RME has extensive experience in the performance of forensic investigations to determine the cause of environmental problems. Our broad experience, credentials, and training make us uniquely qualified to handle a variety of forensic investigations including:

•  Fate and Transport Modeling
•  Biological Contamination Cause and Origin
•  Chemical Contamination Cause and Origin
•  Claims Investigation

Fate and Transport Modeling

RME has performed a variety of investigations into the movement of chemicals, including water vapor, in the environment. This work has typically been performed in support of litigation involving the spill of hazardous materials. RME uses standard chemical engineering techniques to estimate the mass emission rate of chemicals from storage vessels and spills into the ambient environment.

The fate and transport of the chemicals of concern is then estimated by using a variety of models including ALOHA, SLAB, SCREEN3, and ISCST3 depending upon the vapor density of the chemical. Meteorological data are typically obtained from nearby NWS or onsite stations. Example projects performed by RME include the following:

•  Hydrochloric Acid - RME modeled the release of HCl from a tanker truck. RME's analysis showed that the affected area was bounded by a radius measured in terms of feet rather than miles as alleged by the Plaintiff's attorneys who were seeking class certification. RME's analysis was supported by onsite monitoring performed by a state environmental agency during the incident.

•  Hydrofluoric Acid - RME modeled the release of HF from a chemical process accident. RME's analysis showed that the Plaintiffs could not have been exposed to dangerous levels of HF based on the duration of the release and the location of the parties allegedly affected by the release.

•  Xylene - RME modeled the release of xylene from a train accident. RME's analysis showed that the affected area was much smaller than alleged by the Plaintiffs based on the amount of material that was spilled and the meteorological conditions at the site at the time of the incident.

Biological Contamination Cause and Origin

RME has determined the cause and origin of alleged biological contamination in a variety of structures including commercial buildings, schools, and private residences. RME investigates buildings by making visual observations, collecting samples, and measuring moisture and temperature differences in order to determine the nature and extent as well as the cause of biological contamination.

Many of these investigations have been made in the capacity of an expert witness or consulting expert in civil litigation. Example projects performed by RME include the following:

Private Residences
RME has investigated many residential buildings in order to determine the cause and extent of biological contamination. These investigations have involved the preparation of psychometric calculations to determine how climatic conditions may have impacted mold growth in addition to traditional tracking of stains and moisture measurements. RME conducts is investigations with a focus on proving opinions and facts in the courtroom so each investigation is thorough and well-documented.

Schools
RME investigates schools in the same thorough manner we conduct all of our investigations. One project involved the investigation of several schools in South Texas. RME's investigation showed the air quality and mold growth found in a complaint school were no different than a non-complaint school and that the biological contamination that was present was associated with maintenance practices rather than construction defects as alleged by the Plaintiff. In another instance, RME discovered that high relative humidity and mold growth were caused by a blower compartment being open to the ambient outside air rather than a plumbing leak.

Commercial Buildings
RME has investigated high rise and low rise commercial buildings. In one instance, the tenant was concerned about mold growth caused by leaks in the building envelope. RME's investigation showed that the mold growth was minimal and not related to building envelope leaks.

Chemical Contamination Cause and Origin

RME has investigated the cause and origin of chemical contamination at waste disposal sites and in buildings.

RME's experiences in the U.S. EPA Superfund program, litigation related to the World Trade Center Disaster, and building sciences make us uniquely qualified to identify the cause and origin of chemical contamination problems. Some example projects include:

Defense of Claims in Superfund Cost Recovery Litigation
RME analyzed waste generation and manufacturing process data as well as RI/FS site data at a large Superfund site in south Texas. RME's analysis and expert report showed that our client could not have contributed significant quantities of waste to the site that drove the remedy selection process (onsite incineration). U.S. EPA determined that RME's client was "de minimis," substantially reducing the client's liability for the 100M+ remedy implemented at the site.

Cause of Building Odor
RME investigated a strange odor in a building owned by a municipality. RME implemented a phased sampling approach that identified petroleum based hydrocarbons as the cause of the odors. The first phase consisted of a visual inspection and mapping of the HVAC system. The second phase included ambient air monitoring, a camera survey of the HVAC ducting, and measurement of air exchange rates in the building.

Since the site was surrounded by multiple underground petroleum storage tanks of varying ages, the third phase of RME's investigation included the installation of soil borings, confirmation of vapor intrusion through underground plumbing connections, and age fingerprinting of the petroleum residues found in the soil borings. RME's investigation showed that the building odor was the result of vapor contamination from one of the petroleum storage tank sites that was supposedly remediated some years earlier.

This project was presented at the 2005 conference of the American Academy of Forensic Science. RME prepared conceptual designs of possible remedies and cost estimates that were presented with the report.

Investigation of Fiberglass Contamination
RME investigated allegations of fiberglass contamination related to a lighting strike of an HVAC system. RME's investigation showed that the levels of fiberglass found in the building were typical and not abnormal. RME also determined that the health based criteria used by the Plaintiff to support the claim were for fiberglass used as boiler insulation and not related to fiberglass used as insulation in HVAC systems.

Investigation of Contamination Caused by Improper Remediation Techniques
RME investigated allegations that improper application of quaternary ammonium chlorides (QAC) impacted the health of the building owner. RME's investigation showed that the symptoms reported by the building owner were inconsistent with toxic exposure to QAC, that QAC could not have been applied in dangerous amounts, and that QACs were not present in the dust as alleged.

In another instance, RME investigated allegations that clothing became contaminated with tetrachloroethylene as a result of dry cleaning related to mold remediation. RME's investigation showed that the levels of tetrachloroethylene found by the Plaintiffs expert in the Plaintiff's clothing were not abnormal and the dry cleaner typically used by the Plaintiff had higher levels of residual tetrachloroethylene than other dry cleaners in the DFW metroplex.

Claims Investigation

RME has supported the investigation of cost claims by remediation contractors on behalf of the building owner. RME's experience in managing the remediation of large Superfund projects and the preparation of independent remediation cost estimates make us uniquely qualified to support claims investigation.

One investigation involved claims by the remediation contractor that its inability to achieve the clearance standards established for the remediation of a former manufacturing plant was due to "hidden conditions" and flaws with the initial site investigation. RME conducted an independent cleaning study and showed that the real reason the contractor failed to achieve the clearance standards was due to its use of ineffective cleaning techniques and lack of effort.

The work included comparison of the contractor's efforts with standard techniques advocated by government agencies such as the U.S. Army, U.S. EPA, and U.S. HUD as well as analysis of cleaning efforts undertaken by EPA in response to the WTC disaster.