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Future Environment Designs Training Center

Future Environment Designs Training Center specializes in asbestos, indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, and occupational safety training programs. We offer New York State asbestos and mold certification courses. We design, develop, and maintain the various indoor air quality, asbestos, and safety programs that are Keeping Your Employees Safe.

Future Environment Designs Celebrates Labor Day by Remembering Those Who Made Sacrifices!

September 2, 2024 4 Comments

Future Environment Designs (FEDTC) wishes everyone a Happy Labor Day weekend!  We hope everyone takes the time to remember that today we are celebrating the contributions of the labor movement to the development and achievements of the United States of America (USA).  Many workers have sacrificed their lives in making these achievements.  On average, almost 100 workers are killed every week in the United States due to traumatic injuries suffered at work. Over 20 times as many die from occupational diseases, many due to exposure to hazardous substances many years before they died (for example, asbestos, silica, and coal dust) or from COVID-19 acquired at work.  It is important to remember those who made these sacrifices while working on the job.  These sacrifices also cost businesses profitability and increase workmen’s compensation costs.  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has created a tool to show the impact different types of injuries cost businesses.     The United States Labor Department has produced a video to remember the history behind the creation of Labor Day.  Future Environment Designs hopes as we enjoy this weekend, we remember the importance and the sacrifices each of us makes to keep achieving and developing the USA, and even more importantly we remember solidarity, the sense that each of us should look out for the interests of all!

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PACNY’s 27th Annual Environmental Conference: Insights and Innovations Unveiled at Turning Stone Casino, Part One.

August 29, 2024 7 Comments

Future Environment Designs, Inc. (FEDTC) was a proud Sapphire Sponsor at the 27th Annual Environmental Conference hosted by the Professional Abatement Contractors of New York (PACNY). Held at the illustrious Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York, on February 15th and 16th, 2024, this two-day event was packed with enlightening presentations, industry updates, and valuable networking opportunities. FEDTC’s Booth at PACNY’s Environmental Conference Day One Highlights: A Deep Dive into Environmental Challenges The conference kicked off with an array of expert speakers, setting the tone for an engaging and informative event. Ben Reich of Eurofins opened the sessions with his talk on “Interpretation of Laboratory Results: Complicated Considerations Challenging Mold Sample Reporting.” Reich’s detailed analysis shed light on the complexities of mold sample reporting, emphasizing the need for meticulous interpretation of laboratory results. Ben Reich of Eurofins Also opening the conference on the second track was Charles Merritt of Merritt Environmental Consulting Corp. who educated us with “PFAS: Primary Introduction, ‘What is all the talk about?”  Merritt’s comprehensive overview of PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in consumer products and industrial processes since the 1940s) provided attendees with crucial knowledge on this emerging environmental concern. Charles Merritt of Merritt Environmental Consulting Corp. Brent Kynoch of the Environmental Information Association (EIA) followed on the first track with “Compliance Chronicles: Understanding Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead Rules.” His presentation provided a thorough overview of the current EPA lead regulations, helping attendees navigate the intricate compliance landscape. Brent Kynoch of EIA Lisa Rogers of Mycometer and Frank Ehrenfeld of Eurofins collaborated on “American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) Standards: Reducing Risk and Adding Value for the Analytical, Environmental, and Occupational Health & Safety Professional.” Their presentation highlighted the importance of ASTM standards in mitigating risks and enhancing value across various sectors, including analytical, environmental, and occupational health and safety. Frank Ehrenfeld of Eurofins, and Lisa Rogers of Mycometer

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Training for Asbestos or mold

The Fallacy of Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) Clearance Air Sampling, or 5 Reasons Why We Should Stop Using PCM for Clearance.

August 2, 2024 6 Comments

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) regulation introduced the requirement of clearance sampling after an asbestos abatement project was completed.  Remember the AHERA regulation applies to schools from Kindergarten to 12th grade (K-12), both public and private schools.  However, for all intents and purposes, the AHERA method serves as the industry standard when final clearance is performed for most asbestos abatement projects, especially when areas are to be re-occupied.  The requirements for clearance are found in two sections of the rule: Response Actions; §763.90 (i) Appendix A (to Subpart E) – Interim Transmission Electron Microscopy Analytical Methods – Mandatory and NonMandatory – and Mandatory Section to Determine Completion of Response Actions AHERA allows final clearance air sampling to be done by phase contrast microscopy (PCM) methodology for projects less than or equal to 160 square feet (SF) or 260 linear feet (LF) by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 7400 methodology (Issue 3: 14 June 2019 is the current issue).  For projects greater than 160 SF or 260 LF clearance shall be done by the AHERA transmission electron microscopy (TEM) method (requirements at 763.90 (i) (4) and Appendix A).  Since this article’s purpose is to discuss why we should not be using the PCM method we will focus our discussion on this method specifically.  An important point to remember is that the method was designed for personal sampling of workers in environments with actual asbestos exposures.  AHERA adapted the method for clearance requiring that each sample must be less than or equal to a limit of quantitation (LOQ) for PCM of 0.01 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc). Over the years, it has become abundantly clear that the PCM method should not be used for clearance sampling.  The top five reasons it should not be used for clearance sampling are: Size of the Fibers Analyzed The rules for

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Training for Asbestos or mold

Chrysotile Asbestos Banned? More Like Certain Conditions of Use Will Be Eventually Banned!

April 8, 2024 9 Comments

Many of you, as did I, read about the “Ban of Chrysotile Asbestos” and rejoiced over something long overdue.  However, after reading this so-called ban it is obvious that it is not a ban.  Just reading the title of the rule tells you it is not a ban. “Asbestos Part 1 – Chrysotile Asbestos; Regulation of Certain Conditions of Use Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)”.  This rule is only regulating “certain conditions of use”.  We would say the media needs a dictionary if they actually think after reading the title this is a ban.  What is the definition of a ban?  Ban is to prohibit or forbid especially by legal means (as by statute or order).  After reading the rule, it is obvious this is not banning all uses of chrysotile asbestos, but banning or restricting its use in very specific industries.  In addition, what about the other types of asbestos: amosite, crocidolite, tremolite, anthophyllite, actinolite, or the Libby amphiboles?  No mention of these there! Since this is not a ban and 40,000 Americans die annually from asbestos-caused diseases it is even more important that we Tell Congress to Ban Asbestos!  The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) has developed a coalition of firefighters, public health, and safety officials who are calling on the public’s support in their decades-long fight to convince the U.S. Congress to ban deadly asbestos.  Now, you have an opportunity to write your own message to US Senators and US Representatives to ask them to support the Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act (ARBAN). This act would prohibit the manufacture, processing, use, and distribution of commercial asbestos in commerce – a known carcinogen that is still widely in use across the U.S. Make your voice heard on this link. It takes only a minute. Chrysotile Asbestos Before

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Training for Asbestos or mold

That Time of Year! Conferences, Posting Requirements, and OSHA Violations Increased!

March 5, 2024 3 Comments

It’s that time of year again. We’re between conferences.  February 15-16, 2024 was the Professional Abatement Contractors of New York (PACNY) Environmental Conference and the Environmental Information Association (EIA) National Conference & Exhibition is March 18 – 21, 2024.  This year we have the honor of speaking at both conferences.  We are speaking on the “Fallacy of PCM Clearance” in other words 5 reasons PCM should not be used for clearance.  We are speaking on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 1:00 PST if you happen to be in San Diego, California come down and say hello!  We’re looking forward to arriving early and seeing the San Diego Wildlife Park and the Zoo, two different areas.  Our speech was very well received at the PACNY Environmental Conference.  If you would like to see the posts from the PACNY Conference visit PACNY’s Linkedin page. FEDTC’s Booth at PACNY Conference There are other things also happening at the beginning of the year.  For example, remember to post your Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 300A if you have 10 or more employees, see last month’s post for more information.  The 300A, which is the summation of injuries and illnesses your company had in 2023, should be posted from February 1st, 2024 to April 30, 2024.  Also, remember certain employers must electronically submit the OSHA 300A information directly to OSHA by March 2, 2024. 300a Must Be Posted & For Some Must be Submitted On January 16, 2024, the OSHA maximum penalties for serious and other-than-serious violations increased from $15,625 per violation to $16,131 per violation.  The maximum penalty for willful or repeated violations also increased from $156,259 per violation to $161,323 per violation.  These increases happen every January 15th.  This year’s increase was delayed because January 15th was a Federal holiday (Martin Luther King Day). Looking Forward to EIA’s Conference

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Training for Asbestos or mold

It’s That Time! Remember to Post Your 300A Form and Electronically Report Your 2023 OSHA 300A Data to OSHA Using a New Login Procedure.

January 17, 2024 7 Comments

Every year at this time the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers with 10 or more employees to post the OSHA 300A form from February 1 to April 30th, 2024.  Each year certain employers must electronically submit the OSHA 300A information directly to OSHA by March 2, 2024.  If you remember, the 300A form summarizes the injury and illness information that was kept on the OSHA 300 log form.  In addition, remember COVID-19 is a recordable and reportable illness if confirmed, work-related, and led to a loss of workdays (see below for a further discussion).  It would be recorded as a respiratory illness on the OSHA 300 form.  Because this is an illness, if an employee voluntarily requests that his name not be entered on the log, the employer must comply as specified under 29 CFR 1904.29(b)(7)(vi) and list it as a privacy case.  OSHA 300A Form – Posting/Reporting Form If you need assistance in completing the OSHA 300A form we did a webinar together with Keevily Spero & Whitelaw on completing the OSHA 300 & 300A form.  You can find the webinar here or watch it below.   Remember covered employers are required to prepare and maintain records of serious occupational injuries and illnesses that occur at a workplace on the OSHA 300 log form.  At the end of the year, covered employers are required to tally the totals on each column and enter the totals on the OSHA 300A form.  The information should be used by employers to evaluate safety in the workplace and determine ways to eliminate or reduce hazards in the workplace.  OSHA’s 300A form is required to be posted until April 30, 2024, and must be retained for 5 years.  During the retention period, you are required to update the log to add new information regarding the occupational injuries and illnesses recorded on it.  OSHA has a

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Popular Post

Asbestos Floor Tile Debate Results

July 12, 2017 11 Comments

… … … This debate regarding asbestos floor tiles started at the Professional Abatement Contractors of New York’s (PACNY’s) 2017 Environmental Conference.  At the conference,

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When Do Asbestos Certificates (Hard Cards) Expire Under COVID-19? New Update: No more extensions!

April 24, 2021 7:30 pm

… … … This question is the overwhelming number one question we at Future Environment Designs (FEDTC) are being asked at this time.  So, to answer this question we must remember that there are two agencies that regulate asbestos licensing and training.  The license (companies are licensed; individuals get certificates) or more appropriately the asbestos certificate (hard card) is issued by the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL).  This certificate expires annually on the last day of your birth month.  Currently, NYSDOL is enforcing expiration dates on certificates.  You may continue to work with your existing cards as long as it is not expired. 

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Training for Asbestos or mold

Future Environment Designs, Inc.

Training for Asbestos or mold

Angelo Garcia, III, CIEC, CEOP, Principal-Industrial Hygienist

Welcome to my blog (I really don’t like that word). This is where I will post items of interest and discussions. I am the Principal- Industrial Hygienist (owner, cook, and bottle washer) of Future Environment Designs, Inc. Hope you enjoy this site as much as I do.

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What People Say About Us

What Students Are Saying About Future Environment Designs Courses

NYS Mold Remediation Initial
Very professional, very knowledgeable instructor, well prepared classes and location
Nehemias C October 5, 2026
NYS Asbestos Inspector Refresher
Great Course.
William E October 1, 2026
NYS Asbestos Inspector Refresher
Future Environment Designs offers a thorough and comprehensive course. would recommend them to anyone in, or starting out in the industry.
John D October 1, 2026
NYS Asbestos Inspector Refresher
Angelo is very knowledgeable and keeps the course moving and entertaining while providing updates in the asbestos industry each year.
Mike F October 1, 2026
NYS Mold Abatement Worker Initial
Great teacher and very knowledgeable
Eric A September 28, 2026
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Training for Asbestos or mold
Training for Asbestos or mold
Training for Asbestos or mold
Training for Asbestos or mold
Training for Asbestos or mold
Training for Asbestos or mold
Training for Asbestos or mold
Training for Asbestos or mold
Training for Asbestos or mold
Training for Asbestos or mold
Training for Asbestos or mold
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For any inquiries please email

Angelo3@futureenv.com

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