Naturally Occurring Asbestos Assessment, Exposure Prevention Strategies During Construction, and Capping for Long-Term Protection: a California, USA Example

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Kalika
Keyword(s):  
School Improvement ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
The United States ◽  
Guidance Document ◽  
School Construction ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Naturally Occurring Asbestos ◽  
Sampling Procedures

<p>The government of California, in the United States, has created requirements that are intended to protect the public from naturally occurring asbestos (NOA), partly due to the widespread areas in which asbestos minerals (including chrysotile and various amphiboles) are found within the state.Over ten years ago, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control Schools Unit published a thorough set of guidelines for addressing NOA at school construction sites.Their guidance document includes soil sampling procedures and frequency, recommended laboratory analytical testing methods, construction best practices to protect nearby residents from airborne exposures, capping methods to prevent re-exposure to students and public following the completion of the school improvement project, and follow-up procedures to ensure the capping method remains protective.Many of these best practices have been adapted into the construction process for commercial and residential buildings.<span>  </span>In California, protection of air is the regulated by Air Quality Management Districts, who regulate the generation of airborne asbestos as an air pollutant.Additionally, workers who are employed by a company, and working at a job site where asbestos is present, are protected by California Occupational Safety and Health (Cal-OSHA). Cal-OSHA requires varying protective measures to be implemented, based on the amount of asbestos that the worker is exposed to during their time at the construction project.This presentation will review the various regulations and best practices used in California by comparing a school construction project with a commercial office building. </p>

A Comparison of Environmental Concerns in Two Disparate Montana and Nevada Communities

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-130
Author(s):  
Charlene A. Winters ◽  
Sandra W. Kuntz
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
The United States ◽  
Environmental Concerns ◽  
Primary Concern ◽  
Exposure Risk ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Fibrous Minerals ◽  
The World ◽  
Naturally Occurring Asbestos

Asbestos refers to six fibrous minerals that occur naturally in the environment in the United States and throughout the world. Deposits may be found in soil, rocks, and deposits of other minerals such as vermiculite and talc. These naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) minerals belong to the serpentine and amphibole family of minerals. This chapter reports shared components of community-driven environmental concerns related to exposure to NOA in a rural Montana and a suburban Nevada community. The specific aim is to establish an understanding of the community and community member's primary concern(s) related to NOA in both communities. The knowledge that NOA is commonly found in areas across the United States supports the need for additional research into the health effects of environmental exposure and best-practices to reduce exposure risk while allowing communities to thrive economically.

Geological Model for Naturally Occurring Asbestos Content Prediction in the Rock Excavation of a Long Tunnel (Gronda di Genova Project, NW Italy)

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-112
Author(s):  
Luca Barale ◽  
Fabrizio Piana ◽  
Sergio Tallone ◽  
Roberto Compagnoni ◽  
Chiara Avataneo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Features ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Geological Model ◽  
Rock Excavation ◽  
Representative Sampling ◽  
Highway Tunnel ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Naturally Occurring Asbestos ◽  
Nw Italy ◽  
Sampling Procedures

ABSTRACT For a reliable evaluation of the geo-environmental risk due to naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) during rock excavation of large infrastructure projects, a proper procedure is needed. First, it is necessary to provide a detailed geological model tailored to the NOA-related issues that should drive the rock sampling procedures in order to obtain a representative sampling. The sampling procedures should take into account lithological variability and relative spatial distributions of the rock units. The geological model for NOA should be thus constrained by the main NOA petrofacies occurring in a given geotectonic context, which take into consideration both the mineralogical and structural features, and the identification of NOA homogeneous zones in which the NOA petrofacies are distributed. In this paper, some geo-environmental problems faced during the excavation, in meta-ophiolites, of a long highway tunnel are described. The geological model of the complex setting of the tunnel area (northern Italy, Alps-Apennines junction) is described, focusing on how the NOA-related problems were addressed to allow reliable and detailed estimations of NOA contents for each NOA homogeneous zone and the relevant tunnel layout segment.

scholarly journals Best Practices in Specialized Amyloidosis Centers in the United States: A Survey of Cardiologists, Nurses, Patients, and Patient Advocates

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 117954682110152
Author(s):  
Jose Nativi-Nicolau ◽  
Nitasha Sarswat ◽  
Johana Fajardo ◽  
Muriel Finkel ◽  
Younos Abdulsattar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Multidisciplinary Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Comprehensive Care ◽  
Patient Support ◽  
Patient Support Group ◽  
Patient Advocates

Background: Because transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) poses unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, referral of patients with known or suspected disease to specialized amyloidosis centers is recommended. These centers have developed strategic practices to provide multidisciplinary comprehensive care, but their best practices have not yet been well studied as a group. Methods: A qualitative survey was conducted by telephone/email from October 2019 to February 2020 among eligible healthcare providers with experience in the management of ATTR-CM at US amyloidosis centers, patients with ATTR-CM treated at amyloidosis centers, and patient advocates from amyloidosis patient support groups. Results: Fifteen cardiologists and 9 nurse practitioners/nurses from 15 selected amyloidosis centers participated in the survey, with 16 patients and 4 patient advocates. Among participating healthcare providers, the most frequently cited center best practices were diagnostic capability, multidisciplinary care, and time spent on patient care; the greatest challenges involved coordination of patient care. Patients described the “ideal” amyloidosis program as one that provides physicians with expertise in ATTR-CM, sufficient time with patients, comprehensive patient care, and opportunities to participate in research/clinical trials. The majority of centers host patient support group meetings, and patient advocacy groups provide support for centers with physician/patient education and research. Conclusions: Amyloidosis centers offer comprehensive care based on staff expertise in ATTR-CM, a multidisciplinary approach, advanced diagnostics, and time dedicated to patient care and education. Raising awareness of amyloidosis centers’ best practices among healthcare providers can reinforce the benefits of early referral and comprehensive care for patients with ATTR-CM.

scholarly journals Application Method of a Simplified Heat and Moisture Transfer Model of Building Construction in Residential Buildings

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (14) ◽  
pp. 4180
Author(s):  
Joowook Kim ◽  
Michael Brandemuehl
Keyword(s):  
Latent Heat ◽  
Moisture Transfer ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Outdoor Environment ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Heat And Moisture Transfer ◽  
Heat And Moisture

Several building energy simulation programs have been developed to evaluate the indoor conditions and energy performance of buildings. As a fundamental component of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning loads, each building energy modeling tool calculates the heat and moisture exchange among the outdoor environment, building envelope, and indoor environments. This paper presents a simplified heat and moisture transfer model of the building envelope, and case studies for building performance obtained by different heat and moisture transfer models are conducted to investigate the contribution of the proposed steady-state moisture flux (SSMF) method. For the analysis, three representative humid locations in the United States are considered: Miami, Atlanta, and Chicago. The results show that the SSMF model effectively complements the latent heat transfer calculation in conduction transfer function (CTF) and effective moisture penetration depth (EMPD) models during the cooling season. In addition, it is found that the ceiling part of a building largely constitutes the latent heat generated by the SSMF model.

Identifying and Serving English Learners in Gifted Education: Looking Back and Moving Forward

2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 297-335
Author(s):  
Rachel U. Mun ◽  
Vonna Hemmler ◽  
Susan Dulong Langley ◽  
Sharon Ware ◽  
E. Jean Gubbins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Gifted And Talented ◽  
Gifted Education ◽  
English Learners ◽  
The United States ◽  
Effective Practices ◽  
Referral Process ◽  
Screening Assessment ◽  
Looking Back

Although the number of English learners (ELs) in the United States continues to increase, this population remains underserved by gifted and talented (GT) education programs across the nation. This underrepresentation represents a societal and research dilemma for reasons we address in this systematic review of the most effective practices documented to identify and serve ELs for GT programs. We examine 50 theoretical and empirical articles according to four major themes: nomination, screening/assessment, services, and identification models. We discuss identification recommendations, including outreach and professional learning to foster stakeholder recognition of GT potential in all ELs, an equitable referral process based on a multiple-lens approach, and observation of students completing problem-solving tasks. Finally, we address perceived best practices in serving GT ELs, including making accommodations for ELs in GT programs.

scholarly journals Infection Prevention Considerations for a Multi-Mission Convention Center Field Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Jones ◽  
Zishan K. Siddiqui ◽  
Charles Callahan ◽  
Surbhi Leekha ◽  
Sharon Smyth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
The United States ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Field Hospital ◽  
First Case ◽  
Convention Center ◽  
Set Up ◽  
And Control

Abstract The state of Maryland identified its first case of COVID-19 on March 5, 2020. The Baltimore Convention Center (BCCFH) quickly became a selected location to set up a 250-bed inpatient Field Hospital and Alternate Care Site. In contrast to other field hospitals throughout the United States, the BCCFH remained open throughout the pandemic and took on additional COVID-19 missions, including community SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing, monoclonal antibody infusions for COVID-19 outpatients, and community COVID-19 vaccinations. At the time of publication, the BCCFH had cared for 1,478 COVID-19 inpatients, performed 108,155 COVID-19 tests, infused 2,166 COVID-19 patients, and administered 115,169 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. To prevent the spread of pathogens during operations, infection prevention and control guidelines were essential to ensure the safety of staff and patients. Through multi-agency collaboration, utilization of infection prevention best practices, and answering what we describe as “PPE-ESP”, an operational framework was established to reduce infection risks for those providing or receiving care at the BCCFH during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impacts of land use on spatial distribution of mortality rates of cancers caused by naturally occurring asbestos

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 516-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Binggan Wei ◽  
Xianjie Jia ◽  
Bixiong Ye ◽  
Jiangping Yu ◽  
Biao Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Naturally Occurring Asbestos

scholarly journals Tracking Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation: A Novel Approach

2018 ◽  
Vol 47 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 240-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura M. Rosales ◽  
Hanjie Zhang ◽  
Marilou Mateo ◽  
Brenda Chan ◽  
Israel Campos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Saturation ◽  
Arteriovenous Fistula ◽  
Arterial Oxygen Saturation ◽  
Central Venous Oxygen Saturation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Upper Body ◽  
Arterial Oxygen ◽  
Central Venous ◽  
Hemodynamic Changes ◽  
Improvement Project

Background: The time between the creation of an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and its successful use is significantly longer in hemodialysis (HD) patients in the United States compared to those in other countries, and there is an urgent need to reduce the residence time of central-venous catheters (CVC). Methods: Successful AVF creation and maturation results in typical hemodynamic changes, such as an increase in cardiac output and upper body blood flow (UBBF). In patients with CVC as vascular access, we measured once per minute intradialytic central-venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) and hemoglobin levels simultaneously using the Crit-Line Monitor. Under conditions of stable upper body oxygen consumption and arterial oxygen saturation, ScvO2 and hemoglobin concentration allows the calculation of estimated UBBF (eUBBF). In a quality improvement project, we used ScvO2 and eUBBF to track the hemodynamic changes accompanying AVF maturation. Results: Out of 11 patients (9 incident to HD, 1 female, age 61 ± 13 years), AVF maturation was successful in 9. In 1 patient, the AVF did not mature. One patient died from sudden cardiac death with a maturing AVF. In the 9 patients with successful AVF maturation, ScvO2 increased from 60.9 ± 2.7% prior to AVF creation to 73.4 ± 3.6% a week after AVF creation (19.6 ± 6.3% increase). eUBBF increased from 1.3 ± 0.3 to 2.2 ± 0.6 L/min (62.7 ± 37.5% increase); no material ScvO2 or eUBBF changes occurred in the other 2 patients. Conclusion: Our results indicate the potential utility of ScvO2 and eUBBF to track the hemodynamic response to AVF maturation. To what extent these insights translate into shortening of the time between AVF creation and successful cannulation warrants further investigations.

Triggering Change: An Investigation of the Logics of Turnaround Leadership

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L. Woulfin ◽  
Jennie Weiner
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
School Improvement ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Qualitative Interview ◽  
The United States ◽  
Building Capacity ◽  
Turnaround Leadership ◽  
Whole School ◽  
Aspiring Principals ◽  
Northeastern State

Principals are positioned at the center of school improvement. In the United States, current turnaround reforms target the principalship as a key lever for change. This article uses institutional theory to explore the logics of turnaround leadership that steer principals and their work. Specifically, we draw on qualitative interview data from a phenomenological study of a cohort of aspiring turnaround principals in a northeastern state to explain how educators invoked and enacted four logics of turnaround leadership. We found that, in addition to engaging with the previously identified logics of instructional, managerial, and social justice leadership, participants invoked a new logic that we name “triggering change.” This logic focused squarely on building capacity via positive relationships and shaping culture as mechanisms for whole school improvement. By depicting aspiring principals’ conceptions and negotiations of these four logics, we contribute to the literature on turnaround policy and leadership with implications for turnaround leader development.

scholarly journals PRACTICE OF IRVING JOHN GILL MODERNISM

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-159
Author(s):  
Vasily D. FILIPPOV
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Los Angeles ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
The United States ◽  
World Exhibition ◽  
The Ideal ◽  
Life Projects

The article is devoted to the work of Irving John Gill during his heyday, and then in conditions when the principles of modernism discovered by him, due to the lack of society’s need for new architecture in the United States, were not needed in this country - from 1909 until his death in 1936. New technologies used by Gill in the construction of public and residential buildings from concrete are described as well as his unsuccessful participation in the Panama-California World Exhibition of 1915-191, the construction near Los Angeles of the “ideal” city of Torrance and end-of-life projects. The reasons why Gill did not become the leader of the American and one of the leaders of world architecture are discussed, and his work is still controversial.

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