Environmental Health

Converse has Registered Environmental Health Specialists and other environmental health professionals. Environmental health issues with which Converse has worked include:

Legionnaires Disease
Legionella is a ubiquitous bacteria found in many water reservoirs. When water is aerosolized, immuno-compromised individuals can become ill with Legionnaires Disease when exposed. The disease is significantly under diagnosed and has a low mortality rate. However, when a group of two or more people are diagnosed, and they have a common location where water aerosols from sources such as cooling towers, fountains, domestic water, etc. were present it may be considered an outbreak. When this happens the source needs to be identified and corrected as soon as possible to minimize exposure and building shut down. Converse has assisted on outbreaks and has conducted numerous preventative testing.

Environmental Noise
Environmental noise is very different from occupational noise exposure. Environmental noise criteria are much more stringent mainly because the issue is a 24 hour concern including times when people are sleeping. Noise sources include airports, automobiles, trains, power equipment, drilling and blasting near neighborhoods. When buildings are constructed near noise sources the building materials may need to have increased noise reduction properties. Converse has been involved in the noise assessment and control for various projects including drilling operations, power company generators, and building near highways or busy roads.

Methamphetamine Laboratories
Meth labs have become a major hazard when present in apartments, condominiums, motels, hotels and dense neighborhoods, because they can emit hazardous vapors and fumes and they can blow up. There also remain many hazards after the labs have been busted and the major chemicals have been removed. Converse has conducted numerous meth lab clearance assessments after the remediation of the rooms or houses. Some States have their own requirements for clearance while States like Nevada do not. Converse developed a method for clearance in the late 1990s due to a gap in accepted procedures. The current procedures in many States vary from one to the other and most of them only address surface meth contamination. The method used by Converse addresses the myriad of chemicals that can be involved in meth labs.

Bird/Bat Droppings
Bird and bat droppings can have various pathogenic bacteria and molds. Diseases such as Histoplasmosis can result from exposure to bird dropping dusts. Converse has been involved in assisting with health and safety issues associated with various bird/bat dropping cleanups.

Norovirus, Hantavirus, West Nile Virus
Norovirus is ubiquitous and is commonly identified as stomach flu. Reportedly 20 million Americans suffer from it per year. Hantavirus is typically associated with Deer mice and similar rodents. The hazard occurs when people are exposed to rodent droppings. West Nile Virus is associated with mosquitos in stagnant water. Converse has assisted with prevention and cleanup operations for these issues.

Hot Tub Folliculitis
Hot tubs and jetted bathtubs are very common in Las Vegas as well as other places. If not maintained bacteria (Psuedomonas) can accumulate and lead to the skin condition known as folliculitis. Converse has been involved with the evaluation and control of this issue.