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Environmental Newsletter

January 2024

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.

Identifying and Mitigating Formaldehyde Exposure Risks in the Built Environment

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen as far back as 1987. In 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) determined that formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen based on sufficient human and animal inhalation studies. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) also classifies formaldehyde as a human carcinogen.

Formaldehyde is a chemical that is widely used by industry to manufacture building materials and various household products. It is a volatile organic compound (VOC), and as a gas, is colorless with a strong odor. Its primary use is in the production of resins and as a chemical intermediate. Formaldehyde is also a by-product of combustion and certain other natural processes.


“Common symptoms of formaldehyde exposure include breathing problems and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat or skin,” said Derrick A. Denis, Vice President of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) for Clark Seif Clark. “Some asthmatics exposed to elevated concentrations may even have an asthma attack. To help protect workers from exposure to formaldehyde, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL).”

 

CSC proudly offers consulting and testing services to detect and mitigate exposure to elevated levels of formaldehyde and a wide range of other airborne pollutants. If concerning levels are detected, their building science and industrial hygiene professionals can provide the expertise to eliminate exposure hazards. CSC has even sponsored an educational video about formaldehyde and the indoor environment that can be seen below: 

To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health and safety services, please:

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Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month and EHS Resources to Protect First Responders from Hazardous Substances  


Each year, Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month is recognized in January. Both the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) report that cancer is a leading cause of death among firefighters. The agencies also state that research suggests firefighters are at a higher risk of certain types of cancers when compared to the general population.


NIOSH warns that firefighters can be exposed to hundreds of different chemicals in the form of gases, vapors and particulates, and that some of these chemical substances are known or suspected to cause cancer. A number of these hazardous substances are byproducts of combustion or burning, such as benzene and formaldehyde. Others come from the materials burning or in the fire debris, such as asbestos and lead found in many older structures.

 

Even for those wearing protective clothing, known as turnout gear, if it is not properly cleaned or stored after a fire or training event, chemicals on the gear or equipment can contaminate vehicles and the fire station. Reusing dirty turnout gear or respiratory protection can also result in exposures to hazardous substances through skin contact with contaminated personal protective equipment or by breathing in or ingesting particles from contaminated gear.


“NIOSH published the results of a large study of firefighters from three major U.S. cities a decade ago that found the population of firefighters in the study had a rate of mesothelioma, which is caused by exposure to asbestos, two times greater than the rate in the rest of the U.S. population,” said Zahid Iqbal, MPH, CIH and Technical Director at Clark Seif Clark (CSC).  “It is also important to recognize that it’s not just firefighters that may come in contact with hazardous substances, fire investigators, law enforcement, cleanup crews, demolition contractors and construction professionals sent in after a fire could all be at risk of exposure to hazardous substances.”


Dedicated to protecting first responders and workers involved with fire damaged properties are the building science, industrial hygiene and environmental professionals at CSC. They provide testing, consulting and training services to identify and mitigate these types of exposure risks.

To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, building science, environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118.

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.
21732 Devonshire St., Ste. B,
Chatsworth, CA 91311
800.807.1118
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