Cleanfax magazine

The pollution from Minnesota and Canadian wildfire smoke had Chicago, Minneapolis, and Detroit ranked in the top three most polluted major cities in the world on July 16, according to an international air quality monitoring website. Chicago was No. 1 by mid-afternoon that day. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency also declared an Air Pollution Action Day for the region, urging everyone to limit outdoor exposure.

Nova Southeastern University (NSU) researchers in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, have been awarded a US$3-million National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant to investigate whether exposure to toxic mold byproducts affects the symptom severity and immune system in patients diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), a debilitating illness that affects as many as 3.3 million Americans.

Do you remember when nylon dominated residential carpet? Nylon delivered excellent resiliency, maintained its crimp for a full plush appearance, and resisted apparent soiling because the polymer tolerated abrasion far better than other synthetics. In contrast, polyester (polyethylene terephthalate or PET) and later triexta (polytrimethylene terephthalate or PTT) often appeared to lose their aesthetic appeal quickly.

Picture a decision that feels smart in the moment. A sales seat is open, or a budget review is underway, and someone asks why the company should carry a green rep who isn’t producing yet when a senior closer is billing real revenue right now. The math looks obvious. The junior person is a debit; the senior person is a credit. So the junior role gets cut, or is never created in the first place, and everyone congratulates themselves on running a lean operation.

When John Collins agreed to help a local family restore their home, he expected a straightforward project. Instead, he helped fulfill a husband’s final wish: to leave his wife with a safe, stable home. U.S. Navy veteran and PuroClean Franchise Owner John Collins, out of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, restored the family’s home, resolving severe mold issues that had become overwhelming during an already difficult chapter and provided the family peace of mind for the future.

U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff’s investigation has uncovered dangerous living conditions for military families in privatized military housing on Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia, and Ft. Stewart near Hinesville, Georgia. Sen. Ossoff released a new report with first-hand accounts of substandard housing conditions at Ft. Benning and Ft. Stewart, including reports of lead exposure affecting newborn health, severe mold contamination leading to emergency room visits, flooding in living areas, and more.

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) appointed Philip Kahn-Pauli as the new director of government relations and advocacy. In this role, Kahn-Pauli will lead IICRC’s government affairs strategy, strengthen relationships with policymakers and industry stakeholders, and advance advocacy efforts that support the inspection, cleaning, and restoration industries.

The National Organization of Remediators and Microbial Inspectors (NORMI™) is proud to announce the publication of its trademark, NORMI Medically-Sound Level 4 Protocol™, marking a significant advancement in the evolution of the indoor air quality (IAQ) and mold remediation industry. The NORMI Medically-Sound Level 4 Protocol™ represents an elevated standard of training and professional support for projects involving occupants with heightened health sensitivities.

FirstService Residential, a residential property management company, launched Resilience FirstSM, a practical risk management program designed to help communities reduce the risk of avoidable damage, strengthen preparedness, and support a more coordinated response before and after water, fire, and storm-related incidents.

The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) is encouraging Coloradans in areas affected by wildfire smoke to use available air quality resources. Wildfire smoke drifting across Colorado, combined with hot summer temperatures, is degrading air quality in Colorado, posing health risks, especially for those with respiratory conditions, a local news agency reported.