GE Pro Elite Team Offers Insight into Emerging Contaminants in Water

In this interview with ZRYLW, the GE Pro Elite team warns U.S. residents about the presence of emerging contaminants in their water supply. A customer service representative with the GE Pro Elite team explains why emerging contaminants may be hazardous to the health of people and the environment as a whole.

ZRYLW: Hello and welcome!

GE Pro Elite Team: Good morning, and thank you for having me. It’s such a great opportunity to be here and share with your readership.

ZRYLW: To describe in further detail, which contaminants are typically considered to be in the category of “emerging contaminants”?

GE Pro Elite Team: Some of the most common contaminants in this day and age include personal care products and pharmaceuticals, as well as endocrine disrupting compounds.

ZRYLW: What other items may be of concern?

GE Pro Elite: Fragrances, cosmetics and soaps may also be present in the water supply.

ZRYLW: Why are these particular contaminants a major problem in today’s world?

GE Pro Elite Team: In many cases, they are undetectable.

ZRYLW: Who is providing regulatory oversight of these issues?

GE Pro Elite Team: The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, is working diligently to improve its comprehension of a number of different contaminants.

ZRYLW: Can  you give me some examples?

GE Pro Elite Team: Absolutely! These targeted contaminants include EDCs, PCPs, pharmaceuticals and perchlorate.

ZRYLW: Are there any other organizations taking up this cause?

GE Pro Elite Team: Actually, yes! A number of advocacy agencies and government groups have conducted research studies and surveys that examine the water supply in many communities and determine if contaminants are present.

ZRYLW: Should I be concerned?

GE Pro Elite Team: With major advances in health research and testing, professional experts are learning a great deal about drinking water and its potential dangers.

ZRYLW: How can I know for certain if contaminants are present in my water supply?

GE Pro Elite Team: It requires the help of professionals to determine what issues may have arisen. That’s why we designed the GE Pro Elite.

ZRYLW: Is there a way for homeowners to prevent contaminants in their homes?

GE Pro Elite Team: In order to feel confident and relaxed about the level of protection in their homes, people should consider the GE Pro Elite as a certified and tested system that overcomes any emerging threats.

ZRYLW: Can people take care of these potentially harmful substances all by themselves?

GE Pro Elite Team: At this time, home testing is not available. Only local professionals and state laboratories have the ability to examine and define these contaminants.

ZRYLW: We’re glad to have you present this information.

GE Pro Elite Team: You’re welcome. Enjoy your day!

By contacting the GE Pro Elite team today, consumers are ensuring that their loved ones are safe and protected from the hazardous materials that may be present in their drinking water. The GE Pro Elite team is eager to educate communities about their water treatment system and its extensive list of benefits.

US Coal Imports Surge in 2014

US coal mining companies have recently seen a major decrease in production; Colombian coal cheaper, high quality.

Coal imports to North America, and specifically the United States, have risen dramatically even as Central Appalachia has seen a number of mines close.

The reason: price. Costs to transport coal from Central Appalachia is 173% more expensive than to import

from Colombia – a country where coal is cheap to acquire and can be shipped in higher quantities.  Research firm IHS Energy calculates that the average load of coal from the US costs $26 per ton to ship while Colombian coal averages just $15/ton. Lower labor costs also contribute to the disparity in price. Colombian coal is, on average, $4 cheaper per ton than US product.

China, the largest coal importer in the world, has seen a weaker demand in coal use this year. Europe’s declining imports have also added to the depressed coal prices.

The first six months of 2014 saw a surge of coal imports. The US bought more than 5.4 metric tons between January and June which is a 44% increase from the same period in 2013. Only one-third of this was purchased domestically. Colombian coal companies ramped up production by 24% to meet the increased demand.

The US Energy Information Administration predicts that US coal consumption will rise to 862 tons by the end of the year. The expected increase is directly related to a frigid start to the year when power companies used more coal to produce electricity than expected.

Birmingham, Alabama-based Drummond Co. anticipates that its two Colombian mines will produce nearly 30 tons of coal this year. The company refused to comment on the fundamental cause of the ramped up production but said that reflected a 19% production increase.

US coal producers are working toward creating competitive pricing as the year progresses. Rail company CSX has announced plans to increase its fleet to over 4,700 locomotives by year’s end and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. will add 5,000 new cars.

 

Interview with Berni Fried – The Wide Range of Drug Treatment Options

Addiction is a devastating disease that affects the behavior and function of the human brain, according to therapist Berni Fried. In her professional experience, Berni Fried has found that individuals who abuse alcohol or drugs consistently are at risk for relapse. In a recent conversation with the staff at ZRYLW, Berni Fried discusses treatment procedures and their success rates.

ZRYLW: Thank you for taking a few moments to talk this morning.

Berni Fried: It’s wonderful to be here and I appreciate you for having me.
ZRYLW: In your professional career, what have you observed about the drug treatment as a whole?

Berni Fried: Above all else, treatment must be available to anyone who needs it.

ZRYLW: Why is this so important?

Berni Fried: Drug-addicted people often have a sense of discomfort about submitting to a treatment program.

ZRYLW: That seems reasonable…

Berni Fried: When you are talking about drug and alcohol abuse, treatment at an early stage increases the potential for positive outcomes.

ZRYLW: What issues should be addressed during these first treatment sessions?

Berni Fried: Effective treatment addresses a number of medical, legal, psychological, physiological, vocational and social problems.

ZRYLW: Do these treatment sessions change depending on the client?

Berni Fried: Yes, it’s necessary to tailor the specific treatment to account for the client’s ethnicity, gender, culture and age.

ZRYLW: What treatment components are required?

Berni Fried: A patient may need family therapy, medical services, parent instruction, rehabilitation, legal services, social services and medication, among other forms of treatment.

ZRYLW: How long do these recovery efforts usually take?

Berni Fried: For a majority of clients, a consistent approach is critical to meeting their needs.

ZRYLW: What other aspects of the client’s profile must be analyzed?

Berni Fried: Many drug-addicted individuals are struggling with mental disorders as well. This is referred to by mental health professionals as a “dual diagnosis.”

ZRYLW: How should the therapist approach treatment for clients with a dual diagnosis?

Berni Fried: It used to be thought that the alcohol or chemical addiction must be addressed before treating the mental health issue. But professional opinions have changed on that matter. Now, most agree that when a mental health disorder and addiction is diagnosed at the same time, they should be addressed in tandem.

ZRYLW: What elements may be introduced to assist these efforts?

Berni Fried: Incentive strategies and motivational enhancement can help to improve treatment engagement.

ZRYLW: Some examples might be….

Berni Fried: Enticements or sanctions from friends and family members have been shown to increase retention rates, treatment entry and the success of a drug treatment program.

ZRYLW: It all boils down to constant surveillance, though.

Berni Fried: In treatment, drug use needs to be monitored at all times.

ZRYLW: Why?

Berni Fried: Lapses are a regular occurrence – even in treatment, believe it or not.

ZRYLW: How does treatment assist in this process?

Berni Fried: For clients, knowing that their activity is monitored may help them to curb the desire to abuse drugs.

ZRYLW: Thank you for your continued support of this community.

Berni Fried: It’s truly an honor to serve in this role and I appreciate our community partners for their efforts.

Berni Fried is currently working on her next project, a treatment center based in the L.A. area that offers a unique source of inspiration, knowledge and comfort for recovering addicts.