AES is experienced in various disposal practices and regulations, including appropriate landfill requirements for lead, asbestos, Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons, PCBs, etc.

In addition to standard disposal practices for hazardous and non hazardous materials, AES is experienced in the techniques of bio-remediation and has the philosophy that when possible, contaminated soil and water should be bio-remediated, thus eliminating the problem and the liability forever.

Experience has shown that this solution not only saves valuable space in our country’s limited landfills, but also is generally less expensive, both in analytical costs as well as the overall cost of disposal, than the more traditional disposal methods.  Based on the Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, whether prepared by AES or another firm, our professionals will develop a remediation strategy that is easy to understand and follow.

The remediation strategy includes descriptions and quantities of the soils and the contamination, various options and methodologies of the remediation process, techniques of containment for controlling waste, and a cost analysis for each option emphasizing the method that would meet the client’s short and long term goals.  Upon selection of the appropriate option, AES’ professionals will manage the project from the initial preparation to the final closure including all interfacing with the appropriate local, state, and federal agencies.

Upon the completion of the project, Astex Environmental Services provides the client with complete documentation assessing the effectiveness of the process to satisfy future liability requirements.

Our staff performs all of our mold-related services. AES is particularly knowledgeable in state-of-the-art assessment and remediation techniques, building management practices, and legislative initiatives affecting mold in the built environment. This allows us to develop the most cost-effective, sensible and defensible strategies and solutions to any mold problem. The client can also be assured that if remediation is necessary, the health and safety of workers and occupants is protected at all times throughout the process.

Mold related services include:

• Building inspection, field sampling, and analysis and interpretation of the samples.
• Proactive inspection programs to ensure proper building management to avoid the accumulation of moisture that supports mold growth and contamination.
• Emergency response plans to manage water damage related events and avoid mold contamination.
• Health risk assessments.
• Development of health risk communication programs to interpret technical findings.
• Data analysis pertinent to potential exposures and exposure reconstruction.
• Preparation of remediation plans, performance work plans, and clearance criteria for bids.
• Monitoring and oversight of remediation activities.
• Periodic re-inspection of remediation work to ensure continuing satisfactory performance.
• Mold awareness and mold remediation training.

Astex is prepared to work on the client’s    behalf as Project Managers to insure that environmentally sensitive projects, such as underground storage tank removal, are completed in a timely and expeditious manor.  As the Project Manager, AES acts as liaison between the client, contractors, and local, state, and federal agencies and does so with a determination to keep projects under budget while satisfying all applicable regulations and protecting the client’s liability.  If contamination is discovered, AES will develop a remedial action plan, including various options and cost analyses, to quickly and effectively resolve the situation and to reduce the client’s liability.

A Phase II Soil Assessment is a process whereby a three dimensional portrayal of the type and extent of contamination is assessed.  Typically, this process encompasses soil borings, ground water monitoring, and contamination characterization not only to depict the levels of contamination, but also to quantify the amount.  AES is prepared to perform a complete Phase II Soil Assessment to include the appropriate testing and site characterization to insure the client has all relevant information to make responsible and cost effective decisions.  As a client oriented company, AES provides all appropriate documentation in easy to read, informative reports that not only describe the subject property and the extent of contamination, but also relates this information to local, state, and federal standards.  Provided within each report is a narrative description of the Phase II Assessment process, a process that is unique to each site which includes informative details on the testing conducted that not only describes the methodology but also the rationale for the testing.  The Conclusions and Recommendations are written in a non scientific format for the lay client that gives meaning to the numbers.  In turn, various options or solutions are detailed, including cost analysis per solution, to give the client the adequate information to determine the future action required.

In October 1986, the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) was signed into law.  Included in this Act are provisions directing the EPA to establish rules and regulations addressing asbestos-containing materials in schools.  Specifically, EPA was directed to address the issues of: 1) identifying, 2) evaluating, and 3) controlling ACM in schools.

These AHERA regulations apply to all public and private schools in the U.S. and its territories and American schools on military bases in foreign countries.

The school’s responsibilities under the rule are:

1. To designate a person to ensure that AHERA requirements are properly implemented
2. To inspect and identify friable and non-friable Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM)
3. To monitor and periodically re-inspect ACM
4. To develop and update management plans concerning asbestos
5. To determine and implement response actions
6. To develop and implement operations and maintenance programs
7. To notify parents, building occupants and outside contractors of ACM identified in the school
8. To ensure that accredited persons perform these required activities under AHERA
9. Under AHERA, schools had to be inspected prior to Oct 12, 1988.  Re-inspections must be conducted every 3 years, with periodic surveillance conducted every 6 months.

Astex Environmental Services can handle all of the school’s responsibilities including:

1.     Maintain all AHERA Management Plans

• 3 year Re-Inspections (Report, Testing, Assessment Sheets, and Drawings)
• 6 month Required Surveillances
• Maintain all records of disturbances (Emergencies, and Scheduled Remediation, large and small scaled)
• Provide a CD Rom of all management plans, in addition to a hard copy in a three ring binder, for each campus
• Provide a 2 Hour Asbestos Awareness Course for Custodial and Maintenance Staff

2.     Handle any Emergencies that occur with asbestos containing materials

• Notifying the state regulatory offices as necessary
• Schedule the remediation necessary to accomplish to compliance with TDSHS, EPA and OSHA regulations
• Provide any necessary testing (i.e. air monitoring) to assure faculty and student body were not affected by any disturbance of asbestos material

3.     Assist in State Regulatory Audits

• Annually or Randomly

4.     Manage Operations and Maintenance on any asbestos containing materials

• Assist the School District with the setting up a program to correct any small scale emergencies or maintenance on any asbestos containing material
• Provide our services to assist with the training of personnel
• Provide necessary air monitoring required during the small scale emergencies and maintenance

5.     Work with Architects and Construction Departments in the planning of any upcoming renovations

• Attend any pre construction meetings regarding the possible disturbance of any asbestos containing material
• Assist with Scheduling with Architects and General Contractors
• Handle all Bidding Processes, including: Work plans, Pre Bid Meeting, and Bidding Documents

6.     Oversight of Asbestos Abatement Project

• On site project management provided as required by the TDSHS
• Air monitoring prior to the abatement, air monitoring during the abatement process and Clearance sampling
• Clearance Letter assuring the abatement process was preformed in accordance with EPA, TDSHS, and OSHA

Astex Environmental Services is currently managing AHERA for the following school districts:

• South San Antonio Independent School District
• San Antonio Independent School District
• The parochial schools of the San Antonio Archdiocese
• La Vernia Independent School District
• Laredo Independent School District

INSPECTIONS:  Inspections include a review of available building specifications, blueprints, as-built specifications, etc. to determine if suspect materials had been called for; full physical inspection of all areas of a building including tenant areas, mechanical areas, roof systems, common or public areas, etc.; identify suspect materials and take an adequate number of bulk material samples in order to obtain definitive results in determining the presence or absence of asbestos; quantify the suspect materials and record the condition of same; identify damaged areas of concern; review and evaluate the results of sample analysis from an independent laboratory and fully incorporate all of the above in a clear, concise, easy to understand report with costs and recommendations. Asbestos Inspections can typically be scheduled within 24 hours, with lab results and report available within 3 days of the inspection.  Costs start at $195 and increase based upon the number of samples needed.

MANAGEMENT: If positive asbestos containing materials are identified (either by us or other consultants), we are available to prepare a comprehensive Operations and Maintenance Plan (O&M) for the management of the material in place to include the necessary maintenance personnel training.  Additionally, we are available to perform routine O&M re-inspections.

ASBESTOS ABATEMENT: If the asbestos is to be removed or repaired, we are available and licensed to write abatement work plans, prepare bid documents, and work, on the client’s behalf, in obtaining competitive bids from licensed abatement contractors for the removal of the material.  We have the expertise and personnel to supervise the abatement project from the initial notification of regulatory agencies to the transport and burial of the contaminated material in an approved landfill. We are a state licensed laboratory for analysis of asbestos air samples and adhere to the American Industrial Hygiene Association’s (AIHA) quality assurance/quality control program.

In order to meet the “Innocent Purchaser” defense criteria necessary for possible exemption from Superfund liabilities, it is necessary to perform “Due Diligence” reviews.  The Phase I Environmental Site Assessment is the process that determines the current condition and potential hidden environmental liabilities of property.  Astex Environmental Services (AES) has conducted hundreds of Phase I Site Assessments for mortgage companies, banks, and REO departments in numerous locations throughout the country in a rapid, cost effective manner.

The Phase I Environmental Site Assessment entails, but is not limited to, a complete assemblage of information available from public sources relating to the property, and includes thorough site inspections, agency reviews, title and lease search, historical research and aerial photography review, interviews with interested or site knowledgeable persons and limited testing for asbestos and radon, and often times lead based paint and lead in water.  Based on the information gathered, an Assessment of the potential or existing environmental liabilities is determined.  This type of review would generally satisfy the requirements of the “Innocent Purchaser” defense.  Clients are provided with a complete environmental profile of the property in order to indicate the existence of the possibility of contamination or potential liabilities.  A concise, easy to read and understand report is provided to the client, including photographs and test results, along with an understandable interpretation of the results.  Included within the Assessment are conclusions and recommendations, including cost estimates, for possible remedial action.  In addition, AES subscribes to and practices the ASTM standards for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments and is fully knowledgeable and experienced in the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac underwriting protocols.  All reports include all required Exhibits and Checklists in the standard Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac Phase I Site Assessment.

In addition, AES is prepared to complete the physical property condition and engineering assessment often required for the completion of the mortgage package.

 Lead Paint
Lead Based Paint is fast becoming a leading environmental concern.  Unlike asbestos, the health effects connected with Lead Based Paint are both critical and immediate and therefore the liability is a real and present concern. The implementation of Title X-Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992 and with the guidelines promulgated in 1995, the responsibilities and liabilities of the owner are explicitly defined as well as those of the Consulting Agencies.  These guidelines are the standards for the conduct of renovation and remodeling of housing, public buildings constructed before 1978, and commercial buildings.  We are a certified firm with the State of Texas and our employees are certified as Lead Based Paint Inspectors/Risk Assessors.

Lead Based Paint Testing
Astex Environmental Services (AES) is prepared to conduct comprehensive non-invasive X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) testing with a Niton XL, X-Ray Fluorescence portable paint analyzer that allows for immediate results without defacing or damaging painted surfaces.  AES employees are trained and Texas certified and adhere to the most stringent guidelines applicable to the type of property whether they are the H.U.D. guidelines or OSHA standards. All results are reported in an easy to read format that informs the client as to the extent of the problem and details solutions with a cost analysis of each option.

 Managment of Lead Based Paint
As with asbestos, the management of Lead Based Paint is a key component to reduce the liability of the property owner.  AES is prepared to develop an Operations and Maintenance plan to include maintenance personnel training and to conduct periodic re-inspections to ensure that the condition of the Lead Based Paint does not deteriorate.

Lead Based Paint Abatement & Air Monitoring
AES is available to write work plans, prepare bid documents and work, on the client’s behalf, to obtain competitive bids from abatement contractors for the removal of the material.  As Project Managers, AES has the expertise and personnel to supervise the abatement project from pre-abatement activities to the waste characterization and notification of the regulatory agencies for the transport and burial of the contaminated material in an approved landfill.  Our trained technicians will perform air monitoring at the site to insure regulatory compliance and to insure the client that the property is safe and free of airborne lead dust.