Source NBC Connecticut | Sign located inside bus promoting safety in Las Vegas.

Aftermath of homes from the wildfires in Lahaina.

The emergence of ANSI-Z89.1-certified Type II safety helmets equipped with anti-concussion technology represents a significant advancement in protecting workers from serious head injuries.

These helmets do more than just deflect impact; they are designed to absorb shock and distribute force intelligently, significantly reducing the risk of head trauma.

Despite facing obstacles like cultural norms and helmet design challenges, the construction industry, backed by supportive regulations from OSHA, is reshaping its safety protocols.

Collaborative efforts between regulatory bodies and technological innovators are not only enhancing safety at construction sites but also establishing a new standard that prioritizes the overall well-being of everyone involved in the construction sector.

Kudos to the contractors who have embraced these advancements. Or should we say, ‘hats off’?

Q&A: Atlas’ National Director of Industrial Hygiene and Building Science Alex Peck shares insights into recent air pollution events.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires settled across the U.S. Midwest and eastern seaboard in June, covering major cities in a hazardous haze.

Federal authorities issued health advisories in multiple regions, urging people to remain indoors and monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) until further notice.

While wildfire phenomena no longer surprise residents of western states, , a smoke-veiled, New York City skyline spurred public health concerns about the future.

Can exposure silently harm your health? We caught up with Alex Peck, the National Director of Industrial Hygiene and Building Science at Atlas, to learn more about the effects of wildfire smoke and how to deal with these unprecedented challenges.

How threatening can smoke that’s traveled hundreds of miles away from its source be to human health?

Canada’s fighting at the moment, so it’s difficult to determine the exact source of the smoke. We can presume that the airborne soot impacting New York state and the East Coast comes from western Canada by way of a storm system in Maine, but it’s likely that these fires are burning more than just vegetation and timber.

While breathing particle pollution from any source, including wildfires, can be harmful, if the fires are burning manmade structures and products containing plastics and rubbers, chemically, there’s no telling what you could be inhaling.

And unlike the wildfire smoke that stays aloft in the west, this particular smoke is lingering at ground level.

What is particulate matter?

Particulate matter (PM) refers to the microscopic solid and liquid particles suspended in the air. Although we can’t see these particles individually, they materialize as haze or smoke when present in high concentrations.

We differentiate sizes on a scale from PM10 (particles with a diameter of 10 microns or less) to PM2.5 (particles with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less), or particles 50 times smaller than the diameter of a strand of hair.

The nose and throat can stop many larger PM10 particles from entering our body. Whereas finer, PM2.5 particles, can penetrate deep into lung linings and cause a host of respiratory and cardiovascular issues.

How do you analyze and rate wildfire smoke?

That’s actually one of the biggest challenges in occupational health and safety: we don’t have a good way of doing that right now.

Of course we can analyze the air in a myriad of ways, but the problem is there’s not really one catch-all solution where, to reference Star Trek, we can use a tricorder to gather, compute, and record air quality data.

We have to identify what we believe is in the air and then order the lab to analyze for it. Fires release thousands of toxic chemicals that are typically present in low quantities, making them difficult to capture. That’s one reason why we always focus on PM2.5, because it’s a good marker for just all the pollution in general. PM2.5 also tends to travel further at harmful concentrations than many of the other contaminants.

What smoke detection devices has Atlas installed for clients?

A lot of buildings, especially older models, weren’t built with ventilation systems that can detect particles that come from wildfires.

We recently started installing low-cost sensors that record air quality data in real time. They look like thermostats. They analyze ambient temperature, humidity, particulates, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon dioxide from people breathing in the building.

It’s new equipment that we can set and forget for 24/7 air quality monitoring. These devices can help our clients understand the impacts of wildfire smoke and other pollution on their indoor environments and employees.

How can Atlas help wildfire-prone properties stay healthy?

Climate scientists expect hotter, drier conditions to extend the fire season. Here’s how Atlas can help: 

1. Develop custom health and safety plans for employees working in hazardous conditions.
2. Perform indoor air quality evaluations amid wildfire events.
3. Conduct indoor air quality evaluations after a wildfire/isolated building fire incident to understand impacts and provide guidance for remediation.

The first entails developing a health and safety program for sectors that are exposed to wildfires. It’s geared towards commercial farmers, groundskeepers, delivery drivers, landfill operators, or anyone who primarily works outdoors. We also help businesses comply with wildfire regulations in applicable states.

The second concerns an assortment of different equipment, sensors and sampling devices, and laboratory analyses to assess ventilation system quality. We help determine if the ventilation systems are functioning at full capacity or if improvements are needed.

The third involves testing building surfaces for soot, ash, and char. In most cases, the smoke particles actually stick to surfaces and settle in the dust, which gives off a lingering smoke odor. We perform wipe samples to determine the level of impact to areas within a building and inform remediation plans. Smoke travels through wall cavities in sneaky ways. Basically, we help rid the building of contaminants and the associated smell.

How can individuals own their safety?

Keep an eye on those AQI numbers at . You can also view various “citizen science” indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring programs online, such as . Some platforms even allow you to opt for a meter that you can set up outside your front door.

If you’re in an area that’s experiencing intense smoke, staying inside is the main recommendation from federal agencies.

Make sure that the air quality inside is as good as it can be. You’ll want to keep windows and doors airtight as best you can. Make sure you’re using the highest rated air filters that your ventilation system allows.

I suggest buying those affordable air purifiers for rooms, too. The one thing that I would note about those is you want to buy one that has a , and you want to pay attention to the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR). Get one that’s the right size for the area you’re trying to filter.

Stay away from ionizers. Basically, avoid products that advertise ionization capabilities or ionizing the air. They’re known to produce ozone and other pollutants that you don’t want to breathe. Just stick to HEPA filters. They’re tried and true.

Hurricanes may not strike as suddenly as earthquakes or tornadoes, but they are still unpredictable and can cause an unparalleled amount of damage to infrastructure, property and human life. Specifically, when hazardous materials are present at a facility, damage from water and wind to commercial real estate is a serious concern for businesses located in vulnerable areas.  These areas include most of the coastline along the Gulf Coast, the southeastern U.S. and lately, more frequently on the eastern seaboard.

In lieu of hurricane season in the U.S. June 1 to November 30, we are reminded to make sure our businesses, schools, and communities are prepared to weather the storm with these disaster-preparedness tips from our team of experts.

Assess Risks and Current Procedures

The first step towards hurricane preparedness is a full evaluation of the site itself. Your location’s proximity to the coastline or other bodies of water is important, but there are many other factors to consider, as well. Hurricane damage is not limited to high winds and flying debris. In 2020, Hurricane Laura alone caused over  and losses to residential and commercial real estate.

Our consultants look at flood zone risks, site drainage features and barriers, soil composition, local geography and structural materials to identify potential vulnerabilities to both wind and storm damage as well as storm surge and flooding. Facilities housing potential contaminants and all procedures related to their handling, are priorities during the assessment to ensure the health and safety of the public during an emergency.

This proactive assessment includes a thorough evaluation of all risk-management and emergency measures already in place. Some of these procedures can be adjusted and integrated into a broader emergency and disaster recovery plan. Businesses also need to consider all of the applicable laws and regulations relevant to their industry, location and specific nature of their operations.

Create an Emergency Plan

The ability to react quickly to an emerging crisis can make the difference between a minor setback and a complete disaster. Every commercial site at risk of severe hurricane damage should have an updated and established emergency response plan. This plan provides employees and decision makers with a framework and essential checklist when facing an imminent storm. Procedures for providing emergency power, developing mitigation controls, ceasing volatile operations and bolstering chemical storage areas are just a few examples of what may appear in an emergency plan.

Emergency plans are not a “one size fits all” solution, and should not only be customized to your unique business, location and employees, but also regularly evaluated and updated as needed. Once created, it’s also important that all current and new employees are properly trained and made aware of new policies and procedures as they happen in case of an emergency event.

Develop a Disaster Recovery Strategy

Even if the storm only lasts for a day or two, the impact of a hurricane can linger for much longer. Unprepared sites​ can become seriously contaminated​ or structurally unsafe, which can cripple business operations on the premises for months or even years. That’s why businesses should have a disaster recovery strategy in place that they can implement to address issues arising from storm damage that accounts for every aspect of how it operates.

Damaged commercial sites should be inspected as soon as possible after hurricane activity subsides. Signs of chemical contamination, water intrusion or structural damage can represent a serious threat to the safety of workers and other personnel onsite, as well as the surrounding environment and communities. It’s also important to quickly address sources of ongoing damage, particularly when there has been flooding. A thorough disaster recovery plan includes steps to address concerns in order of priority and severity, providing a roadmap for the remediation process.

Remediating Damaged Sites

Some of the risks associated with hurricanes are unavoidable, even with a comprehensive emergency and recovery plan. Following the post-storm assessment, commercial property owners have to find an affordable and effective way to get back to normal operating conditions. The sheer complexity and scope of hurricane remediation can be overwhelming, but with the help of experienced environmental and engineering consultants, business owners can rest assured knowing that their property is well taken care of.

Atlas offers comprehensive disaster recovery support, including:

• Initial water damage assessments, including moisture intrusion surveys
• Asbestos, lead paint and other contaminated material assessments ​that may be required prior to demolition and removal of any storm-damaged materials
• Structural damage evaluations and assessments, including welding, concrete, foundation and roofing inspections
• Water damage moisture mapping services, as well as observation and third-party oversight of microbial abatement activities
• Program management and construction management
• Grant management services in support of FEMA’s Public Assistance Program: preliminary damage assessment, grant funding eligibility and recovery implementation phase, project delivery
• Air quality consulting, including fence line air monitoring in extreme cases of chemical releases and fires
• Testing and monitoring of indoor air quality for noxious fumes to ensure there are no fugitive emissions or releases
• Contaminated waste management, chemical containment, characterization and disposal management
• Chemical release and spill response and initial abatement activities
• Assessing, monitoring and mitigating impacts to soil, surface water and groundwater
• Utility restoration to the facility

Atlas is currently providing environmental investigations in the southeast Louisiana region in response to Hurricane Ida. Following the devastating 2020 CAT4 Hurricanes, Delta and Laura, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Atlas also provided immediate Industrial Hygienist support in the wake of significant flooding and continues to provide program management, construction management, and grant management services to the City of Lake Charles in support of FEMA’s Public Assistance Program.

Despite the unpredictable nature of hurricanes, there are measures companies can take to mitigate the risk of damage to life, property and the environment before a storm hits. Identifying and prioritizing the numerous risk factors impacting a particular site can be difficult on its own, and businesses have to do much more than that to survive a hurricane disaster. That’s why Atlas offers advanced solutions to support clients in all of their hurricane preparation and remediation efforts. ​Contact us today​ to discuss our comprehensive consulting services or to learn more about the risks hurricanes pose to your commercial property.