PAPM Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Lead-based Paint

Hazards

IntroductionThe following guidelines has been prepared by the Philippine Association of Paint Manufacturers

(PAPM) for the safe removal of old paints that have might have lead compounds. Lead is commonly used in paints as:

Catalyst to accelerate the film formation of alkyd paints. Without lead, alkyd paint would take a long time to dry. Lead catalyzes the auto-oxidation of the alkyd resin creating linkages with the different fatty acid chains to form the paint film.

Pigments that require high UV and heat resistance. Lead based pigments being inorganic have high UV resistance and heat resistance which is important for paint applications in strong UV environment and high heat applications (e.g. coil coatings, appliances, metals and others)

However lead has been found to be hazardous to health, causing serious brain development problem in children, the nervous system, children’s IQ and behavioral problems. The PAPM together with Ecowaste Coalition has been working to eliminate lead in Philippine paints. By 2016 the DENR is expected to come up with an order setting the limits of Philippine paints at 90 ppm.

To address the lead that is present in current old paints, the PAPM and Ecowaste Coalition is issuing the following guidelines in order to protect the workers that will be removing old paints that have lead compounds and the residents and it’s surrounding neighbors. The lead dust that is created during the scrubbing of old paints is very dangerous to the workers, the children and residents staying in the house and can also contaminate the surrounding areas including the soil around the area if not properly handled.

Things to Consider• Determine the appropriate evaluation

and control response for lead hazards.• Workers and residents safety should

be considered.– Workers should wear proper protection.

• Hair has to be covered from lead dust• Appropriate Respirator• Complete coverall.

• Residents/Tenants should stay out of the work area.

• The whole process is controlled so no new lead hazards are created.

Things to consider

• Put warning sign:

Lead Work Area. Poison. No Smoking or Eating

Risk Assessment and Re-evaluation

• Consider the residents that might be affected in the work e.g consider the movements, children playing and others that might expose them to lead.

• Survey house condition• Conduct paint testing. (Be very careful in handling

the sample and also properly dispose of dust and other paint materials that might fall during the sampling).

• Send to PAPM recognized laboratory

Abatement Methods

• Building Component replacement.– Lightly mist the component to

be replaced and its surrounding area.

– Carefully carve all affected painted seams with a utility knife to minimize paint chipping and dust creation.

– Lead-contaminated building component should be handled carefully. Wrap it in durable puncture resistant plastic and seal with tape.

Abatement Methods

• Building Component replacement.

• Enclosure Method• Paint Removal Method• Soil Abatement• Encapsulation

Enclosure Method

• Enclose the area with impermeable plastic. (Cover enough area to collect all paint chips and debris.)

• Do not work on windy conditions where lead dust cannot be adequately contained.

Enclosure Method

• Remove all movable items to at least a 20-foot distance from working surfaces. Items that cannot be readily moved to a 20-foot distance must be sealed with taped protective sheeting.

Paint Removal Method

Mechanical RemovalUse mechanical or machine

sanding with HEPA equipped tools

Paint Removal

Wet Scrapinguse a spray bottle or wet

sponge to keep the surface wet while scraping.

Paint Removal Chemical removalFor on-site paint removal, first test the

chemical paint remover on a small area to determine its effectiveness.

Use appropriate gloves; face shields; respirators with combination filter cartridges for leaded-dust and organic vapors; and chemical-resistant clothing.

Portable eyewash stations capable of providing a 15-minute flow must be on-site. Apply the chemical with a spatula, trowel or brush and wait the required period of time. Remove the softened paint using a scraper or putty knife and deposit the material in a watertight and corrosion proof container.

Soil Abatement

• Identify if there is soil-lead hazard. (1,200 ug/g of lead for a 9 square feet area of 400 ug/g for small, high-contact play areas).

• Determine soil abatement method– Soil removal and replacement– Soil cleaning – Paving of soil with concrete or asphalt

Encapsulation Method

• Encapsulation or paint recoating to minimize lead exposure can also be done provided the correct surface preparation is done. Generally cleaning, deglossing, removal of paints and preparing of exposed based substrates are common methods undertaken for surface preparation. Surface preparation increases adhesion of encapsulants applied on the surface.

Clean UpDaily Clean Up• Wrapping or bagging dust and debris and storing it in a

secure area;• Wet-cleaning horizontal surfaces, floors of hallways

and rooms used as pathways by workers to go out of the work area, if such spaces are accessible to residents during non-work hours;

• Clean-up of exterior debris and paint chips, and removal of exterior protective sheeting;

• Patching and repairing protective sheeting; and• Putting any removed protective sheeting in a secure

place.

Final Clean UpFinal Clean Up• Working clothes, shoes and tools must be placed in sealed bags and

laundered and cleaned separately. • Soiled mop heads and rags must be placed in tightly sealed heavy-

duty plastic bags and disposed of after using in a particular work area.

• Protective sheeting must be cleaned before being removed to minimize the generation of airborne dust and/or spillage of dust and debris while the sheeting is being folded up and bagged.

• Removed plastic sheeting must be placed into properly sealed heavy-duty plastic bags and labelled appropriately as “hazardous.”

• Wet cleaning of entire containment area, including passageways that was used by workers and storage areas.

Proper Waste Disposal

• Dispose of Lead Based Paint waste at any DENR-EMB accredited treatment/storage/disposal (TSD) facilities for hazardous wastes.

www.emb.gov.ph

PAPM

• For questions and other detailed information. Please contact

• PAPM. Unit 201 Cityland Condominium III,Herrera corner Esteban Street, Legaspi Village,Makati City, Philippines

Tel. No.: (02) 892-7766 Fax No.: (02) 893-2976

• Website. papmpaints.org