Washington, DC, November 22, 2010: The US Chemical Safety Board (CSB) was the recipient of two awards from the Television, Internet, and Video Association of DC at a dinner event held in Washington D.C. this week. A video animation detailing a massive dust explosion that took place at an Imperial Sugar refinery in Georgia won the gold award for an animation in its category. The video was created as part of the CSB investigation into the incident that claim the lives of 14 workers, and injured 36 others. The animation appeared in a CSB safety video entitled Inferno: Dust Explosion at Imperial Sugar.
Another CSB safety video, Combustible Dust: An Insidious Hazard was presented with the silver award for best educational/training video. This video at just under 30 min in length is designed to serve as a training resource for use in industries that face the dangers of Industrial Dust Explosions. It focuses on what lessons can be learned from several different CBS investigations into Dust Explosion incidents. Containing interviews with CSB investigators, and victims family members, the video demonstrate how Dust Explosions are a very real danger that are part of wide range of industrial processes.
The TIVA award was presented before an audience of hundreds of regional video and media professionals. Following the awards ceremony, CSB Managing Director Daniel Horowitz said, “This important recognition of our work speaks to the continuing impact of the CSB's thorough, scientific, independent investigations and the commitment of our staff and Board members to state-of-the-art communication of safety information.”
Dr. Horowitz continued, “It is the mission of the CSB to disseminate lessons learned from chemical and industrial accidents and to prevent similar tragedies in the future; the CSB’s video program has distributed hundreds of thousands of DVDs to industry leaders, workers, and communities around the world to increase their knowledge of chemical hazards and apply the lessons to their real world situations.”
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Monday, November 22, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Industrial Pollution, Ozone, & Diesel Exhaust Plague "Dirtiest Cities In America"
The American Lung Association in its State Of The Air 2010 report has listed the top 10 of what it terms the "Dirtiest Cities in America". The report highlights several discouraging fact about the state of air quality in the United States.
Among the findings is that 7 of the top 10 cities on the list, are in the state of California. Including the top 5 spots. They are 1. Bakersfield, 2. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Riverside, 3. Fresno-Madera, 4. Visalia-Porterville, 5. Hanford-Corcoran. This is surely bad news for the 20 million people in these cities are at higher risk of asthma and chronic bronchitis because of pollution.
Overall the the worst area for pollution in the country rest in California's San Joaquin Valley. One study is found that the air quality in this area is so poor, that it can damage the lungs in the same way cigarettes do. In this area you find a near "Perfect Storm"of factors that contribute to the low air quality. With extensive farming, and industry, California's oil industry (In Bakersfield), car culture and topography all collide to trap pollutants leading to the formation of smog.
But California's coastal areas are also facing heavily polluted air.
The largest percentage of Californians live and work in near the Los Angeles, Long Beach and Riverside area, which ranked second-worst overall and worst in ozone pollution. Aside from millions of cars on the roads, the area also suffers the effects of the nation's busiest port. Researchers at the University of Calgary found in 2008 that salty coastal air mixed with sunshine and pollutants helps create unexpectedly high levels of ground-level ozone.
The State is attempting to remedy the situation by enacting some of the country's most stringent emission standards. This however has lead to some controversy as several pieces of legislation aimed at tightening emission standards for industry recently have met with opposition.
One in particular, even leading to a statewide ballot initiative. Proposition 23, which would have temporarily suspended key emissions-reduction tenets in the Golden State's Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. One the one side you had the biggest backers of Prop 23 were Texas-based oil companies like Tesoro and Valero Energy and Koch Industries, all of which have operations in California. Valero, for its part, put up $5 million for a media campaign attempting to convince California that the Global Warming Solutions Act is a job-killer, claiming the prop. would further increase the already high 12.4% unemployment rate in the state. As did truck drivers who whose trucks' diesel engines contribute large amount of particulate matter and other pollutants into air while hauling loads to and from the Port of Long Beach.
Since the the proposition failed to pass (62% of voters rejected Prop 23) the emissions cuts are now set to begin in 2012. A carbon cap-and-trade program will be launched later. The goal is that, in eight years, California will have greenhouse gas emissions 15% lower than they are now. Refiners will have to pick up the tab for the pollution control technology improvements at their plants and supplier even cleaner fuels for automobile use than currently mandated in California.
Valero, which owns two refineries in the state and employs 1,600 workers there, will be able to pass on some of these costs to motorists, but higher fuel prices will almost certainly mean less demand for fuel. Cars are thought to be responsible for as much as 30% of California's greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the American Lung Association says that truck drivers, dock workers and railroad workers who inhale diesel exhaust are much more likely to die from lung cancer and heart disease than the general population.
For further information, please see the American Lung Association's, State Of The Air website.
Overall the the worst area for pollution in the country rest in California's San Joaquin Valley. One study is found that the air quality in this area is so poor, that it can damage the lungs in the same way cigarettes do. In this area you find a near "Perfect Storm"of factors that contribute to the low air quality. With extensive farming, and industry, California's oil industry (In Bakersfield), car culture and topography all collide to trap pollutants leading to the formation of smog.
But California's coastal areas are also facing heavily polluted air.
The largest percentage of Californians live and work in near the Los Angeles, Long Beach and Riverside area, which ranked second-worst overall and worst in ozone pollution. Aside from millions of cars on the roads, the area also suffers the effects of the nation's busiest port. Researchers at the University of Calgary found in 2008 that salty coastal air mixed with sunshine and pollutants helps create unexpectedly high levels of ground-level ozone.
The State is attempting to remedy the situation by enacting some of the country's most stringent emission standards. This however has lead to some controversy as several pieces of legislation aimed at tightening emission standards for industry recently have met with opposition.
One in particular, even leading to a statewide ballot initiative. Proposition 23, which would have temporarily suspended key emissions-reduction tenets in the Golden State's Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. One the one side you had the biggest backers of Prop 23 were Texas-based oil companies like Tesoro and Valero Energy and Koch Industries, all of which have operations in California. Valero, for its part, put up $5 million for a media campaign attempting to convince California that the Global Warming Solutions Act is a job-killer, claiming the prop. would further increase the already high 12.4% unemployment rate in the state. As did truck drivers who whose trucks' diesel engines contribute large amount of particulate matter and other pollutants into air while hauling loads to and from the Port of Long Beach.
Since the the proposition failed to pass (62% of voters rejected Prop 23) the emissions cuts are now set to begin in 2012. A carbon cap-and-trade program will be launched later. The goal is that, in eight years, California will have greenhouse gas emissions 15% lower than they are now. Refiners will have to pick up the tab for the pollution control technology improvements at their plants and supplier even cleaner fuels for automobile use than currently mandated in California.
Valero, which owns two refineries in the state and employs 1,600 workers there, will be able to pass on some of these costs to motorists, but higher fuel prices will almost certainly mean less demand for fuel. Cars are thought to be responsible for as much as 30% of California's greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the American Lung Association says that truck drivers, dock workers and railroad workers who inhale diesel exhaust are much more likely to die from lung cancer and heart disease than the general population.
For further information, please see the American Lung Association's, State Of The Air website.
Monday, November 15, 2010
New EPA Informational Resources For Combating Greenhouse Gases
With these new tools, the EPA is making it easier for local regulatory organizations and for those looking to receive air permits, to understand how they can help reduce the release of harmful Greenhouse Gases into the atmosphere.
This new article can be found in full at the QFilter.com News Section.
EPA Releases New Pollution Permitting Guidance
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is making available new tools and guidelines for use by State and Local Environmental regulatory boards, to identify the most cost effective pollution control technologies to control the emission of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs).
“‘EPA is working closely with its partners at the state and local levels to ensure permitting for greenhouse gases runs smoothly,”‘ said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office Air and Radiation...Read More
This new article can be found in full at the QFilter.com News Section.
EPA Releases New Pollution Permitting Guidance
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is making available new tools and guidelines for use by State and Local Environmental regulatory boards, to identify the most cost effective pollution control technologies to control the emission of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs).
“‘EPA is working closely with its partners at the state and local levels to ensure permitting for greenhouse gases runs smoothly,”‘ said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office Air and Radiation...Read More
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
5 Reasons You Should Care About Dust Collection
To read the rest of this article, please visit the its new home at baghouse.com here: http://www.baghouse.com/2011/01/04/5-ways-dust-collection-affects-our-everyday-life/
Monday, November 8, 2010
New 3M Clip-On Safety Device Helps Protect Against Hearing Loss
By Dominick DalSanto
QFilter.com Environmental Expert, Author, & Content Editor
November 8th, 2010
One the most under valued parts of any worker's PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is Personal Hearing Protection. Usually, consisting of earplugs or noise canceling headphones, this kind of equipment is very often the first PPE to be removed or disregarded by personal in hazardous conditions. Often the cause of this, it that personal fail to appreciate just how loud their current environment is, and how dangerous the noise level there is.
With 3M's newest product, the 3M NI-100EU Noise Indicator, 3M has added another impressive offering to its passive hearing conservation range line of products. This new model, offers a quick guide to potential noise hazard levels, by identifying areas where hearing protection may need to be worn. Many of the industrial settings where industrial filtration takes place, such as at Cement plants, Steel Foundries, Waste Water Treatment Plants, etc...are perfect examples of settings that contain noise hazards.
Employing an LED lighting system, it flashes green when ambient noise levels are below 85db (Considered safe) and red for levels above 85db (The standard level where protective equipment must be used).
Small and compact, this product is useful to workers in countless diverse industries, where noise hazards may exist. It has a rechargeable battery that operates for up to 200 hours between charges and an automatic turn-off system.
QFilter.com Environmental Expert, Author, & Content Editor
November 8th, 2010
One the most under valued parts of any worker's PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is Personal Hearing Protection. Usually, consisting of earplugs or noise canceling headphones, this kind of equipment is very often the first PPE to be removed or disregarded by personal in hazardous conditions. Often the cause of this, it that personal fail to appreciate just how loud their current environment is, and how dangerous the noise level there is.
With 3M's newest product, the 3M NI-100EU Noise Indicator, 3M has added another impressive offering to its passive hearing conservation range line of products. This new model, offers a quick guide to potential noise hazard levels, by identifying areas where hearing protection may need to be worn. Many of the industrial settings where industrial filtration takes place, such as at Cement plants, Steel Foundries, Waste Water Treatment Plants, etc...are perfect examples of settings that contain noise hazards.
Employing an LED lighting system, it flashes green when ambient noise levels are below 85db (Considered safe) and red for levels above 85db (The standard level where protective equipment must be used).
Small and compact, this product is useful to workers in countless diverse industries, where noise hazards may exist. It has a rechargeable battery that operates for up to 200 hours between charges and an automatic turn-off system.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Donaldson Company To Focus On Growth In Liquid Filtration
Donaldson Company, one of the largest players in the Industrial Filtration industry, announced this past week that it is making a number of strategic organizational changes to gain a larger share of the global Liquid Filtration market. Included among these changes, is the combining of the company's Industrial Hydraulic and Bulk Fuel sections, with its Engine Counterparts sections.
In addition to large investments that have been made to Donaldson's production, labs and personnel, Senior Vice President, Jay Ward is quoted as saying, “In addition to these investments, Donaldson has committed considerable corporate technology resources to the development of media, modeling, and testing”.
Clearly many in the industry, feel that the market for Industrial Liquid Filtration is poised for enstensive growth in the near future, leading many companies such as Donaldson to begin investing heavely into R&D, Marketing, and Production for this field.
In addition to large investments that have been made to Donaldson's production, labs and personnel, Senior Vice President, Jay Ward is quoted as saying, “In addition to these investments, Donaldson has committed considerable corporate technology resources to the development of media, modeling, and testing”.
Clearly many in the industry, feel that the market for Industrial Liquid Filtration is poised for enstensive growth in the near future, leading many companies such as Donaldson to begin investing heavely into R&D, Marketing, and Production for this field.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
A New Article That Discusses The Dangers of Industrial Dust Explosions
Today we are happy to announce that we have published a new article here on QFilter.com that deals with Industrial Dust Explosions. You can find the new article by Dust Explosions – The Dangers and The Precautions Needed To Avoid Them here:
http://www.qfilter.com/res/Dust-Explosions-%E2%80%93-The-Dangers-and-The-Precautions-Needed-To-Avoid-Them/detail/136
Dont forget to follow our status updates here on our QFilter.com Facebook Page.
http://www.qfilter.com/res/Dust-Explosions-%E2%80%93-The-Dangers-and-The-Precautions-Needed-To-Avoid-Them/detail/136
Dont forget to follow our status updates here on our QFilter.com Facebook Page.
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