Location & Environment

Asbestos

 

The EPA regulates asbestos under the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has been delegated the authority to implement and enforce the demolition and renovation portions of the asbestos NESHAP as contained in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR), Part 61. Before any demolition or renovation of a regulated structure these regulations require

  • a thorough inspection for the presence of asbestos-containing materials,
  • filing proper notifications, and
  • safe removal and proper disposal of the ACM.

Certified Iowa DOT inspectors check all buildings acquired for highway projects prior to their demolition. Facilities owned and operated by the Iowa DOT are inspected prior to all demolitions and prior to proposed renovation projects that have the potential to encounter ACM. Additionally, the Iowa DOT inspects interstate and primary road bridges when projects involve the major repair or replacement of a bridge or its structural components. Staff from the regulated materials section oversees asbestos abatement as needed through the use of statewide service contracts.

Lead Paint

Prior to performing painting projects on bridges and for projects which involve the removal of painted components including complete bridge replacements, paint scrape samples are collected and analyzed for lead and chromium content. Paint systems previously applied to bridges in Iowa have the potential to contain hazardous levels of these two metals.

Whenever possible staff from the regulated materials section collects paint scrape samples in conjunction with bridge asbestos inspections. Samples are collected from all metal bridge components including but not limited to girders, beams, bearings, pier casings, handrails, and expansion plates. Because different structural components on a bridge have been found to be coated with different paint systems, samples from each type of structural component is necessary.

Project plan notes are updated with the findings of the sampling so contractors are aware of the results. The DOT’s standard specifications require the proper handling and disposal of paint and painted components removed as part of bridge projects.

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