Previous Polls
September 14 - September 18, 2020
The Seattle Department of Transportation is considering whether to repair or replace the West Seattle Bridge (built in 1984) after serious cracking was found in March and emergency work went underway. What do you think the bridge’s fate will be?
September 14 - September 18, 2020
Chemists have reportedly developed a method to make or modify “smart bricks,” that they say can store energy until required for powering devices. The trick is a polymer coating. Do you think this technology will eventually be commonly used?
September 8 - September 11, 2020
Last month, a gas explosion in Northwest Baltimore killed two people and seriously injured at least seven others. While the cause is still unknown, reports have been documenting the city’s aging gas infrastructure, which was installed in the 1960s. Do you think that's the culprit?
September 8 - September 11, 2020
An industry professional in New York was recently sentenced to 24 months in prison for evading taxes on more than $420,000. Do you think that penalty was warranted?
August 31 - September 4, 2020
SSPC and NACE within the last month have announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement to merge as well as unveiling ad-hoc committees to assist in the details of the merger. In addition to this, the two announced a handful of virtual town hall meetings to take place over the next few weeks. Do you plan on attending a meeting?
August 24 - August 28, 2020
French President Emmanuel Macron has officially dropped the unpopular idea of building a modern spire atop a restored Notre Dame Cathedral. Do you think this was a wise decision?
August 24 - August 28, 2020
Last month, OSHA issued a compliance directive designed to ensure uniformity in inspection and enforcement procedures when addressing respirable crystalline silica exposures. Do you think this needed extra guidance for uniformity?
August 17 - August 21, 2020
A $100M fix was approved for San Francisco’s leaning, sinking high-rise Millennium Tower that involved drilling 52 concrete piles 30 feet into bedrock. Do you think this solution will work?
August 17 - August 21, 2020
Quarterly earnings reports were released late last month (including those from the top coatings companies such as Sherwin-Williams, PPG, AkzoNobel and RPM), with the first wave of COVID-19 impacts on revenue. How long do you think it will take for these top companies to recover?
August 10 - August 14, 2020
In July, the Titanium Dioxide Manufacturers Association and its member companies submitted an action to the General Court of the European Union seeking an annulment of its recent classification of TiO2 as a Category 1B carcinogen. Should the ruling be challenged?
August 10 - August 14, 2020
Last month, OSHA issued a directive that provided safety and health officers with guidance on how to enforce silica standard requirements. Do you think clarification on the enforcement of this rule was necessary?
August 3 - August 7, 2020
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have reportedly designed a new face mask that is designed to be easily sterilized and reused multiple times. While the mask is being made as a response to COVID-19, do you think the design will be popular in the paints/coatings industry as well?
August 3 - August 7, 2020
A U.S. District Judge recently ordered that details of an inspection and fix be provided for a $42 million privately funded segment of the U.S.-Mexico wall after the portion was found to be showing signs of erosion months after completion. Do you think we’ll see more erosion issues as border wall construction progresses?
July 27 - July 31, 2020
Nine states recently issued a brief to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, requesting a preliminary injunction that would halt the Environmental Protection Agency’s enforcement discretion policy. In regard to relaxing company compliance and monitoring requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic, do you think the EPA’s policy should be fought or approved?
July 27 - July 31, 2020
Researchers at Espoo, Finland-based Aalto University recently published findings about new potential uses for an armor-plated superhydrophobic material. Do you think the coatings have will one day benefit photovoltaics, among other applications?
July 20 - July 24, 2020
Last month, New York City began opening up nonessential construction sites as directed by the phased reopening of the state put forth by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Given current circumstances, do you think that the reopening occurred too soon, or should have happened sooner?
July 20 - July 24, 2020
Throughout May and June,researchers from Arizona State University and the EPA were looking at new approaches to monitoring SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. Do you think the practice will prove to be a faster indicator of an infected community verses current individual testing methods?
July 13 - July 17, 2020
In June, officials with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority announced that they would be cutting $371 million from Orlando International Airport’s South Terminal project in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Do you think the pandemic’s effect on air traffic will cause budget cuts on other commercial airport projects as well?
July 13 - July 17, 2020
Last month, researchers from the University of Houston announced that they had started using chitin and 3D-printing techniques to produce bulletproof coatings. Do you think the U.S. Department of Defense-funded project will successfully develop a coatings technology that will be capable of resisting various impact, lasers and simultaneously absorb toxic gas?
July 6 - July 10, 2020
Researchers from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, in Israel, recently announced that they were developing a novel surface coating aiming to “contain nanoparticles of safe metal ions and polymers with anti-viral and anti-microbial activity,” a route in combating the COVID-19 pandemic. How soon do you think a coating like this would be available to the public?
July 6 - July 10, 2020
In May, the WaterJet Technology Association announced that it had partnered with the Houston Area Safety Council to create a new field verification training and certification program for safe and standardized hydroblasting operations. Do you think the program will be more beneficial to professionals than WJTA’s mid-1980s reference: Industry Best Practices for the Use of High-Pressure Waterjetting Equipment?
June 29 - July 3, 2020
The United States Geological Survey released last month its first map of where the mineral pyrrhotite could occur in the nation. Pyrrhotite is a mineral that consists of iron and sulfur. When exposed to water and air, it can break down to form secondary minerals that expand and crack concrete, causing concrete structures to fail. Do you think the map will benefit future residential construction efforts?
June 29 - July 3, 2020
International research firm, Lux Research Inc. recently issued its report, “Analyzing the Technical Barriers to Realizing the Hyperloop,” which claims that the first passenger-carrying high-speed Hyperloop projects shouldn’t be expected to open until 2040—at the earliest. What timeframe estimate would you give the Hyperloop?
June 22 - June 26, 2020
In May, researchers from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology announced that they had developed a multilevel antimicrobial polymer (MAP-1) coating that they claim to be effective in killing viruses, bacteria and spores. How soon until you think the coating will be brought to the market?
June 22 - June 26, 2020
Recently, two lawmakers on the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee released two pieces of draft legislation that would authorize the investment of $19.5 billion in the nation’s water infrastructure. Do you think the legislation will have a positive impact on pending Army Corps projects and EPA-headed endeavors?
June 15 - June 19, 2020
Last month, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued further interim enforcement guidance on the reusing of disposable N95 filtering face piece respirators. Do you think the additional guidance has been beneficial to the industry?
June 15 - June 19, 2020
The United States Army Corps of Engineers recently announced a preliminary proposal of a $1.75 billion seawall around the lower Charleston Peninsula in South Carolina. Do you believe other U.S. coastal cities will begin to combat future flooding and rising sea levels with new infrastructure projects?
June 8 - June 12, 2020
The Sherwin-Williams Company recently announced the creation of its Pro Support Center, a website that the firm says is dedicate to tools and education resources for painting contractors and other professionals. Do you think this will be beneficial to industry professionals in the commercial sector?
June 8 - June 12, 2020
In May, President Donald J. Trump officially gave the order to senior adviser Jared Kushner and associated aides to seek cost estimates for coating the United States-Mexico border wall. Do you think coating the wall will be a benefit to the infrastructure?
June 1 - June 5, 2020
Recently, Boston Mayor Martin Walsh, along with city Chief Operations Officer Patrick Brophy, began rolling out guidelines for reopening construction projects in the city. Do you think these rules will be used to influence other cities and high-risk COVID-19 areas to reopen the industry?
June 1 - June 5, 2020
The Natural Resources Defense Council, along with its partners, announced last month that it had filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers over redefining Navigable Waters Protection Rule. Although the redefinition wouldn’t go into effect until June 22, do you think the suit will successfully postpone the change?
May 25 - May 29, 2020
University of Central Florida researchers were recently reported to be working on a protective coating that would specifically target and kill the COVID-19 virus. If created, do you think the coating will be available to the public before or after there is a cure?
May 25 - May 29, 2020
Last month, SSPC and NACE International announced that an “overwhelming” majority in each of the associations voted in favor for the two to merge. After over a year of discussions, do you believe this will be a positive step for the coatings industry as a whole?
May 18 - May 22, 2020
Last month, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency released a memorandum identifying essential critical infrastructure workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Do you believe the memo successfully aided in reopening construction sites?
May 18 - May 22, 2020
Recently, wastewater officials reported a surge in backed-up sewer lines and even overflowing toilets, among other issues, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Do you believe the industry will see a continued increase of negative effects on sewer systems and pumps until the pandemic is resolved?
May 11 - May 15, 2020
In April, PaintSquare Press published “Cool Roof Policy Updates Trend in US Cities” regarding the installation of reflective roofing products on new and existing buildings in the United States. While the last 10 years have shown a major uptick in adopting policies by U.S. cities, how long do you believe it will take to incorporate a policy in each of the nation’s states?
May 11 - May 15, 2020
In April, Italy suffered another bridge collapse, causing increased scrutiny over the conditions of the country’s road bridges. Do you believe the recurrence reflects more on how the infrastructure is built, how Italian officials conduct routine inspections or both?
May 4 - May 8, 2020
The European Union recently published the official delegated regulation to classify titanium dioxide as a suspected carcinogen by inhalation. Should TiO2 powder products carry more than 1% of the substance, the product will now be required to display a cancer warning. Are you in support or opposition of these measures?
May 4 - May 8, 2020
Recently, the Wyoming House of Representatives passed legislation that aims to ban the disposal of wind turbines in Wyoming-based landfills, in addition to a bill allowing for turbine base materials, such as blades and towers, to be buried in abandoned coal mine sites. Do you believe the push to adapt new disposal alternatives is sustainable?
April 27 - May 1, 2020
Researchers at University College London recently reported on the development of a new coating that activates in low-intensity light to kill bacteria. Given that the research has since been published, what do you think the timeline is before we see this type of protective coating on the market?
April 27 - May 1, 2020
Mayor Byron W. Brown, of Buffalo, New York, recently announced that the city would be launching a $30 million Environmental Impact Bond to capitalize on the Rain Check Buffalo program, which focuses on implementing green infrastructure. Do you think other cities will follow suit for similar programs?
April 20 - April 24, 2020
Technology Publishing Co. recently announced the launch of its new event, “Commercial Contractor Connect.” As a commercial coatings contractor or supplier, what are you looking forward to the most?
April 20 - April 24, 2020
Last month, Germany firm Muehlhan began applying new coatings to the roughly 8-kilometer-long (roughly 5-miles-long) cable-stayed Øresund Bridge. Slated to take 13 years and an estimated 300,000-400,000 liters (79,000-106,000 gallons) of black paint to complete, do you think the project will meet its deadline?
April 13 - April 17, 2020
Recently, global coatings firm AkzoNobel and start-up company Apellix announced an update on their collaborative efforts to build a computer-controlled spray-painting drone. Do you think once developed, the technology will become popular in the commercial coatings industry?
April 13 - April 17, 2020
In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, many industrial coatings-related companies have cancelled or postponed their slated events, conferences and competitions. Do you think the decision will have negative impacts on the industry as a whole?
April 6 - April 10, 2020
Lacking a sustainable business model and unable to reach an agreement with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation to keep the school operating, the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture at Taliesin announced it will be closing in June. Do you think the school’s closing will negatively affect the future of architecture?
April 6 - April 10, 2020
Last month, OSHA announced the revision of the National Emphasis Program to identify and reduce or eliminate worker exposures to respirable crystalline silica in general industry, maritime and construction. Do you think the revision will provide best practices in keeping workers safe from the hazardous material?
March 30 - April 3, 2020
In taking action against the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, how do you feel your company will be affected as a result of growing health and safety efforts, non-essential business closures and social distancing?
March 23 - March 27, 2020
Last month, President Trump issued a draft order entitled “Make Federal Buildings Beautiful Again,” which would roll back a decades-long tradition that bars the government from taking a stance on an official architectural style. If put into effect, do you think making “classical architectural style” the preferred and default mandate will have a positive or negative effect on American architecture as a whole?
March 23 - March 27, 2020
Recently, a team of researchers from the UCLA Smaueli School of Engineering developed an ice-prevention coating. Described as a hydrogel, how long until you think the coating will be available for marine and protective coating applications?
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