Encapsulation is short-term solution to lead-based paint contamination

Encapsulation of lead-based paint is a cost-effective short-term solution, but over time can end up costing more than the abatement of lead paint.

According to Frank Ronan, business manager of EnviroVantage, an environmental clean-up company, encapsulation only involves covering up lead paint, not removing it fully.

"Scrape down the flaky paint and then just paint over it," said Ronan.

Ronan said he could not recall if EnviroVantage worked at KSC in the past, but the company has done a lot of work at the University of New Hampshire and Plymouth State College.

Encapsulation is one of four lead remediation methods mentioned in the administrative rules for the New Hampshire Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Act.

Other methods are replacement of components with lead-free elements, paint removal when either a friction, impact or chewable hazard exists, and enclosure of surfaces containing lead with durable materials such as carpet, ceramic tile, wood, vinyl or stone, according to the rules.

The administrative rules also contains a provision permitting the permanent fastening of "window sashes to eliminate friction surfaces" when it is "not otherwise prohibited by any other building or fire codes or by any local ordinances."

Abatement is more expensive because it's the complete removal of all lead-based paint. Ronan said more tools are necessary for abatement including dental picks and HEPA filters.

"That's done with chemical stripping primarily," said Ronan, "but it's all done in a careful, enclosed environment."

Ronan said the key reason why some may choose encapsulation over abatement is the price.

"Abatement is four to five times more expensive than encapsulation. If the average encapsulation lasts four years, it will be 16 years to break even," he said.

In December 1993 MARCOR Environmental Inc. performed a lead abatement and encapsulation on sections of Elliot Hall overlooking the Child Development Center playground, according to a December 1993 report obtained by The Equinox.

According to a Feb. 3, 1994 letter from Michael Sweet, an industrial hygienist for Desmarais Environmental Inc., to Vicki Farer, then KSC Health and Safety coordinator, and Dec. 29, 1993 project notes, the encapsulation included "scraping all the non-intact lead-based paint on the exterior window components and wood trim" and using polyurethane to encapsulate the woodwork. In addition, windows were replaced in an area overlooking the CDC playground, said Physical Plant director Frank Mazzola.

Mazzola said he didn't know how much it has cost the college to continue encapsulation outside of Elliot Hall.

"Certainly to have maintained it through encapsulation for 14 years was likely less than the cost of replacement then or now," said Mazzola.

Both processes can be used inside and outside, but Ronan said encapsulation on the outside of buildings will likely wear faster due to exposure to weather elements.

"The sun hits three sides of the building. Sooner or later the paint is going to crack," said Ronan of a typical building.

When lead-based paint is inside a building there are more restrictions. Ronan said "there are a couple of places that are very sensitive."

"In each state, the rules are slightly different, just in degree. If baseboards stick out far enough that a toddler can chew on a piece of wood, they will ingest lead paint - not good for them," he said. "It can be no more than half inch deep floor molding on the baseboard; windowsills the same thing."

To prevent dust, Ronan said lead paint always needs to be wet down before sanding.

The lifetime of the paint depends on what kind of paint it is. Ronan said some paints are made stronger or to spread better. Encapsulating paint "can go directly over lead paint as long as it is smooth," he said.

Ronan said the biggest cause of lead poisoning in children under the age of six is ingesting lead dust, not eating paint chips. "The perception is just the opposite," he said. Lead dust is turned into gas once it is inhaled.

When a high amount of lead is found in soil Ronan said there is only one real solution.

"If there's paint in the soil, the only method is to scrap down about three to four inches. Remove the soil completely and bring in new soil," he said. Most lead in soil "unfortunately comes from lead paint on the side of houses."

Besides replacing the soil, Ronan said the only other "real fix" would be to get rid of the source by putting shingles over the lead paint or abating it.

In the Child Development Center's playground there is a white fence 10 feet away from the building to keep children away from potential lead chips. Ronan said there could be problems with keeping the lead inside the fenced off area.

According to Sylvie Rice, KSC's environmental health and safety coordinator, the fencing materials cost approximately $3,700 and was installed by college employees. Prior to the fence's installation, Covino Environmental Associates Inc., an industrial hygiene company, tested the playground soil for lead, which cost approximately $1,500, Rice stated in an e-mail to The Equinox.

"If the rain washes the lead down you might have lead paint that goes outside the fence," said Ronan from EnviroVantage. "It's kind of encapsulation. It's better than nothing but it's not solving the problem."

EnviroVantage is currently bidding on an asbestos removal in Huntress Hall, according to Ronan.

If a homeowner finds lead-based paint and wants to encapsulate or abate it, some paint companies can't do anything at all. Ted Cheever, assistant manager at the Keene Sherwin-Williams store, said no employees could talk about lead paint because of ongoing "litigations." Instead, Sherwin-Williams employees are required to provide a packet lead information packet to interested customers.