THE TRUTH ABOUT "TOXIC BLACK MOLD"

We are frequently asked questions such as "Is this mold toxic, or just common mold?" Or, we get calls from worried building owners or occcupants sayiing that they have discovered "toxic black mold." In fact, I decided recently to take an informal poll among some friends and family members as to what they "know" about "toxic black mold." To my great surprise, the vast majority was convinced that there is a bad-for-you, illnesss-inducing, black "toxic" mold, and then there are the other types, which for the most part are benign.   -read article-

Introducing LEED v3 2009

Cashins & Associates has been getting more and more involved in Green Building projects around the region. These projects have ranged from1 0,000 square foot single-story buildings to 600,000 square foot high-rise office buildings. Recently we have been studying the changes included in the new LEED 2009 v3 requirements. We have noted some drastic changes to the credit structure as a whole, and to changes in the Indoor Environmental Quality portion in particular.   -read article-

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS REGARDING ASBESTOS

As you may or may not know, Cashins & Associates has certified personnel who can perform asbestos inspections prior to renovation or demolition of a building. In our experience, we have found that many people have various misconceptions regarding this substance, once called the “miracle mineral.”   -read article-

NANOTECHNOLOGY & THE WORKPLACE:
The Hazards Might Not Be So Small

There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom According to the renowned physicist Richard Feynman in a 1959 lecture, if one were able to manipulate matter on the atomic scale, then all of the information that humanity has accumulated since the beginning of recorded time could be recorded on a pamphlet that could fit in your pocket.   -read article-

PCBs EXPOSURE FROM SANDING OLD WOOD FLOORS?

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are odorless, tasteless clear or yellow liquids that were at one time widely used in paints, cements, hydraulic fluids, and a wide range of other products. They were banned in 1977 due to studies linking exposure to a variety of health problems including suppressed antibody production and immune response, rashes, liver damage, fatigue, and cognitive development problems in children. PCBs exposure can be through direct contact, inhalation, or ingestion. They readily penetrate skin, PVC, and latex.   -read article-

Popcorn Lung

There have been numerous news stories recently about Popcorn Lung. Popcorn Lung is the popular name given to a severe obstructive lung disease. The disease is caused by diacetyl which is a prominent chemical found in butter flavorings.   -read article-

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced that a new Regional Emphasis Program (REP) is underway in OSHA's New England Region to minimize employee exposures to crystalline silica hazards associated with commercial and residential construction. The goal of this REP is to help reduce the overall rate of workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities through outreach activities and targeted inspections. Agency REPs address hazards or industries that pose particular risks to employees within an OSHA regional jurisdiction. -read article-

How Much Is That Exhaust Fan Costing You?

You can’t get away from it! If you don’t provide exhaust, odors, smoke, haze and other contaminants will build-up and complaints about poor air quality will follow. But running those wall exhausters and roof exhausters each winter gets expensive. What can you do?

Cashins & Associates has found that most exhaust systems are inefficient, ineffective and often both.  -read article-

Office Comfort

“I’m too hot! I’m too cold!” Have you heard these complaints in your office? Adverse thermal comfort and air quality issues in the office will impact employee productivity, efficiency, comfort, and morale. It will increase costs unless properly addressed. The primary causes of such issues can often be addressed and solved by understanding work and HVAC system conditions and how they contribute to such problems.   -read article-

Nanoparticle Toxicity

Newspapers have been reporting on a new technology referred to as Nanotechnology. This field deals with ultra fine particles less than 100 nanometers in size. Current research has begun to focus closely on the toxic effects of these nanoparticles.   -read article-