Victims Compensation Assistance Programs (VCAPs) primarily provide financial assistance and support to victims of various crimes, including but not limited to violent crimes, domestic violence, sexual assault, and other offenses. These programs generally do not directly cover the costs of crime scene cleanup services. Instead, they focus on providing assistance to crime victims in several ways: Financial Assistance: VCAPs offer financial aid to help crime victims with expenses related to their victimization. This financial assistance often covers medical bills, mental health counseling, funera ..read more

How Can Companies and Employees Take Advantage of the Benefits of Working in an Office? – Start with a Strategy to Ensure Healthy Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) A recent New York Times article revealed average Manhattan office rent prices have dropped from an early 2020 high of $82/sf to $74/sf. Corporate giants such as United Airlines, Salesforce, and Target, to name a few, have already exited large office spaces. While the trend toward remote work is not slowing down, many companies and leaders are skeptical of the benefits. A March 2022 study by Microsoft found about 50% of le ..read more

Why are Air Fresheners and Common Cleaning Techniques Potentially Harmful? While surface cleaning is important, deodorizing and cleaning with harsh chemicals can negatively affect indoor air quality and your health if not managed correctly.[1] Many common and sometimes unlisted ingredients used in air fresheners and surface cleaning products have been linked to serious health issues such as: Various cancers caused by carcinogens such as Formaldehyde, Styrene and parabens Harm to lung functionality and the respiratory system Damage to the nervous system Headaches, dizziness, fatigue and n ..read more

Are you aware dry cleaning can have detrimental effects to the environment? Perchloroethylene also known as tetrachloroethylene, perc and PCE, is a solvent widely used in dry cleaning due to it not being flammable. In June of 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a revised risk evaluation of perchloroethylene. The evaluation states that “perchloroethylene presents an unreasonable risk of injury to human health under its conditions of use”. Perchloroethylene has the ability to not only impact air quality but also water quality. Basics of Perchloroethylene Perchlorethy ..read more

A property owner was recently fined for failing to comply with the EPA’s Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (RRP) in regards to lead paint. The owner was fined for conducting work without being licensed or using lead safe practices. This blog will discuss the RRP rule and how to prevent violations. Basics of Lead Paint. Lead is a metallic element that was used in paint due to its added durability and brilliance. Prior to 1978, lead paint was a common building material present in the residential properties. According to Illinois and the U.S. Department of Housin ..read more

There has been increased media attention on PFAs (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) in regard to their potential health effects. They are often labeled as “forever chemicals” and are known to be persistent in indoor dust and water supplies. This blog will discuss PFAs, how they can impact your health and how to test. What Are PFAs? According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), PFAs are made of chains of fluorine and carbon atoms which form a very strong atomic bond. They are called forever chemicals because they do not easily degrade and scientists are having difficulties ..read more

If you are a technology enthusiast, you have likely heard of the carbon nanotubes. These microscopic, extremely durable, fibers are an emerging technology which can have drastic impacts on technology and infrastructure. However, many experts have noted similar characteristics to asbestos. Today’s blog will discuss nanotubes and potential health risks. What Are Carbon Nanotubes? Carbon nanotubes, also known as buckytubes, are an allotrope of carbon. Allotropes have the same chemical composition but a different structure at the atomic level. Common allotropes of carbon are diamonds and graphite ..read more

Recent Amendments to Illinois House Bill 158 The new amendments added to Section 90-10 of The Hospital Licensing Act and Section 90-5 of the Nursing Care Act have made it a requirement for nursing homes and hospitals to test their water systems in accordance with a written policy which states the testing frequency and provides results upon request. As a result, hospitals and nursing home facilities must develop water quality management plans and test their water systems and cooling towers throughout the year. Developing a Water Management Plan A good resource to consider when creatin ..read more

In a previous blog, we discussed the Biden Administration’s Clean Air in Buildings Challenge. This challenge serves as a call to action to building owners to investigate indoor air quality in while also making upgrades to existing HVAC systems. This process may seem obvious -better indoor air quality improves health and morale in office settings. For example, a Harvard School of Public Health study concluded that green buildings drive an average of 101% increase in cognitive function vs conventional buildings. Another Harvard study concluded 57% of sick leave can be at ..read more

May is mental health awareness month. The link between mental health and indoor air quality is often overlooked. This week’s blog will discuss how elevated particulate matter might impact our mental state. What is PM2.5 According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), particulate matter (PM) is a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets in the air. PM2.5, are fine particles 2.5 micrometers in diameter and smaller. When compared to larger particles, the EPA considers PM2.5 to pose the highest health risk due to its ability to get into the deepest regions of the lungs ..read more