Ft. Egbert HazMat Survey & Assessment Report, Eagle, Alaska

This project gathered needed hazardous material data in preparation for the maintenance and renovation of the interior and exterior of the Non-Commissioned Officers' Quarters at the Fort Egbert National Historic Landmark in Eagle, Alaska. The survey of the structure did not involve destructive sampling or entry to inaccessible, “hidden” spaces. A written report was generated that included an estimated amount of hazardous materials and their locations documented on a drawing. Also included in the report was an abatement cost estimate, recommendation for proper disposal of the hazardous materials discovered, and – at the BLM’s request – narrative discussion on the proper protection for agency personnel and the general public as they maintain, operate and use this facility in the future.

 Tok Rec. Center Lead Dust Abatement Design/Specs, Tok, Alaska

The Tok Multipurpose Recreational Center has a 6-lane small bore shooting range for use by local students. Students and the range supervisor were been found to have blood lead levels greater than background indicating exposures to lead dust. A lead risk assessment report prepared by NORTECH indicated that the shooting range’s ventilation system had distributed lead dust throughout the facility. The owner (Ak Gateway School District) engaged Design Alaska to develop construction documents to renovate the facility. NORTECH conducted an industrial hygiene review of the draft construction documents for compliance with currently accepted standards for shooting ranges, developed construction specifications to abate the lead dust in the facility, developed construction specifications for environmental quality control, will soon provide construction administration during the abatement phase of the project.

 HazMat Inspections @ Community & Teen Centers, Barrow, Alaska

City of Barrow proposed building renovations precipitated the requirement to notify the successful construction contractor of the presence of hazardous materials that would potentially impact the demolition process envisioned for the project. Inspection reports for both facilities were prepared describing the results of visual inspections, sampling results for presumed ACM building materials, and inspections for lead based paint by x-ray fluorescence (XRF). The inspection report was incorporated into the advertised construction documents and the project continued on schedule.

Lead-based Paint Surveys

NORTECH does a large number of hazardous materials assessment surveys each year, sending its experienced professionals to locations all over Alaska. NORTECH owns hand-held Niton x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrophotometers, which enable us to perform non-destructive lead content sampling at an inspection rate of as high as 2 tests/minute. Several of our large building test series involve from 250 – 500 individual XRF “shots” in a day, generally including at least one or two tests for every room surveyed and always at least one shot for every paint color and paint combination/circumstance. Some interesting and recent examples of our lead content paint, and lead dust contamination projects are described below.