Airborne exposure and soil levels associated with lead abatement of a steel tank

Monitoring steel bridge renovation using lead isotopic tracing

Monitoring removal of lead (Pb) paint from steel structures usually involves analysis of environmental samples for total lead and determination of blood Pb levels of employees involved in the Pb paint removal. We used high precision Pb isotopic tracing for a bridge undergoing Pb paint removal to determine if Pb in the environmental and blood samples originated from the bridge paint. The paint system on the bridge consisted of an anti-corrosive red Pb primer top-coated with a Micaceous Iron Oxide (MIO) alkyd. Analysis of the red Pb primer gave uniform isotopic ratios indicative of Pb from the geologically-ancient Broken Hill mines in western New South Wales, Australia. Likewise waste abrasive material, as anticipated, had the same isotopic composition as the paint. The isotopic ratios for other samples lay on 2 separate linear arrays on a²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb versus ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb diagram, one largely defined by gasoline and the majority of the ambient air data, and the other by data for one sample each of gasoline and ambient air and underwater sediments. Isotopic ratios in background ambient air samples for the project were characteristic of leaded gasoline. Air sampling during paint removal showed a contribution of paint Pb ranging from about 20 to 40%. Isotopic ratios in the blood of 8 employees prior to the commencement of work showed that 6 of these had been previously exposed to the Broken Hill Pb possibly from earlier bridge paint removal projects. One subject appeared to have increased exposure to Pb probably from the paint renovations.

Impact on the environment from steel bridge paint deterioration using lead isotopic tracing, paint compositions and soil deconstruction

Deterioration and repair of lead paint on steel structures can result in contamination of the ambient environment but other sources of lead such as from past use of leaded paint and gasoline and industrial activities can also contribute to the contamination. Using a combination of high precision lead isotopic tracing, detailed paint examination, including with scanning electron microscopy, and soil deconstruction we have compared paint on a steel bridge and bulk soil and lead-rich particles separated from soil. The majority of Pb found in the paint derives from Australian sources but some also has a probable US origin. The isotopic data for the bulk soils and selected particles lie on a mixing line with end members the geologically ancient Broken Hill lead and possible European lead which is suggested to be derived from old lead paint and industrial activities. Data for gasoline-derived particulates lie on this array and probably contribute to soil Pb. Although paint from the bridge can be a source of lead in the soils, isotopic tracing, paint morphology and mineralogical identification indicate that other sources, including from paint, gasoline and industrial activities, are contributing factors to the lead burden. Even though physical characteristics and elemental composition are the same in some particles, the isotopic signatures demonstrate that the sources are different. Plots using (206)Pb/(208)Pb vs (206)Pb/(207)Pb ratios, the common representation these days, do not allow for source discrimination in this investigation.