healthy and safe institutional, commercial and residential building environments.
CALL NOW: 613-792-4125Greenough Environmental Consulting Inc. (GEC) is an environmental consulting company specializing in designated substances, hazardous materials management, indoor air quality (IAQ) and Flood response. Our outstanding reputation in our field of environmental consulting is based on our commitment to excellent service, accountability and integrity, supported by in- depth knowledge and experience. Fully insured, GEC provides efficient, effective and safe solutions to meet your needs. We are credible, professional and accountable.
GEC clients include federal, provincial, municipal and foreign governments, hospitals and health-care institutions, universities, school boards, insurance companies, private corporations, non-profit organizations and homeowners.
In addition to over 30 years of solid engineering experience, GEC staff, have and maintain training in asbestos awareness, sampling and abatement, mould consulting and water loss remediation. Selected accreditations held by GEC staff include Registered Occupational Hygiene Technologist (ROHT), Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP), Certified Mould Inspector (CMI), Canadian National Radon Proficiency Program (C-NRPP), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Certified Asbestos Management and Training, Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) Water Damage Restoration Technician, IICRC Certified Applied Microbial Restoration Technician and Canada Mortgage and Housing Commission (CMHC) Mould and Water Loss Awareness Training. We maintain a current technical document database of asbestos, mould, and indoor air quality literature, including federal and provincial regulations, guidelines and codes of practice.
Before starting any construction or demolition on buildings or property, owners must give all prospective contractors and sub-contractors a Designated Substance Report. This is required by the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. The survey may also include other hazardous materials, such as Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs).
The Canada Labour Code and provincial legislation, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario and the Act Respecting Occupational Health and Safety in Quebec, require owners of buildings with asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) to manage those materials in accordance with the applicable legislation.
Builder owners must also give this Report to any contractors or sub-contractors before entering into any binding agreement.
The Canada Labour Code as well as most provincial regulations, require owners of buildings with Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACM’s) to manage those materials in accordance with all applicable legislation.
Greenough Environmental Consulting Inc. (GEC) is experienced in providing ACM management and abatement planning for buildings throughout Ontario and Western Quebec. Asbestos Management Plans (AMP’s) are an important tool for building owners to ensure compliance with applicable provincial and Federal Regulations.
The AMP:
GEC also provides the following asbestos management services:
For additional information or questions regarding asbestos management, please don’t hesitate to contact Greenough Environmental Consulting Inc. at 613-792-4125.
Using the latest IAQ monitoring and sampling equipment, GEC will measure selected parameters on a proactive or reactive (emergency response) basis. Under the direction of our trained and certified professional staff, GEC is qualified to handle any IAQ concern, and can develop an Indoor Air Quality assessment to meet your unique needs. GEC will work with our clients to ensure each assessment program is tailored to suit the needs of the client.
We will compare our findings to national and international standards, including those in Health Canada's technical guide to indoor air quality in office buildings. We then make recommendations to address IAQ problems.
Vermiculite is used in building insulation, potting soil and fertilizer. From the 1920s until 1990, a mine in Libby, Montana produced most of the world's vermiculite. Unfortunately, the Libby vermiculite contained a type of naturally occurring asbestos.
Vermiculite pieces are brownish-gold, range from 0.25 cm to 1.0 cm in size and appear to have several layers. Not all vermiculite contains asbestos, but some does. Vermiculite must be tested to determine if it contains asbestos. Call Greenough Environmental Consulting Inc. (GEC) and know your risk.
If you suspect your home has vermiculite, we recommend that you have it properly inspected and the material tested. GEC is trained and highly experienced in investigation techniques and to safely obtain the required samples. GEC will analyse the samples and provide a clear and concise report. Based on the results, you may wish to leave the vermiculite in place, providing it is located where people are not routinely exposed to it. By not disturbing the vermiculite, your chances of exposure are reduced. If you must remove it due to a sale or financing, contact Greenough Environmental Consulting Inc. (GEC) to ensure a safe abatement is conducted.
Potable water quality, regulations and analysis in Ontario are stringent. Water contaminated with bacteria (E.coli or Total Coliforms), leaching metals from piping or solder such as lead or copper can pose a significant risk to your health. To help our Clients meet their requirements, Greenough Environmental Consulting Inc. (GEC) provides water quality testing that meets all municipal, provincial, Federal requirements. Several drinking water regulations exist and GEC routinely completes sampling programs for the following regulations:
By having GEC’s trained and competent staff test the quality of your water, you will ensure compliance with regulations for drinking water systems, determine if the water is considered suitable for consumption, and determine the need for a water treatment system as well as the detection of environmental contaminants.
Radon is a colourless, odourless radioactive gas that is produced naturally by the breakdown of uranium in the ground. Radon can seep into your home, public or workplace buildings, undetected and build up to high levels becoming a serious health risk.
Exposure to Radon is a known carcinogen, a cancer causing agent and exposure dramatically increases your chances of developing lung cancer. Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Health Canada issued a 2012 report suggesting that up to 16% of all lung cancers could be attributed to long term exposure to radon gas. The only way to know if you have a radon problem is to test your home, public or workplace buildings!
Know YOUR risk, eliminate the threat. Call GEC 613-792-4125
Water is the major natural reservoir for Legionella, and the bacteria is found worldwide in many different natural and artificial aquatic environments, such as cooling towers; water systems in hotels, homes, ships and factories; respiratory therapy equipment; fountains; misting devices; and spa pools.
Cooling towers and evaporative condensers are potential sources of Legionella bacteria. Stagnant water in the cooling towers provides favorable conditions for the growth and amplification of the Legionella bacteria.
Legionella species are implicated in 2 clinical syndromes: Legionnaires’ disease (LD) and Pontiac fever, which are collectively known as Legionellosis. Pontiac fever is a self-limited, influenza-like illness, whereas Legionnaires’ disease is a common cause of serious bacterial pneumonia. The noted illnesses can affect anyone, but principally affects those who are susceptible due to age, illness, immunosuppression or other risk factors, such as smoking.
The most common method for confirming Legionella contamination is to have samples cultured and tested by an accredited laboratory. GEC specializes in the collection of these field samples, and currently work with laboratories across Canada and the United States that specialize in this area.
A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (Phase I ESA) will evaluate the risk of potential environmental liability at a particular property. Generally, a Phase I ESA will be requested by lender prior to obtaining financing / re-financing of a property, for Property Transfer Evaluations (PTE) and construction of previously undeveloped land. The Phase I ESA does not include the collection or analyses of samples for ground water, soil etc. If environmental concerns are discovered, recommendations to complete a Phase II ESA may be warranted which may include soil sampling or ground water sampling.
A typical Phase I ESA includes the following tasks:
GEC will be proactive in our assessment techniques, anticipating issues or potential problems and providing our clients with timely, cost-effective information, solutions and recommendations.
Zinc whiskers are a phenomenon that can occur on the bare metal surfaces of access flooring systems commonly found in server rooms. The whiskers grow on the underside of the floor panels or the exposed surfaces of the structural components. When the whiskers break free, they become airborne and can circulate freely throughout the facility and get blown into your equipment.
Zinc is a metal and a good conductor of electricity. If a whisker comes to rest on an exposed circuit card inside your equipment, it could cause a short. Symptoms of Zinc Whisker related failures range from minor data corruption or anomalies to catastrophic hardware failures. The problem is not affected by environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. If your panels are destined to grow whiskers, they will grow regardless of the environmental conditions.
The most common method for confirming zinc whisker contamination is to have field samples tested by an accredited laboratory. GEC specializes in the collection of these field samples, and currently work with laboratories across Canada and the United States that specialize in this area.
29 Capital Drive
Ottawa, ON K2G 0E7