September 2021 Resource Rambler

ARA Offering Asbestos Project Design in Maine

Absolute Resource Associates (ARA) is now a Licensed Asbestos Project Design Consultant in Maine.

Asbestos Project Designers determine how asbestos abatement work should be conducted by preparing plans, designs, procedures, work scope or other substantive direction or criteria. Since Project Design is required for most asbestos abatement projects in Maine, we are thrilled to now be able to offer this service to our clients.

The EPA requires specialized training for asbestos professionals per their Asbestos Model Accreditation Plan (MAP), which was included as part of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (AHERA).

Asbestos laws vary from state to state, but EPA mandates that state asbestos training programs must be at least as stringent as the MAP. The MAP established these specific training disciplines for asbestos professionals:

· Asbestos Workers carry out the asbestos abatement work, and they must have access to accredited supervisors throughout the duration of the abatement project.

· Asbestos Contractor/Supervisors carry out and oversee asbestos abatement work, providing supervision and direction to the workers performing the abatement.

· Asbestos Inspectors identify and assess the condition of Asbestos Containing Building Materials (ACBM), or suspected ACBM. All persons who inspect for ACBM in schools or public and commercial buildings must be accredited.

· Asbestos Management Planners use data gathered by inspectors to assess the degree of hazard posed by ACBM in schools to determine the scope and timing of appropriate response actions needed for schools. All persons who prepare management plans for schools must be accredited.

· Asbestos Project Designers determine how asbestos abatement work should be conducted. A person must be accredited as a project designer to design asbestos abatement activities with respect to friable ACBM in a school or public / commercial building.

· Asbestos Project Monitors observe abatement activities performed by contractors and generally serve as a building owner’s representative to ensure that abatement work is completed according to specification and in compliance with all relevant statutes and regulations. They may also perform air monitoring for purposes of determining final clearance.

ARA has Asbestos Inspectors, Consultants, Monitors, and Project Designers here on staff, and with our wide network of industry partners, we can recommend reputable companies for your projects requiring abatement, and/or state specific requirements that we are not able to accommodate.

Your friends at ARA want to make sure you are making the best decisions for safety and compliance on your asbestos projects. Give us a call if you have questions! FMI visit our asbestos page or the EPA links referenced above.

ARA Offers MADEP CAM Services

We’ve had an uptick in inquiries from our friends in Massachusetts about whether we offer MADEP CAM services. Yes we do! In fact, ARA was instrumental in the development and implementation of the MADEP CAM Program.

MADEP CAM Provides “Presumptive Certainty.”

The guide to MADEP’s Compendium of Quality Control Requirements and Performance Standards for Selected Analytical Protocols (WSC #10-320) took effect July 1, 2010. This Compendium of Analytical Methods (CAM) is required for analytical data generated in support of decisions made at sites regulated under M.G.L.c. 21e, and the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MADEP MCP).

The CAM provides method specific QC and reporting limit requirements and performance standards for analytical data for the purpose of generating “Presumptive Certainty.” ARA customers with projects needing these requirements simply request the service on our chain of custody form when submitting samples.

ARA’s Involvement in the CAM Program

CAM was developed with input from the users of laboratory data, the regulatory community and certified laboratories. ARA’s Sue Sylvester was an active member in the review and development of the CAM. Sue was also a board member of the Independent Testing Laboratory Association (ITLA), which was instrumental in providing input to MADEP during the development of the method specific criteria that would promote consistency in reporting limits, quality control elements, actions required due to failed quality control criteria and report contents. In addition, Sue provided training to lab data users at MADEP training events during the roll out of the new requirements.

It’s All About Quality Control

Laboratory reports generated by ARA under the MADEP CAM program contain the required report elements, including the MADEP Analytical Protocol Certification Form. This Form is included with every report, in addition to a quality control narrative to address the requirements of “Presumptive Certainty”. Analytical data with “Presumptive Certainty” status are data for which the MassDEP stipulates the precision, accuracy, and sensitivity have been adequately determined. As an environmental firm with extremely high standards for quality in all areas of our work, we are proud to offer MADEP CAM services to our customers. Let us know if you’d like to know more!

Questions About CAM?

CAM Protocols Q&A document from MADEP can be found here.

Why Are We Hearing More & More About Legionella?

Legionella and Legionnaires’ Disease have become a serious concern for those who manage large buildings and facilities such as Hospitals, Schools, Commercial & Residential Buildings. Reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been on the rise in recent years, likely du in part to increased awareness, improved reporting, aging population, and aging of infrastructure. Closed buildings and stagnant water supplies during the pandemic may also be a factor in cases reported within the last 12+ months.

Prevent Legionella Outbreaks

An outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease can be devastating to a business, school or hospital on so many levels. Maintaining and routinely testing water systems is the best way to keep Legionella and Legionnaires’ disease at bay. If you would like your facility inspected for Legionella, or other environmental contaminant, ARA can help.

The Legionella Investigation

A Legionella investigation begins with assessing the entire location, identifying the potential places for Legionella to grow and thrive, such as cooling towers, sinks, faucets, water heaters, fountains and hot tubs. Once the various sources are identified, ARA will collect (swab and bulk water) lab samples from each area, and have the samples tested for Legionella growth. If samples come back positive for Legionella, those areas will need to be remediated.

Water Management Program

Developing and maintaining a water management program is a multi-step process that requires continuous review. Every building is different (depending on factors such as the structure, age, location, occupants of the building, or surrounding conditions) so each one needs a tailored program. Routine environmental sampling is recommended to keep your building’s water systems (and occupants) healthy. Give ARA a call if you would like a free quote detailing the cost and scope of your customized Legionella management plan.