ACGIH® Board Ratifies 2011 TLVs® and BEIs®

February 2, 2011

The ACGIH® Board of Directors ratified the 2011 Threshold Limit Values (TLVs®) for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs®) on November 18 and December 6, 2010.

The Board also approved recommendations for additions to the Notice of Intended Changes (NIC). For a listing of the substances that were acted upon, click here. The complete Annual Reports are online at the ACGIH® Online Publications Store.

 

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com

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ICC Re-engineers its Code Councils

February 2, 2011

International Code Council Members along with non-member stakeholders volunteer to apply their technical expertise to further the association’s public safety mission working through more than 100 technical committees or councils. To continue to broaden participation, the ICC Board has revised Council Policy #09 to re-engineer its councils to establish new “chartered” Membership Councils along with a multi-disciplinary Codes and Standards Council. Calls for the Membership Councils’ Governing Committees, and the Codes and Standards Council will be issued on Thursday Feb. 3.

“These changes ensure that every discipline has more opportunities to be heard and to engage in codes and standards development,” said ICC CEO Richard P. Weiland. “At the same time, the changes promote a cross-discipline approach to advising and assessing the development process.”

ICC Re-engineers its Code Councils

International Code Council Members along with non-member stakeholders volunteer to apply their technical expertise to further the association’s public safety mission working through more than 100 technical committees or councils. To continue to broaden participation, the ICC Board has revised Council Policy #09 to re-engineer its councils to establish new “chartered” Membership Councils along with a multi-disciplinary Codes and Standards Council. Calls for the Membership Councils’ Governing Committees, and the Codes and Standards Council will be issued on Thursday Feb. 3.

“These changes ensure that every discipline has more opportunities to be heard and to engage in codes and standards development,” said ICC CEO Richard P. Weiland. “At the same time, the changes promote a cross-discipline approach to advising and assessing the development process.”

The ICC Board approved first charters for five initial Membership Councils:

Building Officials

Fire Service

Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas (PMG)

Sustainability (includes Energy Conservation)

ICC Global

Code Council Board President Jimmy Brothers indicated, “These reengineered Councils will sharpen and expand the participation of all disciplines within the built environment. Each Membership Council will help define its own focus as we solicit feedback regarding proposed modifications to the first charters. The interest and ownership of this process by our Councils is highly valued. We want to get the best possible structure in place as we move forward.”

As part of the ongoing development of these Councils, Brothers asked Code Council Board Vice President Bill Dupler to chair a Board committee charged with receiving feedback from existing councils regarding new charter language.

The primary focus of the Membership Councils will be to provide a single-discipline perspective on the entire portfolio of Code Council services and products, suggest actions to enhance the value of Code Council membership and increase participation in the code development process.

The Codes and Standards Council will consist of a multi-disciplinary group from four key disciplines—building officials, fire officials, PMG officials and sustainability experts—to advise the ICC Board on appointments to various committees, review the performance of code development committees, and propose new codes or standards projects.

A complete overview of the re-engineering initiative is available on the ICC website at www.iccsafe.org/CC.

The International Code Council, affiliates and subsidiaries respect your right to privacy. Click here to read the Council’s privacy policy. If you no longer wish to receive e-mail from us, please click here.

©2011 International Code Council
World Headquarters; 500 New Jersey Avenue, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20001 USA

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com

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This is your last chance to buy the printed version of ASTM Standards in Building Codes

February 2, 2011

This is your last chance to buy the printed version of ASTM Standards in Building Codes.
A 2011 print edition will NOT be available.  Limited quantities of the 2010 edition are available.

Get the tools you need to design and construct buildings that satisfy most of the international code requirements established by the International Code Council® (ICC). Over 1,300 ASTM construction specifications, practices, and test methods, compiled from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards, enable you to: 

  • Meet international code requirements
  • Stay informed and remain competitive
  • Specify the right material for the job
  • Speak a common language that the entire industry recognizes

 

 

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com

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Mesothelioma and Environmental Asbestos Concerns

February 2, 2011

Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that was incorporated into more than 5,000 products, was largely utilized before the 1980s for its insulating and fireproofing characteristics. This toxic mineral can be found in various deposits throughout the world and the environmental hazard surrounding asbestos still exists today. Some countries even continue mining and exporting asbestos to developing regions. Careers that have felt the largest impact from mesothelioma cancer, an asbestos-related disease, include those in the construction, manufacturing and shipyard industries.

One of the biggest concerns for a construction worker is working at a site where asbestos-containing materials are present. Without proper testing, the presence of asbestos can remain completely unknown. If asbestos is detected within the area, minimizing dust should be a main priority and specialists should be hired. Another concern is naturally occurring asbestos that is in the soil. Places where naturally occurring asbestos has been known to exist include baseball fields, school playgrounds and dirt roads among areas known to contain asbestos in the soil.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. The most common form of the cancer is pleural mesothelioma, which develops in the lining of the lungs. Due to a severe latency period of symptoms ranging between 20 and 50 years from the time of exposure, mesothelioma cancer is often diagnosed in a late stage of development.

This tendency for late diagnosis often complicates mesothelioma treatment options and as a result the average mesothelioma life expectancy is four to 18 months. There is no cure for this cancer, but some patients who were diagnosed early enough have survived mesothelioma. For this reason, it is important for anyone exposed to asbestos to seek regular medical exams to check for signs of asbestos disease. In some cases, patients may file a mesothelioma lawsuit to obtain financial assistance for their pursuit of medical care.

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com

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The US EPA Microbiological and Chemical Exposure Assessment Research Division (MCEARD)

February 1, 2011

The Microbiological and Chemical Exposure Assessment Research Division (MCEARD) is a division of the National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) and operates within the Office of Research and Development (ORD).

MCEARD conducts research to measure, characterize and predict the exposure of humans to chemical and microbial hazards. This research provides information on environmental pathways which contaminants of public health concern are transported to populations at risk. Analytical quantitative methods are developed to accurately and specifically measure human risk factors associated with inhalation, ingestion and dermal pathways. Surveys and monitoring studies are carried out to determine the levels of hazardous chemicals and microbials in environmental matrices, and human populations are studied to determine significant exposure pathways, the levels of exposure and the sources of exposure factors. State-of-the-art analytical methods are used to measure organic and inorganic chemicals. Genomic and immuno-based methods, as well traditional cultural methods, are used to measure hazardous bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. Molecular- and sero-epidemiological tools are used to assess human populations for evidence of exposure to environmental hazards.

The Division conducts its multidiscipline research program with a broad skill mix of scientists that includes organic, inorganic and analytical chemists, bacteriologists, virologists, parasitologists, immunologists and molecular biologists. The Division is one of several U.S. EPA research organizations located in the Andrew W. Breidenbach Environmental Research Center at 26 West M.L. King Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45268 . This Center is in the Clifton/Corryville area just north of downtown Cincinnati and is located between interstates I-75 and I-71. It is situated adjacent to the main campus of the University of Cincinnati. The Division consists of three branches, the Biohazard Assessment Research Branch, the Microbial Exposure Research Branch and the Chemical Exposure Research Branch.

MCEARD Website

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com

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IESO Writing the Standard on Initial Residential Mold Assessment

February 1, 2011

IESO 2210/Initial Residential Mold Assessment StandardANSI/Pin Date: October 29, 2007

Estimated Completion Date: Fall 2009 STATUS: In Development

DESCRIPTION:This published standard is to provide residential structure investigation procedures to identify observable mold and conditions associated with potential mold amplification including moisture intrusion. The initial investigative process includes, but is not limited to, information gathering, collection of relevant historical events and walk through observations. There are four potential outcomes: Neither mold nor associated conditions were readily observable. Mold was not readily observable but associated conditions were. Mold was readily observed but no associated conditions were. Readily observed mold and conditions. Outcomes 2, 3 or 4 may warrant additional investigation by a qualified professional.

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com

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Florida Mold-Related Services Licensing Program

February 1, 2011

Senate Bill 2234, enacted June 27, 2007 as Chapter 468, Part XVI, Florida Statutes, provides for licensure and regulation of mold assessors and remediators. Chapter 468, Part XVI, Florida Statutes, became effective July 1, 2010, and provides that the mold related services licensing program will be administered by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. There is not a Board of Mold Assessors and Remediators. The department is responsible for licensure and enforcement of this profession.

The 2010 Florida Statutes

Title XXXII
REGULATION OF PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS Chapter 468
MISCELLANEOUS PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS View Entire Chapter

PART XVIMOLD-RELATED SERVICES

468.84 Mold-related services licensing program; legislative purpose.
468.841 Exemptions.
468.8411 Definitions.
468.8412 Fees.
468.8413 Examinations.
468.8414 Licensure.
468.8415 Renewal of license.
468.8416 Continuing education.
468.8417 Inactive license.
468.8418 Certification of partnerships and corporations.
468.8419 Prohibitions; penalties.
468.842 Disciplinary proceedings.
468.842 1Insurance.
468.8422 Contracts.
468.8423 Grandfather clause.
468.8424 Rulemaking authority.

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com

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Grandfather to Accredited Certifications – No Exam Necessary!

February 1, 2011

The ACAC Council-certified Structural Drying Remediator (CSDR) and Council-certified Structural Drying Supervisor (CSDC) certifications are now open for grandfathering – those who hold selected industry certifications in restorative drying may be eligible for this new certification for a limited time.

The ACAC Council-certified Environmental Thermography Investigator (CETI) and Council-certified Environmental Thermography Consultant (CETC) certifications are now open for grandfathering – those who hold selected industry infrared certifications may be eligible for this new certification for a limited time.
Please call our staff toll-free at 888-808-8381 for additional information.

Charlie Wiles, executive director

•John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
•Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
•Microshield Environmental Services, LLC
•www.Microshield-ES.com

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