Fairbanks Courthouse Risk Assessment , Fairbanks, Alaska

NORTECH developed building air quality specifications for construction and baseline testing as part of the design team for the new Courthouse. Contract documents specified low VOC-emitting building finishes (painted surfaces, carpet, mastics and sealants and ceiling tiles), contractor application sequences (emitters prior to absorbers), and a building air flush out period during substantial completion and base line testing of priority pollutants, VOCs, fungi and standard IAQ parameters. During construction NORTECH was retained by ALCAN General, the prime contractor, to assist them with low VOC emitter product selection, submittals, preliminary air monitoring and flush out plan development and base line air monitoring for required parameters. The design specified installation and baseline testing was implemented successfully for the Contractor and Owner without any change orders. Building occupants reported positive IAQ feedback during initial occupancy. In 2001 the ACS negotiated with NORTECH to perform additional baseline air quality testing following the final installation of furnishings and a full year of occupancy. Baseline testing included VOCs, priority pollutants, fungi, and standard IAQ parameters.

 Memorial Hospital Air Quality Sampling, Fairbanks, Alaska

NORTECH has or is currently performing the following environmental and industrial hygiene efforts for the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital.

FMH Operating Room Sterilization Facility Industrial Hygiene Evaluation and Air Monitoring. NORTECH completed an industrial hygiene hazard analysis, work practice evaluation and exposure monitoring assessment for various kinds of chemicals used in the hospital’s operating room cleaning and sterilization facility. Results were used to modify work practices, provide employee training, and modify HVAC system and workstation design. 2001

FMH Operating Room Bioaerosol Wipe Sampling. NORTECH collected bioaerosol swab wipe samples from the air handling system in the operating room and analyzed the samples for certain resistant bacteria. (01106.4) 2001

FMH South Wing Mold and IAQ Investigation, Air Sampling, Corrective Action Design and Abatement Oversight and Monitoring. NORTECH investigated the entire five floors of the hospital due to employee complaints and workers compensations claims. Air and bulk sampling of occupied spaces, wall cavities and destructive testing of vapor barrier identified mold growth in exterior wall cavities. Developed interim operational practices to eliminate occupied space exposure. Worked with management, employee group and occupational physician to address employee concerns and completed news reporter and television interviews regarding the project conditions. Assisted the building architect to develop exterior building skin retrofit corrective action. Provided contractor and maintenance staff with mold abatement training, oversight during remediation and ongoing facility wide IAQ and mold air monitoring and clearance sampling. Ongoing.

FMH Laboratory IH Investigation, Sampling and Formalin Biopsy Ventilation Station Upgrade. NORTECH completed an IH investigation and sampling of the Hospital’s laboratory. Identified formalin exposures and provided recommendations for upgrading biopsy workstation ventilation system and biopsy station employee work practices to reduce exposures. 1999

FMH Basement Training Room IAQ Investigation. Investigated the FMH basement training room for standard IAQ and mold parameters.

 Great Northwest Contractors Air Monitoring, Asbestos assessment, Work Plan    Development, Training, Environmental and Worker Exposure Air Monitoring –    Northern Alaska

During a remote road construction-resurfacing project at MP 105-111 along the Dalton Highway, naturally occurring asbestos (tremolite) deposits were encountered in one of the gravel pits used on the project. NORTECH was retained to investigate and assess the extent of contamination in the pit and present on the road project, provide contractor and community relations, worker training, contract negotiations, work plan development as well as area and personnel exposure monitoring during project completion. Re-creation of equipment operator work tasks confirmed worker exposures in the pit in excess of the OSHA PEL. Bulk and air samples along the remote section of highway confirmed road sections with asbestos contamination and detectable air concentrations. NORTECH provided emergency assistance necessary to decontaminate contractor equipment and remote worker housing units, developed safety and health work plan for the revised resurfacing project, provided worker training and exposure counseling, contractor relations, agency coordination, management and oversight of quality assurance air sampling and monitoring during project completion and promoted community assurance and contractor relations.

 Alaska State Trooper Shooting Range Preliminary Lead Dust Risk Assessment –    Fairbanks, Alaska

The Fairbanks office of the Alaska State Troopers operates a shooting range for use by law enforcement personnel. Range users reported excessive amounts of smoke generated during shooting and maintenance personnel expressed concerns about lead exposures during routine filter changes. The limited lead dust assessment included visual inspection, wipe and microvacuum sampling, lead analysis of dust trapped on filters and a review of mechanical construction documents. The range, range ventilation system, and adjacent areas were assessed to determine potential risks to range users, maintenance personnel and workers in adjacent areas. The preliminary assessment report precipitated a reevaluation of projected renovation projects in the facility. (2002)

 Federal Aeronautics Administration Air Traffic Control Tower IAQ Investigation -    Fairbanks International Airport, Fairbanks, Alaska

In response to complaints from building occupants, NORTECH conducted a preliminary indoor air quality investigation by reviewing air balancing data, interviewing occupants and measuring indoor air quality parameters and sampling for mold and other particulates in two critical work areas. The results of the preliminary investigation indicated compliance with EPA carbon monoxide (CO) indoor air quality standards but reproducible periodic spikes in CO concentrations indicated a systematic intrusion of combustion gases into indoor breathing air.

Human Health Risk Assessment & Ecological Risk Assessment