Simmonds & Bristow comprises experienced Scientists and Engineers with good knowledge of environmental chemistry and the impacts of pollutants on human and environmental health.
One of Simmonds & Bristow’s core areas of expertise is the design and operation of sewage treatment and water treatment plants to protect environmental health (and minimise environmental impacts in general). This work has included the establishment of treatment plants in remote Indigenous communities such as Warraber and Mabuiag Islands (Thursday Island Group), Wujal Wujal (Far North Queensland) and Woorabinda (southwest of Rockhampton).
Other aspects of environmental health in which Simmonds & Bristow can provide expertise include:
- Risk assessment - health risk assessment and environmental risk assessment (e.g. exposure to heavy metal contaminated soils);
- Potable water quality assessments (e.g. mains testing to demonstrate drinking water suitability for new developments and bore water quality, where the primary source of drinking water is groundwater and tank water). The microbiological quality of drinking water is a key component;
- Legionella assessments to prevent the generation of contaminated aerosols, which may lead to broader health impacts (e.g. aerosols from cooling towers, recycled water);
- Testing of soil and paint samples near playground equipment in child care centres (e.g. concerns about the use of copper, chromium and arsenic (CCA) preserved timbers);
- Evaluation of potential health impacts to the local community from poultry farms – specifically microbiological hazards (or risk of disease) from poultry waste dusts; and
- Indoor or occupational air monitoring for a range of physical and chemical parameters (e.g. volatile organic compounds, isocyanates, welding fumes, formaldehyde).