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RETRA’s scientists support insurance claims involving environmental health sciences by evaluating chemical exposures, assessing potential health impacts, and providing defensible scientific opinions on causation, extent of damage, and claim validity

Consulting Expertise

» Chemical Residue and Contamination Assessments

» Evaluation of Smoke and Fire-Related Exposure Claims

» Indoor Air and Dust Exposure Analysis

» Evaluation of Naturally Occurring vs. Incident-Related Contaminants

» Causation Analysis for Alleged Health Effects

» Historical Data and Background Level Comparisons

» Development of Sampling and Investigation Protocols

» Critical Review of Opposing Expert Reports

» Exposure Reconstruction for Claim Validation

» Risk Characterization to Inform Claim Settlement and Coverage Decisions

Selected Project Experience

Wildfire Residue Claims in Napa and Los Angeles Counties: Supported insurance companies in evaluating human health risks and the remediability of residual chemicals and contaminants from major wildfires. Work included review of environmental sampling data, assessment of exposure pathways, and risk characterization to inform coverage decisions and claim resolution.

Methamphetamine Residue Claims: Provided technical support for insurance matter involving claims of exposure to methamphetamine contamination in a multi-unit residential settings. Work involved chemical residue evaluation, exposure reconstruction, and assessment of potential health risks.

Protein Fire Impact Investigation: Contributed to an insurance-related investigation of a residential protein fire and related odor claims, conducted on behalf of counsel and the property insurer. Work included review of the weight and consistency of evidence regarding lasting impacts to the property, based on available sampling and analysis of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and VOCs, evaluation of malodor sources, and development of recommendations for remediation.