Cheri Bandy Foust

Cheri Bandy Foust

Consequence Analysis & Management Group
Environmental Sciences Division
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6038
Phone: (865)574-8130
Fax: (865)576-8646
foustcb@ornl.gov

Research Areas

Education

  • MPH Environmental/Occupational Health and Safety, 1992, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee.
  • CHMM (Certified Hazardous Materials Manager), Professional Certification from the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management, December 1996.
  • B.S. Business Administration, 1987, Tusculum College, Greeneville, Tennessee
  • B.S. Health Education, 1982, Lee University, Cleveland, Tennessee.

Recent Projects

Worked for the Department of Homeland Security to implement a new initiative for Regional Technology Integration (RTI) to facilitate the transition of innovative technologies and organizational concepts to regional, state, and local jurisdictions. Required the successful transfer and integration of existing and advanced homeland security technology systems to local governments in order to improve their preparedness and response. In particular, assisted federal, state and local and private sector agencies in assessing and improving response to an actual or potential discharge and/or release of hazardous materials following a major disaster or emergency. Developed/cultivated working relationships with local, regional, state and federal stakeholders. Identified and reported on organizations best practices.

Provided technical support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Army regarding emergency preparedness issues, in particular, personal protective equipment (PPE), decontamination, and associated federal regulatory requirements for the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP). Provided in-depth analysis (and preparation of training materials) of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) federal regulations, best practices, and administrative interpretations as they applied to CSEPP PPE and emergency response procedures.

Provided technical support to the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB). Served as team member and team leader for accident investigation teams. Conducted root cause investigations of chemical accidents at fixed industrial facilities. Conducted detailed interviews of witnesses such as plant employees, managers, and neighbors. Chemical samples and equipment obtained from accident sites were sent to independent laboratories for testing. Company safety records, inventories, and operating procedures were examined to obtain an understanding of the circumstances of the accident. Sifted through evidence, consulted with Board members, and reviewed regulations and industry practices before drafting key findings, root causes and recommendations. Conferred with plant managers, workers, labor groups, and other government authorities. Both accident investigations and hazard investigations lead to new safety recommendations or best practices. Recommendations (including best practices) are issued to government agencies, companies, trade associations, labor unions, and other groups.

Provided in-depth analysis and compilation of federal and other non-federal agency regulations, standards, interim standards, guidelines, and best practices to the U.S. Army regarding chemical and biological agents.

Provided the Army Medical Research and Materiel Command with chemical and biological warfare agent data to help define and design the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system of the Future Medical Shelter System (FMSS) which was used to provide medical treatment, stabilization, and care of military personnel prior to subsequent transport to higher echelon medical care or return to duty.

Have reviewed PPE suit and fabric swatch live-agent test reports prepared by the U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical and Biological Center.

Have prepared human health and safety portions of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Environmental Impact Statements (EIS). This included evaluating acute toxicity, chronic health effects, cancer, occurrence of inheritable mutations, and cumulative or synergistic health effects from multiple chemicals.

Estimated human health affects levels for toxic chemicals in order to update the safety documentation for existing DOE-owned facilities.  Estimates based on published toxicity information and apply to acute exposures for an "average" individual.

Selected Publications:

Foust, C.B, Compilation of Applicable, Unclassified Airborne Exposure Limits for Selected Chemical and Biological Agents and Their Projected Maximum Airborne Concentrations for the Design of the Future Medical Shelter System (FMSS) Filtration System, ORNL/TM-2002/99, Oak Ridge, Tennessee: Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. August 2002. Draft.

Foust, C.B.  How Do I Know?  A Guide to the Selection of Personal Protective Equipment for Use in Responding to a Release of Chemical Warfare Agents, 11th Annual Conference of the Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers Compendium of Papers Presented at Technical Sessions, October 5-8, 1997, pages 80-83.

Foust, C.B. Compilation of Existing Chemical Agent Guidelines Table as of September 1997, ORNL/TM-13649. Oak Ridge, Tennessee: Energy Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. August 1998.

Foust, C.B.  How Do I Know?  A Guide to the Selection of Personal Protective Equipment for Use in Responding to a Release of Chemical Warfare Agents, ORNL/TM-13343.  Oak Ridge, Tennessee: Energy Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. May 1999.

Foust, C. B.  ORNL Evaluation of OSHA's Findings on the Personal Protective Equipment Ensemble and Procedures Recommended for CSEPP Off-Site Civilian Emergency Response Workers, ORNL/TM-13220.  Oak Ridge, Tennessee: Energy Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.  Draft.

Foust, C. B., C. J. Coomer, and E. D. Copenhaver.  Personal Protective Equipment Study Guide, ORNL/M-3638.  Oak Ridge, Tennessee: Energy Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.  1994.

Foust, C. B., C. J. Coomer, and E. D. Copenhaver. Personal Protective Equipment Instructor's Guide, ORNL/M-3639.  Oak Ridge, Tennessee: Energy Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.  1994.

Foust, C. B. Fluorine, Guidance on Health Effects of Toxic Chemicals, ES/CSET-20, Section 4. Oak Ridge, Tennessee: Central Safety Evaluation Team, Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., 1994.