Cooling towers often use local water sources for their evaporative cooling processes that may be untreated or poorly treated, and therefore contaminated. Bacteria and other contaminants not only escape into the air, but they also reduce the efficiency of the tower. To make matters worse, companies may add chemicals such as sulfur dioxide and chlorine to the water in order to soften the minerals and kill bacteria. However, some of these chemicals, as well as the bacteria, find their way into the air.

In particular, these cooling towers can serve as superspreaders for the potentially deadly Legionella bacteria.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 84 percent of cooling towers in the United States have tested positive for Legionella bacteria, and Legionnaires' disease cases have nearly quadrupled between 2000 and 2015.

The answer to reducing this deadly disease may lie in a novel, chemical-free technology, the Plasma Disinfection System (PDS), from Reverse Ionizer, LLC, which uses high-temperature plasma streamers, ultraviolet rays, and ozone to reduce the impact of air- and water-borne bacteria and viruses that can spread in public spaces through the cooling towers.

"For decades, people have unknowingly been walking through what is called 'cooling tower drift,' which is mostly an unseen street-level cloud of chemicals, bacteria and other potentially harmful water vapor," says Reverse Ionizer CEO Patrick Hughes.

"The PDS discovery will transform how to manage and operate buildings throughout the globe by providing a continuous treatment that has never been applied to water systems and help mitigate risk of building owners," he explains. "It couldn't come at a better time, as the novel coronavirus has put a spotlight on the water and air people breathe in public spaces," he adds.

Reverse Ionizer's patented, chemical-free technology not only helps control bacteria with an environmentally-friendly PDS system, it also helps companies save money and improve air quality by improving the efficiency of cooling towers.

The Electro-Magnetic Solution uses radio frequency to constantly soften scale buildup in cooling towers, which helps companies cut costs by reducing the need for expensive chemical additives.

Visit reverseionizer.com for more information about how Reverse Ionizer's green technology is positioned to continue improving air quality, and for sales and investment opportunities.

Not that long ago, "sustainability" in the business world was defined as being able to stay afloat even in trying economic times. But these days, when Greta Thunberg may be the most famous Swede since Ingrid Bergman, it's taken on a whole different meaning - what the Harvard Business School describes as efforts to "positively impact the environment and/or society."

Of course, some businesses, like Whirlpool Corporation, have been ahead of the game, and are now setting even higher new targets to tackle climate change.

"We established our first office for sustainability over 50 years ago," said Marc Bitzer, the company's chairman and CEO.

1. Achieving Net-Zero Carbon Emissions in Plants and Operations By 2030

That's the updated commitment to environmental sustainability that the world's leading kitchen and laundry appliance company just announced this month.

To get there, the company has been installing even more wind turbines and solar panels to help power its sites and distribution centers with renewable energy. (It's already one of the Fortune 500's largest U.S. on-site users of wind energy.)

And it's improving efficiency across more than 30 of its manufacturing sites and distribution centers around the world though retrofits.

2. Greening Homes Through VPPAs

That's Virtual Power Purchase Agreements for the uninitiated. Or in other words, agreements signed with energy companies to help fund wind and solar farms to generate renewable energy for the grid.

Whirlpool Corporation's first VPPA project broke ground in Texas in early January. It promises to be the first of many such projects helping to cleanly power not just its own sites but also local homes.

That's right, ordinary people's homes.

3.Innovative Household Products

It shouldn't surprise anyone that U.S. News & World Report named four innovative Whirlpool brand products among the best refrigerators, dryers and washing machines of 2021. Yes, they look great. But they're also designed to be extremely energy and water efficient.

In fact, Whirlpool Corporation has already reduced the emissions linked to its products in use by 60 percent since 2005 and has committed to lowering them by an additional 20 percent by 2030 from a 2016 baseline.

One fun fact for you: Dishwashers save three to four times the water compared to hand washing your dishes. And, hey, they save you about 30 minutes each time too.

4.Helping Even You Reduce Waste Material

Not content that more than 70 percent of its manufacturing sites are already zero waste to landfill, the company aims to make that 100 percent by 2022.

Plus, to tackle other environmental challenges like plastic pollution, it's ramping up the use of recycled or reused materials in its appliances. And guess what? Those high-performance recycled plastics Whirlpool Corporation started to employ in its products means it's making use of you own waste.

Not that long ago, "sustainability" in the business world was defined as being able to stay afloat even in trying economic times. But these days, when Greta Thunberg may be the most famous Swede since Ingrid Bergman, it's taken on a whole different meaning - what the Harvard Business School describes as efforts to "positively impact the environment and/or society."

Of course, some businesses, like Whirlpool Corporation, have been ahead of the game, and are now setting even higher new targets to tackle climate change.

"We established our first office for sustainability over 50 years ago," said Marc Bitzer, the company's chairman and CEO.

1. Achieving Net-Zero Carbon Emissions in Plants and Operations By 2030

That's the updated commitment to environmental sustainability that the world's leading kitchen and laundry appliance company just announced this month.

To get there, the company has been installing even more wind turbines and solar panels to help power its sites and distribution centers with renewable energy. (It's already one of the Fortune 500's largest U.S. on-site users of wind energy.)

And it's improving efficiency across more than 30 of its manufacturing sites and distribution centers around the world though retrofits.

2. Greening Homes Through VPPAs

That's Virtual Power Purchase Agreements for the uninitiated. Or in other words, agreements signed with energy companies to help fund wind and solar farms to generate renewable energy for the grid.

Whirlpool Corporation's first VPPA project broke ground in Texas in early January. It promises to be the first of many such projects helping to cleanly power not just its own sites but also local homes.

That's right, ordinary people's homes.

3.Innovative Household Products

It shouldn't surprise anyone that U.S. News & World Report named four innovative Whirlpool brand products among the best refrigerators, dryers and washing machines of 2021. Yes, they look great. But they're also designed to be extremely energy and water efficient.

In fact, Whirlpool Corporation has already reduced the emissions linked to its products in use by 60 percent since 2005 and has committed to lowering them by an additional 20 percent by 2030 from a 2016 baseline.

One fun fact for you: Dishwashers save three to four times the water compared to hand washing your dishes. And, hey, they save you about 30 minutes each time too.

4.Helping Even You Reduce Waste Material

Not content that more than 70 percent of its manufacturing sites are already zero waste to landfill, the company aims to make that 100 percent by 2022.

Plus, to tackle other environmental challenges like plastic pollution, it's ramping up the use of recycled or reused materials in its appliances. And guess what? Those high-performance recycled plastics Whirlpool Corporation started to employ in its products means it's making use of you own waste.

(NewsUSA) - Every summer, the Illinois State Fair provides a platform for skilled young farmers to demonstrate their expertise in the agricultural industry, something that is udderly important to CME Group.     

During this year’s Governor’s Sale of Champions, CME Group presented the livestock exhibitors with one-time scholarships totaling $50,000. Each of these 10 hard-working students will receive a $5,000 scholarship, which will be used to advance their education.     

Recipients of the 2022 CME Group scholarships included: Ashtin Guyer (Crawford County, IL); Carter Hoge (McDonough County, IL); Chesney Thornton (Piatt County, IL); Cole Caldwell (Peoria County, IL); Drake Fletcher (Menard County, IL); Ella Bobell (Logan County, IL); Maddox Horner (Jasper County, IL); Nalaney Guyer (Crawford County, IL); Nolan Hoge (McDonough County, IL).     

“U.S. farmers play a critical role in the global food supply chain, which has been stressed over the last few years due to the pandemic, rising input costs, extreme weather and geopolitics,” said Tim Andriesen, Managing Director of Agricultural Products at CME Group. “By investing in these bright students, we are helping the next generation of farmers and ranchers continue their education and become successful leaders of our vital food systems.”     

CME Group also purchased the Grand Champion Barrow, which was exhibited by Fletcher, and sponsored this year’s 4-H Illinois Superior Young Livestock Producers Contest at the fair. A record 52 4-H members from across Illinois competed in this year’s skillathon contest and were tested on livestock production covering beef, swine, and sheep. The contest promotes youth development, career development, and personal growth through increased knowledge of the livestock industry.     

After intense competition, nine skillathon champions each received a $1,000 CME Group scholarship to continue their education.     

Recipients of the 2022 CME Group Skillathon scholarships were: Adam Stackemeyer (Altamont, IL); Amelia Miller (Gridley, IL); Chase Hummel (Cabery, IL); Ellie Drach (Pontiac, IL); Emma Pistorius (Blue Mound, IL); Hayden Brint (Good Hope, IL); Olivia Shike (Sadorus, IL); Ross Stabenow (Lena, IL); Tanner Beckmier (Atwood, IL).

(NewsUSA) - Mother Nature has an interesting way of reminding homeowners who’s in charge. Recent reports indicate that the impact and frequency of storm-related damage to homes are increasing.     

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the United States recorded 22 weather and climate disasters in 2020, a nearly 40 percent increase from the year prior. The cost of storm-associated damage is on the rise as more residents are exposed to the frequency of these storms -- many of which have resulted in distressing power outages.     

As unsettling as extreme weather can be, it is possible to minimize potential damage and avoid entirely losing power by following a preparedness plan. Many homeowners are now turning to backup power solutions as an essential part of that plan. Portable generators can offer great value in terms of cost versus capacity, especially considering the extensive list of inconveniences and expenses that may occur during an outage, including a flooded basement, spoiled food and even frozen pipes in the winter months.     

“A good preparedness plan today will account for what you might need to keep powered up tomorrow,” says Jake Thomas, director of global service operations for Generac Power Systems. “We’ve seen increased demand for backup power products across all categories. Increasingly, they are becoming necessary, especially in parts of the country regularly impacted by hurricanes and wildfires.”     

Thoughtful planning also involves shopping for the right tools and supplies to minimize the uncomfortable impact of a power outage. The power outage experts at Generac have listed the top items to include in an emergency kit in preparation for a storm-related power outage:     

• At the hardware store: Consider LED flashlights, a portable weather radio, batteries and an extra gas canister to hold stabilized fuel for a portable generator.     
• At the grocery store: Plan for enough bottled water to equal one gallon per person per day, and stock up on non-perishable foods such as canned soups, peanut butter, pretzels, crackers, dried fruit and nuts.     
• From the closets: Assemble extra blankets, clothing and toiletries.     

Safely running backup power from a portable generator also means thinking ahead. Assuring a supply of fresh gasoline is on hand and having heavy-duty extension cords accessible will be critical when the time comes. Because portable generators often get seasonal usage, it’s also important to plan an annual generator maintenance schedule that includes oil and filter changes. Finally, and most importantly, the portable unit will need to be set up for operation outdoors, which means identifying an area at least 25 feet away from open windows and doors. While portable power is becoming more accessible, more efficient, and easier to use, safety still needs to come first.

(NewsUSA) - The climate impact of large buildings and facilities, especially data centers and microchip plants, has been under scrutiny and has made recent headlines after New York Attorney General Letitia James alleged that Verizon had failed to maintain its cooling towers on buildings across New York City and would be fined $118,000. The bacteria released by the towers is associated with Legionnaires’ disease, a dangerous and lethal form of pneumonia.     

Cooling towers, an essential component on large buildings and facilities, can become “super spreaders” of Legionnaires’ disease, because of the misuse of toxic and environmentally hazardous treatment chemicals for cooling towers all across the globe.     

A new chemical-free option, the non-thermal Plasma Disinfection System (PDS), offers a potential alternative for buildings that would be environmentally sound and effective at maintaining air quality. The “continuous kill” solution has been field-tested for 15 months at a large corporate headquarters campus. The results confirm that “use of PDS technology can eliminate cooling towers as a source of Legionellosis infections, no matter how much drift escapes from the cooling towers,” says Loraine Huchler, a chemical water treatment expert.     

PDS works by curbing bacteria, parasites and viruses using ozone, UV light, hydrogen peroxide, shock waves (electric field) and high heat from plasma streamers (3,600⁰ F) along with copper and silver biocidal ions and a highly tunable, automated titration system.     

Additional benefits of the PDS technology include lower construction and operating costs of new buildings. PDS makes water-cooled HVAC systems safe, avoiding the expensive alternative of air-cooled HVAC assets. Another potential cost reduction is the energy saved because of the elimination of bacteria as an inhibitor of water flow.     

“The PDS can be retrofitted into existing buildings and large facilities that require large amounts of water,” explains Patrick Hughes, CEO of Reverse Ionizer, LLC, and developer of PDS. “Facilities such as data centers often use large volumes of reclaimed water that require much greater chemical treatment. Using the PDS lowers the risk exposure of building owners and occupants while protecting the public and surrounding communities from unsuspectingly breathing in pathogens and contaminants being spread by cooling towers.”     

Visit reverseionizer.com for more information about how Reverse Ionizer’s chemical-free technology can improve air quality in public spaces and reduce the spread of deadly disease.

(NewsUSA) - Sometimes an egregious wrong gets righted.     

Such appears to be the case for military members and their families who’ve been seeking justice in the courts for exposure to contaminated water that sickened generations at the Camp Lejeune Marine base in North Carolina.     

Public outrage over their treatment heated up after victims’ lawsuits were dismissed in 2016 because of a state statute prohibiting plaintiffs from launching cases if more than 10 years have passed since the contaminating event. But last March the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 that essentially overrode that legal hurdle  -- “Thirty-four years of people were exposed to toxins in the drinking water,” one congressman raged -- and the Senate seems poised to follow suit.     

Now one of the nation’s most experienced tort law firms, Weitz & Luxenberg, has announced that it’s preparing to file lawsuits against the government in U.S. federal court on their behalf.     

“We believe they deserve compensation, especially because they and their families became sick while serving our country,” said Robin Greenwald, a partner at the firm and co-chair of its Environmental and Consumer Protection Unit. “They drank the water, they bathed in it, and they used it to cook their food.  And that water was contaminated with toxins at concentrations anywhere from 240 to 3,400 times the levels permitted by safety standards.”     

The 156,000-acre Camp Lejeune, with 11 miles of beach capable of supporting amphibious operations, is used for military training purposes primarily by the Marine Corps but also other branches of the armed forces.  Some of the most damning evidence comes from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s own Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR): “It is ATSDR’s position that exposure from the 1950s through February 1985 to trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, vinyl chloride and other contaminants likely increased the risk of cancers, adverse birth outcomes, and other adverse health effects” for those on the base.   

The Marine Corps first discovered volatile organic compounds in Camp Lejeune’s drinking water in 1982. However, it was already too late for people like now-retired Marine Corps Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger, whose 9-year-old daughter Janey died in 1985 after having been diagnosed with leukemia two years earlier.         

“The entire first trimester of (her mother’s) pregnancy was there on the base,” Ensminger told theHill.com on the eve of the bill’s passage. “We’ve got more documented evidence of what happened at Camp Lejeune than they have for Agent Orange.”   

Assuming the Camp Lejeune Justice Act is ultimately signed into law by the president, who would be eligible to file lawsuits?     

Those who lived, worked, or were exposed to drinking water at the base for at least 30 days from August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987, and subsequently suffered water toxicity-related diseases.  Among the conditions associated with exposure to the chemicals found in the drinking water:       

• Breast, lung, liver, kidney and esophageal cancers     
• Leukemia     
• Cardiac defect     
• Female infertility     
• Miscarriage     
• Parkinson’s disease     
• Non-Hodgkins lymphoma     
• Fatty liver disease   
 • Myelodysplastic syndromes     
• Multiple myeloma     
• Renal toxicity     
• Neurobehavioral effects     
• Scleroderma     

Weitz & Luxenberg encourages those who believe they fit the criteria and have been diagnosed with one or more of those conditions to schedule a free consultation.     

The firm has a stellar track record in handling toxic contamination lawsuits. It won a landmark $423-million settlement against some of nation’s biggest oil companies, for example, in a suit involving the contamination of 153 public water systems with the gasoline additive methyl tertiary butyl ether. And Greenwald was co-lead counsel for an $11 billion settlement in 2020 against Monsanto Company on behalf of nearly 100,000 Americans suffering from Non-Hodgkins lymphoma from their exposure to the weed killer Roundup.       

As for Camp Lejeune, the ATSDR has said as many as 1 million military and civilian staff and their families might have been exposed to the contaminated drinking water. The victims who initially stepped forward only to have their cases dismissed in 2016 because of the North Carolina statute -- and they were only a tiny fraction of that number -- had reportedly filed claims totaling nearly $4 billion.

(NewsUSA) -(NewsUSA)

Not that long ago, "sustainability" in the business world was defined as being able to stay afloat even in trying economic times. But these days, when Greta Thunberg may be the most famous Swede since Ingrid Bergman, it's taken on a whole different meaning - what the Harvard Business School describes as efforts to "positively impact the environment and/or society."

Of course, some businesses, like Whirlpool Corporation, have been ahead of the game, and are now setting even higher new targets to tackle climate change.

"We established our first office for sustainability over 50 years ago," said Marc Bitzer, the company's chairman and CEO.

1. Achieving Net-Zero Carbon Emissions in Plants and Operations By 2030

That's the updated commitment to environmental sustainability that the world's leading kitchen and laundry appliance company just announced this month.

To get there, the company has been installing even more wind turbines and solar panels to help power its sites and distribution centers with renewable energy. (It's already one of the Fortune 500's largest U.S. on-site users of wind energy.)

And it's improving efficiency across more than 30 of its manufacturing sites and distribution centers around the world though retrofits.

2. Greening Homes Through VPPAs

That's Virtual Power Purchase Agreements for the uninitiated. Or in other words, agreements signed with energy companies to help fund wind and solar farms to generate renewable energy for the grid.

Whirlpool Corporation's first VPPA project broke ground in Texas in early January. It promises to be the first of many such projects helping to cleanly power not just its own sites but also local homes.

That's right, ordinary people's homes.

3.Innovative Household Products

It shouldn't surprise anyone that U.S. News & World Report named four innovative Whirlpool brand products among the best refrigerators, dryers and washing machines of 2021. Yes, they look great. But they're also designed to be extremely energy and water efficient.

In fact, Whirlpool Corporation has already reduced the emissions linked to its products in use by 60 percent since 2005 and has committed to lowering them by an additional 20 percent by 2030 from a 2016 baseline.

One fun fact for you: Dishwashers save three to four times the water compared to hand washing your dishes. And, hey, they save you about 30 minutes each time too.

4.Helping Even You Reduce Waste Material

Not content that more than 70 percent of its manufacturing sites are already zero waste to landfill, the company aims to make that 100 percent by 2022.

Plus, to tackle other environmental challenges like plastic pollution, it's ramping up the use of recycled or reused materials in its appliances. And guess what? Those high-performance recycled plastics Whirlpool Corporation started to employ in its products means it's making use of you own waste.

(NewsUSA)

 "Hooker Avenue"
by Jode Millman

 Amid a violent Hudson Valley thunderstorm, Jessie Martin discovers a woman lying unconscious in a roadside ditch. The badly beaten victim, Lissie Sexton, a local prostitute, claims she's escaped the attack of a killer.

Jessie's more than a casual driver who passes by; she's a criminal-defense attorney. And Lissie is more than an ordinary hooker; she's the key witness in a cold case under investigation by Jessie's estranged longtime friend, Detective Ebony Jones. And now Ebony can't find her witness. Jessie's new boss has sent Lissie into hiding. If Jessie reveals Lissie's location she compromises her client, her firm and her professional ethics. If she doesn't, she risks alienating not just Ebony, but the entire police department backing her. Purchase at https://amzn.to/35HKsgk.

"To Kill a Ghost"
by J. Warren Weaver

When Erik's grandfather is murdered on the front steps of his home, Erik is forced to put medical school on hold and deal with his grieving family. When the case runs cold and things don't seem to add up, Erik finds himself leading his own investigation into the grisly murder.

As Erik becomes embroiled in escalating acts of violence, a message from beyond the grave activates his hidden skills -- a set of skills carefully planted in him by his grandfather, Victor. By the time Erik realizes what is happening, he is involved in drug-dealing, kidnapping and organized crime. Unexplained murders seem to follow him, but the deepest secret is still to come. Can Erik face the truth about Victor's past and how it affects his own future? Purchase at https://amzn.to/3uSUd3W.

"Awake Beloved and Arise"
by Linda Huntzinger Calhoun

From a variety of voices, "Awake Beloved And Arise: Transforming Suffering Into Strength" tells compelling true stories of the difficult challenges life can bring. It explains why life is sometimes so hard and provides powerful inspiration to help us deal with our own trials and be stronger because of them.

From CEO to high school dropout, each of us faces unique challenges on our personal journey. Drawing on her experiences as a leader in Personal and Professional Development, as a Christian spiritual instructor at the County Jail, and from her own life as a single mother while suffering a disabling illness, the author gives practical tools and motivation to help us develop into the person God wants each of us to become. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3ufgsCb.

"If Not You, Then Who? We're Going Green!"
by David and Emberli Pridham

The Inventor's Fair is finally here, and this year's theme is "Going Green!" Noah has been tinkering for weeks but he's worried: can one invention make a difference? Join Noah to learn about the different ways we can all go green and make the world a better place.

If you like fun, informative, and factual kid's books such as "The Magic School Bus," then you'll love the new STEM series "If Not You, Then Who?", a recent Amazon bestseller geared for four- to eight-year-olds. The books are fun to read for both adults and children and can be read on multiple levels. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3yJZU3M.

NOTE: BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

by John Hansen - Solar energy isn't new, but like any worthwhile technology, it has been upgraded. When you think of solar panels, do you think of unsightly blocks marring the lines of your roof? Today's solar energy panels are a clean and sleek source of renewable energy that increasing numbers of homeowners embrace as a way to save the planet and save on their energy bills.

Installing solar panels could save a homeowner as much as 35% on energy bills in the first year of use, according to Solar Energy Partners, a community-focused solar company based in California. "We strive to grant homeowners the peace of mind to live their lives without interruption through the power of Earth's most renewable resource," according to the company.

Solar energy is an environmentally sound energy source that reduces air pollution, reduces water use, reduces dependence on nonrenewable energy, and reduces energy costs to consumers.

The experts at Solar Energy Partners (SEP) act as true partners when it comes to helping homeowners enjoy the benefits of green energy, with a commitment to community and customer service that sets them apart. SEP offers not only a cost-free savings analysis, but also a computer-generated image to show potential customers exactly how their solar panels will look on their roof. SEP installers work flexible days and times to suit any schedule, they are committed to an unintrusive process that customers appreciate. Solar panels are durable and require almost no maintenance. The SEP panels are designed to generate power for 25 to 35 years, and can be installed on almost any type of roof. Although a southern-facing roof is ideal, SEP experts can create a workaround as needed

SEP's service-oriented business model extends to the community at large; in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, SEP partnered with the Salvation Army through their California South Division to provide local families in need with groceries, school supplies, and assistance with rent and utility bills. SEP currently serves communities in California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, Texas, and New Jersey.

Visit solarenergy.partners to learn more the value of solar energy, and check out the company's facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SolarEnergyPartnersUSA/.