Rebranding The Art of Plumbing

Water as plumbing professionals’ life-giving art to give to the world

By Paul M. Onder

I started practicing the art of plumbing at the early age of 15 years old in 1978. In 2010, I quit my job as the district plumber for northern New Jersey Board of Education. The change came as a part of my new life as a Leukemia survivor.

That fall, my first article for the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center “Bridges” edition had been published. I wrote about reinventing my life after my cancer experience. After the article became a reality for all to read, I had to put these words into action. I could no longer work in public bathrooms because of the need to protect my health.

When that career door closed, another opened. I had the opportunity to take a nine-month Business Operations Course, complete with a certificate. This course allowed me to study marketing. I gained passion to promote “life.” After taking the course, I began work as an instructor. In 2013, and I was offered a position to teach plumbing and heating for a New York City private school of trades.

I continued teaching at other schools, and now I am currently working for a public school in New Jersey. Because I need to achieve a CTE certification to teach, I must complete a two-year course at an approved college. I am enrolled in school with months to go.

I ponder my life today and my cancer story. I find a need to talk about the rebranding of plumbing as we move into the year of 2020. The questions of “What is plumbing?” and “How can we use this idea of reinvention to move our society forward?” were under consideration as I wrote this article.

To start, I want to revisit the past so to bring us to the present state of plumbing. I also want to bring up what needs to change as we move forward into our future of providing systems for proper human health and tools of cleanliness for all.

The 1926 poster included with this article illustrates, “The Plumber Protects the Health of the Nation.” This poster is still being used today. It was created by the Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company, which later became American Standard Company. There are a few messages in the poster I want to touch on.

The first message is clear, this trade of plumbing was designed to keep and maintain a higher standard of life for the protection of human health and safety.  The poster depicts a man standing on a pedestal with coveralls, a hat, and a pipe wrench in his hands. At his feet sits a lead pot, ladle, and a pig of lead. The eyes of the community point upward with faces of humility toward the plumber. The line of people to support the art of plumbing stretches as far as the eye can see.

Another message is that plumbing is global, which is portrayed with the image of the world that sits behind the plumber. Near the top of the poster its states, “The Plumber Protects the Health of the Nation.” The words bring the messages together with the fact that plumbing plays a leading role in our human existence.

This poster has been used to promote the art of plumbing for more than 93 Years. Do you think this poster correctly portrays plumbing today? Can you pick out what has changed in plumbing that has made this poster obsolete? Has plumbing become less of a human need? Or, has our society changed along with our American values and vision for a higher standard for life?

The plumber is no longer a man in overhauls handling a pipe wrench standing next to the lead pot and ladle. It can be seen as a positive change that plumbing has created a new environment that is more accepting of women in the workplace, which is a good start for the rebranding of the art of Plumbing.

However, the plumber also is no longer put on a pedestal to rise above all others. Technology in plumbing has developed and the artifacts of the lead pot with ladle have been assigned to plumbing museums. The standards and ethics of plumbing have been diminished to a point where society and even some plumbers now look down at this profession. As illustrated in cartoons, plumbers have the butt-crack of jokes. The importance of this trade and the life it brings is at an all-time low. The change of attitude from society gives rise for the need to reinvent and rebuild our profession.

This matter of urgency became apparent as we all watch as the state of Texas had talks of dismantling of the State Board of Plumbing Examiners, which is responsible for licensing plumbers and investigating claims of unlicensed work or violations of the plumbing licensing law.

How did we get to this position of degrading ethics and standards? The age of new technologies in the plumbing field have brought about many different changes for installing, maintaining, or replacing plumbing systems. The new materials and the tools have had a direct effect on the profession. This has also placed a change in the education for the trade. New technologies mean teaching new plumbing skills. We no longer value the skills of soldering, brazing, packing oakum, pouring hot lead into soil pipe connections, handling lead water piping, and the need to be able to lift heavy cast iron fixtures. While these changes have made our profession less labor intensive, they have also opened the door for more people to practice the art of plumbing without significant training or extensive knowledge.

There is a need for a new definition. I propose that plumbing is, “the art of supplying the tools, materials, and systems for a higher quality of life standard supported for proper human health.” We must build a new bridge between the past and right now! I am on a campaign to reeducate, invest, and develop tools along with systems that will aid in protecting human health and comfort. I am calling for unity. We must stand together for the rising of standards, ethics and values for human cleanliness. And, we must start with education.

In order to maintain a society of health, we need to attack the root causes for sickness. To support complete human health, I’m calling on plumbing professionals to address indoor air pollution, which can be 2 to 10 times more polluted than outside air pollution.

Our outside environment felt the direct effects of 9/11. After that event, we gained a better understanding and appreciation for air sickness, cancer, quality of life, and health issues. I believe we can use this experience to also understand and control our indoor living environment.

Plumbing professionals are already involved with indoor air quality. Plumbing Principal #12 of the National Standard Plumbing Code addresses exhausting foul air to the outside of the building. The two reasons we exhaust air out of a bathroom are foul odors and humidity.  Plumbers also use air when protecting water systems from cross contamination to the potable water supply, the air gap.

There is also a focus on addressing the lack of air quality in hospitals. Aerators are usually prohibited in hospitals because any airborne bacteria or disease in the air may enter into the potable water supply as it passes through the faucet spout opening. When talking about human health and providing an environment of healing, the proper amount of humidity inside of a hospital has certain health benefits. In the 2016 ASHRAE HVAC Systems and Equipment Handbook – Chapter 22, there is a chart that shows the OPTIMUM Zone for Relative Humidity. This zone supports improved healing process, reduced healthcare acquired infections, improved hydration, and decreased infections. By controlling the relative humidity, you also create an environment that cannot support static electricity.

ASHRAE Standard 170 section 6.6 deals with humidifiers in hospitals. Before the 2013 addendum to this standard, humidity was created by Isothermal Humidification (steam).  Added in the addendum M is Adiabatic humidification system, which is a system of high-pressure water spray. The cost benefit to this system is that it does not require any heating source.  Another fact for humidity is the use as a potable water source. Humidity is used for the technology of Atmospheric Water Generators. These water generators produce potable water from the inside or outside humidity.

Human health is supported and plays a great role for life in a clean environment of which we drink and breathe in clean, oxygenic, potable water! If we use the facts, plumbing professionals can move our society forward.  I call on the plumbing profession to take up this issues of indoor air quality and humidification. Together, we can tackle the inside environment to mitigate human health dangers of molds, mildews and stagnation of air and humidity.

The industry of plumbing has a history and a future of providing human health systems. Let us come together with a new, 2020 vision to return to the “Art of Protecting Health for All!”

 

About the Author

Mr. Paul M. Onder works as a public-school teacher working with high school level students, and is responsible for educating them on the trade of Plumbing. With over 40 years of trade experience, he is a former graduate from Passaic County Technical and Vocational High School, Wayne NJ. Afterwards he received his New Jersey Master Plumbing License at the age of 22. He received 4 months of Chemo therapy for a blood cancer while working as the district Plumber for a Public School system in northern New Jersey. After this experience, Paul was inspired to write about reinventing his Life after cancer treatment in the Fall of 2010. He quit his job so to go on so to become an educator. While teaching HVAC/r for a private trade school he became interested in the effects of Humidity, comfort and human health needs. Paul is inspired daily from his experience in cancer treatment and reflexes on rebranding and humidity while crafting the art of teaching. He seeks to become a leader for the industry of plumbing.

Women’s History Month: Honoring IAQ Industry Leaders

In honor of Women’s History Month, IAQA is recognizing some of the female leaders in the IAQ industry.
First, there is Dr. Alice Hamilton. Dr. Alice Hamilton was the first U.S. physician to devote herself to research in industrial and occupational health. She was Harvard’s first woman professor and achieved major accomplishments in industrial hygiene and toxicology. Her research in understanding carbon monoxide poisoning and mercury poisoning resulted in the first state legislation aimed at safeguarding workers’ health.
 
Our second featured industry leader is Florence Nightingale. Florence Nightingale is known as the founder of modern nursing, but her less well-known contribution to medicine is her work on ventilation and hospital design. She was one of the first to recognize the importance of air quality in the treatment of hospital patients. Nightingale has seen and approached the problems of the indoor environment in its entirety and we thank her for her pioneering contributions.
Our last honoree is IAQA’s very own Lisa Rogers. Lisa was elected as the First IAQA Vice President for her extensive background in the IAQ industry. Her experience includes over 30 years in the environmental health and safety field with a focus in the last 20 years on indoor air quality litigation support, expert witness testimony, and complex technical evaluations.
IAQA is fortunate enough to have a female leader like Lisa who is looking to expand the organization internationally, identify gaps in educational offerings and fill them, and build a strong Women in IAQA program. IAQA is excited to see where the future takes us with even more strong female leaders by our side.

ECOBOND® INDOOR AIR POLLUTANT REDUCTION STUDY FOR IMPROVED INDOOR AIR QUALITY

We’ve all heard of indoor air quality -the incidence of asthma, allergies, and other lung diseases has risen over time. How does cigarette/pipe/cannabis smoke penetrate the paint on the walls and the carpets? How does it affect those in homes or offices? How can it be removed, so good indoor air quality is restored?

The objective of the Ecobond® Indoor Air Quality study was to validate that Ecobond® Odor Defender effectively reduces hazards and odors from thirdhand smoke and ammonia (pet urine) significantly improves indoor air quality. The study proves that Ecobond® OdorDefender substantially reduced scientifically measured emissions originating from reemitted hazardous indoor air pollutants. Ecobond® OdorDefender provides a simple paint on solution to reducing common indoor air quality hazards, thus improving the indoor air quality.

  1. Introduction

Ecobond® OdorDefender® (EOD) is a specialty developed, professional grade, high quality paint infused with Eco-Friendly, highly effective odor blocking and odor absorbing minerals, and biopolymers. It is specifically designed for sealing and blocking dangerous fumes, and lingering odors resulting from the secondary effects of marijuana, cigarette, fire smoke, and pet urine. EOD will help seal and block odors and smoke residue to improve healthy indoor air quality standard.

  1. Hazards of Residual Smoke

New scientific studies show that smoke residue will re-emit hundreds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) long after a smoker has vacated the premises1. It has been documented that both tobacco and marijuana share many VOCs2 so the results of this experiment are pertinent to both marijuana and tobacco smoke. For this experiment, marijuana was chosen as the primary pollutant because of its similarity to tobacco emissions and unique smell. Using the list of compounds identified in marijuana smoke by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), several of these can be detected using method TO-15: acetaldehyde, acetone, benzene, 1,3-butadiene, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK or 2-butanone), naphthalene, styrene, and toluene. A subset of these, (acetaldehyde, benzene, 1,3-butadiene, and naphthalene) have been identified as being cancerous by OEHHA and the State of California. For this experiment, total VOCs were measured as well as specific compounds that were chosen to demonstrate the versatility of EOD’s capabilities; acetone, MEK, and naphthalene. Ammonia was measured as pet urine is a common indoor air quality contaminant as the urea in urine breaks down over time into ammonia3.

  1. National Expert Air Quality Testing Company

Air Sciences Inc. was chosen to perform the air quality study to identify and quantify compounds emitted from exposed material before and after the application of EOD. Air Sciences is a nationally recognized, industry leading expert that specializes in air pollution and air quality. They have 30+ years of experience in service for both industry and government including mineral extraction and refining, power production, natural gas processing, chemical manufacturing, painting processes, and pesticide formulation. They have worked closely with both the EPA and federal land managers.

  1. Experimental Program

The 30-day study took place from February 26, 2019 until March 28, 2019. High concentrations of marijuana were infused into drywall to simulate a house that had been smoked in for many years. Additionally, a high concentration of ammonia was used to simulate many years of pet urine contamination.

The application of EOD reduces the emissions from ammonia by 99% from a hazardous level (OSHA TWA for ammonia is 35 µg/L) to a level undetectable by the human nose (3 µg/L). The ammonia (NH3) concentration on Day 0 was 36.15 µg/L air. The concentration of ammonia measured in the chamber sharply decreased on Day +1 (4.97 µg/L air) and continued to decrease through Day +28 (0.372 µg/L air).

  1. Conclusion

Indoor air quality was vastly improved by the application of Ecobond® OdorDefender.

  • Ammonia concentration was reduced by 99%
  • Total VOC was reduced by 92.3%
  • MEK was reduced by 90%
  • Complete arrest of naphthalene
  • Acetone was reduced by 75%

Based on the results from the total VOC analysis and the individual compound analysis, this study provides scientific proof that when applied to a surface that has been exposed to the hazards of thirdhand smoke or ammonia caused from pet urine, Ecobond® OdorDefender® paint reduces the emissions of toxic VOC’s associated with third hand smoke and ammonia, thus providing substantially improved indoor air quality.

 

LEARN MORE: RESEARCH INTERVIEW ON ODOR BLOCKING PAINT & SMOKE ODOR REMOVAL WITH DR. KATIE KOLESAR FROM AIR SCIENCES INC.

INTERESTED IN THE FULL 57 PAGE AIR SCIENCES OFFICIAL LAB REPORT? DOWNLOAD HERE.

 

About ECOBOND® Paint LLC:

ECOBOND® Paint, LLC is the Premier Provider of Environmental Products Focused on Protecting Human Health from the Dangers of Lead, Smoke & Odor.

With over 15 years in patented and proven success, the ECOBOND® Paint, family of products is the premier provider of environmental products focused on protecting human health and the environment from the dangers of lead, smoke & odor and other pollutants.

Our innovative products have been sold online at major retailers such as Home Depot, Walmart, Amazon and others for the past 10 years and we are proud to have served over 100,000 customers in all 50 US states, Canada, and Internationally including homeowners, landlords, contractors, Housing Departments, US Departments of Transportation (DOT), Defense (DOD), EPA and many more.

www.Odordefenderpaint.com

 

Why just paint when you can paint with a purpose?

IAQA Welcomes New Board Directors and Committee Chairs

IAQA also welcomes the following appointed 2018-2019 Committee Chairs, along with several new committees:

The Indoor Air Quality Association is pleased to welcome Richie Mittal and Luke von Oldenburg to the IAQA Board of Directors. The elected Directors began serving a three year term on July 1, 2018.

Richie Mittal is the Owner and Managing Director of Overdrive Engineering based in New Delhi, India. Richie launched the IAQA India Chapter which was the first Chapter out of North America in August 2016 and is presently the Chapter Director. He has promoted indoor air quality (IAQ) in India through lectures and presentations at various platforms in India like ISHRAE (Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Engineers).

Luke von Oldenburg, of Atlanta, Georgia, works for United Consulting as the company’s Senior Industrial Hygienist and Corporate Health and Safety Officer. Under this role he provides the necessary in-house OSHA training, and onsite safety inspections, as well as performing IAQ assessments for commercial and industrial clients. Luke’s goals include broadening the IAQA footprint by increasing IAQA’s presence in the business community, and by continuing and growing the webinar series.

Read more about the 2018-2019 Board of Directors and its elected officers here.  The full listing of IAQA’s Board of Directors, including contact information, can be found here.

IAQA also welcomes the following appointed 2018-2019 Committee Chairs, along with several new committees:

NEW! Bylaws: Sam Bergman, Chair

NEW! Communications/IT/Website: Todd Stevens, Chair

Convention: Alice Delia, Chair

Education: Luke von Oldenburg, Chair

NEW! Ethics: Michael Bowdoin, Chair

Finance: Greg Long, Chair

Government Affairs: Todd Stevens and Cole Stanton, Co-Chairs

International Chapters: Richie Mittal as Chair

NEW! Marketing: Alice Delia, Chair

Membership and Chapter Relations: Melissa Helmick, Chair

Standards: John Lapotaire, Chair

Nominations: John Lapotaire, Chair

Get involved with any one of our committees today. Committee participation is one of the most important and rewarding aspects of IAQA membership.

IAQA Announces 2018 Board of Directors Election Winners

The Indoor Air Quality Association is pleased to welcome Greg Long, Richie Mittal, Luke von Oldenburg, and Jay Stake to the IAQA Board of Directors. The elected Directors will serve a three year term beginning on July 1, 2018.

Greg Long is currently serving on the IAQA Board of Directors and is the Treasurer. He also serves as the Finance Committee Chairman.  Greg started his career in the indoor air quality industry in 1973 when he started his HVAC cleaning and restoration company. Through the years he added a property restoration company, a remediation company, a contents cleaning company and a carpet cleaning company to the services offered by his firm.

Richie Mittal is the Owner and Managing Director of Overdrive Engineering based in New Delhi, India. Richie launched the IAQA India Chapter which was the first Chapter out of North America in August 2016 and is presently the Chapter Director. He has promoted IAQ in India through lectures and presentations at various platforms in India like ISHRAE (Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Engineers).

Luke von Oldenburg, of Atlanta, Georgia, works for United Consulting as the company’s Senior Industrial Hygienist and Corporate Health and Safety Officer. Under this role he provides the necessary in-house OSHA training, and onsite safety inspections, as well as, performing indoor air quality (IAQ) assessments for commercial and industrial clients. Luke’s goals include broadening the IAQA footprint by increasing IAQA’s presence in the business community, and by continuing and growing the webinar series.

Jay Stake is currently serving on the IAQA Board of Directors. He also serves as Chair of the Standards Committee and is a member of the Finance Committee. Jay is the owner of J & J Consultants which provides IAQ assessments and consultations to local municipalities, public housing, property managers and investors.  He is also President of SSI which provides indoor air quality assessment and consultations to the relocation industry throughout the U.S. and Canada.

IAQA Recognizes Achievements in Building Science, Ventilation, Testing

ATLANTA – Inductees into the Indoor Air Quality Association’s Hall of Fame were recognized at the organization’s recent 21st Annual Meeting held in Chicago, IL.

The Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have contributed to the advancement of the science and public recognition of the subject of indoor air quality. IAQA inducted Andrew Ask, Lewis Harriman, Joseph Lstiburek, Ph.D. and Jeff May, into the Hall of Fame.

“I am pleased to announce the induction of Andy, Lew, Joe and Jeff to our Hall of Fame, bringing the total number of inductees to 16 members,” John Lapotaire, IAQA president, said. “Their work has furthered the integrity and scientific knowledge of our industry around the world.”

Andrew Ask, B.S. (English). J.D., P.E. is a mechanical consulting engineer who specializes in the retrofit and remediation of HVAC systems in buildings. Early in his career he worked in the Great Lakes region and spent time in construction and installing air conditioning in many types of buildings. He has devoted the past 20 years to solving humidity problems and replacing HVAC components in Southwest Florida buildings. Ask has five decades of experience solving building science problems and helping people live in healthier environments.

Lew Harriman is Director of Research at Mason-Grant Consulting in Portsmouth, NH. He is a 16-year member of IAQA, and has spent 40 years researching and solving complex indoor air quality problems related to humidity and moisture in buildings. Among his recent accomplishments is the national policy document titled “Guidance for Fungus Avoidance in Healthcare Facilities”, developed for and published by the Malaysian Ministry of Health in 2017. Harriman currently serves as the committee chair and lead author for ASHRAE Society Position Document entitled: Limiting Indoor Mold and Dampness in Buildings. Earlier, Harriman was the lead author and project manager for the 500-page ASHRAE Humidity Control Design Guide, which for 20 years has helped professionals and building owners avoid the excessive microbial growth in building and HVAC systems that lead to compromised indoor air quality.

Joseph Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng., set the first ventilation rates for energy efficient houses when he developed the performance specifications for Canada’s R-2000 program in 1982.  That same year he developed the first spillage and backdraft tests as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning issues arising out of misguided energy conservation measures.  They formed the basis for today’s ASTM and RESNET protocols.  He pioneered the first widespread adoption of controlled ventilation systems by production home builders in the US in the mid 1990’s and coupled them with airtightness targets which then became the Energy Efficient Building Association (EEBA) performance guidelines.  The airtightness methods he developed became the EPA’s “Thermal Bypass Checklist” that was ultimately adopted by the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

Jeff May is Principal Scientist of May Indoor Air Investigations in Tyngsborough, MA and has been investigating IAQ problems in homes, schools and office spaces for about 25 years. In that time, he has collected and analyzed through microscopy over 35,000 air and dust samples. May was an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Work Environment at University Massachusetts, Lowell, and is the author of four books on IAQ published by The Johns Hopkins University Press, including My House is Killing Me. He is a Certified Microbial Consultant (ACAC), a Certified Indoor Air Quality Professional (AEE), and is licensed as a mold inspector in NH and in FL. He holds an M.A. in organic chemistry from Harvard University.

The Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing practitioners together to prevent and solve indoor environmental problems for the benefit of customers and the public. IAQA was established in 1995 and is the nation’s largest indoor air quality trade association with over 2,000 members and some 20 local chapters. More information is available at www.iaqa.org/news.

ASHRAE Seeks Additional Comments for Proposed Standard Assessing Moisture Affected Areas, Fungal Contamination of Educational Facilities

ATLANTA – ASHRAE seeks a second round of public comments on BSR/ASHRAE/IAQA Standard 3210P, Standard for the Assessment of Educational Facilities for Moisture Affected Areas and Fungal Contamination. Standard 3210P is open for a 45-day public review until Dec. 25. Those interested in reviewing and commenting on the proposed standard can do so at www.ashrae.org/publicreviews.

A joint ASHRAE-IAQA standard, Standard 3210P is intended to provide a uniform and repeatable procedure, specifically tailored to educational facilities, to identify areas in buildings, materials, equipment and systems that are subject to moisture or are suspected of fungal contamination or adverse conditions associated with fungal contamination.

The proposed standard will provide essential information and guidance to determine if and to what degree facilities that are used for educational purposes are contaminated. This standard does not apply to biological contamination beyond fungal growth.

“Gaining input from the public on new ASHRAE standards is crucial toward improving the safety of education facilities,” says Jay Stake, chair of the Standard 3210P committee. “The goal of SPC 3210P is to guide professionals through the proper assessment to obtain a healthy indoor environment for educational facilities and its occupants.”

According to ASHRAE research, moisture damage and microbial growth cause billions of dollars in repair costs and interruption of building operations. The buildup of moisture indoors can be controlled through the building’s design, construction, and operation and the actions of its occupants.

To make a comment or learn more, please visit www.ashrae.org/publicreviews.

About ASHRAE
ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is a global society advancing human well-being through sustainable technology for the built environment. The Society and its more than 56,000 members worldwide focus on building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, refrigeration and sustainability. Through research, standards writing, publishing, certification and continuing education, ASHRAE shapes tomorrow’s built environment today. More information can be found at www.ashrae.org/news.

About the Indoor Air Quality Association

The Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing practitioners together to prevent and solve indoor environmental problems for the benefit of customers and the public. IAQA was established in 1995 and is the nation’s largest indoor air quality trade association with over 2,000 members and some 20 local chapters. More information is available at www.iaqa.org/news.

IAQA Calls for Papers, Presentations and Workshops for 2018 Annual Meeting

ATLANTA – The Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) announced today the call for papers, presentations and workshops for its 2018 Annual Meeting, which will be held in Chicago, Ill. at the Hilton Chicago from Jan. 22-24.

The deadline for submissions is June 5, 2017.

Those interested in presenting a technical session should submit an abstract through the online portal. The abstract should be no more than 120 words in length, including a brief description of the proposed presentation and any references. Presentation times are 60 minutes in length, and must be strictly non-commercial.

Presentations are being sought for the following topics:

  • IAQ assessment strategies
  • Molds and microbial contamination/investigation
  • Research
  • Interpretation of laboratory analytical results
  • Principles of developing a sample strategy
  • Methods and best practices for IAQ contractors
  • Building sciences
  • Interaction with other professionals on multidisciplinary teams
  • Emerging science
  • HVAC and ventilation
  • Bacteria and biological issues
  • IAQ 101
  • International Issues in IAQ
  • Business Management
  • Marijuana

IAQA is also seeking abstract submittals for pre-conference training workshops. Workshops are typically four or eight hours in length and provide advanced training on topics relevant to indoor air quality, including HVAC and building science. Proposals will be considered for basic and advanced workshops; however, advanced workshops are preferred. Proposals should include a statement of need, specific learning objectives and an outline of the subject material.

For more information or questions on submission guidelines, contact Jennifer Baker at jbaker@iaqa.org.

About the IAQA Annual Meeting

The IAQA Annual Meeting is held for indoor air quality practitioners to attend educational sessions, network with professionals, earn educational credits and visit the International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo). The 2018 AHR Expo will take place from Jan. 22-24 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

For more information on the 2018 IAQA Annual Meeting, please visit www.iaqa.org/annual-meeting.

About IAQA
The Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing practitioners together to prevent and solve indoor environmental problems for the benefit of customers and the public. IAQA was established in 1995 and is the nation’s largest indoor air quality trade association with over 2,000 members and some 20 local chapters. More information is available at www.iaqa.org/news.

Changes to IAQA Board of Directors Announced

ATLANTA – A new Director and a member of the Executive Committee were appointed to the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) Board of Directors during the organization’s recent 20th Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nev.

Michael Bowdoin, a current Board member, was appointed a Vice President on the Executive Committee. He is an attorney from Kingwood, Texas. In addition, Sam Bergman was appointed as a Director. He is Chief Executive Officer, Rolyn Companies, Rockville, Md.

Bowdoin fills the position held by longtime Board member Eva King, Ph.D. King is stepping down after four years Board service, including roles as First Vice President and Vice President on the Executive Committee. During her time on the IAQA Board of Directors, King has made significant contributions to the organization. She led the Management Search committee, served on the IAQA/ASHRAE Transition Team, and chaired the Convention Committee for the 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 IAQA Annual Meetings.

“Eva was an integral part of the IAQA/ASHRAE transition team, and has organized the Annual Meeting, including the technical program, for the last four years,” John Lapotaire, IAQA President, said. “We wish her well in future endeavors.”

IAQA also announced that the IAQA Convention Committee now will be chaired by Alice Delia, Ph.D., Laboratory Director, Prism Analytical Technologies, Inc., Mt. Pleasant, Mich., and Don Weekes, President  InAIR Environmental, Ottaway, Ontario. Weekes also is a Past President of IAQA.

The Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing practitioners together to prevent and solve indoor environmental problems for the benefit of customers and the public. IAQA was established in 1995 and is the nation’s largest indoor air quality trade association with over 2,000 members and some 20 local chapters. More information is available at www.iaqa.org/news.

IAQA Recognizes Achievements in Accreditation, Asbestos Research, Government Advocacy

ATLANTA – Recipients of the Indoor Air Quality Association’s Hall of Fame and Advocate of the Year Awards were recognized at the organization’s recent 20th Annual Meeting held in Las Vegas, Nev.

The Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have contributed to the advancement of the science and public recognition of the subject of indoor air quality. IAQA inducted Charlie Wiles and Peter Frasca, Ph.D., into the Hall of Fame.

“I am pleased to announce the induction of Charlie and Peter to our Hall of Fame, bringing the total number of inductees to 12 members,” John Lapotaire, IAQA president, said. “Their work has furthered the integrity and scientific knowledge of our industry around the world.”

Wiles is the founder and executive director of the American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC), Yarnell, Arizona. Since its creation in 1992, ACAC has awarded more than 10,000 credentials to IAQ industry professionals. Wiles is past president of the Council for Engineering and Scientific Specialty Board and the Arizona Association of Energy Engineers. As a degreed engineer with more than 45 years’ experience specific to the indoor air quality industry, he has taught certification courses attended by more than 4,000 individuals.

Frasca is president and founder of EMSL Analytical Inc., Cinnaminson, New Jersey. Frasca came into the asbestos testing industry from a research background with 28 refereed publications in “human calcified tissues” during his role as Research Associate Professor and Director of Orthopaedic Research at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, PA.  He is pioneer in the development and introduction into the industry of several asbestos testing methods for bulk and air samples (2 refereed publications) superior in accuracy to light microscopy methods by employing Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).  Frasca is known for his laboratory experimentation in 1983 of TEM air sample analysis with turnaround time of 24 hours and less (3 hours), replacing the old standard of a 2 week turnaround; thus making feasible the time sensitive clearance of asbestos abated buildings.  This rapid TEM turnaround is now industry standard.

In addition, IAQA Vice President Cole Stanton was honored as IAQA’s first Advocate of the Year. The newly created Advocate of the Year Award recognizes public servants or policymakers who have championed development of law, policy and/or protocols in the area of indoor air quality.

“In 2014, Cole worked to reorganize the Government Affairs Committee,” John Lapotaire, IAQA president, said. “He created a hard-working committee from the ground up, solicited members and monitored legislation and administrative regulation across the United States. His efforts have gained the attention of policymakers in a number of states, particularly with regard to asbestos, mold, licensure issues and public safety. Cole has worked tirelessly to ensure that IAQA is a known entity in shaping and influencing policy regarding indoor air quality.”

The Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing practitioners together to prevent and solve indoor environmental problems for the benefit of customers and the public. IAQA was established in 1995 and is the nation’s largest indoor air quality trade association with over 2,000 members and some 20 local chapters. More information is available at www.iaqa.org/news.