Indoor Air Quality, Dust & Chemicals

 

 

Greencap is now part of WSP

WSP Occupational Health and Hygiene

• Indoor air quality assessments (including odour investigations)

• Chemical hazard identification and development of exposure assessments

• Hazardous Chemical Assessments (Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Substances)

• Globally Harmonised System (GHS) of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals training and advice

• Toxicology review and SDS preparation.

• Dust, vapour, fibre and fume monitoring

• Gas detection and monitoring

• Lead paint/lead dust or other heavy metal assessment

• Decontamination assessments e.g. clandestine drug laboratories.

Indoor Air Quality Assessments

Greencap's scientific staff use state of the art equipment and technology, to evaluate a broad range of air quality parameters in the building environment. Real time instrumentation, with data logging capability, allows detailed investigation of daily variations in building air quality. From basic thermal comfort parameters such as temperature and humidity through to potential atmospheric contaminants such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, VOCs – Greencap can provide assessment of indoor air quality and practical recommendations for ensuring ‘healthy buildings’. Our engineering capability includes assessment of mechanical systems to review efficiencies and opportunities for improvements in indoor air quality.

Greencap also has a national team of mould experts (including previous restoration side experience) and as such as are able to provide extensive testing and practical advice in relation to treatment and elimination of mould and moisture in properties.

Hazardous Chemical Assessments/GHS

Dangerous Goods, Hazardous Substances, Hazardous Chemicals – the landscape in relation to management of risks associated with chemicals in the workplace is ever-changing. The Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) has been introduced in an attempt to improve understanding of physical, health and environmental hazards relating to chemicals.

Greencap has a range of experts that can provide advice in relation to management of chemicals in the workplace – including the chemical registers development, risk assessments in relation to storage and/or handling, and the creation and/or review of SDS.

Potential exposure to chemicals in the workplace during handling activities also presents a risk for PCBUs to manage. Greencap’s dedicated team of occupational hygienists are able to undertake both personal and static monitoring in relation to potential chemical exposure and provide practical solutions in relation to risk mitigation using the hierarchy of control.

Dust/Gas/Heavy Metals

Other site-based activities may present various potential chemical exposure issues for PCBUs. From exposure to dust from construction activities, gases from manufacturing processes or heavy metals such as lead during property refurbishment or demolition, Greencap has a team of experts who can provide practical advice in managing the risk of exposure to these contaminants.

Using state of the art equipment and technology, Greencap’s dedicated occupational hygiene team use real time instrumentation (with data logging capability) to provide detailed information about potential chemical contaminants. Technological advancements in this equipment have also now allowed remote monitoring, meaning clients can now have cost effective ongoing monitoring during ongoing projects. Our team has extensive experience in providing multi-disciplinary and ongoing monitoring programs to assist clients with mitigation of worker exposure risk, but also stakeholder management in relation to adjacent properties, regulators, councils and so on.

Clandestine Drug Labs

Unfortunately, the prevalence of clandestine laboratories across Australia and New Zealand has rapidly increased over the past decade and has created a potential risk for property owners. A range of health and environmental issues are caused during this process and residual contamination of the air, water and ground/soil may exist in close vicinity to a clan lab site. From potential leaching of contaminants into the property (e.g. paint/furnishings) during the ‘cooking’ processes, through to potential environmental contamination from the waste chemical products of the process – this is an area that is getting increased scrutiny.

Greencap is able to assist in the initial identification of potential contamination of the property, through to assistance with reviewing the remedial action plan and completion of a post remediation validation to confirm the property has been appropriately cleaned/remediated. Due to the multi-disciplinary nature of our business, Greencap is well equipped to provide advice from the property contamination perspective, potential occupational/health issues and also potential environmental/land contamination issues.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the purpose of indoor air quality monitoring?

Indoor air quality monitoring is an assessment of the air to determine it is safe and comfortable for occupants. It samples the air in an environment for a range of physical, chemical and biological parameters to detect hazards, should they exist. In an office setting for example this is to ensure that the air conditioning and HVAC system is set up appropriately to be comfortable to work in.

How is the indoor air quality tested?

• Depending on the method used, the indoor air may be tested for chemical hazards, dust and particulates; biological hazards, mould pollen and aerosols, and physical parameters, such as temperature, humidity, CO2 and other comfort parameters.
• When investigating an indoor air quality complaint, a hygienist will try to assess odours and volatile organic compounds, which may include formaldehyde, paint fumes, glues and any unknown odours. It is a mix of physical, chemical and biological monitoring.