Member Blog: Glove Fit – Too Loose, Too Tight, or Just Right?

by Justine Charneau, Eagle Protect

While everyone has heard the saying, “…fits like a glove,” disposable glove wearers don’t always adhere to the literal meaning behind this popular phrase – especially in the cannabis industry. This is part and parcel of the problem, particularly when companies routinely buy only one type of glove, in one or two sizes, for the entire staff to wear. That may make for a much easier purchasing decision, but it’s capable of putting cannabis workers’ hand health – and even job place safety – at risk. Because of the highly tactile nature of work in the cannabis industry, worker productivity is best enhanced with better-fitting gloves that need to be changed less often.

Aside from offering workforces a supply of gloves in various thicknesses and sizes, which seems like a logical solution, what other factors come into play with regard to finding a proper glove fit? As it turns out, quite a bit.

Sizing Up the Supply

While many employees are aware of the different types of disposable gloves, the majority of workers have never laid eyes on a glove-sizing chart. When ordering supplies, it’s advisable to start with the specific glove sizes that have worked for staff, while sampling several others to offer a wide variety. Hand-related safety risks in the cannabis industry include the potential for cuts, pinches, and even sprains.

The Downside of Ill-Fitting Gloves

Neglecting a proper fit can easily lead to work-related disorders in the cannabis industry. These include occupational skin diseases (OSDs) like dermatitis, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) caused by repetitive tasks that can strain the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessel damage, and the biggest risk of all – partial contamination. Ill-fitting gloves, such as the excess material in a size too large, can catch, snag, and tear. Frequently ripped gloves increase costs, while ill-fitting gloves also leave the wearer with less tactility, reducing worker productivity and efficiency.

Glove Preferences by Type

Disposable gloves come in several different varieties, of which the tactility and durability are directly related to the quality of their raw materials and ingredients. The optimal glove type for cannabis-related work is nitrile, due to their enhanced strength, durability, and puncture resistance. They also offer some of the best protection against chemicals, bacteria, and fungi.

Conduct a Trial Run

Many purchasers are unaware that reputable glove suppliers will often offer a free trial of samples, both of varying thickness, colors, and sizes, in order for individual workers to determine the best glove for their needs. An ordering process that takes into account the needs, safety, and risk factors associated with every staff member’s needs is an essential consideration for every cannabis grow operation.

Before you place your next bulk glove order, do a little research to determine what factors are at stake for the fit, comfort, and safety of your workforce. A great place to start would be Eagle Protect’s comprehensive Disposable Glove Buying Guide.

Justine Charneau is the head of cannabis industry sales at Eagle Protect, a disposable glove supplier dedicated to the responsible sourcing of quality products that ensure customer safety and impact reduction, ultimately mitigating customers’ risk. Eagle Protect is the only global PPE supplier that is a Certified B Corporation, a designation that a business has met the highest standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency. She can be reached at justine@eagleprotect.com

Member Blog: What Growers Should Know About Hop Latent Viroid

by Angel Fernandez, María Zuccarelli, and María de Catarina, MyFloraDNA

For many years, growers and breeders have speculated why “dud plants” are seen across different cannabis crops.

It is a fact that cannabis has faced many viral infections. Due to viruses and viroids, some varieties mutated into genetic changes over time, altering the evolution of the plant.

But… how can we detect Hop Latent Viroid (HLV)?

Hop Latent Viroid (commonly known as Dudding Disease) is a single-stranded, circular infectious RNA. It is not a virus. Let us explain the difference:

Viroids only replicate in plants. Also, viruses are more complex than viroids. Viroids are compounded by only RNA, while viruses are composed of a protein capsule enveloping their genetic material.

Viruses infect new hosts only once they enter a host and replicate on it. Viroids are transmitted through direct contact of a healthy plant with an infected one. Also, can be transmitted by contaminated tools and instruments (gloves, scissors, tweezers, even human hands).

Talking about HLV, we must remember that this viroid is latent, so there are many asymptomatic transmissions. It can spread without symptoms, and you will only realize it when it is too late.

HLV Symptoms:

HLV is a silent viroid, meaning that this viroid may or may not show early visual clues from its presence. Some physical symptoms in cannabis plants are:

What about transmission?

This issue is important, so please take note. If you have any doubts about an infection of Hop Latent Viroid in your garden, TREAT EVERYTHING AS IF IT IS INFECTED. Download here our guide on how to treat infected material.

HLV and other viroids in your garden or greenhouse can spread quickly from infected to healthy plants. The main transmission causes are:

Infected equipment: sterilize the equipment before working on new plants to reduce the possibility of contamination.
Clones: before cutting, we recommend doing a complete pathogen test, to avoid infected clones.
Seeds: this is currently under research, but HLV has an 8% chance of being present in the seeds of an infected mother plant.
Human touch: cultivation managers and staff have to sterilize their hands and gloves before jumping from one plant to another. A simple touch is enough to transmit HLV.
Bugs and pests: bugs and pests are always present, and their bites may transmit HLV, spreading the pathogen through your entire garden in a blink of an eye.

How can you prevent HLV?

Here are some essential tips:

Keep your equipment clean. You can read more about how to sterilize your tools on our Instagram profile.
Make sure you have pests under control
Tissue culture: HLV can travel through the plant’s vascular system and may be left behind in older tissues as plants develop. It can outgrow the problem by producing clones from the infected plant. The more cuttings a grower roots, the higher the chances of selecting a clean one.
Pay special attention when visits come by: HLV may come in a visitor’s hand, glove, or even shoes!
When a plant or leaf enters, please do not accept it unless it has a negative DNA HLV test. It is the only way you can be sure it is not a threat to your garden.

Who asks if you think HLV may be in your garden?

Thank you for reading! We hope you find this information useful. In case of any doubts, do not hesitate to ask us regarding any related topic and download our Complete HLV Guide here. We highly recommend you consult with DNA Laboratory. They will guide you through the process, test your plants, and let you know if they are infected with HLV or not.

Angel Fernandez, CEO & Co-Founder at MyFloraDNA. “It is time to fill in the gap between DNA Sciences and Agriculture. MyFloraDNA is willing to show the huge opportunities that exist for modern genetics in agriculture. Now, it is time for another agricultural revolution”

Co-author: María Zuccarelli, CMO at MyFloraDNA.
Editor: María de Catarina, PR Intern at MyFloraDNA.

About MyFloraDNA: We are a genomic laboratory based in Woodland California, delivering modern genomics for the Cannabis Industry.

Our services include Trait detection (cannabinoid profile and sex/gender ID), Pathogen Detection, and Genetic Validation Services. We offer breakthrough solutions using the inner power of your plants.

Member Blog: PPE and Staff Efficiencies – How Much Do the Quality of Your Disposable Gloves Matter?

by Justine Charneau, Eagle Protect

Single-use nitrile gloves are a required necessity of personal PPE in the cannabis industry. But cheap, ill-fitting gloves can lead to workplace injuries, the most common of which include restricted hand mobility, occupational skin disease, and even reduced dexterity. Aside from promoting hygienic practices, quality gloves can reduce, limit, and even prevent repetitive motion stress injuries that can lead to further disorders and damage to the hands and fingers.

In the cannabis industry, problems such as cuts, pinches, and sprains occur during the intricate trimming actions undertaken during the harvesting and processing stages. These hand-related cultivation stages typically include wet trimming, dry trimming, and pre-harvest trimming. While it’s true that machine-based automated trimming is a faster option, some cannabis cultivation operations prefer hand trimming, which they believe produces more attractive-looking buds and flowers for the final presentation. Speaking strictly from a hygienic perspective, gloves offer and provide two-way protection – helping to prevent cross-contamination from user to product. But quality gloves also protect the wearer from dermal exposure to THC, fertilizing chemicals, and pesticides used in the growing process.

Below is a list of common disorders that the use of cheap disposable gloves can cause.

Occupational Skin Diseases (OSDs)

Occupational skin disease, such as dermatitis, is one of the most common non-trauma related occupational illnesses in the U.S. Just how common are these concerns? Each year, among all industries, approximately 1.8 million American workers suffer from OSD at a total annual cost of up to $2 billion. The hand is the most common site affected by OSD, and protective gloves were found to be the most common primary cause.

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs)

As noted, the cannabis cultivation process includes worker safety considerations to prevent injury from awkward posturing, as well as the excessive, repetitive effort necessary during the trimming process. These repetitive motions can lead to strains of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and even damage to blood vessels. These undesirable outcomes are all classified as work-related musculoskeletal disorders, or WMSDs. According to industry studies of on-the-job cannabis injuries, occurrences involving the fingers and hands happen with the most frequency. But these maladies aren’t just common in the cannabis industry. In the food industry, the median time away from work for repetitive-motion WMSDs associated with grasping, holding, carrying, or turning objects was 17 days. Considering all industries combined, $90 million in indirect costs (hiring, training, overtime, and administrative costs) are incurred annually in the U.S.

Other Common Hazards of Poor Quality Gloves

When cannabis cultivation operations select cheap disposable gloves over a more quality product, there are six primary hazards of concern. These include glove failures and inconsistencies such as ripping and tearing (a common complaint), glove contamination risk, glove waste/disposal costs, hand injuries, WMSDs, and even reduced productivity. At the heart of the issue is the inclusion of poor quality raw materials and cost-cutting in the manufacturing processes, both reducing the quality of products available to customers.

The primary cause of OSDs, WMSDs, and other common hazards related to the use of poor quality gloves is directly attributable to the raw materials used in the glove manufacturing processes. Simply put, cheap toxins and chemicals in gloves can leave users more susceptible to skin irritations and dermatitis. In many cases, because these raw materials are so poor, the manufacturer must produce thicker gloves to prevent ripping and tearing. But in the majority of cases, the increased thickness won’t make much of a difference, and leads to glove bulkiness and reduced flexibility, causing unnecessary muscle stress and strain among users.

What are the consequences of OSD and WMSD-related injuries? While the specific data isn’t as commonplace within the cannabis industry, workers in the food-handling industry with OSD take much longer periods to return to work than in other glove-wearing professions. It’s estimated that 40% of all worker’s compensation claims involve problems related to exposed skin. As much as 65% of those claims involve hands or upper extremities, with 25% of these workers affected missing up to 10-12 days of work annually. WMSDs account for one-third to one-half of all occupational injuries and illnesses and $15-20 billion in workers’ compensation costs each year.

Cannabis cultivation operations must put more thought and consideration into the gloves they purchase for their workforce. Rather than purchasing decisions based solely on pricing, disposable glove providers should be thoroughly vetted and reviewed. To reduce the risk of skin irritation, good quality gloves that meet the improved standards for low chemical and toxic exposure should be used. Due to the high quality of materials found in the new tech lightweight gloves, the wearer will find that they can be more durable than their thicker counterparts. In the end, the quality of glove you choose to purchase may end up saving you up-front costs but could wind up costing your product budget and staffing needs dearly on the back end.

Member Blog: Hard to Get – Why Disposable Gloves are Scarce and Pricey

by Steve Ardagh, founder and CEO of Eagle Protect

Disposable gloves are standard issue for the medical, food, and yes – cannabis industry. But thanks to COVID and subsequent disruptions in the supply chain, the market for procuring disposable gloves has gone from routine to challenging. In fact, the demand for quality disposable gloves has skyrocketed, more than doubling since the global pandemic’s arrival, thereby creating an unpredictable cycle of availability. Demand for single-use gloves is expected to continue increasing in the coming years, as the health and safety of workforces across multiple industries – including medical, food, and cannabis-related operations – are required and dependent upon their usage.

Let’s examine the factors that have made disposable gloves both scarce… and pricey, as of late.

Global Glove Origination

Approximately 99% of all disposable gloves are manufactured in southeast Asia, most notably Malaysia and Thailand. But for these regions, compared to the U.S., lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID infections has a much more literal meaning. The restricted movement, as well as outbreaks, led to output at 60% of its normal capacity. In addition, most experts agree that there’s clearly a shortage of workers – many of whom were immigrants affected by travel restrictions. It’s estimated that an additional 25,000 workers are needed to restore full production capacity.

Supply and Demand

As the demand for disposable gloves increased globally, it put added stress on manufacturers and the supply of raw materials, driving up prices tenfold compared to pre-COVID levels. Though glove costs have recently dropped, prices have not reached pre-COVID levels.

Cost of Gas

The raw materials of nitrile gloves are primarily petrochemical based, subject to the volatile price swings in the oil and gas industry. Combined with the tenfold increase in shipping costs, disposable glove prices are not likely to continue dropping.

Labor Violations

In the midst of this price spike, one of the top importers, Malaysia’s Top Glove, the world’s largest glove producer, was banned from importing gloves to the U.S. from July 2020 to September 2021, due to conclusive evidence of forced labor. However, this ban did not extend to other countries.

Knockoffs

When the pandemic nearly doubled the demand for disposable gloves and other PPE components, several new manufacturers with little to no industry experience, assisted by dealers with nothing more than a financial incentive, flooded the market with cheap, counterfeit, and reject-quality gloves. Spotting these unscrupulous suppliers can be done by looking for a few common signs, as they’re often given away by their offering of discount or wholesale pricing, especially in bulk. It’s estimated that the market has already absorbed an influx of gloves of a defective and dangerous quality.

Safeguarding Your Operation

Currently, poor quality gloves continue to flood the disposable-use market. In business, it’s human nature to seek the lowest price for inventory, but saving a little now may cost you dearly on the backend. Cost is obviously important, but consistent quality will keep you from having to replace gloves that rip and tear too easily. When sourcing disposable gloves, seek reputable suppliers – those who have a clear ownership origin, quality web presence and active social media accounts. Taking it a step further, you can inquire about factory audits and HACCP compliance certifications. The cannabis industry has already dealt with at least one recall due to glove contamination. And recalls can have negative financial and brand ramifications. Lastly, always remember when dealing with a new vendor – you can conduct your own product trial before ordering.

Steve Ardagh, “The Glove Guy,” is the founder and CEO of Eagle Protect, a disposable glove supplier dedicated to the responsible sourcing of quality products that ensure customer safety and impact reduction, ultimately mitigating customers’ risk. Eagle Protect is the only global PPE supplier that is a Certified B Corporation, a designation that a business has met the highest standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency. He can be reached at steve@eagleprotect.com.

Member Blog: “Food Safe” Gloves Cause Cannabis Recall

by Steve Ardagh, CEO of Eagle Protect

A pesticide-free cannabis producer and processor from Washington was recently forced to issue a recall after the chemical o-Phenylphenol (OPP), traced back to their “food safe” gloves, was found on its products. OPP, listed under California Proposition 65 as a chemical known to cause cancer, was found in the food-safe gloves they were using to handle their crop.

In a statement announcing the recall, the company said, “Nothing ruins your day like testing your product, confident it will be clean, only to find it contaminated with some crazy, toxic chemical. The gloves were the last thing we tested, we just never imagined something sold as food safe could transfer such nastiness. The discovery was just the beginning… recalls are costly in more ways than one.”

Why “food safe” gloves can cause a recall

After initial approval, non-sterile FDA compliant food grade gloves are not subject to ongoing controls to ensure the reliability and consistency of raw material ingredients or quality processes during manufacturing. Opportunity exists for glove manufacturers to use cheap raw materials which lower glove durability and can introduce toxic compounds, which can transfer not only to products handled but also to glove users.

Demand for lower costs from the end-user pressures glove manufacturers to sacrifice quality, and substitute other compounds to meet these demands. This can include increased levels of cyanide, fungicides, inexpensive phthalate plasticizers, or others on the Prop. 65 list of chemicals known to cause cancer.

Steve Ardagh, CEO of Eagle Protect, a specialist glove supplier explains, “People assume ‘food grade’ gloves are clean and toxin free, but that’s not necessarily the case. The actual FDA Compliance does not even require gloves to be tested clean or sanitary which surprises most people. Having tested 25 different brands of gloves, we’ve found everything from feces, fungicides, Staphylococcus, yeast, and mold,” says Ardagh, “due to putrid water sources and unhygienic manufacturing conditions.”

Recalls & brand reputational damage

Single-use gloves, even those FDA compliant, can be a risk to product recalls and brand reputation. Peer-reviewed scientific studies have identified harmful toxins and contaminants in and on single-use gloves. These “food handling” gloves pose risks for companies producing consumer products, especially in industries such as organics and cannabis whose products must be clean if tested.

Staff & consumer risks

In addition, staff wearing contaminated gloves are at risk of absorbing toxins, as are the consumers of products contaminated by gloves. The contaminants have often been identified as causing cancer, and reproductive and hormonal damage.

Mitigating glove contamination risks

Gloves are often purchased with little thought or foresight into their risks. Cost is commonly the determining factor in their procurement decision-making. However, sourcing gloves from established companies who partner directly with glove manufacturers to ensure consistent quality is essential for all cannabis companies. Gloves may seem trivial, but can cause fines up to $200,000, put consumers and staff at risk, and damage brand reputation.

This is especially important currently in the post-COVID world as the glove market is being flooded with counterfeit and reject quality gloves. The new glove suppliers, traders, and brokers who came into the COVID PPE space with little or no experience, with an intention to simply trade and make quick money, are now bailing out of their poor quality junk gloves and dumping them into the U.S. market. Consider the following before purchasing gloves:

Is your glove supplier reputable, with a long history of glove sourcing direct from the manufacturer and proven quality control processes in place?

Can your glove supplier ensure your glove quality is consistently high through documented factory audits, HACCP compliance certifications and quality processes?

Have you undergone a commercial trial of products prior to committing to purchasing to ensure glove quality is consistently high?

After establishing Eagle Protect as an industry leader in New Zealand, where the company supplies approximately 80% of the primary food processing industry, Steve Ardagh relocated with his family to the U.S. in January 2016 and launched Eagle Protect PBC. Steve brought with him Eagle’s values of providing products that are certified food safe, ethically sourced and environmentally better. Steve is driven to keep consumers safe, one high-quality disposable glove at a time, and has been instrumental in developing Eagle’s proprietary third-party Fingerprint Glove Analysis glove testing program.

Eagle Protect, the world’s only glove and PPE supplier to be a Certified B Corporation®. Eagle Protect supplies disposable gloves and protective clothing to the food processing, food service, cannabis, medical and dentistry sectors in both the U.S. and New Zealand.

Eagle is implementing a proprietary third-party glove analysis to ensure a range of their gloves are of consistent high-quality, and free from harmful contaminants, toxins, and pathogens.

Committee Blog: Best Practices Guide – Allergen Labeling

By Brandon Dorsky, The Law Offices of Brandon Dorsky
Member of NCIA’s Packaging and Labeling Committee

Determining which edible to consume is an art all by itself. Making that choice when you suffer from food allergies often makes the decision all the more challenging.

Despite the continued federal illegality of cannabis, cannabis products are still obligated to abide by federal labeling requirements regarding the disclosure and identification of the presence of common allergens, including tree nuts (such as coconut and almonds), peanuts, fish, shellfish, dairy, soy, eggs, and gluten. Labels often do identify the presence of those ingredients and sometimes even the traces thereof. Although companies are seemingly committed to following federal requirements, there is still a continued absence of additional, more specific information that could help individuals with allergies make better-informed decisions when selecting their edibles.

A commitment to providing more information in labeling of common allergens not only helps consumers but also has the propensity to battle the stigma of cannabis as an underground and unregulated industry by embracing more advanced self-regulation and increased transparency. Additional information promotes transparency in the production and packaging processes, and provides valuable information to the discerning customer in addition to promoting better business practices. With roughly one in 20 adults allergic to peanuts or tree nuts, at least 5% of purchasers are directly impacted by the information related to the presence and management of nuts in a manufacturing facility.

In the marketplace today, common label designations include “may contain traces of,” “produced in a facility that also processes” or “produced on equipment that also processes.” Rarely is more information provided. Even though broad strokes disclosures satisfy federal requirements and limit legal liability, they do not do much to inform consumers suffering from allergies who could eat something produced with care, but cannot safely or comfortably consume food products that may contain traces of. With anxiety and paranoia, a potential consequence of cannabis overconsumption, the availability of more information about the presence of allergens on a label could possibly cure or temper an unwarranted freakout. More detailed information could even help avoid emergency room visits and the related trauma and anxiety from experiencing allergic reactions or the vestiges of one. No one enjoys the associated trauma and paranoia of hives in their mouth or wheezing while under the influence of an edible because they ate something that may contain traces of and actually did contain traces of the allergen.

The “may contain traces of” designation is good for the edible manufacturer at discharging potential liability, but it does not do much for consumers that are actually allergic to the items beyond sending the signal that if they consume the product, there is a possibly a legally identifiable amount present within the edible that could potentially trigger a severe allergic reaction. The language provides little information as to why there may be traces of the allergen. For the affected consumer, the business practices used to segregate common allergens or otherwise avoid cross-contamination or contact is what is critical for determining the likelihood and magnitude of the risk of any potential contamination, and therefore the risk presented by the consumption of an edible. This language, while good for insulation from liability, is not informative as to how the traces may have occurred and has the potential to be misleading and deter purchasers that would not be deterred if the label were more accurate at disclosing where in the production chain a potential trace of contamination could have occurred.

Manufacturers currently provide notice if there are “traces of,” or if equipment or a facility contains a common allergen, but they could go further. Four potentially more informative versions of “may contain traces of” or “made on the same equipment as other items that include…” or “made in the same facility as items that include” are:

Produced in a facility, but on separate equipment,

Produced on equipment, that processes INSERT ALLERGEN(S), but using best/reasonable business practices to segregate allergens in the production and storage process.

Produced on equipment, that processes INSERT ALLERGEN(S) where the facility produces products containing allergens on different days than products not containing INSERT ALLERGEN(S).

Produced in a facility that processes INSERT ALLERGEN(S) where the facility produces products containing allergens on different days than products not containing INSERT ALLERGEN(S). All production machinery is cleaned between the productions of different types of edible products.

Cannabis edibles product manufacturers could lead the charge on providing more informative allergen disclosures by promoting the use of more descriptive labeling practices. While such a move may cost fractions of a penny in ink and packaging real estate, the goodwill it could buy is invaluable. The loyalty of the allergy afflicted consumer (and the purchasers who care for or care about them) should not be understated. If a little extra print turns one in 20 customers into a lifetime brand patron, it is probably worth the rub.

Brandon Dorsky helps clients navigate the constantly evolving global marketplace in a variety of industries, providing strategic, seasoned counsel to facilitate growth, mitigate risk and seize opportunity in the cannabis, fashion, music, entertainment and media industries. Through a wealth of experience, contacts, enthusiasm, and commitment, clients receive carefully tailored legal and consulting services to accelerate their business’s success.

Member Blog: Condensate Recapture for Cannabis Cultivation Facilities – Making Informed Decisions to Save Resources and Improve Efficiency

By Taylor Robinson – R&D Manager and Chief Chemist, Silver Bullet Water Treatment & Kyle Lisabeth – Director of Horticulture Business Development, Silver Bullet Water Treatment

Condensate capture for reuse is an intriguing new application within the controlled environment horticulture space. Addressing both environmental impacts and regulatory requirements, capturing and reusing condensate has many attractive benefits. However, several key questions have appeared surrounding the topic of condensate water capture and reuse applications that have slowed its adaptation in many facilities. In this article, we discuss common questions and concerns associated with condensate reuse and how each may be addressed with adequate, customized treatment processes.

Condensate water is generated by a number of processes within a controlled environment agriculture facility. Most commonly, dehumidification and HVAC systems are the primary sources of condensate water. The source of water and collection system plays a significant role in condensate water quality and associated concerns when considering reuse.

Why is collecting and reusing condensate water a good option?

Recycling available water streams reduces the amount of fresh water required and offsets associated costs.
Recycling minimizes discharges and waste. Coming regulations will require extensive discharge limits.
With adequate monitoring and treatment, risks may be greatly reduced, maximizing benefit.

Contamination – Don’t Let One Bad Apple Ruin the Bunch

In general, condensate water is low in Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)/Conductivity and is generally very clean. pH is typically low as carbon dioxide readily absorbs into solution (pH 5.5-6.5 range). Contaminates are easily introduced based on what the water contacts during collection and distribution. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and other organics can be absorbed and provide “food” for microbial proliferation – especially if the condensate is pooled and stored for extended periods. Metals leaching from dehumidification equipment and/or from dust/air pollutants also may accumulate. Identifying and managing emerging contaminates is crucial to successfully mitigate risk and maximize value when reusing condensate water.

Microbes and Organics

By themselves, most organics potentially found in condensate water pose little threat. However, organic (carbon-based) pesticides, foliar sprays, etc. have the potential to accumulate in exposed condensate water and could lead to downstream issues. Organics also provide a potential carbon source for various microbial populations to proliferate. This can create biosecurity challenges, plant disease and challenge existing water treatment processes. Microbes are ubiquitous in nature and although pathogens are presumed to make up less than 1% of the known microbial kingdom, contamination remains a threat. Airborne bacteria, viruses and fungal spores can be introduced to a condensate water system through its condenser plates. Microbial proliferation and the formation of biofilms on wetted surfaces downstream of dehumidification equipment can result in elevated levels of total and pathogenic microbes.

Heavy Metals

Heavy metals including lead, zinc, aluminum, and copper may be a concern if leaching from dehumidification equipment occurs. Soldered joints in copper tubing, for example, may introduce lead to condensate water. In that case, mechanical joints/brazed joints would be preferred. Aluminum, copper, and zinc may be stripped directly from metal surfaces as part of generalized corrosion. Even at relatively low levels, some metals, dissolved contaminates and other corrosion byproducts can bioaccumulate in plants resulting in compounded issues, including phytotoxic effects.

Water Treatment & Management

In many situations, the use of recaptured condensate water is a viable option to supplement make-up water demand and reduce waste discharge. Treatment prior to reuse is recommended to condition the condensate water to ensure water system stability over time and to prevent potential treatment and operational challenges that could otherwise arise.

Available treatment processes include Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) gas and UV for disinfection, adsorptive media for dissolved organics and various other filtration processes for metals and other contaminate removal. The extent and type of treatment varies based on specific water challenges and end goals.

Baseline and routine subsequent water testing and monitoring is key to maintain a proactive approach to water management. Integrating smart water management programs limits waste, improves logistics, saves money, protects the environment and allows for current and emerging regulatory compliance. Equally important is choosing the right technical partner to help develop and implement your smart water management program.

Taylor Robinson is the Research & Development Manager and Chief Chemist for Silver Bullet Water Treatment with expertise in molecular and cell biology, general water chemistry, microbiology, and industrial (oil and gas) water treatment and reuse processes/chemistries. For the past 4 years, Taylor has led, conceptualized, organized, and completed numerous Silver Bullet research and development projects related to water treatment for the livestock, cooling water, horticulture, aquaculture and data center industries. Taylor joined Silver Bullet in 2016 and has been a key contributor to the advancements in the company’s technology and research base.

With over 15 years’ experience, Kyle Lisabeth has been focused on improving water management programs across multiple industries, with a central focus of treating water for reuse applications. Kyle attended the University of Texas – Austin, and upon graduation with a BS in Biology and Environmental Sciences, gained years of international water management experience in both North and South America. Since establishing Silver Bullet’s Horticulture Division, Kyle has exponentially grown the business unit’s install base and cultivated a nationally known water treatment brand for many controlled environment agriculture applications, including cannabis.

Member Blog: What Growers Should Know About Hop Latent Viroid

HLV Symptoms:

What about transmission?

How can you prevent HLV?

Member Blog: PPE and Staff Efficiencies – How Much Do the Quality of Your Disposable Gloves Matter?