Toxics Use Reduction Planners Make a Difference

In this video , a mother-daughter team - Roxann Carstensen and Cierra MacLeod - describe the services that they provide to their clients and the benefits of becoming Toxics Use Reduction Planners . Please share this video with your colleagues who may be interested in helping companies reduce toxics and improve operational efficiencies.

Updated Toxics Use Reduction Planning Guidance Available

‌ The updated TUR Planning Guidance includes more streamlined flow charts and optional forms. These and other improvements, designed to strengthen company TUR planning practices and outcomes, were made based on feedback from veteran TUR Planners.

TURI Releases Report on Safer Alternatives to Methylene Chloride

In the new report "Assessment and Effective Alternatives for Coating Removal Products," TURI documents a multi-year project that identified and evaluated safer and effective alternatives to methylene chloride . This report is intended to assist businesses, government agencies and the public to make informed decisions. Numerous occupational and consumer deaths during coating removal operations have resulted from acute methylene chloride poisoning, with 56 reported accidental exposure deaths linked to methylene chloride since 1980. The Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) program designated methylene chloride as a higher hazard substance effective in 2014. Based on TURI's evaluation, there are safer, cost-effective, and performance-effective coating removal products commercially available that are viable replacements for coating removal products containing methylene chloride and other chemicals of high concern.

Resource Conservation Training Workshop

Friday, February 7 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Devens Commons Center, 31 Andrews Parkway, Devens, Mass. The Resource Conservation training features in-depth exercises and discussion of tools and techniques for water conservation, energy conservation and reducing the use of materials that contribute to solid waste.  Speakers include Laura Babcock, Director of Minnesota Technical Assistance Program , Brian Balukonis, formerly with Raytheon and now a consultant working with organizations to move towards zero waste, and Madeline Snow of the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, who has worked with numerous companies and municipalities in identifying energy conservation opportunities. Participants will also be visiting the Devens Eco-Efficiency Center, the Great Exchange. This day-long training is available to any TUR Planner, including those who attended the Basic RC Planning training on January 23.

More Details & Register

"I just wanted to reach out and say thank you for a great training session last Thursday! I appreciated everything from your lectures, your slideshow and especially the helpful binder I can utilize at work. It was very nice to meet other industry professionals and hear about their daily work experiences as well. Although I do not have 25 plus years of experience as the other ladies and gentlemen in the class, I appreciated their inclusivity on the subject matter." Mariah Allen, Environment, Health and Safety Specialist at Veolia in West Bridgewater, who attended the January 23 RC training.

Northeast Conference on the Science of PFAS

Tuesday, March 31 and Wednesday, April 1 Sheraton Framingham Hotel and Conference Center The Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association (NEWMOA) has organized a regional science conference on PFAS to ensure that local, state and federal action to address PFAS contamination is informed by the most current and reliable science. The two-day conference will also facilitate networking and information-sharing among key stakeholders on PFAS topics and identify gaps in the science and policy to inform future research. TURI and Office of Technical Assistance staff members are presenting on topics such as toxicology and environmental health. Learn more and register.

TURA Ad Hoc Subcommittee

At its next meeting, the TURA Administrative Council will discuss and hold a vote on establishment of an Ad Hoc Subcommittee of the TURA Advisory Committee  to review TURA program activities and services since the 2006 TURA Amendments.  The objective is to strengthen the effectiveness of the program, increase the value of TUR planning to Massachusetts businesses and ensure on-going progress in reducing the use of toxics in the Commonwealth while increasing the adoption of safer materials.  For more information download this powerpoint presentation.   The Ad Hoc Subcommittee is expected to meet regularly through the spring and summer. If you are interested in participating, would like more information or would like to be kept informed of meetings, please email Rich Bizzozero .

Questions about TURI's Resources?

Andrea Lynch, who recently joined TURI in support of the training and information resources programs, can answer your questions about the TURI Library, researching chemicals, obtaining articles, TUR training and more. Contact her at Andrea@turi.org . She also manages Greenlist Bulletin , a monthly compilation of the latest news and publications related to toxics use reduction.  Sign up to receive Greenlist Bulletin emails.

Save the Date for the Champions Event

Wednesday, June 17 The annual Champions of Toxics Use Reduction recognition event will be held at the State House on Wednesday, June 17. Please hold this date on your calendars to honor companies and communities that are making the Commonwealth a safer place to live and work.

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