University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
Hazardous Materials Survey  

Prior to purchase of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) building, which is a six-story office and laboratory facility in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the University of Minnesota retained DPRA to perform a series of hazardous materials surveys within the building. Based on the initial survey, DPRA found mercury and PCB contamination in isolated locations. DPRA recommended decontaminating the mercury- and PCB-contaminated areas. DPRA performed oversight during the decontamination process.  

Following the completion of these activities which coincided with MDH’s relocation, DPRA performed a second hazardous materials building survey. This survey verified the effectiveness of the decontamination procedures in the mercury- and PCB-contaminated areas, as well as documenting the building conditions and screening for contaminants following the removal of the MDH’s equipment and supplies. Final recommendations to the University included developing a management plan for appropriately addressing the areas of PCB contamination beneath an epoxy sealant in the transformer room and the elevator shaft. DPRA also provided recommendations if the building is extensively remodeled and/or demolished.

U.S. Postal Service
Los Angeles, California
Chemical Inventory and MSDS Update
 

DPRA performed a chemical inventory at a USPS Processing and Distribution Center with over one million square feet. DPRA staff inspected each area where hazardous materials were used or stored and collected a complete inventory that included the name, manufacturer, and location of each container. Material safety data sheets (MSDSs) were obtained for each material. The material inventory was entered into an electronic spreadsheet and provided to the client in lists organized by product name, manufacturer, and location. Two complete sets of MSDSs were provided with the inventory to the client along with scanned copies of all the MSDSs. 

 
American Cancer Society
Minneapolis, MN
Hazardous Materials Survey
 
The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the University of Minnesota teamed to purchase and develop a commercial property near the University’s Minneapolis campus for an ACS Hope Lodge. DPRA performed a Phase I ESA, Phase II investigation, and pre-demolition hazardous material survey of the property. ACS worked under a tight construction schedule dictated by its donors and within three months much of the project was completed. The hazardous materials survey included a visual inspection of each room for chemicals and hazardous substances, with photographic documentation, sampling for asbestos-containing materials (ACM), and screening for lead-based paint. ACM and lead-based paint were identified and called out for removal prior to demolition.
U.S. Postal Service
National Anthrax Sampling and Emergency Response Support
 
Over a period of two and a half years, DPRA assisted the USPS with response activities related to anthrax in USPS facilities throughout the country. DPRA conducted anthrax sampling at USPS facilities, provided standby emergency response support, provided technical and administrative support to the USPS Anthrax Response Team, and conducted ozone testing of decontaminated mail.  Specifically:
 
- DPRA assisted the USPS in coordinating anthrax sampling activities at the USPS Incident Command Center (ICC) in Washington, D.C. While at the ICC, DPRA worked with representatives of the USPS and three other national environmental contractors in the development of plans and procedures for collecting samples from USPS facilities for anthrax analysis.  DPRA provided emergency on-site anthrax sampling services at 26 USPS facilities in 14 cities across the United States (including Hawaii). 
 
- DPRA provided technical and administrative staff to the Brentwood Anthrax Response Team. DPRA developed document control systems, researched and summarized appropriate emergency management procedures for incorporation into a site specific management plan, assisted in the design and documentation of Unified ICC Structure, developed and drafted an After Action Report for the anthrax response, and designed and produced a variety of USPS communication products for internal and external audiences. 
 
- DPRA provided an emergency response team on standby during the initial one month operation of a biohazard detection system at the Manasota Processing and Distribution Center in Florida. The team was prepared to enter the facility and collect the BDS cartridge, conduct additional sampling for anthrax and decontaminate personnel.
 
- DPRA conducted ozone sampling of irradiated mail at a USPS facility in Maryland to assess any potential employee exposure.
Confidential Lending Client
Minneapolis, MN
PCB Sampling and Transaction Coordination
 
DPRA was retained by a commercial lending client that foreclosed on a commercial/industrial building property and was preparing the site for sale. A previous environmental site assessment identified potential PCB contamination at the property near compressor mounting pads. DPRA implemented a phased approach to delineate the PCB-impacted area and provide a more accurate description of the impacted surface that would require remediation. Extensive contamination was encountered on porous and non-porous surfaces throughout the building. Through sampling and historical research, DPRA determined that the source of the contamination was PCB-containing compressor oil and the contamination was distributed throughout the building through a series of compressor pipes and hoses that connected to manufacturing work stations. Sale of the site was prohibited due to the presence of PCB contamination in excess of regulated levels. DPRA worked as a liaison with EPA and technical reviewer of the proposed cleanup to ensure that all regulatory requirements were met and our client was able to offer the property for sale.
U.S. Postal Service
Minnesota and Wisconsin
Asbestos-Containing Materials Surveys  

DPRA provided asbestos services to the USPS that involved managing asbestos-containing materials in over 200 post offices located in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The first phase of the project involved inspecting and sampling each of the facilities to quantify the amount and locations of damaged and friable asbestos-containing materials. DPRA then prepared project specifications for 115 facilities with damaged or friable asbestos-containing materials. These specifications detailed the amount and locations of materials to be removed or encapsulated, methods to repair or encapsulate the material, and installation specifications and procedures for the replacement materials. The USPS used the project specifications to request proposals from asbestos abatement companies.  

The second phase of the project involved coordinating with asbestos abatement companies and 115 individual post offices to complete the abatement work. DPRA conducted oversight at each of the facilities as work was completed. The third phase involved interviewing the postmasters at each facility, either in person or by telephone, to ensure that the project had been completed as specified. DPRA then completed final reports for each of the 115 facilities.

U.S. Postal Service
Philadelphia, PA
Asbestos and Lead Operations and Maintenance Manual
 

DPRA conducted asbestos and lead surveys and developed an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Manual for the Philadelphia Metro New Jersey PMPC. The surveys determined the amount, location, and condition of all friable and non-friable asbestos-containing building materials and lead-containing materials/sources located inside the building. Additionally, based on sampling results, an O&M Manual was developed and installed at Philadelphia Metro PMPC.

 

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