PHILADELPHIA — Specialty chemical manufacturer Rohm & Haas saw an 82 percent decrease in profits for the fiscal fourth-quarter, according to MarketWatch.
Quarterly profits fell from $180 million in 2007 to $32 million in 2008, the story stated.
Driven by accelerating market declines, quarterly sales fell 13 percent, the story noted.
According to a company statement: "The impact of softer demand, higher raw-material and energy costs, and the negative operating impact of volume shortfalls were partially offset by prior pricing actions."
Adjusted pre-tax earnings for the quarter plummeted 68 percent to $31 million, the story added.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Mold forces migration of students
ATHENS, GA — A leaky steam pipe that caused mold growth has forced several students in Mell Hall to seek new homes, according to Red and Black, an independent student newspaper serving the University of Georgia.
One student said she noticed an orange-brown mold taking over her dorm wall and poking out from behind her posters; maintenance attempted to eradicate it with Formula 409 cleaner but the problem continued, the story stated.
Rick Gibson, director of Residential Hall Education and Services, said: "To the best of my knowledge, no one is at risk. It's not like there is this huge mold problem in Mell Hall or any other halls. At certain points in the year the moisture can lead to mold. It's not black mold."
The problem began during Thanksgiving break, after which many students were told any mold problems in their rooms would be fixed; however, the mold got worse and remediation will not be completed until mid-February at the earliest, the story noted.
Some students forced to move off campus because of the debacle have petitioned for rent compensation; their petitions would be considered, though not necessarily accepted, the story added.
One student said she noticed an orange-brown mold taking over her dorm wall and poking out from behind her posters; maintenance attempted to eradicate it with Formula 409 cleaner but the problem continued, the story stated.
Rick Gibson, director of Residential Hall Education and Services, said: "To the best of my knowledge, no one is at risk. It's not like there is this huge mold problem in Mell Hall or any other halls. At certain points in the year the moisture can lead to mold. It's not black mold."
The problem began during Thanksgiving break, after which many students were told any mold problems in their rooms would be fixed; however, the mold got worse and remediation will not be completed until mid-February at the earliest, the story noted.
Some students forced to move off campus because of the debacle have petitioned for rent compensation; their petitions would be considered, though not necessarily accepted, the story added.
Janitor arrested for lewd conduct
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.
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.
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.
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