Making a big stink about odours

Mike Holmes investigates the source of bad smells in a house, and advises homeowners not to ignore them.

You need to put all your senses to work to make your home safe and healthy. That means using your nose to sniff out problems, as well as your eyes to see what’s wrong.

I’m not just talking about noticing and avoiding volatile organic compounds when you smell them (that’s those chemicals in many building products, which evaporate quickly and can sicken some people who smell them). I’m talking about training your nose to recognize dangerous odours that warn of potentially lethal outcomes, such as a natural gas leak, an electrical fire or septic gas.

All these hazards can kill, and they all have a specific odour you’ll probably smell before you see anything. But that’s only if you know the scent when you come across it.

Leaking natural gas, for instance, can smell something like a dead mouse or skunk. Utilities add that unpleasant odour to naturally odourless and colourless gas for the purpose of warning you when it escapes. Ignoring the warning smell and flipping a light switch can cause a spark that ignites the house. Turn off the gas source. Leave the house and call the utility company.

Rotten-egg smell is a symptom of both septic gas, which leaks in through the plumbing, and toxic drywall, which off-gasses hydrogen sulphide. If the house has been vacant for a while, dried-out traps might be letting in septic gas, which is lethal in large doses. If running water through the system doesn’t eliminate the smell, call a plumber. Once plumbing gets ruled out as the source and the smell persists, you could have a worse problem with that bad drywall, which can short electric systems and make you sick. It was imported to North America from 2001 to 2007, so some homes still have it. It must be professionally removed.

Don’t write off a strong urine smell as a pet accident. Accompanied by a stain on a bedroom ceiling, it could also mean a raccoon infestation in the attic. In some cases, it’s a red flag the house might have been used as a lab to make methamphetamine, an illegal synthetic drug. Residue can cause breathing problems, similar to an overgrowth of mould. Decontamination can cost thousands of dollars.

Never ignore a burning smell, either, especially one that’s like burning rubber. Your nose is telling you an appliance or outlet is dangerously overheated, which can lead to a fire. Turning off the circuit you think is causing the problem at the breaker box is a smart first response, before you phone an electrician. But leave the house if you see flames.

Ever catch a whiff of something you can only describe as mushrooms? In an older home, especially where the wood framing wasn’t pressure-treated as it is now, it could be dry rot, a fungus that sucks the structural strength out of healthy timber. To get rid of it, you’ll need a good mould remediator who knows dry rot.

Why am I making a big stink about odours? Probably because so many homeowners ignore or tolerate bad smells, until it’s too late. They never guess it’s affecting their health or, worse, signalling real physical danger brewing behind the walls.

You can’t count on inspectors to identify bad odours unless they actually see evidence of a problem. They’re typically not trained to address a bad smell on its own; it’s categorized as “environmental” and not part of their visual evaluation. A good one, however, won’t ignore smells that, in their experience, are linked to a broader problem.

Some inspectors use dogs specially trained to sniff out mould. Just the way dogs are able to detect drugs, they can smell dangerous mould spores that can affect your indoor air quality and family’s health.

As basic as it may sound, it pays to educate yourself about smells that spell danger. Then you’ll be able to react quickly and call the right professional before things get out of hand.

Seasons Greetings

The Hindu : Cities / Visakhapatnam : Steps being taken to contain industrial pollution in city, says APPCB

The Hindu : Cities / Visakhapatnam : Steps being taken to contain industrial pollution in city, says APPCB

The Hindu : Cities / Visakhapatnam : Steps being taken to contain industrial pollution in city, says APPCB

The Hindu : Cities / Visakhapatnam : Steps being taken to contain industrial pollution in city, says APPCB

Fix for smelly compost plant in the works

GUELPH — A draft plan for addressing the odour problem experienced in the early stages of Guelph’s new compost facility contains a fix for the smells, a top city official said Monday. But details of that proposed remedy are not being publicly revealed until the draft plan can be studied, questioned and possibly tweaked by a public liaison committee. The committee is to meet Dec. 20. “Yes, of course, that’s the intention, is to create a fix for the problem,” said Janet Laird, Guelph’s director of planning, building, engineering and environment, speaking of the draft plan. “We won’t, I guess, know for sure until it’s fully implemented and we get to monitor its effectiveness.” The plan, she said, includes everything the facility’s designer/builder Maple Reinders, the city, the ministry and other principals “can think of to fix the problem.” The nearly $33-million Organic Waste Processing Facility built by Maple Reinders Group Ltd. was lauded as an odour-free facility when it officially opened on Sept. 27. But it discontinued processing deliveries of additional green bag organic waste on Nov. 25 after several complaints were received from residents near the eastside plant. Since then, the city has been sending residential wet waste to landfill. Laird said on Nov. 28 she hoped the issue could be resolved within two weeks. On Monday, she said Maple Reinders has prepared a draft plan, and is continuing to work on the plant’s systems to address the problem. While the plant is not receiving additional waste material, it is continuing to process the compost material inside. There have been no further odour escapes that the city is aware of, she added. Laird said as a courtesy to public liaison committee members, she did not want to reveal details of the draft plan until a meeting is held with that group. But she said the plan was discussed with the Ministry of the Environment on Friday. “There is a strong desire from both the ministry and the city to take it first to the public liaison committee before we share it with the community, because we want to respect the public liaison committee’s role in this,” Laird said. “I think it’s safe to say that in the meantime, Maple Reinders is still undertaking their review of their air management and odour control systems,” she continued. “They’re making any upgrades as they go along that don’t require further approval.” Ken Spira is president of the community action group Guelph Waste Management Coalition, and he is part of the public liaison committee. Some of the coalition’s members, who live near the plant, reported the odours in November. He said Monday the city is seeking a special meeting on Dec. 20 “to review Maple Reinder’s draft action plan that was developed to investigate the facility’s odour management system.” The city, he added, wants input from public liaison committee members on the plan. Spira said he “has no clue what they are up to,” since he has not seen the draft plan. While he requested to have the meeting deferred until Jan. 12 due to the approach of Christmas, the city wants the meeting to proceed on Dec. 20 because there is a “need to finalize the plan as soon as possible.” “Obviously, they have some sort of action plan which they’ve reviewed with the ministry,” he added. “I am at least grateful that any action plan will be discussed with the PLC so that we can comment prior to implementation, of whatever it is.”

Stench response is on the nose

FAMILIES in Melbourne's west are worried about a putrid smell that has been wafting over the area for at least a year. More than 50 people have complained to the Environment Protection Authority Victoria about the rotting garbage smell, with one Derrimut resident, Deepa Coello, saying she feared it could have long-term health implications for her 18-month-old toddler Teanna. The EPA has received complaints from residents in Burnside, Caroline Springs, Deer Park and Derrimut, where Mrs Coello says the stench is usually at its worst after 7pm. ''It's getting embarrassing because it's usually at times when we're entertaining guests and they notice the smell,'' Mrs Coello, who is 14 weeks' pregnant, told The Sunday Age. ''I'm not exactly sure what the smell is so I'm just a bit concerned it could be some sort of industrial pollution. It's definitely not normal. It's such a bad smell I think it must be … dangerous.'' The Coellos live near two industrial sites: the Orica plastics, chemicals and explosives plant on Ballarat Road, Deer Park; and the Boral Western Landfill on Riding Boundary Road, Truganina. Orica, which was forced to close down its Kooragang Island ammonia plant near Newcastle, NSW, after a toxic gas leak in August, operates a number of businesses at its Deer Park site in the areas of adhesives, plastics and specialty chemicals, as well as a small explosives business manufacturing sophisticated initiating systems. The Boral plant is one of the largest landfills in Australia, accepting about 400,000-500,000 tonnes of waste each year. EPA spokeswoman Tanya O'Shea said its pollution hotline had received 55 calls about the foul smell in the past 12 months, with some callers blaming the Boral site but none mentioning Orica. EPA investigators had inspected the Boral site in June and September and the company had taken action to minimise off-site odours including covering odorous material, capping open leachate (waste water) wells and undertaking better managing, monitoring and treating of landfill gas, Ms O'Shea said. The EPA expected Boral to adhere to its licence conditions designed to prevent offensive odour from being discharged beyond its boundary, she said. Penalties of up to $293,000 can apply to licence breaches. Derrimut Labor MP Telmo Languiller said residents believed authorities were not doing enough to get rid of the smell. ''The challenge for the western suburbs - given industry growth and given that the area is increasingly being populated by new residents - is to find a way for residents, industry and business to coexist,'' he said. In a separate case, Australian Tallow Producers pleaded guilty in the Sunshine Magistrates Court last month to two charges relating to offensive odours in August and September last year, as well as a separate charge relating to tallow (an animal-derived fat) inadvertently being discharged into Kororoit Creek. ATP was fined $50,000 plus almost $14,000 in costs and agreed to spend about $1 million upgrading its facilities to meet a Pollution Abatement Notice.

Glasses emit personal sound and smell - tech - 04 December 2011 - New Scientist

Glasses emit personal sound and smell - tech - 04 December 2011 - New Scientist

Odour Problems Following 30 and 40 Degree Laundry Washes Prompting Interest in Antibacterial Sportswear

Odour Problems Following 30 and 40 Degree Laundry Washes Prompting Interest in Antibacterial Sportswear

Firm fined for emissions - Local - Londonderry Sentinel

Firm fined for emissions - Local - Londonderry Sentinel:

'via Blog this'

Ottawa plant emits only the sweet smell of success

Ottawa plant emits only the sweet smell of success:

'via Blog this'

GOOGLE+

Oil recycler gets approval for emissions hike - ABC Newcastle NSW - Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Oil recycler gets approval for emissions hike - ABC Newcastle NSW - Australian Broadcasting Corporation:

'via Blog this'

Stamp out stink

RESIDENTS living near Kingston tips are helping the EPA snoop on landfill operators as the bid to stamp out the stink steps up. EPA officers will crack down with daily odour surveillance of Din San Nursery, Enviromix, Transpacific Industries and Clayton Regional Landfill over the next three weeks and has selected 17 residents to keep dedicated odour diaries for that period. Westall Secondary College and Clayton South primary schools are also keeping logs for the EPA. >>Are things improving? Tell us below or our Facebook page ‘Stop the Stink: Make Kingston Odour Free’ Despite a reduction in odour reports to the EPA in Dingley and Clayton South since August, there have still been about 400 complaints in those areas in that time. Clayton South resident Jim Apostolopolous said he had been calling the EPA odour hotline every second day. “It was continuous,” he said. “Things have definitely improved, but things need to improve more.” Mr Apostolopolous said he had already completed three diaries but would continue to log the odours for the EPA. EPA southern metro regional manager Bronwyn Green said the information would be used to pinpoint exact sources of odour and determine whether current remedial works were working. “Our officers are trained in odour recognition and it is that expertise that will enable us to get a real-time understanding of the odour,” Ms Green said. “We’ll also work with a select group of residents, asking them to record their observations and experiences of odour over a certain time frame.” The EPA will also inspect sites to ensure they were complying with both licences and notices.

Study says no cancer increase near Superfund site

A study has shown that there has been no significant increase in cancer among residents living in a Superfund site that has groundwater contaminated with chromium. The analysis done by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDMSS) showed from the time of 1993 to 2008, the number of cases of cancers associated with exposure to the toxic form of chromium is similar to what would be expected based on statewide rates. "This is reassuring news for the community," said Health and Senior Services Commissioner Mary E. O'Dowd. "The department's review found no unusual trends or significant increases in cancer, but we will continue to monitor because it can take decades for cancer to develop." The Health Consultation, requested by the community, looked at the number of lung, stomach, oral and esophageal cancer cases among 3,600 residents between 1993 and 2008 and compared it with the number of cases of those cancers that would have been expected over a 16-year period in the affected neighborhood. Although the department analysis found the incidence of stomach and lung cancers in males was higher than expected, the difference was statistically insignificant. Both cancers in males were also elevated before a 1983 spill of chromium plating solution. The analysis began with 1993 because that was a decade after thousands of gallons of chromium plating solution was discharged from a tank at E. C. Electroplating Co., contaminating the groundwater that flows under 600 homes surrounding the now closed plant. In June 1993, hexavalent chromium-contaminated groundwater and crystals were discovered in Garfield Fire House 3, which was subsequently taken out of service. The E.C. Electroplating site is located in a mixed residential and commercial area of Garfield. In December 1983, approximately 3,640 gallons of chromium plating solution (chromic acid) containing about 5,400 pounds of chromium was discharged from a partially below ground storage tank, contaminating groundwater beneath the site. Wells were installed to monitor groundwater and partially recover some of the discharged product. In June 1993, chromium-contaminated groundwater and crystals were discovered in the nearby Garfield Fire House 3, which was subsequently taken out of service. Groundwater sampling indicated maximum concentrations of hexavalent chromium as high as 1,490,000 micrograms per liter, according to a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection report in 2002. The groundwater results prompted additional investigation, revealing chromium-contaminated groundwater within the basement sumps of several residences and commercial properties in the immediate vicinity. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been working with the community for several years on testing and remediation. Last month, the EPA added the Garfield Groundwater Contamination Site to its Superfund National Priorities List. In May 2010, the Department and the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) issued a health warning to residents near the plant after EPA testing in 16 of 160 homes with basement flooding, leaking or other water issues found dust contaminated with hexavalent chromium. Exposure to hexavalent chromium may be associated with lung and other cancers as well as health conditions such as irritation to the lining of the nose, asthma and other respiratory problems, skin rashes, anemia, and irritation and ulcers in the stomach and small intestine. NJDHSS and ATSDR concluded based on the study that the incidence of cancers potentially related to the exposure of hexavalent chromium in the Garfield contamination area is similar to what would be expected based on state-wide cancer rates. The NJDHSS and the ATSDR plan to continue doing other studies and surveillance of chromium-related cancers in Garfield's contamination area because of the long period that cancers sometimes take to develop. They also plan on working with community representatives to determine the most appropriate health education materials and outreach strategies to inform the public.

CRA Gets Buyer for Cleantech Site, But Strips Cleantech Requirements

CRA Gets Buyer for Cleantech Site, But Strips Cleantech Requirements DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES - Since 2008, the city has been trying to find a developer to turn a contaminated 20-acre site in southeast Downtown into a hub for clean technology manufacturing companies. On Thursday, the Community Redevelopment Agency board of commissioners approved a $15.4 million sale of the so-called Cleantech Manufacturing Center site to developer Trammell Crow. The deal, however, was stripped of a slate of requirements binding the buyer to use the land exclusively for cleantech purposes. Under terms of the deal, the developer could pay $1 million to the CRA to be exempt from the few cleantech obligations that were preserved. Bradley T. Cox, senior managing director of Trammell Crow, said the firm is committed to building a project that fulfills the city's cleantech vision. As the president of the Los Angeles Business Council, Cox has been active in the city's effort to establish the eastern edge of Downtown as a hub for clean technology and other environmentally friendly companies. But Cox said that he couldn't finance the project if it were weighed down by stringent obligations. "We made a commitment that when we're going through our entitlements and working through our environmental work to go out there and find cleantech tenants for the project," Cox said. "But at the end of the day, I can't finance it if I don't have the option to lease it to someone else in the event that we can't make that vision a reality." In lieu of the $1 million penalty, the deal mandates: • The firm must set aside 140,000 square feet in the future building for cleantech companies. Trammell Crow imagines a development that would total 350,000 square feet. • The development must meet energy efficiency and green design standards. • The firm must hire locally, pay workers according to the city's living wage policy, and agree to have 100 people working on-site within 24 months of opening the building. • When escrow closes, the firm must spend $100,000 on an 18-month joint effort with the CRA to market the site to cleantech companies. The development cost is estimated at $40 million, on top of the $15.4 million purchase price, Cox said. While the $1 million penalty for ignoring the cleantech obligations would seem relatively minor, Cox said there's a valuable reason to do everything possible to meet them. "We're a community-based developer and we want to be invited back," he said, referring to potential future deals with the city. "If I stiffed everybody and didn't do what we said we'd do on the first project, you think I'd get a second project? You don't do those things. It's a small town." Alex Paxton, who helped negotiate the deal for the CRA, agreed that disregard for the cleantech vision would backfire. "It would burn bridges with the mayor's office," Paxton said. Fourth Time's a Charm? The sale to Trammell Crow marks the fourth attempt at developing the site east of Santa Fe Avenue near the intersection of 15th Street and Washington Boulevard. Initially, the city hoped to own the property and lease it out. However, deals with Italian railcar maker AnsaldoBreda, and then an electric car manufacturer, both came close to fruition before falling through. The agency then shifted to a sale strategy, but an attempt to sell the land, with a long list of cleantech requirements to Culver City-based Genton Property Group, fell apart in July. The firm cited contamination issues when it backed out of the deal. The property had long held industrial businesses. Part of it was used by the Crown Coach company as a manufacturing site, and another section was occupied by Amtrak machine shops and rail car repair facilities. According to the CRA, there was a rail car spill in the late 1970s or early '80s. Other pollutants came from the repair work. Analysis of the site is ongoing, and the agency, which is responsible for funding the clean-up, is waiting on state approval to proceed with a remediation plan. The contamination, however, will not prevent Trammell Crow from breaking ground, Paxton said. The development will be designed in a way so that its footprint doesn't interfere with future infrastructure needed to extract soil contaminants. Cox said the firm is eyeing a December 2012 groundbreaking. The deal still requires City Council approval. If approved, Trammell Crow would immediately begin working with the CRA to find cleantech companies and secure entitlements. The land was previously cleared for a larger, 1-million-square-foot industrial complex. Trammell Crow is looking to marry its plan with the project already approved for the site to expedite the planning phase, Cox said. If the firm fails to find cleantech tenants, he said the complex would likely turn toward businesses from the industries that dominate the surrounding market - wholesale produce and garment manufacturing. "If we can't execute the CRA vision, then we have an asset for some of these other users who are traditionally in the market there," he said. Contact Ryan Vaillancourt at ryan@downtownnews.com.

To[ic legac\ lingers

MORE than 10 years after a chemical fire in Bellevue, the area is still contaminated, as the United Firefighters Union of WA and FESA try to track down all involved at the site. A liquid waste treatment and recycling facility on Bulbey Street was destroyed when it went up in flames on February 15, 2001. The site contained a number of chemicals including petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents. It is now controlled by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC). DEC tried to protect the Helena River by installing a permeable reactive barrier (PRB) last year to stop a plume of chemicals washing from the site into the river. “Two 76m long and 11m deep parallel trenches were dug and backfilled with treatment materials between March and May 2010, to intercept and treat contaminated groundwater,” a spokesperson said. “The PRBs have been designed to operate for at least 15 years. Their performance is assessed on a quarterly basis by sampling an extensive groundwater monitoring network.” Results from 2010 indicate the plume has slowed down, and contaminates are not detected in the river. While the river appears to be spared, the United Firefighters Union of WA has sent a survey to all members, looking to identify those involved in the 2001 fire. Secretary Graeme Geer said the survey asked questions including what role firefighters had played and how long they remained at the scene. “A number have got health problems and to be able to link them to that fire would be useful,” he said. “I have got a gut feeling that there are serious concerns there.” A FESA spokeswoman said career firefighters and FESA personnel involved with the fire had also been invited to take part in a health monitoring program, which looked at aspects including lung function. She said the organisation would not be able to collate any statistics until more members had responded. While more than 1000 members have been invited to take part, less than 100 have registered, with the organisation seeking another 600. An expression of interest process is still being finalised to identify potential contractors for the clean-up of the contaminated site. The spokeswoman said community consultation would be carried out by the contractor. What everyone else is thinking Adrian Ashton 02/11/2011 Exposure to toxic chemicals is causing more and more of us to bear the consequences: illnesses once regarded as uncommon but now statistically more significant. The onset can be sudden and totally unexpected as I know well. On a medical specialist asking if one knows the cause, the careless attitude of others resulting in a serious previous exposure(s) to oneself is immediately suspect and rankles much more than would be the case, say, with no such connections. The Bellevue waste chemical dump was insufficiently monitored, if at all, to ensure public safety. Standing out as a case where our supposed public health guardians can fall down on their duty was that of the official sent to measure lead levels at an Esperance dockside warehouse admitting later how fear had prevented him from venturing inside to take readings. Could it have been fear, also, which kept public health officials away from the Bellevue dump? None can doubt the bravery of firefighters who risk their lives, however.

Interim action will clean up portions of G-P West site in Bellingham

BELLINGHAM – The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) will oversee the first phase of Port of Bellingham work starting Monday to clean up targeted areas of contamination at the Georgia-Pacific West state cleanup site, 300 W. Laurel St. The site was contaminated during past operations at the former Georgia-Pacific pulp and tissue mill, which operated at the site from 1926 to 2007. Starting Monday, workers will prepare to remove an estimated 8,000 tons of petroleum-contaminated soil and debris from what is called the Bunker C tank area at the northeast end of the site. Fuel oil was used to make steam heat for the mill operations. This cleanup is important because contamination in this area could enter groundwater and move toward Bellingham Bay. Contaminated soil removed from the site will be taken to a licensed, permitted facility for disposal. Contaminated groundwater will be treated and disposed of across Whatcom Waterway in the industrial wastewater treatment lagoon under to an existing wastewater discharge permit. The port hired Strider Construction of Bellingham for this phase of the work. The port is performing the interim action according to an Ecology-approved work plan under a legal agreement. This phase will cost about $1 million. Ecology will reimburse up to half the port’s costs for work performed at the G-P West site. Reimbursements come from the state’s remedial action grant program, which helps pay to clean up publicly owned sites. The state Legislature funds the grant program with revenues from a voter-approved tax on hazardous substances. In the spring of 2012, the port will complete the second phase of work under a separate contract. During that phase, workers will remove an estimated 400 to 500 tons of mercury-contaminated soil and debris, and demolish a building that contains contaminated materials in what is called the caustic plume area at the west end of the site. Mercury was used in this area in the production of chlorine gas and sodium hydroxide. These actions are considered interim because they don’t address the entire site. During the interim work, the port will continue to develop its state-required comprehensive environmental study of the entire site (remedial investigation), followed by an analysis of cleanup options (feasibility study). Ecology expects to release the remedial investigation and feasibility study reports for public comment in 2012. G-P West is one of the 12 cleanup sites in the Bellingham Bay Demonstration Pilot – a multi-agency collaborative effort to integrate cleanup, control of pollution sources, habitat restoration and land use. The pilot program is a major step toward restoring Puget Sound, and it is a model for other large-scale cleanup initiatives.

2011 RACI Awards Dinner - The Royal Australian Chemical Institute Incorporated http://bit.ly/vzORf5

2011 RACI Awards Dinner - The Royal Australian Chemical Institute Incorporated http://bit.ly/vzORf5

Banish stink before Games

A PONG that blights part of Glasgow’s East End near the 2014 Commonwealth Games site could soon vanish. Scottish Water is spending £2 million to try to rid the area of “odour issues” at a key waste water treatment works (WWTW) which serves hundreds of thousands of city residents. The works, in Cotton Street, Dalmarnock, is having part of its existing odour control system refurbished while new odour control equipment is also being installed in an attempt to banish the pong.

More complaints on odour

NASTY NIFFS on Corballis Beach in Donabate have been traced to a septic tank serving public toilets at the beach. Following local complaints, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Gerry Mcguire (right) brought the issue to the attention of the council. He asked what the council intended to do to eliminate what he called the 'constant bad odours in the vicinity of the public toilets at Corballis Beach'. The council said the source of the offensive odours were a septic tank for the toilets and said: ' The septic tank associated with the public toilets at Donabate Beach was emptied on a number of occasions during the summer bathing season. 'Arrangements have been made to have it cleaned out again. 'A dye test will be carried out to establish if there are any leaks or cracks which may result in odours.'

Odour complaints rise

Three odour complaints were attributed to activities at the Chemtura plant in Elmira during the month of October. That compares to zero complaints in September. It has been some time since Chemtura has received this many complaints. Dwight Este, a spokesman for Chemtura, told members of the Chemtura Public Advisory Committee that the company faced some challenges in determining the sources of these off-site odours, because the complaints were not called in immediately. “A number of complaints came in well after the fact, so it was very difficult to assess,” said Este. Jeff Merriman, also with Chemtura, emphasized that odour complaints can be called in to the company at any time of the day. Odour complaints can be made by calling 519-669-1671, ext. 317. Complaints can be registered anonymously, with callers just indicating the general vicinity of the odour. The shift supervisor will then go and investigate the complaint, determining whether the odour is indeed coming from Chemtura, and the potential source. Air samples can also be taken, if the call is made in a timely fashion. Callers may also call the Spills Action Centre, operated by the Ministry of the Environment. That number is 1-800-268-6060. At the CPAC meeting, committee member Sebastien Siebel-Achenbach noted that three odour complaints did not seem to be that many. “In the past, has it been higher, or has it stayed relatively the same?” asked Siebel-Achenbach. “In recent years, it’s been quite good,” replied Merriman. “We did have a rash of odour complaints around 1999, 2000 — a lot. It was unacceptable for the community, and unacceptable for us. “Since then, it’s been very good.”

Dialysis unit closed again due to odour

Regina dialysis unit closed again

 

 

BY PAMELA COWAN, LEADER-POSTNOVEMBER 1, 2011

 

 

 

The top five salaries paid to registered nurses in the RQHR in 2010 were between $174,000 and $233,000.

Photograph by: Tim Fraser

REGINA — The hemodialysis unit at the Regina General Hospital has closed for a second time in two months because of an intermittent noxious odour.

The unit closed on Oct. 20 and treatments are being done in other locations at the hospital.

An ammonia/sewer-like odour was first identified on the dialysis unit in July. That month, staff and patients started reporting symptoms such as burning, itchy eyes, sore throats and a metallic taste. A number of steps were taken to eradicate the odour before a decision was made to close the unit on Sept. 9.

Treatments from Sept. 9 to Sept. 25 were relocated to four other areas at the General Hospital and the hemodialysis unit was closed while the unit’s cast iron plumbing was replaced with PVC plumbing. The unit reopened on Sept. 26, but the odour re-emerged shortly afterwards.

When the Leader-Post contacted the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region (RQHR) on Monday for an update about the recurring problem, the region provided only factual responses in writing to ensure it did not violate provisions of the Elections Act during the election period.

The region noted that in September, when the unit was first closed, a number of appointments were rescheduled, or reduced in frequency or length, after consultation with nephrologists. That is not the case this time.

There have been no changes to the number or length of patients’ treatments, and all dialysis patients currently continue to receive their routine course of dialysis treatments.

The region noted that over the period of time the odour has been intermittently present, symptoms have been experienced by the unit’s employees including nursing staff, support staff and technical staff.

Currently, two of the unit’s staff are away ill.

Some nurses have reported respiratory problems and generally feeling poor, Rosalee Longmoore, president of the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses, said in an interview Monday.

She said it’s difficult to estimate how many nurses have been ill since the problem began.

“Some have had symptoms, but haven’t necessarily missed any work,” Longmoore said. “Everybody in the unit has been impacted to some degree ... From my conversation with the local president, she felt that the region was trying everything they could to expedite the process.”

To solve the problem, the region is getting expertise from the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety, occupational medicine, occupational hygiene, an environmental chemist, plumbing and water system experts, hemodialysis machine manufacturers and suppliers, engineers and environmental specialists.

They have not yet determined what is causing the odour.

More than 100 patients receive dialysis treatments each day, Monday to Saturday.

pcowan@leaderpost.com

Find another spot, Health tells waste proponents

THE NSW Health Department has strongly urged proponents of a waste resource and recovery centre to find another site. Environmental health officer Warren Matthews told the Southern Regional Planning Panel on Friday that the facility was too close to homes. The department is most concerned about odour and questions how proponents, Denrith Pty Ltd, can eliminate fumes from an enclosed area with a filtration system. “The technology is not proven,” Mr Matthews said. “We have severe doubts (it) can remove odour from the waste.” He told the forum he’d checked other similar facilities in NSW and couldn’t find one that handled putrescible and recycled waste in the one building. The meeting heard that recyclables would be handled in a separate building, but enclosed in the 94 metre by 45m facility. Mr Matthews was therefore concerned for employees’ safety working in an environment of “toxic fumes and noisy machinery.” With doors at both ends (though not continually opened) he predicted a wind funnelling effect. On a windy day it was difficult to know how far odour would carry. “The modelling didn’t fully explain how odour would be eliminated,” he said. Crundwell St resident John Newton told the panel there was plenty of evidence to show models and statistics didn’t always work. “So what is the potential affect on the asset values of people’s houses within 500 metres? “What happens if they can’t sell and get fair value? I think that should be part and parcel of considerations.” North Goulburn Action Group member Richard Orchard and numerous residents voiced strong concerns about odour, materials to be received, traffic volumes, the lack of turning lanes in and out of Bridge St on to Sydney Rd, noise, location, visual impact and inadequate notification of the plan. Some lived just 120 metres from the site. Others, like Stella Friend live just across the road. She said she had been informed it was a new home for Endeavour Industries, to which she didn’t object. “They (Denrith) never said anything about a tip,” Mrs Friend said. “It’s the wrong place for a rubbish tip and I hope something can be done to stop it.” Long St property owner Tony Egan suggested other sites like the old wool scour in Mazamet Rd, which also had rail access, would be more suitable. He feared if Goulburn grew, so would its waste and the number of trucks travelling to and from the facility. Kevin Watchirs told the panel bluntly: “You don’t put a tip on the river.” “In its every day running the stench will be a huge problem for workers and everyone in north Goulburn,” he said. “…Let’s avoid a catastrophe and national embarrassment and put it somewhere else.” After the meeting, Mr Orchard likened the approval process to the “tail wagging the dog” given that Denrith had no firm agreement with Council to handle its waste, nor with Woodlawn, where it was proposed to go. Opposing residents on Friday also included: Paul Alessi, Vanessa and Matthew Kelly, Meave Ramsay, Conway Bogg and Ron Beaver. SPEAKING UP: North Goulburn Action Group member Richard Orchard, who declared himself a candidate at next year’s council elections, opposed the waste and recycling centre at Friday’s forum. Page:12single page Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter Email to a friend comments Date: Newest first | Oldest firstYayyyyyyyy!!! No tip..... Posted by Fritz, 31/10/2011 8:50:17 PM, on Goulburn Post post a comment Screen name * Email address * Remember me? Comment * We invite and encourage our readers to post comments. Comments are moderated and will appear as soon as our editor has approved them. When posting comments you agree to be bound by our Terms and Conditions.

Perfume Pill

Deodorants, antiperspirants and perfumes could be relegated to the past of scented history if a new creation delivers on its promise to turn perspiration into fragrance. 


How it works? 
Created by a Netherland-based artist, the pill is to be swallowed and is said to have the power to turn skin into an atomiser working with an individual's body metabolism. So, when a person perspires, instead of an odour it delivers perfumedirectly into the body. Also, since we have our own genetic make up, which is unique, yourfragrance will also stand apart. The pill is still in its development stage. Its creator Lucy McCrae along with synthetic biologist Sheref Mansy is hoping that their creation will 'biologically enhance second skin, synthesised directly from the natural processes of the body. 

Would you swallow this pill? 
Vahbbiz Dorabajee, TV actress, says, "If there is a pill which converts sweat into perfume it would be fantastic. There will be no bad odour coming from anyone at parties, in discotheques on the dance floor and even in the gym. Everyone will smell good. The very thought of it is so uplifting. I will surely use it and definitely gift it to people who really need such a discovery." It could have serious side effects Dr Jaishree Manchanda cosmetologist and dermatologist, is sceptical about this invention. She says, "I would like to know what this pill is made of and how it works, for there is a possibility that it may have serious side effects." Ishween Anand, owner of a firm that manufactures natural and fragrant bath and body products, says, "According to me, using perfume pills to eliminate sweat and turn it into fragrance is not a natural process for a person as it is a change in the internal system of one's body. 

In today's world when people are trying to move away from chemicals, the unnecessary intake of these pills filled with chemicals is harmful for the human body. Moreover, fragrance is very mood based. We prefer using different fragrances for casual as well as formal occasions and taking this pill will result in giving us the same fragrance at all points of day which can be very boring and monotonous. However, this may prove to be useful for people who have a permanent problem of bad body odour. But I would consider it only as a temporary solution for eliminating bad odour- something like how using a toothpaste serves as a temporary solution for bad mouth odour . In all as a bath and body products manufacturer, I would not recommend the use of these perfume pills as its always harmful to touch the natural dent."

Foundry Odour control

Anotec Technical Paper - Environmental Odour Control for Foundries http://scr.bi/uAo56k

On The Nose

ON THE NOSE COULD dust and odour issues in Hobsons Bay be on the improve? The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) received 335 dust and odour complaints from Hobsons Bay in the last financial year – down from 680 complaints being made in the previous financial year. With complaints down by more than half in 2011 – the question is: have issues improved or are residents just reporting to the EPA less? In the Brooklyn industrial precinct of Altona North and Brooklyn reports to the EPA are down from 546 to 244. Brooklyn Residents Action Group member Brian Long said the figures were down not because the issue had improved but because of the heavy rain. “We have had a very wet year and the moisture has kept the dust down,” he said. “The smells have only gotten worse.” In the last two financial years businesses in Hobsons Bay have been fined more than $80,000 for breaching environmental laws and ordered to pay almost $300,000 to community projects. Most recently in August this year the Australian Tallow Producers in Brooklyn were fined $20,000 and ordered to pay $13,300 in EPA costs for allowing offensive odours beyond the boundary of its premises – the odours were believed to be that of a dead carcass. A spokesperson for the EPA said the authority had been focussing heavily on the Brooklyn industrial precinct over the last 18 months. The spokesperson also said it was important to note that some of the reports received by the EPA could be for the same issue and should not be considered separate incidents. Mr Long said he understood the EPA was doing its job but believed a lot of people were not reporting issues as often because they couldn’t be bothered. “The figures will spike again,” he said. “I’m still cleaning my air-conditioning and my car just as often – the dust is just settling during the night.”

RSC press release: David Phillips comments on 2011 Nobel Prize winner Daniel Shechtman

RSC press release: David Phillips comments on 2011 Nobel Prize winner Daniel Shechtman: "RSC President comments on Daniel Shechtman's Nobel Prize for chemistry

05 October 2011

Professor David Phillips, President of the Royal Society of Chemistry, commented on the 2011 Nobel Prize for chemistry winner Daniel Shechtman and his discovery:

"Quasicrystals are a fascinating aspect of chemical and material science - crystals that break all the rules of being a crystal at all!

"You can normally explain in simple terms where in a crystal each atom sits - they are very symmetrical. With quasicrystals, that symmetry is broken: there are regular patterns in the structure, but never repeating.

"They're quite beautiful, and have potential applications in protective alloys and coatings. The award of the Nobel Prize to Daniel Shechtman is a celebration of fundamental research.""

'via Blog this'

901 sites on toxic list, but register blank - Local News - News - General - The Canberra Times

901 sites on toxic list, but register blank - Local News - News - General - The Canberra Times:

'via Blog this'

Composting site getting raw deal on smell

Composting site getting raw deal on smell:

'via Blog this'

The olfactory chemistry of love - Yahoo! Lifestyle UK

The olfactory chemistry of love - Yahoo! Lifestyle UK: "The olfactory chemistry of love


The olfactory chemistry of love

Ever more studies on the importance of pheromones to sex appeal are being published. So, whose side of the story to believe – deodorant marketeers or the scientists?
When it doesn’t cause revulsion, someone else’s body odour can actually arouse sexual desire. Between instinctive attraction and conscious repulsion, here’s an overview of the multifaceted power of body smell.  "

'via Blog this'