Lead Abatement Services

additive. I was often added because it would increase moisture resistance, durability, drying speed, and help the paint keep its fresh appearance. Unfortunately, while there are many benefits to using lead in paint there were also many dangers connected with its use, mainly child lead poisoning.

Because of their natural curiosity and desire to touch everything, lead paint is particularly dangerous to small children. Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary for a child to ingest lead paint chips to become exposed to lead. The most common problem is that children become exposed just by breathing the lead dust that results from deteriorating paint or remodeling. Further contributing to the dangers of lead paint is its flavor, which makes child exposure even more probable.

Because of the many ways that you can be exposed to lead, many people experience symptoms of lead poisoning won’t ever knowing that they have come into contact with it. Symptoms can include irritability, abdominal pain, headache, confusion, and anemia. At high levels, it can cause seizures or a coma.

Component shall be removed intact to the extent practicable. A 6-mil polyethylene drop shall be placed on either side of the component that may become dislodged. The component shall be wrapped In a layer of 6-mll polyethylene for movement to the disposal container and follow proper disposal requirements. The area around the component removal shall be wet wiped and HEPA vacuumed, including the tent enclosure. The polyethylene sheeting shall be carefully folded in on itself and placed in a 6¬ mil disposal bag. Containment debris shall be properly disposed of as lead-based waste.

Clearance will be performed as follows:

1. Visual Clearance – Determine that all required work has been completed. Look for settled dust, paint chips, or debris in work area. If located, cleanings will commence until visual inspection locates no evidence of dust.
2. The Owner’s Consultant shall perform dust and/or soil sampling as outlined in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development "Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing."

Chemical stripping, using an agent approved by the owner’s consultant, followed by wet scraping is the preferred method of abatement or areas where torch cutting, welding and/or other hot-work will affect building components coated with lead-based paint or lead-containing coatings. 

The specific stripping agent(s) proposed must be approved by the owner. No chemical strippers containing methylene chloride shall be used by the contractor on this project.

1. Horizontal surfaces directly below and at least 10′ in a radial direction from the area where chemical stripping is to be performed shall be protected with 6-mil poly.
2. All LBP on specified surfaces shall be removed to the bare substrate. The job is not considered complete until the substrate is dry and free of paint, debris, and LBP residue.
3. LBP stripping agents shall be brushed or troweled on the designated surfaces, or otherwise applied in accordance with manufacturers specifications. The minimum thickness of chemical stripping agent applied shall be 0.125 (1/8) inches or the manufacturer’s recommendations.
4. Stripping agents shall not be applied to, nor be allowed to inadvertently penetrate, wood and/or other porous substrates.
   
5. The required dwell time for stripping will depend upon the ambient temperature, humidity, and thickness of LBP. If LBP is not completely removed following the initial application of stripper, a second application and wet scraping may be required.
   
6. Removed LBP shall not be deposited on the polyethylene containment surfaces but shall be transferred directly into 6-mil polyethylene bags from the scraper. LBP shall be removed by wet scraping to the maximum extent feasible.
   
7. Any residue not removable by wet scraping shall be washed down to the bare metal substrate with a high-phosphate solution. LBP-contaminated wastewater shall be kept to a minimum using wet scrub brushes or sponges. These residues and disposable cleaning media shall also be directly transferred to the 6-mil polyethylene bags containing other LBP wastes. Free standing water shall be eliminated by use of a drying agent.
   
8. Clearance will be performed as follows:
   
1. Visual Clearance – Determine that all required work has been completed. Look for settled dust, paint chips, or debris in work area. If located, cleanings will commence until visual inspection locates no evidence of dust.
2. The Owner’s Consultant shall perform dust and/or soil sampling as outlined in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development "Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-Based Paint Hazards in Housing."

Manual demolition, scraping, manual sanding and power tool cleaning with dust collection systems shall be performed in conjunction with engineering and work practice controls meeting the requirements of 29 CFR 1926.62(e)(1).Seal openings of HVAC ductwork and other penetrations (doors, windows, etc.) within the control area with two layers of 6-mil polyethylene sheeting. For work on vertical surfaces, place a layer of 6-mil polyethylene sheeting below the area prior to manual demolition/scraping/cleaning. The sheeting shall extend 5 ft. on either side of the work area, to catch any paint chips that may become dislodged. 

Wet methods shall be used during manual scraping, manual sanding, and power tool cleaning with dust collection systems. Local HEPA ventilation shall be utilized in conjunction with manual scraping, manual sanding, and power tool cleaning with dust collection systems. In the case that local HEPA ventilation is not sufficient to control dust hazards, the Contractor shall be required to install engineering controls to meet requirements of Specification Section 1.8(0) “Negative Air Pressure System”.

Removed LBP shall not be allowed to accumulate on surfaces within the Control Area but shall be HEPA vacuumed or placed directly into 6-mil polyethylene bags. The Contractor shall maintain all surfaces as free as practicable of accumulated lead dust to prevent the dispersal of lead into the workplace. LBP shall be removed by manual methods to the maximum extent feasible.

Debris shall be bagged in 6-mil polyethylene bags and secured in leak-proof drums until TCLP testing is completed. Follow proper disposal requirements. The area around the surfaces subject to work shall be wet wiped and HEPA vacuumed, including the polyethylene sheeting. Upon clearance by the Owner’s Consultant, the polyethylene sheeting shall be carefully folded in on itself and placed in a 6mil disposal bag. Containment debris shall be properly disposed of as lead-based waste.

Can only be performed:

• When the paint surface is not a friction surface, such as window jambs and door jambs. 
• On surfaces with substrates or existing coatings that do not have a high level of deterioration. 
• On surfaces in which there is no known incompatibility between two existing paint layers.
• On surfaces that can support the additional weight stress of encapsulation due to existing paint thickness.
• On metal surfaces that are not prone to rust or corrosion.