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Electric Company
Technicians work behind a polyethylene barrier used for containment of asbestos fibers.
Project Details
- Client: Electric Company
- Contaminants: Asbestos; Residual Arsenic, Barium, Cadmium, Indium, and Lead
- Regulatory Aspects: Work Standards Based on ECRA (Environmental Conservation Recovery Act) Guidelines; Property Transfer Act (Rules Governing the Transfer of Industrial Property)
- Contract Value: Approximately $3 Million
Related Services
Background
Site inspection and follow-up testing confirmed that asbestos was a serious problem. From steam tunnels - to overhead lines - to an immense, high-reaching bay area, pervasive asbestos problems and high lead dust levels called for MARCOR action and expertise.
This extensive, complex project involved mechanical removal of varying forms of asbestos from four very large buildings. The job also included dismantling, patch and repair, duct cleaning, and removal of lead dust generated by cable sheathing operations in a building nearly the size of five football fields. An unexpected discovery in the Research & Development facility revealed an additional complication - residual contamination from polyaromatic hydrocarbons. And a carbon block room showed traces of arsenic, barium, cadmium, and indium. Abatement work for each contaminated area would adhere to the following controls:
- Containment of affected area;
- Three-stage worker decontamination arena;
- Implementation of engineering mechanics, such as sealing off vents; and
- Thorough inspection before and after each phase of work.
Job Description
Abatement and decommissioning took approximately one year, with an average daily crew of 20.
Aerosol Monitoring Analysis, Inc, (AMA) was hired to design and oversee the remediation efforts. The firm hired a renowned toxicologist to establish clearance criteria for cleanliness and lead contamination levels. Criteria for lead levels were based on likely degree of exposure at various levels; i.e., amount of acceptable lead at ground level was much more stringent that of higher areas, with criteria varying commensurate with likelihood of human accessibility and contact.
Work was planned, coordinated, and streamlined for maximum efficiency so that daily work concentrated on similar tasks in multiple buildings. Large areas were sectioned off in a grid pattern for systematic control of remediation efforts. Patch and repair of asbestos was performed, and residual lead dust was vacuumed and wiped from all horizontal and most vertical surfaces. Removal of the unexpected hydrocarbons and traces of arsenic, barium, cadmium, and indium complied with regulatory guidelines. Meticulous wipe sampling, conducted by AMA, ensured that all clearance criteria had been met.
Today, the buildings are used for government offices. One of the gutted and cleaned structures is now used as a childcare facility.
For additional information, call MARCOR's corporate headquarters at 1-800-547-0128 or send email to info@marcor.com.
