C O M M U N I T Y

Toxics Use Reduction Community Conference:Sharing Successes and NetworkingApril 14, 2011Boston Marriott Newton2345 Commonwealth Avenue Newton, Massachusetts

What is Toxics Use Reduction?TUR is an environmental concept that focuses on preventing pollution at the source rather than controlling it once it has been generated. It involves processes and planning tools to eliminate waste in operations and find suitable less toxic alternatives where possible. This approach, promoted in industry and manufacturing in Massachusetts since 1990, has reduced the amount of toxic chemicals used by 40% and releases to the environment by 91%. The same approaches can also apply to other areas, such as home and janitorial cleaning, land care, municipal purchasing, and small business applications.

About the InstituteThe Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) at the University of Massachusetts Lowell provides research, training, technical support, laboratory services and grants to reduce the use of toxic chemicals while enhancing the economic competitiveness of local businesses. Established by the State’s Toxics Use Reduction Act of 1989, TURI collaborates with communities, businesses, institutions, and government to develop innovative ideas and share best practices. The TURA program is implemented in collaboration with the Office of Technical Assistance and Technology at the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

About the ConferenceThe TURI Community Program provides grants and assistance to communities to tackle toxics issues of concern. Through the Institute’s community grant program, over 90 community-based projects have addressed topics such as pesticide use reduction (indoor and outdoor), safer personal care products, safer janitorial cleaning, healthy cosmetology, reduction of solvent and lead use in auto shops, reduction of lead in fishing gear, and healthy floor finishing.

The goal of this conference is to share successful TUR models and inspire and encourage future grantees and others to replicate and expand on previously executed projects. Many resources, such as trainings, brochures, flyers, posters, and tool kits exist that can be replicated. It is TURI’s hope that many of the past projects will one day be state-wide and self sustaining.

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8:30 -9:00 Registration and Continental Breakfast9:00-10:00 Plenary10:00-10:15 Break

10:15-12:00 Morning Sessions1. Transitioning Lawns and Athletic Turf – Success Stories from the Field2. Reducing Toxics in Small Businesses Part 1: Nail Salons and Auto Body Shops3. Greening Cleaning and Disinfection in Hospitals, Schools and Municipal Buildings: A Nuts & Bolts Approach

12:00-12:45 Lunch

12:45-1:30 Grant Opportunities Panel

1:30-3:00 Afternoon Sessions4. Promoting Green from Within: Municipal Models in Green Policy, Purchasing and Practices5. Toxics Use Reduction in Small Business Part 2: Dry Cleaning and Floor Finishing6. Greening Household Cleaning for Professionals and Do-it-Yourselfers

3:00-3:15 Break

3:15-4:25 Moving Forward – Collaborative Breakout Sessions4:25-4:30 Conference Wrap-up

1. Transitioning Lawns and Athletic Turf – Success Stories from the FieldSurveys of homeowners and landscape professionals show that many would embrace and practice natural lawn care if they “only knew how to do it.” You will hear from Chip Osborne, who successfully transitions chemically-laden lawns and athletic fields to natural systems across the country, starting with the pilot “Living Lawn” in Marblehead. The successful efforts in Marblehead spawned many efforts across Massachusetts.

2. Reducing Toxics in Small Businesses Part 1: Nail Salons and Auto Body ShopsWorkers in nail salons and auto body shops are exposed to a multitude of hazardous chemicals, including solvents. The Boston Public Health Commission partners not only with small businesses like auto repair/body shops and nail salons, but also with community groups, health centers, and City agencies to promote pollution prevention to minimize toxic chemical exposure in the community. Learn about unique strategies and resources for working with shops and salons in your community. You will learn how others conducted community education programs.

3. Greening Cleaning and Disinfection in Schools, Municipal Buildings & Hospitals: A Nuts & Bolts ApproachThe cleaners and disinfectants used in municipal and hospital buildings impact indoor air quality and the health of workers and occupants. Now adopting safer cleaning methods is easier than ever. Lynn Rose, an expert in green cleaning and disinfection, will share her experience working with four school districts and the army national guard to develop their Green Housekeeping and Infection Control Program. You will also hear about the work of TURI’s Lab to evaluate safer disinfectants and bio-based cleaning products.

4. Promoting Green from Within: Municipal Models in Green Policy, Purchasing and PracticesMunicipalities have tremendous opportunities to reduce their use of toxic chemicals and model practices for their citizens. For example — Somerville educated businesses, residents and local government officials about practical information on green building. Newton implemented integrated pest management in 22 of its schools. Swampscott adopted a turf management policy and promotes safer mosquito controls.

5. Toxics Use Reduction in Small Business Part 2: Dry Cleaning and Floor FinishingSolvents create very real health and safety hazards to workers in dry cleaning shops and the floor finishing sector. This is evidenced by the tragic death of three Vietnamese floor finishers, which was blamed on the use of highly flammable products. In this session you will learn about the pros and cons of dry cleaning alternatives, and hear from a dry cleaner about his experience making the switch to environmentally friendly wet cleaning. Plus, representatives from Viet-AID will describe their bi-lingual community outreach model promoting safer alternatives for floor finishers – part of their Healthy Floor Finishing Project.

6. Greening Household Cleaning for Professionals and Do-it-YourselfersGreen cleaning is about using safer products that work. The Brazilian Women’s Group will share their educational model about the hazards of household cleaners and safer alternatives made from simple household ingredients. In addition, you will learn about the results of the TURI lab to test and validate safer products that could transform the professional cleaning industry and bolster your efforts to institutionalize green cleaning. Ever wonder if those do-it-yourself recipes with common household ingredients really work? The TURI laboratory will provide you with their results.

Welcome, Michael J. Ellenbecker, Sc.D., CIH, TURI Director Dr. Ellenbecker is an expert in toxics use reduction and industrial hygiene. He is also a Professor in the Department of Work Environment at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, teaching industrial hygiene and cleaner production.

Keynote Speaker and Honored Guest, Ted Schettler, MD, MPHDr. Ted Schettler is the Science Director of the Science and Environmental Health Network. He has a medical degree from Case Western Reserve University and a master’s in public health from Harvard University. He also serves as science director of the Collaborative on Health and Environment and science advisor for the Health Care Without Harm campaign. He is co-author of the recently published Environmental Threats to Healthy Aging, co-author of In Harm’s Way: Toxic Threats to Child Development (GBPSR 2000), and co-author of Generations at Risk: Reproductive Health and the Environment (MIT Press 1999). Ted will be speaking about toxic chemicals and their potential impacts on human health throughout the lifespan.

Morning Sessions

Just after lunch we will hear from potential funders about funding opportunities, eligibility, what makes a successful applicant, the types of projects that are funded, tips for grant writers, and upcoming deadlines. The Environmental Protection Agency will talk about their many grant programs such as Healthy Communities, Environmental Justice, and Pesticide Environmental Stewardship, and TURI will discuss it’s Community Grant Program. Come with your questions!

Afternoon Sessions

Are you inspired? Do you want to model one of the projects you heard about today on a larger scale? Dr. Ken Geiser, Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, UMass Lowell, will kick off this session as we develop strategies to spread the many successes you have learned about. We will hold breakout groups to discuss interests and opportunities for more regional or statewide collaboration to advance the many alternatives and models for action that have been proven to work. The topics will be Green Cleaning, Pesticide Use Reduction, Municipal Operations, and Small Business TUR.

Grant Opportunities Lunch Panel

Agenda

Plenary

If you have any questions or special needs, contact Anne Basanese at (978) 934-3144 or Anne_Basanese@uml.edu

Moving Forward — Collaborative Breakout Sessions

Network with your colleagues at the TURI Community Conference