Professional Training from CAM Environmental Services

IN THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

TDH at the School Door? The Top 10 Deficiencies in AHERA Inspections

Getting the Lead Out. Lead Based Paints and Coatings in the Home.

Short of Breath? Choosing the Right Respirator for the Job.

About CAM Environmental Services

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Hiram Perez , President

hiram.perez@cam-enviro.com

CAM Environmental Services

ASBESTOS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

In October 1986, President Regan signed into law the Asbestos Emergency Hazard Response Act (AHERA). The law required every non-profit school (Kindergarten through 12 grade) to perform an Asbestos Building Inspection and create an Asbestos Management Plan. The Building Inspection must be conducted every three years and the Management Plan updated whenever there is any change in the condition of asbestos materials or whenever abatement is performed. The AHERA Management Plan must be made available to all employees as well as to the public during normal business hours.

According to Mr. Gordon Leeks, AHERA Inspector for the Texas Department of Health, the following are the Top 10 Most Common Deficiencies found when conducting AHERA compliance inspections:

10. Failure to update management plans to include the name of the current Designated Person and a signed statement that the Local Education Agency (LEA) responsibilities will be met. Reference: CFR 763.84 (g)(1)&(2)

9. Failure to give the 2-hour asbestos awareness training to maintenance and custodial staff within 60 days of employment. Reference CFR 763.92(a)(1)

8. Failure to attach a warning label immediately adjacent to friable or nonfriable ACBM and suspected ACBM located in routine maintenance areas (such as boiler rooms) at each school building. Reference CFR 763.95 (a)

7. Failure to conduct and document the LEA's periodic surveillance every 6 months. Reference CFR 763.92 (b)

6. Failure to have complete updated copies of the Management Plan available at every school campus. Reference CFR 763.93 (g)(3)

5. Failure to notify at least annually, the availability of Management Plans and exclusion statements and to document this effort in the Management Plan. Reference CFR 763.93 (g)(4)

4. Failure to maintain documents related to a response action such as TEM clearance results, worker accreditation certificates and project designer accreditations. Reference CFR 763.94 (b)

3. Failure to have a Management Plan or not including portable buildings in the current Management Plan. Reference CFR 763.80 (a)

2. Failure of the LEA to maintain in the Management Plan and submit to TDH an exclusion statement signed by an architect or project engineer for any new building built after 10/12/88. Reference CFR 763.99 (a)(7)

And the Number One AHERA Deficiency cited during TDH inspections was:

1. Failure to perform 3-year re-inspections on schools that contain asbestos containing materials. Reference CFR 763.85 (b)

Note that although AHERA applies to non-profit schools, many commercial and public buildings also maintain Asbestos Management Plans. For more information on Asbestos Inspections and Management Plans, email us at info@cam-enviro.com.

PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY FROM THE DANGERS OF LEAD

Although it's been a long time since any of us filled up our vehicles with leaded gasoline, lead is still a major health issue--especially for our children. The EPA estimates that in the United States, close to a million children between the ages of 1 and 5 have blood-lead levels above the level of concern. Even children that appear to be healthy can have high levels of lead in their bodies (see EPA link). Health effects can include brain and nerve damage, behavior and learning problems, slowed growth, and impaired hearing. Although the health effects of lead in children is well documented, lead can also cause reproductive problems, high blood pressure, nerve disorders, and digestive problems in adults as well.

Where is lead typically found in the home? The EPA lists the following areas:

Paint. Many homes built before 1978 contain lead-based paint. In general, the older your home is, the more likely it contains lead-based paint. Although the federal government banned lead-based paint from housing in 1978, there is still a chance lead-based paints were used--especially if repairs or renovations were performed by the homeowners themselves.

Soil. The soil around a home can contain lead picked up from the prior removal of exterior lead-based paints or through the past use of leaded gasoline.

Dust. Household dust can pick up lead from deteriorating lead-based paint or from soil tracked into a home.

Water. Your home may have lead water pipes or pipes with lead solder.

Your Job. If you work with lead on the job, you may be bringing it home on your clothes. Electronic and pipe solder frequently contains lead as well.

Antiques. Old painted toys and furniture that have been in the family for generations may contain lead.

Food Containers. Foods and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain will pick up lead from the container.

Hobbies. Hobbies that use lead such as making pottery, stained glass, or refinishing furniture may bring you into contact with lead.

CAM Environmental is a Texas Department of Health licensed Lead Firm qualified to perform lead inspections, surveys, sampling, and lead analysis. For more information on CAM's lead services, email us at info@cam-enviro.com.

WHICH TYPE OF RESPIRATOR SHOULD I USE?

OSHA's Respirator Standard, 29 CFR 1910.134, requires the use of respirators to protect employees from breathing contaminated and/or oxygen deficient air when effective engineering controls are not feasible. However, not just any respirator can be used. Respirators need to be selected on the basis of the hazard that the worker can be expected to be exposed to. In addition, a formal Respiratory Protection Program must be developed and in place at any workplace where respirators are a necessary part of the job (29 CFR 1910.134c).

Respirators come in many different types including those designed to remove particulates, gases and/or vapors, and a combination of the two. Factors that should be taken into consideration when choosing a respirator in addition to the expected hazard include the physical configuration of the worksite, the worker's medical condition, and the comfort of the worker while wearing the respirator.

To make the process of selecting a respirator easier, OSHA has created a website called the "Respiratory Protection Advisor." The Advisor contains all the information you need to get your Respiratory Protection Program in place and operational. Click here to access OSHA's Respiratory Protection Advisor.

The wrong respirator can be deadly. CAM Environmental can help develop a formal Respiratory Protection Program for your facility as well as perform Compliance Audits of your operating procedures. We can help you design HAZMAT, LOTO, PPE or other programs from scratch as well as help ensure that your existing programs are compliant with OSHA standards. Our Contract Safety Services can provide qualified contract safety personnel for use during turnarounds, emergency situations, or during routine maintenance operations. For more information, email us at info@cam-enviro.com.

ABOUT CAM ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

Since 1986, CAM Environmental offers a variety of field sampling, testing, and consulting services including:

- Asbestos Surveys & Air Monitoring                              - Industrial Hygiene Monitoring

- Abatement Design Specifications                                    - Program & Contract Safety Services
- Project Management                                                           - Environmental Site Assessments (ESA's)
- Lab Analysis of Asbestos, Lead, & Mold                      - Data Management
- Field Sampling (Air, Soil, or Water)                                  - Contract & Staff Augmentation
- Hazardous Waste Sampling & Characterization             - TDH, OSHA & HAZWOPER Training
- Indoor Air Quality Investigations                                     - Mold Investigations, Clearances, & Analysis

CAM maintains a technical staff of approximately 100 people operating from 7 locations in 5 cities. For additional information on these services, please contact your nearest CAM office or visit our website at www.cam-enviro.com.