Working Quickly to Protect the Health and Safety of First Responders During the Opioid Crisis

Early in the opioid crisis, some emergency medical technicians and police officers were hospitalized after being exposed to Fentanyl while on the job. Recognizing this emerging danger to first responders, EPA tasked CSS to prepare a Quick Response Guide on the dangerous drug. With limited published information on the health impacts of fentanyl, our staff reached out to scientists in the US and other countries. We also worked with an EPA toxicology expert to develop Provisional Advisory Levels (PALs) on fentanyl because other federal health agencies lacked updated, useable information. In just 20 weeks, CSS conducted detailed research; obtained and incorporated input from outside experts; wrote large sections of the document; assembled the first draft; presented the draft to On-scene Coordinators in EPA Regions 4 and 5; shepherded 11 subsequent drafts through reviews by all stakeholders; and coordinated with Consequence Management Advisory Division (CMAD) to publish the final 10-page Quick Response Guide on EPA’s website. We continue to update and revise the document as new information becomes available.

Additional Projects

Radiation Decontamination Application for EPA

CSS served as the bridge between computer developers and the scientific community during the creation of a Radiation Decontamination application.

Red Hill Drinking Water Crisis

CSS supported the U.S. EPA Red Hill response operations in Hawaii in early 2022.

Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) ES&H Support

CSS provided on-site environmental, safety, and health support 24 hours per day/five days per week to support approximately 1,900 employees occupying 1.4 million square feet of floor space at BEP’s Washington, DC, facility (DCF).

Safety, Health, & Environmental

We provide our clients with tools to protect their workforce, the public, and the environment.

Human Health Risk Assessment

We help advance the understanding of chemical effects on people and the environment.

Facilities Operations & Maintenance

We understand your facility support needs and deliver customized solutions.

Earth & Space Science Support & Operations

We deliver scientific support to advance our clients’ research goals.

IT Services

Our IT solutions meet clients’ evolving needs.

Environmental Resource Assessment & Management

We apply science to address challenges affecting the nation’s natural resources.

Satellite Data Applications

Helping create a more environmentally sustainable, weather-ready, and secure nation through application of earth observation data  

Get in touch

Contact us to learn more about our projects, capabilities, solutions, and service offerings.