Name-Change Proposal Approved

ACHMM Introduces Recertification Tracking Service

January 15 Deadline: Last Call to Present at ACHMM 2009 National Conference

2009 ACHMM Leadership Workshop

CHMM Lisa Jackson Nominated As Next EPA Chief

Call for "ACHMM of the Month" Nominations

ACHMM Set To Acquire Hazmat Technicians Association

Rules to Keep Ammonium Nitrate From Terrorists Must Walk a Delicate Line

U.S. Nanotechnology Plans Fall Short

Man-made Chemicals Found in Drinking Water at Low Levels

ACHMM Internet Resources

Call for "ACHMM of the Month" Nominations

Each month ACHMM recognizes the hard work, extraordinary achievements and contributions of a member or chapter. You can submit an ACHMM of the Month nomination via e-mail today. Nominees must be an ACHMM certified or affiliate member or an ACHMM local chapter.

When submitting a nomination, be sure to include the name(s), contact information and a brief description (250 words or less) of the deserving member's or chapter's accomplishments or contributions. The ACHMM Awards Committee will select an honoree to be featured in The Manager each month.

Honorees will be notified in advance and asked to provide a photo. ACHMM of the Month honorees receive a special certificate of recognition.

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ACHMM Set To Acquire Hazmat Technicians Association

ACHMM will be acquiring the International Association of Hazardous Materials Technicians (IAHMT) at the start of 2009. IAHMT is an association of more than 1,000 hazardous materials technicians in the fire service and private industry.

IAHMT was started in 2005 by two firefighters—Chris Smith and Ben Holley—who recognized the need for better communication and cross training for all hazardous materials technicians. Manufacturers, manufacturing representatives and distributors also are association members.

This acquisition will increase ACHMM to more than 5,000 professionals involved in all aspects of hazardous materials management. This move expands the networking, career development and educational opportunities for all EHS&S professionals with hazardous materials responsibilities—from first responders to consultants to regulators.

ACHMM encourages its members to welcome its newest colleagues. More information about this acquisition will be available on the ACHMM Web site in the coming weeks.

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Rules to Keep Ammonium Nitrate From Terrorists Must Walk a Delicate Line
Kansas City Star
© 2008 Information, Inc.

The federal government is working on a set of regulations that would restrict the sale of ammonium nitrate, a popular component in homemade bombs. Although ammonium nitrate is an important resource for farmers, it can be used to make a powerful explosive when mixed with fuel oil.

Ammonium nitrate bombs were used in the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center and the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

Although there has not been an ammonium nitrate-based bomb attack in the United States in 13 years, the fertilizer has been used recently in Iraq, Africa, and Turkey.

Congress has demanded that the Department of Homeland Security impose regulations that mandate the registration of all buyers and sellers of ammonium nitrate. The names would be screened through terrorist databases.

The fertilizer industry hopes that supporting registration will prevent the implementation of more drastic security measures, such as placing expensive taggants in ammonium nitrate—either identifying chemical markers or microscopic, laser-engraved beads—that would allow investigators to determine the origin of any fertilizer used in an attack.

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U.S. Nanotechnology Plans Fall Short
Report Reuters
© 2008 Information, Inc.

A report from the National Research Council (NRC) says that the U.S. government's nanotechnology plan is short on vision, does not adequately evaluate risk and opens the industry to public mistrust.

"The current plan catalogs nano-risk research across several federal agencies, but it does not present an overarching research strategy needed to gain public acceptance and realize the promise of nanotechnology," says David Eaton, chairman of the NRC committee that produced the report.

The report criticizes the current U.S. nanotech strategy developed by the National Nanotechnology Initiative for not focusing enough on research needed to guarantee the safety of workers, consumers and the environment from unexpected and potentially dangerous properties of nanomaterials.

In addition, the study finds the plan lacking in "essential elements", including a vision, clear goals, a thorough assessment of the state of the science and a "road map that describes how research progress will be measured and the estimated resources required conducting such research."

David Rejeski, director of the advocacy group Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies, says the report makes the case, as industry and congressional leaders have made, for an overhauled nanotech research strategy. "The administration's delay has hurt investor and consumer confidenceÖ. It has gambled with public health and safety."

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Man-made Chemicals Found in Drinking Water at Low Levels
U.S. Geological Survey
© 2008 Information, Inc.

A U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) study of water from nine selected rivers that serve as public water system sources found that there are low levels of certain man-made chemicals in the water supply after treatment at selected facilities.

"Most of the man-made chemicals assessed in the USGS study are unregulated in drinking water and not required to be monitored or removed," says Tom Jacobus, general manager of the Washington Aqueduct. "These findings are not surprising and they will be important in helping regulators and water utility managers arrive at decisions about future water treatment processes."

Low levels of about 130 man-made chemicals were detected in streams and rivers before treatment at the public water facilities, and nearly two-thirds were still detected after treatment.

"Low-level detection does not necessarily indicate a concern to human health, but rather indicates what types of chemicals we can expect to find in different areas of the country," says USGS lead scientist Gregory Delzer.

Among the testing sites were the White River in Indiana; Elm Fork Trinity River in Texas; Potomac River in Maryland; Neuse River in North Carolina; Chattahoochee River in Georgia; Running Gutter Brook in Massachusetts; Clackamas River in Oregon; Truckee River in Nevada; and Cache La Poudre in Colorado. The full quality assessment and complete list of chemicals are available at http://water.usgs.gov/nawqa/swqa.

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A Message From ACHMM
Michael J. Mandracchia, CHMM
  ACHMM President

As I looked back at my Presidency, my first thought was how did December get here so quickly? My second thought stunned me. I am the last President of the Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers!

The votes have been tallied. You, our members, have voted to change our organization's name to the Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals by nearly a 2 to 1 margin. This change will become effective starting next month. I am very proud that my Presidency always will be remembered for changing our name to the Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals.

To be sure, the name change was not the only significant event for our organization. But because this transformation will overshadow many of 2008's other accomplishments, it is important to reflect on this year's many successes.

As you may recall 2008 also was the first year under our newly restructured Board of Directors. Instead of six at-large directors, the Board now has four standing committee directors and three at-large directors. This change is working well, especially with improved communications between the Board through the standing committee directors with their assigned technical subcommittees and also among the subcommittees. It also freed up our at-large directors to focus on specific tasks that needed to be completed during the year.

Other major 2008 accomplishments include:

• Unveiling our online version of the Essentials of Hazardous Materials Management (EHMM) Course this past May;
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• Offering our first-ever Webinar March 7 followed by six more over the past nine months. Members have the opportunity to participate live and/or to download archived Webinars from the online library;
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• Delivering an outstanding Leadership Workshop, in Milwaukee, Wis. last April. The workshop was sold out with more than 60 future ACHMM leaders in attendance. We have made arrangements to double the number of seats available for the 2009 Leadership Workshop in St. Louis, Mo., which will take place March 25 to 27. Registration opens in early January; and
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• Restructuring our Strategic Plan for 2009 and beyond.

There is an old Chinese saying: "May you live in interesting times." This past year was certainly was an interesting time for me.

I wish to thank ACHMM Executive Director Cedric Calhoun, CAE and his staff for all of their hard work this year. I also want to thank my Board of Directors and all those who served on a committee or task group. And, I appreciate all of your confidence in me and especially allowing me to lead our organization in 2008.

Next year incoming President Harry Kemp, CHMM will take over the reins of our organization as the first-ever Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals president. I know it will be an interesting time. I wish him God's speed as he leads us—the preeminent organization for environmental, health, safety and security (EHS&S) professionals.

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Name-Change Proposal Approved

ACHMM members have approved changing the association's name to the "Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals."

The rebranding proposal was the subject of a member vote that closed at midnight Dec. 14. Nearly 1,000 members cast ballots during the 30-day voting period, with almost two-thirds voting to approve the new association name.

Now that the name has been approved, it will be implemented starting next month. The rebranding process will continue for six months as the association rolls out the new brand identity package—the new name, a modern logo design and a tagline: "Global leadership for a sustainable future". These elements will be key components of the association's various business, communications and marketing materials, including its Web site.

Because the new name is inclusive, it will help your association recruit hazardous materials management professionals who do not hold the Certified Hazardous Materials Manager^® (CHMM^®) credential.

"The 'Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals' brand will appeal to all EHS&S professionals in the industry who have hazardous materials management responsibilities and will help convince them to join us," says Harry S. Kemp, CHMM, who will assume the association's top leadership post Jan. 1.

"The new name will help introduce all industry professionals—CHMMs and those who hold other EHS&S credentials—to our association and open their eyes to our outstanding membership benefits. This increased membership will inevitably help secure your association's long-term future and provide a boost to the stature of the CHMM credential by expanding professional development offerings, creating a larger network of hazardous materials professionals and increasing our association's influence in government and the industry."

The new brand was developed by a Branding Task Group chaired by Past President John H. Mitchell, CHMM and comprised of three additional past presidents, members of the Board of Directors and standing committees, as well as several local chapters leaders.

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ACHMM Introduces Recertification Tracking Service

ACHMM is introducing the first-of-its-kind, online recertification tracking service in the EHS&S industry and is making this valuable product available to its members free of charge.

The Recertification Tracking Service was developed in cooperation with OverNite Software, inc., an Angleton, Texas-based provider of Web-based distance-learning systems. OverNite Software is the developer of ACHMM's Online Course Library and is a "Green", or top-level, sponsor of ACHMM's Corporate & Community Relations Partnership Program.

"I encourage all ACHMM members to take advantage of this member benefit," says A. Cedric Calhoun, CAE, ACHMM's executive director. "This tracking service will help you eliminate paper records by securely storing all of your recertification data online."

By using this unique service, holders of the Certified Hazardous Materials Manager^® (CHMM^®) and Certified Hazardous Materials Practitioner^® (CHMP^®) designations will be able to easily and efficiently track their progress toward attaining recertification from the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management. This service also will be available for all EHS&S-related credentials through ACHMM for a nominal fee.

Users of this new ACHMM member benefit will be able to:

• Create a recertification portfolio;
• View their recertification documents and progress status;
• Update and add activity documents eligible for recertification points;
• Receive automatic credit for successfully completing courses in ACHMM's Online Course Library at www.achmm.org; and
• Print the information at the end of the recertification cycle for submission to their designation's certifying body.

ACHMM members and nonmembers with an existing ACHMM account can access the Recertification Tracking System by clicking here and entering their personal ACHMM login ID and password. Nonmembers must pay a nominal $50 annual fee—for records maintenance and reporting—to access the service. All other nonmembers must call ACHMM at (800) 437-0137 to acquire the instructions for accessing this new service.

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January 15 Deadline: Last Call to Present at ACHMM 2009 National Conference

Jan. 15 is the last day to submit an abstract proposing either a 30-minute presentation or an interactive poster session for the 2009 ACHMM National Conference, which will take place Aug. 30 through Sept. 2 in San Diego.

On-line abstract submission is quick and easy at www.achmm.org/sandiego2009. Abstract presenters will be notified of acceptance on March 2.

Abstracts are welcome from any EHS&S, hazardous materials and waste management professional—ACHMM member or non-member—who wishes to share a new idea, professional experience or case study, or to discuss recent developments, emerging issues, regulatory updates and trends of importance to the industry. The conference will focus on sustainability; however, submissions can relate to any of the following topics:

• Management Principles
• Safety and Industrial Health
• Waste Minimization/Pollution Prevention/Green Facilities, with Emphasis on Sustainability
• Developments in Emergency Preparedness, Response and Homeland Security
• Environmental Actions
• Regulatory Requirements, Updates and Legal Trends
• New and Emerging Technologies/Fossil Fuel Alternatives—Challenges for Development & Management
• International & Global Issues/Developing Countries/Native American Perspectives

Click here for complete conference details.

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2009 ACHMM Leadership Workshop

ACHMM's 2009 Leadership Workshop provides some of the best leadership training in the EHS&S industry available today. The three-day and always-popular workshop takes place March 25 through 27 at the Sheraton Westport Chalet Hotel in St. Louis.

This acclaimed leadership-training event is free to all ACHMM members. Registration opens early next month.

Features of the workshop that will appeal to established EHS&S professionals and industry newcomers alike are:

• The cofounders of BRANTA Worldwide, a leadership development consultancy, will present all workshop sessions. Branta is a "Gold" sponsor of ACHMM through the organization's Corporate & Community Relations Partnership Program.
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• Session topics will include: "Personal Strengths Assessment", "Better Results Through Collaboration", "Effective Change", "Listening", "Coaching", and "Redirecting Behavior".

Also, numerous Leadership Workshop sponsorship opportunities are available. By being a sponsor your company or organization will be promoted to a captive audience of current and up-and-coming EHS&S industry leaders and decision-makers.

Opportunities range from luncheon and breaks sponsorships to an exclusive event sponsorship that gives your company or organization maximum exposure to the event's attendees. Learn more about these excellent sponsorship opportunities by clicking here.

Online registration will open in January. Also be sure to book your hotel room before the Feb. 27 cutoff date to secure the special $135 ACHMM rate. Information about hotel reservations is available on the ACHMM Web Site.

Click here for more information about the 2009 ACHMM Leadership Workshop.

If your company or organization wants to sponsor the ACHMM Leadership Workshop please contact Leonore Jordan, CMP at (800) 437-0137 or ljordan@achmm.org.

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CHMM Lisa Jackson Nominated As Next EPA Chief

President-elect Barack Obama has nominated Lisa P. Jackson, a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager^® (CHMM^®), for the top post at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Jackson served as the commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) where she managed a staff of 3,400 professionals and programs to protect, sustain and enhance the state's water, air and land resources.

As the EPA administrator nominee, the U.S. Senate must confirm Jackson before she assumes the position in the Obama Administration.

"This nomination places a huge amount of trust in Lisa, her professionalism and her professional training provided through the CHMM certification program," said ACHMM President Michael J. Mandracchia, CHMM, who worked for Jackson at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

At the NJDEP, the Essentials of Hazardous Materials Management (EHMM) course is an integral part of the agency's cross-training and hazardous materials education programs. More than 200 federal, state and local government employees have taken the EHMM course offered by the NJDEP, either for cross-training or to prepare for the CHMM exam. Nearly 50 current agency employees have earned the CHMM designation after successfully completing the challenging credentialing exam. Jackson took the EHMM course to prepare for the CHMM exam, a move that illustrates her commitment to the profession and her recognition of the quality of the course.

Jackson was the keynote speaker at the 2006 ACHMM National Conference in Orlando, Fla.

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