Case Studies
J.S. Held Acquires Shechter & Everett to Expand Forensic Accounting Capabilities for Family Law Disputes in Florida
Read MoreA property owner sought to rebuild their burned home following a wildfire that impacted multiple sites near Malibu, California. Los Angeles County guidance at the time required soil testing and documentation as part of the rebuilding permit process. Burning of houses and structures can result in elevated levels of metals and other materials in shallow soil, including lead from paint, vanadium from reinforcing steel components, and arsenic or chromium from pressure-treated wood.
Our experts were engaged to conduct soil sampling investigations and provide documentation required for County review and approval. The work required adherence to established sampling protocols and evaluation of contaminant concentrations against defined screening levels.
Our experts conducted soil sampling in accordance with the County’s fire cleanup guidance. The number of samples was determined by the size of the fire debris footprint, typically aligned with the eaves of the burned structure. Sampling included five-part composite samples collected at depths of zero to three inches below ground surface using stainless steel trowels.
Samples were analyzed for 17 metals listed in Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations. Our experts evaluated laboratory results by comparing concentrations to screening levels in the County guidance. Where concentrations exceeded screening levels, our experts recommended mitigation actions, including removal of additional soil or fire debris residue, followed by resampling to confirm that conditions had been addressed.
For metals such as arsenic, where natural background levels may exceed screening thresholds, our experts collected additional samples outside the fire debris footprint to establish background conditions or referenced background data from nearby sites. Upon completion, our experts prepared a technical memorandum documenting procedures and results. This memorandum was included in the rebuilding permit application submitted to the County for final approval.
> Industrial Hygiene Services
Our team of Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIHs), Certified Safety Professionals (CSPs), and environmental scientists provide expert counsel on matters involving asbestos, lead, mold, legionella, smoke, noise, occupational risks, and other hazards. Our experts are retained to perform exposure assessments, environmental sampling, air quality testing, noise and moisture mapping, and cause and origin investigations. We are also called upon to develop risk mitigation programs for environmental and occupational hazards.
> Environmental, Health, and Safety
J.S. Held provides environmental, health, and safety consulting and expert services spanning environmental damage and remediation, environmental due diligence, energy transition, toxicology and epidemiology, industrial hygiene, product stewardship and product liability, and human health and safety.
