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U.S. Department of Energy
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Health hazard evaluation report HETA 91-209-2249, Seaway Painting, Inc. , Annapolis, Maryland

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6692376

In response to a request received from an engineering consultant, an evaluation was undertaken of health hazards at an elevated water storage tank in Annapolis, Maryland where exterior repainting was being carried out by Seaway Painting, Inc. The requestor was concerned about possible hazardous exposures to lead. The 135 foot high elevated water storage tank had an estimated exterior surface area of 35,000 square feet. It had been painted with a red lead primer, and an alkyd lead based paint. During moving and set up of a primary containment structure, personal airborne lead exposures were below the OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 50 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/cu m). During abrasive blasting operations, levels outside the containment approached the PEL. Airborne lead concentrations in the con tainment ranged from 620 to 3000 microg/cu m. No workers had increased blood lead levels during the job. The authors conclude that a potential health hazard due to lead exposures existed during repainting of the structure; however, the worker protection program in place at the time of the study appeared to adequately protect the workers from the lead. The protection program was a comprehensive one which was in compliance with Maryland requirements.

Research Organization:
National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH (United States)
OSTI ID:
6692376
Report Number(s):
PB-93-135846/XAB; HETA--91-209-2249
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English