:: Hazardous Material Abatement Consulting ::

HygieneTech provides comprehensive asbestos, lead-based paint, and microbial growth consulting, abatement site surveillance, and management services to building owners, lessees, and governmental agencies. These services include:

Material Identification

Asbestos-containing material (ACM), lead-based paint (LBP), and microbial growth identification surveys are often required in order for building owners to comply with environmental and occupational regulations or guidelines, and are also commonly included in construction, renovation, and demolition bid specifications. HygieneTech conducts ACM, LBP, and fungal growth identification surveys using state-of-the-art sampling protocols.  Inspection surveys are conducted throughout all accessible facility and property areas. Representative bulk samples of building materials suspected to contain asbestos, lead, fungi, or other contaminant are collected and material descriptions, locations, and quantities present are documented during such surveys. 

All ACM bulk material samples are analyzed in laboratories that are accredited by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) through the participation in the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program. Lead-based paint and other bulk samples are analyzed for lead at AIHA-accredited laboratories that participate in the Environmental Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program. All fungi and bacteria samples are analyzed by trained and experienced microbiologists in laboratories that participate in the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) Environmental Microbiology Proficiency Analytical Testing Program.

A risk assessment of each material determined to contain asbestos or lead is made with respect to friability, damage, accessibility, use and exposure potential.  Following completion of the site surveys, a comprehensive report is prepared which contains background information, observations, analytical results, data interpretation in light of current EPA or other regulations, applicable health hazard studies, conclusions, and recommendations regarding operations and maintenance programs and/or abatement considerations. When bacterial and/or fungal growth is identified, comparable assessment information is compiled regarding the extent of such growth, the health impacts, causation, preventive maintenance activities, and abatement considerations.

Air Monitoring Programs

Air monitoring programs are commonly implemented to determine and document existing concentrations of airborne contaminants in occupied areas of facilities having ACM, LBP, or microbial growth prior to, during, and following abatement operations.  Monitoring programs are often established in occupied buildings where asbestos-containing materials are present.  Air monitoring and/or surface sampling surveys are conducted prior to, during, and after abatement operations.  Air samples are typically collected in abatement areas and in adjacent areas prior to and during abatement to determine exposure potential data. Clearance surveys are performed following abatement during which air and/or surface samples are collected.

Abatement Work Plans and Bid Specifications

HygieneTech prepares abatement bid specifications and work plans in connection with building and mechanical system demolition, renovation, and other tenant improvement and construction projects. Abatement bid specifications include the identification of ACM, LBP, or microbial growth contaminated materials, applicable publications and technical documents, definitions, submittals and notification requirements, worker training, medical surveillance, personal protective equipment, monitoring requirements, and waste handling requirements, and clearance criteria.

Abatement work plans are prepared for the purposes of establishing the most appropriate and cost-effective means to abate materials. Abatement work plans include procedural descriptions concerning work area preparation, worker decontamination enclosure systems, work area entry and exit procedures, transportation and disposal of hazardous waste materials, personal air monitoring, air and surface sample clearance criteria, personal protective equipment, medical surveillance, training, emergency action plans, and recordkeeping.

Abatement Project Management

HygieneTech industrial hygienists work closely with abatement contractors during all phases of abatement projects.  Among the services available are project design, pre-abatement air monitoring, abatement enclosure inspection, personal and/or area monitoring during abatement, evaluation of work area entry and exit procedures, site surveillance, training, review of records concerning medical surveillance, and exposure monitoring.  At the conclusion of the project, reports are prepared that contain background information, observations, analytical results, data interpretation in light of applicable air quality or other regulations, health hazard studies, conclusions, and recommendations.

Operations and Maintenance Programs

HygieneTech prepares asbestos operations and maintenance programs that address the routine inspection, maintenance, and handling procedures concerning ACM in buildings.  The program documents contain information concerning ACM descriptions, inspection procedures, hazard assessments, building occupant notifications, response team qualifications, cleaning procedures, emergency response procedures, personal protective equipment, training, medical surveillance, air monitoring, transportation and disposal procedures, and recordkeeping.

HygieneTech also prepares operations and maintenance programs that are designed to prevent consequential fungal growth in the event of a sudden and accidental water loss and/or following on or more long-term water intrusion events. Such programs typically define inspection schedules and routines, use of moisture detection meters and other direct-reading devices, reporting procedures within maintenance departments in the event evidence of water intrusion is identified, loss control activities regarding plumbing systems, building envelope maintenance, housekeeping considerations, dehumidification procedures, criteria used when considering evacuation of occupants, detail-cleaning and minor abatement procedures, and the potential need for further assessment work.