AIR SAMPLING - FORMALDEHYDE

gale | jordan associates places SKC UMEx 100 formaldehyde passive sampler medallions in multiple locations at the site. After a designated time period, the medallions are removed and transported on ice under chain of custody protocol to a certified, independent laboratory. They are analyzed using OSHA 1007/EPA IP-6C protocol.

Real-time monitoring may also be an option, depending on the site specifics.

What You Should Know about Formaldehyde*

What is formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling gas. It is used to make building materials and household products. Formaldehyde is used to make walls, cabinets, and furniture.

What happens when someone breathes too much formaldehyde?
Formaldehyde can make you feel sick if you breathe a lot of it. People can have symptoms such as:
• sore throat
• cough
• scratchy eyes
• nosebleeds

Scientists use the words “exposed” or “exposure” to talk about how people come in contact with a substance, such as formaldehyde. Some people are more sensitive than others, so an exposure that causes no problems for some people can make other people sick or uncomfortable. Some of these symptoms also happen with other upper respiratory illnesses, such as colds/flu and seasonal allergies, so if you have these symptoms we recommend that you see a doctor or another medical professional.

In general:

• If you are more sensitive to formaldehyde and are exposed to more of it for a longer time, you are more likely to have symptoms.
• If you are exposed to less formaldehyde for a shorter time, you are less likely to have symptoms, especially if you are not sensitive to formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is known to cause cancer. The cancer of greatest concern is cancer of the nose and throat. Scientific research has not yet shown that a certain level of formaldehyde exposure causes cancer. However, the higher the level and the longer the exposure, the greater the chance of getting cancer. Exposure to formaldehyde might increase the chance of getting cancer even at levels too low to cause symptoms.

Sources of formaldehyde:
Formaldehyde is a common chemical that can be emitted from a number of products in the home. Smoking, pressed wood, and particle board have all been shown to be sources of formaldehyde. Higher formaldehyde levels are usually found in newer homes or homes with new construction. The levels decrease over time. Formaldehyde levels also increase with increases in temperature and humidity.

In addition to the formaldehyde level, you should think about other factors.

• Age - Formaldehyde exposure is a special concern for children and the elderly. Children may become sensitive to formaldehyde more easily, which may make it more likely they will become sick. Elderly people may be less able to tolerate high formaldehyde exposures. If children or elderly people are in your home, it is important to reduce their exposure to formaldehyde.
• Health conditions - Formaldehyde irritates the airways. People with asthma, bronchitis, or other breathing conditions are especially sensitive to formaldehyde. People with other chronic diseases also may be less able to tolerate formaldehyde exposure. Pregnant women and their unborn children may not be at higher risk, but they should be careful about exposure. If anyone in your home has any of these conditions, it is important to reduce their exposure to formaldehyde.

*Reference source: CDC website

 

I2P2™ INJURY and ILLNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM - SB198

gale | jordan associates provides written Injury and Illness Prevention Programs (I2P2) in accordance with SB 198. The establishment of a I2P2 is a three-step process.

• The preliminary work place assessment provides information regarding the processes the employees perform, equipment and materials used, work practices/procedures, identification of job types, and the initial scheduled periodic inspection.
• The next step is the actual development of the written program.
• The final phase is the implementation of the program.

gale/jordan associates, inc. will assist the firm in the establishment of the employer’s safety and health rules by job type training and instruction of supervisory personnel, and the establishment of safety and health meetings. A written I2P2 is required for all companies with 10 or more employees operating in California.

The term “I2P2” is a trademark belonging to gale | jordan associates, inc. gja’s I2P2 Protocol, created by a former Cal/OSHA compliance officer, has been licensed by the leading provider of professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance for health and safety consultants performing SB 198 work in the State of California. It is required that these insured consultants use gale/jordan’s protocol when performing I2P2 studies for their clients.

 

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY and HEALTH (OSHA) REGULATORY COMPLIANCE COUNSELING

gale | jordan associates assists companies with the interpretation and compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations that may affect a company and its employees. gja creates and implements compliance programs for its clients.

 

PROJECT MANAGEMENT ROLE

“In addition to the active owner involvement in all phases of the remedial effort, an owner should consider engaging a specialized project management (PM) consultant. This will assist an owner to exercise the maximum level of control, to forestall or at least lessen the impact of cost and schedule overruns, and to better achieve the desired quality level. A PM consultant helps verify the existence or nonexistence of project problems and facilitates the identification and implementation of timely and prudent management decisions. The function is usually performed by an independent party who is not involved in the remedial process and is charged by the owner to give an objective assessment on how well the project is proceeding. Although the amount and type of necessary oversight will vary with the circumstances of the project, for any combination of circumstances, there is an appropriate level of oversight.

The PM role should be flexible and allow selection of specific tasks to be performed in a particular project. It should use interdisciplinary skills to anticipate and monitor the many variables that can lead to cost overruns and schedule delays. The PM team, for example, could include professionals with expertise in engineering, construction, accounting, tax, information systems, contracts, and risk management.

PM techniques should be participatory, should reinforce the capabilities of the owner’s management organization, and should follow the life cycle of the project. During the early stages, the emphasis should be on verifying the existence of appropriate procedures and guidelines and in setting up any missing control mechanisms. During the later compliance phase, PM entails verifying compliance with controls and project procedures established earlier, identifying signs of impending problems, and formulating corrective measures.”

Environmental Dispute Handbook Vol. 2, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1991