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Activated Metal Treatment System for Paints
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Traditional Abatement Approaches for PCBs in Paints
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| Encapsulation |  |
Description: Approach involves applying a PCB-resistant sealant to the painted surface in order to prevent exposure.
Advantage:
- Structure can be reused following abatement
Disadvantages:
- PCBs are NOT destroyed nor are they removed from the site, and could become a health issue if the encapsulated paints are disturbed
- May require additional monitoring of surface following abatement
| Removal of structure, followed by off-site treatment/disposal | |
Description: Approach involves dismantling painted structure and transporting material to an off-site treatment/disposal site.
Advantage:
- PCBs removed from the site
Disadvantages:
- Structure is destroyed, preventing reuse
- Added costs associated with dismantling the structure
- Added costs associated with the transport, treatment, and/or disposal of the secondary waste stream that is generated
- Two-step abatement process (i.e., dismantling followed by ex-situ treatment/disposal), which can result in added labor costs
| Abrasive blasting to remove paint, followed by off-site treatment/disposal | |
Description: Approach involves the use of an abrasive material, such as sand or steel shot. Surfaces are blasted with these materials to physically remove the paint. A secondary waste stream is generated that is typically transported off-site for treatment and/or disposal.
Advantages:
- PCBs removed from the site
- Structure can be reused following abatement
Disadvantages:
- Technique is only applicable where the underlying structure will not be damaged by the blasting process
- Potential worker safety issues from use of blasting equipment
- Potential health hazards associated with the PCB-laden dusts generated during the blasting process (e.g., through inhalation or ingestion)
- Added costs associated with placing the structure under vacuum (to minimize the release of PCB-laden particulates)
- Added costs associated with the transport, treatment, and/or disposal of the secondary waste stream that is generated
- Two-step abatement process (i.e., extraction followed by ex-situ treatment/disposal) can result in added labor costs
| Hydroblasting to remove paint, followed by off-site treatment/disposal | |
Description: High-pressure water is used to physically remove the paint. A secondary waste stream is generated that is typically transported off-site for treatment and/or disposal.
Advantages:
- PCBs removed from the site
- Structure can be reused following abatement
Disadvantages:
- Technique is only applicable where the underlying structure will not be damaged by the blasting process
- Potential worker safety issues from use of blasting equipment
- Added costs associated with the transport, treatment, and/or disposal of the secondary waste stream that is generated
- Two-step abatement process (i.e., extraction followed by ex-situ treatment/disposal) can result in added labor costs
| Chemical removal of paint, followed by off-site treatment/disposal | |
Description: Approach involves the use of a solvent, such as hexane, to extract the PCBs from the paint. A secondary waste stream is generated that is typically transported off-site for treatment and/or disposal.
Advantages:
- PCBs removed from the site
- Structure can be reused following abatement
Disadvantages:
- Added costs associated with the transport, treatment, and/or disposal of the secondary waste stream that is generated
- Two-step abatement process (i.e., extraction followed by ex-situ treatment/disposal) can result in added labor costs
Click here for information on NASA's solution—Activated Metal Treatment System for Paints.
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