Case Study: River Street Metal Finishing Cuts Costs, Reduces Toxics |
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By installing an acid filtration system on three anodizing tanks, River Street Metal Finishing, located in Braintree, Massachusetts, maintains a more consistent quality of its acid bath, reduces its use of sulfuric acid and reduces costs. Read more details in the case study. Watch this video.
Maintenance Manager Lee Reeves of River Street Metal Finishing examines the new acid purification system that filters dissolved aluminum out of the tanks and returns the filtered solution back to the tank.
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Case Study: Workshop Auto Minimizes Use of Hazardous Chemicals |
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Workshop Auto, an auto shop in Lowell, Massachusetts, replaced its aerosol degreaser with an aqueous engine cleaning machine with the help of a TURI small business grant. Without factoring in grant funds, the return on investment is three years.
The case study includes a detailed analysis of the environmental, health and safety profiles comparing the original cleaner with this new system.
The new aqueous parts washer uses a less hazardous cleaner in an enclosed piece of equipment that further minimizes worker exposure.
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TURI Lab Tests Effectiveness of Safer Disinfectants |
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TURI Lab researchers are testing the effectiveness of safer disinfectants and related devices to destroy the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. TURI's research is done using a surrogate virus (MS2 Bacteriophage) that is safer to work with. Read more.
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Inoculating a target bacteria so that it can be seen with the human eye for counting plaques after testing. |
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Applying the virus surrogate to a sterile stainless steel coupon to assess hard-surface disinfection. |
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An electrochemical activation (ECA) device that uses use salt/water or salt/vinegar/water mixtures to generate disinfecting solutions. |
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UMass Lowell biotechnology graduate student Zoe Lawson counts the viral plaques on the plates to determine the reduction of the MS2 virus. |
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Register for the TURA Spring Continuing Education Conference |
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At this year's virtual Spring Continuing Education Conference, attendees will hear from featured keynote speaker Ana Mascareñas (in photo), the Environmental Equity Deputy Director and Tribal Liaison at the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. She'll share her insights on the intersection of environmental justice and toxic chemical use and opportunities for companies to better engage with their workers and communities.
Five remote sessions, 15 credits available:
Tuesday, April 6
3 to 4:30 p.m. EDT
Session A: Keynote Presentation: the Intersection of Toxics Use Reduction and Environmental Justice. Session A also includes a brief discussion of current activities in the TURA program.
Thursday, April 8
9 to 10:30 a.m. EDT
Session B: TUR Planning and Regulations: Materials Accounting
Thursday, April 8
3 to 4:30 p.m. EDT
Session C: Alternative Planning: It's Worth Considering
Tuesday, April 13
9 to 10:30 a.m. EDT
Session D: Practical Insights in EU REACH Implementation
Tuesday, April 13
3 to 4:30 p.m. EDT
Session E: Energy Saving Tools That Can Improve Your Conservation Success
The sessions are worth a total of 15 continuing education credits, 3 of which can be for resource conservation. To view more details and to register for each session, visit the TURI calendar web page.
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PFAS Webinars Available for CE Credits |
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TUR Planners are eligible to receive 1.5 Continuing Education credits for attending each 90-minute webinar. All webinars take place 1:30 to 3 p.m. EDT.
Wednesday, March 24
Presenters: Dr. David Andrews, Environmental Working Group; Dr. Simona Balan, California Department of Toxic Substances Control
Tuesday, April 20
Presenters: Liz Harriman, Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute; Mike Schade, Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Mind the Store Campaign
Tuesday, April 27
Presenters: Dr. Raj Singh, Clarkson University; Kate Winnebeck, New York Pollution Prevention Institute; Shannon Pociu, Connecticut DEEP; Nick Child, Massachusetts DEP
Tuesday, May 4
Presenters: Dr. Nancy Rothman, New Environmental Horizons, Inc.; Elizabeth Denly, TRC
Receiving CE Credits
In order to be eligible to receive Continuing Education credits from MassDEP, you must attend an entire webinar. Then reach out to Pam Eliason for a follow up survey designed to demonstrate your understanding of the materials covered. TURI will email a certificate after receiving your response.
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Certain PFAS Added to the Toxics Release Inventory |
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The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 required EPA to add certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the list of chemicals covered by the Toxics Release Inventory. These substances will be reportable under TURA effective in reporting year 2021.
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Upcoming Administrative Council Meeting |
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A meeting of the Administrative Council on Toxics Use Reduction will be held virtually on Friday, March 5, 3 to 5 p.m.
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TURA Science Advisory Board Meeting |
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The next meeting of the Science Advisory Board (SAB) will be held virtually on Thursday, March 11, noon to 3 p.m., to continue the discussion on quaternary ammonium compounds. View the agenda that includes the Zoom link.
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TURA Program Strengthening Ad Hoc Committee |
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- TUR Planners and TUR Planning: Tuesday, March 30, 1 to 3 p.m.
- TURA List of Toxic or Hazardous Substances: Thursday, April 29, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Fees: Thursday, May 13, 10 a.m. to noon
Materials for past meetings are available on the website of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs:
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TURI staff are available via email, phone or Zoom to talk about TUR planning, training, research, grants, lab testing plans or other issues.
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