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RiverSweep 2019 Progress Update
Progress Photos of the project site taken August 2019:
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- Written by Ken Doyle
- Created: 12 August 2019
- Last Updated: 12 August 2019
IHMM Summer Update---Journey to Recertification
The ACGI client services software used by IHMM has progressed to the point where we hope Applicants and Certificants are having a good user experience.
As a test, two of the Board members, including me, were up for recertification. In going through the recertification process, we purposely entered technically incomplete or inaccurate information, at various stages in the application process. Indeed, the software program did pick-up those deficiencies in each stage of the process. Then we asked for help, by e-mail or on the phone, to see how the staff would help us in correcting those deficiencies. We received the correct feedback in a timely manner.
Once we did enter the correct information and corrected any related deficiencies, the program accepted our applications and then immediately put us into the audit status. By policy, all Board members must be audited. Once the documentation proving we had the proper training for recertification points was entered, our recertification application was approved. One Board member stated his application the first day into his last year of certification and was approved for re-certification, essentially a year before his current certification expired. I started my application about 75 days before my recertification was due and entered the proper information on the day before it expired. The software processed my application and then my audit information on that day and I was recertified on the day before my current certification was going to expire.
To help you on your recertification:
1. Log on NOW and make sure your work AND home contact information is correct. That way, IHMM has two means to contact you. It is your responsibility to make sure this contact information is correct.
2. Log on NOW and start your recertification application. As you go through training or other activities, enter that information concurrently into the application. May sure you have documentation of those activities in the event you are selected for an audit. Don’t wait for 5 years, when your recertification application is due, to try and collect all that information for the application.
3. Log on NOW and make sure you have paid your annual fees. To assist IHMM in managing cash flow, your fees are due once per year near the annual anniversary date of your certification. And NO, IHMM fees are not dues you pay to AHMP. IHMM fees maintain the staff and programs of IHMM, as well as third party (ANSI and CESB) accreditation of our certifications.
4. If life events get in your way of timely recertification, IHMM does offer a grace period and re-instatement policy, for those that qualify. Immediately contact the staff to see if you can complete your recertification application in a prompt manner. The ACGI program will send you timely reminders to pay your fees and apply for recertification, assuming your contact information on file is current. However, it is your responsibility to pay fees and file a recertification application in a timely manner.
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- Written by Mark Baumgardner, CHMM
- Created: 09 August 2019
- Last Updated: 09 August 2019
PFAS Basics
The Thursday June 20 NEOCHMM meeting was held at Stark State College in Canton. Karla Buechler, Corporate Technical Director of Eurofins TestAmerica gave a webinar presentation on PFAS Basics – An Introduction to the Chemistry, Sources, Regulation, and Analysis.
PFAS is short for perfluoroalky and polyfluoroalkyl substances and includes chemicals known as PFOS, PFOA and GenX. They are a family of potentially thousands of synthetic chemicals that are extremely persistent in the environment and in our bodies. PFAS chemicals have been highly utilized in various industries because of their ability to repel oil and water. They've been manufactured since they were first developed in 1948 and can be found in Teflon nonstick products, stains and water repellants, paints, cleaning products, furniture, carpeting, food packaging and firefighting foams. GenX and other chemicals that are used as replacements for PFOA also lead to the creation of unintended chemicals and precursors which many believe are just as harmful as the chemicals they are intended to replace.
The half-life of these chemicals, depending on the analyte, is 2 to 9 years. They persist in the environment as well as the body and can also accumulate over time. Exposure occurs mainly through ingestion and the chemicals primarily affect the blood, liver, kidneys, and spleen.
The U.S. EPA Drinking Water Health Advisory Limits of PFOA and PFOS is 70 ppt which are considered by many to be too high. Some say the limits should be lower, more in the range of 10 ppt or 1 ppt.
More information is available from fact sheets developed by the Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) which can be accessed at https://pfas-1.itrcweb.org/
We thank Karla for her insight on this subject and thank NEOCHMM member Nate Pietras from Eurofins TestAmerica for setting up this meeting and providing the food and beverages to the attendees.
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- Written by Super User
- Created: 26 June 2019
- Last Updated: 26 June 2019
RiverSweep 2019
On May 11, 2019, a few of NEOCHMM’s, “usual suspects” gathered at a lot off of East Schaaf Road in Independence, Ohio for our annual RiverSweep event. This lot is near the confluence of West Creek and the Cuyahoga River. At one time a bar was on the site. The building was torn down and the lot restored to its riparian character to protect West Creek. The lot was then modified into a wetland to take and treat run off from East Schaaf Road. During heavy rains, West Creek will flood into this lot, thus relieving pressure on flooding further downstream on the Cuyahoga River.
With assistance from employees of Shook Construction and a Boy Scout Troop, we planted about 20 Maple and Locust trees around the perimeter of the lot, thereby enhancing the habitat for wildlife in the area. We extend our thanks toWest Creek Conservancy for supporting the event and for all those who participated in improving the habitat.
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- Written by Mark Baumgardner, CHMM
- Created: 13 May 2019
- Last Updated: 13 May 2019
