Consortium Finds Safer Alternatives for Aerospace and Defense
The TURI-led consortium that evaluates safer alternatives to coatings containing hexavalent chromium used in the aerospace and defense industry has published its final results for conversion coatings.

Research Manager Greg Morose, in partnership with Raytheon Technologies and Lockheed Martin, authored the recent article in the Journal of Aerospace and Technology and Management. Test results of three conversion coatings that don't contain hexavalent chromium passed several industry specific performance requirements. Read the article.


CD Aero Recognized as Champion of Toxics Use Reduction
Rep. Paul Schmid III (presenting a citation) and TURI staff visited CD Aero in February to recognize the company for reducing toxic chemical use and protecting worker health and safety, all while saving money in the process. From left is Sr. Manufacturing Engineer Kenneth Baron, Environmental Engineer Dan Lopes, Rep. Paul Schmid, TURI Industry and Small Business Manager Joy Onasch, Engineering Manager Paul Fandel and TURI Deputy Director Liz Harriman.

The onsite event included a presentation of awards, including a national pollution prevent award, and a brief factory tour. CD Aero replaced a large vapor degreaser that used nPB, a regulated halogenated solvent, with new equipment that uses a water-based process to clean oil from capacitors. Learn more.
Clean capacitors roll out of the new system.
The smaller equipment made space for more manufacturing capacity.
PFAS Tracking Guidance Available for Massachusetts Companies
The TURA Program has developed resources to help companies identify and track the use of the "Certain Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances Not Otherwise Listed (PFAS NOL)" category.

Massachusetts companies that file toxic chemical use under the Toxics Use Reduction Act are required to track use of
these substances beginning on January 1, 2022.

Save the Date for the Spring Continuing Education Conference
The next continuing education conference is being held in person on Wednesday, April 13, at the Courtyard Boston Marlborough (75 Felton St. in Marlborough).

We’ll feature a keynote from TURI’s new director, Baskut Tuncak (right), looking at how toxics use reduction can form an essential part of the private sector’s efforts to protect human rights.

Session topics include economic evaluation, determining your PFAS reporting and planning obligations, using your TUR planning skills to stay ahead of future chemical restrictions, and more.

We will be limiting the number of attendees for this event and implementing other health and safety measures in light of the pandemic.

This conference qualifies for 12 continuing education credits.

If you any questions, or ideas for future sessions, contact Pam Eliason.
Resource Conservation Trainings
Attend these resource conservation virtual trainings for the latest information on water conservation and solid waste source reduction opportunities in your facilities.

  • Water Conservation, Thursday, March 31, 2 to 4 pm - Presented by Laura Babcock, Director of the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP), the session explores water conservation opportunities. This interactive workshop will include examples from MnTAP's work with multiple facilities. 
  • 2 Continuing Education RC credits for water conservation

  • Materials Contributing to Solid Waste, Wednesday, April 27, 1 to 3 pm - Join professionals from the Center for EcoTechnology, the MassDEP Commercial Waste Reduction Branch and Green Business Certification Inc in this interactive workshop, which will include information on the new MassDEP waste disposal ban, effective November 1, 2022, and ideas on how to spot opportunities for solid waste source reduction in your facilities.
  • 2 Continuing Education credits for materials contributing to solid waste
TURA Staff Speaking at PFAS Webinar
Hosted by the Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association (NEWMOA), the "Northeast Conference on the Science of PFAS: Public Health & the Environment" will take place in person on April 5 and 6 at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center in Marlborough, MA.

TURI's Deputy Director Liz Harriman and TURA Program Manager Heather Tenney, as well as the Office of Technical Assistance's Tiffany Skogstrom, are among the featured speakers.
 
The goals of the conference are to:
  • Ensure that local, state, and federal action to address PFAS contamination is informed by the most current and reliable science
  • Facilitate networking and information-sharing among key stakeholders on PFAS topics
  • Identify important gaps in the science and policy to help inform future research

Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Planners: The "Uses and Alternatives" track of the conference has been approved for up to 10.5 credits towards TUR Planner recertification. Credit will be issued per session, with attendance verification. An additional fee of $50 per day is required to receive TUR Planner credits.
Artificial Turf and Organic Fields
TURI staff members Rachel Massey and Lindsey Pollard were featured speakers for a webinar on the Environmental Health Impacts of Artificial Turf and Safer Alternatives.

Hosted by the Collaborative on Health and Environment, the webinar provided research on materials used as artificial turf infill, emerging information on chemicals in artificial turf grass blades and other health and environmental concerns associated with artificial turf, such as microplastic pollution and high surface temperatures. TURI staff also discussed their research on natural grass athletic fields as a safer alternative.
Next Science Advisory Board Meeting
The next Science Advisory Board meeting will be held virtually on Monday, March 28, 1:30 to 4:30 pm. The topic is multi-walled carbon nanotubes. If you have any questions, contact TURA Program Manager Heather Tenney.
GC3 Roundtable is this Week
The Green Chemistry and Commerce Council is hosting its Virtual Roundtable this week and there's still time to participate. The goal of the event is to accelerate commercialization of safer, more sustainable chemistries through collaboration across sectors and with key government and not-for-profit partners.


Agenda:

  • 3/8 - Turning US Sustainable Chemistry Policy into Action
  • 3/9 - Molecular Recycling for Circularity
  • 3/10 - Driving ESG through Sustainable Chemistry