Study: Pregnant janitors put babies at risk for birth defects

HOUSTON, TX — Findings from a recent study by the National Birth Defects Prevention Network claim that women who are janitors are more likely to have children born with health concerns, according to KABC-TV.

The new study does not explain why janitorial jobs are more hazardous, but previous research has shown a chemical exposure connection, the story stated.

Dr. Juan Silva, a family and prenatal medicine expert, said: "Mothers that worked as janitors, cleaners or scientists, the study implies that they are at great risk for having children with neural tube defects. Certain chemical exposure would put you at a greater risk for having children with neural tube defects."

The study was based on phone interviews with about 12,500 mothers between 1997 and 2003, many of whom had children with various defects including ear, eye or gastrointestinal problems and cleft abnormalities, the story noted.

According to the story, the mothers were interviewed about the kind of job that they had at the time they became pregnant to the end of their first trimester; experts say this is a critical time for healthy fetal development.

Many feel that the findings are too preliminary to draw concrete conclusions, but it underscores the need for pregnant women janitors to speak with their supervisors about the chemicals they use and how they can protect themselves, the story added.

To read the study in its entirety, click here.

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My Maid Service Earns Coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award

Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

01.12.2010 – My Maid Service has been awarded the prestigious 2009 Angie’s List Super Service Award.

The Super Service Award, now celebrating its 11th year, is reserved for companies who have achieved and maintained a superior service rating on Angie's List – the nation’s leading provider of consumer ratings on local service companies – throughout the past year. Fewer than 5 percent of the companies on Angie's List meet the eligibility requirements to be considered for the award.

“Our Super Service Award winners are the cream of the crop when it comes to providing the best customer service,” said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List.

Cincinnati-based My Maid Service is a residential and commercial cleaning company that provides a wide range of services, from mopping floors, vacuuming, dusting and changing bed linens to cleaning carpets and windows. The My Maid Service team is professional and efficient. My Maid Service also provide SAFE CLEAN, a service that uses only nontoxic, natural products, free of harsh chemicals and fumes, that are biodegradable, hypoallergenic, earth-friendly, not tested on animals and recyclable, at no additional cost. For more information, visit My Made Service.

“This award represents our commitment to quality,” said Derek Christian, owner and president of My Maid Service. “It means a lot to us that we are in this elite group.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award winners have maintained a total and overall grade of "A;" have received a minimum number of reports; are NOT in the Angie's List "Penalty Box” and do NOT have an unsatisfactory rating with the Better Business Bureau.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List, but members can find the 2009 Super Service Award logo next to company names in search results on AngiesList.com.

Angie’s List is where thousands of consumers share their ratings and reviews on local contractors and companies in more than 500 different categories. Currently, more than 1 million consumers across the U.S. rely on Angie’s List to help them find the right contractor or company for the job they need done. Members have unlimited access to the list via Internet or phone; receive the award-winning Angie’s List magazine, which includes articles on home improvement and maintenance, consumer trends and scam alerts; and they can utilize the Angie’s List complaint resolution service. Get more information about Angie’s List at Angies list View the latest Angie's List News Releases in our Press Center and read Angie’s blog at www.angiehicksblog.com.

Direct Link: My Made Service

EPA recognizes sustainable hospitals with Trailblazer Award

WASHINGTON D.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently recognized several hospitals for their environmental leadership efforts and their commitment to pollution prevention, according to a press release.

According to the release, the Trailblazer Award recognizes hospitals across the EPA's region 3 — Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington — that have stepped up their sustainable practices.

The six Trailblazer Award winners from the state of Maryland are: the Atlantic General Hospital; the Franklin Square Hospital Center; LifeBridge Health; the Montgomery General Hospital; the University of Maryland Medical Center; and the Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System, the release stated.

Virginia Thompson, sustainable health care sector manager for the mid-Atlantic region of the EPA, said: "These hospitals are successfully demonstrating leadership and innovation in reducing their environmental footprint. They have undertaken a challenging task and have produced measurable results in many cases, demonstrating what can be accomplished when hospitals take advantage both of senior executive support and grounds-up initiative from across the hospitals' many departments."

Nominations were reviewed by a panel of judges from the EPA and other organizations involved in working to move health care toward sustainable operations; all award decisions were made based solely on the merits of the information provided in the award nomination, the release noted.

Others regional Trailblazer Award winners include the Pennsylvania Hospital, the Doylestown Hospital and the Christiana Care Health System, the release added.

Click here to read the complete release.

ABM Industries sees a 30 percent profit increase

NEW YORK — ABM Industries Inc. recently reported their fiscal fourth-quarter earnings that include a profit increase of 30 percent, according to a press release.

The company, which provides janitorial, parking, security and other services, posted a net income of $15 million, compared to $11.6 million in the year-ago quarter, the release stated

Quarterly revenue fell 4.2 percent to $868 million and overall quarterly expenses were down 4 percent, the release noted.

For the year, profit rose 19 percent to $54.3 million, up from $45.3 million a year ago, the release added.

According to the release, earnings per share were consistent with what was expected from analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Click here to read the complete release.

Discovery of mercury in janitor's closet prompts school closure

WOONSOCKET, RI — Students at Woonsocket Middle School are getting an unexpected three-day weekend after state and school officials agreed it is in everyone's best interest to close the school as a precaution following a mercury spill, according to WLNE-TV.

According to the story, a small amount of mercury was discovered earlier in the week while a janitor's closet was being cleaned out.

The spill was cleaned up, the area vented and the air was tested and deemed safe and within the acceptable range, the story stated.

A follow-up check yesterday found elevated — but still acceptable — levels of vapor in the closet, prompting the joint decision from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, the Rhode Island Department of Health and the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to close the school, the story noted.

Students and staff from Woonsocket Middle School are moving into two new buildings and today would have been the last day of classes in the current building, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article.

Allegan County looks to save money by outsourcing custodial services

ALLEGAN, MI — In an effort to save money, Allegan County will outsource its custodial operations by February 2010, according to the Holland Sentinel.

According to the story, The Allegan County Board of Commissioners recently approved a bid from CSM Services to clean eight county buildings.

Allegan County, which currently spends $443,000 per year for labor and cleaning supplies, will save $183,000 each year of the proposed three-year contract, the story stated.

Commissioner Fritz Spreitzer said: "They've given loyal service. They do a good job. There are other areas to look at before we get rid of people."

Current Allegan County custodians are highly encouraged to apply for positions with CSM Services; many commissioners hope they receive preferential treatment from the contractor, the story noted.

Though CSM Services was not the lowest bid, their offer to provide custodial services in eight buildings for $260,000 a year was accepted, the story added.

Bob Wakeman, Allegan County Facilities Management director, said: "A lot of things entered in to it other than the dollar amount. Some said they could do twice the work in half the time. Something just didn't equate."

Click here to read the complete article.

ARAMARK to cut 118 jobs

NORWELL, MA — The ARAMARK Corporation has plans to cut 118 jobs at its Wearguard-Crest apparel plant at the end of December, according to the Patriot Ledger.

The layoffs had been anticipated since the company told employees over the summer that it had put the Norwell facility up for sale and would move much of its manufacturing operations to other plants in the states of Nevada and Virginia, the story stated.

ARAMARK spokeswoman Sarah Jarvis said: "While never an easy decision, ARAMARK is committed to treating those who are leaving with dignity and respect, and doing as much as we can to ease their transition."

The cuts, effective December 31, 2009, affect 58 distribution jobs, 42 manufacturing jobs and a handful of support staff, the story noted.

It remains unclear how many employees will remain after the layoffs, but ARAMARK has said they will maintain a presence on Norwell, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article.