The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released two reports — the first lists disinfectants that are effective in fighting avian flu, while the other focuses on toxic chemicals the EPA believes need to be eliminated or reduced from manufacturing processes.

The first compilation lists EPA-registered disinfectants that fight avian influ-enza A viruses, including the particularly virulent H5N1 strain. These products are typically used to disinfect poultry, veterinary and other institutional and industrial facilities.

The risk of contracting avian influenza is relatively low because the viruses typically don’t infect humans. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said, “There is a possible risk to people who have direct or close contact with infected birds or with surfaces that have been contaminated with secretions and excretions from infected birds.”

Since 1997, the CDC has confirmed more than 100 human cases in Asia and Europe.

The list of more than 90 disinfectant products can be found at www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/avian.htm.

The second list outlines the toxic chemicals — also known as “priority” chemicals — that the EPA wants eliminated from the nation’s waste stream. These chemicals are federal priority chemicals because they are persistent and bioaccumulative, in addition to being toxic.

Companies that eliminate or substitute these chemicals can reduce the amount of waste produced, thus lessening waste disposal costs.

Stephen Ashkin, president of the Ashkin Group, Bloomington Ind., said that while the majority of priority chemicals are not typically used in jan/san products, it does help raise awareness about protecting the environment.

“The chemicals themselves are really not used by our industry but the impact can help heighten awareness of the issues, especially issues like bioaccumulation and persistence,” Ashkin said. “Those are terms that our industry and our customers are just now starting to learn about.”

“This should help people understand general concepts, which in turn will help drive demand for green products,” Ashkin added.

To access the list of 31 priority chemicals, visit www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/minimize/chemlist.htm


NAW Executive Summit Focuses On Profits
Increasing profits is at the top of every business’s priority list, and the 2006 National Association of Wholesaler Distributors (NAW) offered a wide array of tips for achieving higher profits, increasing sales and maximizing margins at its 2006 executive summit, held January 31-February 2 in Washington, D.C.

Ruth Stadius, NAW director of communication, said the annual event drew about 200 people and was a success.

“Overall it was a great meeting and many of our attendees told us it was excellent and that they’ll be coming back,” said Stadius.

Speakers were the highlight of the summit, and they offered guidance on ways to better individual businesses. This was accomplished through providing information and education on the broader economy, discussing public policy issues and forecasting 2006’s economic environment.

“We had a lot of fine speakers,” said Stadius. “We had two [federal government]secretaries that delivered messages, and we had two political commentators, as well.”

Carlos M. Gutierrez, secretary of commerce, and John Snow, secretary of the treasury were the representatives from the federal government. Snow received the Distinguished Leadership Award, an annual award presented by NAW.

For further information on the summit, including a pictorial round-up, visit www.nawmeetings.org/am2006.


Small Businesses Not Convinced Feds Are Helpful
A recent survey of 438 small businesses in 18 states shows that 93 percent of small businesses have not worked with federal government agencies to receive assistance. The poll, which has a margin of error of 4.53 percent, was conducted over 10 days in January by Suffolk University, Boston, and American Management Services (AMS), Waltham, Mass., a company focused on improving small businesses.

While the study showed an overall lack in use of federal assistance, it also indicated that small businesses turn to local governments for help. When those surveyed were asked what elected officials or branches were the most innovative in helping small businesses, 29 percent answered mayors/local officials; 20 percent, state legislatures; 13 percent, president/executive branch; 10 percent, governors. Only 4 percent of respondents listed the U.S. Congress.


NEWS MAKERS

Employees Are Generally Compensated Fairly
In a recent survey of more than 13,500 people conducted by Salary.com, 65 percent say they will look for a new job in the next three months and 57 percent of those respondents say they are searching for new employment because they feel they are underpaid.

However, Salary.com says when these employees’ compensation levels are compared to others doing the same job, about 19 percent of the group is underpaid, 17 percent are overpaid and 34 percent appear to be compensated fairly.

The absence of salary increases and “overtitling” — when an employee’s title exceeds their job duties — appear to have led many employees into believing they are not justly compensated.


New Market Data Guide
TPembroke Consulting, Philadelphia, has released “The 2006 Wholesale Distribution Economic Factbook” — a comprehensive market data reference guide for the $3.6 trillion U.S. wholesale distribution industry.

The report is divided into 111 sub-sectors of the wholesale distribution industry and supplies benchmarking data — using 2005 economic statistics — for each of the sub-sectors, including revenue and employment trends; the number and size distribution of companies; gross margins; wages; and other statistics.


U.S. Business Owners Are Not The Most Optimistic
The international accounting firm, Grant Thornton, surveyed 7,000 owners of mid-sized companies in 30 countries — concluding that U.S. businesses rank 17th in business optimism. The biggest fears: natural disasters, high fuel prices and the Iraq war.

India ranked highest in optimism, followed by Ireland, South Africa, China and the Philippines. The bottom five were France, Italy, Botswana, Japan and Taiwan.


REGULATORY NEWS

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under new rules announced in January, has banned all third-party dosing research on children and pregnant women.

In addition, the agency itself will not conduct nor support intentional dosing studies that involve these groups of people.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS), has developed “Guidelines for Employers to Reduce Motor Vehicle Crashes.”

The 32-page document features a 10-step program designed to improve traffic safety performance. There is also a detailed section on the causes of poor driving and tips for avoiding those situations on the road.

In January, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a new tool to help schools identify and prevent health, safety and environmental problems. “The Healthy School Environments Assessment Tool” (HealthySEAT) is a free software program the uses a holistic approach to school health.

HealthySEAT allows school districts to customize a database so it can assess potential issues such as mold, asbestos and lead paint, and then evaluate and manage information on conditions at each school.

The voluntary program features a checklist of EPA recommendations and regulatory requirements on multiple health and safety issues.




POSTED ON: 3/1/2006