Environmental and Health Sciences

Addressing environmental contamination caused anywhere from the late-1800s to a recent event requires highly specialized knowledge and experience. Only careful review of historical documentation, knowledge of industrial and manufacturing operations, and chemical characteristics can aid in identifying the source and timing of releases. A traditional assignment involves analyzing how a business operated to create a product, how the operator generated waste, how the waste was managed, why waste constituents migrated into the environment, when the migration began, and when it was discovered. Starting with information that is currently available, we work backward chronologically to create timelines and narratives. To assist in the process, we glean facts from depositions, 10K filings, corporate websites, regulatory files, newspaper archives, literature searches, and review of technical reports issues by environmental remediation contractors. Additionally, Rimkus uses state-of-the-art technology for calculating volumetric losses/releases and for determining the timing of a release event. These assessments have been used in identifying other potentially responsible parties and in allocation assessments.

Environmental pollution of soil, groundwater, and surface water often leads to significant property damage, penalties for violating federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and stigma. Depending upon the type of pollutant and whether the pollutant is in the soil, water, or both, a seemingly small release of hazardous material can easily cost millions of dollars to remove from the environment. Environmental contamination within homes, neighborhoods, and workplaces (including indoor air quality issues) can also adversely affect human health and result in litigation. Rimkus experts can determine the efficacy of the emergency response or remedial approach, which can result in expedited site closure and/or reduced costs. In addition, Rimkus experts are adept in long-term economic forecasting and remediation cost evaluations. Rimkus keeps the project on task with direct communication with the contractors and establishing invoicing guidelines in the early stages of a project to prevent costly change orders and budget overruns. When requested, we can provide a qualified professional to oversee cleanup efforts on behalf of our clients.

Typical failure assessments routinely performed by our experts include tank, pipeline, containment, and water/waste systems. Small releases from a chemical containment or transport structure can go unnoticed for years and result in significant environmental impacts. Our understanding of industry operations, waste management practices, environmental remediation techniques, remediation costs, and government regulations ensure a firm scientific, cost-effective, and supportable basis for each of our investigations.

In the event of a chemical spill from a tank truck accident or the rupture of a fuel tank, Rimkus can provide an expeditious response to the incident scene. Staffed with environmental engineers, explosion specialists, chemists, chemical engineers, toxicologists, industrial hygienists, hydrogeologists, and geologists, Rimkus offers a comprehensive analysis of catastrophic events. Our staff is “Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response” (HAZWOPER) certified as required by OSHA regulations and qualified to enter catastrophe sites or spill areas containing hazardous and toxic materials. Rimkus will represent our client’s interest by documenting the incident scene, securing evidence, and directly communicating with the response leaders. Rimkus can oversee the cleanup, work with regulators, trace complex migrations of the hazardous release, and help develop strategies to control cleanup costs.

Whether dealing with the familiar or unfamiliar, we can help you separate fear from fact and make sense of regulations and new issues guiding the industry to keep you ahead of the curve. Steady pressure from environmental watchdog organizations has increased public awareness and concern in several high-profile areas. The following concerns are topics being addressed by our experts: PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have ubiquitously been identified across the far regions of the planet and within our bloodstream. Recent concerns with this broad range of chemicals could create a logistical nightmare in addressing historic or existing contaminated sites and for the water treatment industry. Expected changes to regulations and actionable thresholds for new chemicals and vapor intrusion into structures are creating confusion in the industry and prolonging site closure. The mining industry is under close scrutiny for allegedly damaging the environment, including water bodies, with radioactivity and heavy metals contamination. Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is being blamed for both earthquake damage to property and polluting water supplies.

It is estimated that we spend approximately 90% of our time indoors, as a result, the vast majority of exposures occur inside the home or workplace. As structures become more energy efficient, air exchange decreases, circulating unwanted constituents like molds. But poor indoor air quality is caused by much more than mold. Physical, chemical, and biological hazards can have a substantial impact on human health. Our Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIH) have investigated and solved air quality complaints in every type of building in virtually every state, including those devastated by hurricanes, floods, and other disasters. Our experts provide sampling, analysis, and corrective measures to support a wide range of exposures including asbestos, bacterial pathogens (including Legionella and the impact of ASTM D5952-08 on the hospitality industry), viruses, benzene, carbon monoxide, second-hand tobacco smoke, fire residue and odors, mold, silica, heavy metals and welding fumes (cadmium, lead, manganese, etc.), sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, spray foams, noise, heat, and many more.

Safety at work or in the home is a critical aspect of our everyday lives. However, even in the safest environment accidents can occur. These accidents can result in injury, death, and mental anguish. Accidents can also result in lost worker productivity and drive insurance premiums upwards. Our Certified Safety Professionals (CSPs) bring decades of experience in labor-intensive heavy industry, construction, manufacturing, mining, healthcare, hospitality, and other commercial settings. We appraise hazardous materials, procedures, and activities of workers and their work environment, providing consulting services in regard to all accidents, whether regulated by the Occupational Health and Safety Organization (OSHA) or otherwise.