United States Risk Management, L.L.C.
news
Biological Contamination Assessment: Louisiana Office of Public Health
USRM staff evaluated the laboratories of the Louisiana Office of Public Health following Hurricane Katrina. Power loss had occured at the building and continued for over six weeks, resulting in bacterial, fungal, and viral specimens becoming unstable. In addition, radioactive wastes, hazardous wastes and other laboratory chemicals were stored in an environment without climate control. USRM developed a detailed decontamination protocol for the facility, ensuring that HIV, cholera, drug-resistant strains of tuberculosis, drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, and other biologically dangerous specimens were handled and disposed of properly. In addition, USRM staff performed oversight of the decontamination activities, ensuring the laboratory was cleaned and returned to its pre-hurricane condition. A diverse group of staff supported this project, consisting of Certified Industrial Hygienists, a staff toxicologist, and an epidemiologist.
