Working Quickly to Protect the Health and Safety of First Responders During the Opioid Crisis

Early in the opioid crisis, some emergency medical technicians and police officers were hospitalized after being exposed to Fentanyl while on the job. Recognizing this emerging danger to first responders, EPA tasked CSS to prepare a Quick Response Guide on the dangerous drug. With limited published information on the health impacts of fentanyl, our staff reached out to scientists in the US and other countries. We also worked with an EPA toxicology expert to develop Provisional Advisory Levels (PALs) on fentanyl because other federal health agencies lacked updated, useable information. In just 20 weeks, CSS conducted detailed research; obtained and incorporated input from outside experts; wrote large sections of the document; assembled the first draft; presented the draft to On-scene Coordinators in EPA Regions 4 and 5; shepherded 11 subsequent drafts through reviews by all stakeholders; and coordinated with Consequence Management Advisory Division (CMAD) to publish the final 10-page Quick Response Guide on EPA’s website. We continue to update and revise the document as new information becomes available.

Additional Projects

Decontamination Field Tests for EPA

CSS staff helped design, plan for, and implement field tests of decontamination technologies and methods using MB for EPA’s Consequence Management Advisory Division.

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

We provide site-specific in situ monitoring coupled with predictive modeling, to provide an early warning system to advise health officials and resource managers on how to best focus their efforts to protect health and environment.

Coastal Aquaculture Program / Coastal Aquaculture Siting & Sustainability Program 

CSS supports the NCCOS mission to provide high quality science, guidance, and technical support to coastal managers to grow sustainable aquaculture while maintaining and improving ecosystem health. 

IT Services

Our IT solutions meet clients’ evolving needs.

Emergency Preparedness & Response

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

Safety, Health, & Environmental Compliance

We provide our clients with tools to protect their workforce, the public, and the environment.

Space Science Application Support & Operations

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

Human Health Risk Assessment

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

Facilities Operations & Maintenance

We understand your facility support needs and deliver customized solutions.

Environmental Resource Assessment & Management

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

Get in touch

Contact us to learn more about our projects, capabilities, solutions, and service offerings.