Archive for the ‘Environmental Certification/Independent Testing’ Category

EPA Proposes regulations for Coal Ash disposal

Posted in Coal Ash Ponds, Dust Control, Environmental Certification/Independent Testing by Bob Vitale

Coal ash being regulated is seemingly a given; not a bad idea since it effect each of us and our children and grandchildren!
 
The proposal calls for two alternative regulations aimed at reducing environmental and health risks associated with the disposal of coal ash in surface impoundments and landfills. The compliance costs associated with the two proposals range from $1.4 billion down to $236 million. When you think about the December 2009 Tennessee incident noted in the article that cost over $1 billion to clean-up, can cost really be an issue here?

We all know the consumer, you and me, we’re going to pay for this in some form or another. To be able to pay for all that we are being asked, I just ask for a free market and not a government directed and controlled market. Read EPA entire article.

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Research Center Conducts Dust Control Tests

Posted in Dust Control, Environmental Certification/Independent Testing by Bob Vitale

University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Transportation Research Center Conducts Dust Control Tests

Now we’re talking. The science of dust control is becoming part of our everyday vernacular. As Environmental Science courses and degrees begin to populate our Universities, our industry, dust control, is becoming an important part of our country’s future – as it should be!

Case in point; a crew from the UAF Civil & Environmental Engineering department are trying to perfect a dust monitoring system to determine the effectiveness of dust control/dust-settling agents vs. calcium chloride which is usually used on the roads in this borough. We’re thrilled and excited that UAF is taking a lead on the testing. The more testing the better. We need to significantly reduce particle dust on our roads for cleaner air and water and a healthier overall environment.  

Here’s a link to the pdf from the Anchorage Daily news article.

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Not all polymers are created equal

Posted in Dust Control, Environmental Certification/Independent Testing, Environmental Services Industry, Erosion Control, Soil Stabilization by Bob Vitale

Simple statement I know. Just take a look at the images below. Talk about a picture being worth a thousand words! Here’s the quick story. The first image was the customer’s work done with Midwest product. This was a Midwest customer for about ten years. The second image is the same project/customer done with a competitive product this year. The customer put this out for bid, specified our product or equal, they received a lower bid price, but really did not realize what they were buying – in part because the vendor provided them with what was thought to be credible information but was in fact intended to mislead. I’ve written blogs on “Buyer Beware” and this is again another example. All the cliché’s… you get what you pay for… clearly an issue in the dust control industry. When you put a project out for bid, you must be sure you are receiving estimates/prices that not only completely match regarding the formulation of the product, but that the company you are buying from guarantees that you will be satisfied with the result.

Pad Treated with Competitor's Product

Pad Treated with Competitor's Product

Pad Treated with Competitor's Products

Pad Treated with Competitor's Products

Pad Treated with Competitor's Product

Pad Treated with Competitor's Product

Shoulder Treated with Competitor's Product

Shoulder Treated with Competitor's Product

Pad Treated with Midwest Products

Pad Treated with Midwest Products

Shoulder Treated with Midwest Products

Shoulder Treated with Midwest Products

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How to Control Air Pollution…Safely

Posted in Dust Control, EK35, EnviroKleen, Environmental Certification/Independent Testing by Bob Vitale

Reports in recent weeks confirmed that oil sands are adding carcinogens to Canada’s Athabasca River. The good news in the bad news is that the carcinogens are being carried in the air, and air pollution can be controlled.

Given the importance of the oil sands to our economy and our future, the needed solution must absolutely stop dust clouds carrying airborne particulates. Reportedly, the particulates travel 50 kilometers, depositing possible contaminants on melted snow and in the Athabasca River. Dust blowing off the surfaces of big expanses at mines can be controlled – better yet, prevented – but stopping airborne particulates must not create any unintended consequences as those reported about the Athabasca River. That is why it is critical that agencies and businesses trying to control the air pollution that develops at their sites verify the effects the dust suppressants they use can have on the environment.  Today we have certified and verified environmental technologies (EnviroKleen® and EK35®) available that can stop airborne particulars.

Oil sands development located on the west bank of the Athabasca River. 28 February 2008. Photographs courtesy of Erin Kelly, published in Mongabay.com

Oil sands development located on the west bank of the Athabasca River. 28 February 2008. Photographs courtesy of Erin Kelly, published in Mongabay.com.

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