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As a Senior Scientist at APTIM, a global environmental engineering company and valued REGENESIS client, Rob Mayer’s technical expertise involving in-situ remediation continues to make a positive impact on a wide range of challenging projects. Specializing in bioremediation and chemical oxidation, Mayer works as a technical manager on the design and application of in-situ remediation for current projects and proposals.  Shares Mayer, “What I like most about my work is the ability to use my technical background with the ever-changing challenges associated with various project applications.  I also enjoy working with and finding solutions for our clients.”  He continues, “In total, I have almost 20 years in this industry. I started in the laboratory, testing remediation technologies from ISCO on bioremediation, including field implementation.  I also helped develop our Polymerase Chain Reaction capabilities for detecting Dehalococcoides mccartyi in our labs, back in 2003.  After that, I moved into the design and application side of the company.” His role with APTIM continues to help the company in achieving client goals and continuing   to be a leader in both the technical and management aspects of environmental remediation.

Choosing a career in environmental remediation came easy to Mayer. He’s enjoyed most outdoor recreation activities for as long as he can remember, sharing, “One of my longtime hobbies has been snow skiing and backpacking.” He continues, “Since I was young, I have always been interested in preserving and cleaning up the outdoors.  In college I was an active member in the Student Environmental Association (SEA).  While working on my biology degree I assisted on different research projects, from agricultural microbiology to stream sampling for macrovertebrates, and became very interested in environmental microbiology.” His university studies culminated with him earning his B.S. in Biology from the University of West Georgia (UWG). He then went on to earn his Master of Science in Biology, also from UWG. He continues, “University of West Georgia is a smaller university with very strong biology and chemistry departments, where students are encouraged to work in research labs and on projects as undergraduates. Their hands-on approach to teaching was a true benefit while I pursued my studies there.” To stay current with industry trends and the latest technology, he participates regularly in online calls with vendors and leading experts in his field, and attends and presents at various technical conferences. “Most recently I attended the 5th International Symposium on Bioremediation and Sustainable Environmental Technologies/Battelle, in Baltimore, MD.”  When asked what he likes most about his work, Mayer points to the combination of people and the work itself. He continues, “The best part of my job is the people I work with and learn from.  In addition, I really enjoy the ability to be involved on interesting projects and find impactful solutions to cleaning up a broad range of environmental issues.” And the most challenging aspect of his work? “The most demanding part of my job is to utilize all of the different aspects required, including biology, chemistry, geology, hydrology, etc.  It can be difficult to keep up with the latest remediation technologies, as these are changing and evolving so quickly.”

When it comes to working with REGENESIS, Mayer appreciates the technical knowledge and teamwork that is brought to his project work. He shares, “REGENESIS brings strong technical abilities, and they also aid in making sound decisions. They are easy to work with, and that’s important. All this was evident recently on a site where we were able to distribute 3-D Microemulsion® with a very large radius of influence, around 200 ft, through small fractures.”  Although APTIM uses several REGENESIS products, 3-D Microemulsion® is currently used the most. “We use many REGENESIS products, from 3DME to PlumeStop®.  We use 3DME the most because many of our projects are designed to remediate groundwater contaminated with chlorinated solvents and other compounds that can be degraded by anaerobic biological pathways.”

Mayer currently resides in Knoxville, TN, with his wife and two daughters, and in his free time enjoys a variety of hobbies, from snow skiing to running and cycling. He continues, “My primary hobby is snow skiing, even though I live in Tennessee, but running, cycling and hiking are right there too. My wife and I lived in Vail for two years before moving to Knoxville. My favorite ski areas are Jackson Hole, WY and Arapaho Basin in Colorado.” To stay active in skiing, he’s a volunteer ski patroller for the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Area and the Smoky Mountain Nordic Patrol in Tennessee. When asked how he sees the future in environmental remediation, Mayer feels there’s work in remediating compounds that currently know and those we do not.    I think the current trend will be to work at sites with low levels of contaminants that are near site remediation goals, but that continue to diffuse into the groundwater from low permeable zones.” And how would he encourage others to join in his field of study? He concludes by saying one must have a real interest in cleaning up the environment.  After that, there are many ways to get into this field, from studying biology, geology, engineering, and other related subjects. I have seen this industry become more competitive, and therefore, driven more by cost than technical reasoning, although I think it is starting to swing back because in the long term the technical aspects save money.”

REGENESIS is proud to have Rob Mayer, Senior Scientist at APTIM, as a valued client and partner in environmental remediation, and appreciates his technical and diverse contributions in providing successful remediation outcomes for REGENESIS and its clients.

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It’s that time of year again, so here are some tips to make sure it’s as enjoyable and safe as possible.

DRESSING UP

• Avoid loose fitting costumes to prevent trips and falls.
• Try getting creative with make-up or face paint instead of wearing masks that can impair vision.
• If a sword, cane, or lightsaber is a part of your child’s costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be hurt if he/she stumbles or trips.

BEING SAFE AT HOME

• Be careful of garden decorations, stones or anything hazardous that might trip your ghoulish visitors this year!
• Make sure outdoor lights are working and replace old bulbs if necessary.
• Keep pets indoors and safe – Halloween is an ever SCARIER night for them!
• Do not leave lit pumpkins unattended or near flammable objects.

TRICK-OR-TREATERS

• Stay in well-lit areas.
• Look both ways crossing the road – do not take chances!
• Bring a flashlight with you for getting home safely.
• Never enter a stranger’s house even if invited.
• If you have a mobile phone, carry it with you for emergencies.

From all of us at REGENESIS, have a fun and scary safe Halloween!

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We celebrate Labor Day across the country to recognize the achievements of American workers and the contributions they made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country. You deserve a day off and should take the time to enjoy this holiday weekend – but do it with appropriate planning and awareness for safety.

This Labor Day weekend, millions of drivers will take to the highway for one final summer getaway, making it one of the busiest holiday travel weekends of the year. The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that 368 traffic fatalities and an additional 19,900 nonfatal disabling injuries will occur during the Labor Day weekend.

Here are some safety tips to ensure a safe Labor Day weekend.

Driving Tips

• Plan ahead
• Buckle up
• Leave early
• Have alternate routes
• Be patient (A lot of people are traveling this weekend)
• If you encounter a drunk driver, contact local law enforcement (You could save a life)
• Stay alert

Water Safety

While a lot of people hit the water to beat the heat at the end of the summer, it can be dangerous if the proper precautions are not taken.

• Never consume alcohol while driving a boat
• Always wear life preservers
• Never dive headfirst
• Always swim with a buddy
• Always have a first aid kit nearby
• Drink plenty of water

Grilling Safety

• Check gas grill hoses for cracks, holes and leaks
• Keep children away from grills
• Never grill in the garage or anywhere inside
• Keep your grill at least two feet ways from branches, decks, and any outdoor equipment that can easily catch fire

From all of us at REGENESIS, have a fun and safe Labor Day weekend!

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Accidents and Incidents are preventable. However, when an accident occurs, knowledge of proper first-aid techniques can minimize injury and save lives. First-aid skills can help keep you and those around you safe and will give you the capability and responsibility to respond appropriately in the case of an emergency.

The following guidelines address common situations involving first aid. Review these guidelines and stay educated on up-to-date first-aid practices. In addition, make sure you know the location of first-aid kits and ensure that they are fully stocked.

Checking on an Injured or Ill Adult

1. Check for responsiveness by tapping on shoulder and asking, “Are you OK?”
2. If no response call 911.
3. Open the airway by tilting the head and lifting the chin.
4. Check for breathing for no more than 10 sec, occasional gasps are not breathing.
5. Quickly scan for bleeding.
6. If not breathing, proceed with CPR or use AED (Automatic External Defibrillator).
7. If breathing, maintain open airway and monitor for change in condition.

CPR

1. Give 30 chest compression.
   • Administer compressions in the middle of the chestat least two inches deep.
2. Give two rescue breaths.
• Tilt the head back and lift the chin.
• Pinch the nose and give a breath for one second for the chest to clearly rise.
3. Do not stop.
• Continue CPR until you are unable or medical personnel have arrived.
4. If breaths do not make chest rise even after re-tilting head, go to unconscious choking.

Conscious Choking

1. Give rescue breaths.
2. Give 30 chest compressions.
3. Look for and remove object if seen.
4. Give two rescue breaths.
5. If breaths do not make chest rise, repeat steps 2-4.

Unconscious Choking

1. Give 5 back blows.
• Bend person over at the waist and use heel of hand to hit between shoulder blades.
2. Give 5 abdominal thrusts.
• Place hands in middle of abdomen with thumb against their body above their belly button, with other hand covering your fist and give upward thrusts.
3. Continue care.
4. If person becomes unconscious call 911 and go to unconscious choking care.
5. If breaths do not make chest rise, repeat steps 2-4.

Head, Neck, or Spinal Injury

1. Call 911.
2. Minimize movement of head, neck and spine.
3. Stabilize head to keep it in position it was found in by placing hands on either side of the head.

Burns

1. Remove from source of burn.
2. Cool the burn under running water until pain is relieved.
3. Cover loosely with sterile dressing.
4. Call 911.
5. Care for shock.

External Bleeding

1. Cover the wound with sterile dressing.
2. Apply direct pressure until bleeding stops.
3. Cover the dressing with a bandage.
4. Apply more pressure and call 911.
5. If bleeding does not stop, apply more dressing and pressure. Also take steps to minimize shock by laying down, elevating feet, and do not raise the person’s head. Shock symptoms include pale skin, weakness, rapid pulse and increased rate or irregular breathing. Never remove any dressings.

Poisoning

1. Be aware of the scene and the injured to know the cause of poisoning.
2. If person is unconscious, not breathing, or has a change in consciousness call 911.
3. If person is conscious, call the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 and follow advice given.

The guidelines offer just a brief overview of some essential first-aid skills. To broaden your first-aid knowledge and expertise, consider taking a first-aid class or additional training in techniques that are most pertinent to your home and workplace.

When you ask Nick Alfino, Project Professional at Antea Group USA, Inc., about his role within the company, it quickly becomes apparent he is tasked with a broad range of responsibilities. As a leading international engineering and consulting firm, and valued REGENESIS client, Antea Group USA, Inc. relies heavily on Alfino to manage field oversight that includes site investigations, soil sampling, remediation implementation, System Operation and Maintenance, Phase I investigations, and Storm Water Pollution Protection Plans (SWPP)/Spill Prevention Control Plan (SPCC) inspections. In addition, he’s also responsible for technical report writing for air permit applications, emission inventories, remedial action plans, work plans, performance monitoring reports, and closure requests. Suffice to say, the depth and volume of these responsibilities keeps Alfino extremely involved and busy, yet he wouldn’t want it any other way. Shares Alfino, “I really enjoy my position, especially the diversity of the projects I work on.  I like that each day is a new challenge in a different industry or practice area. It allows me to expand my knowledge in multiple fields through Antea Group’s wide variety of experienced Consultants and Project Managers.” His broad range of work is further amplified by the varied and extensive capabilities of Antea Group’s vast operations, which as an international health, safety and environmental consulting firm, employs more than 3,500 employees in over 75 offices on six continents.

Nick’s Path to a Career in Remediation

Alfino’s path that eventually would lead him into environmental remediation was sparked while working on a senior design project in college. Initially, through his early education, he was interested in structural engineering, with his sights on bridge construction, but in college he was unable to find a suitable design project. He continues, “The project that interested me the most was designing a mobile treatment system for produced and flowback water from hydraulic fracturing. My work on this project encouraged me to switch directions and focus on environmental remediation.” This directional change in his studies culminated with Alfino earning his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University , and he began his career with Antea Group USA, Inc. shortly thereafter. To stay current within the industry he takes additional coursework through the University of California Irvine (UCI) Extension program. “I have taken an Air Permitting Course through UCI”, he says, “and an Advanced Tanks – Air Emissions course offered by International Liquid Tanks Administration (ILTA). I also attend various webinars offered by REGENESIS which include recent webinars, “Safe and Effective In Situ Remediation: Best Practices for Amendment Selection, Design and Project Execution” that my colleague, Jack Sheldon presented on and “Demonstrating Contaminant Biodegradation in Conjunction with PlumeStop Liquid Activated Carbon.” Not surprisingly, his steadfast efforts to continually stay abreast of the latest trends in land sciences, coupled with his day-to-day responsibilities and academic background, have positioned Alfino as a member of the industry’s new breed of rising stars.

Trusting REGENESIS to Understand the Site

When asked what he enjoys most about working with REGENESIS, Alfino points to the close working relationship between Antea Group USA and REGENESIS, and how it has helped in achieving his objectives. Shares Alfino, “I enjoy working with REGENESIS because they have the feel of a partner more than that of a contractor.  As an example, when working on a project in Yuma, AZ, Dan Nunez, REGENESIS Southwest Technical Manager, made the effort to come by our office multiple times during the process to have discussions with us about our understanding of the site, our remediation goals, and to ultimately help us select the correct solution for our site.  We received other bids from contractors for this project, yet none asked what our remediation goals were or took the time to understand our site. It appeared they had just plugged numbers into a spreadsheet and sent the information to us in a bid. Our trust in REGENESIS’s understanding of the site made using their products an easy decision.” Alfino and Antea Group USA have used a variety of REGENESIS’s products, including PlumeStop®, PerfulfOx®, RegenOx® and ORC®/ORC Advanced®. He continues, “I would not say there is a specific REGENESIS product I favor most, however, what I enjoy about working with REGENESIS is the wide variety of products they offer.  We are able to sit down with their team, evaluate our site conceptual model, and then select the product we believe will be the most effective given all of the information that we discussed for a given site.”

Although he maintains a demanding work schedule, Alfino tries to find time for hiking, skiing, and fly fishing. “My favorite river to fish is the South Platte (Colorado)” says Alfino. “Especially Eleven Mile Canyon, The Dream Stream, and Cheeseman Canyon.  I also enjoy fishing the Yampa in Steamboat Springs, where my parents now live. My favorite hike is probably Potato Chip Rock in San Diego, and for a top ski resort I’d have to say it’s Steamboat and Winter Park, both of which are in Colorado.” He also enjoys donating his time for charity. While attending college, he helped Habitat for Humanity build homes in Fort Collins, CO. He continues, “I also raised money for Saint Baldrics Foundation by shaving my head in honor of my sister who beat leukemia at the age of 14.  At Antea Group, they give the staff one day per year, with pay, to volunteer for a charity of our choice. This past year our Long Beach office used our day to work with the Catalina Island Conservancy to remove invasive species from the beach along the island.”

Working Hard for Remediation Success

When asked what he likes most about his work, Alfino points to the success of his and Antea’s efforts in water quality. “I think the most rewarding aspect of my job is getting groundwater or soil data post remediation and seeing decreases in concentrations.  Much of this job is unseen, and it’s hard to know if it worked until the results are in, so getting that data and calculating a percent reduction is quite rewarding.” And the most challenging part of his work? “The extended travel can be demanding at times. This job has taken me all over the western United States- the good and the bad, and sometimes up to months at a time in rural areas which can be challenging.” One project in particular comes to mind that required several weeks and some extremely long hours. He concludes, “One of the most challenging projects was the site in Yuma, AZ I mentioned.  I was essentially living in the Best Western Inn for almost three months.  Due to project delays, we were working for almost two months consistently, including weekends, to achieve deadlines.  The project required me to fly home from Yuma on Thanksgiving Day to be with my family. In the end, we were able to complete the project on schedule and budget.  The project was one of the more challenging but also one of the most rewarding.”

REGENESIS is proud to have Nick Alfino, Project Professional with Antea USA, Inc., as a valued client and rising star in environmental remediation, and appreciates his dedication and diverse contributions in providing successful remediation outcomes for REGENESIS and its clients.

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The Risk of Heat Stress

As the days become warmer, it is important to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses, which occur when the body is unable to cool itself efficiently after exposure to heat stressors. Each year, hundreds of workers die in the U.S. from heat exhaustion and thousands more are affected by other heat related illnesses. Heat illness is a serious medical condition that can lead to death if the body’s core temperature is not cooled down promptly.

Workers who are exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress. Heat stress can result in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes. Heat can also increase the risk of injuries as it may result in sweaty palms, fogged-up safety glasses, and dizziness.

Workers at risk of heat stress include outdoor workers and workers in hot environments. Workers at greater risk of heat stress include those who are 65 years of age or older, are overweight, have heart disease or high blood pressure, or take medications that may be affected by extreme heat.

Your risk of heat stress depends on many factors:

• Your physical condition
• The weather (temperature, humidity)
• How much clothing you have on
• How fast you must move
• How much weight you must life
• If you are near a fan or there is a breeze
• If you are in the sun

Warning Signs of Heat Stroke:

• Extremely high body temperature (above 100 F, orally)
• Red, hot and dry skin ( no sweating)
• Rapid, strong pulse
• Throbbing Headache
• Dizziness, Nausea
• Disorientation, Confusion
• Unconsciousness

Watch out for signs of your pet overheating

• Heavy Panting
• Excessive Thirst
• Glazed Eyes
• Vomiting and Bloody Diarrhea
• Bright or Dark Red Tongue
• Seizures
• Excessive Drooling
• Weakness, Collapse
• Elevated Body Temperature
• Unconsciousness

With festive decorations decking the halls and the excitement of the holidays in the air, it’s easy to forget about safety precautions and careful behavior. Remembering to include safety in your plans is just as important now as it is throughout the the year! Wintery weather and travel far and near to visit friends and family present opportunities for employing effective safety and home security best practices you may consider adding to your holiday routine.

We suggest following these safety tips to ensure a safe, prepared and enjoyable holiday season free of stress and worry.

• Take Special Care with Your Children.Kids get excited, especially concerning a new place, new people, or new Many locations aren’t as childproof as your own home. Make sure their environment is safe and secure. Common items to look out for include: Batteries, Fire hazards, securing firearms, Liquid Laundry Packets, medication, TV and Furniture Tip-Overs, Water hazards
• If you’re travelling or a guest, be alert for potentially dangerous food, drinks, household items, toys, tools, choking hazards, etc.
• If you host, don’t wait to clean up after a party. Children or pets may ingestitems left out like alcohol, food, or decorations – which all pose health risks.
• Poinsettias are poisonous to man and beast; keep them far from children and pets.
• Be alert for fire hazards. Most residential fires occur during the winter months, and it often occurs when you’re caught up in good company.
• Never leave sources of fire or heat unattended.
• Never use charcoal- or gasoline-fueled devices indoors.

Step aside for professionals and experts.

• Leave the fireworks to the professionals.
• Leave the grilling to the experienced grill chefs.

If you’re decorating,

• Clean and inspect the location in addition to inspecting ladders and tools prior to use.
• Never block exits.
• Never use damaged accessories, cords, lighting sources, etc.
• Never overload electrical outlets or cables.
• Ensure your holiday lights are in good working condition devoid of damage (frayed, aged, cracked, etc.)
• All outdoor electrical items should be plugged into GFI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets for extra protection.
• Always opt for non-flammable material (Christmas Trees, Decorations, Sleepwear.)

From all of us at REGENESIS, we wish you a wonderful and safe Holiday and a Happy New Year.