Forensic Industrial Hygiene

Objective—Scientific—Thorough

Balancing Science and Law

Forensic Applications

Consulting Technologies, Inc.

FACTs, Inc. is a private consulting firm providing state-of-the-art industrial hygiene and occupational and environmental assessment services. Our staff brings together a unique blend of classic industrial hygiene, sound science and analytical chemistry.

With 20 years experience in industrial hygiene consulting, and ten years in analytical chemistry, we possess the foundation necessary to handle virtually all of your industrial hygiene needs.

Our services include:

· Sound and noise monitoring

· Indoor air quality

· Ergonomic assessments

· Occupational chemical exposure

· Air monitoring

· OSHA compliance audits

· Toxicological risk assessments

· Indoor mould assessments (“toxic mold”)

· Methlab assessments

· Laboratory fume hood evaluations

· Employee training

· HazWoper

· Ergonomics

· Lab Safety

· Bloodborne Pathogens

· Law Enforcement sensitive training

· Methlab recognition

· Street drug manufacturing

· Active shooter

· Radiation safety

· MSDS preparation

· Health and Safety Plans

· Emergency Response Plans

FACTs can help individuals and organizations navigate regulatory and scientific waters.

Take a moment to look through our web sites, and call us with any questions you may have.

FACTs has prepared several detailed web discussions on various subjects. The following is a list of discussions that are available through this site:

FACTs, Inc. is a consulting firm providing state-of-the-art industrial hygiene and environmental assessment services. Our staff brings together a unique blend of classic industrial hygiene and analytical chemistry.

Our broad range of services and experience make us a technical asset to any team or service. Links to some of our technical web discussions are at the bottom of this page.

Our senior Forensic Industrial Hygienist is Colorado's only practicing industrial hygienist who is both HIDTA-certified <a href="#1">1</a> and P.O.S.T. certified by the Colorado Department of Law. With 18 years experience in industrial hygiene consulting, and ten years in analytical chemistry, we possess the foundation necessary to handle virtually all of your industrial hygiene needs.

The skills of forensic industrial hygiene have very broad applications. The same science, concepts, techniques and methodologies can be used in industrial, residential, civil or criminal investigation settings. For example, we are experts in the field of indoor aerobiology, and we are as comfortable applying that experience in settings as exotic as a crime scene or as domestic as performing a mould (mold) inspection for a homeowner.

Although the regulatory guidelines and physical hazards are different for each project, we use the same industrial hygiene technology and science to perform our work; whether it is chemical exposure assessments or noise assessments in industry, entry into uncharacterized CERCLA/SARA RCRA Superfund sites or illegal clandestine <A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/meth/meth.html">meth-labs </A>in an home or apartment.

Examples of Projects

<A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/iaq/iaq.html">Indoor Air Quality</A> and <A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/moulds/sok.html">Indoor Mould</A> Assessments for governmental entities (such as the National Center for Atmospheric Research, National Institute for Science and Technology, State of Colorado), general commercial properties, and home owners.

Expert witness toxicology testimony in a toxic tort litigation involving chemical exposures at a railway facility

Commercial and residential inspections for <A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/moulds/mvue.html"> Toxic Moulds</A> including the preparation of remediation protocols, and supervision of remediation contractors.

We provide assessments of clandestine meth-labs pursuant to Colorado's new regulations and also for meth-labs out side of the State of Colorado, or within Colorado but not otherwise covered by regulation. We are the only consulting firm in Colorado whose entire staff of field personnel is certified in the <A HREF="http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/hidta/index.html"> HIDTA</A> Clandestine Laboratory Safety Program; performing clandestine <A HREF="http://forensic-applications.com/meth/meth.html">methamphetamine lab</A> assessments for apartment owners, home owners, law enforcement, realtors and attorneys.

FACTs provides federally funded HIDTA certified, law enforcement sensitive, meth lab training to law enforcement, EMS, fire personnel, and emergency first responders. The training is provided through <A HREF="http://dcj.state.co.us/crcpi/"> The Colorado Regional Community Policing Institute</A> (created by the Colorado Department of Public Safety, Division of Criminal Justice) and is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). The training is provided at no charge to authorized personnel. We also provide an eight hour certified OSHA meth-lab training course for the <A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/meth/Fliers.pdf"> general public.</A>

Providing expert witness consultation in indoor air quality litigation issues for private homeowners (plaintiffs), insurance companies (plaintiff and defendant), Federal, State and Local governments, and a variety of private citizens and corporations. Our approach is so balanced and objective, our services are even sought by opposing counsel following the conclusion of a case.

Members in the State of Colorado legislative working groups on the promulgation of Regulations Pertaining To The Cleanup Of Methamphetamine Laboratories where our Senior Industrial Hygienist was the primary author of <A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/meth/coloregs.html"> the State of Colorado Assessment Sampling and Analysis Protocol for meth labs </A>).

ASTM Committee members in the establishment of ASTM International protocols on mould assessments, air monitoring standards, and forensic environmental contamination assessments.

Training seminars, luncheon talks and formal lectures in a variety of subjects including meth-labs (General Audience and Law Enforcement Sensitive versions), Indoor Moulds, IAQ, <A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/hoods/face.html">laboratory fume hoods</A> and biosafety cabinets. We have provided lectures for Regis University in Denver, the American Industrial Hygiene Association, the National Environmental Balancing Bureau, High Schools, Realtor and Home Inspector Associations (NACHI<a href="#2">2</a> and ASHI<a href="#3">3</a>); and lecturing in Risk and Toxicology at various institutions including Denver University and Red Rocks Community College (Golden, Colorado)

We have performed criminal investigations for law enforcement agencies including the preparation and execution of search warrants; risk assessments for chemical exposures and other applications

Diversity of Experience

We have developed new, nationally adopted, methodology for the enumeration of airborne moulds and fungi and new ASTM protocols for the forensic assessment of environmental contaminants. We have developed an extensive fungal database used in preparation of expert witness testimony.

Our personnel have been the on-site industrial hygienists for various Superfund and NPL sites across the US for various actions involving PCBs, dioxins, hydrazine, furans, heavy metals, beryllium, and asbestos and our personnel have prepared S.H.E.R.P.s and H.A.S.P.s for sites such as the Rocky Mountain Arsenal.

Our personnel are proficient in conducting personal and area air monitoring and laboratory analysis of various air contaminants using NIOSH, OSHA, MCAWW and EPA series protocols.

We have investigated IAQ issues (chemical, microbial, radiation and comfort) for Federal (expert witness), State and local governments, and other "Sick Building Syndrome" related issues involving moulds, Bacteria, and a variety of other insults.

Our personnel conducted <A HREF="http://forensic-applications.com/radon/radon.html">radon gas</A> endangerment study for the German Government in Grafenwoehr, Germany.

We provide OSHA 40 hour Hazardous Waste (Hazwoper) training and re-certification classes pursuant to 29 CFR 1910.120.

Our industrial hygienist developed and performed proprietary sound modeling and noise investigations for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in conjunction with US Department of Corrections.

We have developed qualitative and quantitative mathematical airborne dispersion models for CO2, asbestos, DMF, and non-specific hydrocarbons.

We perform lab hood evaluations using an effective and inexpensive <A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/hoods/hoodproto.html">fume hood evaluation protocol</A> developed by our personnel.

We perform ergonomic evaluations of office workers, and factory workers; and provide expert witness consultation for litigation in ergonomic, toxic tort, IAQ, aerobiology and smoke migration cases

We conduct mock OSHA inspections for heavy industry.

Our industrial hygienist performed environmental health and safety audits for DOE, VA (including bloodborne pathogens), GOCOs (such as water treatment facilities), Academia (University Center for Atmospheric Research); over 100 U.S. Geological Survey laboratories and a laboratory audit for the NCAR Mesa Laboratory, in Boulder, Colorado.

We conduct sound exposure assessment analysis, modeling and isoplethic mapping for heavy industry, and governmental agencies.

Prepared proprietary and general <A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/msds/msds.html">M.S.D.S.s</A> (material safety data sheets) for various U.S. and foreign companies.

Conducted radiological audits

Established QA/QC protocol for private laboratories and governmental agencies.

Performed chemical analysis of blood, urine, organic and inorganic materials for heavy metals, cyanides and other analytes using ion chromatography, atomic absorption spectroscopy (flame, hydride, and graphite), visible spectroscopy and various classical wet chemistry methods.

Developed a graphite furnace atomic absorption method for analysis of lead in human blood using Zeeman correction and specific atomic spectral line correction.

Developed new ion chromatography methodology for cyanide speciation and thiocyanide analysis. Established standard operating procedures and training of personnel.

Web Discussions

<TR ALIGN=CENTER><TD><A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/moulds/mvue.html">Aspects of air monitoring for moulds</A></TD><TD><A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/moulds/sok.html">Health Effects of Indoor Moulds</A></TD></TR>

<TR ALIGN=CENTER><TD><A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/moulds/ducts.html">Myths of duct cleaning</A></TD><TD><A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/cts/cts.html">Carpal Tunnel Syndrome</A></TD></TR>

<TR ALIGN=CENTER><TD><A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/meth/meth.html">Meth-labs</A></TD><TD><A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/meth/coloregs.html">Colorado's Methlab regulations</A></TD></TR>

<TR ALIGN=CENTER><TD><A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/iaq/iaq.html">Indoor Air Quality</A></TD><TD><A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/hoods/face.html">Myths of Lab Fume Hood Face Velocities</A></TD></TR>

<TR ALIGN=CENTER><TD><A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/hoods/hoodproto.html">Laboratory Fume Hood Evaluation Protocols</A></TD><TD><A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/msds/msds.html">Preparation of MSDSs</A></TD></TR>

<TR ALIGN=CENTER><TD><A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/meth/recognition.html">How to recognize the signs of a former methlab</A></TD><TD><A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/moulds/habits.html">So, what does toxic mould look like, anyway?</A></TD></TR>

<TR ALIGN=CENTER><TD><A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/meth/omnibus.html">Colorado's 2006 Methlab Omnibus Bill</A></TD><TD><A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/meth/discovery.html">Colorado's 2006 Real Estate Meth-lab Discovery and Disclosure Provisions</A></TD></TR>

<TR ALIGN=CENTER><TD><A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/radon/radon.html">Facts behind indoor radon</A></TD><TD><A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/meth/Sensitive/CSOC3pp.pdf">Law Enforcement Sensitive Course Handout: Colorado Regulations, for County Sheriffs of Colorado, 2006 (Pasword required)</TD></TR></TABLE> </CENTER></CENTER>

<A HREF="http://www.forensic-applications.com/Benton/"> Benton Street</A>

<a name="1">1</a> Our Senior Forensic Industrial Hygienist is also an active Law Enforcement Officer certified in Clandestine Drug Laboratory Safety Program by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area fund of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. He has received specialized meth-lab training through both the Iowa National Guard and St. Petersburg College (Florida); training such as the detection and identification of "anti personnel devices" (booby-traps commonly found at meth-labs) and actually cooking street meth by a variety of street methods.

<a name="2">2</a> National Association of Certified Home Inspectors

<a name="3">3</a> American Society of Home Inspectors

</CENTER>

Myths of Air Monitoring for Indoor Moulds	Meth-labs: General Discussion	Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Health Effects of Indoor Moulds	Colorado's Methlab regulations	Indoor Air Quality
So, what does toxic mould look like, anyway?	How to recognize the signs of a former methlab	Myths of Lab Fume Hood Face Velocities
Facts behind indoor radon	Colorado's 2006 Real Estate Meth-lab Discovery and Disclosure Provisions	Laboratory Fume Hood Evaluation Protocols
Radon Literature Review	Tweeker Gallery - Meth destroys the body and the soul	Preparation of MSDSs
Myths of duct cleaning	Colorado's 2006 Methlab Omnibus Bill
Law Enforcement Sensitive Course Handout: Colorado Regulations, for County Sheriffs of Colorado, 2006 (Password required)		Regulatory link to Benton Street: Discussion of fatal flaws, errors and omissions associated with the Quest Environmental report. (Password required)