Health, Safety, and Hazardous Materials

Asbestos Management

Nova prepares small-scale asbestos abatement strategies to control the release of asbestos fibers. We manage abatement contracts from the initial bid through to the final payment.

Additionally, we have created a specialized software program to facilitate asbestos management. This program enables seamless asbestos tracking and offers on-site and off-site management capabilities for multiple facilities.

Our team of experts are trained at the National Asbestos Training Center (NATC) and McCrone Research Institute (MRI) and in Nova’s EPA-recognized training programs.

What’s Involved?

Comprehensive asbestos building surveys that meet regulatory requirements.

Specification and contract administration

Contractor oversight, project management, and on-site air sampling/analysis during asbestos abatement projects.

Operations and Maintenance (O&M) programs for training, cleaning, work practices, and surveillance to prevent or control the disturbance of asbestos-containing materials.

Nova conducted on-site inspections and management for comprehensive asbestos surveys in over 150 occupied locations.

Case Study

Lead-based Paint Management

In building refurbishment, development, and demolition, it is mandated to identify lead-based paint to assess potential health and environmental risks. Nova manages lead-based paint investigations through comprehensive testing that meets state and federal regulatory requirements.

What’s Involved?

We utilize three methods for the testing of lead-based paint:

X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrum analysis

Certified laboratory analysis of paint chips

Soil samples

XRF analysis is accurate, timely, cost-effective, and minimally disruptive to existing finishes, with the added capability to sample structural steel in building components.

Paint chip sampling, which is also suitable for testing commercial steel structures, involves collecting samples submitted to a certified laboratory for analysis.

All three methods are compliant with state and federal lead-based paint testing requirements.

Nova was hired by a major metropolitan city managing federal grants to provide homeowners funding to reduce lead paint hazards in their homes.

Case Study

Indoor Air Quality

Nova offers testing services for airborne microbiological contaminants, chemical hazards, and excessive noise or heat exposure. Additionally, we provide strategies to manage air quality, including installing ventilation systems and necessary adjustments to processes and products.

What’s Involved?

A site walk-through to identify indoor conditions that may lead to symptoms of allergies, illness, and general discomfort.

Sampling and testing via culturing and non-culturing analytical techniques to measure bioaerosols (aeroallergens and bacteria) present in the air and building materials.

Inspection and sampling of heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems, and associated ducting.

Expert witness testimony and advisory for clients involved in health-related claims.

Nova was contracted by a client to provide comprehensive building inspections on a floor-by-floor basis to determine if the building deficiencies and environmental issues were present to cause significant health effects to employees.

Case Study

Industrial Hygiene

We help to identify, evaluate, and control potential health and environmental hazards in commercial and industrial properties. Our professional staff has the experience to manage indoor and outdoor environmental risks, above and below ground. Projects often address employer regulatory and liability concerns, and respond to employee questions or complaints.

What’s Involved?

A facility walk-through to identify hazards that may lead to accidents, illnesses/quality of life issues, hearing loss, or repetitive motion injuries.

Sampling and testing to measure exposure to airborne chemical hazards or excessive noise or heat.

Analysis of engineering control strategies, including ventilation systems, process modifications, or product substitution.

Expert witness testimony and advisory services to clients involved in health-related claims.

Nova was contracted by a major food-producing company to evaluate potential employee exposure to smoke from its pork smokehouse facility.

Case Study