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Clark Seif Clark

Environmental Newsletter

www.csceng.com 800.807.1118 November 2019 
  
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.
Preventing Building Occupant Exposure to Chemical Odors and Other Inhalation Irritants
Odorous compounds are often the impetus for indoor environmental quality (IEQ) dissatisfaction reported by building occupants. Offensive chemical odors can be produced by both organic and inorganic compounds. A few common examples of odorous chemical sources include sewer gas infiltration from dry p-traps, improperly mixed cleaning agents, improperly applied pesticides, applications of specialty coatings in unventilated spaces and more. Exposure to some of which, at high enough concentrations, could be a health concern.
 
One of the most common causes of IEQ complaints involves exposure to odors and airborne irritants from volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes VOCs as organic chemical compounds with a composition that makes it possible for them to evaporate under normal indoor atmospheric conditions of temperature and pressure.
 
VOCs are such a frequent issue in offices, industrial facilities and even homes because so many products used by industry and found in indoor environments contain them. A few examples include caulks, sealants and coatings; adhesives; paints, varnishes and stains, wall coverings; cleaning agents; fuels and combustion products; carpeting and vinyl flooring; fabric materials and furnishings; air fresheners and other scented products; and personal care products like perfumes, shampoos and other items.
 
"Additional sources of indoor VOCs could include polluted outdoor air entering a building, vapor intrusion from contaminated soil or groundwater from below, and even microbial volatile organic compounds from the growth of mold or other microorganisms," said Derrick A. Denis, Vice President of Indoor Environmental Quality for Clark Seif Clark (CSC). "Reducing exposure to chemical odors in homes, schools or commercial buildings will almost always result in improved perceived conditions and can result in a healthier indoor environment." 
 
Identifying and resolving indoor environmental quality issues caused by VOCs and other airborne pollutants is the specialty of the building science and industrial hygiene experts at Clark Seif Clark. They offer comprehensive IEQ assessments, inspections, audits, testing and monitoring services. If issues are found, their professionals can recommend ways to mitigate or eliminate the concern. CSC also  recently sponsored an educational video about chemicals, odors and IEQ that can be seen here: 

Chemicals, Odors & Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
Chemicals, Odors & Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)

To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, building science, industrial hygiene, environmental, health and safety testing services,  please visit  www.csceng.com , email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118.
Coal Ash Regulations and Protecting Workers, Communities and the Environment from Exposure Risks
When coal is burned by power plants to produce electricity, coal ash is created. Also known as coal combustion residuals (CCRs),it is one of the largest types of industrial waste generated in the country according to the U.S. Environmental Protection (EPA).
 
In 2014, coal-fired electric utilities generated approximately 130 million tons of it in the U.S. alone. One year later, the EPA implemented minimum national standards that were established for the location, design and operation of existing and new landfills and surface impoundments containing coal ash at more than 400 coal-fired power plants nationwide.
 
Coal ash by-products may include fly ash, bottom ash, boiler slag, flue gas desulfurization materials and other substances. Potentially hazardous elements that may be found in coal ash include arsenic, boron, lead, cadmium, chromium, lithium, mercury, molybdenum, thallium and other materials.
 
The Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR) reports that exposure to coal ash can result in skin irritation and breathing it can result in respiratory irritation as well as irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. Ingestion can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and some of the compounds found in coal ash can cause cancer after continued long-term ingestion and inhalation according to the agency.
 
"While some coal ash by-products are reused to make products, such as concrete and gypsum materials, much of it ends up in CCR landfills and surface impoundments where it could potentially contaminate groundwater, become airborne as dust or be a threat if a catastrophic containment failure occurs as has happened a number of times in the past," said Jeff Bannon, Vice President of Environmental Services at Clark Seif Clark (CSC). "To help safeguard against exposure risks, the environmental and industrial hygiene professionals at CSC offer consulting, testing and monitoring services for coal ash and other types of industrial waste. These services assist companies and utilities in their compliance efforts to protect workers, the public and the environment."
 
CSC has also recently sponsored an educational video about coal ash and potential exposure risks that can be seen here: 

Coal Ash & Potential Exposure Risks
Coal Ash & Potential Exposure Risks

To learn more about coal ash or other environmental, occupational, air quality, health and safety testing 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.

In This Issue
Preventing Building Occupant Exposure to Chemical Odors and Other Inhalation Irritants
Coal Ash Regulations and Protecting Workers, Communities and the Environment from Exposure Risks
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Clark Seif Clark (CSC)

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