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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

In-depth survey report: control technology for asbestos removal at Winton Place Elementary School, Cincinnati, Ohio

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5320141

The efficiency of the glove-bag method to limit exposure to asbestos during removal of asbestos pipe lagging from the Winton Place Elementary School in Cincinnati, Ohio, was evaluated, Personal breathing-zone samples were collected during the work and found to be significantly below the 2,000,000 fibers per cubic meter (f/m/sup 3/) Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard in effect. Several sequential personal samples were taken. During removal operations, one sample was 200,000 fibers per cubic centimeter, whereas the other 13 were well under half of this. Several recommended practices used are presented, including premisting of all lagging with amended water, wrapping all pipe with plastic prior to the start of removal, use of only properly designed bags for the task including ones specially designed for working around large valves or fittings, starting with a clean empty bag at pipe interfaces with walls and ceilings, making cuts on preformed lagging blocks at the joints to minimize fiber generation, use of long hoses on amended water sprayers to optimize wetting practices, use of a high-efficiency particulate air-filter vacuum to contain fibers and collapse the glove bag during bag removal, and removal of contaminated tools in an inverted glove for transfer to the next glove bag. In general, the method proved useful in reducing worker exposure during asbestos-removal operations. Other recommended work practices are cited.

Research Organization:
National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (USA)
OSTI ID:
5320141
Report Number(s):
PB-88-162250/XAB; ECTB-147-19D
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English