QuanTEM Chronicles - July 2008
QuanTEM Laboratories
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 A Message from John
Barnett, President/CEO
I would
like to address a couple items today; one being the ongoing need for
continued training for all types of inspectors, investigators,
contractors, abatement workers and anyone else who makes a living
from the environmental business. I am amazed at the number of
consultants and inspectors who think one class will serve them for a
life time. In this business, each month brings new ideas, new
rules and guide lines, and new and better ways of solving the
problems we all face. How would you feel if your accountant
only had one accounting class? Would you want him going up
against the IRS for you? I don't thinks so. So,
why wouldn't we want all the training we can get? We've all
heard the horror stories about the liability issues consultants,
investigators and contractors face. Continuing education is
the best defense. Now, I may be tooting my own horn as QuanTEM
is hosting the next MOLD INVESTIGATOR TRAINING September
17-19. This is one of the best all-around investigator
training classes available with lots of detail on the hows and whys
of building a defensible mold investigation report. I promise
you it is worth looking into.
Secondly Jeff Mlekush,
our laboratory operations manager has submitted an article to the
IAQA's Indoor Environment Connections magazine. He is
discussing the problems with asbestos rules enforcement by the
different states. It's interesting and informative and will be
out in the September issue. Check it out.
I hope
your summer ends up in spectacular fashion including all the rewards
you've worked for.
John Barnett
President
QuanTEM Laboratories, LLC
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Mold Problems Persist in Wake of Floodwaters
Mold Can Cause Health
Problems
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| MADISON, Wis. -- One
lingering effect in many areas from June's flooding is mold, which
can pose health problems.
A simple rule when dealing with
mold is "when in doubt, get it out." But those closest to the
cleanup effort are warning homeowners to get that mold out in the
safest way possible, WISC-TV reported.
Local restoration
companies said homeowners must protect the eyes, hands and mouth
when removing mold contaminate.
This means making sure people
use respirators labeled n-95. People are also encouraged to be
consumer smart when looking for someone to remove that mold because
if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."Very, very much
consumer beware because if anybody tells you that you can spray
something on it, the problem goes away, just turn and walk away,"
said Kent Rawhouser, owner of A & J Specialty Services. "Because
there's no way with any type of contaminant you can just spray
something on and walk away."
The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention said mold will greatly affect people with asthma,
allergies and those with immune suppressions such cancer patients,
transplant recipients, and those with HIV, WISC-TV
reported...
Read and watch the full report HERE.
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Standards: ASTM Standards on Indoor
Air Quality:
From Measurement
Media
3rd Edition
(PRINT) - Pages: 300 - Soft Cover
W. Conshohocken PA, USA
-- This new edition provides 55 the latest ASTM standards for
establishing accurate and reliable methods and procedures for the
sampling and analysis of indoor air quality data.
These
standards offer a sound foundation for interpreting measurement
results, thereby improving indoor air quality.
ASTM
International's Subcommittee D22.05 developed these standards, which
are recognized around the world as the most credible guidance
available for the sampling and analysis of indoor air. By developing
data on indoor air composition, the ultimate goal of creating
healthier buildings can be more easily achieved.
This
compilation is a must for indoor air investigators, researchers, and
those managing air quality in buildings.
ASTM Standards on Indoor
Air Quality: 3rd Edition (PRINT)
ISBN13:
978-0-8031-5524-4
Price:
$165
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Lawyer
threatens suit over 'very sick' Broward County
Courthouse
By Scott Wyman |South Florida
Sun-Sentinel August 9, 2008
It's a green-blackish mold
that thrives on moisture and can produce toxins. A prominent lawyer
claims it has infested the Broward County Courthouse so thoroughly
that the building should be torn down.
Two longtime
courthouse workers, judicial aides Patti Buchholtz and Sue Rentel,
say they have already been so sickened that they have trouble
breathing and get frequent colds. Their attorney, former state Sen.
Skip Campbell, has written county commissioners threatening to sue
for negligence and violations of state building standards.
Campbell said the mold problems are too extensive to remedy.
He said he would not only seek damages for his clients but a court
order to force the county to meet its obligations of providing a
safe courthouse. "That building is a very sick building, and people
who are going in there are getting sick," Campbell said.
In
his letter to the commissioners, Campbell complains of "dangerous
indoor air quality" and "contamination" in the 50-year-old
building...
The full article can be found at the South Florida
Sun-Sentinal.
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QuanTEM Hosts Mold
Investigator Training Course
by Shawn
Garza
 QuanTEM Laboratories is hosting its
bi-annual Mold Investigator Training Course during the days of
September 17, 18, and 19, 2008. The price is
$425
if registered prior to September 1st $475 if registered after
September 1st. Group discounts available.
The three day course is designed enhance
the skill set of mold investigation of environmental
professionals.
Six years ago, the professionals at
QuanTEM Laboratories saw the need to help aspiring mold inspectors
and investigators hone their skils while learning how to mitigate
liability in the field. The three-day course covers such
topics as mold investigation strategies, up-top-date mold sampling
methods and technologies, sampling plan development, data
interpretation and much, much more.
If you would like further information,
please visit the QuanTEM Website
Training section or call
1-800-822-1650 and ask for Shawn or
Jeff.
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