Next Generation of Auto Repair and Collision Professionals Learn Safer Ways to Clean Parts
"[Assabet students] are going to be the next generation of automotive professionals, and hopefully the whole industry can swing over to a way that's better for the environment, better for the people using it and will let them have longer healthier careers."

Dan Capuano, Lead Teacher, Automotive Technology
Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School
Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlborough received TURI small business grants to reduce the use of solvents in their auto repair and collision shops. The auto collision shop is using a water-based paint gun cleaner and the auto repair shop is using a bio-based system for cleaning parts. Watch the video.
Upcoming Events
Webinar: Preparing Facilities and Communities for Severe Weather

The Office of Technical Assistance is hosting the webinar "Preparing Facilities and Communities for Severe Weather" on Wednesday, May 1, at 10 a.m.

  • Tiffany Skogstrom of the Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance (OTA) will demonstrate an online mapping tool to identify toxics users in relation to climate change-related vulnerability factors such as flood, hurricane, and environmental justice zones.
  • Rick Ferreira of the Taunton Emergency Management Agency will discuss the importance and value of building strong community partnerships between businesses and local government as part of emergency preparedness planning.
TRI/TURA Compliance Workshops

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the Toxics Use Reduction Institute and the Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance are providing a series of Toxic Release Inventory/Toxics Use Reduction Act Compliance Assistance Workshops in locations throughout Massachusetts. These free workshops are designed for the experienced TRI reporter and require registration.

Champions of Toxics Use Reduction Ceremony

Save the date: Join us at the State House on Thursday, June 13, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., to recognize Champions of Toxics Use Reduction. We will announce honorees soon. RSVP to Brenda Wilson .
Ray Lizotte Shares Expertise on Making Sustainability a Reality
Ray Lizotte, director of the Product Sustainability Office at Schneider Electric, was the keynote speaker at the Continuing Education Conference on April 4. His presentation, "Making Sustainability Happen: Sustainability Tools at Schneider Electric," included information on setting goals and using sustainability tools.

Session topics included: characterizing your process, best practices for general practice planners, finding and assessing safer solvents, energy conservation, C1-C4 hologenated chemicals, minimizing materials that contribute to solid waste, phthalate esters and safer alternatives for plasticizers.

Reminder: Apply for a TURI Grant
TURI invites grant proposals for projects that reduce toxic chemical use in businesses, communities, towns and cities. Funds can be used to offset the cost of technology, safer products, workshops and materials. Submit your proposal by Friday, June 21, 2019.

The grant categories include:

Industry Grants of up to $30,000 are for manufacturing facilities to improve processes or install technology that results in reducing toxics. 

Small Business Grants of up to $10,000 are for businesses that provide services directly to consumers to change processes or replace toxics with safer alternatives. 

Community Grants of up to $10,000 for local projects and up to $20,000 for regional or statewide projects are intended to create and promote healthier communities.

Academic Research Grants of up to $25,000 create partnerships between academia and industry.
 
Earth Day: Environmental Impacts of Artificial Turf
Spring is here and that means it's grass-growing season in New England. In a blog post, Lindsey Pollard and Rachel Massey of TURI discuss the various environmental impacts of artificial turf compared to natural grass. Read Earth Day: Environmental Impacts of Artificial vs. Natural Turf Grass.
 
Science Advisory Board Continues to Evaluate PFAS
The SAB continues to evaluate information on per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). To date, they have recommended listing eight long and short chain carboxylic acids and sulfonic acids and one fluoroether substance referred to as GenX (HFPO-DA). 

They are currently reviewing an additional fluoroether substance (ADONA) and phosphonic and phosphinic acids. 

For more information, see TURI's website or contact Heather Tenney .