November 2001
November 2001
| PLEASE NOTE: Some newsletter content is only available to members in good standing of NMSHMM. |
OVERVIEW
COURSE AND NMEHC WELL ATTENDED!
Linda McCormick, MS, CHMM, NMSHMM President
University of New Mexico Safety, Health and Environmental Affairs (SHEA)
As always, the biggest event of the Society’s year is our CHMM Overview Course and Certification Exam. Last year your Board decided to make two important changes in the way the Course is offered. In previous years, the Course had been offered at the same time as the New Mexico Environmental Health Conference (NMEHC). Although the previous Courses were successful, the timing created an unworkable conflict for anybody who wanted to attend both the Review Course and the NMEHC. So the Board, being composed of intelligent people trained in esoteric sciences, eventually figured there ought to be a better way to put on the Review Course. We decided that the Course should be offered during the week before the NMEHC so that Course attendees could also attend the conference!
At about the same time that the Board was deciding on timing changes, the Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers (ACHMM) completed a long-term project to develop a uniform CHMM Overview Course and, for a fee, to offer the Course to selected Chapters throughout the country. This helped NMSHMM because before ACHMM developed the uniform Overview Course, each instructor had to develop his or her own presentation. This caused variability in the quality of the product delivered to students and was an unnecessary hassle for anyone kind enough to volunteer to be an instructor.
I’m happy to tell you that the synergism between NMSHMM and the Academy was successful! The members of the Education/Professional Development Committee have done themselves, and NMSHMM, proud! In all, 28 students from all over the country attended the Overview Course held at the University of New Mexico (UNM) South Campus Rotunda from October 23 through 25. Sixteen students sat for the CHMM exam on October 26, and other students will take the exam in April 2002. Overall, student comments about the Course were extremely positive. We will incorporate the comments to make our 2002 Overview Course even more successful.
NMSHMM had a booth at the NMEHC, held following the Overview Course from October 29 through 31. This year the NMEHC was larger than ever, and there was a lot of interest in the CHMM credential among conference attendees. Throughout the conference, members of the current Board helped staff our booth. In addition, it was our great pleasure to have the first NMSHMM President, Byron Kesner, help staff the booth, too. We welcome Byron’s return to the environmental field after being away 3 years to pursue his interest in culinary arts.
Thanks so very much to all the people who helped make our activities successful! Your caring and giving make me proud all over again to be a CHMM and a member of NMSHMM.
ACHMM To Conduct Survey of CHMMs in 2002
During 2002, the Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers (ACHMM) will be completing a survey of all CHMMs. The survey will be completed in conjunction with the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM). Information collected will be utilized to better serve membership needs. Understanding who makes up the membership and what individual needs and concerns are is critical in providing adequate support services.
The success of the 2002 survey is wholly dependent on the response rate from the membership. The greater the response, the more representative the survey will be of the entire membership. For this reason, the Academy is asking support at the Chapter level to “talk up” the upcoming survey. Mentioning the survey at local Chapter meetings as well as in Chapter newsletters would be a great help in increasing participation in this important member survey.
| Our Mission |
| To provide environmental professionals in the Southwest a forum for professional development, education, and networking opportunities; and to offer our community environmental, health, and safety expertise |
Communications
Tami Wiggins,
Committee Chair
One of your member benefits is this carefully prepared newsletter. Did you know you receive eleven issues each year? The reason you receive “only” eleven is that we are publishing a combined December/January issue. A combined issue at the time of year when everyone is busy with the holidays and the end of the year helps those involved in its production remain sane! Remember that you can view this newsletter, a large archive of past newsletters, and lots more on the NMSHMM Web site at www.NMSHMM.org/xxxx (“xxxx” is this month’s members-only password). Contact me at (505) 440-0398 or if you have any comments about our newsletter or Web site.
If you are a current member of NMSHMM, see the printed newsletter or contact a board member for this month's codeword. If you wish to join NMSHMM, please visit our on-line NMSHMM membership application.
Education/Professional Development
Mary LeForce,
Committee Chair
Pictured at right are just a few of the 28 students from all over the country who recently participated in NMSHMM’s annual CHMM Overview Course held at the University of New Mexico South Campus. Sixteen students sat for the CHMM exam. Comments about the course were positive, and an even more successful Overview Course is anticipated in 2002.
NMSHMM BOARD WANTS TO REWARD YOU!
In an effort to promote member attendance at NMSHMM events and have a little fun at the same time, the NMSHMM Board wants to reward you for attendance at Board meetings, luncheon meetings, and other NMSHMM-sanctioned events. Door prizes will be awarded at random at the upcoming holiday social, and two free annual memberships will be given at the annual meeting in March to those NMSHMM members who have attended the most NMSHMM events throughout the fiscal year. (NMSHMM Board members are ineligible.) Attendance is always noted at Board meetings, and a sign-in sheet is circulated at luncheon meetings and other get-togethers, so your attendance can be “documented.”
Your next opportunities for participating in this program are: Tuesday, November 20 (Board meeting); Wednesday, November 21 (luncheon meeting); and Tuesday, December 18 (holiday social). For additional details, see the article and “Upcoming Events” below. All NMSHMM members and their guests are invited to attend these meetings.
This article is available to members in good standing of NMSHMM.
If you are a current member of NMSHMM, see the printed newsletter or contact a board member for this month's codeword. If you wish to join NMSHMM, please visit our on-line NMSHMM membership application.
GUIDELINES ON HOW TO HANDLE ANTHRAX AND OTHER
BIOLOGICAL-AGENT THREATS
a CDC Health Advisory, distributed via Health Alert Network, October
12, 2001
Many facilities in communities around the country have received anthrax threat letters. Most were empty envelopes; some have contained powdery substances. The purpose of these guidelines is to recommend procedures for handling such incidents.
DO NOT PANIC. (1) Anthrax organisms can cause infection in the skin, gastrointestinal system, or the lungs. To do so, the organism must be rubbed into abraded skin, swallowed, or inhaled as a fine, aerosolized mist. Disease can be prevented after exposure to the anthrax spores by early treatment with the appropriate antibiotics. Anthrax is not spread from one person to another person. (2) For anthrax to be effective as a covert agent, it must be aerosolized into very small particles. This is difficult to do, and requires a great deal of technical skill and special equipment. If these small particles are inhaled, life-threatening lung infection can occur, but prompt recognition and treatment are effective.
For any suspicious unopened letter or package marked with threatening message such as “anthrax”:
Do not shake or empty the contents of any suspicious envelope or package.
Place the envelope or package in a plastic bag or some other type of container to prevent leakage of contents.
If you do not have a container, then cover the envelope or package with anything (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can) and do not remove this cover.
Then leave the room and close the door, or section off the area to keep others away.
Wash your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder to your face.
What to do next:
If you are at home, report the incident to local police.
If you are at work, report the incident to local police, and notify your
building security official or an available supervisor.
List all people who were in the room or area when this suspicious letter or package was recognized. Give this list to both the local public health authorities and law enforcement officials for follow-up investigations and advice.
For any envelope with powder and powder spills out onto surface:
DO NOT try to clean up the powder. Cover the spilled contents immediately with anything (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can) and do not remove this cover!
Then leave the room and close the door or section off the area to keep others away.
Wash your hands with soap and water to prevent spreading any powder to your face.
What to do next:
If you are at home, report the incident to local police.
If you are at work, report the incident to local police, and notify your
building security official or an available supervisor.
Remove heavily contaminated clothing as soon as possible and place in a plastic bag or some other container that can be sealed. This clothing bag should be given to the emergency responders for proper handling.
Shower with soap and water as soon as possible. Do not use bleach or other disinfectant on your skin.
If possible, list all people who were in the room or area, especially those who had actual contact with the powder. Give this list to both the local public health authorities so that proper instructions can be given for medical follow-up, and to law enforcement officials for further investigation.
For questions of room contamination by aerosolization:
Turn off local fans or ventilation units in the area.
Leave area immediately.
Close the door, or section off the area to keep others away.
What to do next:
If you are at home, dial “911” to report the incident to local police and the
local FBI field office.
If you are at work, dial “911” to report the incident to local police and the
local FBI field office, and notify your building security official or an
available supervisor.
Shut down air handling system in the building, if possible.
If possible, list all people who were in the room or area. Give this list to
both the local public health authorities so that proper instructions can be
given for medical follow-up, and to law enforcement officials for further
investigation.
For additional information, such as how to identify suspicious packages and letters, visit http://www.bt.cdc.gov/DocumentsApp/Anthrax/10122001Handle/10122001Handle.asp.
OCTOBER LUNCHEON FEATURES FAA REPRESENTATIVE
The most recent NMSHMM luncheon meeting was held on Wednesday, October 17, and featured Laura Renner, Special Agent and Dangerous Goods Specialist for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Civil Aviation Security. Laura’s presentation, entitled “Hazardous Waste Compliance with Air Shipments,” addressed a variety of topics, including two “sides” to FAA security (baggage/screening checkpoints and cargo/hazardous materials), investigation of incidents involving hazardous materials, and the system for assessing fines and penalties.
NMSHMM luncheon meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 11:30 AM at Red Lobster at 5555 Montgomery NE (at San Pedro). All NMSHMM members as well as their colleagues and any guests are encouraged to attend these no-host luncheons. The next luncheon meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, November 21, and Wednesday, January 16. At the November meeting, NMOSHA’s Gene Ostermeyer will describe reporting requirements as contained in OSHA standards pertinent to the handling of hazardous materials and hazardous waste. Gene will also be prepared to discuss the new Form 300.
Note that in December there will be no luncheon meeting. Instead, an evening holiday social is planned in conjunction with a brief business meeting at 5:30 PM on December 18 at Garduño’s (in the parking lot at Winrock Mall). Watch the NMSHMM Web site for more details about not only this event, but all other NMSHMM activities.
Laura Renner, Special Agent and Dangerous Goods Specialist for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Civil Aviation Security, was featured at the October luncheon meeting.
AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION CO-SPONSORS CONFERENCE
The Air and Waste Management Association is co-sponsoring the conference “Odors and Toxic Air Emissions 2002” in Albuquerque from April 28 to May 1, 2002. As communities grow in size and population, more municipal, industrial, and agricultural facilities are confronted with issues related to odors and toxic air emissions. To address the effective management of these emissions in the 21st century, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association (RMWEA) are convening this international specialty conference. For registration information, contact WEF at (800) 666-0206 or csc@wef.org. Registration information will be available on-line in January 2002 at http://www.wef.org/Conferences/.
Share the NMHSMM Membership Opportunity
You can share the NMSHMM membership opportunity with others by encouraging them to join NMSHMM for the low annual fee of $30. Or the potential member can visit the NMSHMM Web site at www.nmshmm.org to join on-line. Renewing members can also use the NMSHMM Web site for on-line dues payment.
| NOVEMBER 2001 |
November 6, 11:30 AM, monthly meeting of the New Mexico Chapter of the Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA), Midtown Sirloin Stockade (4016 Menaul NE). For information, visit www.nm-esh.org/awma or contact Mike du Mond at du_Mond@juno.com or (505) 294-7841.
November 20, 5:30 PM, monthly NMSHMM business meeting at UNM’s Department of Safety, Health & Environmental Affairs, 1801 Tucker NE.
November 21, 11:30 AM, monthly NMSHMM luncheon meeting at Red Lobster, 5555 Montgomery NE (at San Pedro).
November 28, 9:00 AM, monthly meeting of the Local Emergency Planning Committee, Albuquerque Fire Department Headquarters, 11510 Sunset Gardens SW. For information, call Liz Saavedra at 833-7322.
| Society luncheons are held at Red Lobster, 5555 Montgomery NE (at San Pedro), on the third Wednesday of the month at 11:30 |
| DECEMBER 2001 |
December 2, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Ecological Effects Characterization and Interpretation for Arid Ecosystems, Seattle. Contact Jim Markwiese at jimm@neptuneandco.com or (505) 662-2121.
December 18, 5:30 PM, NMSHMM holiday social and brief business meeting at Garduño’s (in the parking lot at Winrock Mall). For more information, contact Margo Maher at (505) 345-3655 or margom@rinchem.com.
| Society business meetings are held at UNM's Safety, Health and Environmental Affairs at 1801 Tucker Street NE on the third Tuesday of the month at 5:30 |
| JANUARY 2002 |
January 15, 5:30 PM, monthly NMSHMM business meeting at UNM’s Department of Safety, Health & Environmental Affairs, 1801 Tucker NE.
January 16, 11:30 AM, monthly NMSHMM luncheon meeting at Red Lobster, 5555 Montgomery NE (at San Pedro).
| FUTURE |
February 24, 2002, Expanding Your Horizons in Science and Mathematics: Technical Career Workshops for Young Women, Silver City. Contact Adrienne Dare at dare@gilanet.com.
March 9, 2002, Expanding Your Horizons in Science and Mathematics: Technical Career Workshops for Young Women, Albuquerque. Contact Linda McCormick at (505) 277-9511 or lindamcc@unm.edu.
March 13, 2002, Expanding Your Horizons in Science and Mathematics: Technical Career Workshops for Young Women, Los Alamos. Contact Dana Roberson at dsroberson@lanl.gov.
April 28 - May 1, 2002, Odors and Toxic Air Emissions 2002 Conference, Albuquerque. For more information, call 800-666-0206, e-mail csc@wef.org, or visit http://www.wef.org/Conferences.
April 2002, CHMM Certification Exam, Albuquerque. Details pending.
September 29 - October 2, 2002, ACHMM National Conference: Environmental Leadership into the Winner’s Circle, Louisville, KY. Visit www.achmm.org.
| Meet Paul Karas!! |
 |
| Company Name and Location: | Camp Dresser & McKee, Albuquerque |
| Title: | Principal |
| Hometown: | Originally, Croton-on-Hudson, NY; Albuquerque for most of the last 19 years. |
| Family: | My wonderful wife, Eileen, and two great kids: daughter Lindsey (15) and son Ryan (12). |
| Pets: | Emma the Dilemma, our loving, faithful (but not wise) yellow lab. |
| Years in field: | 16 |
| Education: | BA – Geology (SUNY), MS – Geology (UNM) |
| Favorite current project: | Design/build soil and groundwater remediation at the NM State Highway and Transportation Department’s Las Vegas Patrol Yard. |
| Biggest challenge in my job: | Staying organized. Every year I do a little better, but every year there’s more to keep track of! |
| Words that best describes me: | Outgoing, adventurous, optimistic. |
| If I won the lottery: | I would take some time off and travel the world. |
| People would be surprised if they knew: | That I am an accomplished zymurgist. |
| Last book read: | Into Thin Air by John Krakauer, the story of the disaster on Mt. Everest. |
| Dream vacation: | Six months of exploring Europe with my family (the way the Aussies do it!) |
| I can't wait to leave work so I can: | Spend time with my family and friends. |
| The one great thing I'd do if I knew I couldn't fail: | Work overseas assisting communities in less-developed countries to develop safe, reliable sources of water. |
| If I just had more time: | I’d get some sleep! |
WORKSHOP ON ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS AND CHARACTERIZATION OFFERED IN DECEMBER
A workshop entitled “Ecological Effect Characterization and Interpretation for Arid Ecosystems” is being offered at the Westin Hotel in Seattle on Sunday, December 2, in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Society for Risk Analysis. Ecological risk assessment (ERA) is a process used to estimate adverse effects on the environment from chemical or physical stressors. Substantial tracts of land in the southwestern and western U.S. are undergoing or will require ERA. While ERA is a rapidly emerging field receiving much attention, ERA guidance for arid ecosystems is largely absent. Consequently, current ERA tools (e.g., regulatory-recommended toxicity bioassays) may not be appropriate for assessing risk in dry environments. This course is specifically designed to enhance the understanding of ERAs that have been or will be conducted in arid ecosystems.
To bring a full understanding of ecological effects characterization to the attendees, this course attempts to achieve three major goals: (1) demonstrate the practical steps of identifying and interpreting ecological effects using a contaminated desert soil example; (2) provide an understanding of the role managers play in improving ERAs through input to the conceptual site model and problem formulation development; and (3) document the strengths and limitations of using arid ecosystem ERAs to support informed environmental decision making in southwestern and western states.
By covering the common ERA ingredients for any environment, this course is designed for an introductory to intermediate risk assessor level. The guidance on assessing arid ecosystems will benefit more experienced practitioners as well. A workshop notebook with course lectures will be provided along with numerous ERA reference materials on CD. In addition many recent journal articles on workshop topics will be available for review.
To register for the workshop, contact the Society for Risk Analysis at (703) 790-1745 or www.sra.org/events.htm. For additional information, visit www.neptuneandco.com or contact Jim Markwiese (505) 662-2121 or jimm@neptuneandco.com. Pre-registration before 10 November is $250; on-site registration is $310. You need not attend the Society's annual meeting to register for the workshop.
