Removing lead paint from bridges and other structures is a major challenge facing transportation agencies. The lead paint presents a potential hazard to workers removing paint, to the environment, and to the general public. If lead is left in place indefinitely, loss of corrosion protection and eventually of structural capacity of the bridge will occur, along with the possible erosion of lead into the environment. Although the hazards of lead paint removal from bridges have been recognised and addressed in some form for at least a decade, the problems are still formidable. The challenge is to devise a strategy that protects the bridges in a cost-effective manner while protecting the environment and the workers and minimising adverse publicity and owner's liability. This report assesses the state of the technology and practice for removal of leadcontaining paint from highway bridges. It updates NCHRP Synthesis 176: Bridge paint : removal, containment, and disposal, which describes the technology of the late 1980's. (A)
Abstract