Absolute Resource

September, 2017

ARA Participates in National Mold Study

Researchers from Yale University, the University of Tulsa and EMSL have invited Absolute Resource Associates (ARA) along with a handful of  other IAQ professionals, to participate in a National Mold Study. Sponsored and funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the study aims to give IAQ professionals better tools and guidance when conducting mold inspections and remediation in residential buildings.

Currently, IAQ professionals rely upon the  industry standard ANSI/IICRC S520 for protocol  and procedure related to mold remediation and restoration. In that standard, it states that “clearance” is achieved when a building is restored to “normal fungal ecology.”  Which begs the question, what is normal?  Obviously it varies from building to building, city to city, climate to climate (and, some might say,  person to person!).

The researchers involved in this study, with the help of companies like ARA, are conducting a large field sampling campaign in which data will be collected from homes with and without mold damage. Data will be collected from all of the major climate zones in the US, and the goal is to create a practical, DNA based tool to help IAQ Professionals more narrowly define what the “normal fungal ecology” is for a particular building. ARA is honored and excited to participate in this important project, and we will be sure to share the results when they are published!

Back to School and IAQ

With summer break behind us and students back in the classroom, it’s a good time to ask, how’s the Air Quality at my child’s school?  Summer break is a time that many schools like to tackle their big cleaning, painting, repair and renovation projects. Unfortunately, if  not  handled  properly, these projects can  lead to problems with airborne mold, asbestos, and lead, as well as  dangerous fumes being released by new carpeting, new furniture, paint, varnishes, and cleaning products. Properly trained facilities managers know how to get their projects done while maintaining staff and student safety. However, if you or someone you know have sudden health issues upon returning to the classroom, it might be a good time for that school to have an Air Quality (IAQ) checkup with ARA. FMI call us at 1-877-320-7373 or visit the IAQ page on our website.

ARA Now Certified for Foreign Soils

Have you heard the news? ARA is now the proud holder of a Plant Protection and Quarantine Permit from the USDA. This means we are able to receive foreign and domestic soils from quarantined areas around the world. These quarantines are typically due to invasive plant species or insects that may be present in the sample. 

    ARA Can Help with Projects Requiring:

• APHIS (Animal & Plant Health Inspection Svc) Permit
• PPQ (Plant Protection and Quarantine) Permit
• USDA (United States Dept of Agriculture) Soil Permit

ARA has been inspected and authorized by USDA-APHIS to receive  these foreign and domestic soil samples, so if you know of a colleague  or firm that might be interested in these services from ARA, be sure to send them our way!

ARA Graduating 8(a) Soon

Absolute Resource Associates has been a proud participant in the US Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) Business Development Program since November, 2008. This business assistance program was developed to help small, disadvantaged businesses compete in the marketplace, and ARA has found participation in the program to be extremely valuable. SBA 8(a) firms are offered free business and marketing training, as well as opportunities for things like low interest loans and bonding assistance. The overall goal of 8(a) is to graduate these small firms from  the program so that they get on a good trajectory and use the momentum to find continued success in the marketplace.

We are proud to announce that ARA graduates from the 8(a) program this November. Through our work with the SBA, we have been able accomplish many goals, including:

• Developing new business relationships with other federal contractors
• Using our management experience to act as prime contractor on a variety of environmental/construction projects
• Expanding our footprint into NY
• Providing growth opportunities for our employees

ARA graduates from the SBA 8(a) Program in a few months, but all projects awarded to ARA prior to November 6, 2017 will still qualify for the 8(a) designation until project completion If you  have questions or would like more info, give us a call!

877-320-7373

Welcome to ARA's Newest Employees

When we mentioned on social media that we needed some entry level help in the lab, high school senior and go-getter Abby Wood was interviewed and hired that same day! Abby is a smart, hard working STEM student, and such a welcome addition to the ARA team.

We are also thrilled to announce that we have hired Alan Naber as an ICP-MS analyst in our lab. Alan is well known in the New England lab industry, having worked at both GTEL Environmental Labs and Aquarian Analytical, each for many years. Alan brings with him a ton of expertise, industry knowledge and positive energy. Welcome Abby & Alan!

International Coastal Cleanup Day was 9/16/17. ARA Volunteers had a great day doing good!

Thank You For Helping Us Grow!

If you have enjoyed working with ARA, or have a great experience to share,  please take a minute to post about it on one of these sites. Thanks!!

The Resource Rambler Newsletter is brought to you by

your friends at Absolute Resource Associates
124 Heritage Ave. Unit #16 Portsmouth, NH 03801   

©2017