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06.30.23 | Katherine Beach

What's in your air?

Air testing by Bowser-Morner, Inc. Sometimes chemicals that are accidentally released may penetrate the ground as a liquid, but change to their gaseous phase while in the ground. These volatile (think easily evaporated at normal temperatures) compounds, oftentimes harmful to breathe, can rise up and get trapped inside buildings, where the occupants are exposed. Read More

12.21.22 | Katherine Beach

Groundwater Modeling for ODNR IM Permits

Groundwater Modeling for ODNR IM Permits Read More

08.18.22 | Karl A. Fletcher

Why Freeze-Thaw Test Concrete?

Concrete may be a simple mixture, but if weather conditions are not considered for that mixture, it could be disastrous. Read More

05.10.22 |

Consumer Product Safety Testing: Will Your Product be Labeled as "Hazardous"?

Product safety issues have been the topic of much debate in the United States formore than 50 years. Most of these issues deal with the presence of lead or another toxic compound and the resultant toxicity in common consumer goods. Read More

03.03.22 | Thomas M. Ryan

Chemical Analysis of Limestone Calcium Oxide Materials

As calcium-bearing minerals have become more widely used in agriculture, energy, and road-building and more important in the marketplace as a result, their analysis has been subject to a great deal of debate and controversy. Read More

The Effects of Leachate Recirculation on Chromium and Nickel Concentrations in C&D Leachate

What effect does leachate recirculation at construction and demolition debris (C&DD) landfills have on the concentrations of chromium and nickel in leachate? Chromium and nickel are transition metals that can be found associated with naturally occurring minerals or man-made materials. Both of these metals are components in stainless steel, which is a common construction material that may be disposed of in a C&DD landfill. Read More

Changes in Calcium and Magnesium Concentrations in C&D Leachate with Recirculation

In C&D debris, the dissolution of minerals from drywall and concrete contributes to elevated calcium and magnesium concentrations in leachate. Does leachate recirculation increase the concentrations of calcium or magnesium in C&D leachate? The expected answer would be yes; however, the interaction of recirculated leachate is not that simple, as our data shows. Read More

06.18.20 | Katherine Beach

Why Perform Special Inspections During Construction?

After a rash of structural failures leading to loss of life and property in the 1970s and early 1980s, the US government held a series of Congressional subcommittee hearings to investigate and analyze the problem of structural failures. As a result of this groundbreaking investigation, the Building Officials and Code Administrators International (BOCA) National Building Code added a new section entitled “Special Inspections”. The requirement for special inspections and identification of the types of inspections to be conducted are found in Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 4101:1-17-01. Read More

An Overview of Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): A Public Health Concern

In the last few years a class of chemicals known as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been identified as emerging contaminants by the U.S. EPA. The two constituents in this class of chemicals that are receiving the most attention are: perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The U.S. EPA health advisory level for PFOA and PFOS offers a margin of protection from adverse health effects due to exposure to these constituents in drinking water. Read More
Tags: Environmental

The Effects of Leachate Recirculation on Arsenic Concentrations in C&D Leachate

Leachate recirculation is one possible method of leachate management at construction & demolition (C&D) debris landfills. Arsenic is of particular concern in construction and demolition (C&D) landfill leachate. It is naturally occurring in soil and rocks, and C&D leachate commonly exhibits arsenic concentrations higher than “natural” groundwater; and, even if not detected in leachate, the leachate can mobilize the naturally occurring constituents. Any of these occurrences may pose a risk to human health and the environment. The data available for our three study sites show that C&DD leachate contains elevated concentrations of arsenic. Does leachate recirculation increase arsenic concentrations? Read More
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