Chemical manufacturing changed more than the ingredients in various liquid products; it radically changed a variety of consumer products, from electronics to cooking equipment. When these chemicals make their way into the water supply, the health effects can be detrimental, such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). 

To get a better understanding of why caring for drinking water, our water supply, and the importance of having water filtration for yourself, let’s look into what PFOA and PFOS in drinking water are and what it does.

What are PFOA and PFAS?

PFAS included thousands of sub-types, some more widely used than others, but are a group of manufactured chemicals that were used in industry and consumer products beginning in the 1940s. PFOA is a member of the PFAS group and is one of the most widely used chemicals within it, now replaced with another type of chemical for Product manufacturing that began in 2000.  

During the manufacturing of these chemicals, before phasing them out of production, large quantities of PFOAs were released into the environment around the globe. The repeated leaking of the chemical led to it being found in drinking water supplies near former manufacturing locations and airports, leading to a lot of concern over the health effects on humans. 

One of the primary concerns of the PFAS group is that they break down very slowly, allowing concentrations to build in people, animals, and the environment causing greater effects.

What are the Effects of PFOS on Drinking Water?

As PFOS has been found throughout the world, knowing how it can build up within the body, led scientists to study it extensively. The manufacturing process allowed PFAS, the group PFOS belongs to, to seep into the water, air, and soil via discharges from sewage treatment plants, landfills, and the use of fire-fighting foams. 

The Worldwide exposure led to investigations that found that exposure to PFOA and PFOS has severe health effects, including cancer, issues with the immune system, liver and thyroid problems, and impact on a developing fetus or infant. The health risks led the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to test water sources around the country, alerting communities to PFOA levels through health advisory level warnings. 

To be clear, the effects of PFOA and PFOS are from long-term exposure and not an immediate consequence.

How do you Remove PFOA and PFOS from Drinking Water?

The first thing to know is that boiling water with PFOA/PFOS won’t remove them, instead, it concentrates the chemicals. This is important to know if a water advisory has been released in your area. Make sure to follow the advice of your municipal water authority if an alert has gone out for water used for drinking, cooking, bathing, dishwashing, and for pets. 

To stop any that may exist in the water, whether a watery advisory has gone out or not, there are several water filters that work for PFAS:

• Point-of-Use (POU) Filters: These are filters that attach to the faucet or shower head.
• Whole House Water Filters: These filters are usually installed in the basement, garage, or wellhouse, and treat all water that flows into the home from the external water system.
   

Please note that not all water filters are effective at removing PFAS. Look for filters that have been independently tested by a third party and have been certified as removing PFAS, have activated carbon, anion exchange, and/or high-pressure membranes. All these techniques are available for in-home filters.

If you’re concerned that your water may have PFAS, you can ask your public water works if they have tested for it. If your water flows from a private well, you can ask your local government if PFAS have been found near the well and have your water tested by a private company. Remember, contamination nearby doesn’t necessarily mean the drinking water has been exposed, but may indicate whether you should invest in testing the well or not.

Taking Action: Protecting Your Health and Safety

Chemicals seeping into our drinking water is a serious issue that the EPA is working to eliminate, but there are ways to protect yourself from being exposed to PFOA and PFOS in your water supply:

• Use a Certified Water Filter: Install and regularly maintain a water filter certified to remove PFOA and PFOS from drinking water. Look for filters with NSF/ANSI Standard 53 or 58 certification specifically for PFOA and PFOS removal.
• Test Private Wells: If you rely on a private well for drinking water, consider testing it for PFOA and PFOS contamination. Contact your local health department or a certified laboratory for testing options.
• Limit Exposure to Contaminated Water: If you’re aware of PFOA or PFOS contamination in your water source, consider using an alternative water source for drinking and cooking until the issue is resolved.
• Boil Water: Boiling water does not remove PFOA and PFOS but may concentrate contaminants. Avoid boiling contaminated water.
• Stay Informed: Stay updated on water quality reports and advisories issued by local authorities. Follow any recommendations or guidelines provided to minimize exposure.
• Avoid Recreational Water Sources: Avoid swimming or engaging in recreational activities in water bodies known or suspected to be contaminated with PFOA or PFOS.
• Report Concerns: If you suspect PFOA or PFOS contamination in your water supply, report your concerns to your local water utility or environmental agency. They can investigate and take appropriate action.

H20 Solutions delivers water your way by empowering individuals with safeguards to improve the water in their Homes. From EcoWater Systems in the home to SimpleLab testing kits, we are committed to cleaner water throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Explore how to stop PFOAs and PFOSs in your drinking water below.

Regarding workers’ compensation claims, specific loss benefits play a crucial role in addressing permanent losses resulting from work-related injuries. Understanding how these benefits are assessed and awarded is vital to securing proper compensation for significant impairments. But, how are these benefits calculated, and what types of injuries qualify for such compensation? Delve deeper into the intricacies of specific loss benefits to understand their importance and how they can Impact the lives of injured workers.

The Definition of Specific Loss Benefits

Specific loss benefits refer to the compensation you may receive for permanent losses resulting from a work-related Injury or illness. These benefits will pay for any losses associated with the permanent impairment of a specific body part, such as a limb, organ, or sensory function.

Specific loss benefits aim to compensate workers for the permanent impact these losses have on their ability to work and function in daily life. It’s essential to accurately assess the severity and permanency of the specific loss to ensure that the appropriate benefits are awarded.

Understanding the significance of specific loss benefits is crucial for claimants seeking compensation in workers’ compensation cases. Specific loss benefits provide financial support for permanent injuries, such as the loss of a limb, loss of vision, or loss of hearing, that significantly impact one’s ability to work.

These benefits can help cover medical expenses and rehabilitation costs and provide compensation for the permanent impairment suffered. Knowing your rights to specific loss benefits ensures you receive proper compensation for the specific injuries you have sustained on the job. It’s a good idea to speak with an experienced workers comp attorney to understand your next steps.

How Specific Loss Benefits Are Calculated

To determine the compensation owed for specific loss benefits in workers’ compensation claims, calculating benefits is a crucial step in assessing the extent of permanent impairment.

Typically, specific loss benefits are calculated based on a predetermined number of weeks of compensation assigned to each specific loss type as outlined in state workers’ compensation laws.

The amount of benefits you receive will depend on factors like the extent of the injury, your average weekly wage, and the specific loss benefits rate set by the state.

What Injuries Qualify for Specific Loss Benefits?

Specific injuries must meet the criteria outlined by state laws to qualify for specific loss benefits in workers’ compensation claims. Injuries that result in loss of function, permanent disfigurement, or scarring may also be considered for specific loss benefits.

Document these injuries thoroughly and provide medical evidence to support your claim for benefits. Pennsylvania has specific guidelines regarding which injuries qualify for specific loss benefits, so it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the regulations in your jurisdiction.

Employer Responsibilities

Employers must fulfill specific responsibilities regarding workers’ compensation claims to ensure proper support for injured employees. It’s crucial for employers to promptly report any workplace injuries to their workers’ compensation insurance carrier. This timely reporting allows for expedited medical treatment and benefits for the injured employee.

Additionally, employers must cooperate with the claims process, including providing the insurance carrier with the necessary documentation and information. Key responsibilities also include ensuring that the injured employee receives appropriate medical care and facilitating their return to work when possible.

Overall, specific loss benefits play a vital role in addressing the impact of work-related injuries on individuals.

A commercial lease agreement allows a business to rent a commercial property from a landlord and is significantly different from residential leases. Having a guide to negotiating commercial leases and how to negotiate leasing office space is invaluable as there are many costly mistakes that can be made, as well as missed opportunities with lease agreement terms. 

Read below and discover how to navigate a commercial lease and secure the right property for your business.

Define the Commercial Space You Want to Lease

Before looking for commercial real estate, you need to define the parameters of the building or space you want and need. Having a list of qualities such as budget, office space size, must-have amenities, accessibility, and security can help limit your search for commercial real estate to lease. 

Accessibility, for example, is important to consider, whether customers will be coming to the property or not, as it’s important that your employees can get there as well. Consider the foot traffic, what kind of neighboring businesses are around, parking space, and proximity to public transportation. 

How is the Commercial Real Estate Zoned?

Commercial zoning is important to consider as different buildings fall within different uses. For example, a warehouse and office space are both considered commercial property but will be zoned for different types of businesses. The type of zoning dictates what type of business can make use of the commercial space and is typically local jurisdiction.

When choosing where to look for commercial Spaces, check with your local chamber of commerce or zoning regulations based on ZIP code. This will help you narrow your search even further so you can focus on which commercial lease to look into. 

Types of Commercial Leases

Once you’ve narrowed down what a commercial building must have, your budget, and where zoning permits you to do business, you can look at the commercial leases offered by the different properties. It’s important to consider what type of commercial lease is appropriate for your business needs as well as the details of each lease. There are three primary types of commercial real estate leases:

Full-Service Lease

This is the most common type of commercial lease and usually with office space. Essentially, the landlord is responsible for the expenses of the property like taxes, Insurance, maintenance, janitorial Services, and utilities. There are no hidden costs and enables businesses to accurately budget for their monthly and annual lease payments.

Net Lease

A net lease agreement is typically cheaper in annual rent, but can also include monthly “usual costs, ” such as property insurance, taxes, and common area maintenance items. These leases can be single, double, or triple net:

• Single: the tenant pays rent plus a pro-rata share of the building’s property taxes
• Double net: the tenant pays a portion of the property insurance on top of rent and property taxes
• Triple net: the tenant pays the pro-rata share of property taxes, property insurance, and common area maintenance items. These are more common with restaurant and retail commercial spaces. 

Modified Gross Lease

This type of lease is a mix of full-Service and the net lease. For example, a commercial tenant might pay for their portion of the property taxes, insurance, and common area maintenance items, but in a lump sum along with the rent. The benefit here is that the rent is fixed without any hidden costs or sudden expenses. The utilities and janitorial services are covered by the landlord and if the taxes, insurance, or common area maintenance items increases the rent still stays the same. 

Find a Broker to Facilitate the Commercial Lease

Commercial real estate leasing can be intricate and costly when mistakes are made or to get out of, if you’re able to at all. It’s important to have a commercial real estate agent or a tenant broker to help guide you through the process and go over the leases for the building or office space with you. Here at Goodale & Barbieri, we provide tenant representation to help our clients secure the right commercial space for their business. As one of the largest developers, property managers, and a leading real estate firm, we understand what to look for with tenants and the nuances of negotiating a lease, as well as the market. Since 1937 we’ve handled properties of all sorts and currently have over 4 million square feet of commercial property. Discover more about working with experienced experts by following the link below.

Goodale & Barbieri | Leasing Guide

IB Math is a challenging but rewarding subject that is key to the career of many students. However, many students struggle to succeed in IB Math on their own. This is not because they are dull or lack the knowledge of maths, far from it; it is most likely due to being entirely new to the concept presented in the exams. An untold truth about the IB Math exam is that it can be tricky and challenging for students. Since there is no way of telling whether or not you will fall amongst the students who will find it easy, your best bet is to get ahead of the course. This is where a private tutor comes in. As, the exams are competitive, it is essential to hire a IB math tutor Hong Kong to help children gain an edge over competition. 

To level the playing field and increase your chances of success, you need to come under the tutelage of an expert in the area, preferably someone who has previously trained students who aced the exams. This is the secret to taking the IB Math exam, which is unknown to many. This is not directly stating that you cannot ace the exams without the help of a private tutor, but unless you are willing to take risks and find out, then I’d advise you to maximise this secret to success. 

In the same way, getting a private tutor does not guarantee you will ace the IB maths. Other factors still come in, like the qualifications, experience and compatibility of the chosen tutor with the pupil. But I can assure you that getting an excellent private tutor brings you 80% closer to acing the IB exams. 

A good IB math tutor Hong Kong can give students the personalised support and guidance they need to succeed in the course. Tutors can help students to understand complex concepts, master difficult skills, and prepare for exams.

Here are a Few Perks of having an IB math private tutor

Personalized Attention

In typical classroom settings, it can be difficult for teachers to give each student the individualised attention they need. But with a private tutor, there will be a solemn focus on the student’s needs, providing them with the one-on-one support they need to excel. 

Flexible scheduling 

Private tutors can work with students’ schedules to find a convenient time for everyone. This is especially beneficial for students who have other extracurricular activities or commitments.

Customized learning plan

A private tutor can create a customised learning plan for each student based on their needs and goals. This plan can be adjusted as needed to ensure that the student progresses significantly with time.

Tips for Hiring a Private Tutor for Your Child

Interview Potential Tutors

Before you hire a tutor, be sure to schedule a consultation with them. This is a chance for you to learn more about the tutor’s teaching style, experience, and qualifications. Some tutors prefer a more traditional approach, while others use more innovative methods. Finding a tutor who can teach in a way that resonates with your child is essential.

Look for an experienced tutor

Ideally, you want to find a tutor with experience teaching IB Math specifically. This will ensure the tutor is familiar with the curriculum and the specific challenges that IB Math students face. Also, ensure the tutor is qualified; the tutor should have a degree in mathematics or a teaching credential.

Conclusion

An IB math private tutor is essential to students’ success in the IB math exams, especially students struggling in the course. But make no mistakes in understanding this: private tutors are not explicitly reserved for those struggling with mathematics. They are for everyone and anybody willing to go all out for success. An IB math private tutor can give students personalised attention, flexible scheduling, customised learning plans, and exam preparation to succeed.

For more information: ib math tutor hong kong