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Description
Cambridge Environmental provides critical review and
interpretation of scientific studies, data bases, draft guidance
documents and policies, proposed regulations, and other documents
related to the environmental fate, transport, and health effects of
chemicals. Clients use these reviews and analyses to plan regulatory
compliance, negotiations, and in litigation. Our analyses present a full
and balanced view of the evidence, explaining the strengths and
weaknesses of each important study, pointing out incongruities or gaps
in information, explaining the bases for alternative scientific
judgments, and suggesting strategies for handling the technical issues.
Often, we augment the scientific assessment with an analysis of past and
probable future responses by regulatory agencies and other interested
parties. We help our clients understand current and potential problems,
and formulate effective solutions.
Our reviews and analyses typically address chemicals
found at disposal, storage, or production sites, and in air,
groundwater, surface water, soil, or food. These chemicals may be
carcinogenic or otherwise toxic to laboratory animals; some have caused
illnesses to workers exposed to high concentrations. Generally, we must
determine whether low-level exposures to such chemicals could also harm
humans. In so doing, we combine a thorough understanding of the toxic
effects plausibly associated with exposure to the chemical at the doses
of interest with a thorough understanding of how best to estimate those
doses.
Sample Projects
- Cambridge Environmental commented on U.S. EPA’s 1994 draft
documents, Estimating Exposures to Dioxin-Like Compounds and Health
Assessment for 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and
Related Compounds, on behalf of the Association of Metropolitan
Sewerage Agencies (AMSA). In particular, we reviewed the bases for
EPA’s estimates of dioxin emissions by sewage sludge incinerators
and from other means of sludge disposal, and assembled and analyzed
a much larger, up-to-date database of emissions and concentration
data for this industry. The EPA’s 1998 draft Inventory of Sources
of Dioxin in the United States shows that our technical comments on
emissions were fully incorporated by the Agency, leading to a
significant reduction in the estimate of dioxin emissions from this
type of incinerator.
- Cambridge Environmental offers substantial expertise in evaluating
risks associated with air pollution, both indoors and out. We have
analyzed the toxicologic, epidemiologic, and regulatory policy
literature regarding airborne particulate matter (focusing on the
respirable fractions, PM10 and PM2.5). Other projects have involved
evaluating the epidemiology and etiology of asthma. Still others
have focused on possible effects of airborne volatile organic
compounds, polycyclic aromatic compounds, metals, diesel exhaust,
and other mixtures of potential toxicologic concern. Finally, we
have analyzed indoor air quality (such as in possible "sick
buildings") with respect to microbiologic populations and
risks.
- Since the mid-1980's, professional staff of Cambridge
Environmental have been assembling and assessing the literature
concerning the environmental and toxicologic affects of
trichloroethylene. We have added to that literature as well, both in
the forms of published (and peer-reviewed) letters to the editors of
various journals, and as technical comments submitted to the Agency
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registries (ATSDR) in response to
requests for reviews of their Draft Toxicologic Profiles for
Trichloroethylene. We have also served as technical advisors to the
Justice Department, assisting them in their work on
trichloroethylene in toxic tort litigation, and as invited expert
peer-reviewers for the ATSDR on proposals to study various impacts
of trichloroethylene and related compounds on the public health.
The above-referenced project involved a detailed technical
submittal to ATSDR on the environmental toxicology of
trichloroethylene. Specific topics that we researched, analyzed, and
provided detailed commentary on included:
- relationships between exposure to trichloroethylene and
development of neurotoxicity, immunotoxicity, cardiotoxicity,
and leukemia;
- specific effects of trichloroethylene, and a degradation
product, dichloroacetylene, on the peripheral nervous system;
- environmental conditions necessary for the formation and
persistence of dichloroacetylene;
- current scientific knowledge of the metabolism of
trichloroethylene;
- derivation of Minimum Risk Levels (MRLs) for trichloroethylene;
- evidence for existence of sub-populations unusually
susceptible to the effects of trichloroethylene; and
- technical bases for alternative regulatory approaches to
determining acceptable exposures to trichloroethylene.
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