BIOLOGICAL DECONTAMINATION PROJECT
Description:	This project included the biological decontamination (including research and feasibility study) of invasive sonography equipment for a national medical supply organization. Etiological decontamination procedures for infectious fluid contamination of intricate sonography equipment was performed, including research and development (in conjunction with public health and CDC guidelines and university personnel) of an appropriate decontamination procedure and sampling protocol to ensure decontamination of equipment in various east coast locations; and legal testimony.
Duration:	Two years

CHEMICAL AND BIOTERRORISM PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE INITIATIVE
Description:	This project included the evaluation of governmental and industrial needs subsequent to the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States of America. Work included the development of vulnerability study mechanisms, and reports with recommendations to clients identifying recommended actions. Programs were implemented through training and education. A study of the spread of bioterroristic disease causing agents through client populations was performed. In addition to consulting services, Cocciardi staffed and currently maintains Terrorism Incident Response Teams, capable of the identification of agents in the field and management of client emergencies. The teams have been deployed to multiple incidents. Assistance during criminal investigation processes has been provided to local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and crisis managers.
Duration:	On-going

PUBLIC HEALTH INVESTIGATION SUBSEQUENT TO STUDENT DEATHS: SCHOOL SYSTEM
Description:	This project included the investigation of a school district properties and associated areas for hazards or toxins associated with the deaths of six students. On-site inspection and sampling was performed and a review of environmentally related events occurred. Interface and concurrence with various health and environmental agencies was performed. A sentinel event monitoring and investigation system was developed and implemented. A report with conclusions and recommendations was produced, identifying the environmental health status of these buildings and grounds.
Duration:	6 months

EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND TOXICITY INVESTIGATION AND REMEDIATION
Description:	This building toxicity investigation included remedial investigation and study design (post-fire), on-site health and project safety and industrial hygiene activities, subsequent to a large government building fire which affected the building asbestos plenum. Initial action included a complete building (asbestos and toxic materials) inspection and exposure characterization for re-occupancy. A containment strategy was developed and implemented, segregating contaminated areas from occupied areas of the building. Further characterization revealed the presence of above acceptable levels of PCBs and PCDDs/PCDFs. A 30-month project (12,000 samples) was undertaken to identify the quantities of toxins present in the building (2.25 million ft.2) and to protect occupants through continued exposure characterizations, site evaluations and building design modifications. Legal testimony was provided. Position papers were developed, leading to environmental approval for building demolition by implosion.
Duration:	Four years

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AUDITING
Description:	This effort includes the management and field supervision of staff toxicological personnel performing environmental liability assessments, epidemiological study and toxicological assessment and health studies. Various testing and management licenses (Radioactive Materials, Asbestos Containing Materials, Water Quality) are appropriately maintained, to support and perform studies. Particular efforts have included the study of past dioxin distribution and potential contamination in communities surrounding licensed waste incinerator sites, the distribution of polychlorinated biphenyls at railroad staging areas, the arsenic contamination levels in land being transformed from agricultural to residential use and levels of concern relative to creosoting materials in towns adjacent to wood preservative operations.
Duration:	On-going work

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY AND EMPLOYEE ILLNESS INVESTIGATION
Description:	Epidemiological study and employee illness investigation (and subsequent, building decontamination) for a State Agency. This project initiated as an investigation concerning hospitalized employees. An appropriate testing strategy for fungal and bacterial contamination and technical specification for building decontamination was developed and implemented. Quality control/assurance and testing of this highly sensitive computer site was also provided.
Duration:	18 months

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS COMMODITY FLOW STUDY
Description:	This project included the development and deployment of a trained team, to document the flow of hazardous materials by road and rail through a Pennsylvania County. All restricted and non-restricted access major roadways and all county rail service was observed. Data was statistically reviewed, and conclusions and recommendations were made for the purpose of transport and municipal safety planning. Projections of expected accidents and illnesses were made, subsequent to the comparison of data to the National Hazardous Substance Emergency Event Surveillance System (Department of Health and Human Services: U.S. Public Health Service) were made for the county and emergency preparedness recommendations provided.
Duration:	3 months

HAZARDOUS WASTE OPERATIONS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING INITIATIVES
Description:	This initiative include the hazardous waste operations and emergency response training initiative for various environmental service and emergency response organizations in both the public and private sectors. Response to terroristic events, including bioterrorism, are included. Since 1988, hazardous waste operations training has been developed for the following major use group areas: • the waste management and processing fields including treatment-storage-disposal facilities, recycling facilities, fuel blending terminals, and incinerators; • environmental fields including environmental contractors, remediation organizations, construction groups and engineering companies; • emergency response fields including federal, state, county, municipal, private, and industrial hazardous materials response and strike teams;
Duration:	On-going certification for 2,000 individuals/year through initial and refresher training is provided.

HEALTH/SAFETY PROGRAM FOR HAZARDOUS AND TOXIC MATERIALS SITE
Description:	This project included hazardous waste site health/safety program management for a utility company and county health agency. The project included: the development and implementation of a site health and safety program; the development and evaluation of an air monitoring strategy; the provision of site health/ safety officers; and the verification of clean sampling for completed work at a PCB/heavy metal-contaminated RCRA regulated site.
Duration:	Two years

LABORATORY SAFETY/HEALTH REVIEW PROJECTS: RECOMBIANT DNA FACILITIES
Description:	These projects included the review, testing, conclusion/recommendation relative to research laboratory safety/health at various levels of contained biological laboratories (BL-1 through BL-3 levels laboratories area). The projects included site review and recommendations, as well as site testing and the development of maintenance procedures. Site inspection, evaluation and recommendations were provided in compliance with currently-published National Institute of Health Research Safety guidelines and requirements. Training of employees was provided.
Duration:	Varied/On-going

MARINE AND TRANSPORTATION (PIPELINE AND SURFACE TRANSPORT) TERMINAL SAFETY SERVICES
Description:	This project included the on-site terminal safety services for an international oil and petrochemical distribution and marketing company. On-site safety services included written program development, (Hazard Communication, Waste and Asbestos Materials Management, Hot Work Permitting, Gas Free Certifications of Vessels, Air Monitoring and Emergency Response) planning and training. It included the management and provision of site safety officers and supervisors (land-based and marine) and the development and provision of appropriate staff training. Regulatory compliance work was performed.
Duration:	Four years

TEACHING AND RESEARCH UNIVERSITY OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROGRAM
Description:	This ongoing project includes safety program development at a research and teaching university setting. A total safety program was planned, developed and implemented for an 85-building, two-site teaching and research university. This included the development of OSHA-required training and planning (Chemical Hygiene Planning, Hazard Communication, Hazardous Waste Operations, Respiratory and Hearing Protection Programs, etc.), EPA compliant air, water and waste programs, and NRC licensure and waste management. Consultation and technical assistance to the newly -developed University Safety Office was provided.
Duration:	10 years (on-going)

TOXIC MATERIALS TRAINING AND EDUCATION INITIATIVE
Description:	This project includes the planning, marketing, development and supervision/evaluation of U.S. EPA certified training centers, accredited under the Toxic Substance Control Act. Multiple locations have been initiated in this effort, servicing both the public and private sectors. Accreditation has been received and certification coursework provided to individuals in the variety of asbestos containing materials and lead based paint hazard abatement disciplines. Accredited coursework also meets the requirements of the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and those of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Duration:	On-going

WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION AND TERRORISM TASK FORCE EXERCISE PROGRAM
Description:	This project included the development of chemical attack scenarios and the exercise and evaluation of response activities for the nine terrorism task forces in the Commonwealth and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. Scenarios and situation manuals and protocol for evaluation and expectations were developed by a multi-disciplinary team (Health Services, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Governmental Representatives). Tabletop exercises were performed regionally and the project culminated with actual response drills on a regional basis. After action reports and critiques were provided to PEMA.
Duration:	On-going

LEGAL COUNSEL SUPPORT
Description:	Cocciardi has provided both expert witness and litigative consulting services for multiple civil and criminal actions. (Information provided upon request.)
Duration: