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

The effectiveness of the glove bag method for safely removing asbestos pipe lagging from the Sands Elementary School located in Cincinnati, Ohio, was investigated. Asbestos-fiber concentrations rose from a pre-removal level of 0.001 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc) to 0.010 f/cc during preparation of the pipe lagging for removal and 0.528f/cc during actual removal in glove bags. Workers used respiratory protection and were probably protected from excessive amounts of asbestos. After work was completed, a comparison of aggressive and nonaggressive sampling was made. Of 12 samples taken by the nonaggressive method, all were below the 10,000 fibers per cubic meter (f/m/sup 3/) Environmental Protection Agency criterion. All of six post-removal samples taken in the lunchroom by the aggressive method were above the 10,000f/m/sup 3/ limit. Good work practices observed included premisting lagging with amended water, wrapping pipe with plastic prior to starting removal work, use of a properly designed bag, starting with a clean empty bag at pipe interfaces, making cuts on preformed lagging blocks at joints to minimize fiber generation, using long hoses on amended water sprayers to optimize wetting practices, frequent spraying, use of high-efficiency particulate air vacuum to contain fibers and assist in collapsing the glove bagmore » during removal, and removal of contaminated tools in an inverted glove for transfer to the next glove bag.« less