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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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.

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."

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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.

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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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