UMass Lowell Toxics Use Reduction Institute Laboratory

9:39 AM

TURI Lab Monthly Update of Projects – March 2011

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End User Testing
• Sign manufacturer – Waiting on environmental test results. They are working on the brass and soft metals.
• LED manufacturer–Received materials to begin testing. Report sent, found 2 cleaners that may work. Working on pricing and EHS.
• Electronics– getting new silicone from them to test. Second round of testing being done. Meeting with them week of the 18th of April to go over test and to get more soil. No cleaners found yet. They have option to retrofit tanks too so we are looking into that.

• Metal working facility– They are ready to work on switch to aqueous. Will meet with them one this spring to go over plan, get parts etc then will start full project in summer when have time.
• RI testing assistance for MEK– Sent report and contact information for cleaner to them. Follow up to determine next steps

Grants
• Maid service evaluation. Open mic session for franchisees to provide input to the evaluation process March 3 and 4. Rrepresentatives on site 3/2-3/4. Completed interim report and created materials for convention for April 8th and 9th.

Small Contract Work.
Ongoing or Completed
• Testing equipment for steam vapor cleaning (IEHA connection). Evaluating range of applications for cleaning and disinfecting. Set up call to discus future work plans
• Kitchen grease trap cleaning, all purpose cleaner
• All purpose and kitchen soil evaluation
• Follow up testing for all purpose and glass testing

In the Works
• Floor care cleaning process evaluations
• Activated water performance testing on latest model – in addition to disinfection testing
• Asphalt cleaning from tools
• No touch cleaning system - soil removal testing (and maybe microbial testing)

Database Web Tool
DIY section for CleanerSolutions as separate site. Reviewed preliminary mock up and shared with some from TURI for comment. Moving ahead with content population.

Disinfection Testing
• Progressing with initial testing protocols for activated water. Met with company to discuss next steps
• Steam vapor – testing system using under less then perfect conditions

Do-it-Yourself Cleaning Recipes
Videos being made for how to make the recipes and how well they work. To be part of new web database section

Outreach
• Second visit at University of Washington to discus field testing partnership March 7-9.
• DEP meeting and MA EPP office to do a presentation about lab and green cleaning with facility managers and purchasers
• Community conference April 14
• CIRI Green Cleaning and Science conference – April 27-9, Georgia Institute of Technology
• Mass Facilities annual meeting on May 3rd at Green Start meeting. Also have a table there and will man it with OTA and interns

TURI Projects
• Industry matching grants program – hinges on next round of environmental tests
• Helping with TCE implementation plan and alternative assessment
• TURI Web redesign
• Three presentations in two sessions at the Community conference April 14th (Disinfection, Biobased Alternatives, Performance Evaluations)
• Dry Cleaning visit & work on PCE report
1:50 PM

TURI Lab Monthly Update of Projects – February 2011

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End User Testing
• Sign manufacturer – Waiting on environmental test results
• LED manufacturer–Received materials to begin testing
• Electronics– getting new silicone from them to test. Second round of testing to start week of 2/28/11
• Metal working facility– working on schedule for testing, parts
• RI testing assistance for MEK– Adhesive in. Testing to start week of 2/28/11
• Transportation Agency –Waiting on test request form for initial project to work on. Follow up email sent.

Grants
• Maid service evaluation. Reviewed training videos. Gathering chemical and equipment alternatives to assess performance and safety. Open mic session for franchisees to provide input to the evaluation process set for March 3 and 4. Representatives on site 3/2-3/4.

Small Contract Work
Ongoing or Completed
• Testing equipment for steam vapor cleaning. Evaluating range of applications for cleaning and disinfecting. Had conference call to discus future work plans.
• All purpose cleaning for DfE

In the Works
• Company planning on internal testing and then follow up testing with lab for Green Seal, DfE programs
• Green Product testing for DfE and/or Green Seal evaluation for all purpose and glass testing. Possible disinfection evaluation as well
• Discussion on floor cleaning process evaluations

Database Web Tool
DIY section for CleanerSolutions site or separate site. Sent contractors content and some structure suggestions for site

Disinfection Testing
Progressing with initial testing protocols.

Do-it-Yourself Cleaning Recipes
See Database Web Tool update

Outreach
• Second visit at University of Washington to discus field testing partnership March 7-9.
• Presented at CII at University of Connecticut Health Center Annual Meeting with Tim Morse and Nancy Simcox – Feb 28th
• CIRI Green Cleaning and Science conference – April 27-9, Georgia Institute of Technology

TURI Projects
• Industry matching grants program –hinges on next round of environmental tests
• Helping with TCE implementation plan
• TURI Web redesign
• Plan to participate in the community conference set for April 14th
• Dry Cleaning visit
12:40 PM

Lab update for January 2011

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End User Testing
• Sign manufacturer – working with consultant to set up more environmental testing. First round has issues with edges on red metals and some hazing. Second round is out for testing. Haven’t heard back yet. Have an email out to them.
• LED manufacturer – waiting on new engineer to get back to us with information. Need to collect more soil from them. Possibly start preliminary testing first week of January.
• Electronics – getting new silicone from them to test. Testing started
• Equipment refurbisher – trying to set up visit to restart work with them. They contacted lab before holidays
• Metal working facility – working on cold solvent regulations. Hoping to start nPB replace in spring 2011
• RI testing assistance for MEK – Working on a NDA
• Transportation Agency – Visit to lab with OTA. Waiting on test request form for initial project to work on.

Grants
• Maid service evaluation. Wrapping up video tape process during TURI homes cleanings Completed travel to Illinois, Texas and Washington in January. Completed initial EHS assessment of current products. Started working on alternative chemicals and equipment.
• Pepsi Refresh Project – mobile lab project listed on site for voting during January – did not win, but did get the word out there about the lab. Thanks for your votes.

Small Contract Work
Ongoing or Completed
• Testing equipment for steam vapor cleaning. Evaluating range of applications for cleaning and disinfecting. Follow up call to discus future work planed for February.
• All purpose, rust removal
• All purpose and kitchen grease cleaning
• GS 34 degreasing testing
In the Works
• All purpose evaluation – company planning on internal testing and then follow up testing with lab for Green Seal, DfE programs
• All purpose cleaning for DfE

Database Web Tool
DIY section for CleanerSolutions site or separate site. Met with consultant and TURI staff to discuss content and infrastructure of site.

Disinfection Testing
Progressing with initial testing protocols. Have a few contracts in the works for testing

Outreach
Visit at University of Washington to discus field testing partnership and HPCP testing opportunities. Other universities and school systems being contacted by IEHA for participating field testing.

Request for presentation on the lab to Chemical Innovations Institute (CII) at University of Connecticut Health Center Annual Meeting– Feb 28th

TURI Projects
• Industry matching grants program – hinges on next round of environmental tests
• Helping with TCE implementation plan
• TURI Web redesign
• Plan to participate in the Community conference set for mid April
1:45 PM

Mobile Cleaning Lab

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8:57 AM

Lab update for December 2010

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End User Testing
• Working with consultant to set up more environmental testing. First round has issues with edges on red metals and some hazing.
• Waiting on new engineer to get back to us with information. Need to collect more soil from them. Possibly start preliminary testing first week of January.
• Getting new silicone from them to test. Will start other 2 soils first week of January.
• Trying to set up visit to restart work with them. They contacted lab before holidays
• Working on cold solvent regulations. Hoping to start nPB replace in spring 2011
• RI testing assistance for MEK – sending materials for testing.

Grants
Pepsi Refresh Project - Mobile Cleaning Lab proposal in the running for $250,000. Voting runs through the month of January.

Small Contract Work
Ongoing or Completed
• Testing equipment for steam vapor cleaning. Evaluating range of applications for cleaning and disinfecting.
• Reviewing cleaning methods for maid service.
• All purpose, rust removal
• Product comparison testing – all purpose and glass
• All purpose and kitchen grease cleaning
• GS 34 degreasing testing

In the Works
• Rinse aid and oven cleaning testing for DfE
• ASTM testing for all purpose, oil and grease removal

Database Web Tool
DIY section for CleanerSolutions site or separate site. Scheduled visit with contractor in January. Working on mock-up,

Disinfection Testing
Establishing next phase of training. Begin in early January. Going to try meet up with Nancy first week of January.

Do-it-Yourself Cleaning Recipes
Local author (Uxbridge, MA), Leslie Reichert, The Cleaning Coach, came for visit. She has a book on DIY recipes. Wants to work with us in future. Doing third edition of book and want to include some of our work.

Outreach
• Planned visit at University of Washington to discus field testing partnership and HPCP testing in January.
• Contacted by Eastern Bank to do Earthday talk in April
• Spoke at Fitchburg NCMBEN event at request of Rick at OTA. Discussing cold solvent cleaning options
• Participated in IEHA ICM (Integrated cleaning and measurement) call.
• Did training with Lynn Rose for MA facility managers on green cleaning options. Asked to speak at their conference in April.

TURI Projects
• University Research project – met on Dec 2 for status of surfactant project
• Industry matching grants program – hinges on next round of environmental tests
• Helping with TCE implementation plan
• TURI Web redesign
8:48 AM

Pepsi Refresh Proposal needs your vote

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9:32 AM

Lab update for November 2010

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End User Testing
• Working on paint strippers for powder coating. Waiting on weathering testing results.
• Site visit to talk to facilities manager- restarting acetone replacement project. Cleaning LED wafers.
• Referral from OTA. Using heptane, toluene and IPA to clean silicone and resins off mixing gear. Cold cleaning issue
• Want to restart old project, cold cleaning issue also. Want to meet and start after holiday.
• Ready to look at nPB on bench tops and then vapor degreaser. Want substitute. Want to start after holiday
• Pawtucket, RI testing assistance for MEK – emailed them to get the soil to start testing.
• Electronics - Cold solvent change

Small Contract Work
Ongoing or Completed
• Testing equipment for steam vapor cleaning. Evaluating range of applications for cleaning and disinfecting.
• Reviewing cleaning methods and chemicals for maid service.
• Performance Testing on floor stripper for EcoLogo certification
• Pot and pan cleaner evaluation for DfE
• All purpose, rust removal
In the Works
• All purpose, glass cleaner comparison testing – on site for testing 12-7-10
• Enzymatic cleaner manufacturer – visit on 12-3-10 to discuss testing options
• All purpose and kitchen grease cleaning
• GS 34 degreasing testing
• Rinse aid and oven cleaning testing for DfE

Database Web Tool
Answered questions using CleanerSolutions solvent replacement questions – sent links to reports and vendors in response to the following:
• Mexico: Trying to find an aqueous cleaner for stainless steel stamped parts using cutting oil. Need to degrease and clean parts so that they can be free from oil, dirt and grey residue abteined after drawing / stamping process using immersion washer machines. More commun part materials are 316 SS, 304 SS and Monel (alloy 400)
• Puerto Rico: I’m looking for a replacement for Slide Mold Cleaner Plus Degreaser 3 , this product (aerosol can – 20 oz.) is used to clean molds from injection molding operations that may contain grease, lubricant, dirt, or traces of the injected plastic (molding compound) at temperature up to 350˚F. Appreciate very much your help, I performed a search but found a list of 300 products

Disinfection Testing
Heidi, Tim and Katie have had more training in the Clinical Lab Science facility on basic microbiology techniques. Karen will be working on a write up for the SHE newsletter with input from Nancy and Jason.

Do-it-Yourself Cleaning Recipes
DIY section for CleanerSolutions site or separate site.
Met with Leslie Reichert, The Cleaning Coach, to discuss possible collaborations on DIY recipes adding performance and health and safety information.

Outreach
• Planned visit at University of Washington to discus field testing partnership and HPCP testing in January.
• Participated in New England Surface Finishing conference in November. Met someone using TCE in a dry cleaning type machine for cleaning. Was invited to go see the operation
• Participated at ISSA and IEHA conferences in November
• Spoke at a foreman/supervisor meeting in Attleboro on the 21st. The organizer was very interested in the CleanerSolutions database. Interested in other collaboration with TURI. They are interested in supply chain work, how to get all the pieces of the puzzle talking to make low and no voc paints that work.
• Manned table with OTA at first annual Amiccon conference in Springfield. Connected with chambers of commerce and some business magazines from the area. Thoughts are to write short articles on TURI or projects to get our name out there.
• Speaking at Fitchburg NCMBEN event at request of OTA. Discussing cold solvent cleaning options
• Participated in conference call for Healthy Hospital Initiative – Health Care without harm Green Cleaning project
• Started fact/tip sheet on “greening your facility”

TURI Projects
• University Research project – meeting on Dec 2 for status of surfactant project
• Industry matching grants program – waiting for environmental/weathering testing.
• Helping with TCE implementation plan
• Dry Cleaning Assistance –Talking to Kreussler about chemical in their new dry cleaning solvent. Trying to get information. Looking to do alternative assessment with a few tools on the main solvent classes. Think it would be great to see how this new process would compare with other replacements. Could use Green Screen, P2OASys and others.
• TURI Web redesign

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