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Author: Erika Carroll

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Press Releases

Protect Environmental Completes Acquisition of Radovent

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Acquisition of multi-market operation expands national footprint to include Chicago and Salt Lake City

Louisville, KY, May 13, 2022 – Louisville-based Protect Environmental, a national leader in the environmental consulting and construction industry, with a focus on radon and chemical vapor intrusion management, today announced that it has acquired Radovent, which maintains direct operations in Chicago and Salt Lake City. The acquisition signifies the company’s expansion into two additional key markets. 

“We started Radovent with humble beginnings and a big vision. Through hard work, a dedicated team, and a high standard of quality, we grew to a multi-state operation,” said Travis Jewell, Founder of Radovent. “Along the way we built relationships with peers in the industry who shared similar values of doing excellent work, including many of the members of the Protect Environmental team. We are proud and excited for our company to become a part of this industry-leading organization.” 

Founded in 2007, Radovent has completed the installation of more than 25,000 radon and vapor mitigation systems across the country. The acquisition positions Protect Environmental to build upon Radovent’s excellent reputation for providing quality workmanship and customer satisfaction as it continues its national expansion. As part of its integration with Protect Environmental, Jewell will step down from his leadership role; however, the company’s key management team will continue leading the Chicago and Salt Lake City operations. 

Kyle Hoylman, CEO of Protect Environmental, said of the acquisition, “Radovent provides the strong presence we were seeking to build upon in two key markets. We’re excited to welcome the Radovent team to our family, and I look forward to working with this team to assist our clients with building and maintaining healthy, safe, and sustainable indoor environments in the communities where they live, work, and learn.” 

About Protect Environmental

Protect Environmental is a national leader in the environmental consulting and construction industry, focusing on radon and chemical vapor intrusion management. With a proven track record spanning 15 years and completed projects in all 50 U.S. states and 2 U.S. territories, the company provides expert service from its trusted professionals to provide peace of mind protection to property owners seeking efficient and effective management of environmental risks and liabilities. For more information, call 502-410-5000 or click on to https://www.protectenvironmental.com. 

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Press Releases

Protect Environmental Launches Next Generation Commercial Radon Measurement System

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Radon Sentinel™ Measurement System provides a more efficient and effective solution to minimize turnaround time and reduce costs related to multifamily and large building radon testing projects

Louisville, KY, March 15, 2022 – Protect Environmental announced today the launch of its next generation measurement system developed specifically for characterizing radon potential in multifamily and other large buildings. The Radon Sentinel Measurement System is available in a limited production capacity to better support commercial clients of the company by minimizing turnaround times and reducing costs related to radon testing projects. Full production capacity is anticipated by the end of the year.

The traditional radon testing approach used to meet lending policy and regulatory requirements creates considerable challenges to lender application timing and represents a significant percentage of the overall lender environmental due diligence budget. When combined with the inconvenience imposed on residents and property management staff created by repetitive access to buildings to conduct follow-up testing, the traditional approach represents an overly burdensome and costly process to ensuring building occupants aren’t being exposed to unsafe levels of radioactive, cancer-causing radon gas.

The Radon Sentinel Measurement System is comprised of a proprietary active monitoring device that handshakes with a hand-held controller to transmit real-time testing data to the company’s secure, cloud-based data warehouse for immediate analysis. Use of the active monitoring system eliminates the need for follow-up testing and reduces the number of devices required to be deployed on each testing project by more than 15%. The end result is lenders, property owners and developers, and other stakeholders related to the testing project benefit from minimized testing turnaround time, reduced overall project costs, and limited impact on resident and property management staff. Additional information about the company’s next generation commercial measurement system can be found at https://www.protectenvironmental.com/commercial-radon-testing. 

“Quite simply, the Radon Sentinel Measurement System represents a better way to characterize radon potential in multifamily and large buildings,” said Kyle Hoylman, CEO at Protect Environmental. “Our clients having been asking for a more efficient and effective solution to better support their radon testing needs. We listened, and we’re delivering that solution,” he added.

Radon Sentinel

About Protect Environmental

Protect Environmental is a national leader in the environmental services industry, focusing on radon and chemical vapor intrusion management. With a proven track record spanning 15 years that includes completed project work in all 50 U.S. states and 2 U.S. territories, the company delivers expert service from its trusted professionals to provide peace of mind protection to property owners seeking efficient and effective management of environmental risks and liabilities. For more information, call 502-410-5000 or click on to https://www.protectenvironmental.com.

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Press Releases

Seasoned Due Diligence Professional Joins Protect Environmental

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Kenneth Deemer to lead development and management of national operations, maintenance, and monitoring (OMM) services portfolio for Louisville-based environmental services company

Louisville, KY, February 11, 2022 – Protect Environmental announced today that Kenneth Deemer has joined the company as its Director, OMM Services. He joins the company with 18 years of experience in the environmental due diligence industry, where he managed programs related to environmental contaminants, including radon, asbestos, mold, and PCBs. Deemer also brings a strong background in environmental site assessment, having conducted hundreds of due diligence assessments on residential, commercial, and industrial sites for national lending clients. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Science from Allegheny College, and is a certified radon measurement and mitigation professional, an accredited asbestos inspector and management planner, and possesses the OSHA HAZWOPER 40 credential.

“I’m excited to be working with the recognized leader in providing radon and chemical vapor intrusion management solutions for clients across the country,” Deemer said. “Joining the team at Protect Environmental provides me with the opportunity to have a role in providing healthy and safe indoor environments in the places we live, work, and learn,” he added. 

As Director, OMM Services, Deemer will be responsible for developing and maintaining the national OMM services portfolio of the company by providing solutions for meeting long-term stewardship and continuing obligations for owners of property located on contaminated radon and chemical vapor intrusion sites. 

“Kenny’s experience will have an immediate positive impact for our clients,” said Kyle Hoylman, CEO of Protect Environmental. “As the regulatory environment continues to evolve, ensuring we are working with the most experienced professionals is important in assisting our clients with effectively managing their risks and liabilities,” Hoylman added.

About Protect Environmental

Protect Environmental is a national leader in the environmental services industry, focusing on radon and chemical vapor intrusion management. With a proven track record spanning 15 years that includes completed project work in all 50 U.S. states and 2 U.S. territories, the company delivers expert service from its trusted professionals to provide peace of mind protection to property owners seeking efficient and effective management of environmental risks and liabilities. For more information, call 502-410-5000 or click on to https://www.protectenvironmental.com. 

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Press Releases

Protect Environmental Taps Industry Veteran to Lead National Accounts Team

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With an extensive background in the environmental services industry, Paul Melillo to head development and management of national accounts portfolio for Louisville-based company

Louisville, KY, January 31, 2022 – Protect Environmental announced today that Paul Melillo has joined the company as its Director, National Accounts. He joins the company with nearly 20 years of experience in the environmental services industry, which most recently included management roles with Terracon Consultants, Inc. and Pace Analytical. Since 2010, Melillo has generated and managed more than $60 million dollars of project revenue as a consultant and analytical laboratory sales manager, which included providing technical analysis, expert defense support, and strategic planning of site investigation and remediation at more than 750 residential, commercial, and industrial sites impacted by petroleum compounds, heavy metals, PCBs, and chlorinated solvents. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Science from the University of Vermont, his Master of Science Degree in Environmental Science from Indiana University, and is credentialed as a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM).

“I am thrilled to join the talented and growing Team Green, because indoor air impacted by radon and chemical vapor intrusion is the leading human exposure pathway in buildings across our country,” Melillo said. “Protect Environmental has been leading the way in developing innovative solutions for the characterization and mitigation of these wide-reaching issues for over 15 years, and I am excited to join a group of my peers to foster and promote these solutions throughout the United States,” he added.

As the Director, National Accounts, Melillo will be responsible for developing and maintaining the national accounts portfolio of the company, which includes stakeholders seeking efficient and effective management of environmental risks and liabilities caused by radon and chemical vapor intrusion. He will work from the company’s Indianapolis office located in Fishers, IN.

“Paul brings a wealth of knowledge to this role, which will benefit our company and our clients immensely,” said Kyle Hoylman, CEO of Protect Environmental. “We’re fortunate to have someone with his expertise and customer-centric focus building and managing our national accounts portfolio,” Hoylman added. 

About Protect Environmental

Protect Environmental is a national leader in the environmental services industry, focusing on radon and
chemical vapor intrusion management. With a proven track record spanning 15 years that includes completed
project work in all 50 U.S. states and 2 U.S. territories, the company delivers expert service from its trusted
professionals to provide peace of mind protection to property owners seeking efficient and effective
management of environmental risks and liabilities. For more information, call 502-410-5000 or click on to
https://www.protectenvironmental.com.

Categories
Press Releases

Protect Environmental Completes Acquisition of ACE Radon

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Acquisition of local industry leader launches expansion into key national market

Louisville, KY, January 11, 2022 – Louisville-based Protect Environmental, a national leader in the environmental
consulting and construction industry, with a focus on radon and chemical vapor intrusion management, today
announced that it has acquired Denver-based ACE Radon. The acquisition signifies the company’s expansion into
the Denver market, a key national market that will anchor future growth and serve as its gateway for expansion
into the western portion of the country.

Founded in 1987, ACE Radon is the most referred, qualified, and trusted radon company in Colorado, having
successfully completed more than 45,000 projects. By joining Protect Environmental’s national network of
trusted professionals, ACE Radon is perfectly positioned to take advantage of the resources the network offers
to support its continued growth in Denver and throughout the Colorado market.

“Over 34 years ago, our company was one of the first radon businesses to open its doors. We have worked hard
to establish a reputation of quality services and integrity with both our customers and employees,” said Jeff
Goard, ACE Radon President. “It is the fulfillment of a dream to partner with a company like Protect
Environmental, which has the same ideals and has assembled other like-minded industry leaders that are poised
to become the premier national provider of radon and vapor intrusion services.”

As part of its transition to Protect Environmental, the company’s existing leadership team, including Jeff and
Dawn Goard, will continue to lead the day-to-day operations in Denver and throughout the Colorado market.

Kyle Hoylman, CEO of Protect Environmental, said of the acquisition, “We’re excited to welcome ACE Radon to
our family, especially given the alignment with our core values that already exists. I look forward to working with
Jeff, Dawn, and the rest of the ACE Radon team to continue building and maintaining healthy, safe, and
sustainable indoor environments for our clients.”

About Protect Environmental

Protect Environmental is a national leader in the environmental consulting and construction industry, focusing
on radon and chemical vapor intrusion management. With a proven track record spanning 15 years and
completed projects in all 50 U.S. states and 2 U.S. territories, the company provides expert service from its
trusted professionals to provide peace of mind protection to property owners seeking efficient and effective
management of environmental risks and liabilities. For more information, call 502-410-5000 or click on to
https://www.protectenvironmental.com.

Categories
Video

Kentucky Lung Cancer Policy Discussion: Disparities and Radon Awareness

A discussion held by the American Lung Association to close out Lung Cancer Awareness Month in Kentucky.

Key speakers:

Shannon Baker – Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association 

Lindi Campbell – Lung cancer survivor, advocate, and Founder of Breath of Hope Kentucky 

Dr. Timothy Mullett – Professor of Thoracic Surgery UK Healthcare 

Kyle Hoylman – CEO, Protect Environmental

Ellen Hahn Ph.D, RN, FAAN – Director of University of Kentucky College of Nursing BREATHE

Categories
Blog Video

Lung Cancer Awareness – Prevention, Treatment, and Survivorship

For Lung Cancer Awareness Month, our goal is to raise awareness of the leading cause of cancer deaths in the world. Understanding prevention, treatment, and survivorship are all vital to fighting the effects of lung cancer in our communities. With one voice, we can work together to raise awareness that anyone with lungs can get lung cancer.

Risk Reduction and Early Detection

The fight against lung cancer in Kentucky begins with reducing or eliminating risk factors that have the possibility to lead to a lung cancer diagnosis. In our interview with Jennifer Knight, Partnership and Sustainability Specialist at the Kentucky Cancer Consortium, we learn about the importance of lung cancer risk reduction as it can be the difference between life or death.

  • Kentucky is now second in number of lung cancer screening in the U.S. As of 2021, the state has seen an increase in lung cancer early detection.
  • Screening is important to decrease late-stage lung cancer diagnoses and increase survival rates.
  • The lung cancer stigma prevents many people from having effective conversations with health care providers and receiving the necessary screenings.
  • Shared decision-making conversations with a physician help foster necessary discussions about the risk factors of lung cancer, including radon gas and secondhand smoke.
  • Policy work surrounding lung cancer is increasing to improve lung cancer survival statistics, but there is more work to be done.
  • There is continuing research on who is eligible for lung cancer screenings.

During a shared decision-making conversation with the physician is a perfect time to talk about radon and having your home tested. And the same goes for dangers of secondhand smoke… because when you combined smoking, radon gas, and secondhand smoke, the risk for lung cancer goes up astronomically.

Jennifer Knight, Partnership and Sustainability Specialist at the Kentucky Cancer Consortium

Lung Cancer Treatment

For those who are diagnosed, lung cancer research and treatment has come a long way. Ongoing research efforts will continue to improve treatment options and increase survival statistics. In talking with Dr. Tim Mullett, Specialist and Professor of Thoracic Surgery at the UK Markey Cancer Center, greater education and awareness are needed to prevent lung cancer and to detect the disease sooner. Those diagnosed in an earlier stage have more treatment options compared to those diagnosed at a later stage. Depending on your exposure risk, talk to your doctor about whether you qualify for lung cancer screening.

  • Lung cancer can easily go undetected and can show very few symptoms in the early stages.
  • There are a growing number of women diagnosed with lung cancer who have never smoked.
  • Treatment plans for lung cancer have expanded greatly over the past 10 years, with targeted therapy treatment and surgery.
  • Doctors should continue to look at the causes of lung cancer beyond smoking and continue conversations about other possible risk factors.
  • Targeted therapy is transforming how we view cancer mutations and the different causes of lung cancer, including radon gas.
  • As lung cancer research continues, there is an increase in better treatment for future lung cancer patients.

It’s important as health care professionals to all work to break down that stigma, that it’s only tobacco, and get to where lung cancer is a discussion about risk and benefit. And today, because of our use of lung cancer screening and the increasing impact of targeted therapy, we need to talk about the hope of the future.

Dr. Tim Mullett, Specialist and Professor of Thoracic Surgery at the UK Cancer Center

Lung Cancer Survivorship

A lung cancer diagnosis is devastating, regardless of what led to the diagnosis, smoking history or not. Smoking is not the only cause of lung cancer. No one living with lung cancer should have to battle alone. Lindi Campbell, Lung Cancer Survivor and Founder of Breath of Hope KY, is a lung cancer survivor using her voice to advocate for better lung cancer survival rates in Kentucky through research and education. Lindi has created a community network through Facebook to connect other survivors across Kentucky who can connect and encourage one another in the fight against this disease. Learn more about Lindi’s lung cancer survivor story. 

  • There is a need to raise awareness that anyone with lungs can get lung cancer.
  • Many people still believe if you have lung cancer you deserve the diagnosis, which prevents survivors from reaching out.
  • There is a growing number of survivors being diagnosed even though they have never smoked. Radon being the leading cause in nonsmokers.
  • The mental and emotional strain of lung cancer plays a large role in a lung cancer patient’s journey and survival.
  • When diagnosed with lung cancer, it is important to have a community of support.
  • Sharing the stories of lung cancer survivors helps raise awareness of the disease and end the lung cancer stigma. 

It’s as much a psychological effect as it is a physical effect. And the first thing anybody wants to do when they are diagnosed is to ask somebody else…there are things that we [survivors] can answer that the public, and even our closest family members, can’t be for us.

Lindi Campbell, Lung Cancer Survivor and Founder of Breath of Hope Kentucky Tweet

Help Raise Awareness and Fight the Lung Cancer Stigma

  1. Help educate others that anyone with lungs can get lung cancer, not just those who smoke.
  2. Understand the risk factors that can cause lung cancer and take action to eliminate those risks in your life and the lives of your friends and family.
  3. If you feel led, financially support lung cancer initiatives to help improve treatment options and survivorship for those living with lung cancer, such as Breath of Hope Kentucky, American Lung Association, BREATHE, CanSAR, or the Kentucky LEADS Collaborative.
  4. Help us advocate! Follow advocacy organizations on social media and share facts and information to help us raise awareness and educate others about how they can reduce risks in their own lives.
Categories
Podcasts

The Effect of Vapor Intrusion on Regulatory Guidance and Technology

Episode 3: The Effect of Vapor Intrusion on Regulatory Guidance and Technology

With David Gillay and Chris Bonniwell
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Episode 3: The Effect of Vapor Intrusion on Regulatory Guidance and Technology ​ by Protect Environmental
00.00
  • Episode 3: The Effect of Vapor Intrusion on Regulatory Guidance and Technology ​

Show Notes:

In the third episode of The Green Scene Podcast, Kyle Hoylman interviews David Gillay and Chris Bonniwell on the ever-changing vapor intrusion industry and how it has affected regulatory guidance and long-term stewardship obligations. They also discuss the evolving science of remote telemetric technology – changing best practices for monitoring and maintaining vapor intrusion around the world.

Guest Bios:

David Gillay - Partner in the Environmental Department of Barnes & Thornburg

David Gillay is a partner in the Environmental Department of Barnes & Thornburg. Before joining the department in 2001, he obtained an advanced environmental engineering degree and practiced as an environmental consultant on various projects across the country.

Presently, David has a legal practice that concentrates on many environmental subjects, such as brownfields projects – remediation projects dealing with soil, surface water and groundwater contamination, environmental due diligence – assessing and managing the vapor intrusion pathway in real estate transactions and redevelopment property. His area of expertise also involves cost-recovery claims against owners and operators for contamination, including evaluating other mechanisms to fund investigatory and cleanup activities.

Chris Bonniwell, PhD – President of Vapor Products Group

Chris Bonniwell is a nationally recognized provider of radon and chemical vapor intrusion mitigation solutions and has over 13 years of professional environmental experience as a state regulator and environmental consultant.

Currently, Chris leads the development, production, and assessment of products advancing the radon and chemical vapor intrusion industry, along with the recently patented Vapor Sentinel Remote Monitoring System and Vapor Sentinel New Construction technology.

Vapor Intrusion and Regulatory Guidance

Vapor Intrusion was not heavily investigated until about 15 to 20 years ago, however, vapor intrusion is now the exposure pathway with the greatest concern with environmental contamination. In the past two decades, the science, regulation and technology of vapor intrusion has continued to develop and expand.

With regulation change, there is better technological development to manage this long-term lability and risks. New telemetric technology now gives clients certainty that vapor intrusion is being properly mitigated through continuous monitoring.

The practices and technology for new construction projects continue to evolve, as well, with sub-slab solutions. There is a growing trend to implement these vapor safe techniques into every building whether vapor intrusion is present or for future protection.

“I think there is a growing trend, especially in the regulatory environment, to better understand how vapor intrusion is migrating and moving below the subsurface.”
Chris Bonniwell
President of Vapor Products Group

Key Take-Aways:

  • The dangers of vapor intrusion
  • How has the vapor intrusion industry changed over the past 15 years?
  • The requirements for long-term liability obligations
  • The guidance for vapor intrusion within government reuse and transactional due diligence
  • The benefits of continuing obligation plans
  • The future for vapor intrusion regulatory guidance
  • New technology that impacts long term liability and risks
  • The current process for monitoring and maintaining VI
  • Defining telemetric monitoring as a VI solution
  • The future of VI monitoring
  • The new practices and technology for vapor intrusion in new construction
  • The benefits of sub slab solutions
  • From a legal standpoint, the best protection for new construction projects
  • How vapor intrusion is transforming science, regulatory guidance, and technology for the better

Links:

Listen to The Green Scene Podcast on any streaming platform.

Apple Spotify Google Podcast
Categories
Press Releases

Kyle Hoylman Re-Elected President of the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists

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Industry association members re-elect seasoned veteran to lead organization during important time of tremendous opportunity and growth

Louisville, KY, October 19, 2021 – Protect Environmental announced today the re-election of Kyle Hoylman, its CEO, to serve as president of the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST) for a second consecutive term. The announcement comes after the annual meeting of the association held during the 2021 International Radon and Vapor Intrusion Symposium. As president, Hoylman will work with the AARST staff and board of directors to continue the implementation of the strategic plan of the organization.

“I’m humbled by the renewed vote of confidence from my industry colleagues to lead the organization during this important time of tremendous opportunity and growth,” said Hoylman. “I look forward to continuing the work of AARST in increasing public awareness of radon and vapor intrusion health risks, raising industry professionalism, and supporting effective policy,” he added.

Hoylman brings over 15 years of experience in the radon and chemical vapor intrusion industry, serving as Managing Partner of Protect Environmental until the recent acquisition of the company by Rockbridge Growth Equity, the Detroit-based private equity firm. He now serves as CEO of the broader national environmental services platform being developed under the Protect Environmental brand through the support of Rockbridge. Under his leadership, the company has grown into one of the largest environmental consulting and construction firms focusing on radon and chemical vapor intrusion in the country. He has been heavily involved within the AARST organization over the past decade, including serving on its board of directors, where he chaired the government affairs committee. He also chairs the executive stakeholder committee of the AARST Consortium on National Radon Standards, which oversees the ANSI/AARST national consensus radon standards recommended by the US EPA.

About Protect Environmental

Protect Environmental is a leader in the environmental consulting and remediation industry, focusing on radon and chemical vapor intrusion management. With a proven track record spanning greater than 15 years and more than 7,400 successful project completions encompassing all 50 US states and 2 US territories, the company provides expert service from its trusted professionals to provide peace of mind protection to property owners seeking efficient and effective management of environmental risks and liabilities. For more information, call 502-410-5000 or click on to https://www.protectenvironmental.com/.

Categories
Press Releases

Protect Environmental Acquired by Rockbridge Growth Equity

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Transformational partnership expands national environmental services platform

Louisville, KY, October 14, 2021 – Louisville-based Protect Environmental, a leader in the environmental consulting and remediation industry, with a focus on radon and chemical vapor intrusion management, today announced that it has been acquired by Rockbridge Growth Equity, the Detroit-based private equity firm.

This acquisition is part of a series of investments by Rockbridge related to its national environmental services platform, currently operating as RB Home Services. The platform provides property owners and developers, lenders, real estate professionals and home inspectors, and other related stakeholder groups across the country a national network of trusted professionals to tackle common issues related to building and maintaining healthy, safe, and sustainable indoor environments. Given the strong brand reputation built by Protect Environmental, Rockbridge will be retiring the RB Home Services name and will adopt the Protect Environmental brand going forward. The company will also relocate its headquarters to Louisville, KY.

Steve Linden, Partner at Rockbridge Growth Equity, said of the acquisition, “Protect Environmental’s industry-leading commercial business, outstanding brand, and mission-driven leadership team are absolutely ideal compliments to the existing RB Home Services Platform. We are incredibly fortunate to now have Kyle Hoylman and the rest of the Protect Environmental team alongside us, building a true national leader in the environmental services industry.”

As the platform continues its mission of providing homeowners with best-in-class services, Protect Environmental represents a noteworthy foray into the commercial environmental services and products market. As the largest provider of commercial radon measurement and mitigation services in the country, the company adds substantial scale and geographic coverage to the burgeoning national platform.

Furthermore, Protect Environmental will be able to leverage other resources within the platform, including members of the Rockbridge family of companies, to strengthen its position as a leading provider in the environmental consulting and remediation industry. The company will focus on continuing to build out its local market presence through its acquisition of existing service providers in target markets to complement its national presence with strong local market representation.

Protect Environmental Managing Partner, Kyle Hoylman, will stay on in his role leading the company, as well asassuming the role of CEO of the broader platform.

“The opportunity to work with Rockbridge to continue our vision of building the most efficient, effective, and economical national platform of environmental, green building, and energy services is one in a lifetime,” said Hoylman. “I’m looking forward to continuing to lead our effort in developing and maintaining healthy, safe, and sustainable indoor environments for our clients around the country,” he adds. 

About Protect Environmental

Protect Environmental is a leader in the environmental consulting and remediation industry, focusing on radon and chemical vapor intrusion management. With a proven track record spanning greater than 15 years and more than 7,400 successful project completions encompassing all 50 US states and 2 US territories, the company provides expert service from its trusted professionals to provide peace of mind protection to property owners seeking efficient and effective management of environmental risks and liabilities. For more information, call 502-410-5000 or click on to https://www.protectenvironmental.com/.

About Rockbridge Growth Equity

Founded in 2007, Rockbridge Growth Equity is a Detroit, Michigan-based private equity firm that invests in
financial and business services, consumer-direct marketing, and sports, media & entertainment industries.
Rockbridge owns equity stakes in ProSites, White Glove, Connect America, Rapid Finance, Gas Station TV, Kings III of America, and Robb Report, and is affiliated with other leading businesses in its target sectors including Quicken Loans, the 2016 NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers, Amrock and StockX. Since its inception, Rockbridge Growth Equity has invested more than $700 million of equity in its portfolio of companies. For more information on Rockbridge Growth Equity, visit www.rbequity.com.

Categories
Podcasts

What Solar Energy’s Bright Future Holds for Green Building Science

Solar Energy Podcast

Episode 2: What Solar Energy's Bright Future Holds for Green Building Science

With solar expert and Co-owner of Solar by Ecos, Chris Zitelli
chris-zitelli-soalr-engery-podcast
Episode 2: What Solar Energy's Bright Future Holds for Green Building Science with Chris Zitelli by Protect Environmental
00.00
  • Episode 2: What Solar Energy's Bright Future Holds for Green Building Science with Chris Zitelli

Show Notes:

In the second episode of The Green Scene Podcast Kyle Hoylman interviews Chris Zitelli about the many advantages of solar energy, the future of solar technology, and how solar energy is being used all around us – changing the way we use energy, all around the world, for the better.

Chris is the co-owner and founder of Solar by Ecos.  He is a LEED Accredited Professional, HERS and LEED-Certified Rater, and a Green Advantage Certified Professional. As a certified solar energy professional, his goal is to see the use of this renewable resource expand across Kentucky and the greater United States. Chris brings a more holistic approach to green building science – a great asset to the solar industry as a whole.

How Solar Energy Works:

Solar energy is a renewable resource. Renewable resources are defined as natural resources that will replenish to replace the portion that was depleted by usage and consumption. Solar energy utilizes light and heat from the sun to supply a continuous source of clean energy. Because of the little environmental impact and accessibility, solar energy is one of the top growing energy resources in the world.

One of the main ways the sun’s energy is collected and distributed into usable electricity is through solar panels or photovoltaics (sensors that convert light to electricity). The sunlight excites the photon cells or PV cells in the panel creating an electrical charge. Then the electrical current is harnessed into electricity that flows through wires connected to the solar panel. Electricity is gathered almost instantaneously. Excess energy can be stored onto the solar grid or battery for later independent use.

Looking to the Future of Solar Energy

Furthermore,  technology within the solar industry continues to advance and now provides energy on a larger scale. The cost-effectiveness of solar energy continues to improve, as well, with ever evolving processes and increasing popularity. The solar industry is a growing market that is now outpacing any other form of energy . Currently, a utility-scale solar installation is more cost-effective and efficient than building a more traditional coal-fired power plant. The ROI of solar is now closer to those of traditional energy costs.

In addition, solar energy has little negative impact on the environment, with no creation of emissions, or waste. More communities across the world are continuing to embrace solar energy as a primary source of energy. While renewable energy sources and climate change are considered a political hot-button topic here in the United States, political support continues to grow with the industry’s economic growth.

“Solar energy is out pacing any other form of energy… and I do think if we want to turn back some of the consequences, we are going to need to do something pretty dramatic or it is going to be a problem.”
Chris Zitelli
Co-owner, Ecos Materials and Services

Key Take-aways:

  • How solar energy works
  • The difference between the solar grid and solar battery
  • The continued evolution of solar energy technology
  • Why Texas blamed solar energy for the statewide power outage in Spring of 2021
  • Common misconceptions about solar energy
  • The solar industry advancements and economic stride
  • ROI of solar energy for residential and commercial customers
  • Solar energy’s effect on air quality and the environment
  • The future of the solar industry
  • Current and future government policy that helps expand the use of solar energy in the United States

Links:

Listen to The Green Scene Podcast of our streaming platforms.

Apple Spotify Google Podcast

Contact Chris Zitelli for any questions regarding solar energy or Solar by Ecos: Chris@solarbyecos.com

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Categories
Blog Video

Erase the Lung Cancer Stigma

Protect Environmental partnered with Breath of Hope KY to participate in the WHO Health for All Film Festival, submitting our project to the “Better Health and Well-Being” category. Our project focuses on the story of radon and the lung cancer stigma. By raising awareness that anyone with lungs can get lung cancer and encouraging people to test for radon, we believe we are advocating for better health and well-being for all. We are excited to have been a part of this annual World Health Organization event alongside over 1200 other film submissions from 110 countries. 

Radon doesn’t discriminate.

Radon – a naturally occurring radioactive gas. Many people are not aware that they have been exposed to radon because it is not something you can see, taste, or smell. Without these warning signs, radon often goes undetected. The US Environmental Protection Agency reports that more than 21,000 Americans die each year from radon induced lung cancer.

As the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, radon should be tested for, and mitigated if needed, in order to prevent exposure. Unfortunately, not many people know that radon exists or that it is a serious environmental health concern.

Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer.

What is the lung cancer stigma? It is the generalization and assumption that someone who is diagnosed with lung cancer must have smoked or done something to have caused their diagnosis. The reality is that anyone with lungs can develop lung cancer, not just those who smoke. In fact, there are many different causes, radon being the second cause overall and the number one cause among non-smokers.

Erasing the lung cancer stigma will take greater awareness and education. The Better Health and Well-Being category made the most sense for our project as our goal is to raise awareness and, ultimately, reduce the number of radon-induced lung cancer incidents and deaths starting here in Kentucky and beyond.

Radon is a critical environmental health risk that demands continued recognition and improved understanding to protect people everywhere from exposure. With our film contribution, we want to educate the public and encourage action against radon gas in the places we live, work, and learn.

We worked with Lindi Campbell, Leah Phillips, and Chasity Harney of Breath of Hope Kentucky, who shared their stories in this project. All three women are lung cancer survivors and believe that radon exposure was the likely cause of their diagnoses. These women lived a healthy lifestyle, never smoked, and certainly never thought they would be diagnosed with this life-threatening disease. 

Take Action

Our message is simple. Anyone with lungs can get lung cancer and radon could be the cause. Unfortunately, lung cancer has been defined as a smoker’s disease. Consequently, this stigma perpetuates a lack of awareness and often prevents early detection among non-smokers. 

Naturally occurring radon gas can be found anywhere around the world. It is a worldwide environmental hazard that causes over 21,000 deaths here in the U.S. alone. Exposure to radon is preventable. Testing is the only way to know if elevated levels of radon are in the places you live, work, or learn. 

Take action against radon! Test your home.

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Webinars

Reduce Liability & Add Certainty to Your Vapor Mitigation Projects

Typically, the monitoring of vapor intrusion mitigation systems consists of regular, and costly, on-site visits to assess operating conditions. The time between these assessments risks the potential for undetected system failures that could put building occupants at risk of exposure to hazardous radon or chemical vapors. It’s important to have a long-term management plan for your vapor mitigation projects that protects occupants and reduces your liability.

By adding 24/7/365 telemetry monitoring to an ASD system, it is possible to eliminate on-site challenges and the potential for performance gaps to go undetected. The result is a high degree of certainty that a vapor mitigation system is protecting building occupants at any given time. 

Liability is reduced with defensible data demonstrating current and historical performance to all stakeholders. The  case studies reviewed in the presentation show how a system’s performance was impacted by factors such as weather and building construction.

Vapor Sentinel Remote Monitoring and New Construction Systems provide a better way to manage long-term stewardship obligations on vapor intrusion project sites.

The Remote Monitoring System provides 24/7/365 real-time monitoring of installed mitigation systems and transmits valuable operational data to a secure, cloud-based data portal, a scalable and cost-effective infrastructure, and user-defined alert notifications.

The Vapor Sentinel New Construction System starts with qualified designs generated by NRPP credentialed staff and utilizes the following components: Vapor Mat – gas-permeable layer that can eliminate the need for aggregate backfill, Vapor Barrier –comes in a variety of thicknesses, and exhaust ventilation piping that can either provide a passive discharge solution or be activated by a blower.

Don’t roll the dice on your mitigation system performance! Vapor Sentinel can provide you with an efficient and economical solution to reducing your liability and adding certainty to your vapor mitigation project sites.

Learn more about Vapor Sentinel Solutions for your projects.

Vapor Sentinel Remote Monitoring
Vapor Sentinel Remote Monitoring
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Podcasts

How to Support Lung Cancer Awareness & Amplify the Radon Message

Episode 1: How to Support Lung Cancer Awareness and Amplify the Radon Message

With lung cancer survivor and Founder of Breath of Hope Kentucky, Lindi Campbell
how-to-support-lung-cancer-awareness-and-amplify-the-radon-message-podcast-lindi-campbell
Episode 1: How to Support Lung Cancer Awareness & Amplify the Radon Message with Lindi Campbell by Protect Environmental
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  • Episode 1: How to Support Lung Cancer Awareness & Amplify the Radon Message with Lindi Campbell

Show Notes:

In the first episode of The Green Scene Podcast, Kyle Hoylman and Lindi Campbell discuss how to support lung cancer awareness in Kentucky to erase the lung cancer stigma and amplify the radon message.

Lindi is a lung cancer survivor and founder of Breath of Hope Kentucky, a local non-profit and a source of community for others diagnosed. The organization supports local lung cancer research initiatives to increase lung cancer survival statistics. Lindi invites others to join the fight against lung cancer by spreading awareness and erasing the lung cancer stigma.

The Importance of Radon Awareness

Radon gas is responsible for the deaths of more than 21,000 Americans every year. 500 of them in Kentucky alone. Kyle and Lindi discuss how lung cancer survivors and radon industry professionals can work together to amplify the radon message. A message that is critical to supporting lung cancer awareness initiatives – that anyone with lungs can get lung cancer. Radon being the leading cause of the disease among non-smokers

The lung cancer stigma negatively impacts the lives of those diagnosed. Others often assume that the victim smoked or lived a lifestyle that led to their diagnosis. Proper lung cancer testing is often not available to those classified as non-smokers because of the stigma that lung cancer is only a possibility with a history of smoking.

By amplifying the radon message, others can support lung cancer awareness and end the lung cancer stigma. Kyle and Lindi encourage others to join in the work to save lives by increasing awareness of the importance of early detection and prevention for everyone, even those who do not smoke.

“Our stories can provide hope, we are the breath of hope.”
Lindi Campbell
LUNG CANCER SURVIVOR AND FOUNDER OF BREATH OF HOPE KENTUCKY

Key Take-Aways:

  • The facts about radon gas. 
  • How Breath of Hope Kentucky is amplifying the message about the health risks of radon as the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
  • How the radon message can be applied by policymakers to implement policies that protect occupants from radon exposure.
  • Lindi defines the lung cancer stigma and how it affects those who are diagnosed.
  • What Breath of Hope Kentucky is doing as an organization to overcome the lung cancer stigma.
  • How spreading awareness about the dangers of radon exposure can help end the stigma of lung cancer. 
  • How the community and radon professionals can support lung cancer survivors. 
  • Lindi shares what’s in store for Breath of Hope Kentucky and how lung cancer survivor stories give hope to keep fighting. 

Links:

Listen to The Green Scene Podcast of our streaming platforms.

Apple Spotify Google Podcast

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Learn More About Lindi's Story
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Blog Video

Leah Phillips’ Lung Cancer Survivor Story

I have lived in Louisville, Kentucky most of my life. For the last 10 years, I made managing my health a priority. I never smoked a day in my life. I exercise most days. I eat right. I have a yearly physical, mammogram, blood work, wear sunscreen, and basically do my best to be as healthy as possible. I am a busy mom to 3 children and loving my life and, bam…I am hit with this most unlikely diagnosis.

My journey with lung cancer began like many other stories I have read…with a misdiagnosis. A persistent cough in October 2019 led to a chest x-ray and an eventual diagnosis of pneumonia.  After 2 rounds of antibiotics that were not effective, doctors ordered a chest CT scan and diagnosed me with Antibiotic Resistant Pneumonia.  I was admitted to the hospital with 2 IV antibiotics and a bronchoscopy was performed by a Pulmonologist and told the results were “normal.” After a 5 day stay, I was discharged from the hospital to recover.  

Time passed but my cough was still hanging around and I still just wasn’t feeling myself. I knew something wasn’t right.  Two weeks after returning home from the hospital I went back to my Primary Care Physician with worsening side pain. I received another chest X-ray, followed by a chest CT scan that showed lesions on my spine.  I was once again admitted to the hospital where I had a bone biopsy, a brain MRI, a chest tube inserted, and another bronchoscopy procedure.  

I spent 8 days in a hospital bed and test results revealed I had stage IV adenocarcinoma lung cancer. It was one week before Christmas and I was only 43 years old. To say this was a shock, is putting it lightly! Molecular testing results showed I have the EGFR exon 19 deletion mutation. EGFR mutations are most common in female nonsmokers with adenocarcinoma like me. The mutation can cause cells to grow out of control and lead to cancer as it did in my case.

On December 30th I started a targeted therapy drug called Tagrisso known to show successful results in slowing down, reversing, and even eliminating some of the cancer due to this mutation. It is not a cure, as there is currently no cure for stage 4 lung cancer, but it is the best line of treatment for my type of mutation and I am fortunate to have access to this line of targeted treatment. It is not without its share of side effects that are sometimes challenging to deal with, but I know this little pill I take every day is saving my life. However, it is a constant reminder that I have cancer.

Since January 2, 2020, I have been traveling back and forth between my Oncologist in Louisville and Oncologist Dr. Horn at Vanderbilt who is an expert in the type of cancer I have.

The second leading cause of lung cancer is exposure to radon gas and Dr. Horn believes this is most likely the cause of my lung cancer since I have never smoked. Looking back, we did have slightly elevated radon at our house we moved out of 3 years prior to my diagnosis, but I cannot pinpoint any other times I may have been exposed. It is important that people understand the danger of this radioactive gas and have their homes tested for radon. I never in a million years would have expected to receive this diagnosis and if I can help others understand that anyone can get lung cancer, I want to be able to generate that awareness with my story.

I am fighting, I am remaining positive, and I am living my best life one day at a time.

Leah is a part of the organization, Breath of Hope KY. Learn more about this organization.

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Blog Video

Chasity Harney’s Lung Cancer Survivor Story

I was born and raised in Kentucky where I currently live with my husband and our three children.  Never in a million years would I have believed I could get lung cancer because there is no history of the disease in my family and I have never smoked.

One day, while teaching at my school, I had a sharp pain in my chest radiating around to my back that would not go away. I was concerned enough to see my doctor the next day and was relieved when she made the decision to order a CT scan. Thankfully, that one occurrence alarmed me enough to see my doctor right away because I had not experienced any other symptoms and I never felt that original pain again.

As a result of the images on the chest scan and some additional tests, on October 9, 2018, I was diagnosed with stage 3c adenocarcinoma NSCLC just two weeks shy of my 41st birthday. I had 2 tumors in my upper left lobe and 11 lymph nodes that were cancerous.  Initially, I felt numb when we first heard this news. I hurt for my husband and my 3 children and experienced lots of fear not knowing what my future would look like.

Shortly after my diagnosis, we received the news that I tested positive for the EGFR mutation. I soon learned that having this mutation made me a candidate for targeted therapy. I had six weeks of chemo, 30 rounds of radiation, a lobectomy to remove the upper lobe of my left lung, a wedge resection to remove a nodule in the bottom left lobe, 5 pinpoint radiation treatments on my left and right lung, and currently, I am on the targeted therapy pill Tagrisso (80) mg. Throughout this process, I experienced what I would describe as a feeling similar to grief.  I mourned for my old life…before the cancer. As a family, we were lost.

Over time as I healed from the initial surgery and have had a chance to process our new reality, I realized I wanted to do more to raise awareness about this disease. I hope to help others understand that lung cancer is not a smoker’s disease, it can happen to anyone, even if you have never smoked.  I also hope by sharing my story people who read this will listen to their body and seek medical attention when something doesn’t seem right. You never know when your body’s pain or discomfort is an underlying sign of something more serious.

Kentucky may rank # 1 in lung cancer cases and deaths, but don’t be so quick to assume it is because of smoking.  My story is proof that if you have lungs…you can get lung cancer. I can’t say for certain what caused the damage in my lungs to develop into cancer but after I was diagnosed, we had our home tested for radon. We made the decision to put in a mitigation system when the radon readings were 8.0 pCi/L, twice the measurement of what is considered a health risk.  I was also exposed to a lot of dust and particles in the air when the school I taught in for 17 years was torn down and the air of our new school was temporarily filled with the overflow of unclean air.

I would advise anyone who is newly diagnosed to try and stay calm and don’t panic. It’s important not to rush into any treatment before seeking a second or even a third opinion. I was eager to get treatment started so I initially did not get a second opinion. I first did chemo and radiation close to home then went to The James Center in Columbus Ohio to a lung specialist and thoracic surgeon. I am currently still being treated by those same doctors at The James Center in Columbus.  If I had to do it over, I believe I would have sought out a second opinion before rushing into treatment.

A cancer diagnosis is devastating. My whole entire family has learned never to take one day for granted. We live in the present, not looking at the past or future. God continues to give me strength and endurance daily to be the wife and mom I need to be.

Chasity is a part of the organization, Breath of Hope KY. Learn more about the organization.

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Blog Video

Lindi Campbell’s Lung Cancer Survivor Story

In December 2015, I was only 51 when a spot was discovered on the lower lobe of my right lung. I have never used tobacco products, was a very healthy eater and regular exerciser. The nodule was found initially on a routine x-ray by my Primary Care Physician. A CT scan, a PET scan, and numerous follow-up CT scans over a period of 18 months showed some growth, but the reason for the growth was still inconclusive. Lung cancer seemed out of the realm of possibility due to my health history.

When the nodule reached the size of 2.4 cm a biopsy was scheduled to determine if the spot was cancerous. Initially, much to my relief, the results came back showing no signs of cancer. We would later learn that biopsies do not always rule out cancer. After treating the growth in my lung over several months for a possible fungus with no success, I was advised to have it removed without delay and surgery was immediately scheduled within weeks.

The firm advice to proceed with surgery most likely is the key factor in catching it before it had spread. No one could fathom that it would be cancer. A wedge resection surgery was scheduled in December 2017 to remove the unidentified growth. However, during surgery, pathology revealed cancer.

A thoracotomy was performed immediately to remove two lobes of my right lung to ensure all of the cancer was gone. The final pathology report indicated two types of cancer, Adenocarcinoma and Squamous cell carcinoma. This rare form takes on a name of its own, Adenosquamous Carcinoma. According to the American Journal of Clinical Pathology, this type of cancer exists in 0.4% to 4% of cases. My cancer, although very rare, had not spread to the lymph nodes and was stage 1. My survival prognosis was considered to be very good. Unfortunately, only 16% of people will be diagnosed in the earliest stages like me, when the disease is most treatable.

After a year and a half of clean scans post-surgery, a few new spots began to appear in my left lung. We continued to follow the growth of these nodules until one in the lower portion of the lung had grown enough (8 mm) to warrant removal for further testing.  In May 2020 a wedge resection was scheduled to examine the growth. It too was cancer. Molecular testing of the tissue revealed I have a genetic mutation called EGFR exon 19 deletion that is driving the cancer in my lungs. I am now on a targeted therapy drug called Osemertinib to intercept the work of the mutation and help prevent future recurrences. I will be on this medicine until it stops working or until there is a better option. Our hope is the cancer does not ever return or spread outside of my lungs. I am very grateful for my health at this time and for the hope research and medicine provide lung cancer survivors, but there is still so much work to be done to increase survival statistics of this number one cancer killer.

Learn about Lindi’s organization, Breath of Hope KY.

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Blog

Computing for COVID-19

Protect Environmental cares about the health and safety of its community and has recently signed up to host a node to support the efforts of a parallel computing Coronavirus research initiative.

Rosetta@Home is a distributed computing project that engages community involvement by utilizing volunteered computer space to speed up and extend research being conducted on existing biomolecules, including coronavirus proteins, as well as designing new proteins. Rosetta’s Computing for COVID project supports the research necessary to create medicines and vaccines as potential cures for the coronavirus.

How it works: a computing grid uses distributed computer resources to reach a common goal. These computers work together by assigning certain tasks and projects to millions of different nodes hosted on thousands of different servers.

“In a project of this scale, there are millions of large servers hosting thousands of nodes each. We are hosting just a tiny node in a huge effort. This is the largest amount of multi-organizational computing effort that has ever been unleashed to solve a problem in history, and we are excited to be even a small part of it.”

– Kyle Hoylman, Managing Partner of Protect Environmental

The Institute for Protein Design: University of Washington’s Baker Lab actively utilizes volunteered nodes for seven key projects, which are believed to have an immediate impact on containing COVID-19. You can read more about these projects individually by following the links below or by visiting the Institute for Protein Design’s website: Coronavirus Response. 

Protect Environmental supports the University of Washington’s Baker Lab and the research they are doing to fight the coronavirus. By participating in the Computing for COVID project, we believe we are doing a small part to help our community press on toward discovering an effective solution.  

To learn how you can be a part of the Rosetta@Home project Computing for COVID, visit their websites, consider giving online toward their research efforts, and share about the work they are doing. When we all band together, each contributing even in a small way, the impossible can be made possible. 

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