ROBINSON SCHOOL WINDOW REPLACEMENT

ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING CONDITIONS

ROBINSON SCHOOLWINDOW REPLACEMENT

04/20/231Robinson School: Assessment of Existing Conditions

04/20/23Robinson School: Assessment of Existing Conditions2

School renovation projects require an assessment of existing conditions prior to any material being disturbed.

Window Replacement Project requires an assessment of sealants which may contain asbestos, PCBs, and lead-based paint.

Many school buildings constructed prior to 1979 have window caulk sealants that contain asbestos or PCBs.

Testing for PCBs, asbestos and lead paint was conducted in late November/Early December.

Test results indicated (full report received December 12, 2013)

No lead paint was detected. Asbestos was only detected in window glazing sealants. PCBs were detected in window glazing sealants, perimeter

caulking and adjacent masonry around the windows and doors at concentrations regulated by EPA.

Typical Window


Window Glazing Sealant

This sealant is the black/grey material present between the glass pane and the metal window frame.

Perimeter Caulking

This sealant is the white, typically painted sealant between the metal window frame and the building masonry/wall

If PCB containing caulking or sealants are disturbed, or deteriorate with age, it could produce dust / particulates that contain PCBs. Recent studies have also documented the potential for PCBs to off-gas directly from caulking to indoor air.


Follow-up Sampling


Surface wipe samples of dust on window sills detected low levels of PCBs

Four indoor air samples were collected in classrooms with the following results:

Room 1 166.8 ng/m3

Room 3 151.8 ng/m3

Room 4 174.9 ng/m3

Room 6 145 ng/m3

(see sampling locations and test results)


Maximum Concentration of PCB in Indoor Air

(EPA Conservative Values)

Maximum Concentrations of PCBs in School Air (ng/m3)

Note: Massachusetts Department of Public Health Threshold PCB Concentration is 1,000 (ng/m3)

Age1 - <2 yr

Age2 - <3 yr

Age3 - <6 yr

Age6 - <12

yrElem Sch

Age12 - <15

yrMiddle

Sch

Age15 - <19

yrHigh Sch

Age19+ yrAdult

70 70 100 300 450 600 450


Most people have some accumulation of PCBs in their bodies. Exposure to PCBs is often via the food chain (fish, meat, dairy). Other sources of PCBs include:

Transformers and CapacitorsOils use in hydraulicsCarbonless PaperFluorescent light ballastsOil-based paintCaulking


“The Potential presence of PCBs in schools and buildings should not be cause for alarm”.

Source: EPA Fact Sheet – PCBs in Caulk

“There is absolutely no reason to be concerned about exposure to PCBs at the Robinson School”. (12/16/2013)

Source: Suzanne Condon Environmental Health Director

MA Dept. of Public Health


EPA recommends the following “Best Practices” to minimize potential exposure to PCBs:

Clean frequently to reduce dust and residue inside buildings.

Use a wet or damp cloth or mop to clean surfaces.

Use vacuums with high efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA)

Do not sweep with dry broom.Wash hands before eating.

Westford’s action to address presence of PCBs:


Inform staff, parents, officialsImmediate to Near Term - Surfaces

Remove supplies/materials from sills and avoid contact with window caulk

Thoroughly clean windows and sillsPaint over caulk during vacationFollow-up surface wipe tests of surfaces

Immediate to Near Term – Indoor AirIncrease/improve room ventilationFollow-up indoor air testing

Longer TermRemove and replace windows and caulking


QUESTIONS

ROBINSON SCHOOL WINDOW REPLACEMENT

Documents

Transcript of ROBINSON SCHOOL WINDOW REPLACEMENT