Background
AGES was contracted by the client to implement a sampling program and develop Cleanup Plans for the demolition of a PCB-impacted former fabrication shop. The Cleanup Plan was developed in accordance with the USEPA's PCB "Mega Rule" to adequately characterize components of the building for appropriate demolition and waste disposal. AGES completed an extensive site sampling program to characterize and delineate PCB concentrations in concrete floors, concrete walls and paint on steel racks. To collect the required samples for this project, a sampling grid was developed and over 1,400 samples were collected and analyzed.
PCB Project Work
PCB Concrete Sampling
In floors and walls, concrete chip samples were collected using a grid interval of three meters by three meters throughout the building. From within each nine squared-meter grid, nine samples were collected using a roto-hammer and concrete chisel bit to make one representative composite sample. Applying procedures in 40 CFR 761.283 and 761.286 (bulk PCB remediation waste that is not in a container and is a porous surface), each sample was collected using a dedicated, one-time use brush or scoop and composited in a sterile, disposable pan to eliminate cross-contamination between sample locations.
PCB Paint Sampling
Paint Samples were collected using a manual hand scraper while wearing a clean pair of nitrile gloves. Sterile, disposable pans were used to collect the paint removed from the sample location using a dedicated brush. The hand scraper was properly decontaminated between samples.
After several months of sampling the former fabrication shop, building materials were adequately characterized and the demolition project proceeded as planned.
Building Demolition
Due to PCB impacts and building deterioration, it was determined that the over 70,000 square foot former fabrication shop was no longer needed and would be dismantled. To reduce transportation and disposal costs, building components were classified individually for offsite disposal based on the sampling completed during the Cleanup Plan. Over several months, AGES managed the demolition of the building, including maintaining a safe work area, segregating the waste for disposal, and ensuring the waste was properly placarded and manifested for transportation.
Special Project Features
By developing a site-specific PCB "Mega Rule" sampling plan, AGES was able to properly characterize disposal waste from the demolition. As a result of sampling and careful management, the reclassification of waste from TSCA to non-TSCA reduced transportation and disposal costs for the client by as much as 20%.
