The 2018 ICHMET conference will be held at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education and present highly diverse content in research areas ranging from the environmental impact of manufactured nanoparticles to the bioavailability of trace elements and radionuclides in the environment.

Dr. Nicholas Basta, a professor of Soil and Environmental Chemistry at the Ohio State University, will present the findings of his research study on ECOBOND in a session titled: “Bioaccessibility and Extractability of Ecobond LBP Lead Defender Treated Lead-Based Paint.”

In June 2017, ECOBOND Paint LLC entered into an agreement with Dr.  Basta regarding the dangers of lead in the environment. The purpose for this program was to allow for a rigorous independent University validation of the positive effects of ECOBOND Lead Defender (ELD) on lead dust and lead paint hazards found commonly throughout the U.S. and especially in high urban population centers. 

Recently the World Health Organization (WHO) reported: “The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) has estimated that, based on 2015 data, lead exposure accounted for 494,550 deaths and loss of 9.3 million Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) due to long-term effects on health.”

Dr. Basta’s research program is focused on risk-based in-situ remediation of metal contaminated sites and development/application of lab methods to evaluate the ability of soil treatments to reduce exposure (bioavailability, mobility) (for the last 20y). The research program is internationally known for its development and application of inexpensive in vitro gastrointestinal methods that are acceptable to USEPA for evaluating bioavailability (human and eco) in contaminated soil.

Dr. Bastia’s ECOBOND testing included following EPA test methods for:

• IVBA – In Vitro bioaccessibility. (This test is to simulate human ingestion);
• TCLP – Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure. (This test is to test for hazardous material);
• SPLP -Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure. (This test is to simulate affects from acid rain);
• WEXT – a de-ionized water extraction test. (This test is to test for effects of water).

“ECOBOND is the premier provider of environmental products focused on protecting human health from the dangers of lead and receiving the results from this research study from Ohio State University, validates the effectiveness of our patented a Lead Contaminated Surface Treatment (LCST), ECOBOND Lead Defender,” said James M. Barthel, creator of ECOBOND Lead Defender. “This treatment effectively treats, and seals lead-contaminated surfaces; thereby mitigating the potential for lead exposure hazards to humans and the environment. The challenge we faced when researching this solution was that a Lead Contaminated Surface Treatment (LCST) must seal lead contamination on surfaces as well as facilitate treatment of the underlying lead.”