You Can't Hide from the EPA - Futgitive Arrested on Abestos Fraud

Well , you just can't hide from the EPA, yes it may take a while but the EPA always gets there man, er... woman!

WASHINGTON — Nineteen months after she fled her federal sentencing hearing, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fugitive Albania Deleon was captured on Saturday in the Dominican Republic, according to a press release.


Deleon was wanted by EPA for certifying individuals as having asbestos removal training when they never took the required course, the release noted.
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What do you do after a Fire has struck your home or business

Recovering from a fire can be a physically and mentally draining process. When fire strikes, lives are suddenly turned around. Often, the hardest part is knowing where to begin and who to contact.

 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) United States Fire Administration (USFA) has gathered the following information to assist you in this time of need. You will need to take action immediately on some of the suggestions. Some actions may be needed in the future, while others will be ongoing. This information is intended to give you the assistance needed to help you as you begin rebuilding your life.

Click Here to Download the FEMA Booklet

ServiceMaster Anytime is an active member of Volunteers Organizations Active In Disaster (VOAD)

VOAD Mission Statement:

We promote communication and collaboration among organizations throughout Santa Barbara County in planning for and responding to disasters in order to:

 

• Improve disaster preparedness throughout the County.
• Increase the effectiveness of our collective response.
• Minimize the duplication of resources.
• Provide more efficient services to those affected by disasters.

To Learn more about VOAD

 

EPA Gives Status of RRP Training and Certification Counts at June LEHA Workshop

The Lead and Environmental Hazard Association (LEHA) has been conducting a series of workshops across the country. The workshops bring together representatives from federal, state and local agencies to discuss the RRP rule with interested parties including renovation contractors, lead inspectors and others in the industry providing services and or products related to the RRP. The state of Massachusetts' Department of Occupational Safety (DOS) has taken delegated authority and enforcement of the rule from EPA. Several representatives from DOS and the state were in attendance and participated in the workshop as panelists.

David Merrick, NARI Government Affairs Committee Chairman, and several others from NARI attended one of the workshops on Friday, July 23 in Baltimore. Also present at that workshop was the region 3 EPA Regional Lead Enforcement Coordinator, Annie Skidmore.


At the meeting EPA's Annie Skidmore brought everyone up-to-date with the latest numbers (as of the June 22nd workshop) from the EPA regarding the RRP.



• 411,000 people have completed RRP Certified Renovator training.

• 40,000 firms have completed firm certification with 10-20,000 applications in the pipeline.

• EPA acknowledged that their initial estimate of the number of firms that will need to be certified and the number of workers that will need to be trained was way off the mark. The EPA now says the 40,000 firms that are certified represent about 20% of the firms that will need to be certified.

• There are a total of 282 Certified Training Providers, many of which travel and train nationally.

• A total of 17,800 training courses have been held.

About Lead Poisoning

Lead is a natural element and does not break down in the environment. Once lead has been dispersed and re-deposited in the environment, it will remain to poison generations of children unless it is controlled or removed. Lead is a serious danger, especially to children ages 6 and younger. Children are most commonly poisoned by lead when they ingest lead-contaminated dust from lead-based paint.



Once in the body, lead is a powerful toxin. It can cause hyperactivity, developmental delays, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, anemia and hearing problems; these effects are long-term and often irreversible. Children with high levels of lead in their bodies require hospitalization and medical treatment. Very high lead exposures can cause mental retardation, convulsions, coma and death. Children 6 years old and younger are particularly vulnerable to the damaging effects of lead because their central nervous systems are not fully developed and their bodies absorb and retain lead to a greater extent than the bodies of adults. Additionally, infants and toddlers often crawl and play on the floor, play in the dirt, and put things in their mouths.



Although children from all socioeconomic groups can be effected, those from low-income and minority families are at greatest risk. African American children are almost five times as likely as Caucasian children to be lead-burdened. Low-income children are eight times as likely to be lead-burdened as children from wealthier backgrounds. An estimated 60% of all children suffering from childhood lead poisoning are enrolled in Medicaid.



Lead may get inside children’s bodies when they ingest dust, paint chips, water, and food. Children may not look sick or feel sick, even if they have very high levels of lead in their blood. Only a blood test can determine lead levels. The federal Medicaid Act requires state Medicaid programs to provide Medicaid-enrolled children with a lead blood test at 12 months and again at 24 months (or between 36 and 72 months if the child failed to receive a screen at either 12 or 24 months). Any child under the age of 6 years who has never been tested for lead should be tested immediately. A mother with an elevated blood lead level exposes her unborn child to lead.

Courtesy of :http://www.newhavenlead.com/website/

ServiceMaster Anytime is a Lead-Safe Certified Firm

CORROSION MITIGATION

With the temperatures rising so does the risk of fire increase. This series will be dedicated to Emergency Corrosion Mitigation and the next several posts will enlighten you on this restoration category.

 CHEMISTRY OF FIRE

The chemistry of a fire is a combination of complex reactions, particularly where synthetic materials have burned. There are well over 100 chemical elements, which have been identified. Many of them are involved in the process of burning and the cleaning techniques used in restoration. Three conditions are required for a fire to occur:
(1) a fuel is needed;

(2) the fuel must have enough surface to be raised to its kindling point (e.g. a match will light wood shavings but not a log a foot in diameter); and
(3) sufficient oxygen to support combustion must exist. With these conditions and a source of ignition, fire results.

Fires may be classified into two groups -- simple and complex. A simple fire results in complete combustion and produces no soot, no free carbon, and no appreciable amounts of corrosive gases, fumes or smoke. A relatively pure fuel, such as natural gas, gasoline or a high quality fuel oil consists of many compounds of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. However, if any of those relatively pure fuels are burned efficiently and completely, the products of combustion would be essentially carbon dioxide and water. Only trace impurities would be present. In disaster restoration, virtually no fires are simple.

Most fires are classified as complex. These fires are the result of incomplete combustion and are fueled by synthetic materials. Incomplete combustion occurs when there is insufficient oxygen present to react with the carbon and hydrogen in the fuels. The products of incomplete reactions could include carbon monoxide, unburned or free carbon and a variety of complicated hydrocarbon products. Materials acting as synthetic fuels form acid gases and corrosives such as hydrochloric, hydrofluoric, sulfuric and nitric acids. Some of the synthetic fuels are foams, films, polyethylene, polypropylene, melamine, acrilan, Saran, synthetic rubbers, Teflon, polyurethane, polyvinyl chlorides and fluorides. Objects made from these materials include: toys, carpets, flooring tiles, and sheet goods, furniture, clothing, shoes, appliances, plumbing, dishes and bathroom equipment. Even wood fires have been analyzed and found to produce over a dozen different organic acids.

In a fire, acid gases combine with heat and water vapor and penetrate cracks and crevices. When the surfaces cool, the gases condense, forming highly corrosive solutions. Even small amounts of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) pipe can produce enough hydrochloric acid to cause damage. Rubber containing sulfur produces sulfuric acid when burned. Burning Teflon or other fluorinated hydrocarbons produce hydrofluoric acid which etches glass. Some surfaces are especially sensitive to these gases and residues. Machinery and tools, electrical equipment, precision or sensitive metal apparatus, metallic building construction parts, household appliances, limestone, marble and terrazzo surfaces, aluminum and glass can be permanently pitted, etched, and stained from acid residues.


When acids attack metals, salts are produced which also continue to damage the metal surface. An example of salt action is the corrosion on cars from snow and ice treatments or salt-water spray in ocean areas. Anodized aluminum is extremely susceptible to permanent damage from both acids and alkalines. Anodized aluminum is actually aluminum with an extremely thin veneer of aluminum oxide. Once the veneer has been damaged, it cannot be restored.

Soot is comprised of carbon and other materials, which are incompletely burned or oxidized. Although some of the carbon particles have electrical charges causing them to stick together, more often greases and oils are the adhesives. Some soot particles are dry and can be vacuumed effectively. Other soot particles require alkalinity and/or solvent action to dissolve the greases or oils. The alkalinity of a cleaning solution plus the lifting-wetting action of surfactants chemically reacts with oil or grease to form a new product, a water-soluble soap, which is washed away. These reactions then release the insoluble carbon and permit it to be removed physically, often with water. The type of soot residues and the surfaces to be cleaned determine what process, chemicals and concentrations are necessary for the most effective cleaning. An alkaline wash will react with residual acids and some of the greases and oils in soot deposits. Other soot deposits may require a solvent additive. There are some deposits that may even need a putty knife or other physical means of removal. For example, the combustion products from certain plastics vaporize and condense into a solid form.

The most important action to take in fire restoration is drying out the area as soon as possible. Smoke, water vapor and other gases should be evacuated. Portable metal objects should be moved, cleaned and dried with warm air as soon as practical. Normal cleaning should proceed as usual, starting the salvage procedures in the wettest and heaviest areas. If a time lag is necessary, contaminated metal surfaces should be coated with a light coat of vegetable oil to stop further attack. If there is too great a time lag between the initial survey of the job and when work begins, a cost factor should be considered. Delays in cleanup may change the probability that soil will be removed from a particular substrate, requiring more time and more products than would have been necessary when the first test patch was made. Delay may also allow further chemical attack and decrease the level of success in cleaning. Some surfaces may even become so severely attacked that they are no longer salvageable.

Summer Vacation Home Security Tips

With summer in full swing, the family vacation isn’t too far behind. Lots of folks start worry about their home once the ignition key is turned on and the car is headed down the highway. A few simple steps to take before you leave should set your mind at ease and give you the restful vacation that you deserve.




1. Don’t tell anyone (and don’t post on Twitter or Facebook) that you are leaving except immediate family and very close friends. Try not to mention your departure around the office or at the ballpark or at the gym. A passerby or someone listening in might be someone who would take advantage of you while you are gone.

2. Stop newspaper services. Call your newspaper or in many cases you can put a vacation hold on your account at the papers web page. Plan to do this about a week in advance and ask that your subscription be stopped while you are gone. Newspapers piled in your driveway or steps might alert a would-be thief that no one is in residence.

3. Ask the postal carrier to hold the mail until you return. You can put a hold on your mail at https://holdmail.usps.com/holdmail/landingView.do Just like with newspapers; mail protruding from the mailbox could alert a thief that you are out of town. If you forget the ask the postal carrier in advance, ask a neighbor to pick up the mail and to save it until your return.

4. Ask a neighbor to watch out for any visitors who might be in your yard. Be sure to leave a contact phone number so that the neighbor can reach you or someone that you trust in the event of a problem.

5. Lock the doors using dead bolts and regular locks. Many people say that locks can only keep out honest people but you want to make it as hard as possible for someone to enter your home without your permission.

6. Lock all the windows. If a thief can’t get into your home through the door, he will probably try the window.

7. Install a timer so that a lamp will come on when it becomes dark outside. Timers are fairly inexpensive to purchase and will provide added security for your home. To operate, you simply plug them into the wall outlet and then plug the lamp into the timer. Set the timer so that the lamp comes on around dark and turns off at an appropriate time.

8. Move valuables to a safety deposit box before you leave. When in doubt, take precautions. Move expensive jewelry and other small items to your safety deposit box. If it can’t be replaced because of sentimental value, don’t take any chances.

9. Lock all storage sheds and garages. If someone can’t enter your home, they might still be interested in the goods that are in your garage. Lock them up and take the key with you rather than hiding it nearby.

10. Turn off you main water supply. A broken toilet supply line can dump up to 4000 gallons of water in a 24 hour period. Unplug coffee makers, toasters and appliances- this will lessen the likelihood of fire.

While this isn’t a complete list of the items and areas of your home that you may need to secure, we hope this will help you prepare your home for its own vacation.

EPA DELAYS Enforcement of RRP Rule Certifications until October

Latest EPA RRP Update




EPA DELAYS Enforcement of RRP Rule Certifications until October



Click on the link below to read the June 18, 2010 Memo from

EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance



docs.google.com/fileview



EPA accredited RRP certification classes hosted by ServiceMaster Anytime, visit
http://www.svma.com/eventscalendar.html for more information or to register for a class.

GENERAL PRECAUTIONS FOR SEWAGE CONTAMINATION ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY

Now that we know how nasty a sewage loss can be... lets take a look at the general precautions that are recommended if you find yourself in a situation like this.* 

PERSONAL SAFETY:


• Avoid direct contact with sewage.

• Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and a dust mask during cleanup.

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after contact with sewage, especially before eating. Remember to wash children’s hands, too.

• If sewage has been swallowed, see a physician or clinic.

FOOD SAFETY:

• Discard any food without a waterproof container if there is any chance that it has come into contact with sewage.

• Discard any garden produce which has come in contact with sewage. .

• Food containers with screw-caps, snap-lids, crimped caps (soda pop bottles), twist caps, flip tops, and home canned foods should be discarded if they have come into contact with sewage water because they cannot be disinfected.

CHILD SAFETY:

• Do not let children play in contaminated areas.

• Clean and disinfect their play areas.

• Wash their hands thoroughly and frequently.

• Don’t let children play with toys which have been in contact with sewage until the toys have been disinfected. Use a mild solution of 1 cup bleach in 5 gallons of water to disinfect.

• Toys that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected should be discarded.

PET SAFETY:

• Keep pets out of contaminated areas.

• Wash and disinfect pet toys.

• Bathe pets that have been in contact with sewage.

HOUSEHOLD SAFETY:

• Wash all clothing, bedding and linens in hot water or dry-clean them.

• For mattresses and upholstered furniture that becomes contaminated it should be discarded, some others may be cleaned with sanitizer and hot water extraction then air-dried in the sun and sprayed thoroughly with disinfectant.

• Thoroughly wash and disinfect dishes, utensils and food preparation equipment, which may have been exposed to sewage.

• Be sure sewer lines are intact before turning on water or using the toilet.

• Clean hard surface walls (drywall will typically need to be removed), hard surfaced floors and other surfaces with soap and water. Disinfect with a solution of 1-cup bleach to 5 gallons water. Also disinfect areas in which food is stored or prepared, such as countertops, pantry shelves, refrigerator walls and shelves.

• Discard any contaminated household materials that cannot be disinfected, such as wall coverings, rugs, carpets, and drywall.

• Ventilate cleaned areas to remove moisture and excess cleanser odors.

OUTDOORS & YARD SAFETY:

• Keep children and pets out of contaminated areas.

• If there is solid sewage waste on the ground, it may be shoveled into watertight bags, sealed and discarded in the trash. Wear rubber gloves and boots. Wash equipment when finished.

• Solid ground surfaces, such as concrete or decking, can be washed and then sanitized with 1cup bleach in 5 gallons of water.

• Other ground surfaces such as grass, ground cover, and soil, are not easily treated. However, sunlight, rain, watering systems, and soil components, will naturally denature sewage contamination, usually within 2 weeks.

• Discard garden produce directly contaminated by sewage.

As I started this two part blog, nothing disrupts your life like sewage backup or overflow. It Stinks!  Yes, there are many things that you could do to take care of a sewage backup but do you really want to?  I highly recommend a call to your insurance agent and then a call to a professional restoration company like ServiceMaster Anytime.  We have the equipment, training, personal protective equipment, proper health vaccinations and precautions  in place and proper sanitizing and cleaning protocols. Visit us at www.svma.com


*These are only general precautions and should be be considered a substitute for exact protocol in any particular sewage contamination.