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Mold and Moisture
We are Industrial Hygienists and Certified Microbial Consultants with a broad understanding of indoor air quality problems and have conducted microbial investigations at industrial, health care, homes, office buildings, and facilities that have experienced water disasters and fires resulting in mold damage. Microbial contamination can result in occupant respiratory illness and infection, especially among immune-compromised individuals.
Fungal and bacterial proliferation may occur in buildings with excessive moisture in building materials, carpeting, and ceiling tiles or in the ventilation system.
To identify and eliminate indoor air quality problems, such as microbial contamination, we examine properties for conditions which may contribute to allergy, asthma, or other respiratory illness. Methods include site and client history, visual evaluation of property and building, its' mechanical systems, thermal imaging camera readings, bulk or surface sampling, air sampling combined with light microscopy and laboratory analysis to identify common bioaerosols, mold, and other potential irritants.
Based on evaluation results, we develop remediation protocol and recommendations to help reduce, eliminate, or control microbial or other contamination and monitor remediation contractors activities with appropriate remediation protocol scope of work.
Currently, there are no State or Federal regulations pertaining to indoor environmental quality in the workplace or residences. However, the lack of regulations should not lessen the need for accurate, constructive air quality diagnostic information. The average person spends 90% of our time indoors. Poor indoor air quality can impair occupant health, harm productivity and disrupt business resulting in unnecessary costs including workers' compensation claims and litigation due to failure to remediate an unhealthy environment.
Although mold has been around for a long period of time, it has only recently become an important subject due to documented health effects in building occupants that cannot be explained by the presence of other indoor air contaminants.
While molds are always present outdoors, their occurrence indoors has been documented to have an impact on both structural materials and human health. The change in building construction over the last 30 years has focused on tighter, more efficient structures. These tighter structures have, in turn, created homes where moisture cannot escape and conditions conducive to microbial growth appear to be occurring more often.
Indoor Air Quality
Symptoms of "sick building syndrome" are usually vague and the source of the problem unknown. Such problems have hidden costs in lost productivity, sick leave, and medical expenses. SEHC performs thorough, systematic indoor air quality investigations.
Investigations begin with a careful study of complaints and the work environment. Initial studies screen the most likely and most common causes of reported symptoms. Clients are informed of the goals, and of the results, at each phase of the study. SEHC can identify problems linked to inadequate makeup air, chemical contaminants and pollutants, and bioaerosols.
Complaints of poor indoor air quality (IAQ) or sick building syndrome begin with a visual building survey to develop a structure profile including site and neighborhood conditions; overall building layout and type; use characteristics; parking facilities; and tenant activities as they relate to the building's IAQ.
Mechanical systems are evaluated visually to determine condition and cleanliness of accessible basic system components including ductwork.
Baseline building performance parameters are monitored including temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. This data will provide a benchmark of the building's air system performance.
Finally, we review and document the findings of the evaluation and monitoring with respect to applicable current and proposed ASHRAE, OSHA and EPA regulations, and applicable state-of-the-art guidelines. We help identify areas that affect or have the potential to affect indoor air quality and make the necessary recommendations for modifications to resolve the identified issues.
Industrial Hygiene
In today's workplace, workers' can be exposed to a host of contaminants. Sussex Environmental Health Consultants' industrial hygienists measure and evaluate worker exposure to contaminants and physical stressors in almost any occupation. We can monitor for hundreds of chemicals, dusts, and biological contaminants using highly-specialized equipment and sound sampling and analysis strategies. Each program is tailored to meet the particular needs of your operation.
Our comprehensive programs include:
Personal exposure monitoring
General area monitoring
Risk communications
Ventilation and engineering control systems evaluation
Work practice evaluation and program review
Health and safety program development and review
Respiratory protection and personal protective equipment (PPE) evaluations
Litigation Experts
Sussex Environmental Health Consultants has a staff of experts in the areas of indoor air quality, mold and safety. These experts work on both defendant and plaintiff cases with law firms from across the country.
The most commonly requested legal services involve exposure and assessments involving mold growth in buildings. We are often asked to reconstruct exposures that occurred years ago, to identify probable sources and pathways for water intrusion that resulted in mold growth or to identify pre-existing conditions unrelated to the current water, sewage or mold loss.
Additional exposure assessments have included carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and several other suspected or confirmed carcinogens.
Legal and Litigation Support
As a result of Sussex Environmental Health Consultants technical expertise, we're often called upon to provide support in a variety of legal scenarios. Our legal and litigation support has proved invaluable to insurance companies and county water and sewage commissions attempting to investigate a claim, to building owners who have had lawsuits filed in building-related illness claims, to complex exposure modeling cases involving solvents and a variety of indoor air pollution cases.
Depending on the situation, Sussex Environmental Health Consultants will act as an expert witness. We will conduct testing and evaluate data if requested, and we'll work closely with attorneys regarding the strength and weaknesses of evidence as it relates to recent technical and scientific findings.
SEHC is committed to providing the most reliable and professional environmental health consulting possible. Issues regarding health, and liability all demand objective guidance based on sound scientific principles and ethical consulting practices. Our services are tailored to meet your specific needs, in addition to providing a timely and cost-effective product.
Asbestos Surveys
The goal in managing asbestos is to identify the location, type, condition and extent of any Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM). This can be achieved by conducting an asbestos survey. You must be an AHERA accredited building inspector to take even one sample of an asbestos-containing product. Sussex Environmental Health Consultants are AHERA licensed asbestos building inspectors and have over 22 years in asbestos consulting.
In 1986, the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA; Asbestos Containing Materials in Schools, 40 CFR Part 763, Subpart E) was signed into law as Title II of TSCA. Amendments to the act in 1994 mandated specific training and "accreditation" for all individuals doing inspection, project design, project supervision, and project work involving asbestos in schools, public and commercial buildings.
With the exception of limited residential projects performed by the resident-owner, all surveys must be conducted by an AHERA-certified building inspector. If there are no suspect materials in the work area, this must be posted or communicated in writing to contractors working in the area.
Demolition surveys must be conducted by an AHERA-certified building inspector. Prior to building demolition, all identified asbestos containing materials must be removed per State regulations by licensed asbestos abatement contractors. SEHC identifies these materials for abatement, recommends State approved abatement contractors and provides follow-up evaluations to confirm complete removal of these materials prior to building demolition.
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Professional member of: |
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American Industrial Hygiene Association
Indoor Air Quality Association
American Society of Safety Engineers |
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