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Video
of The Month:
August
2009
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Join QuanTEM in celebrating 20 years as
the
LAB OF CHOICE for
Environmental Professionals!
Visit our site for more
information!
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Interested in more Industry News from
QuanTEM?
Visit The QuanTEM Chronicle Archive
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 Message from John Barnett,
President
What time is it anyway? It's
time we go to work and get this country back on
it's feet. I'm not in the political arena
but I am interested in the business arena.
We've all watched our economy take a head first
dive and I expect we've all seen some of our
friends lose their jobs and businesses because of
this catastrophic downturn. I've also spoken
to hundreds of small and medium sized businessmen
like you and me who are out there busting their
tail to keep their businesses alive. To
these men and women and all of you like them, I
salute you. It would be nice if the
government could just wave their magic wand and
make all things better; I don't think that is
going to happen. I think it's up to us to
keep the wheels turning. The big businesses
may get all the press but it's the small and
medium sized companies who make the United States
a great country to work and live in. I'm
proud to be a part of this group and I believe
together we can put this train back on its
tracks. Thank you for your
continued support of QuanTEM and I look forward to
seeing you in the
trenches. Sincerely, John E.
Barnett President QuanTEM Laboratories,
LLC jbarnett@quantem.com |
 High Incidence of
Mesothelioma in Minnesota Area Sparks
Study
Eveleth, MN-The Iron Range region of
Minnesota, which has a total population of just
over 320,000, has recently seen a spike in the
number of mesothelioma cases reported. In order to
find out why the disease has become so prevalent
in the area, the state is funding a $4.9 million
study, which will be conducted by the University
of Minnesota.
Fifty-eight Iron Range residents have
died of mesothelioma, which is an extremely rare
cancer. It targets the mesothelium, the outer
lining of body cavities surrounding the heart,
stomach and lungs. Mesothelioma's only known cause
is exposure to asbestos, the carcinogenic and
fibrous mineral which occurs naturally, but is
also used in the manufacture of insulation and
other building products. The rate of mesothelioma
in the Iron Range region is twice as high as in
other parts of Minnesota.
 Since the area is the
nation's largest taconite production area, and
asbestos was common in the taconite mining and
processing industry, researchers will study those
who have worked in taconite mines. Dr. David
Perlman, a researcher at the University who will
be working on the study, said that he hopes to
have a total of 2,000 participants - 1,200 active
or retired taconite workers, and 800 of their
spouses. Specifically, the study will look at the
workers' respiratory health. |
Azarcón &
Greta: Another Cause of Lead Toxicity
From the Departments of
Pediatrics and Radiology, University of California
at Los Angeles-Olive View Medical Center, Van
Nuys
A new source of toxic lead
ingestion has been identified roentgenologically
in Mexican-American children and adults. Azarcón
is an orange powder that contains 86% to 95% lead
tetroxide (Pb3O4.At least three children have been
treated with this substance by folk healers for
relief of abdominal symptoms. Other Hispanic
medical folklores may include this toxic
"remedy." Read More
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Why Mold Lawsuits are on the
Rise
Lawsuits against building owners,
contractors, and insurance companies have
skyrocketed over the last 10 years. Many
people blame the increasing American culture of
wanting to sue.  However, many
factors play into the overall increase of claims
being filed. Many fears of mold, and the
claims that go with them, are without warrant,
though there are a number of valid claims that are
filed every day. Judges and juries have
already awarded millions in several lawsuits
regarding health and home damage that resulted
from mold exposure.
Following are a
few of the reasons we have seen an increase in
claims.
The public
is more knowledgeable: Perhaps 20 years ago,
people didn't as readily know about mold as they
do today. We weren't aware of its causes or
risks, or that it could be prevented. Now,
if mold is left untreated, the public is aware
that there is negligence that can be claimed
against another party. Most
people affected by mold want the responsible party
to take action, and often a lawsuit is the only
way to achieve that.
Mold is more
common than people realize: Mold spores are
present in every home and every building. It
is impractical to eliminate all mold spores in the
air, but it is not as impossible to prevent them
from growing. Even so, mold easily grows in
moisture-filled areas such as between and on
walls, in bathrooms, under floors, and under
roofs.
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Asbestos test flub
nets $30,000 fine
 ESSEX
JUNCTION - A Colchester real estate company and
Middlesex demolition firm together face penalties
of nearly $30,000 for alleged violations of the
Clean Air Act and national asbestos standards in a
2008 demolition project, federal officials have
reported. JIDDU/SIDDU Trust of Colchester
and CRC Excavting, LLC of Middlesex demolished
buildings on two residential lots in Essex
Junction, Environmental Protection Agency
officials in Boston said recently. It was part of
the commercial project to build a three-story,
35-unit apartment building on the combined lot in
March 2008, EPA officials said. According
to the complaint, the companies failed to
thoroughly inspect for asbestos before demolishing
the buildings and failed to give the EPA written
notification of their intent to demolish the
buildings as required under federal asbestos
demolition standards, officials
said. |
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Indoor Air
Quality and Mold
-
Current
Industry Trends and Guidelines
Mold 101 -
all you ever wanted
to know about Mold
-
Health
Effects of Mold Exposure & PPE
Investigation Strategies for
Mold
-
Sampling
Techniques & Strategies
Data
Interpretation and Report Writing
-
Case
Studies & Hands-On Activities
-
Remediation Considerations
For Inspectors
-
Effective
Communication Skills &
More
This
course has been awarded 3CM Points by the American
Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH).
Also
approved by the International Association of
Certified Indoor Air Consultants.
Call QuanTEM for more
information! or click on the registration link here.
(800)
822-1650 | |
Barbara's Corner 
Each month, I will post my
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) with answers
and tips that will help you save time and
money.
Barbara, I need a
point-count done on samples that have already been
analyzed as PLM in your lab. What do I
do?
Quite frequently, we
receive requests to do additional testing on
samples that have already been analyzed using
another method.
For example,
any PLM sample can be analyzed as a 400
or 1000 point-count as well as a Chatfield
TEM or a gravimetric point-count.
The preferred method is to revise a
chain-of-custody (COC) or email a request.
This way, we have it in writing with your
signature and date so that everything is legal and
clear cut.
If you are out in the
field and do not have access to a computer or fax
machine, you may also call in with a verbal
request. I would appreciate a written one to
follow if at all possible.
Please be
sure to include all pertinent information such as
turnaround time, samples to be reanalyzed, and how
you need the results to be sent back to
you.
Would you like to ask me a
question?
Barbara Holder has
been with QuanTEM since October 2004 as our
Customer Relations Manager. Barbara plays an
active supervisory role with all customer
interactions with
QuanTEM. |
QuanTEM
Chronicles Newsletter
Produced &
Edited by:
Scott Leavell &
Barbara Holder
Suggestions or
comments? Email us here.
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QuanTEM Labortories,
LLC
2033 Heritage Park
Drive
Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma
(800)
822-1650 voice
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