--- title: Forensic engineering, architectural and construction articles and insights | CCA Blog | Michael P. Mellette, Sc.D., CIH, CSP, CHMM description: Senior Scientist, Occupational and Environmental Health, CCA --- [![CCA an Aperture Company](https://www.ccaco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cca.png?width=230&height=95&name=cca.png "CCA an Aperture Company")](http://ccaco.com) [** ](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/author/michael-p-mellette-sc-d-cih-csp-chmm#) CCA Blog ![1300x200 New CCA Page Header_FIN.png](https://www.ccaco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2018%20Header%20Images/1300x200%20New%20CCA%20Page%20Header_FIN.png?width=1300&name=1300x200%20New%20CCA%20Page%20Header_FIN.png "1300x200 New CCA Page Header_FIN.png") ## Michael P. Mellette, Sc.D., CIH, CSP, CHMM Senior Scientist, Occupational and Environmental Health, CCA ## Recent Posts ![](https://www.ccaco.com/hubfs/36019727_l.jpg) ## [Managing Legionella Risks During Reopening](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/managing-legionella-risks-during-reopening) [fa icon="calendar'] Jun 24, 2020 12:33:32 PM / by [Michael P. Mellette, Sc.D., CIH, CSP, CHMM](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/author/michael-p-mellette-sc-d-cih-csp-chmm) The prolonged shutdown of businesses and buildings during the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant reductions in normal water use for many commercial buildings, hotels, and public facilities. These reductions have increased the opportunity for Legionella growth in building water systems and created a significant risk for transmission of this waterborne bacteria to returning occupants. It's important that building owners and managers understand the risks leading to increased Legionella growth and consider them as part of an overall reopening strategy. [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/managing-legionella-risks-during-reopening) ![](https://www.ccaco.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/Drinking%20Water%20Standards%20image.png) ## [PFAS Contamination in Massachusetts Drinking Water Supplies](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/pfas-contamination-in-massachusetts-drinking-water-supplies) [fa icon="calendar'] Nov 20, 2019 9:00:00 AM / by [Michael P. Mellette, Sc.D., CIH, CSP, CHMM](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/author/michael-p-mellette-sc-d-cih-csp-chmm) Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals that have been manufactured and used in the United States since the 1940s. PFAS are commonly found in both household and industrial products such as non-stick coatings, stain and water repellent fabrics, and cleaning chemicals. Ground water contamination with PFAS has been associated with fire-fighting foams, manufacturing sites, landfills, and other industrial operations. Because of their chemical structure, PFAS are highly persistent in both the environment and human body. Studies have indicated that some PFAS compounds may be associated with adverse health effects, including: [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/pfas-contamination-in-massachusetts-drinking-water-supplies) ![](https://www.ccaco.com/hubfs/iStock-185126412_300x175.jpg) ## [Indoor Air Quality Issues and Spray Polyurethane Foam Insulation](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/indoor-air-quality-issues-and-spray-polyurethane-foam-insulation) [fa icon="calendar'] Sep 19, 2019 10:00:00 AM / by [Michael P. Mellette, Sc.D., CIH, CSP, CHMM](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/author/michael-p-mellette-sc-d-cih-csp-chmm) Increased emphasis on green building design has resulted in a greater demand for more energy efficient building materials such as spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulations.  Despite their excellent air sealing capability and insulating properties, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized that exposure to the isocyanates and other vapors, aerosols, and dusts created during and after installation, may cause respiratory sensitization, asthma, and odors.  [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/indoor-air-quality-issues-and-spray-polyurethane-foam-insulation) ![](https://www.ccaco.com/hubfs/iStock-1133857992_microbe_resize2.jpg) ## [Legionella Management in the Hospitality and Healthcare Industries](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/legionella-management-in-the-hospitality-and-healthcare-industries) [fa icon="calendar'] Sep 13, 2019 12:34:16 PM / by [Michael P. Mellette, Sc.D., CIH, CSP, CHMM](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/author/michael-p-mellette-sc-d-cih-csp-chmm) Legionella is a type of Gram-negative bacteria that occurs naturally in freshwater environments.  Although it is present in nature, Legionella becomes a substantial health concern when allowed to multiply in a building’s water systems.  According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), from 2000 through 2015, there were 49,930 confirmed Legionnaires’ cases in the United States. Legionnaires’ disease is a severe type of pneumonia that can rapidly become fatal.  It is caused by breathing in aerosolized water droplets containing Legionella, with the majority of recognized Legionnaires’ disease cases occurring in hotels, resorts, cruise ships, and the healthcare setting. [Read More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/legionella-management-in-the-hospitality-and-healthcare-industries) [All posts](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/all) - [![linkedin](https://www.ccaco.com/hs-fs/file-2246924294-png/2014_Images/in.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/cca-construction-consulting-associates-llc) Engineering services in New York will be provided by CCA Consulting & Engineering, P.C. CCA, CONSTRUCTION CONSULTING ASSOCIATES, LLC © 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED The materials and information contained on this website have been prepared by CCA, LLC solely for general informational purposes and do not constitute advice. You should not act, or refrain from acting, based upon any information on this website. The description anywhere on this website of the results of any specific case or transaction does not mean or suggest that similar results can or could be obtained in any other matter. 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