BINGHAMTON, NY — Following the horrific events that unfolded last Friday at the American Civic Association in Binghamton, NY, the American Bio-Recovery Association (ABRA) has completed the cleanup, according to a press release.
The ABRA, a non-profit international association of crime and trauma scene professionals sought help from two local companies to assist in the biorecovery cleanup efforts, the release stated.
Disaster Cleanup of Endwell, NY, and Bio-Recovery Corporation of New York, NY, donated their labor and supplies to professionally and legally remediate the scene with a crew of six highly skilled biorecovery technicians, the release noted.
As a community service, the ABRA provided no cost biohazard cleanup services to the non-profit American Civic Association in hopes of helping the community heal from the loss of 13 innocent would-be American citizens and the wounding of four others, the release added.
The thoughts and prayers of the CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management® and CM/Cleanfax® staff go out to all of the friends and families affected by this tragedy.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thirty sickened by norovirus at Michigan State University
EAST LANSING, MI — Two more students at Michigan State University have been sickened by norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal infection whose eradication requires extensive cleaning of surfaces, bringing the total of hospitalized students to 30, according to the Lansing State Journal.
Disinfection efforts were continuing at Shaw Hall, which was closed last Wednesday and where many of the infected students either resided or dined; the building is expected to reopen today, the story stated.
Symptoms of norovirus include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and can last anywhere from a few days to a week, the story added.
Disinfection efforts were continuing at Shaw Hall, which was closed last Wednesday and where many of the infected students either resided or dined; the building is expected to reopen today, the story stated.
Symptoms of norovirus include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and can last anywhere from a few days to a week, the story added.
LEED-Gold certified juvenile justice center
SAN LEANDRO, CA — The 379,000-square-foot Alameda County Juvenile Justice Center that houses five courtrooms, nine related agencies and 360 beds, is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certified, according to Corrections.com.
Some of the attributes in the complex that was planned, designed and now operates as a green facility, are water-efficient irrigation systems and waterless urinals that save around 7,000,000 gallons of water annually, the story stated.
The entire facility is cleaned using only green-certified cleaning chemicals and products, adding to its environmentally friendly aspects, the story noted.
Steven Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group, said: "Don’t forget the intangible savings that often result from the use of environmentally preferable cleaning products. We now know that a number of health problems — from respiratory ailments such as asthma to headaches, dizziness and fatigue — have been tied to conventional cleaning products. When inmates get sick, it costs the facility — and ultimately the taxpayer — more money."
Given the current economic state, it is a rare opportunity when a facility can be cleaner, healthier and more fiscally responsible all at the same time, the story added.
Some of the attributes in the complex that was planned, designed and now operates as a green facility, are water-efficient irrigation systems and waterless urinals that save around 7,000,000 gallons of water annually, the story stated.
The entire facility is cleaned using only green-certified cleaning chemicals and products, adding to its environmentally friendly aspects, the story noted.
Steven Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group, said: "Don’t forget the intangible savings that often result from the use of environmentally preferable cleaning products. We now know that a number of health problems — from respiratory ailments such as asthma to headaches, dizziness and fatigue — have been tied to conventional cleaning products. When inmates get sick, it costs the facility — and ultimately the taxpayer — more money."
Given the current economic state, it is a rare opportunity when a facility can be cleaner, healthier and more fiscally responsible all at the same time, the story added.
Meth lab cleanup laws scrutinized
INDIANAPOLIS — A two-year-old Indiana law that requires property owners to cover the costs of a methamphetamine lab cleanup is being scrutinized as the epidemic becomes widespread, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The average cleanup cost for a methamphetamine lab in Indiana ranges anywhere from $5,000 to $35,000 depending on the length of time the lab was functioning and the level of contamination, the story stated.
Indiana State Police and other local and federal agencies uncovered 1,092 labs in the state in 2008, a 31 percent increase from 2007.
The fumes from the toxic chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine soak into virtually every porous surface, including carpet, drywall, upholstery and ceiling tile, and then are gassed off over time, leading to nausea, headaches, malaise and even memory loss, the story noted.
The law that took effect in March 2007 sets stringent standards for cleanup and says properties where methamphetamine was manufactured, or "cooked," cannot be sold, rented or occupied until they are deemed safe by a state-certified inspector, the story added.
According to the story, it is often cheaper to demolish a former methamphetamine lab site, especially in the case of mobile homes, than it is to pay for remediation.
The average cleanup cost for a methamphetamine lab in Indiana ranges anywhere from $5,000 to $35,000 depending on the length of time the lab was functioning and the level of contamination, the story stated.
Indiana State Police and other local and federal agencies uncovered 1,092 labs in the state in 2008, a 31 percent increase from 2007.
The fumes from the toxic chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine soak into virtually every porous surface, including carpet, drywall, upholstery and ceiling tile, and then are gassed off over time, leading to nausea, headaches, malaise and even memory loss, the story noted.
The law that took effect in March 2007 sets stringent standards for cleanup and says properties where methamphetamine was manufactured, or "cooked," cannot be sold, rented or occupied until they are deemed safe by a state-certified inspector, the story added.
According to the story, it is often cheaper to demolish a former methamphetamine lab site, especially in the case of mobile homes, than it is to pay for remediation.
First Green Seal-certified hotel in Texas
HOUSTON — The Hilton Americas-Houston hotel has earned Green Seal certification, making it the first and only hotel in the state to bear such a distinction, according to the Houston Business Journal.
In order to comply with the Green Seal Environmental Standard for Lodging Properties, the hotel implemented an extensive recycling program, initiated food waste composting, installed compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs and began using nontoxic and biodegradable cleaning products, the story stated.
To qualify for certification, a hotel must demonstrate sustainable practices in waste minimization; energy efficiency, conservation and management; management of fresh water resources; wastewater management; hazardous substances management; and environmentally sensitive purchasing, the story noted.
According to the story, the 1,203-room, 91,500-square-foot Hilton Americas-Houston hotel exceeded basic requirements and achieved certification at the silver level.
Certification requires an evaluation by Green Seal, including an on-site audit of the property and annual monitoring to ensure ongoing compliance, the story added.
In order to comply with the Green Seal Environmental Standard for Lodging Properties, the hotel implemented an extensive recycling program, initiated food waste composting, installed compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs and began using nontoxic and biodegradable cleaning products, the story stated.
To qualify for certification, a hotel must demonstrate sustainable practices in waste minimization; energy efficiency, conservation and management; management of fresh water resources; wastewater management; hazardous substances management; and environmentally sensitive purchasing, the story noted.
According to the story, the 1,203-room, 91,500-square-foot Hilton Americas-Houston hotel exceeded basic requirements and achieved certification at the silver level.
Certification requires an evaluation by Green Seal, including an on-site audit of the property and annual monitoring to ensure ongoing compliance, the story added.
Mold and roaches found throughout school
WILMINGTON, NC — A recent health inspection score of 70.5 at E. A. Laney High School revealed a serious problem — roaches in classrooms, mold in the gym bathroom, fieldhouse and on floors, baseboards and walls throughout the school, according to the Wilmington Star-News.
The heavy scrubbing and deep cleaning operation needed to clean and remediate the dirt and mold festering throughout the school will continue through next week while the students are on spring break, the story stated.
Susan Wright, environmental health program specialist with the New Hanover County Health Department, said: "The previous school building inspection, conducted on June 4, 2008, had a final score of 71. Considering that every item marked on the current inspection was a repeat violation and the score remained consistent clearly indicates that some improvements have been made but obviously more are needed."
According to the story, a health inspection score below 70 would warrant the immediate closure of an establishment.
The 30-year-old, 2,000 plus student school is operating with a custodial staff of nine, and the New Hanover County School District plans to drastically cut that number in the next year, the story noted.
A "clean team" consisting of custodians from other schools within the district was brought in to assist in cleaning the school; according to school officials, the operation was planned before the health inspection report came out, the story added.
The heavy scrubbing and deep cleaning operation needed to clean and remediate the dirt and mold festering throughout the school will continue through next week while the students are on spring break, the story stated.
Susan Wright, environmental health program specialist with the New Hanover County Health Department, said: "The previous school building inspection, conducted on June 4, 2008, had a final score of 71. Considering that every item marked on the current inspection was a repeat violation and the score remained consistent clearly indicates that some improvements have been made but obviously more are needed."
According to the story, a health inspection score below 70 would warrant the immediate closure of an establishment.
The 30-year-old, 2,000 plus student school is operating with a custodial staff of nine, and the New Hanover County School District plans to drastically cut that number in the next year, the story noted.
A "clean team" consisting of custodians from other schools within the district was brought in to assist in cleaning the school; according to school officials, the operation was planned before the health inspection report came out, the story added.
Citigroup to lay off 107 custodians
NEW YORK — Just weeks after the anti-union position taken by Citigroup in their opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act, the company announced plans to lay off over one-third of their custodial workforce responsible for maintaining six properties, according to the Huffington Post.
In response to the 107 proposed layoffs, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 32BJ, the representative body for the custodians, proposed that Citigroup decrease the number of positions cut and provide severance packages and Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) health insurance to those impacted by the decision, the story stated.
According to Cushman & Wakefield, the property management company contracted by Citigroup, "We are engaged in good faith negotiations with SEIU Local 32BJ and are working on a solution that will be responsive to market conditions and the issues raised by the union. We have and continue to comply with both the spirit and letter of the current bargaining agreement and hope to resolve the matter to everyone's satisfaction."
Citigroup hopes to save an estimated $6.5 million by laying off the custodians, the story noted.
Many are wondering why the layoffs are necessary, as Citigroup was the recipient of a recent $50 billion taxpayer bailout that was intended to save jobs, the story added.
In response to the 107 proposed layoffs, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 32BJ, the representative body for the custodians, proposed that Citigroup decrease the number of positions cut and provide severance packages and Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) health insurance to those impacted by the decision, the story stated.
According to Cushman & Wakefield, the property management company contracted by Citigroup, "We are engaged in good faith negotiations with SEIU Local 32BJ and are working on a solution that will be responsive to market conditions and the issues raised by the union. We have and continue to comply with both the spirit and letter of the current bargaining agreement and hope to resolve the matter to everyone's satisfaction."
Citigroup hopes to save an estimated $6.5 million by laying off the custodians, the story noted.
Many are wondering why the layoffs are necessary, as Citigroup was the recipient of a recent $50 billion taxpayer bailout that was intended to save jobs, the story added.
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