C&D News

GETTING THE LEAD OUT

The Construction Materials Recycling Association (CMRA), Lisle, Ill., is preparing a document that examines the scientific data available on the subject of recycling concrete and asphalt with paint on it. The group says the paper is in response to a few instances where regulators have questioned the safety of the practice.

The questions have been raised about the role of lead-based paint (LBP) as a possible contaminant in the material stream. Specifically, according to CMRA executive director William Turley, regulators want to know if processing concrete containing trace amounts of LBP will somehow harm the environment, the public or workers running the crushing machinery that recycles the concrete and asphalt.

Another aspect to be looked at is whether end uses of the finished product can cause any significant exposure to lead, according to Turley.

"We want to gather all known research on this subject and assemble it in a ‘white paper’ document that will provide factually based conclusions from the scientific perspective," says Turley.

Included in the paper will be discussions with experts on dust control for crushing equipment and input from someone with the U.S. EPA involved with lead contamination issues. Also, expert analysis of the data gathered will be provided.

Although an outside contractor will develop the paper, the CMRA plans to provide input throughout the project, says Turley.