WebWire | News by Industry : Environment http://www.webwire.com/ Environment News by WebWire en Copyright © 2012 WebWire. All Rights Reserved. Sat, 4 Feb 2012 01:16:09 EST WebWire | News by Industry : Environment 140 32 http://www.webwire.com/ http://www.webwire.com/imgs/webwire_logo_140x32.gif California's Prop 65 and Linuron Public Health Concerns http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=152346 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 14:40:24 EST LA Testing provides analytical services to protect the public and help businesses comply with California's Proposition 65.
 
Garden Grove, CA, February 1st, 2012
 
In 1986, California voters approved an initiative to address increasing concerns about exposure to toxic chemicals. That initiative, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, is better known by its original name of Proposition 65. 
 
Proposition 65 requires businesses to notify Californians about significant amounts of chemicals in the products they purchase, in their homes or workplaces, or that are released into the environment.  This list includes linuron, an herbicide used to control annual and perennial weeds on crop and non-crop locations.  It was added to the Prop 65 list in 1999.
 
Linuron has been labeled for use in soybean, cotton, potato, corn, bean, pea, winter wheat, asparagus, carrot and fruit crops.  In addition, it is used on crops stored in warehouses. 
 
The herbicide has approximately a dozen different trade names and is often used in conjunction with other herbicides, insecticides and fungicides.  It is classified as a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) which allows its purchase only by certified applicators.
 
'Exposure to linuron can cause irritation to the eyes and skin,' reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc., a leading environmental and industrial hygiene testing laboratory.  'Linuron is highly toxic to non-target aquatic organisms and has been classified by the EPA as a possible human carcinogen.  The chemical has been found to be slightly to moderately soluble in water and moderately persistent in soils.  So even after it has been applied it may still present an exposure risk to workers and nearby residents of areas treated with the herbicide.  Testing to identify the presence of linuron can help prevent needless human exposures and damage to the environment,' he continued.
 
LA Testing provides testing services for linuron and other potentially hazardous chemicals.  To learn more about Proposition 65 testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. 
 
About LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.
LA Testing and EMSL Analytical are providers of environmental testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The companies have an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

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]]> Education Environment Food / Beverages Government Higher Education WebWireID152346 Article Bed Bugs Invade Senior Living Apartment Complex http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=152345 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 14:33:33 EST EMSL Analytical offers testing services to identify bed bugs utilizing advanced PCR techniques.
 
Cinnaminson, NJ, February 2nd, 2012
 
Recently, WHNT reported that an outbreak of bed bugs has occurred at a Huntsville, Alabama senior living apartment complex.  According to the report, one tenant complained to management who then conducted an investigation of the other units.  The investigation discovered 20 additional senior apartments infested with bed bugs.
 
Cimex lectularius is the scientific name for the common bed bug.  They are parasitic insects that feed on human blood.  The name arrived due to the insects' preference to inhabitat places that people sleep.  Bed bugs are extremely tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions, including being able to survive for extended periods of time in cold temperatures and low humidity. 
 
People exposed to bed bugs can face a host of health effects that include rashes, allergic symptoms and psychological effects.  Last year, it was reported by Canadian scientists that they had discovered Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on bed bugs.  The research was conducted after doctors at a hospital noticed an increase in both bed bugs and MRSA infections.  Although the study was small, it raised concerns that the bed bugs which can cause people to scratch bites from the bugs could be introducing MRSA or other microbial pathogens into people's bodies. 
 
Last year, Arizona joined Maine, New York and Illinois as the first states to have signed into law legislation dealing with the bed bugs.  Arizona's legislation assigns responsibilities to landlords and tenants in multi-family housing with ways to deal with the blood sucking insects.
 
EMSL Analytical, one of the nation's premier environmental testing laboratories, has a PCR technique to identify bed bugs and their remains.  'At EMSL we are able to test for the DNA from bed bugs to determine if they are present,' reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical.     'Due to the size and nature of bed bugs, identifying them can be a real challenge without the assistance of scientific results.  Utilizing advanced PCR technologies that look for DNA markers specific to bed bugs has changed all of this,' he continued.
 
To learn more about testing for bed bugs, please contact EMSL Analytical at www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.
 
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

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]]> Education Environment Higher Education Leisure / Travel / Hotels WebWireID152345 Article Oregon Prepares for Possible Radioactive Tsunami Debris http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=152343 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 14:27:37 EST EMSL Analytical offers testing services to analyze radioactive samples following the nuclear disaster in Japan.
 
Cinnaminson, NJ, February 3rd, 2012
 
This month, the Yamhill Valley News-Register published a story about how various Oregon agencies and groups are preparing for potentially radioactive debris to reach the coast.  Recently, they held a conference call to review Oregon's planned response as the one year anniversary of the Japanese earthquake and resulting tsunami approaches in early March.
 
Although most experts do not expect the debris to carry much radioactive material, area residents are still concerned.  The bulk of the debris is expected to begin arriving later in the year or into the beginning of next year.
 
Materials that may be contaminated with cesium are one significant concern.  According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 'The most common radioactive form of cesium is cesium-137. Another fairly common radioisotope is cesium-134. Cesium-137 is much more significant as an environmental contaminant than cesium-134.'
 
Nuclear reactor waste and accidental releases such as at the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear plant accidents did release some cesium into the environment.  The half-life of cesium-137 is 30.17 years. Because of the chemical nature of cesium, it moves easily through the environment which makes the cleanup of cesium-137 difficult.
 
Responding to concerns about radioactive debris reaching the shores of Oregon and surrounding states, EMSL Analytical has expanded their radiological sampling capacity.  The environmental laboratory has already witnessed an increase in the number of requests to perform Gamma Spectroscopy analyses. 
 
'The ability to measure Gamma isotopes that may have been released from the Japanese nuclear power plant allows EMSL to measure for things such as Cesium-134, Cesium-137, Iodine-131 and other radioactive elements,' reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical.  'Samples have already been processed to test food products, soils, vegetation and water matrices with some samples being able to be processed in as short as one day.'
 
To learn more about testing for radiological samples, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.
 
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies. 

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]]> Architecture / Construction / Building Education Environment Higher Education Maritime / Marine WebWireID152343 Article China is now the world's largest importer of softwood lumber and logs despite a slowdown in imports during the 4Q/11 http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=152338 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 11:53:34 EST Seattle, USA. Importation of softwood logs and lumber to China has increased continuously over the past 15 years, and in 2011 the country was the largest importer of softwood lumber and logs in the world, according to the Wood Resource Quarterly. Total import value equaled almost eight billion US dollars last year, which was an increase of 57 percent from 2010, and up from only 70 million dollars 15 years ago. Annual growth over the past five years has been almost 30 percent, and over the past 15 years, the CAGR has been as high as 36 percent.   
 
Imports of softwood lumber have increased faster than imports of softwood logs over the past few years, but log imports still constitute a higher share of the total import value of softwood products. After having increased for seven consecutive quarters, the importation of softwood logs and lumber fell for the first time in the 4Q/11 because of reduced domestic demand and high inventories at many of the country's ports. The decline was 14 percent from the 3Q/11, but the total import value was still higher than the fourth quarter in 2010.  
 
By volume, importation of softwood log and softwood lumber to China fell 10 percent in the 4Q/11 as compared to the previous quarter. Importation of logs and lumber from Russia decreased the most, while lumber from New Zealand and logs from Canada actually increased slightly during the fourth quarter. 
 
Much of the increased import demand for softwood raw-material has been, and continues to be, driven by the fast expansion in the house construction sector combined with the fact the China lacks domestic forest resources to meet the growing demand for most forest products.   
 
A tightening monetary policy with a restricted money supply resulted in reduced activities in the construction sector in the second half of 2011. It has also been reported that there were overstocked inventories of real estate (over 20 months of unsold inventory in Beijing and Shanghai), and that housing transaction volumes in many big cities fell by more than 50 percent in the fourth quarter. Societe Generale reported that housing starts were down 25 percent in December as compared to the same month in 2010.
 
It can be expected that the housing market will continue to face headwinds during the first half of 2012 unless the Chinese government steps in to ease the country's monetary policy. As a consequence, the prospects for log and lumber imports will be faced with uncertainty short-term, but will likely continue to trend upward long-term.    
 
Global timber market reporting is included in the 52-page quarterly publication Wood Resource Quarterly. The report, established in 1988 and with subscribers in over 25 countries, tracks sawlog, pulpwood, lumber and pellet prices and market developments in most key regions around the world. To subscribe to the WRQ, please go to www.woodprices.com

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]]> Architecture / Construction / Building Environment Financial Markets Paper / Forest Products / Containers WebWireID152338 Article Lawsuit: Frito-Lay's Genetically Modified Ingredients Are Not 'All-Natural' http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=152298 Thu, 2 Feb 2012 11:31:39 EST A proposed class-action lawsuit filed in New York alleges that Frito-Lay misled consumers by advertising that their Tostitos and SunChips brands are 'all-natural' when they contain corn and oils from genetically modified plants. The suit seeks to recover damages based on the claim that consumers allegedly choose to pay more for an 'all-natural' product, rather than similar products that were not.
 
The plaintiff, Chris Shake, believes that marketing the products as 'all-natural' is deceptive, because genetically engineered plants have had their genetic material altered artificially in a laboratory—not through natural processes. A similar lawsuit was also filed in California last year.
 
Frito-Lay, owned by PepsiCo Inc., maintains that it has followed all the industry's regulatory requirements.  
 
Genetically modified organisms (GMO) in the food industry have become a controversial topic in recent years, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been petitioned to require food labels to indicate clearly the presence of genetically engineered ingredients.
 
'The food industry is encountering new challenges, and EMSL Analytical is constantly assessing and implementing new technologies and methods to serve our clients better,' states Joy DellAringa, M.S., RM (NRM), CFSP, National Food Microbiology Supervisor at EMSL. 'We offer advanced testing services for food adulteration, GMO, and quality control, and our results are legally defensible.'
 
For more information on EMSL's food testing services, please contact EMSL at (800) 220-3675, email info@emsl.com, or visit www.EMSL.com or www.FoodTestingLab.com.
 
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical, Inc. is a full service testing company providing quality lab services under the same private ownership since 1981. Including the corporate lab facility in Cinnaminson, NJ, EMSL Analytical operates over thirty laboratories nationwide in the US and Canada. We provide analytical services for environmental, indoor air quality (IAQ), industrial hygiene, forensics and materials science, consumer products, food safety, PCR, pharmaceutical, asbestos, lead, and radiological samples. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations, as well as state and federal regulating bodies. Please see our website for a complete listing of accreditations.
 

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]]> Agriculture / Aquaculture Big Box Retail / Supermarkets Class Actions / Lawsuits Environment Food / Beverages WebWireID152298 Article Action Scuba Montreal Becomes First Scuba Diving in Centre in Canada to Launch 100% Aware Program in Support of Environmental Conservation http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=152210 Wed, 1 Feb 2012 09:00:00 EST Montreal, Quebec (January 31, 2012): Action Scuba Montreal has become the first Canadian scuba diving centre to introduce the new 100% Aware program from the Project AWARE Foundation, further strengthening the dive centre's ongoing commitment to global environmental conservation activities.

100% Aware, launched in late 2011, is a voluntary program that encourages PADI dive centres around the world to promote the work of Project AWARE, a non-profit organisation that relies on financial support from environmentally concerned divers. All funds raised by the organisation go towards collecting and removing devastating underwater debris worldwide, securing protection for the world's threatened shark species, and engaging people in conservation efforts world globally.

As of February 2012, Action Scuba, a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre located in Montreal, Canada, will make a donation to Project AWARE of at least $10 for every student who completes a recreational scuba diving certification course with them.  In exchange, the students will receive special limited edition Project Aware PADI certification cards, which stand out from the traditional cards held by others.

Student divers will also be welcome to make their own voluntary donations to complement those made by Action Scuba, and the dive shop will continue to organise other regular activities in support of Project Aware such as their popular annual Beach Clean-Up & Dive Against Debris and in-store collection of signatures for shark protection.

'Action Scuba has shown dedication to conservation for years through their participation in Project AWARE activities but their commitment to the 100% AWARE program makes them shine as they not only lead by example but demonstrate to their students the importance of supporting ocean protection. Thank you for leading the way.' Says Lauren Wiskerson, Program Specialist, Project AWARE Foundation.

'We are genuinely pleased to be one of the first dive centres in the world to introduce 100% Aware, and the first in Canada to do so' says Gary Davis, president of Action Scuba and a PADI Master Instructor.  'At Action Scuba we certify hundreds of scuba divers annually, and therefore our involvement in the 100% Aware program represents a substantial investment on our part in the work being done by Project AWARE. We feel strongly that conserving the marine environment is our responsibility as leaders in the diving community and we challenge all other local and global dive shops to follow suit and join us in the 100% Aware program.'

About Action Scuba

Action Scuba (www.actionscuba.com) is a PADI 5 star Instructor Development Centre and dive shop located in Pointe Claire, Quebec, which has been serving water-loving Montrealers since 1997. As underwater experts they offer training and certification for all levels of divers, from beginners through to specialist technical divers or dive professionals. Action Scuba carries a large inventory of scuba and snorkeling equipment for purchase and rental at their full service dive shop. They also organize travel to dive destinations around the world and offer regular local diving excursions on their own dive boat.

About Project Aware

Project AWARE Foundation, a registered non-profit organization, mobilizes the world's divers to protect our ocean planet – one dive at a time. Join the growing movement of divers striving toward a clean, healthy and abundant ocean planet.   www.projectaware.org

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]]> Environment Leisure / Travel / Hotels Lifestyle / Society Retail Sports WebWireID152210 Article Mold Closes California Medical Center http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=151946 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:33:42 EST Chatsworth, CA, January 24th, 2012
 
In October of last year, the Calavera Enterprise reported that the Valley Springs Medical Center was being temporarily closed due to an unexpected discovery of mold. The mold was not readily visible and was only discovered during routine repairs to the building.  The medical center, located in Valley Springs, California, made the decision when Aspergillus fungi were identified as part of the microbial growth.
 
Aspergillus is a genus consisting of several hundred mold species found in various climates worldwide.  It is commonly found in the environment and can also sometimes be found in household dust, building materials and even in some foods. It is frequently found in buildings that have suffered water damage or elevated humidity levels.
 
The disease caused by fungal infections due to Aspergillus is known as aspergillosis.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 'There are many different kinds of aspergillosis. One kind is allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (also called ABPA), a condition where the fungus causes allergic respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing and coughing, but does not actually invade and destroy tissue. Another kind of aspergillosis is invasive aspergillosis, a disease that usually affects people with immune system problems. In this condition, the fungus invades and damages tissues in the body. Invasive aspergillosis most commonly affects the lungs, but can also cause infection in many other organs and can spread throughout the body.'
 
'Because people frequenting medical facilities often have compromised immune systems, it is critically important to reduce the potential for overexposure to Aspergillus and other common environmental molds,' reported Derrick A. Denis, V.P. Indoor Environmental Quality at CSC, a leading indoor air quality (IAQ) and mold consulting firm.
 
To help educate people about Aspergillus and its potential health risks, CSC has sponsored an educational video that can be viewed by visiting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_de4qZpwP8Q.
 
To learn more about Aspergillus or other molds found in indoor environments please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118. 
 
About Clark Seif Clark (CSC)
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both the public and private sectors address environmental health and safety (EH&S) issues.  CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.

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]]> Environment Health Care / Hospitals WebWireID151946 Article Is Your Furniture Emitting Formaldehyde? http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=151936 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:08:40 EST Did you know that furniture and building materials may release noxious gas into air? The process, known as off-gassing, can pose a serious threat to a family's health as they breathe in volatile chemicals.
 
Major sources of one such chemical, formaldehyde, are pressed wood products manufactured with adhesive resins, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The resins contain formaldehyde, which is then emitted into the air and can cause watery eyes, irritation in the eyes, nose, and throat, wheezing, nausea, fatigue, skin rash, difficulty breathing, and severe allergic reactions. Concentrations higher than 10 parts per billion (ppb) may cause adverse health effects in some individuals. Formaldehyde is also known to cause cancer in animals and may be carcinogenic in humans as well.
 
Pressed wood products made with the toxic resins often include wall paneling, particleboard, fiberboard, and furniture. Other sources of formaldehyde that could affect indoor air quality are urea-formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI), tobacco smoke, combustion sources, durable press drapes, other textiles, and glues, notes the EPA.
 
'EMSL Analytical is one of the country's foremost indoor air quality testing laboratories and offers a great deal of expertise in testing for formaldehyde off-gassing,' states Scott Van Etten, CIH, National Director of Industrial Hygiene at EMSL. 'Moreover, we have a network of over 30 laboratories from coast to coast to serve our clients locally.'
 
For more information on EMSL's testing services, please contact EMSL at (800) 220-3675, visit www.EMSL.com, or email info@EMSL.com.
 
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical, Inc. is a full service testing company providing quality lab services under the same private ownership since 1981. Including the corporate lab facility in Cinnaminson, NJ, EMSL Analytical operates over thirty laboratories nationwide in the US and Canada. We provide analytical services for environmental, indoor air quality (IAQ), industrial hygiene, forensics and materials science, consumer products, food safety, PCR, pharmaceutical, asbestos, lead, and radiological samples. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations, as well as state and federal regulating bodies. Please see our website for a complete listing of accreditations.
 

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]]> Architecture / Construction / Building Environment Household / Consumer / Cosmetics Office Products Paper / Forest Products / Containers WebWireID151936 Article Dusit Thani Maldives opens February 2012 http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=151908 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 09:23:59 EST Dusit International confirms the opening of Dusit Thani Maldives on 6 February 2012. Surrounded by a vibrant 360-degree coral reef and turquoise lagoon, this island property features pearl white sandy beaches and a rich landscape of verdant vegetation. Dusit Thani Maldives is considered a landmark addition to this fast expanding brand.

'Dusit Thani Maldives will elevate the brand to a new level,' says Mr. Chanin Donavanik, CEO of Dusit International. 'This property represents a milestone in our strategic expansion plans. As we gain momentum in the region, we look forward to advancing the guest experience throughout our group of hotels and resorts.'

Located on Mudhdhoo Island in Baa Atoll, Dusit Thani Maldives is 35-minutes by seaplane from the capital Malé, Blending Maldivian architecture with Thai artistry, the 100-villa resort features Dusit's signature Devarana Spa, uniquely elevated above a grove of coconut palm trees. The resort's centrepiece is the expansive infinity swimming pool, the largest in the Maldives, a full 750 square metres designed around an ancient banyan tree. Dusit Thani Maldives is an ideal haven to explore the marine biodiversity of Baa Atoll, the first UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in the country.

The resort's 100 villas and residences are sanctuaries for relaxation furnished with the latest technology. Beach Villas offer 141m2 of comfortable living space, many complete with private pools. Lagoon Villas (151m2) feature a private deck area and plunge pool, offering a combination of beach and lagoon access. The Ocean Villas offer 184m2 with decks featuring private pools and salas, large day beds and deck chairs. The most prestigious accommodations are the premium two-bedroom Ocean Pavilions (375m2) and Beach Residences (564m2) which have large swimming pools and indoor and outdoor dining areas. With stunning ocean views and a focus on sustainable cuisine, three restaurants and two bars cater to your culinary cravings. Take a trip to one of the many dive sites of Baa Atoll, such as the spectacular Hanifaru Huraa, a seasonal feeding ground for manta rays and whale sharks. Our guides can lead you to an underwater world of sea turtles, eagle rays and a variety of reef fish and corals. Or simply snorkel our 360-degree living house reef just off shore.

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]]> Environment Leisure / Travel / Hotels Lifestyle / Society Travel Industry WebWireID151908 Article UVDI Celebrates 20 Years of Service and Innovation http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=151866 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:08:42 EST UVDI is one of the oldest and most respected ultraviolet germicidal disinfection (UVGI) companies in the industry. The company has an impressive pedigree and it all began with the hard work and ingenuity of one man.
 
Three generations ago, Louis Veloz was an engineer for Westinghouse when its R&D engineers developed and patented the first commercial ultraviolet lamps. Mr. Veloz was intrigued by this new technology and in 1949 purchased a Westinghouse UV lamp dealership. Forty-three years later, UltraViolet Devices, Inc. was founded by Tom Veloz, the son of Louis.  At the time, Tom was the successful owner and CEO of Aquafine, a commercial water UV manufacturing company.
 
'UVDI was founded by my father in 1992 with a vision to become a world class designer and manufacturer of ultraviolet products,' commented Peter Veloz, CEO and Chairman of UVDI and third generation co-owner along with his brother David.  'Pursuing that vision for over twenty years my father Tom, and now my brother David and I, have guided UVDI's growth into an international supplier of UVGI technology and products and have also diversified the business into activated carbon filtration.  Today, UVDI provides sustainable, green, energy savings and healthy solutions in many applications that benefit millions of people around the globe,' he continued. 
 
UVDI's 20 years of success is built upon the commitment of employees, partnership of customers and the dedication of stakeholders.  The company looks forward to future milestones as UVDI continues to prosper and grow.
 
To learn more about UltraViolet Devices please visit www.UVDI.com, email info@UVDI.com or call (877) 787-3882.
 
About UltraViolet Devices, Inc.
UVDI is a leading manufacturer and supplier of UV-C products for air, surface and water disinfection. Under the ALTRU-V® brand, UVDI markets a full line of products for the HVACR market designed to reduce energy consumption and lower maintenance costs while delivering cleaner, healthier air.  Under UVDI's Sparks Technology™ brand, the company markets gas phase filtration products for use in commercial and industrial applications worldwide.

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]]> Architecture / Construction / Building Business Announcements Environment Health Care / Hospitals Infectious Disease Control WebWireID151866 Article Vaisala to divest its wind profiler business to Scintec AG http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=151860 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:40:03 EST Vaisala has signed a contract to divest its wind profiler business to Scintec AG in order to better focus on the core product lines in the Weather business area. The divestment is expected to contribute to increased focus in product development and customer service.

Vaisala continues to offer the world leading LAP wind profilers as components in its integrated weather and decision support system offering, but will no longer have the product in its own portfolio.

Scintec AG is located in Rottenburg, Germany. The company develops, manufactures and markets atmospheric sensors using optical, radio wave and acoustic techniques.

About Vaisala
Vaisala is a global leader in environmental and industrial measurement. Building on 75 years of experience, Vaisala contributes to a better quality of life by providing a comprehensive range of innovative observation and measurement products and services for chosen weather-related and industrial markets. Headquartered in Finland, Vaisala employs approximately 1400 professionals worldwide and is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki stock exchange.

www.vaisala.com

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]]> Business Announcements Environment Financial Markets Machinery Oil / Energy WebWireID151860 Article High-tech traffic technology to help Copenhagen become CO2 neutral http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=151859 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:37:32 EST Gouda - Imtech (IM-AE, technical services provider in and outside Europe) secured its first order in Denmark. The high-tech traffic management solutions by Peek (the Imtech Traffic & Infra mobility specialist) for each of the 365 road junctions in Copenhagen represent an important contribution to making the Danish capital completely CO2 neutral by 2025.

René van der Bruggen, Imtech CEO: 'Imtech (Peek) has a large installed base of high-tech traffic solutions such as traffic controllers and traffic lights, which are being used as part of an extensive upgrade involving the deployment of the latest technology and innovative traffic management systems. From this installed base we have succeeded in becoming the technology upgrade partner to the city of Copenhagen. In formal terms, this means the first Imtech order in Denmark, which is a breakthrough. An Imtech office is being opened at the same time to help us build on this start. This will further strengthen our position in the European traffic market.'

New generation of technology for 365 road junctions
The order comprises the upgrade, improvement and maintenance of all 365 road junctions in the city, including a traffic management system based on ITS technology (Intelligent Transport Systems). ITS is a collective international term for the application of information and communications technology in traffic infrastructure and vehicles for making traffic safer, more efficient, more reliable and considerably more environmentally friendly. It involves the use of the latest information technology for simulation, real-time control and communications. The overall package of technological improvements will greatly contribute towards Copenhagen's ability to meet its CSR objectives. An order has been placed for an initial phase of 10 million euro, which will be considerably expanded in due course.

First CO2 neutral city in the world
Copenhagen is seeking to reduce its CO2 emissions by 20% by the year 2015, and to be completely CO2 neutral by 2025. More than 50 sustainability initiatives have been launched against this background, for public transport, the transport industry, and the complete logistic 'setting'. In 2011, 36% of the inhabitants of the Danish capital regularly travelled by bicycle; the target is for this figure to have risen to 50% by 2025. The Imtech technology is designed to give priority to cyclists and public transport, with the help of up-to-date travel information for example, and the creation of 'green waves'. At present, traffic is responsible for 21% of the city's overall CO2 emissions, but it is intended that this be reduced to 10% by 2015, thanks in part to Imtech solutions. To that end, new high-tech traffic controllers will be linked to a real-time remote monitoring system that will enable the flow of buses, bicycles, cars and freight vehicles to proceed in a sustainable and safe manner. The aim is to achieve optimal traffic flow with as few CO2 emissions as possible. This technology is partly the result of previous successful European pilot and research projects - CVIS, SAFESPOT and FREILOT - to which Imtech contributed significantly.

Active in the traffic market throughout Europe
Imtech is a strong player in the traffic market in the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium, the Nordic region (Sweden, Norway, Finland), Central and Eastern Europe, and is involved with projects in other European countries. It also exports mobility solutions outside Europe. The company's objective is to further strengthen its position both in and outside the continent. Imtech is strongly placed in the urban and interurban markets, the traffic management and safety market, and in high-tech traffic centres. Besides this, Imtech is active worldwide in the market of parking technology.

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]]> Environment Internet Technology Mobile Communications Telecommunications Transportation / Shipping WebWireID151859 Article Deco Lighting Announces Game Changing New Product Line will Deflate High LED Luminaire Prices in the Marketplace http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=151775 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:21:11 EST Deco Lighting has announced plans to launch a revolutionary new line of commercial
LED luminaires destined to change the current status quo in the solid state lighting
(SSL) market. Integrating advanced design with next generation LED components
and fabrication techniques, the new luminaire line will knock down the price barriers
currently restricting widespread use of SSL for commercial applications. The culmination of a multi-million dollar R&D program and partnership with proprietary component suppliers, the new Deco Lighting LED line is slated for introduction in late 2012. The line will include radical new LED roadway, high bay, indoor recessed, wallpack, architectural and landscape luminaires.

Throughout the U.S., municipalities and businesses are striving to replace their
inefficient lighting to save energy, reduce their utility costs, and go green with more
environmentally friendly, sustainable lighting solutions. New solid state lighting (SSL) technologies offer numerous benefits, including immediate energy savings of 50% or
more, 50,000 hour lifespan for long term maintenance savings, and greater controllability. The use of controls, sensors, daylighting, and intelligent network systems offer an additional 25% or more energy savings by adjusting light levels precisely when and where the illumination is needed. In addition, SSL possesses inherent green earth-friendly properties. Unlike typical gas discharge lamps, the semiconductor LED contains no mercury – a hazardous waste material, produces no ultraviolet radiation, and no EMI [electromagnetic interference) emissions. Due to these properties, LED lighting is a key contributor for government and utility sponsored rebate programs, as well as building projects seeking LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) status and recognition.
 
Major targets for conversion to LED include streetlighting, outdoor area lighting, parking lots and garages that traditionally use HID (high intensity discharge) fixtures. Streetlighting, in particular, can consume up to 40% of a municipality's utility budget. Indoor targets for LED include office lighting traditionally dominated by recessed fluorescent fixtures, and warehouses, high ceiling retail, commercial and industrial buildings that use HID. Despite the considerable benefits over conventional lighting, LED luminaires for these applications come with 'sticker shock' prices for municipal and business customers. In some cases, federal stimulus funds and utility rebates can help mitigate project procurement costs. However, the typical per unit LED fixture price remains too expensive when compared to conventional alternatives. Deco Lighting has addressed this critical issue in its comprehensive research and development program for next generation LED luminaires. The result is an affordable product line with high performance features and modular design. The customer will also benefit with economical component upgrades to take advantage of the very latest advancements in LED technology and lighting control.

Deco Lighting has rapidly emerged as the leader of Induction lighting for high lumen
applications. With the largest selection of outdoor and indoor Induction luminaires in
the marketplace, Deco Lighting has developed many unique patented and award-winning fixture designs to enhance the performance of Induction technology and its unmatched 100,000 hour lamp life. These innovations include bi-level Induction fixtures, hybrid luminaires, and the use of integral sensors that function automatically without external controls. Deco Lighting recently introduced Plasma technology luminaires as another cutting edge solution for high lumen outdoor and high bay lighting. Featuring a powerful miniature electrodeless lamp and electronic control capabilities, the Deco Plasma lighting line will be expanded with many new fixture designs.

The success of Deco Induction lighting is proven in an expanding number of municipal, commercial, university and military installations throughout the U.S. and overseas. Having established a strong distribution and sales network, as well as a growing base of major customers, Deco Lighting expects great market penetration and success with it's new LED product portfolio. 

Deco Lighting is a leading manufacturer changing the world of lighting with the latest
green technology, energy saving lighting and controls. Deco Lighting's extensive product line includes architectural and commercial fluorescent, Induction, HID, LED, Plasma, Solar, Dark Sky friendly outdoor luminaires, emergency fixtures and sensors. For more information visit www.getdeco.com  e-mail: info@getdeco.com  phone 310-366-6866 fax 310-366-6855.

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]]> Architecture / Construction / Building Business Announcements Environment Semiconductors Utilities WebWireID151775 Article TestAmerica Receives 2011 Environmental Business Journal - Business Achievement Award for Industry Leadership http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=151772 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:48:18 EST San Diego, Calif. (January 2012) — Environmental Business Journal® (EBJ), a business research publication, which provides high value strategic business intelligence to the environmental industry*, has honored 50 companies for revenue growth, acquisitions, innovative project designs, technology applications, new practice areas, social contributions and industry leadership in 2011.

TestAmerica Laboratories, Inc. is pleased to announce that it was chosen to receive the EBJ award for Industry Leadership.

'In what is widely regarded as a stable market, a number of companies exceeded the norms of low single-digit growth with double-digit growth or ambitious ventures into new practice areas or technology development,' said Grant Ferrier, president of Environmental Business International Inc. (EBI, San Diego), publisher of Environmental Business Journal.

TestAmerica was recognized for the Ask the Expert Webinar Series, which is designed to provide a forum to share technical expertise with the environmental community and to enhance the knowledge and awareness of the participants in understanding these complex laboratory issues. Additional information on this award can be found on the Environmental Business Journal website at www.ebionline.org/2011-ebj-business-achievement-awards.

The 2011 EBJ awards will be presented at a special ceremony at the Environmental Industry Summit X in Coronado, Calif. on March 14-16, 2012. The Environmental Industry Summit is an annual three-day event hosted by EBI Inc.

* Environmental Business Journal provides strategic information and market forecasts for executives involved in 14 business segments, including environmental remediation, water & wastewater, air pollution control, environmental consulting & engineering, hazardous waste, instrumentation, pollution control equipment, waste management, resource recovery, and solid waste management.


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About TestAmerica: TestAmerica is the leading environmental testing firm in the United States, with over 90 locations providing innovative technical expertise and comprehensive analytical testing services. Specialty analyses include source, ambient and indoor air, water quality, compliance, desalination, shale gas, specialty organics, emergency response, industrial hygiene, dioxins, drinking water, sediments and tissues, PPCPs and emerging contaminants, explosives, Federal/DoD, and radiochemistry and mixed waste testing.

TestAmerica affiliate companies include EMLab P&K, the leader in analytical microscopy and indoor air quality; QED Environmental Systems, Inc., the leading supplier of groundwater sampling equipment and remediation pumping systems; and TestAmerica Air Emissions Corp. (METCO Environmental), specializing in air emissions testing. TestAmerica currently employs nearly 2,800 professionals dedicated to exceptional service and solutions for our clients' environmental testing needs.

About the EBJ Business Achievement Awards: In October-December 2011, Climate Change Business Journal solicited nominations for the EBJ Business Achievement Awards. Nominations were accepted in 200-word essays in either specific or unspecified categories. Final awards were determined by a committee of EBJ staff and EBJ editorial advisory board members. (Disclaimer: company audits were not conducted to verify information or claims submitted with nominations.)

About EBI: Founded in 1988, Environmental Business International Inc. (EBI, San Diego, Calif.) is a research, publishing and consulting company that specializes in defining emerging markets and generating strategic market intelligence for companies, investors and policymakers. EBI publishes Environmental Business Journal®, the leading provider of strategic information for the environmental industry, and Climate Change Business Journal®, which covers nine segments of the Climate Change Industry. EBI also performs contract research for the government and private sector and founded the Environmental Industry Summit, an annual three-day event for executives in the environmental industry.

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]]> Environment WebWireID151772 Article Odorless Indoor Gases Can Create Safety Issues http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=151766 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:40:25 EST The indoor environmental quality (IEQ) professionals at Clark Seif Clark (CSC) provide IAQ testing services to protect families and businesses.
 
Chatsworth, CA, January 19, 2012
 
In September of last year, an 80 year old woman died at a Georgia McDonald's restaurant after being found unconscious in the ladies restroom. The bleed line to a tank used to carbonate beverages, located in the adjacent wall cavity, was not properly connected.  This caused carbon dioxide or CO2 gas, which is ever-present in our environment at low concentrations, to build up in the enclosed space leading to the eventual death of the woman.  This tragic case in Georgia brings to light the various common gases that can be dangerous if allowed to reach high concentrations. 
 
'There is a variety of potentially hazardous gases that are common to homes, business and manufacturing facilities. Many can accumulate and adversely impact occupants. Of particular concern are the various odorless and colorless gasses, that can go unnoticed until it is too late such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen, Halon, radon, etc.,' reported Derrick Denis, V.P. Indoor Environmental Quality at Clark Seif Clark (CSC). 'At CSC we regularly conduct proactive assessments and reactive emergency responses to identify imbalanced concentration of gasses of consequence. A trained and experienced visual inspection coupled with real-time air testing and/or point-in-time air sampling can quickly identify hazards, or the lack thereof. Armed with this information clients and CSC can adjust the environment to ensure the safety of all occupants,' Mr. Denis continued.
 
Some laws are in place to address one odorless gas, carbon monoxide. Many states have requirements for carbon monoxide sensors to be installed in new properties, but few states have addressed older residential properties built before the requirement.  In California, a new law went into effect on July 1st, 2011 requiring carbon monoxide sensors be installed in all single family homes with an attached garage, fireplace or fuel burning heater.  Hotels, apartments and dormitories have until 2013 to comply with the new regulations. The law is meant to decrease the 30 to 40 deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning occurring in California each year. In addition, The State Air Resources Board of the California Environmental Protection Agency estimates 175 to 700 California emergency room and hospital visits have occurred due to carbon monoxide inhalation over the past three years.
 
Clark Seif Clark has sponsored an educational video about carbon monoxide dangers in the home. It can be viewed at: Carbon Monoxide Video
 
To learn more about how CSC can help with indoor air quality (IAQ) or other environmental issues, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118. 
 
About Clark Seif Clark (CSC)
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address environmental, IAQ, and health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.

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]]> Environment Household / Consumer / Cosmetics WebWireID151766 Article Environmentalists Support Compatible Toners From SwapInk.com http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=151755 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:24:35 EST Englewood, CO (January 19, 2012) – SwapInk.com is looking for new ways to preserve the environment. The company proposes new recycling techniques along with refurbished toner products with the anticipation of reducing carbon footprint and landfill waste.  
 
Swap Ink is excited about 'saving the Earth'. The company has gone 'Green' by offering compatible toner products made with recycled parts. Consumers are reminded that although compatible products are eco-friendly, they still have the same high quality and performance as OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) products. Each recycled cartridge is electrically tested and ultrasonically cleaned and then filled with the highest quality ink and print tested. Compatible products at SwapInk.com are promised to meet and even exceed OEM standards.
 
Environmentalists appreciate the efforts of SwapInk.com and their plans to help preserve the environment. In addition to selling refurbished toner cartridges, Swap Ink gets vocal about encouraging consumers to recycle their old toner cartridges. Carbon footprint can be reduced along with less non-biodegradable waste filling up landfills if consumers help Swap Ink by recycling their empty cartridges.
 
SwapInk.com has gained support from a list of non-profit organizations that help with the company's goal to be a part of recycling and fundraising programs. New support is always encouraged along with any questions about the programs. Eager environmentalists can find out more information about the programs by contacting Swap Ink via email or phone. Their live customer support system makes it easy for educational, government, and non-profit organizations to get involved.
 
In addition to gained support from environmentalists, economists are also noticing the fresh plans that Swap Ink has to offer. While the recycled toner products are reducing landfill waste, they are also saving consumers on toner refill expenses. A compatible toner product can be half the price of an OEM product, and all sales over $50 at SwapInk.com have free shipping.
 
More companies are going green as Earth ages, and Swap Ink is keen to staying ahead of the game. By using recycled parts, the company encourages all consumers to take habit to recycling. With the help and support of environmentalists, SwapInk hopes to play a key role in preserving the Earth's natural resources.

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]]> Environment Household / Consumer / Cosmetics Office Products Retail WebWireID151755 Article TonerStore.com Helps Schools Cut Budgets With Compatible Toners http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=151747 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:31:01 EST Englewood, CO (January 19, 2012) – Schools are enjoying substantial financial relief by switching to compatible toner products found at TonerStore.com. By promoting compatible toner sales, Toner Store hopes to help all educational buildings save on monthly overhead.

TonerStore.com explains that OEM (original equipment manufacturer) products can cost consumers as much as 30-60% more than their suggested compatible toners. Printing demands of teachers and students render to high monthly bills for replacement toner. Monthly toner bills can be managed by using a refill toner that is not OEM.

While many schools continue to make real efforts to go paperless, there is still a high demand for printing and replacement toner. Toner Store recognizes the demand for affordable toner and explains the benefits of refurbished toner products. Using compatible toner allows schools to use the same amount of toner for less money. TonerStore.com supports 'Going Green' and reiterates that all their compatible toners are made with recycled, refurbished parts. Every product is supervised under extensive quality control and paired with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. In order to help TonerStore become and even more eco-friendly company, consumers are asked to recycle their used toner cartridges.

Toner Store's online store is simple to navigate and carries replacement toner for most printing devices found in schools. Outdated and newer printer models should be able to find matching discounted toner at TonerStore.com. Thriving brands like Brother, Dell, Canon, Okidata, Samsung, Source Technologies, HP, IBM, Lexmark, Epson, and Xerox are all found at TonerStore.com. There are compatible, affordable options for all these major name brands.

Ordering in bulk will also help schools save on toner refill costs. Each order sold at TonerStore.com has a flat rate shipping fee of $7. In order to avoid multiple shipping fees, consumers often times order in bulk.

Schools are not the only ones turning to the idea of compatible toners at TonerStore.com. Fortune 1000 companies are especially keen to this money saving proposal. Saving money on toner refills gives businesses and schools the opportunity to focus on other investments.

Every school can benefit from using compatible toners versus OEM products. By saving and average of 50% off of each cartridge, schools are finding easy budget cuts without sacrificing printing luxuries. By taking advantage of deals found at TonerStore.com, schools can save on spending and help support an environmentally friendly cause.

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]]> Education Environment Household / Consumer / Cosmetics Office Products WebWireID151747 Article Rooware Launches Eco-Friendly Character Tableware Made From Plants, Not Melamine http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=151639 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:20:47 EST Brooklyn, NY, - Rooware is an eco-friendly children's tableware collection made from an innovative bio-based plastic. It is the only eco-friendly children's tableware that features characters designed exclusively for children. These unique characters, called the Earthsaverz, were created by Rooware to help raise the awareness of environmental concerns within this age group.

Rooware is founded on the belief that children should be able to have fun character tableware that does not contain Melamine, Formaldehyde or any known carcinogens. Most kids enjoy character tableware and are eating off of them everyday. But unfortunately parents have been left with melamine as their only option until now. "We are proud to sell a safer alternative when it comes to character tableware for kids, many parents want to be safe than sorry. Now there is no reason for parents to buy tableware that could possibly leach toxic chemicals into their children's food, just for the sake of having a fun character plate,' says Keva Niver, owner. "As a mom of 4 kids I understand the desire to have a safe and earth-friendly tableware option for kids.'

The Rooware tableware collection includes character plates, bowls, cups and utensils that grow with the child. Snap in the divider insert when the child doesn't want foods to mingle on the plate. Pop it out when that is no longer an issue. This same insert does double duty as a neat space for condiments when dipping is a mealtime requirement.  The bowl and cup handles snap off when an extra hand is no longer necessary. The trainer top is easily removable, transforming the cup into a big kid cup. Debuting exclusively online at http://www.rooware.com.  Plate, $19.95; Bowl, $14.95; Cup, $12.95 (coming soon), Utensil set, $7.95. Coming April 2012 tableware sets can be customized by choosing outfits and accessories for the characters in a fun dress up game.

Rooware was founded by Keva Niver in 2008 as an eco-friendly, child-centric tableware company. The product line was conceived in response to parental concern over exposing children to toxins from plastic and wanting character tableware not made from melamine, thus creating a healthy future for our children and a happier planet. 

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]]> Environment Household / Consumer / Cosmetics WebWireID151639 Article Norovirus Causes Quarantine at New Jersey Nursing Home http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=151643 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:58:18 EST EMSL Analytical provides environmental testing services to prevent contagious viruses from causing outbreaks.
 
Cinnaminson, NJ, January 17th, 2012
 
This month, medical professionals at a Hopewell, New Jersey nursing home declared quarantine on the third floor of the center after 34 of the 55 residents came down with the norovirus.  The virus struck quickly and resulted in four residents having to be transported to a nearby hospital.
 
Norovirus illness often begins suddenly and can make infected people feel very sick, with stomach cramping, vomiting and diarrhea. Infections are usually not life threatening and most people recover within a few days.  More severe causes of the infection are possible, particularly in young children, the elderly and people with other health conditions.
 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 'Noroviruses (genus Norovirus, family Caliciviridae) are a group of related, single-stranded RNA, non-enveloped viruses that cause acute gastroenteritis in humans. The most common symptoms of acute gastroenteritis are diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Norovirus is the official genus name for the group of viruses previously described as 'Norwalk-like viruses' (NLV).  Noroviruses spread from person to person, through contaminated food or water, and by touching contaminated surfaces. Norovirus is recognized as the leading cause of foodborne-disease outbreaks in the United States. Outbreaks can happen to people of all ages and in a variety of settings.' 
 
'The virus is capable of being transmitted by air if dried vomit particles become airborne.  To prevent outbreaks, such as what just occurred at the New Jersey nursing home, it's important to have effective infectious disease prevention services in place and to test for these viruses in the indoor environment,' stated Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc., an environmental testing laboratory capable of analyzing norovirus samples utilizing PCR techniques.  'If suspected outbreaks do occur testing will help identify the source so appropriate measures can be quickly put in place to prevent additional illnesses.'
 
EMSL has sponsored a video about the norovirus that can be seen at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFxoxW_TdKw
 
The spreading of norovirus has raised alarm during this warm winter. Besides norovirus, there are other pathogens such as MRSA, Salmonella, E.coli O157:H7, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria can stay alive in air and surfaces. They can be detected and remediated by environmental consultants. EMSL Analytical offers rapid DNA analysis for many pathogens, to learn more please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.
 
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

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]]> Big Box Retail / Supermarkets Education Environment Food / Beverages Restaurants WebWireID151643 Article Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Announces Rwandan National as New Director Karisoke Research Center http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=151567 Sun, 15 Jan 2012 22:16:22 EST ATLANTA (GA) – For the first time, a Rwandan national has been named director of the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park. Clare Richardson, president and CEO of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International (Fossey Fund), announced today that Felix Ndagijimana, who has served as deputy director for the last four years, will assume leadership of Karisoke.   
 
This historic appointment also comes on an historic date -- Jan. 16, 2012 -- which would have been the 80th birthday of Dr. Dian Fossey, who founded the Karisoke Research Center in 1967 and the Fossey Fund, originally the Digit Fund, which has operated the center since her death.
 
'Ndagijimana is the first Rwandan to lead Karisoke as its director,' Richardson said. 'He is a prime example of the Fossey Fund's effort to conduct capacity building in Africa, through support for education and training so that local people can become stewards of conservation in their own lands.'
 
As director, Ndagijimana will oversee all of Karisoke's research and protection programs for mountain gorillas and other species in Volcanoes National Park, as well as health and education programs in the communities surrounding the park, administering a staff of more than 100, including trackers, anti-poachers, research assistants, and administrative personnel. He succeeds Katie Fawcett, Ph.D., who held the position since 2002.
 
Ndagijimana began working at Karisoke™ as a research assistant in 2004. Through a scholarship created by Fossey Fund supporter Mary Ann Parker in memory of her son John Eric Peckham, he earned a master's degree in primate conservation from Oxford Brookes University (UK). He was named deputy director in 2008 after completing his master's, and has been responsible for overseeing field activities and for expansion of research programs. Ndagijimana also holds a bachelor of science degree in microbiology from the University of Mysore, India. He has represented the Fossey Fund at numerous gatherings including International Primatological Society Congress meetings in Uganda and Scotland; the 2010 Poverty and Conservation Learning Group workshop; and at annual Kwita Izina gorilla-naming ceremonies in Kinigi, Rwanda. He also served as a field assistant for the production of the critically acclaimed PBS Nature program, 'The Gorilla King.'
 
'I am greatly honored to be chosen for this important role,' says Ndagijimana. 'I look forward to leading the dedicated team of trackers, scientists, and administrative personnel at Karisoke in continuing the legacy of Dian Fossey and our leadership in gorilla conservation. And I am very excited to build on the achievements of the past directors of Karisoke and to continue working with the Fossey Fund's partners, both in Rwanda and elsewhere, to further our mission of conserving and protecting gorillas and their habitat.'
 
At the same time, Tara Stoinski, Ph.D., has been promoted to vice president and chief scientist for the Fossey Fund. Dr. Stoinski is based at the Fossey Fund's U.S. headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.

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About the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
 
The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International is dedicated to the conservation and protection of gorillas and their habitats in Africa. Founded by Dr. Dian Fossey as the Digit Fund and renamed after her death, the Fossey Fund operates the Karisoke Research Center in Rwanda, and maintains a staff of scientists, trackers and anti-poaching patrols in Volcanoes National Park. The Fund also works with community-managed reserves and national parks in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and operates extensive education, health and other community outreach programs.  For more information, visit http://gorillafund.org.

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]]> Animals / Pets Environment Lifestyle / Society Not for profit WebWireID151567 Article