Session Spotlight: REACH Implementation |
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Featured Session: Practical Insights in EU REACH Implementation
In this April 13 session on the European Union REACH, you'll hear from Elke Van Asbroeck (left) of Aperion Team, a consultancy in Belgium, on how to implement alternative assessments in REACH authorization. She will do this largely through the lens of companies using substances such as TCE or Cr(VI), looking at challenges and best practices. She will also discuss proposed EU chemicals policies that will likely impact Massachusetts company supply chains. Register for this session.
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Toxics Use Reduction Planner Course Scheduled |
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The next Toxics Use Reduction Planner Certification course starts on Monday, August 16. With more than 48 hours of instruction, the course content includes a systematic approach to identifying chemical use, waste and inefficiencies. Even if you don't go on to become a Toxics Use Reduction planner, you'll learn valuable information to help companies reduce toxics, save money and protect worker health and safety.
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Research Published on Safer Alternatives to Methylene Chloride Use in Electronics |
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The research results of a TURI Academic Research Grant project identified safer alternatives to methylene chloride used to remove conformal coatings on printed circuit boards.
A conformal coating protects components from harsh environments like moisture, dust and temperature extremes. In order to repair the underlying circuit board, workers typically use hazardous volatile solvents, such as methylene chloride, to remove the coating.
The research team identified safer solvent blends that provide equivalent stripping performance as compared to methylene chloride-based coating strippers within an acceptable cost range.
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Researchers measured conformal coating removal on a printed circuit board using UV light. |
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TURI is Searching for a New Director |
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TURI is searching for a new Director and Research Professor.
This new position combines the best of both worlds – research and leadership.
You’ll lead a passionate group of professionals to protect the health and safety of workers and residents in Massachusetts and beyond from toxic chemical use. You’ll also apply your research to industries and communities to make an immediate impact.
Although substantial progress has been made towards reducing toxics in Massachusetts, there’s still much more work to do. That’s where you come in.
Apply your leadership skills, collaborative spirit and research expertise to make Massachusetts a safer place to live and work.
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Mark Rossi Receives Pollution Prevention Award |
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Mark Rossi, who was one of the first employees of TURI, was awarded the Most Valuable Pollution Prevention (MVP2) most valuable award by the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable. The awards celebrate the successes of innovators in the areas of pollution prevention and sustainability.
While at TURI, Mark authored studies and policy recommendations that helped shape the way pollution prevention has been pursued in the United States.
In his current role as Executive Director of Clean Production Action, he designs and delivers strategic solutions for green chemicals, sustainable materials and environmentally preferable products. He is also the founder of BizNGO and co-creator of the GreenScreen for Safer Chemicals. Read more.
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PFAS Webinars Available for CE Credits |
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TUR Planners are eligible to receive 1.5 Continuing Education credits for attending each 90-minute webinar. All webinars take place 1:30 to 3 p.m. EDT.
Tuesday, April 20
Presenters: Liz Harriman, Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute; Mike Schade, Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families Mind the Store Campaign
Tuesday, April 27
Presenters: Dr. Raj Singh, Clarkson University; Kate Winnebeck, New York Pollution Prevention Institute; Shannon Pociu, Connecticut DEEP; Nick Child, Massachusetts DEP
Tuesday, May 4
Presenters: Dr. Nancy Rothman, New Environmental Horizons, Inc.; Elizabeth Denly, TRC
Receiving CE Credits
In order to be eligible to receive Continuing Education credits from MassDEP, you must attend an entire webinar. Then reach out to Pam Eliason for a follow-up survey designed to demonstrate your understanding of the materials covered. TURI will email a certificate after receiving your response.
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TURA Science Advisory Board Meeting |
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The next meeting of the Science Advisory Board (SAB) will be held virtually on Thursday, May 20, noon to 3 p.m. Topics include quaternary ammonium compounds and nanomaterials.
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TURA List of Toxic or Hazardous Substances Added to Pharos |
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The Pharos web tool, a project of the Healthy Building Network, provides a wide variety of information on toxics, including many chemical lists and hazard information on building materials. The TURA list of toxic or hazardous substances has been added to Pharos to facilitate cross-checking it with other authoritative lists, such as the EU Substances of Very High Concern and US state chemicals of concern lists.
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European Commission Seeks Input for Safer and Sustainable Design |
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In its Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, the European Commission identified a key goal to develop and adopt chemicals that are safer and sustainable by design.
To understand how this goal can be implemented into emerging European regulatory and research policy, the European Commission Directorate General for Research has embarked on a stakeholder process to develop criteria for safer and sustainable design that will inform future research grants and regulatory directions.
Register to receive updates and/or participate in this process.
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TURA Program Strengthening Ad Hoc Committee |
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The next meeting topics and dates are:
- TURA List of Toxic or Hazardous Substances: Thursday, April 29, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Fees: Thursday, May 13, 10 a.m. to noon
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TURI staff are available via email, phone or Zoom to talk about TUR planning, training, research, grants, lab testing plans or other issues.
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