IAQ Radio

Gigi Kwik Gronvall, PhD & Richard Bruns, PhD - Johns Hopkins Model State Indoor Air Quality Act

Good Day and welcome to IAQ Radio+ episode 715 this week we welcome Dr. Gigi Kwik Gronvall, and Dr. Richard Bruns to discuss the recently developed Model State Indoor Air Quality Act.
Gigi Kwik Gronvall, PhD
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led the Center’s ongoing efforts to track the development and marketing of molecular and antigen tests and serology tests, as well as the development of national strategies for COVID-19 serology (antibody) tests and SARS-CoV-2 serosurveys in the United States. She leads work on improving indoor air quality to reduce pathogen transmission, including guidance for K-12 schools, and is a public health advisor to the Baltimore City Public School system. She also has written about the scientific response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the contested origin of SARS-CoV-2, and the implications for national and international security.
Dr. Gronvall is the author of Synthetic Biology: Safety, Security, and Promise. In the book, she describes what can be done to minimize technical and social risks and maximize the benefits of synthetic biology, focusing on biosecurity, biosafety, ethics, and US national competitiveness—important sectors of national security. Dr. Gronvall is also the author of Preparing for Bioterrorism: The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s Leadership in Biosecurity. Through her description of major grants that represented the foundation’s investments in civilian preparedness, public health law, law enforcement, air filtering in buildings, influenza preparedness, and business preparedness, she constructed, for a nontechnical audience, a chronicle of early gains in US efforts to confront the threat of bioterrorism.
Dr. Gronvall is a member of the Department of State’s International Security Advisory Board, which provides advice about arms control, disarmament, nonproliferation, and national security aspects of emerging technologies. She is a member of the Novel and Exceptional Technology and Research Advisory Committee (NExTRAC), which provides recommendations to the Director of the National Institutes of Health and is a public forum for the discussion of the scientific, safety, and ethical issues associated with emerging biotechnologies. As of 2023, she is a member of the National Academies’ Forum on Microbial Threats.
From 2010 to 2020, Dr. Gronvall was a member of the Threat Reduction Advisory Committee, which provided the Secretary of Defense with independent advice and recommendations on reducing the risk to the United States, its military forces, and its allies and partners posed by nuclear, biological, chemical, and conventional threats. During 2014-2015, she led a preparatory group that examined the US government response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa as a case study for the Department of Defense’s strategic role in health security and made recommendations for future Department of Defense actions in response to disease outbreaks. She served as the Science Advisor for the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism from April 2009 until the Commission ended in February 2010. She has testified before Congress about the safety and security of high-containment biological laboratories in the United States and served on several task forces related to laboratory and pathogen security. Dr. Gronvall has investigated and presented policy recommendations on the governance of science to the Biological Weapons Convention in Geneva, Switzerland.
In addition to being a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Dr. Gronvall is an Associate Editor of the journal Health Security (formerly Biosecurity and Bioterrorism). She is a founding member of the Center. Prior to joining the faculty, she worked at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Civilian Biodefense Strategies. She was a National Research Council Postdoctoral Associate at the US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases in Fort Detrick, Maryland.
Dr. Gronvall received a PhD from Johns Hopkins University for work on T-cell receptor/MHC I interactions and worked as a protein chemist at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. She received a BS in biology from Indiana University, Bloomington.
Richard Bruns, PhD
PhD Clemson University 2012
MS Clemson University 2009
BS Western Carolina University 2004
Particular research interests are using cost-benefit analysis to make the world’s preparations for pandemics and emerging biological risks as effective as possible; and expanding the use of QALYs to better measure a variety of life states and social conditions, so that cost-benefit analysis can include and properly account for all expected side effects of public policies.
Previously, Richard was a Senior Economist at the Food and Drug Administration, doing cost-benefit modeling of many FDA regulations and actions, including the Intentional Adulteration rule designed to harden food production facilities against terrorist attacks, the PHO GRAS determination aka ‘trans fat ban’, and a variety of other rules relating to food and medical devices. Richard also did preliminary modeling on FDA’s upcoming Nicotine Product Standard, a de facto ban on cigarettes that would cause many significant effects on public health and safety, as well as research to quantify and monetize the marginal per-unit effects of a variety of food contaminants, such as mycological toxins and arsenic in rice.

Andrew Rynhart & Kelvin Rynhart - Moisture Monitoring in the 21st Century - New Tech, Remote Monitoring & Integration with Estimating Documentation Platforms

This week we welcome Andrew and Kelvin Rynhart to talk about Moisture Monitoring in the 21st Century; New Tech, Remote Monitoring & Integration with Estimating/ Documentation Platforms. Learn More this week on IAQ Radio+.
Andrew Rynhart is the Chief Technical Officer of Tramex Ltd. He was taught from a young age about moisture in buildings from his father who was the founder of Tramex meters and inventor of the first commercially successful nondestructive moisture meters for building inspection. Andrew has been fortunate over the years to have learned a great deal about moisture in the building envelope from many of the world-leading technical people in Roofing, Flooring, IAQ, Water Damage, Pest Control and other industries who use these meters, in the United States, the UK, and Europe.
Kelvin Rynhart is the Sales Director at Tramex Meters. He has been part of the TRAMEX leadership team for almost 15 years in sales and as the Managing Director. Prior to joining TRAMEX he was a General Manager at Mayfield Properties in Ireland. He is enthusiastic about continuous learning in an array of moisture related industries and has his finger on the pulse of the moisture measurement world including the disaster restoration industry.
Celebrating 50 years in 2024 Tramex has been an international leader in design and manufacturing of moisture and humidity meters Tramex’s heritage in innovation began with its foundation in 1974. Today Tramex continues to innovate, design and manufacture moisture meters for building inspection with the latest range of meters currently being launched. Andrew has been involved in their development every step of the way.

Jim Rosenthal - Chief Executive Officer, Tex-Air Filters - Air Cleaning, Filtration and the Corsi-Rosenthal Box

Good Day and welcome to IAQ Radio+ episode 713 this week we welcome Jim Rosenthal to talk about air cleaners, filtration and the Corsi-Rosenthal Box. Jim not only knows a lot about air cleaners and filtration his company makes filters and more. Learn More this week on IAQ Radio+.
Jim Rosenthal is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tex-Air Filters. He has over 20 years of experience in the air filtration and environmental control industries and has been active in the National Air Filtration Association (NAFA) – serving as its President in 2009-2010. He is a Certified Air Filter Specialist (CAFS) by NAFA. He was President of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America –Texas Chapter from 1998 to 2013. He is also involved in air filter test standards and is currently a voting member of the ASHRAE 52.2 Committee.

Bill Bahnfleth, PhD, PE - ASHRAE Control of Infectious Aerosols Standard & The Future of IAQ Standards after COVID

This week we welcome back Dr. William Bahnfleth to discuss ASHRAE Standard 241-2023 Control of Infectious Aerosols and the future of IAQ standards after COVID.
William Bahnfleth is a professor of architectural engineering at the Pennsylvania State University. He has held previous positions as a principle investigator at the US Army Construction Research Laboratories and as a senior consultant for ZBA, Inc. He holds a PhD in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois and is a Registered Professional Engineer. At Penn State, Dr. Bahnfleth teaches courses on HVAC system design and indoor air quality. His research focuses on systems for sustainable management of indoor air quality with engineering controls, especially control of infectious aerosols. He is the author or co-author of nearly 200 peer-reviewed publications and 14 books/chapters. He is a past president of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and vice-president of the Indoor Environmental Quality Global Alliance.
Dr. Bahnfleth was chair of the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force and currently chairs the project committee for ASHRAE Standard 241 Control of Infectious Aerosols. Dr. Bahnfleth is a fellow of ASHRAE, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and the International Society for Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ). Among his ASHRAE awards are the Louise and Bill Holladay Distinguished Fellow Award, the Donald Bahnfleth Environmental Health Award, and ASHRAE’s highest honor, the F. Paul Anderson Award. He is also a recipient of the Penn State Engineering Alumni Society World Class Engineering Faculty Award, and is a distinguished alumnus of the University of Illinois Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering.

Josh Miller, CR, CFE - From the Trenches to the Boardroom

This week, IAQ Radio+ interviews Rainbow Restoration President Josh Miller, CR, CFE. Josh is one of the property restoration industry's rising young leaders who ascended from working in the cleaning and restoration trenches to the President of one of the industry's most prominent brands serving the restoration sector. Josh has been a technician, project manager and industry instructor, and served as an association volunteer in a leadership role attaining advanced designations in restoration certification. Radio Joe and the Z-man in their unique "fireside chat" interview style will get Josh to share his story of the challenges and obstacles overcome to his ascension to the Presidency of Rainbow. Call in live this week to hear Josh talk about the lessons learned from his restoration journey and his vision for the future of the restoration industry!
Josh Miller started in the Industry in 1996 working for his ex-father-in-law as a Water Tech/Carpet Cleaner. He remained in that position until late 2001 when he moved into estimating and project management. In 2003 he left and bought his own carpet cleaning company with his father and cleaned carpets for several years. In 2005 he met Jack White at Jon Don's Strategies for Success in Chicago, IL. Not long afterwards Rainbow offered him a job as a Franchise Consultant. He and his ex-wife got homesick in TX and he was offered a consulting opportunity. For the next 3 1/2 years he was on the road approximately 21 days per month doing consulting. After that he stopped traveling and worked as a General Manager and/or Operations Manager for two different companies. Josh became involved as a volunteer at RIA on the Certification Committee in 2013 and then moved over to the Education Committee in 2015. He then went back to work at Rainbow in 2017 and quickly moved from Director of Technical Training to VP of Technical Services, VP of Operations and then President. Josh holds his CR, WLS, CMP, CLS, ERS, and FLS certifications and is a Triple Master Restorer.

Tom Laubenthal - Asbestos and Lead - Past, Present & Future

This week we welcome Tom Laubenthal of TGL Consulting to discuss Asbestos and Lead – Past, Present & Future. This is a topic that all of our audience runs into and needs to know more about.
Mr. Laubenthal is the owner of TGL Consulting, Inc, based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He has 39+ years of industry service and is considered an internationally recognized subject matter expert within the asbestos and lead-based paint control industries. He has served in a variety of leadership roles including as a past National President of the Environmental Information Association and he is a past recipient of the EIA’s Snyder Lifetime Achievement Award. He currently serves on the national board of the Lead and Environmental Hazards Association (LEHA). He manages the Asbestos Professional Networks page on LinkedIn with nearly 17,000 members. The largest web page of its kind in the world. He has published extensively in print and e-media and is regularly invited to speak at technical meetings on topics of asbestos and lead-based paint detection and control. He received his B.S. in Geology from Georgia State University.

Andy Sall - The Business Interruption Guy

This week we welcome Andy Sall of Complex Claims Resolution for a show on Business Interruption. What would happen to your business if there was a fire in the offices, or a flood, or some other type of emergency that wipes out your income overnight? Would your insurance cover you? What do you do when you are denied?
Andrew helps policy holders prepare, present, and defend their business interruption / business income claims and has been doing so for more than 20 years. His success stems from his ability to understand and communicate the quirks and nuances of his clients’ businesses using both numbers and words. He has turned paltry claim offers and complete denials from insurance carriers into substantial claim settlements badly needed by his clients’ to rebuild their businesses. On social media Andrew is known as “Business Interruption Guy.”

Nate Adams - The House Whisperer - The Importance of Air Sealing for IAQ and Energy Efficiency

This week we welcome back Nate Adams the House Whisperer for a show on the importance of air sealing for IAQ and energy efficiency. Nate “The House Whisperer” Adams is the author of The Home Comfort Book and the Air Sealing Course.
He’s helped numerous clients in Cleveland Ohio electrify while making their homes healthier and more comfortable since 2014. Now he is teaching HVAC contractors how to naturally sell heat pumps through the HVAC 2.0 Technical Sales Process. His most recent project was completion of The Air Sealing Course and he continues to practice what he preaches while working on his Air B and B rentals in wild and wonderful West Virginia.
 

Jovan Pantelic, PhD - Research Scientist at WELL Living Lab - COVID, IoT, Wildfires & IAQ

This week we welcome Dr. Jovan Pantelic, Ph.D. Research Scientist at WELL Living Lab for a show on COVID, IoT, Wildfires and IAQ. Dr. Pantelic earned his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering and his M.S. from the Department of Thermal Engineering at the University of Belgrade (Serbia). He earned his Ph.D. from the National University of Singapore where he studied in the School of Design and Environment, Department of Building.
Dr. Pantelic joined the Well Living Lab in September 2020 after transitioning from his positions as a Professional Researcher at the University of California Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where he was completing COVID-19 related research. Over the past 17 years, Jovan has worked on various topics related to indoor air quality, spanning from the airborne spread of infectious diseases in the built environment to the impact of large-scale episodic pollution events, such as wildfires, on indoor air. For the past seven years, Jovan has worked in the field on Internet of Things (IoT) sensing and is considered as one of the leading experts in the field.

Jie Zhao, PhD - Head of Delos Labs & Executive - Vice President at Delos Keeping Our Buildings and Homes a Safe Oasis

This week we welcome back Jie Zhao, PhD - Head of Delos Labs and VP at Delos for a show on keeping our buildings and homes a safe oasis. With heat extremes, wildfires, hurricanes, heavy rains, train derailments, ozone action days and other atypical environmental hazards becoming more frequent it’s important that our buildings be prepared to provide a safe oasis.
Dr. Zhao is the Head of Delos Labs and an Executive Vice President at Delos. Delos is a wellness, real estate and technology company headquartered in New York City. As the creator of the WELL Building Standard, Delos develops products, programs and solutions that transform our environments into vehicles for health, well-being, performance, and resilience. Jie leads the research team to support product innovations and market strategies. He is also a lecturer in the Weitzman School of Design at the University of Pennsylvania. His research focuses on Human-building Interactions, including total building performance, occupant behavior in buildings, sensing and controls in buildings, health, comfort, and productivity of building occupants, as well as building energy efficiency and sustainability. Jie received his PhD in Building Performance and Diagnostics from Carnegie Mellon University.