Police station closed due to mold, leaks

Police stations often suffer
from poor IAQ, affecting the
officers' health and well-being.

DARTMOUTH — Cracked glass, water-damaged files, corroded pipes and black mold were some of visible issues police building committee members saw during a recent tour of the closed police station.

“It blows my mind,” said Ken Vincent, chairman of the 12-member committee expected to come up with dollar figures on renovating the facility or building a new station. “It’s important for the committee to see this so we can ask the right questions when we go out to bid.”

The Russells Mills Road station has been closed for more than eight months after an officer became sick with Legionnaires' disease and the bacterium legionella was found in the hot water system.

Custodian David Saulnier said several old pipes that were blocked off during previous expansions allowed the bacteria to fester.

From corroded pipes in the boiler room to soggy boxes in the records room, Saulnier led a group of 14 through the building, identifying issues.

“Over the last three years, I kept getting new leaks in the new HVAC system that did not have some valves,” he said, pulling down drop ceiling tiles to expose dots of mold.

Pointing to a thick grey-green ooze on the floor of the locker room, Saulnier said he had no idea what it could be.

Select Board representative Stanley Mickelson, who recently replaced Lara Stone on the committee, had mixed reactions to the tour. “Discombobulating,” he said. “There’s so much to go through.”

As temperatures drop, the department continues to operate out of six trailers and portable toilets in the parking lot, a situation Traffic Officer Joseph Vieira said is “not ideal.” Representing the police union on the committee, he said the tour was “a great first step” but “long overdue.”

In the recent rains, water dripped through the dispatchers' trailer windows, said Donna Wunschel, also on the committee.

“It’s an indoor job. I don’t even have rain gear,” she said. “We are trying to deal with it the best we can.”

The town has purchased a modular station with plumbing and heat to replace the trailers. Town Administrator David Cressman said he expects it will be in place early January.

“Let’s hope for no snow until then,” Vieira said.

Source: South Coast Today


Protecting the law enforcers

Police and law enforcement officers have to deal with a wide range of dangerous factors - but indoor air pollution does not have to be one of them.

Electrocorp's RAP series is
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Electrocorp is a trusted supplier of portable air cleaners for law enforcement agencies across North America.

Contact Electrocorp for more information and a free consultation.

Police evidence rooms in need of good IAQ

Collecting and storing evidence is an important
part of police work and legal proceedings.

Collecting and handling evidence is often one of the weirdest parts of a police officer's work, but it is very important to properly store evidence for investigations and legal proceedings.

In most police evidence rooms, there is more than one custodian responsible for the evidence. The job is very technical, as any evidence that is lost or tempered with can't be used in a case in court.

To make sure they can tell where the evidence is, who's had access to it and when, the technicians need to put in place a rigorous process and go through regular internal audits. Digital record keeping helps with making evidence easier to track, and security is paramount.

The evidence room houses evidence such as illicit and prescription drugs, weapons as well as items connected to crimes, many of which will be returned to their owners, auctioned off or destroyed once the case has been closed.

Metal shelves and neatly labelled boxes make for an organized room, but the evidence technicians have to be careful about the indoor air quality in the evidence room.

Without proper ventilation and air exchanges, evidence room personnel may be exposed to airborne fumes, mold (especially Aspergillus mold from improperly stored marijuana), particles, dust, chemicals and other contaminants.

Measures for a healthy evidence room

Breathing contaminated air can affect a police officer's health and well being. Continuous exposure to poor indoor air quality has been associated with less productivity, respiratory disease and many other illnesses.

There are many measures that can be taken to make the evidence room (and other areas of the department) a safer and healthier place:

• Use a diligent process for storing evidence
• Use personal protective systems (such as masks and gloves) when moving and handling stored evidence
• Monitor and adjust indoor heating, ventilation and air conditioning system
• Use a portable air purifier with activated carbon, HEPA and UV germicidal filtration to remove chemicals, gases, fumes, odors, particles, dust and biological contaminants
• Keep the evidence room clean and organized

Source: Press Publications, Electrocorp

Worried about indoor air quality in your evidence room or police department? Electrocorp has worked with law enforcement officers across North America to provide cleaner air in evidence rooms and at the workplace. For more information, contact Electrocorp or call 1-866-667-0297.

Police constable sues force after inhaling cannabis fumes

Fumes from drying marijuana plants made her ill, a woman
police constable claimed.

A woman police constable cleaning up a cannabis factory claimed the fumes made her ill and caused her to injure herself on the job.

The policewoman sued the Hampshire Police Force and won nearly £5,000 after cutting her thumb when she tried to open a window.

She said the force breached its duty as an employer by exposing her to cannabis fumes and failing to provide protective equipment, especially thick gloves.

The police constable was cleaning out a property used to grow marijuana plants, and the policewoman's lawyer argued that the flat was dangerous and featured foreseeable risk of injury.

The constables were only given thin latex gloves and the property suffered from limited ventilation, he said.

The police force contested the ruling, saying that the police constable's job was pulling out cannabis plants. Thick gloves did not seem necessary, as there were no sharp edges involved.

Source: Daily Mail UK

Protect police force from dangerous fumes

Working as a police officer comes with many risks, but the police force can take measures to reduce these risks, especially when it comes to the inhalation of risky fumes and odors on the job.

Electrocorp has provided police stations across North America with high-quality air purifiers to provide cleaner, more breathable air when needed.

The air cleaners feature a thick carbon wall to remove airborne chemicals, gases and fumes as well as odors, a medical-grade HEPA filter for the abatement of particles and biological contaminants and optional UV light to neutralize bacteria, viruses and mold (including aspergillus mold).

Electrocorp offers a variety of units for spaces of all sizes. The portable air purifiers can also easily accompany police officers on the road to provide cleaner air in spaces that are under investigation or need clearing out.

For more information, contact Electrocorp and speak to an IAQ expert.

Avoiding chemical and mold exposures in drug evidence rooms - Part II

Tips for officers in evidence rooms
to minimize exposures to toxins.

Storing drugs in evidence rooms and drug vaults at law enforcement agencies poses a significant health risks for the employees in charge of retrieval, maintenance and disposal.

They could be exposed to drug particles, chemical fumes, volatile organic compounds, mold spores, mold mycotoxins (terpenes) and many other contaminants.

While exposure levels may be low, inhaling these types of indoor air pollutants over an extended period of time may become a health risk.

There have been complaints from police officers ranging from respiratory problems to fatigue and anxiety, among many others (see Part I).

Based on case studies and health hazard evaluations, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has put together some general recommendations for drug evidence rooms:

1. Keep drug quantities under control. Frequent disposal of drugs can reduce the chances of exposure and off-gassing materials.
2. Make sure marijuana and other plant-based drugs are dried properly and set up a drying chamber inside the evidence room, if needed.
3. Use chemical and particle filters (activated carbon and HEPA) in the evidence room and ensure that filters are replaced regularly.
4. Have the HVAC (especially the ventilation) system inspected by a ventilation engineer and make improvements, if necessary.
5. Store dried marijuana in sealed plastic bags. If they need to be stored in ventilated cardboard boxes, they should be in an enclosed area in the evidence room with exhaust ventilation to contain odors.
6. Seal synthetic drugs in plastic.
7. Keep a relative humidity level of 30-50% to minimize mold growth.
8. Keep the evidence room clean and well maintained, using environmentally friendly and non-toxic cleaners, gloves and vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters.
9. Improve organization and avoid clutter.
10. Use a cart to transport evidence.
11. Avoid skin contact with marijuana as well as other drugs and evidence materials to reduce the potential for irritation and allergic reactions.
12. Alert employees of possible risks and open channels of communication to address problems quickly and efficiently.
13. Develop written policies and standard operating procedures and train employees accordingly.

Source: Evidence Technology Magazine

Carbon and HEPA air filters for mold, chemicals and odors

Electrocorp offers a variety of stand-alone, industrial-strength air filtration systems that address mold, chemicals, VOCs, odors, particles and other contaminants.

With a high-efficiency air filter system combining activated carbon and HEPA as well as optional UV, Electrocorp’s air cleaners for law enforcement have a proven track record to provide better, cleaner and more breathable air in evidence storage rooms as well as general office areas.

Find out more about the RSU Series, the RAP series, the numerical series and the I-6500 series by speaking to one of Electrocorp’s IAQ experts today. Call 1-866-667-0297.

Show your support for greener and healthier working environments by following this blog.

Related blog post:

• Mold wreaks havoc on materials stored in evidence rooms

Chemical and mold exposure an occupational risk in law enforcement – Part I

Improperly dried or stored marijuana can expose police
officers to mold spores and chemicals.

Working in an evidence room at any law enforcement agency can be an occupational health risk, industrial hygienists warn.

For crimes that involve drugs, police officers need to store evidence in a drug vault, and in most cases, indoor air quality suffers.

Synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine can emit dangerous chemical fumes, while plant-based drugs such as marijuana are susceptible to mold growth and often expose officers to Aspergillus mold spores. Marijuana also produces volatile organic compounds called terpenes that contribute to the drug’s taste and smell.

Employees may have to spend several hours each day in the evidence room, receiving, storing and retrieving evidence, transporting drugs and other materials, maintaining inventory, and getting evidence ready for disposal. These activities can expose them to drug particles, mold spores, volatile chemicals from drugs as well as from “air freshening” products.

Occupational Safety and Health intervention may become necessary if the evidence room employees start exhibiting health symptoms related to exposure, which may include:

• Nose bleeds
• Respiratory problems
• Skin rashes
• Memory fog
• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Vision problems
• Burning eyes
• Facial twitches

Some employees show higher sensitivities to chemicals and molds than other employees, and while some people may experience symptoms right away, it may take years for others to develop any health effects.

The risks of exposures to certain drugs such as methamphetamine and cocaine at high levels is well known, but low level exposures over extended periods of time have not been researched, occupational hygienists say.

However, there is limited evidence linking low levels of indirect drug exposures to acute or chronic health effects, there are reports in the scientific literature of people experiencing skin rash from occupational exposure and handling of marijuana plants and materials, with symptoms increasing over time with ongoing exposure (Majmudar et al., 2006; Williams et al., 2008).

Source: Evidence Technology Magazine

Air cleaners for evidence rooms and drug vaults

Electrocorp's RSU series combines
the most efficient air filters.

Electrocorp has developed portable and powerful air cleaners for law enforcement agencies, which can remove harmful chemicals, odors, volatile organic compounds, fumes, gases, fine particles, dust, mold spores, mold mycotoxins, bacteria and viruses from the ambient air.

The air cleaners boast a multistage air filtration system with a a deep-bed activated carbon filter, a HEPA filter, pre-filters and UV germicidal filtration (optional) to provide cleaner and healthier air throughout.

Electrocorp air scrubbers provide cleaner air in thousands of law enforcement agencies across North America.

“The … RSU 48 CC Air Scrubber has been one of the best investments for the evidence technicians in the evidence vault. With the odors of drugs, especially marijuana, this system removes the odors and smell of different types of evidence for all personnel handling the evidence in and around the vault. Being able to replace the filters and carbon is an easy process for the evidence technicians. I would recommend these air scrubbers to evidence room technicians.”
Tim Karp, New Hanover County Sheriff's Office, CSI, Castle Hayne, NC
Read more testimonials

Contact Electrocorp for more information.

Show your support for greener and healthier working environments by following this blog.

Exposure to chemical fumes from evidence leaves police officers ill

Improper storage and escaping fumes put
officers in evidence rooms at risk.

The risks for those working in law enforcement don’t stop at the street level – they can lurk in evidence rooms and exhibit centers where old drugs, chemicals and other materials are stored.

The story of two Australian police officers who got sick after being exposed to toxic fumes is an extreme example of what can happen when inadequate health and safety measures are in place.

The two policemen were asked in March 2009 to perform a drug audit in the Sydney Police Centre’s drug exhibit center.

The room was about 4 x 5 meters big, not ventilated and was crammed with drugs and other chemicals up to 15 years old.

The officers walked in without wearing protective equipment and were hit with the toxic fumes instantly.

Three years later, they are unable to work and allege they were not given any training, special equipment or instructions.

The officers claim they were exposed to old methamphetamine in a particularly toxic exposure incident. Not only did they develop severe headaches, coughing, burning sensation in nose and throat and other symptoms during the drug audit, but their health continued to deteriorate over time, they say.

They are suing the police force for dozens of negligent acts and more than 50 breaches of the duty of care.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Remove airborne chemicals with carbon air cleaners

It is a fact of work-life that the drugs and evidence collected from various cases will have to be stored somewhere, often for a long time.

The right air cleaners can help remove
dangerous chemicals, fumes and particles.

In evidence rooms and other such rooms, the chemical fumes, aspergillus mold and other toxins emitted by the evidence can cause very serious health effects.

Along with adequate health and safety measures, a good ventilation system and safe storage systems, a portable activated carbon + HEPA air cleaner can help provide cleaner and healthier air.

Electrocorp has designed air cleaners for law enforcement and evidence rooms that can remove airborne chemicals, gases, fumes, odors, mold spores, mycotoxins, particles, dust, bacteria, viruses and other contaminants.

The air cleaners feature some of the largest adsorbent surface areas for gaseous pollutants and they are designed to work around the clock for reliable air cleaning.

Contact Electrocorp for more information and options.
 
Related posts

• Mold wreaks havoc on materials stored in evidence rooms
• Health and safety issues - Mold in the workplace
• Meth labs in decline thanks to new law

  

Meth labs in decline thanks to new law

Police often have to deal with chemical
explosions in illegal meth labs.

The state of Oregon passed a law to make 15 common household cold and allergy medicines “prescription only” – and it seems to be working.

The law targets healthcare products that contain pseudoephedrine, an important component for the production of methamphetamine in illegal labs.

Since the law has come into effect, meth lab incidents have gone down by 96 percent, according to the district attorney of Lincoln County in Oregon, who says that arrests, meth treatment admissions and crime rates in general have also decreased.

Oregon used to be a hotbed for meth labs, which can pose serious health risks to the people cooking up the drugs as well as residents and children in the nearby environment.

Because of the chemicals used in meth production, police had to deal with many fires, explosions and environmental exposure concerns.

While meth labs continue to be a problem in Oregon, the decrease in incidences makes a big difference. The district attorney says they used to take down 500 meth labs a year, which has gone down to eight so far this year.

Other states may soon follow Oregon’s example.

Source: The Register-Herald

Risks associated with meth labs

The cleanup of meth labs is also a dangerous task for law enforcement officers everywhere.

Short-term exposure to high concentrations of chemical vapors that may exist in methamphetamine laboratories can cause severe health problems or even result in death.

The risks come from the flammable and corrosive chemicals used in the process, particularly the solvents used in extraction and purification.

Electrocorp has designed powerful portable air cleaners for law enforcement that can be used on the job and remove a wide range of airborne chemicals, odors, gases and other contaminants.

They are equipped with a large activated carbon filter as well as HEPA and UV germicidal filtration (optional).

Contact us for more information: 866-667-0297.  

Police questioned about asbestos scandal

Police officers were not informed
about asbestos and other risks in
their homes and stations.

They are supposed to serve and protect, but police officers and their families in Australia’s New South Wales (NSW) state did not get the same courtesy.

They were kept in the dark about asbestos and other poisonous hazards in police stations and houses across NSW, an internal report revealed.

The Sydney Morning Herald published a detailed article about the internal investigation and events that led to the questionable actions by key personnel, which put officers and their families at risk.

They decided to bury hundreds of safety audits identifying threats in police houses and stations because they apparently did not have the funds to fix the 200+ properties.

The police officers should have been advised of the dangers of asbestos in their homes, sources say. Almost half the home and stations in the state are more than 40 years old and were built with asbestos-containing materials.

The officers’ requests to see the audit reports were repeatedly denied, until they were uncovered by the union a few months ago.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald


Effects of asbestos exposure

Asbestos fibers are too small to be seen with the naked eye, but they can be inhaled deep into the lungs, where they can damage lung tissue, cause scar tissue to form and develop into a disease called asbestosis.

People can be exposed to asbestos when they encounter airborne asbestos fibers, after asbestos-containing material is drilled, cut, abraded, sanded, chipped, or sawed during a renovation, for example.
 

Electrocorp's RAP series:
Portable air cleaners

Electrocorp has designed industrial air cleaners for facility management, offices, mold and asbestos abatement and many other industrial and commercial applications, including evidence protection and law enforcement.

The air cleaners contain a complete, multistage filtration system with activated carbon and HEPA to remove a wide range of indoor air pollutants.

Contact Electrocorp for more information and product recommendations.
 

Meth lab cleanups “on hold” as money dries up

Police need to find a way to
pay for methlab cleanups.

Law enforcement officials at the forefront of the war on meth in the United States had to make a sudden retreat after they ran out of funds to pay for the cleanups of the toxic waste that is generated by labs.

An AP article details the problems caused for police and sheriff’s departments across the nation by cutbacks from the federal government that helped law enforcement agencies to dispose of seized labs.

The government’s decision to cancel the program took away millions of dollars that were slated for the fight against meth labs.

Cutbacks affect investigative work

Law enforcement agencies often had to cancel special initiatives or assignments such as undercover work, door-to-door investigations and stakeouts to locate operating meth labs.

The AP analysis shows that the number of seized labs has dropped drastically in major meth-producing states.

Without the federal money, states have to find a way to replace the funds or make the cleanups less expensive.

Typical cleanups cost $2,500 to $5,000 per lab.

The problem is, meth labs are thriving in the US, with the number of new meth users rising each year and a growing number of shipments coming from Mexico.

What is meth?

Methamphetamine is a psychostimulant of the phenethylamine and amphetamine class of psychoactive drugs. It has high potential for abuse and addiction and in addition to psychological harm, physical harm such as cardiovascular damage, may occur with chronic use or acute overdose.

Short-term exposure to high concentrations of chemical vapors that may exist in methamphetamine laboratories can cause severe health problems or even result in death. Exposure to these substances can occur from volatile air emissions, spills, fires, and explosions.

Because meth is made using a volatile mix of ingredients such as battery acid, drain cleaner and ammonia, only cleanup crews with specialized training are allowed to handle the materials found in labs.

The waste and debris cannot be dumped in a regular landfill, only in specially approved waste sites.

Cleanup programs need to be adapted

The only solution seems to be for the states to implement their own cleanup programs.

In states where such programs already exists, local police and deputies are trained to remove meth waste and collect it in designated containers - essentially small metal storage buildings. The DEA picks up the waste and disposes of it.

The system is far less expensive - $500 for a typical cleanup.

Now some states that previously used the COPS money are developing their own container systems, including Michigan and Tennessee, which began its program last month. Arkansas also is looking at a container program.

Source: AP, Wikipedia

Industrial air cleaners for law enforcement agencies

Electrocorp has designed portable, powerful air cleaners with activated carbon and HEPA to remove a wide range of chemicals, gases, fumes, particles and pathogens from the ambient air in evidence rooms and other indoor spaces.

Contact Electrocorp for more information about air cleaners for law enforcement as well as testimonials from clients. Always consult an expert when dealing with hazardous chemicals and substances.