Traveling Through a Historic Storm to Expand EPA Onsite Analytical Capacity During an Emergency

Hurricane Harvey began its historic assault on the Gulf Coast region in late August 2017. While the storm was still slowly churning across Texas and Louisiana, EPA Region 6 requested analytical support from the mobile laboratory units CSS operates for EPA.  We mobilized two analytical units from Castle Rock, CO towards the requested destination of Corpus Christi, TX.  However, EPA’s orders changed over the course of the next day in response to newly emerging needs.  As a result, two CSS chemists flew to Corpus Christi, then drove more than five hours through heavy rain to San Antonio and then to the Region 6 laboratory in Houston before finally meeting up with the redirected mobile laboratory units.  By the following day, the units were ready to receive and analyze samples, handling a total of 67 water samples and 1 soil sludge matrix from 16 different sites over a two-week period. Preliminary results were submitted to EPA within 48 hours, helping the Agency protect the affected communities from volatile and semi-volatile contaminants and speed cleanup efforts.

Additional Projects

Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI)

CSS compiled and visualized data showing the distribution of habitats and marine organisms, to establish a baseline for assessing and monitoring potential environmental impacts from renewable energy projects.

Audit and Inspection Support for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

For more than 35 years, CSS has provided quality control assessment support to the National Toxicology Program (NTP) on studies relating to the toxicological effects of chemicals in the environment.

Grape Microbiota

CSS was selected to develop an experiment payload to examine the effect of microgravity throughout the various stages of wine fermentation.

Facilities Operations & Maintenance

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Safety, Health, & Environmental

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Human Health Risk Assessment

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

IT Services

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Earth & Space Science Support & Operations

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

Emergency Preparedness & Response

We help our clients prepare for and protect the health and environment of communities after disasters and hazmat releases.

Environmental Resource Assessment & Management

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

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