David Kashifi

Becoming a Bone Marrow Donor

Bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) Image: bethematch.org — Bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC)
Image: bethematch.org

NACE-certified cathodic protection specialist David Aimal Kashifi has been a senior corrosion engineer at Corrosion Protection Services in Danville, California since 2005. He designs and tests systems to mitigate the effects of corrosion on metals. Outside of work, David Aimal Kashifi engages in charitable work and is registered as a bone marrow donor.

Registering to become a bone marrow donor can save a life. Bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donation is used to transplant cells to patients with cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, as well as those with immune deficiency disorders and aplastic anemia. Registering is easy; potential donors have their saliva sampled with a cotton swab. Test results are entered into a database to await a potential match. The chances of a request for donation after registering are only about one in 540.

If you are a good match, you will be notified and asked if you are still able and willing to donate. A physical exam and tests will be ordered to ensure you are in good health. Medical and travel expenses are usually reimbursed. Donating bone marrow is a minor surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia, by needle aspiration of the pelvic bone area.

To donate PBSC, the donor takes a daily injection of filgrastim, a marrow stimulant, for five days. Then, blood is removed through an IV and filtered through a machine that removes stem cells for transplant. The remaining blood is returned to the body through another IV. Regular activity can usually be resumed one to seven days after either donation. Both the donor and recipient can choose to remain anonymous, or may meet if both parties agree.

To become a bone marrow or PBSC donor, visit bethematch.org.

American Bridge Issues and Considerations for Controlling Corrosion

Corrosion Protection Solutions pic — Corrosion Protection Solutions
Image: corrosioncp.com

A senior corrosion engineer based in Danville, California, David Aimal Kashifi has dedicated more than 10 years to Corrosion Protection Solutions. David Aimal Kashifi maintains NACE International certification as a cathodic protection specialist.

In 2012, NACE International released a white paper giving a comprehensive overview of corrosion on American bridges. Many bridges, constructed with a 50-year lifespan, have approached their maximum age, thus making their poorer design quality a challenge to upkeep beyond their intended purpose.

A primary cause of concern is corrosion, which affects structural soundness. Corrosion related to steel is a result of exposure to other matter, such as water, soil, and air. Warm water, for instance, expedites corrosion in steel. If steel embedded in concrete begins to show signs of deterioration, it is likely that the material has come in contact with chloride ions from roadway deicers or seawater.

With proper planning, corrosion can be controlled. Protective coatings applied to structural steel elements can extend their lifespan up to 40 years. Electrochemical techniques and stainless steel reinforcement may also prolong the life of a bridge by 35 more years. Other considerations include the use of weathering steels and strategic placement of high-performance concrete.

The Benefits of Corrosion Control Systems

Since 2005, David Aimal Kashifi has served as a senior corrosion engineer for Corrosion Protection Solutions in Danville, California. David Aimal Kashifi specializes in creating corrosion control and cathodic protection solutions to extend the life of metal infrastructure.

Naturally occurring electrochemical reactions lead to corrosion, but modern technology can mitigate the corrosion and material loss that afflicts the country’s infrastructure. According to Corrosion Protection Solutions, government studies show that corrosion is associated with more than $400 billion in annual infrastructure costs just in the United States.

Corrosion control projects offer a variety of benefits, including preserving the functionality of important storage tanks, pipes, and other metal structures. In addition to preventing the failure of these structures, corrosion control promotes public safety, as deteriorated infrastructure can be dangerous and cause hazardous materials, such as gases and liquids, to pollute the environment. Corrosion Protection Solutions notes that maintaining corrosion control systems is vastly more cost effective than replacing unsafe structures.

NACE International Institute – Cathodic Protection Specialist Program

National Association of Corrosion Engineers pic — National Association of Corrosion Engineers
Image: nace.org

Based in Danville, California, David Aimal Kashifi has served as a senior corrosion engineer for Corrosion Protection Solutions for more than a decade. David Aimal Kashifi holds certification as a cathodic protection specialist through NACE International, the leading corrosion authority.

The National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) International offers certification programs to promote corrosion control efforts that protect the environment, facilitate public safety, and decrease the financial impact of corrosion. NACE certifications are the most widely accepted corrosion control qualifications worldwide.

In the NACE cathodic protection program, there are certifications available for professionals with different areas of professional focus, such as wastewater systems and oil and gas exploration. The cathodic protection specialist certification program is designed for those with significant experience in cathodic protection who are involved in creating, installing, and preserving cathodic protection systems.

The NACE program examines the theoretical concepts behind cathodic protection systems, which protect metallic structures from corrosion. During the program, participants also cover the components that impact calculations and design. Professionals must renew their certifications every three years.

Corrosion-Related Issue in the San Francisco Bay Bridge Tunnel

A senior corrosion engineer with Corrosion Protection Solutions in Northern California, David Aimal Kashifi designs and tests systems of cathodic protection and corrosion control. David Aimal Kashifi has extensive experience in designing systems that extend the lifespan of critical infrastructure across the country.

Corrosion is a major public safety issue affecting metal infrastructure such as steel-reinforced concrete, bridges, and pipelines. One recent corrosion-related issue in the San Francisco Bay Area involves the Bay Bridge tunnel, which passes through Yerba Buena Island. In January, 2016, a car passing through the 80-year old structure was hit by a chunk of falling concrete.

A subsequent survey of the tunnel revealed a dozen areas where concrete is separating from the tunnel wall. The culprit is corrosion, related to water that leaks from the upper deck through approximately 250 drain openings into the tunnel. In the short term, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission has advised drivers to exercise caution as they drive through the tunnel. In the longer term, it is critical to address these major corrosion and structural design issues.