Energy Savings Plus Health | INDOOR AIR QUALITY GUIDELINES FOR MULTIFAMILY BUILDING UPGRADES 65
LEAD
Assessments Actions
Determine whether building
upgrade activities will expose
workers to lead dust (for example,
from lead paint used in buildings
constructed before 1978),
according to the Assessment
Protocols outlined in Priority Issue
3.0 Lead.
• If the facility was built before 1978, the existing paint is assumed to contain lead,
unless EPA-approved testing methods show otherwise, and building upgrade activities
must comply with EPA's RRP Program Rule requirements at 40 CFR Part 745 and the
OSHA rule at 29 CFR Part 1926.62.
• See OSHA's publication Lead in Construction for information on OSHA requirements
to protect construction workers from lead hazards.
MOLD
Assessments Actions
Determine whether workers will be
exposed to mold.
• All suspected moldy areas should be remediated by properly trained individuals.
Moisture problems need to be identified and fixed or mold will return. If mold is
expected to be disturbed during activities, immediately bring this to the attention
of the site manager. Refer to OSHA's A Brief Guide to Mold in the Workplace;
NIOSH's Recommendations for the Cleaning and Remediation of Flood-Contaminated
HVAC Systems; EPA's Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings;
the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists' Bioaerosols:
Assessment and Control; the American Industrial Hygiene Association's Recognition,
Evaluation, and Control of Indoor Mold; or the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and
Restoration Certification's S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold
Remediation.
• See EPA's Molds and Moisture website for additional information on mold
remediation.
POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS (PCBs)
Assessments Actions
Determine whether workers may
be handling PCB-containing
or PCB-contaminated building
materials, including fluorescent
light ballasts and caulk.
• See EPA's PCB-Containing Fluorescent Light Ballasts Web page for information
on proper maintenance, removal and disposal of PCB-containing fluorescent light
ballasts. If leaking ballasts are discovered, wear protective clothing including
chemical-resistant (nitrile) gloves, boots and disposable overalls.
• See EPA's Steps to Safe Renovation and Abatement of Buildings That Have PCB
Containing Caulk website for information on this topic. Work practices to help ensure
worker and occupant safety include employing protective measures (both interior and
exterior), complying with occupational protective regulations, communicating with
building occupants/third parties, setting up the work area to prevent the spread of
dust, using appropriate tools that minimize the generation of dust/heat, and leaving
the work area clean.
SPRAY POLYURETHANE FOAM (SPF)
Assessments Actions
Determine whether workers will
be using SPF, which may contain
chemicals such as isocyanates
(e.g., methylene diphenyl
diisocyanate), amines, flame
retardants and other additives.
There are three main types of
SPF products (two-component
high pressure, two-component
low pressure and one-component
foam), each of which has different
applications. Determine which
of the three main types of SPF
products will be used.
• Applicators, crews and building occupants in the work area are required to use
protective equipment to prevent exposure to isocyanates and other SPF chemicals.
Protective equipment requirements vary depending on the type of SPF product.
• Review label and product information for ingredients, hazards, directions, safe work
practices and precautions.
• Ensure health and safety training is completed and safe work practices are followed to
prevent eye, skin and inhalation exposures during and after SPF installation.
• Exercise caution when determining a safe re-entry time for unprotected occupants and
workers based on the manufacturer's printed recommendation. If occupants or workers
experience breathing problems or other adverse health effects from SPF application,
seek immediate medical attention.
• See OSHA's Green Job Hazards website for additional information on the hazards
associated with SPF.
• See EPA's Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) home website for additional information.
• See the American Chemistry Council's Spray Polyurethane Foam Health and Safety
website for additional information.
