May 29, 2012

Composting for Beginners

Compost is one of nature's best mulches and soil amendments. Using compost improves soil structure, texture, aeration, and the soil's water-holding capacity. Composting also reduces our reliance on landfills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 27 percent of the U.S. waste stream consists of yard trimmings and food residuals, both key ingredients to a compost pile.

What is it? Compost is the end product of the decomposition of organic materials. Hundreds of different organisms, including bacteria, fungi, worms, and insects, assist in this process. What it produces is a rich, earthy substance your garden will love.

What can I use? Almost any organic material is suitable for a compost pile. The pile needs a proper ratio of carbon-rich materials, or "browns," and nitrogen-rich materials, or "greens." Among the brown materials are dried leaves, straw, and wood chips. Nitrogen materials are fresh or green, such as grass clippings and kitchen scraps. The ideal ratio approaches 25 parts browns to 1 part greens.

Where should I locate it? Look for a level, well-drained area. Build the pile over soil or lawn to take advantage of the earthworms, beneficial microbes, and other decomposers, which will migrate up and down as the seasons change.

How long will it take? Passive composting, allowing the materials to sit and decompose on their own, can take one or two years. Fast or "active" composting can be completed in two to six weeks. This active method requires three key elements; 1) "aeration," by turning the compost pile, 2) moisture, and 3) the proper carbon to nitrogen ratio.

Detailed information on how to make compost can be found on the “Compost Guide—A Complete Guide to Composting” (www.compostguide.com) and numerous other internet sites.

January 23, 2012

Energy Savings at Battelle

We all look for ways to reduce energy usage and save money at home. We install programmable thermostats, replace incandescent light bulbs with CFLs, only run the dishwasher when it’s full…and the list goes on. Why not bring that same attitude to the workplace? The simple actions below can help Battelle save money, use fewer natural resources, and maintain its commitment to sustainability.

Flick That Switch Turn off lights and desktop computer monitors when you are away from the room for more than five minutes.

Buy Smart Look for the Energy Star rating when purchasing new equipment. These devices can cut annual energy expenses by 30 percent.

Show Off Your Hood IQ Keep the hood sash at the minimum position. A fully open

hood costs $4,725 annually to operate with the room at a comfortable temperature. Operating a hood with the sash at the lowest level cuts costs by two thirds.

Be Sun Smart Use shades and blinds to help keep your space cool on sunny days.

Shades can reduce the peak cooling load in a south or west facing room by over 30 percent.

Make That Call Report any heating, air-conditioning, and lighting maintenance issues

promptly to the appropriate personnel. A properly maintained system operates more efficiently. Also report any outside air leaks around doors, windows, and other openings.

Dress Appropriately Wear comfortable clothing when possible during seasonal

temperature extremes. For example, wearing a sweater during the winter can reduce the energy needed to heat a space.

Be Temperature Aware Set the thermostat at 69 degrees during the heating season

and 75 degrees during the cooling season.

Remember, small individual actions can lead to a large collective impact.

August 13, 2012

Battelle Building Goes “Green”

By definition, a Net Zero Energy Building is a structure which produces at least as much energy over the course of a year as it uses. The Battelle West Jefferson Visitor Center was designed to meet this standard and utilizes the following strategies/systems to achieve this.

Building Envelope

Structural Insulated Panels – Half of the building’s walls and roof are constructed of wood and insulation sandwich panels that keep the building cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Spray Foam Insulation – The other half of the building is constructed of concrete block—which is not a good insulator. To seal air leaks these walls are insulated with foam insulation made of soybeans.

Green Roof – Half of the building has a green roof planted with sedums. Which help with insulation and mitigates water runoff.

Triple-Glazed Windows with a Sunshade Outside and a Light Shelf Inside – Triple glazing increases the insulation value of the window, the sunshade prevents the summer sun from overheating the building, and the interior light shelf brings light deeper into the building.

North-South Orientation – The windows are located on the south side of the building, for optimal sunlight. This is especially beneficial in the winter for heat and daylight harvesting. The north side has an earth berm, which helps with insulation.

Building Systems

Photovoltaic (Solar) Panels – These supply electricity to the building. When the panels are producing more electricity than the building is using, the extra power is shared with other buildings on the West Jefferson campus. Battelle also considered a wind turbine, which may be added in the future.

Geoexchange Well Field – Six well holes, each drilled to a depth of nearly 300’, are used for cooling the building in the summer and warming it in the winter.

Lighting Controls – These reduce the light levels when daylight is sufficient and turn off the lights when the room is vacant.

July 9, 2012

Hot Weather Safety Tips

The spring and summer has been uncharacteristically hot in many regions of the country. The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency published the following hot weather safety tips that are applicable for all, particularly the elderly, the very young and people with respiratory ailments, who are more susceptible to the effects of high temperatures

Slow down and avoid strenuous activity. Do not try to do too much on a hot day. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect heat and sunlight and help maintain normal body temperature. Additionally, protect your face with a wide-brimmed hat.

Eat well-balanced, light, regular meals. Avoid high protein foods that increase metabolic heat. Remember to drink plenty of water regularly and often, even if you do not feel thirsty. Alcohol can actually dehydrate your body, so limit your intake of these beverages.

Stay indoors as much as possible. If you do not have air conditioning, or it stops working, stay on your lowest floor. Electric fans do not cool the air, but they do help evaporate perspiration, which cools your body. Go to a place where you can get relief from the heat, such as a library, theater or community center.

Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings or louvers. Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80%.

Check on family, friends, and neighbors. Do not leave pets outside for extended periods and make sure that they have plenty of drinking water.

In normal weather, the body’s internal thermostat produces perspiration that evaporates and cools the body. However, in extreme heat and high humidity, evaporation is slowed and the body must work extra hard to maintain normal temperature, which may lead to heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If you believe you, or anyone you are with, is experiencing a heat-related medical emergency, promptly call 911, and if possible, move to a cooler place.

For additional sun safety information, including how to recognize heat related illnesses, visit the Safety Source SharePoint site. A link to the site is available on the InfoSource Site Map and the ES&H homepage.

January 9, 2012

Preventing Winter Falls

At Battelle, 20 percent of the injuries in FY11 were slips, trips, and falls. Let’s work together to help reduce such incidents by following these simple safety precautions.

Plan ahead; give yourself sufficient time and plan your route to avoid icy areas when possible.

Consider wearing a traction device on your shoes when walking outdoors. For example, Yaktrax® provide greater stability when walking on snow and ice. Remove traction devices when indoors, they can be slippery on indoor surfaces.

Be careful when entering or exiting your vehicle; use the vehicle for support. No one ever plans to slip on a patch of ice.

Limit the amount of items you carry. Carrying two light loads to the car or office may be safer than carrying one awkward load.

Take short steps and walk at a slower pace on icy or snow covered walkways. Keep your hands free, not in your pockets. This will assist you in regaining your balance in case you do slip.

Walk in designated walkways as much as possible. Look ahead when you walk; a sidewalk completely covered with ice may require travel along its grassy edge for traction.

Apply ice melt when you notice a slippery area. Frequently bins containing ice melt are positioned at main entrances, and can be used by anyone.

To prevent slippery indoor surfaces, remove snow and water from footwear when entering buildings. If water has accumulated on the floor, take a moment to wipe it up.

Report hazardous outdoor conditions; uneven, defective flooring; worn spots in carpets; chipped tiles; and worn stair treads to facilities maintenance.

October 31, 2011

Cold Weather Preparations

Winter will be here before we know it. Now is an ideal time to make the following preparations for the upcoming season. Remember what a surprise that first major storm was last year?

Inside the Home

Contact a licensed heating/air-conditioning professional to check your heating system. Most furnace manufacturers recommend annual inspections at the minimum.

Hire a chimney service to inspect your chimney and, if necessary, have it cleaned. Chimney flues that have become lined with creosote are a fire hazard.

Replace the batteries in carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, and check to make sure these are all in working order.

Outside the Home

Ensure you are stocked with rock salt, sand, snow shovels, and any other items you will need during the winter.

Inspect gutters and downspouts and clean them if necessary. Clogged gutters can result in basement flooding and damage to your roof and walls when the snow melts. Consider hiring a contractor for this task.

Drain and shut off outdoor water faucets. Insulate any water pipes that run along exterior walls to reduce the likelihood of freezing and learn how to shut off your main water supply in case a pipe does burst.

For the Vehicle

Flush the cooling system of your vehicle with a good chemical cleaner and put in fresh anti-freeze. Check containers, belts, hoses, the pressure cap, and the thermostat.

Test your battery if it is several years old. Be sure connections are clean and tight.

Prepare an emergency kit that includes a flashlight, jumper cables, abrasive material for better traction (e.g., kitty litter or extra floor mats), a shovel, snow brush and ice scraper, warning devices, and blankets.

September 24, 2012

Seasonal Flu Prevention

The flu is a serious contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges everyone to “Take 3” actions to protect themselves and others from influenza.

1. Take time to get a flu vaccine.

The annual seasonal flu vaccine is the first and most important step to protect against seasonal influenza. Flu vaccines are designed to protect against three influenza viruses that experts predict will be the most common during the upcoming season.

Vaccination is especially vital for people at high risk of serious flu complications, including young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease, and people 65 years and older.

2. Take preventative actions to stop the spread of germs.

Try to avoid contact with individuals who are ill and keep your distance from others when you are sick to protect them from getting ill.

Remain home from work, school, and crowded public areas when you are sick. If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. This will help prevent others from catching your illness.

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

Wash your hands to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

3. Take flu antiviral drugs if you doctor prescribes them.

If you get the flu, antiviral drugs can treat your illness. They can make illness milder, shorten the time you are sick, and may also prevent serious flu complications.

If you are enrolled in either Battelle’s Anthem Premier PPO Plan or the Anthem Network Only Plan, you and your insured family members can receive the vaccine at your in-network physician’s office or an in-network retail clinic, such as CVS Minute Clinic®. Vaccines provided at an out-of-network physician’s office or retail clinic are not covered by Battelle’s plans.

November 28, 2011

Managing Your Weight During the Holidays

The holiday season is here. Along with spending time with family and friends, it also means attending parties and gatherings that have an abundance of food. Overeating is a temptation during the holiday season; there are steps you can take to avoid gaining weight during the holidays.

Be Active One of the most effective ways to maintain weight is to engage in regular, sustained aerobic activity. To burn off those extra calories, boost your exercise program. If you exercise for 30 minutes a day, increase it to 45 minutes. If you exercise three times a week, move it up to five times a week. If you do not exercise—start. Before starting an exercise program you should always consult with your doctor.

Eat Fruits & Veggies Eating seven or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day is a fantastic way to fill up your stomach without taking in a lot of calories. Keep bags of cut up vegetables and fruits in the refrigerator and grab a bag before heading out or going to the office. In fact, the USDA My Plate program advises that half your plate be filled with fruits and vegetables throughout the year.

Avoid Going to Parties Hungry Before you go to a holiday party; eat a healthy snack such as a serving of your favorite fruit, fat-free or low-fat yogurt, or a whole grain granola bar. The hors d’oeuvres at the party will not be as tempting.

Make Smart Food Choices Before going through the holiday buffet, grab a small plate rather than the larger one to help control portion sizes. Avoid dipping sauces and fried foods. Take that cookie without the frosting. Pass up that second glass of eggnog. Many small actions can make a huge difference.

Say No Politely Often we feel obligated to eat foods because people keep putting it in front of us. Learn to say no politely, such as "No thank you, I’ve had enough. Everything was delicious” or "I couldn’t eat another bite. Everything tasted wonderful".

Be Realistic During the holidays, make your goal to maintain your weight—not to lose weight. After all it is a time to spend time with family and friends and quite often food is part of the mix. Allow yourself occasional treats during the holiday season. Keep in mind that you may have to compensate for it by reducing your total caloric intake or by burning a few extra calories while exercising.

September 6, 2011

Be SMART About Exercise Goals

Staying physically fit has endless health benefits. Setting exercise goals can provide clarity

and focus to improving your fitness. Just remember to be practical. Use the S.M.A.R.T. model

below to establish your exercise goals.

Specific Whether it be signing up for a 5k or starting a weight training program your

goals should identify a specific behavior or event that will take place. The more

specific you make a goal, the better you can judge whether you met it.

Measurable Set goals that are quantifiable. Use the F.I.T.T. principle to indicate the

frequency, intensity, time, and type of exercise. For example, if you were to say “I will

walk at 4 mph, for 30 minutes, 5 days a week.” Your frequency would be 5 days a

week, intensity 4 mph, time 30 minutes, and walking would be the type of activity.

Action-based What actions are you going to take to reach your goal? Will you walk,

run, stretch, lift, bike, or swim? Enlisting social support, buying a new pair of shoes to

exercise in, finding new routes, and scheduling exercise on your calendar are all acts

towards reaching your goal.

Realistic Be honest with yourself. Your goals should be challenging yet allow for the

likelihood of success. Think about where you currently are with your fitness. Pace

yourself in your pursuit to avoid getting burned out.

Time-bound When writing a goal, state the time period in which it will be

accomplished. By setting a deadline, you become more focused and driven to reach

your target.

Working towards an exercise goal can be overwhelming. Set a couple of short term goals as

pit stops to help track your progress and for motivation while working towards your long

term goal.

Now you have the “know how,” get started! Write a S.M.A.R.T. exercise goal and take action

to accomplish it.