Lead-Based Paint Management
FACS can help keep you in compliance with regulations to protect your staff, students, visitors, and reputation. Schools are in the spotlight when environmental problems arise.
Lead-based paint is associated with serious health concerns — especially for children. Many people believe lead was banned from use for paints in the United States, but the truth is the allowable levels were changed, but many construction products still include lead in their formulation. In addition, layers of older lead-based paints are often covered with low-lead or no-lead paint. When construction activities disturb the area, lead is released into the air and can become a devastating threat to human health. And that threat is elevated for children.
Read MoreThe first step in managing lead-based paint health threats is to identify areas that may contain lead and test to confirm those suspicions. Schools and other buildings erected prior to the 1980’s are almost certain to harbor lead, and newly-built schools may still harbor hidden lead dangers.
Next is risk assessment. Depending on the intention of the work (whether it is a remodeling project or a demolition project, for example), the aim at the risk assessment stage is to determine the condition of the paint and the level of exposure risk.
Once the presence of lead is verified and the degree of risk is determined, building owners and administrators can then develop a safe and effective strategy for either removing the lead-based paint or limiting the potential for exposure.
Schools have special concerns. They must notify all staff and parents about the lead hazard at their school and communicate their plan for mitigating the risk. Typically, that will be by removing it entirely or by covering it with a non-toxic product to contain the lead and remove the present danger.
FACS experts can help you with all phases, from beginning to end. We can also help explain the situation to stakeholders and help you limit the negative publicity that often arises when public buildings are found hazardous to occupants.
School districts fall under the EPA Renovation Repair and Painting sites rule (RRP). Work that disturbs lead-based paint, and the companies/schools who they work for must be lead RRP certified. Contractors typically must be certified to even bid on projects involving the release of lead. The contractors and the school districts accepting their bids can be fined if not. Lead issues also arise from contaminated soil, water system components, and use in some consumer products.
Key Agents & Issues
- Lead surveys to verify the presence of lead
- Strategic planning to address lead dangers
- Lead abatement support, including monitoring and clearance
- Lead release response and abatement
- Lead operations and maintenance programs
- Lead training for staff and stakeholders
- Discussions with parents and stakeholders to ease fear
- FACSTrack hazardous building materials program
FACS has provided great customer service and support to Clovis Unified School District. When called upon for help with indoor air quality and hazardous material testing, they are quick to respond, thorough, and provide results.
Adam Belmont
Manager of Clovis USD Maintenance Department
Case Study
Occupational Exposure Issues in a College Human Anatomy Laboratory
Forensic Analytical Consulting Services, Inc. performed industrial hygiene sampling at a California college. The work focused on evaluating inhalation exposures to chemicals during anatomy instructional courses involving work with human cadavers. The purpose of the investigation was to evaluate lab instructor exposures to chemicals found in tissue preservation solutions (e.g., formaldehyde, phenol, glutaraldehyde) relative to occupational exposure limits, provide recommendations for controls, and provide documentation for the college’s adherence to health and safety guidelines and regulations.
See the full case study