State & Local Government

School Rehabilitation Experience

WESTON has over 15 years of experience in school rehabilitation for municipalities nationwide, finding cost-effective solutions to asbestos, lead-based paint, and other toxics present in over 400 U.S. public and private schools. Our 1,800 professionals include 60 Certified Asbestos Professionals, 55 Certified Lead-Based Paint Inspectors, 12 Certified Industrial Hygienists, and 135 Professional Engineers, allowing us to provide a wide range of professionals to meet various project needs.

WESTON's personnel are thoroughly knowledgeable of and experienced in the application of regulations facing public and private schools, including AHERA, OSHA, NIOSH, and applicable state and local regulations (ARARs).

Environmental Services, Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles, CA. WESTON provided environmental services to the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) for Air Toxics Health Risk Assessments and Site Assessment/Remediation. LAUSD follows very stringent environmental protocols, and requires that Air Toxics Health Risk Assessments be completed prior to selecting a school site.

WESTON characterizes facilities located within a ¼ mile radius of a proposed school that might reasonably be anticipated to emit hazardous air emissions and determines the actual or potential endangerment to the health of persons who may attend and work at the proposed project site.  WESTON also performs visual inspection of all identified sources and interviews the on-site businesses. Contaminants and associated release characteristics are identified from each discrete facility process/operation. A computer-based dispersion model is used to determine annual contaminant concentrations. Contaminant concentrations are used to determine the cumulative and chronic health impacts.

The Site Assessment work involves several phases. WESTON performed numerous Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments according to the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) for environmental due diligence, as well as the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Advisory for Phase I Environmental Site Assessment, School Property Evaluations, and the California Department of Education, School Selection and Approval Guide. WESTON prepared Preliminary Environmental Assessment Scoping Documents which summarize the proposed activities that will be completed to assess areas of potential Recognized Environmental Conditions related to surface soil, deep soil, and groundwater. WESTON also developed remedial action work plans and implements remedial actions.

School Environmental Rehabilitation Project of 27 Elementary Schools, Public Building Commission of Chicago, Chicago, IL. The project was initiated as part of a renovation construction at 27 elementary schools in six Chicago school districts.

WESTON was retained to conduct an environmental investigation of contaminants, focusing primarily on lead-based paint and asbestos-containing materials, but also including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), radon, underground storage tanks (USTs), and biohazards, and to prepare remedial design for contaminant mitigation, manage abatement contractors and coordinate all activities with renovation construction.

WESTON reviewed available environmental inspection reports then conducted field investigations to identify potential contaminants. Subsequent to the field investigations, remedial designs were prepared specifying the removal or encapsulation of higher-priority lead paint and asbestos. WESTON also conducted pre-construction walk-throughs and provided bidding assistance. Once the remediation contracts were awarded, WESTON managed the abatement activities, documenting work practices and collecting air samples for both asbestos and lead dust. In addition, surface wipe samples were collected for clearance purposes in lead removal areas. Summary reports were prepared and submitted to appropriate state agencies and the City. Available Operations and Maintenance Plans were revised and updated based on WESTON’s investigation and abatement activities.

Asbestos Surveys, Auburn, AL City Schools, Opelika, AL City Schools, and the Lee County, AL School System. Asbestos Surveys as required under 40 CFR 763 Subpart E Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) were conducted for these school districts. Samples of suspect asbestos containing material were collected and analyzed at WESTON's National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) accredited asbestos laboratory in Auburn, AL. Comprehensive asbestos survey reports were prepared for each facility in accordance with AHERA regulations.  Additionally, WESTON has performed the required re-inspections of these facilities every three years as required under AHERA regulations. WESTON has also conducted asbestos Operations and Maintenance (O&M) training as well as Asbestos Awareness training for Auburn, AL City Schools.