Investigators find 11 children working 'dangerous' overnight cleaning shift in meat processing plant

A cleaning company has been fined $171,000 after federal investigators found 11 children working a "dangerous" overnight shift at a meat processing plant in Iowa.

The U.S. Labor Department said in a statement that it found the children working for sanitation company Qvest LLC at the Seaboard Triumph Foods pork factory in Sioux City, Iowa.

The children were employed to "use corrosive cleaners to clean head splitters, jaw pullers, bandsaws, neck clippers and other equipment at the Seaboard Triumph Foods facility from at least September 2019 through September 2023," the statement said.

It is illegal under U.S. law for anyone younger than 18 to work in meat processing. Qvest must pay the fine and not engage in "oppressive child labor," as per a court filing in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa.

More at source: NBC News

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Cleaners at Charlotte airport, an American Airlines hub, go on strike during Thanksgiving travel week

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Workers who clean airplanes, remove trash and help with wheelchairs at Charlotte’s airport, one of the nation’s busiest, went on strike Monday during a busy week of holiday travel to demand higher wages.

The Service Employees International Union announced the strike in a statement early Monday, saying the workers would demand “an end to poverty wages and respect on the job during the holiday travel season.” The strike was expected to last 24 hours, said union spokesperson Sean Keady.

Employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services cast ballots Friday to authorize the work stoppage at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a hub for American Airlines. The two companies contract with American, one of the world’s biggest carriers, to provide services such as cleaning airplane interiors, removing trash and escorting passengers in wheelchairs.

More at source: WPTF

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Sparkoz Introduces New AI Model for Intelligent Robotic Cleaning

Sparkoz Introduces New AI Model for Intelligent Robotic Cleaning, Empowering Sparkoz Robots with Scene Understanding and Autonomous Decision-Making

PLANO, Texas, Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Sparkoz Technology Corporation, a global leader in intelligent cleaning solutions, proudly announces the integration of a revolutionary new AI model across its entire range of robots. This cutting-edge technology enables Sparkoz robots to analyze scenes, make autonomous decisions, and execute tasks with unprecedented precision and efficiency.

"Our new AI model transforms all Sparkoz robots into more than just machines—they are now intelligent assistants capable of understanding and adapting to their environments," says Danny Cui, Founder and President of Sparkoz Technology Corporation. "This advancement redefines what businesses can expect from commercial cleaning robots."

AI-Powered Scene Understanding: How It Works

Equipped with advanced sensors and the newly integrated AI model, Sparkoz robots process environmental data to generate actionable insights and adapt operations in real time.

• Adapting to Environmental Changes: Sparkoz robots identify dynamic changes in their surroundings, such as detecting muddy footprints, and autonomously switch to a powerful cleaning mode without requiring manual input.
  
  
• Task Management: The robots intelligently prioritize and adjust tasks based on changing conditions. For instance, they identify crowded areas, such as busy supermarket checkouts, and strategically delay cleaning to avoid disruption, resuming operations once the space is clear.
  
  
• Communication and Collaboration: Sparkoz robots seamlessly collaborate with human teams by providing real-time updates. For example, they can notify staff of spills or misplaced items, suggest actions, and coordinate cleanup efforts for enhanced safety and productivity.

Benefits for Businesses

With the integration of this AI model, Sparkoz's autonomous floor scrubber delivers:

• Autonomous Decision-Making: Reduced human intervention for routine tasks.
• Enhanced Productivity: Real-time adjustments to optimize cleaning efficiency.
• Improved Usability: Simplified operations through intelligent alerts and feedback systems.

Interactive Demonstration at the Exhibition

To highlight the transformative capabilities of this new AI, Sparkoz invites attendees to a live demonstration. Guests can interact with Sparkoz robots and witness how they analyze scenes, make decisions, and adapt actions to their environment.

"Imagine a robotic assistant that not only cleans efficiently but also communicates intelligently, adapts to complex scenarios, and enhances operational workflows," adds Danny. "This is the future of robotic cleaning, and Sparkoz is proud to lead the way."

About Sparkoz Technology Corporation

Sparkoz designs and builds the world's most intelligent floor-cleaning robots using proprietary software and hardware patents. Proven effective in airports, supermarkets, retail spaces, and many other properties seeking innovative cleaning solutions to increase productivity.

More at the source: Sparkoz

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Global Cleaning Robot Market Set For 25.2% Growth, Reaching $34.86 Billion By 2028

Cleaning Robot Global Market Report 2024 – Market Size, Trends, And Global Forecast 2024-2033

The Business Research Company's Global Cleaning Robot Market Set For 25.2% Growth, Reaching $34.86 Billion By 2028

It will grow to $34.86 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.2%.”

— The Business Research Company

LONDON, GREATER LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, November 6, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Business Research Company’s Early Year-End Sale! Get up to 30% off detailed market research reports—limited time only!

The cleaning robot market is witnessing exponential growth, expected to rise from $11.44 billion in 2023 to $14.2 billion in 2024, achieving a staggering CAGR of 24.2%. This growth is driven by rising labor costs, a growing demand for automation, heightened awareness of hygiene, increased commercial and industrial cleaning needs, and the adoption of smart home and IoT-enabled devices.

What Is the Projected Market Size of the Global Cleaning Robot Market and Its Growth Rate?

The market is projected to experience exponential growth, reaching $34.86 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of 25.2%. This growth is driven by market penetration in emerging economies, urbanization, the expansion of e-commerce and warehouse automation, increased adoption in the hospitality and retail sectors, and rising demand for disinfection and sterilization robots in healthcare. Trends expected during this period include advancements in UV-C and disinfection technologies, AI-powered navigation and mapping, integration with smart home ecosystems, edge cleaning capabilities, and the adoption of swappable cleaning attachments.

More at source: Newswires

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EPA announces tougher rules to protect children from lead paint exposure

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two weeks after setting a nationwide deadline for removal of lead pipes, the Biden administration is imposing strict new limits on dust from lead-based paint in older homes and child-care facilities.

A final rule announced Thursday by the Environmental Protection Agency sets limits on lead dust on floors and window sills in pre-1978 residences and child-care facilities to levels so low they cannot be detected.

Paint that contains lead was banned in 1978, but more than 30 million American homes are believed to still contain it, including nearly 4 million homes where children under the age of 6 live. Lead paint can chip off when it deteriorates or is disturbed, especially during home remodeling or renovation.

“There is no safe level of lead,” said Michal Freedhoff, EPA’s assistant administrator for chemical safety and pollution prevention. The new rule will bring the United States “closer to eradicating lead-based paint hazards from homes and child care facilities once and for all,” she said.

More at the source: PBS

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Thousands of cleaning supplies may contain substances linked to health problems

CNN — When you go through the chore of cleaning your home, you hope the end result is a safer, healthier environment for you and your loved ones. But some of the products you are using might put your health at risk.

“Many people assume that when you’re buying something on the shelf or if it’s for sale in a store, that there’s no risk to it or they know exactly what they’re getting,” said Tasha Stoiber, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit organization that researches and advocates for safer products. “That just isn’t the case.”

On the American market, the EWG has found that more than 2,000 cleaning supplies may contain substances linked to health problems including asthma, chemical burns and cancer risks.

It can be hard to tell exactly what is safe and what is not when shopping at the store. This is especially true with the prevalence of “greenwashing,” or when companies utilize tactics in their product labeling or marketing to appear more natural and environmentally safe, said Jennie Romer, the deputy assistant administrator for pollution prevention at the US Environmental Protection Agency.

More at the source: CNN

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Hurricane Milton - More Than 3 Million Homes Without Power As Storm Moves Past Florida East Coast

More than 3 million homes and businesses are without power early on Thursday after Hurricane Milton weakened to category 1 storm as it moved through central Florida after spawning multiple tornadoes and flash floods along the state’s Gulf Coast.

4 a.m. EDT, Oct 10 — Almost a million more customers have lost power across Florida in the last few hours with the total number of homes and businesses facing outages crossing 3 million on PowerOutage.US.

2:15 a.m. EDT, Oct 10 — A large crane collapsed and smashed into the side of a building in downtown St. Petersburg, the Tampa Bay Times reported, adding that the incident occurred near the newspaper’s main office and smoke was billowing out of the affected building.

More at source: Forbes

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Red Cross Responds Across Massive Area as Full Picture of Helene’s Horrific Devastation Slowly Comes to Light

Donations urged to help people affected by Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene is one of the deadliest storms to ever hit the United States, leaving behind hundreds of miles of catastrophic damage and changing lives forever. The American Red Cross has launched a massive response to ensure no one faces this challenging time alone.

Across the Southeast, hundreds of people are still missing, and damaged roads and bridges have cut off entire communities, making it difficult to get help to those areas. People need water, food, medicine and medical care. Tens of thousands of homes have been affected and some 1.3 million customers — about 4 million people — are still without power.

“With massive relief efforts underway in response to Hurricane Helene, we are working around the clock to help people and communities devastatingly impacted by this storm’s path of destruction,” said Trevor Riggen, president of Red Cross Humanitarian Services. “Our hearts go out to all those who have been affected, and we want you to know that you are not alone. The Red Cross and our partners will be there to provide shelter, food and comfort in the days, weeks and months ahead.”

RED CROSS RESPONSE More than 1,200 Red Cross disaster responders from across the country are helping people across the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida.

The Red Cross is managing shelters where residents can get hot meals and emotional support. In these same areas, emergency response vehicles — deployed from every state — are on the roads providing meals and critical supplies as families begin to clean up their homes. In the Carolinas, we’re working with state taskforces to coordinate feeding efforts to help ensure communities are getting the help they need. And in Florida, the Red Cross is helping to assess residential damage.

More at source: American Red Cross

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COVID-19 remained at 'very high' activity levels across the US: See latest data

The most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that last month nearly half of the United States have reported "very high" levels of COVID-19 activity.

As concerns with COVID have waned across the U.S., the CDC has come to rely on wastewater data to track the virus, which often lags several weeks behind current case counts.

Data collected between Aug. 25 and Aug. 31 by the CDC showed that 23 states have reported "very high" levels of wastewater viral activity nationwide. The data was published on Sept. 5.

Here are the overall numbers of the states and territories that have reported wastewater viral activity levels as of Aug. 31.

More at source: USA Today

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Parents concerned over dirty bathrooms - Janitorial Shortage at School

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Parents at Rancho Del Rey Middle School in Chula Vista are raising concerns about a lack of janitorial staff and the condition of the bathrooms students have been using since the start of the school year.

“There’s been no custodian and no janitor since the beginning of year,” said concerned parent, Arthur Loewy.

More at source: Fox 5 San Diego

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