Table Of Content

Published by the Environmental Management Unit Logan Office Center A quarterly environmental newsletter. Issue No. 2, Quarter II - 2000 THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS CLEAN DIRT PURCHASING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Construction projects often generate excess soil from site grading and excavation for foundations and utilities Recently Massport awarded a purchase order for traffic supplies. that must be transported offsite. Even projects that are designed to balance cut and fill quantities can One of our recent purchases included 700 traffic cones made encounter soil that is unsuitable for use as backfill due to clay or organic material and therefore must be removed from the site. At from recycled materials!!!!! sites that have been impacted by a spill, a leaking tank, or other source of oil or hazardous material, the soil excavated during EMS: THE construction must be strictly managed in accordance with ELEMENTS regulations known as the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP). The MCP regulations, Massachusetts General Law chapter 21E, In the last issue of define the extensive process for testing contaminated soil to EnviroNews we determine the appropriate disposal site and for creating the “paper introduced some of the basics of an trail” for tracking the soil. A person who is licensed as a Licensed environmental management system Site Professional (LSP) by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (EMS). There are many must oversee the process for managing soil at a contaminated site. mechanisms that can be used in the Managing contaminated soil can add significant costs to a project development of an EMS. All of the and can also result in construction delays. In order to minimize guidance that is provided about costs and potential delays, the following steps should be included developing an EMS focuses on in designing a construction project: using the same basic tools. These • Research Site History to reveal potential sources of tools include developing a policy; planning the EMS; implementation of contamination such as underground storage tanks, waste the EMS into the organization; storage areas, floor drains, dry wells, etc. checking and performing corrective • Conduct a Pre-Construction Characterization that includes actions; and reviewing the EMS. laboratory analysis of soil samples that will identify areas of soil In the next issue of EnviroNews contamination and identify contaminants often found in urban detailed information will be provided fill both of which can be used to determine soil disposal options. on developing a policy. • Modify Building/Utility Design to reduce the quantity of soil to be removed from the site thereby reducing project costs. SSTTOORRMM DDRRAAIINN Recently, the transport and management of soil at offsite locations PPRROOHHIIBBIITTIIOONNSS has come under increased scrutiny. The application of more sophisticated laboratory analysis required by the MCP can detect very low concentrations of contaminants in soil that would OIL otherwise be considered “clean”. Many of these contaminants are ubiquitous and are associated with the “urban fill” that comprises Logan Airport and other Massport properties. Common WASHWATER contaminants in urban fill include heavy metals (e.g. arsenic, lead, chromium) and coal tar derivatives that are the result of early ANTIFREEZE industrial activities. The presence of these contaminants at low concentrations in soil typically does not pose a risk to human health, particularly in industrial or commercial settings (such as the These items are prohibited from being airport) where exposure to the soil is limited. discharged into stormdrains. Dirt continued on page 2 1 PAINT SPRAY BOOTH THE ENVIRONMENT REGULATION INFORMATION AND YOU CHECK OUT THE In accordance with 310 Code of Home Lead Massachusetts Regulations 7.03 (13), DAILY a facility is exempt from permitting Paint Removal AIR requirements for a paint spray booth if QUALITYFORECAST it uses less than 670 gallons per month One-third of child- at of coatings, thinners, reducers, and hood lead poisoning www.state.ma.us/dep cleanup solution containing volatile cases result from and click on organic compounds (VOC) or emits improper home improvement methods. If your house or Air Quality Forecast less than 2.5 tons per calendar month apartment was built before 1978, of VOCs. However, the exempt facility it may contain lead paint. Lead must still comply with recordkeeping poisoning from lead paint results requirements found in the regulation. when the lead is deteriorating These recordkeeping requirements (cracking or peeling) or is dis- Dirt continued from page 1 include keeping track of: gallons of turbed by renovation work and However, once the soil is coating used; coating density; pounds lead dust forms. of VOC per gallon of coating; pounds of excavated for removal offsite, solids per gallon of coating; pounds of The New England Lead restrictions must be in place to water per gallon of coating; pounds of Coordinating Committee is a prevent its use on sites where group of New England public other non-VOC liquid per gallon of there would be increased health and housing officials coating; pounds of VOC per gallon of exposure to the soil, especially working to prevent lead solids as applied; gallons of by children. poisoning. This group sponsors exempt/non-compliance coatings used; the “Keep It Clean Campaign”, It is recommended that contract gallons of cleanup solution used and which educates homeowners and specifications include restrictions pounds VOC per gallon; and that prohibit the use of the soil at maintenance records of filter pad contractors about lead-safe residential sites, playgrounds, replacement and disposal. renovation. daycare centers, or other In addition, the regulation states that The following steps can be taken locations where children could “spray gun cleaning shall be performed to minimize the risk of lead contact it. The specifications poisoning for you and your inside a totally enclosed gun washer should require that soil family: system and any used cleanup solution transported offsite be used as shall be recirculated, or stored and ? Wet surfaces prior to backfill at locations where it will disposed of in a manner which will scraping or sanding paint. ultimately be covered by a minimize evaporation to the minimum of six inches of ? Use hand tools instead of atmosphere. Proper storage shall be in processed fill and/or pavement, power tools. a container with a tight fitting cover.” such as industrial sites or ? Contain the work area using landfills. Some vendors that sell spray gun 6-mil plastic. washers are: While it is difficult to maintain ? Wear protective clothing and control of how the soil is used Uni-ram Cascade – (905) 477-5911 a respirator is once it is transported offsite, the Herkules Equipment – (800) 444-4351 recommended. contract specifications can at ? Workers should immediately You can also contact auto shops, trade least direct where the soil is change clothes and shower associations, or suppliers for additional going and, consequently, limit vendor information. once finished in the work Massport’s liability. area. ? Clean up when you are done EnviroQuestion with the work. DO NOT Approximately how many tons of solid waste do Americans generate each year? DRY SWEEP OR USE A Do you know how many pounds per person per day? VACUUM CLEANER. Answers in the next issue. To get more information call Quarter I Question: What, no cost simple thing can Americans do to their cars that (617) 636-2431 for a free can save our country up to two billion gallons of gas each year? brochure titled “An Insiders Answer: Keep their tires properly inflated. Guide to Lead Safe Home Improvement.” 2