Consulting Services

Industrial Hygiene Services

Acme Environmental Inc. provides industrial hygiene services in the following areas:

Asbestos Inspection and Management Planning
Asbestos Exposure Assessment
Asbestos Abatement Project Design and Oversight
Asbestos Laboratory Analysis, Bulk and Air
Lead-Based Paint Inspection and Risk Assessment
Elevated Blood Lead Evaluations
Lead Exposure Monitoring
Lead-based Paint Project Design and Oversight
Lead-based Paint Project Clearance
Indoor Air Quality Assessments including mold evaluations
Environmental Property Audits
Underground Storage Tank Investigations
Industrial Hygiene Consulting, Health and Safety Program and Facility Audits

A description of general services included in each area follows.

Asbestos Consulting
Acme specializes in the investigation for, and identification of, asbestos and asbestos-containing materials in office buildings, schools, hospitals, industrial facilities and refineries, as well as in the design, implementation and control of asbestos removal specifications. This expertise encompasses all phases of asbestos-related consulting work. Each of the following services may be utilized comprehensively or individually at the discretion of the client.

Asbestos Investigative Surveys
Available building plans and specifications are reviewed for identification of suspect materials. A sampling strategy based on the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) is devised for obtaining representative suspect material samples throughout the structure. Once obtained by a field survey, these samples are analyzed by Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) coupled with dispersion staining as outlined by EPA guidelines. Results reported to clients include a written report detailing the entire procedure, location and condition of asbestos-containing materials, a summary of laboratory analyses, and pertinent photographs of positive materials.

Abatement Recommendations and Management Planning
If asbestos is present in a structure, Acme prepares a list of options available to the property owner. These options may include taking no action, upgrading and maintaining the condition of asbestos-containing material or abating (removing) the material altogether. Along with each option is a detailed strategy for effective implementation of the action.

When abatement (removal) of asbestos-containing material is the selected option, Acme prepares a Scope of Work and Specification, which specifies, in detail, the procedures by which a qualified firm must conduct removal. If desired, Acme will also oversee project bidding and contractor selection.

Operation and Maintenance Program Development
If upgrading and maintenance of asbestos containing material is the selected option, Acme designs a program for such, which includes; recommended actions, schedules of maintenance activities, updating of material condition, and assessment.

Observation and Air Monitoring During Abatement Activities
Acme provides a qualified industrial hygienist to observe critical aspects of abatement procedures to identify compliance with specifications, and to observe and document work in progress. Air monitoring personnel collect air samples in and around the removal area using techniques outlined by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 7400 method. These samples are then analyzed by qualified personnel to document that airborne asbestos fiber concentrations do not exceed recommended levels. In cases of excessive airborne fiber concentrations or violations of removal specifications, an owner may direct Acme to order the operations be stopped and to recommend remedial measures to rectify these problems.

Clearance Air Monitoring
When abatement activities are complete, Acme personnel collect prevalent level air samples to document that airborne fiber concentrations do not exceed 0.01 fibers per cubic centimeter, or 70 structures per square millimeter, the OSHA and EPA, respectively -recommended "clean air" levels.

Asbestos Laboratory Analysis

Air Sample Analysis
Identification of airborne asbestos fiber concentrations is accomplished by using Phase Contrast Microscopy as outlined in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 7400 method. Acme personnel have received certification of successful completion of NIOSH Course No. 582, "Sampling and Evaluation of Airborne Asbestos Dust". Laboratory personnel also maintain a high degree of quality control by participation in the NIOSH Proficiency Analytical Testing (PAT) Program for the analysis of air samples.

Analysis of air samples by other recognized techniques, such as Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), is also available through Acme.

Bulk Sample Analysis
Acme uses laboratory services that are accredited by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP), for the identification of asbestos in bulk samples. Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM) is used, as outlined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) "Interim Method for the Determination of Asbestos in Bulk Sample" (EPA 600/M4-82-020, December 1982). Laboratory personnel have received certification of successful completion of the McCrone Research Institute Advanced Asbestos Identification Course and maintain a high degree of quality control through participation in the EPA/National Bureau of Standard's (NBS) Quality Assurance Program for bulk sample analysis for asbestos.

Lead-Based Paint Consulting
Acme Environmental Inc. is certified by the EPA as a Lead-based Paint Firm. Acme performs lead-based paint inspections and risk assessments in accordance with the jointly published EPA and HUD standards. The information provided assists housing authorities and funding agencies in determining their lead-based paint responsibilities. Additionally, Acme can act as the building owner representative for all lead-based paint activities.

Lead Paint Inspection, Lead Disclosure,
Inspections determine if lead-based paint is present in a house and identifies its location. Acme utilizes the state-of-the-art RMD LPA-1 X-Ray Fluorescence device for lead paint testing. Lead-Based paint inspections are performed in compliance with HUD and EPA documented methodologies. Acme can consult with buyers or sellers of real estate on lead-based paint disclosure issues.

Risk Assessment
All Acme staff are fully certified risk assessors. Risk assessments are performed in an effort to evaluate the actual exposure potential to lead hazards within a residential property. Recommendations are provided to eliminate or control the potential exposure.

Elevated Blood Lead Level Evaluation
Acme performs investigations into the cause of elevated blood lead levels in children. This involves comprehensive assessments of lead hazards in the children's place of residence and establishing recommendations on the mitigation of the same.

Exposure Monitoring
Exposure to lead must be evaluated during activities that involve lead in materials. Acme performs air monitoring to evaluate compliance with OSHA's construction standard.

Abatement Project Design
When abatement is the selected option, Acme prepares a Scope of Work and Specification, which specifies, in detail, the procedures by which a qualified firm must conduct removal. If desired, Acme will also oversee project bidding and contractor selection.

Post Abatement Clearance Evaluation
When abatement activities are complete, Acme personnel collect settled dust samples to document that lead in dust concentrations do not exceed EPA's lead hazard criteria.

Indoor Air Quality Assessment, including Mold
A variety of environmental chemicals may be present inside a structure - carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, biological contaminants and second-hand cigarette smoke. Acme can conduct testing and monitoring which seeks to identify the sources of complaints and to eliminate their reoccurrence.

Mold and microbial contamination is a potential cause of numerous indoor air quality complaints. Acme can develop a sampling plan to identify potential microbiological contaminants. This is generally accomplished by performing an initial visual investigation. Based on the results of the initial survey, a sampling plan can be established along with recommendations for controls. Acme can then develop an abatement plan that is appropriate and responsible.

Environmental Property Audits
Acme can provide Environmental Property Audits (site assessments) prior to the purchase, sale or lease of commercial or industrial real estate to identify hidden environmental liabilities. Site assessments investigate the potential existence environmental hazards, or contaminants, including hazardous waste, underground tank leakages, soil contamination, or groundwater contamination.

Site Assessments are conducted in three phases; first, the history of prior use and ownership of a property is researched and reviewed to identify potentially hazardous activities that have occurred on-site; second, Acme conducts a full-scale study composed of soil sampling, groundwater monitoring, and hydrogeological surveying; finally, where remedial action is required, Acme presents a strategy designed to remove or eliminate the identified hazard. A thorough report detailing every step of these procedures is provided for the client.

Underground Storage Tank Investigations
Historical information about UST's, and the property, on which they are located, is researched. This information generally includes specifications of tank composition, number, size, age, location of tanks, replacement history, materials stored in tanks, and compliance with required record-keeping and reporting to regulatory agencies. Acme can perform non-penetrating subsurface surveys utilizing geophysical principals to locate suspected tanks. Soil analysis and groundwater monitoring is performed to determine whether a leak has occurred, and if so, to what extent contamination has progressed.

The Environmental Protection Agency requires compliance with certain regulations pertaining to underground storage tanks. Acme will design a plan by which proper regulatory reporting and record keeping can be maintained by the client. Additionally, Acme can create and implement a strategy for remediation of tank leakage.

Industrial Hygiene Consulting
Industrial Hygiene encompasses the identification and control of on-the-job health hazards, which fall into four major categories:

Air contaminant hazards (chemicals, fumes, dust, microorganisms)
Physical contaminant hazards (radiation)
Environmental hazards (temperature, pressure, noise)
Ergonomic hazards (stress, fatigue, repetitive motion)

Acme provides qualified personnel to test for the presence of such hazards, evaluate existing hazards and design strategy by which these can be controlled or eliminated. When an employer or property owner wishes to provide a safe and productive workplace. Acme conducts industrial hygiene surveys, assists with protective equipment selection, develops engineering control systems for the elimination of airborne hazards, and implements strategies that insure OSHA compliance.

Health and Safety Programs

OSHA requires compliance with numerous standards by establishing a written program. Acme can evaluate a workplace need and help develop a written program. Acme can review existing programs and recommend appropriate changes.