NEWARK, CA — A Schilling Elementary School janitor was charged late last week with two felony counts of lewd conduct with a female student who attends an afterschool program at the school, according to The Argus.
Manuel Joseph Castro was arraigned for the incidents that took place in December 2008 and January 2009, the story stated.
The Newark School District refused to comment on whether or not Castro remains employed at the school, the story noted.
Superintendent Kevin Harrigan said: "The district is acting with integrity and in support of appropriate policies and procedures to ensure safety."
Castro is being held at the Santa Rita Jail where his bail is set at $120,000, the story added.
Monday, February 16, 2009
EPA explores pilot for disinfectants and sanitizers
WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will conduct an internal pilot in conjunction with the Agency’s Design for the Environment program (DfE) to further explore a policy change that would allow claims of environmental preferability to non-porous hard surface disinfectants and sanitizers, according to a press release.
The purpose of the internal pilot is to increase the understanding between EPA’s DfE scientists and the pesticide registration review staff as to what a review for environmental preferability entails and how that might interface with the pesticide registration process; by law, disinfectants are regulated as pesticides, the release stated.
Stephen Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group, said: "The internal pilot announced by EPA is a prudent and necessary step in developing a green claims policy that ensures both the continued efficacy of disinfectants, and which allows purchasers to make informed decisions when selecting products with a preferred environmental, safety and health profile."
Under the internal pilot, both DfE and Office of Pesticide Program (OPP) staff will conduct concurrent evaluations of products previously recognized under the DfE program which mimic antimicrobial pesticide formulations, the release noted.
EPA also decided to evaluate a parallel approach by which factual claims could be made about a product’s green attributes, the release added.
The purpose of the internal pilot is to increase the understanding between EPA’s DfE scientists and the pesticide registration review staff as to what a review for environmental preferability entails and how that might interface with the pesticide registration process; by law, disinfectants are regulated as pesticides, the release stated.
Stephen Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group, said: "The internal pilot announced by EPA is a prudent and necessary step in developing a green claims policy that ensures both the continued efficacy of disinfectants, and which allows purchasers to make informed decisions when selecting products with a preferred environmental, safety and health profile."
Under the internal pilot, both DfE and Office of Pesticide Program (OPP) staff will conduct concurrent evaluations of products previously recognized under the DfE program which mimic antimicrobial pesticide formulations, the release noted.
EPA also decided to evaluate a parallel approach by which factual claims could be made about a product’s green attributes, the release added.
$1.6 million toilets collect dust
ATLANTA — The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has decided to remove a dozen self-cleaning toilets installed less than three years ago due to their incessant faulty operation, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The $1.6 million seven-foot-tall automatic toilets, complete with sinks, cannot handle high-volume usage and more than half of them were broken at any given time for various mechanical reasons, the story stated.
State Senator Vincent Fort said: "What was going to be cost savings turned out to be cost-prohibitive. Why didn’t MARTA know the capacity of these units?”
By removing the toilets from the Five Points station, MARTA hopes to save about $945,000 in costs for attendants, janitors and repairs, the story noted.
The toilets will be stored in a warehouse until a less busy station is decided on for their re-installation, the story added.
The $1.6 million seven-foot-tall automatic toilets, complete with sinks, cannot handle high-volume usage and more than half of them were broken at any given time for various mechanical reasons, the story stated.
State Senator Vincent Fort said: "What was going to be cost savings turned out to be cost-prohibitive. Why didn’t MARTA know the capacity of these units?”
By removing the toilets from the Five Points station, MARTA hopes to save about $945,000 in costs for attendants, janitors and repairs, the story noted.
The toilets will be stored in a warehouse until a less busy station is decided on for their re-installation, the story added.
Exploding dust bill
WASHINGTON — U.S. Representatives George Miller, John Barrow and Lynn Woolsey have introduced a bill that would require the Occupational Safety and Health Organization (OSHA) to issue a regulation to prevent combustible dust explosions, according to Occupational Health & Safety.
The Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust Explosions and Fires Act would direct OSHA to issue an interim rule within 90 days and a final rule within 18 months of the bill's enactment; it also would direct OSHA to add combustible dusts to its Hazard Communication standard, the story stated.
George Miller said: "This deadly workplace hazard has been known and understood too long for us to continue to do nothing. [Tuesday's] news that another combustible dust explosion occurred in Wisconsin is further evidence that our nation needs to act. I hope that with today's bill introduction and the arrival of a new administration, our nation will finally help workers and business stop these preventable and, all too often, deadly explosions."
OSHA claims they are already doing enough with stepped-up enforcement and have sufficient standards to address combustible dusts, the story noted.
The introduction of the bill comes on the heels of the one-year anniversary of the Imperial Sugar mill explosion and fire in Port Wentworth, Georgia, the story added.
The Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust Explosions and Fires Act would direct OSHA to issue an interim rule within 90 days and a final rule within 18 months of the bill's enactment; it also would direct OSHA to add combustible dusts to its Hazard Communication standard, the story stated.
George Miller said: "This deadly workplace hazard has been known and understood too long for us to continue to do nothing. [Tuesday's] news that another combustible dust explosion occurred in Wisconsin is further evidence that our nation needs to act. I hope that with today's bill introduction and the arrival of a new administration, our nation will finally help workers and business stop these preventable and, all too often, deadly explosions."
OSHA claims they are already doing enough with stepped-up enforcement and have sufficient standards to address combustible dusts, the story noted.
The introduction of the bill comes on the heels of the one-year anniversary of the Imperial Sugar mill explosion and fire in Port Wentworth, Georgia, the story added.
Janitor steals from charity
TONAWANDA, NY — A janitor at Mullen Elementary School was charged with four counts of petty larceny for stealing money donated to the Make-A-Wish foundation, according to The Tonawanda News.
School administrators suspected members of the janitorial staff because they have keys to all of the classrooms and are inside the school after hours, the story stated.
Michelle M. Bennett admitted to stealing charity funds from a teacher's desk on three separate occasions after she was caught on camera stealing $48 from a drawer during a staged sting, the story noted.
Bennett was released on an appearance ticket and was told by district officials not to return to school property, the story added.
School administrators suspected members of the janitorial staff because they have keys to all of the classrooms and are inside the school after hours, the story stated.
Michelle M. Bennett admitted to stealing charity funds from a teacher's desk on three separate occasions after she was caught on camera stealing $48 from a drawer during a staged sting, the story noted.
Bennett was released on an appearance ticket and was told by district officials not to return to school property, the story added.
Procter & Gamble sees 53 percent profit increase
CINCINNATI — JanSan product manufacturer Procter & Gamble reported a 53 percent profit increase for the second quarter of the fiscal year, according to The New York Times.
Earnings were $5 billion, compared to $3.27 billion in the year-ago quarter; the sale of their Folgers coffee brand aided significantly in the earnings and profits increases, the story stated.
Sales fell slightly from $21.04 billion to $20.37 billion, the story noted.
Sales declined in the quarter as a result of lower volume and a stronger dollar, the story added.
Earnings were $5 billion, compared to $3.27 billion in the year-ago quarter; the sale of their Folgers coffee brand aided significantly in the earnings and profits increases, the story stated.
Sales fell slightly from $21.04 billion to $20.37 billion, the story noted.
Sales declined in the quarter as a result of lower volume and a stronger dollar, the story added.
Norovirus Strikes Catholic University of America
WASHINGTON — At least 36 students at Catholic University of America have contracted norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal virus whose eradication requires extensive cleaning of surfaces, according to the Washington Post.
In an effort to curb the virus' spread, the university sanitized several buildings and stressed proper hygiene to students, the story stated.
The first case was reported on January 21; symptoms included vomiting, diarrhea and general discomfort, the story noted.
Dozens of students fell ill when norovirus previously stuck the university in 2006, the story added.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no antiviral medication that works against norovirus and there is no vaccine to prevent infection.
In an effort to curb the virus' spread, the university sanitized several buildings and stressed proper hygiene to students, the story stated.
The first case was reported on January 21; symptoms included vomiting, diarrhea and general discomfort, the story noted.
Dozens of students fell ill when norovirus previously stuck the university in 2006, the story added.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no antiviral medication that works against norovirus and there is no vaccine to prevent infection.
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