- Success Stories
- Emergency Preparedness & Response
Large-Scale Decontamination Proves Successful
In the spring of 2022, we worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard on a project called Analysis for Coastal Operational Resiliency-Wide Area Demonstration (WAD) which tests large scale decontamination following the release of surrogate bioagents. The team conducted a WAD at a military base in Virginia to test decontamination using various technologies on numerous surfaces. Our involvement included securing service contracts, equipment, and supplies; assisting with test bed set up and field work; managing and shipping collected samples; and providing assistance in demonstration execution.
In addition, our EPA Research Laboratory Support contract team assembled a novel prototype machine, which quickly collects samples of resuspended air particles from over hundreds of square feet. It is intended to be used to confirm decontamination of biological agent contamination (pictured below).
Prior to this exercise, our team led a smaller-scale exercise in January 2020 to decontaminate a U.S. Coast Guard response boat. We tested and successfully used three different technologies during this process.
Both of these field exercises enabled us to understand the data collected in a controlled, laboratory environment in a different way. We conducted the exercise in an outdoor environment, on a larger scale, and with front line responders to ensure that the procedures, decon chemicals and technologies evaluated in the lab can be ready to be stood up in real events. This is an extraordinary accomplishment as multiple agencies work together to sample and decontaminate with the goal to successfully clean up and restore important assets following a biological agent contamination event.
Learn more about this full operation: https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/news/2022/07/26/feature-article-field-tests-culminate-4-years-bioagent-studies
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Training Staff for Handling Hazardous Waste and Responding to Chemical Spills
CSS employee owners provide on-site support to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hazardous Waste Program at several campuses around the country: Atlanta, Georgia, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Fort Collins, Colorado. With 22 years of experience, CSS staff are responsible for providing training to laboratory and facilities staff to ensure safe handling of hazardous waste to avoid harmful…
Extensive Support in Hazard Waste Management
For 22 years, CSS has provided support to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hazardous Waste Program ensuring safe handling, storage, packing, and shipping of hazardous waste materials within facilities and laboratories. Experienced CSS employees are located on site at CDC campuses in Atlanta, Georgia, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Fort Collins, Colorado and are responsible for collecting waste on a weekly schedule and disposing of waste at various campuses on an annual…
Assisting with Design and Validation of Mobile Chemical Analysis Laboratory
Portable High-throughput Integrated Laboratory Identification System (PHILIS) is the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) suite of mobile laboratories designed to provide on-site analysis of chemical agents. CSS employee owners support the PHILIS team with on-site responses and chemical analysis. CSS PHILIS teams recently supported the technical design and integration of state-of-the-art emergency response mobile laboratory units engineered for the rapid detection and quantification of hazardous materials. CSS PHILIS teams in…