center for the Arts, the newly constructed 46,000-square-foot building at The College of Saint Rose, has been awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, according to the Times Union.

According to the story, the building is 48 percent more energy efficient than a conventional building, and has such green features as geothermal heating, recycled building materials and automatic dimming lights.

State Assemblyman Jack McEneny said: "This is a building that every day, like the college itself, teaches us what the future can be."

The cost of the construction was $14 million, and the The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority contributed about $150,000 towards the geothermal system, the story added.

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Purdue receives grant towards building performance research center

LAFAYETTE, IN — Purdue University has received a $12 million federal grant towards the creation of the Center for High Performance Buildings, according to Journal & Courier.

According to the story, the building, which will replace the 50-year-old Herrick Labs, will cost $23.5 million to construct.

James Braun, a mechanical engineering professor at Purdue, said: "It is really a center that would have faculty from architectural engineering, mechanical engineering, human response and other areas."

Buildings are responsible for about 40 percent of the energy use, 71 percent of electricity consumption and 38 percent of carbon dioxide emissions nationwide, the story added.

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Burj Khalifa to use sustainable facility management

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest and arguably most technically advanced building, will utilize ProTeus, a facility maintenance manage system developed by Eagle Technology, integrated with Johnson Controls Inc. building management system Metasys to oversee all maintenance of the massive structure, according to a press release.

According to the release, the system will track the maintenance needs and costs, including parts and labor spent on the facility and its equipment.

This tracking system will lead to more energy efficient maintenance as well as lower operating costs, the release stated.

Click here to read the complete release.

New Jersey DEP outsourcing cleanup of toxic sites

TRENTON, NJ — The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has decided to change the way it addresses the cleanup of polluted sites by outsourcing the work to licensed environmental consultants, according to The Press of Atlantic City.

According to the story, the DEP hopes this method, modeled after the system currently in place in Massachusetts, will be more efficient in tackling the thousands of polluted sites than the current system, in which 200 case managers oversee each cleanup individually.

A 1998 audit of the Massachusetts system found that consultants were able to clean up 14 times as many contaminated sites, the story stated.

State Senator Jeff Van Drew said: "There were literally thousands of sites remediated in Massachusetts. Quite frankly, the DEP does not have the staff to do it — nor do I want the state to hire more people. We don’t need to be expanding government. Once the system starts moving, there will be a tremendous number of sites fixed."

So far, 245 consultants have been approved through the very extensive licensing process, and small or medium toxic sites will see the most benefit from this new system, the story added.

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Resort closed for cleaning after illness outbreak

OTTERTAIL, MN — Thumper Pond Resort and Restaurant underwent a voluntary close for deep cleaning after a number of people became ill with what appears to be norovirus, according to the Detroit Lakes Tribune.

According to the story, the resort performed a deep cleaning based on guidelines from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) designed to eradicate the virus, including draining and superchlorinating the pool and water park area, cleaning bathrooms and surfaces with products effective against the virus and ensuring no employee returns to work until 72 hours after resolution of symptoms.

The MDH received a number of complaints linked to the facility from December 19 through 31, all reporting flu-like symptoms associated with norovirus, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps, the story stated.

Kelly Pilgrim, who became ill after her family visited the water park, said: "Until we know more, I want Thumper Pond have an opportunity to resolve the issue. It very possibly was not even their fault; something they were exposed to from outside."

MDH spokesman Doug Schultz said the facility has been working with the department to make sure the pathogens are out of the facility, the story added.

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Study: Nearly half of soda dispensers have coliform bacteria

ROANOKE VALLEY, VA — A small study of 30 machines in the Roanoke Valley area found that almost half the machines had coliform bacteria — a bacteria that may indicate fecal contamination, according to ABC News.

Coliform bacteria are banned from drinking water by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the story stated.

According to the story, the study, published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology, also found escherichia coli (E. coli), as well as species of klebsiella, staphylococcus, stenotrophomonas, candida and serratia on the soda machines.

The authors of the study ruled out water contamination and believe the bacteria may have formed inside the machines as a result of restaurant managers not rinsing the plastic tubing within the machine on a regular basis, the story stated.

Renee D. Godard, a co-author of the study, said: "My guess is that most restaurant owners wouldn't have the vaguest idea about how to flush those machines, or that they would even need too."

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OSHA to hold hearings on proposed HCS rule

WASHINGTON — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced they will hold three informal hearings to solicit comments on a proposed rule to align the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) with the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), according to Reliable Plant.

According to the story, the GHS, developed by a number of countries including the U.S., was created to address inconsistencies in hazard communications and to establish a single, universal system to classify chemicals, labels and safety data sheets.

Hearings are scheduled for March 2 in Washington, D.C., March 31 in Pittsburgh and April 13 in Los Angeles, the story stated.

Those interested in attending must provide a notice of intention to appear through the Federal eRulemaking Portal by January 18, the story added.

School district receives EPA award for IAQ program

KELLER, TX — The operations department of the Keller Independent School District (KISD) announced at a December board meeting that their indoor air quality program has received an award from the Environmental Protection Agency, according to The Keller Citizen.

According to the story, the KISD has been monitoring indoor air quality for the past two years after the program was started by Operations Director Frank DiNella.

Department officials, using handheld monitors, test every classroom in the district on a regular basis as well as inspect schools where students have been sick or have received complaints from teachers or administrators, the story stated.

Dinella said: "Fifty percent of all illnesses are caused or aggravated by indoor air-quality issues."

Dinella also said that the district is planning to train indoor air quality personnel on how to reduce asthma triggers as part of a new asthma management training program, the story added.

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ABM Janitorial Services charged with racial discrimination

MINNEAPOLIS — Charges filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission claim American Building Maintenance (ABM) Janitorial Services used racial discriminatory hiring and pay practices against African Americans and African immigrants, according to Workday Minnesota.

According to the story, employees hired through Emerge Staffing, a non-profit organization that provides mostly African Americans and East African immigrants with training and job placement opportunities, were paid less than their coworkers and kept in temporary status — despite being promised permanent employment.

Keyla Kahl, a janitor for ABM, said: "I have worked full-time for ABM for three months now, and I am paid $2.72 less per hour than my coworkers that were not hired through Emerge."

The charges also claim that an ABM supervisor who made racially discriminatory remarks was not reprimanded after ABM management was notified of the comments, the story stated.

Javier Morillo-Alicea, president of Service Employees International Union Local 26, the union representing ABM workers, said: "ABM cannot pay them less because of who they are or what neighborhood they come from. Equal work deserves equal pay."

Click here to read the complete article.

EPA to establish actions for chemicals of concern

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the establishment of a list of four chemicals that raise high environmental and health concerns, as well as actions for these chemicals, according to a press release.

Phthalates, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and perfluorinated chemicals — all chemicals used in the manufacturing of a variety of products — all made the list of chemicals that raise concerns, the release stated.

Administrator Lisa P. Jackson said: "We will continue to use our authority under existing law to protect Americans from exposure to harmful chemicals and to highlight chemicals we believe warrant concern."

This is the first time the EPA has used the authority of the 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act to list chemicals that may present an unreasonable risk of injury to health and the environment, the release added.

Hotel workers union boycotts San Francisco Hilton

SAN FRANCISCO — Members of the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees-Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union (UNITE-HERE) Local 2 began a boycott of the San Francisco Hilton Tuesday with an 800-person march and a 160-person sit-in, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The demonstration — which blocked the lobby of the hotel — resulted in the arrest of American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) President Richard Trumka and dozens of other workers, the story stated.

According to the story, workers began staging demonstrations after their contract expired in August in an effort to retain low co-payments for health care.

Hotel management has said the demonstrations are hurting the San Francisco tourism industry, while union officials have said the hotel chains can afford to maintain health care benefits for workers, the story added.

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Zep Inc. acquires Amrep Inc. for $64.4 million

ATLANTA — Specialty chemical manufacturer Zep Inc. recently acquired maintenance chemical manufacturer Amrep Inc. for a price of approximately $64.4 million, according to a press release.

The acquisition of Amrep is an important strategic step in Zep Inc.'s efforts to utilize distribution to expand its presence, the release stated.

Amrep Inc. will operate as Zep Inc.'s ninth division and will maintain its current headquarters in Marietta, Georgia, the release noted.

According to the release, Zep, which expects the acquisition to provide an additional $100 million in annualized revenue, believes the acquisition will be earnings accretive within the first year.

John K. Morgan, chairman, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Zep Inc., said: "I am extremely pleased to welcome Amrep Inc. to the Zep Inc. family. Amrep has a strong and well-known reputation along with a solid customer base that we believe will seamlessly complement Zep Inc.'s current operations. There are meaningful synergies that, when achieved with prompt discipline, should add significant value to the combined organization. We look forward to partnering with Amrep to optimize potential synergies and efficiencies we believe exist within the overall supply chain, including the sourcing of raw materials, manufacturing and logistics. The combination of Zep Inc.'s existing product offering with Amrep's existing customer base and chemical formulations broadens our product line of best-in-class solutions and significantly increases our access to market."

Upon the closing of the transaction, Amrep Inc. became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zep Inc. but will maintain its commercial organizations, brands and go-to-market strategies, the release added.

Click here to read the complete release.

Scientists question effectiveness of mattress cleaning for dust-mite allergies

NEW YORK — Companies offering mattress sanitation services to combat dust-mite allergies do kill dust mites, but there is no proof the dust mites will stay away for good, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Dust mites, the microscopic arachnids that live in mattresses, pillows and other upholstery, are not harmful, but 18 to 30 percent of people are allergic to dust mite waste, the story stated.

According to the story, companies like Hygienitech Inc. and Dynamic Cleaning Systems Inc., both based out of Florida, utilize a variety of techniques like dry steam, ultraviolet-C light and high-powered vacuuming to remove dust mites from mattresses.

Cost of the service ranges from $45 to $80 depending on the company and the size of the mattress, the story stated.

Pediatric allergist and Professor Peyton Eggleston of John Hopkins Children's Hospital in Baltimore says that while these companies likely do kill dust mites, mattresses will probably go back to their original level of dust mites in about a month.

Eggleston said: "There really isn't any data in terms of treating mattresses, and what the effect short-term and long-term is."

According to the story, Hygienitech said it hired a lab to test the effectiveness of ultraviolet light and according to those findings claims its service removes 98 percent of mites and debris.

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IAQ project could cost taxpayers $7 million

BERLIN, CT — Proposed upgrades to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system at Catherine M. McGee Middle School could cost taxpayers as much as $7 million, according to the New Britain Herald News.

According to the story, an indoor air quality (IAQ) study commissioned by the Berlin Public Schools Board of Education in 2009 found that there is an ongoing problem with mold and permanent moisture causing headaches and rashes in students and staff.

Though the Catherine M. McGee Middle School classrooms were recently deep cleaned and wiped down with bleach, the IAQ is still a concern for many as complaints continue, the story stated.

Renovations are set to begin over the 2010 summer vacation and, although it will be expensive, the most cost-effective solution would be a four-pipe system that allows classroom temperatures to be individually controlled, the story noted.

John Pajor, superintendent of Berlin public buildings, said: "This is not a wish list or pie in the sky. It's what's necessary to make Catherine M. McGee Middle School operational."

Although there were no contaminants found in the air, the negative air pressure in the building is thought to be compounding the moisture problem and contributing to student and staff respiratory ailments, the story added.

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Window cleaning at the world's tallest building

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — As the world's tallest and arguably most impressive building, the Burj Khalifa has some unique requirements regarding cleaning and maintenance, notably to the windows that make the structure glisten to the Gods, according to the Gulf News.

To date, the 23,000 glass panels that make up the Burj Khalifa's exterior have only been cleaned by rope access, but 18 building maintenance units (BMUs) with specified cleaning ranges have been installed that allow workers easy maneuverability to clean the building's exterior, the story stated.

According to the story, under normal weather conditions, with all 18 BMUs in operation and 36 men manning the machines, the entire facade of the Burj Khalifa will take approximately two to three months to clean.

Theo van der Linde, operations manager at Cox Gomyl, manufacturer of the Burj Khalifa's BMUs, said: "The cleaning cycle is influenced by weather conditions; if we have a dust storm the windows will need to be cleaned more often; if we have a lot of rain the cleaning will be much faster. The normal cleaning cycle is four cycles per annum, always starting from the top going down to prevent dirty water from falling on clean windows. Also, during the summer, the windows become very hot so once water is applied to the glass it evaporates immediately. The cleaning cycle should follow the shaded area of the building. The BMUs, which took almost a year to install, had to be designed to operate in extreme conditions. Factors that had to be taken into account were wind speeds, movement of the building and extremely tight tolerances. The cleaning cycle also had to be taken into account given the size of the building."

According to the article, Megarme, a rope cleaning specialist contractor, is currently trying to secure the facade cleaning and maintenance contract at the 160-story Burj Khalifa.

All cleaning and maintenance workers are fully trained to meet Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) requirements and are then assessed, registered to an appropriate skill level and qualification and required to refresh their training at least once every three years, the story noted.

Because of the extreme threat from the sun, the work is planned around the positioning of the sun by using the natural shade of surrounding buildings, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article.

The USGBC approves 11 new online LEED preparation courses

TAMPA, FL — The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently approved 11 new online Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) exam preparation courses offered by RedVector Inc., according to a press release.

The new interactive offerings add 34 course hours to RedVector's industry-leading 95 USGBC-approved course hours, the release stated.

The new courses are ideal for LEED and Green Associate (LEED-GA) exam preparation, and for fulfilling the Continuing Maintenance (CM) requirement that will go into effect in mid-2010 for all LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED-AP) and Green Associates, the release noted.

Ryan Sparks, vice president of content for RedVector, said: "When RedVector joined the USGBC in January of 2009, we pledged to support the organization's initiatives and their goal to drive green market transformation through quality education. Since then, we've had the honor of becoming a USGBC-registered provider and have introduced industry-leading green online education exclusives in conjunction with the University of Tennessee's College of Architecture and Design."

Some of the newly approved courses include "Green Building: Commercial High-performance Guidelines," "Solar Electric Generation: Technologies," and "Biofilters: A Natural Approach to Storm Water Pollutant Removal," the release added.

Click here to read the complete release.

Oregon Contractor on trial over asbestos-related charges

SWEET HOME, OR — The owner of Western States Land Reliance Trust will see his asbestos case continue into 2010 after a judge decided to reconvene the hearings January 11, 2010, according to Business & Finance News.

Dan Desler and his company have been charged with crimes related to asbestos air pollution that resulted in fines of $192,343 by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, the story stated.

According to the story, Desler was arrested in April on multiple felony air pollution charges stemming from his alleged mishandling of asbestos-related material.

Desler, who faces seven counts of first-degree air pollution, must also answer to three counts of second-degree air pollution, supplying false information and reckless endangerment, the story noted.

Desler, who claims innocence, was performing work on a site, but stopped work in 2007 after the 153-acre property was found to contain asbestos, the story added.

According to the article, Desler immediately stopped work once the asbestos was discovered, but left 4 million pounds of asbestos-tainted debris, which was later cleaned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at an approximate cost of $1.1 million, uncovered on the site.

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Washington Transit Authority set to spend $7.5 million cleaning transit stations

WASHINGTON — The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority plans to spend $7.5 million to clean roughly half its stations between January 2010 and June 2011, according to the Washington Business Journal.

Most of the deep cleaning will be performed at night after services are suspended; it will take 20-90 days to completely clean each station, the story stated.

According to the story, the 42-station project will be divided into two stages, with the first round of cleaning slated to occur from January to June 2010.

Paul Gillum, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's director of plant maintenance, said: "Because of the work involved, all station cleaning activities occur in the middle of the night when the system closes and this allows us to conduct a full press on that station. Our dedicated employees take tremendous pride in restoring our train stations to like-new conditions and the work involved is meticulous because of what needs to be done."

The plans include pressure washing and painting ceilings and walls, refinishing station platforms and performing various other cleaning and maintenance tasks, the story noted.

Since the implementation of a station enhancement program in April 1991, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority has deep cleaned each of its stations every four years, the story added.

To view the complete list of stations to be cleaned, click here.

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Court in Pnnsylvania says no to protecting janitors' jobs

PITTSBURGH — In a 6-1 decision written by Justice Jane Cutler Greenspan, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that a Pittsburgh ordinance designed to protect janitors from losing their jobs in downtown office buildings violates Home Rule law, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Since the Pittsburgh City Council enacted an ordinace in 2004, building owners of facilities with more than 100,000 square feet of floor space, if switching security, janitorial, maintenance, stationary engineering or window washing contractors, must have the new firm hire the old firm's workers.

According to the story, if there are too many workers, some can be let go in order of seniority or fired for just cause; otherwise, they can't be fired or laid off for 180 days.

Several building managers challenged the law in the Allegheny County Common Pleas Court and the Commonwealth Court, claiming that it violated their right to contract, the story stated.

Although Pennsylvania state law prohibits municipalities from placing requirements on businesses, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) asked the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to review the case, the story noted.

Justice Jane Cutler Greenspan said: "By requiring employers to retain certain employees for approximately half a year, the ordinance exemplifies the very essence of the invasive regulations that Home Rule is designed to prevent and, indeed, strictly prohibits."

With the passing of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court decission, janitors working in downtown Pittsburgh office buildings have few protections from losing their jobs if service providers are changed, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article.

Hamilton College receives LEED certification at the Gold level

CLINTON, NY — Hamilton College was recently awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification at the Gold level for its renovation of the 40-year-old Kirner-Johnson building, according to the Oneida Daily Dispatch.

It is Hamilton College's policy to build all new structures to LEED standards, regardless of whether or not the college decides to seek actual certification, a timely and costly process, the story stated.

Hamilton College has purchased renewable energy certificates for this coming fiscal year that include 100 percent renewable energy to be used in the Kirner-Johnson building, the story noted.

According to the story, by purchasing "green" power, Hamilton College is a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Green Power Partnership.

Economics Professor Paul Hagstrom said: "As the users of Kirner-Johnson, we appreciate that, along with the function and aesthetics of the space, the college was dedicated to incorporating sustainable design."

Thanks to environmentally preferable upgrades, the Kirner-Johnson building will operate with a 25-28 percent reduction in energy usage, the story added.

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The EPA fines the University of Florida $175,000

GAINESVILLE, FL — The University of Florida has agreed to pay a $175,000 fine to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for alleged environmental violations that include illegally disposing of hundreds of gallons of a toxic chemical on campus for nearly two decades, according to the Gainesville Sun.

Tetrachloroethylene, or PCE, which the University of Florida has ceased using, is a solvent used to clean lawn mowers and weed eaters, the story stated.

According to the story, although concentrations of the chemical 25 times above the level allowed by the EPA were found in the surrounding soil and groundwater, EPA officials say the level of contamination is low and the risk of human exposure is minimal.

During an unannounced EPA inspection in March 2008, inspectors found that University of Florida employees were spraying lawn equipment with a degreasing agent that was allowed to dry and then washed off with a hose, releasing some potentially harmful contaminants into the local environment, the story noted.

Bill Properzio, director of the University of Florida's Environmental Health and Safety Department, said: "I guess the assumption had been made that if you followed the manufacturer's instructions, you were OK."

According to the article, the University of Florida used between 275 and 412.5 gallons of the chemical over an 18-year period dating back to 1990.

Since the inspection, the University of Florida has spent roughly $67,000 determining the level of contamination, and once testing is complete and a cleanup plan is in place, the university will be required to pay for its implementation, the story added.

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Study: Bacteria becoming immune to disinfectants

GALWAY, Ireland — A new study by the National University of Ireland at Galway that was published in the journal Microbiology suggests that certain bacteria have adapted to survive not only common antibiotics, but also the disinfectants used to clean surfaces, according to LiveScience.

According to the story, researchers, who focused on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium responsible for a range of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), found that the bacteria — when exposed to disinfectants — were able to efficiently pump out antimicrobial agents, causing a genetic mutation that allowed them to resist various antibiotics, specifically ciprofloxacin.

Though more research is needed, the new study suggests disinfectants may be part of the problem of resistant bacteria, the story stated.

Dr. Gerard Fleming of the National University of Ireland in Galway and lead researcher said: "In principle, this means that residue from incorrectly diluted disinfectants left on hospital surfaces could promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. What is more worrying is that bacteria seem to be able to adapt to resist antibiotics without even being exposed to them. We need to investigate the effects of using more than one type of disinfectant on promoting antibiotic-resistant strains. This will increase the effectiveness of both our first and second lines of defense against HAIs."

Studying the environmental factors that might promote resistant bacteria is very important as superbugs like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have become a deadly and growing problem in hospitals in recent years, the story noted.

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Contractor in Guam can no longer clean restrooms for free

HAGATNA, Guam — Public restrooms in parks around the island of Guam will go uncleaned if the government does not settle its outstanding debt, according to KTGM-TV.

Advanced Management Inc., the company contracted to provide cleaning services in park restrooms on the island, allegedly has not been paid in months and owner Monte Mcdowell can no longer afford to clean the 16 restrooms for free, the story stated.

According to the story, Mcdowell claims he has not been paid since July and that his company is owed $132,000 for services rendered.

The Guam Department of Administration says the only invoices pending in their system total $3,645, the story noted.

Mcdowell, who says if he gets paid in the next couple of days he will continue to honor his contract, notes that Advanced Management Inc. cannot afford to pay its employees without getting paid by the government for the work they've performed, the story added.

According to the article, Mcdowell has yet to bill the Guam Department of Parks and Recreation for the month of December, which he claims will add another $30,000 to the outstanding total.

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Rodent infestation closes Pennsylvania State Capitol cafeteria

HARRISBURG, PA — The cafeteria at the Pennsylvania State Capitol, which is operated by the ARAMARK Corporation, was closed last week while crews performed deep cleaning after Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture inspectors found evidence of a rodent infestation, according to the Patriot-News.

The cafeteria, which previously had not been inspected for several years, is expected to remain closed until after the new year, the story stated.

Justin Fleming, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, said: "There were mouse droppings around the facility too numerous to mention."

The droppings, which indicate the presence of live mice, are considered an imminent health risk and have been known to potentially carry hantavirus, the story noted.

Although employees spent the weekend cleaning the entire cafeteria and fixing other health-related problems, ARAMARK is waiting to have the facility reinspected to ensure complete compliance with the health inspection requirements, the story added.

Sarah Jarvis, an ARAMARK Spokeswoman, said: "Our priority is to ensure that the food served at the Capitol building is of the highest quality and prepared [in] the safest environment possible. We take all violations and suggestions very seriously."

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Swiffer becomes the official cleaner of the Children's Museum of Indianapolis

CINCINNATI — The Procter & Gamble Company's Swiffer brand recently became the official cleaner of the world's largest children's museum, according to a press release.

Swiffer products will now be used throughout the 479,000-square-foot Children's Museum of Indianapolis to trap and lock dust and dirt in every exhibit it houses, the release stated.

As the official cleaner, Swiffer Dusters will be tasked to clean the museum's 43-foot-tall Fireworks of Glass exhibit, the release noted.

Jeff Patchen, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, said: "Dale Chihuly's artwork (Fireworks of Glass) is one of the centerpieces of our museum, and the preferred dusting solution to help keep it clean and dust-free is Swiffer. After seeing how well it works on such a delicate piece of art as Chihuly's piece, we wanted to deepen our partnership with Swiffer to help keep our exhibits clean and dust-free for our young visitors to enjoy."

Swiffer Dusters use thousands of fluffy fibers that gently change shape to fit anywhere to trap and lock dust and dirt better than traditional feather dusters, the release added.

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MBCR adopts steam vapor to clean their passenger coaches

BOSTON — To ensure the cleanest possible riding environment for its customers, the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company (MBCR) recently announced the introduction of a new vapor sanitizing system to clean passenger coaches, according to a press release.

The steam vapor system from Advanced Vapor Technologies LLC safely removes grease, grime and stains in a cost-effective manner without harming the environment, the release stated.

Richard A. Davey, general manager of MBCR, said: "A sanitary, comfortable passenger coach is an essential part of a commuter's experience. The introduction of Advanced Vapor Technologies' proprietary steam vapor cleaning equipment into service will help us provide cleaner, fresher coaches for passengers during travel."

The system works on a wide range of materials, including vinyl, stainless steel and plastic-type surfaces, making it ideal for cleaning environments like that of MBCR's passenger coaches, the release noted.

Steam vapor cleaning technology, which eradicates a wide range of bacteria and pathogens while reducing potential indoor hazards due to reduced chemical use — all with tap water — will help improve the indoor environmental quality of MBCR's passenger coaches, the release added.

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Austin, MN Public Schools approve $12 million bond to improve IAQ

AUSTIN, MN — Six Austin Public Schools will soon have better indoor air quality thanks to the approval of a $12 million bond, according to KIMT-TV.

According to the story, the entire project will be financed by a private national lending house on Wall Street and taxpayers will not see an increase from the project.

Upgrades to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, including dehumidification improvements, will be performed this summer at Banfield Elementary School, Ellis Middle School, Southgate Elementary School, the Woodson Kindergarten Center, Neveln Elementary School and Sumner Elementary School, the story stated.

Director of the Austin Public Schools' Finance and Operations Mark Stotts said: "Indoor air quality is kind of the new buzz word when it comes to facilities. And it is important, you know, as kids and staff have allergies and those types of things."

The Austin Public Schools have 16 years to pay back the bond with an interest rate between 1 and 1½ percent, the story noted.

The Austin Public Schools School Board will begin accepting bids from contractors in the next few weeks — with the project going to the lowest bidder — and will finalize the bid January 11, 2010, the story added.

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