Siemens Finds Safer Surfactant with Help from UMass Lowell Researchers
"Being environmentally sustainable means being business sustainable."
Kevin Johnson, Director of Environment, Health and Safety
Siemens Healthineers Point of Care, Norwood
TURI awarded UMass Lowell researchers two grants to collaborate with Siemens Healthineers in Norwood to find safer surfactants for use in immunoassay lab products. Professor Ram Nagarajan of Plastics Engineering discovered new surfactants derived from pectin and Associate Professor Peter Gaines of Biology tested whether the new compounds were toxic to cells. Watch the video.
A Few Seats Left: Register for the Toxics Use Reduction Planner Certification Course
TUR Planners are essential to protecting workers, communities and the environment, while sharpening a company's competitive edge. Become a TUR Planner today by attending this blended online and onsite course.
New This Year
For Limited Practice and General Practice TUR Planners: you can earn 20 credits for taking the online portion of the course as a refresher.
New Case Study Documents Organic Management of Marblehead's Natural Grass Playing Fields
Marblehead has managed all of publicly owned grass fields organically since 2002, building and maintaining a healthy ecosystem with active microbial life in the soil and strong root systems. Key elements of the program include frequent aeration and mowing, soil testing and the use of organic fertilizer and soil amendments.
This case study provides detailed information on four multi-use fields in Marblehead, including information on the number of hours played each season. Each of these fields may serve as a useful model for other communities interested in organic field management.
View more resources on how to select safer alternatives for athletic playing fields.
Public Comment Period and Hearing on Amendments to TURA Hazardous Substance List
In June 2018, the US EPA added the nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE) category to the EPCRA Section 313 Toxic Chemical List. As mandated by the Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA, MGL Chapter 21I), the TURA Administrative Council voted to list the NPE category under the TURA Toxic or Hazardous Substance List.
