Every day, Clark Seif Clark professionals are deployed across the nation helping both large and small customers resolve health & safety, industrial hygiene, environmental and indoor air quality issues.
At a moment's notice, Clark Seif Clark can send their experts anywhere they are needed. No matter if it's in response to a hurricane, wildfire, flood, tornado or other natural disaster, Clark Seif Clark is ready to help and can respond in no time at all.
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Private Wells for Drinking Water and the Potential for Contamination Issues
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that more than 13 million households in the United States rely on private wells for drinking water. EPA does not regulate these private wells, nor does it provide recommended criteria or standards for individual wells. In fact, private well owners are responsible for the safety of their water.
The agency does offer information regarding the importance of testing private wells and guidance on technologies that may be used to treat or remove contaminants. For example, EPA recommends that the water in private wells be tested annually for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH levels. This testing should perhaps take place more frequently if small children or elderly adults live in the household, or if someone in the house is pregnant or nursing.
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Clark Seif Clark (CSC)
800.807.1118
SERVICES:
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Private well owners are also encouraged to test the water if:
- There are known problems with groundwater or drinking water in the area,
- Conditions near a well have changed significantly (i.e. flooding, land disturbances, and new construction or industrial activity),
- Replacing or repairing any part of the well system has taken place, or
- A change in the water quality is noticed (i.e. odor, color, taste).
“It is important for people in households supplied by private water wells to have their water tested regularly. We often receive calls from owners or buyers regarding the testing of well water, but these folks are commonly uncertain which tests to request,” said Derrick A. Denis, Vice President of Indoor Environmental Quality for Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “Water quality parameters and potential well contaminants are numerous and diverse (e.g. E. coli, Legionella, arsenic, lead, copper, uranium, nitrates and nitrites, etc.). Therefore, the commonly request to “test for everything” is neither practical nor cost effective. Since there are no specific testing requirements for private wells, the environmental professionals at CSC help clients refine the list of analytes to meet each client’s specific needs and concerns. CSC offers consulting, testing and monitoring services for biological, chemical, radiological and physical contaminants from private wells and other water sources.”
CSC also recently sponsored an educational video about private wells and testing drinking water quality that can be seen below:
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To learn more about this or other building science, indoor air quality, occupational, environmental, health and safety services, please:
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Identifying Hydrogen Chloride Exposure Risks in the Workplace
Hydrogen chloride is a chemical compound that is used in a number of industries. It can also be formed during the burning of many plastics and can be released into the atmosphere during volcanic eruptions. Upon contact with water, hydrogen chloride forms hydrochloric acid. Both hydrogen chloride and hydrochloric acid are corrosive.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that workers may be harmed from exposure to hydrogen chloride as it can irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory tract. The Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) states that exposure to high levels could lead to pulmonary edema and even death in extreme cases.
Some examples of workers at possible risk of being exposed to hydrogen chloride according to NIOSH include:
- Chemical workers in plants that use it to produce other chemicals
- Factory workers in plants where metals are pickled
- Workers in food processing plants
- Factory workers who manufacture dyes and fertilizers
- Factory workers in the rubber and textile industries
“The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a ceiling limit of 5 parts of hydrogen chloride per million parts of air (5 ppm) in the workplace and NIOSH’s Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) is also 5 ppm,” said Zahid Iqbal, MPH, CIH and Technical Director at Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “To help companies safeguard workers and maintain regulatory compliance, the industrial hygiene and environmental professionals at Clark Seif Clark offer testing, monitoring, consulting and training services to identify and mitigate exposure risks associated with hydrogen chloride and other hazards in the workplace.”
CSC recently sponsored an educational video about hydrogen chloride and potential occupational exposure risks that can be seen below:
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To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118. |
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About Clark Seif Clark: CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both the public and private sectors address environmental issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering making them the preferred environmental consultants to healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals. |
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21732 Devonshire St., Ste. B,
Chatsworth, CA 91311
800.807.1118
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