K-12 Schools & Universities
FACS can help keep you in compliance with regulations to protect your staff, students, visitors, and reputation. Schools are in the spotlight when environmental problems arise.
Contact FACSIndoor Environmental Quality & Mold Complaint Response
Concerns about environmental exposures in schools can result from odors, chemicals, disease clusters, or generalized health symptoms, which can escalate into legal claims and community tensions. FACS can help identify the source of the problem and provide recommendations to resolve it.
See moreAsbestos Management
All buildings can pose an asbestos concern – not just the old ones. Schools face specific requirements for dealing with asbestos, but many administrators and facilities managers are unaware of these laws. FACS can help ensure compliance, reduce risk, and prioritize safety.
See moreLead-Based Paint Management
The EPA and OSHA require specific training and procedures when disturbing lead-based paint. Avoid the risk of exposing your team and leaving hazards that can expose others. FACS can help identify your problem areas and ensure the work is properly executed.
See moreLead in Water
Some school drinking fountains may dispense lead-contaminated water without the school’s knowledge, risking student’s health and presenting legal consequences for the school district. FACS can test for contamination, verify compliance, and provide steps to fix the problem.
See moreEHS Program Development / OSHA Compliance
Educational facilities have diverse environmental needs but lack the staff responsible for regulatory compliance. FACS develops dynamic health and safety programs tailored to your school, including chemical hygiene plans for laboratories and safety programs for facilities teams.
See MoreExposure Assessment / Claims Investigation
Educational settings like science labs, vocational training, art studios, and other specialized settings may expose your students and staff to hazardous agents. FACS can help address these risks, whether responding to a complaint or assessing your school’s exposures.
See MoreWhy Work With FACS
Specialized Experts
FACS environmental experts have extensive experience in addressing day-to-day as well as high-profile issues at educational facilities. We understand the dynamics of the interactions between staff, students, parents, administrators, board members, and the media. We explain the concerns and the science behind them in ways everyone can understand. We get your stakeholders aligned towards solutions and away from arguing.
The Right Perspective
FACS relies on science-based approaches to your school’s environmental issues. We find the problem and provide solutions while always keeping your people’s health and your school’s reputation in mind.
Current with Regulations
FACS teams stay abreast of changes in regulations affecting the educational environment. We can help your school stay in line with regulatory requirements. Your concern not only helps your school avoid fines and negative news articles but also shows your people and the community you care about environmental safety.
Case Studies
FACS Helps School District Create a Mold Operations and Maintenance Program
Discovering mold growth in an occupied building can be an alarming situation. When that mold is on the ceiling of a school classroom, though, the concern is even higher. FACS responded to an urgent call from a school district in Southern California – but ended up doing more than making sure the mold was safely removed. FACS communicated with all stakeholders to answer questions and reduce anxiety, then helped the district develop a mold operations and maintenance program to keep mold problems from further disrupting the educational environment.
Occupational Exposure Issues in a College Human Anatomy Laboratory
Forensic Analytical Consulting Services, Inc. performed industrial hygiene sampling at a California college. The work focused on evaluating inhalation exposures to chemicals during anatomy instructional courses involving work with human cadavers. The purpose of the investigation was to evaluate lab instructor exposures to chemicals found in tissue preservation solutions (e.g., formaldehyde, phenol, glutaraldehyde) relative to occupational exposure limits, provide recommendations for controls, and provide documentation for the college’s adherence to health and safety guidelines and regulations.
FACS Insider Blog
The Formaldehyde Threat: Enhancing Safety in University Laboratories
Often times preservation solutions used to keep the integrity of specimens utilized for educational purposes in upper education anatomy laboratory courses are overlooked as a source of exposure to harmful agents, one of which is formaldehyde. Faculty and staff who work with specimens in an educational setting may be exposed to harmful levels of agents,… Read more »
Have Schools Forgotten About AHERA?
Here’s an amazing fact: Many people — even those who occupy decision-making positions in school districts — have no idea what AHERA is, what is required of the school district to comply, the current status of their schools’ reports, or how to comply with AHERA in a cost-effective manner. Chances are high that you’re either… Read more »
Lead Water Testing for Schools: What’s Coming Down the Pipe?
School lead water testing…we did that already, didn’t we? Yes, but there are signs indicating there is more to come. The voluntary program launched by the State Water Resources Control Board in 2017 formally ended in July of 2019. However, recent legislation requires testing lead in water for all licensed Child Care Centers (CCCs) in… Read more »
Lead in School Drinking Water
Is School Water Safe to Drink? The reality is that lead in school drinking water continues to be a serious concern, with children in many schools potentially drinking water with dangerous levels of lead. Even when water entering a facility meets all federal and state public health standards for lead concentrations, older plumbing materials found… Read more »
Lead in School Drinking Water: Are Students at Risk?
You’re attending an event at a public school, and you’re thirsty. Your choices are to buy a soft drink from the machine or refill your empty water container at the drinking fountain in the hallway. You’d prefer a cold bottle of spring water, but that selection is sold out. Question: Would you have any fear… Read more »
Mold in Classrooms and Other IEQ Problems in Schools
Schools are ground zero for indoor environmental quality (IEQ) concerns. Asbestos, lead, mold, PCBs, and many other issues become especially sensitive when classrooms or other student-occupied spaces are involved. FACS experts are often asked to do more than develop a plan for the abatement of hazardous materials. The schools we serve depend on our IEQ… Read more »
Our Education Team
For over 40 years, our team has been dedicated to promoting safety and well-being within academic environments. Our team consists of over 150 experienced professionals who have a wealth of knowledge in education safety. We are committed to working with you to create a safety-conscious culture for your staff and students. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve this goal.
View All Experts
FACS has provided great customer service and support to Clovis Unified School District. When called upon for help with indoor air quality and hazardous material testing, they are quick to respond, thorough, and provide results.
Adam Belmont
Manager of Clovis USD Maintenance Department