Unfortunately, post-consumer gypsum board is commonly diverted from landfills to be used as a soil amendment in agricultural settings. And in the anaerobic conditions of landfills, bacteria convert gypsum into hydrogen sulfide, a poisonous gas. However, when drywall reaches landfills-and it does so in vast quantities, as it constitutes about 15% of all construction and demolition debris-it can leach these toxic chemicals into groundwater. Gypsum becomes poisonous gas in the landfill Further, gypsum board commonly achieves indoor air quality certifications, such as Greenguard Children & Schools, suggesting that drywall is not a problem for indoor environmental concerns. Total content, on the other hand, never exceeded a measurement of 100 ppm-a difficult feat considering that 100 ppm is the threshold for disclosure in the most rigorous green chemistry programs. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a study of total content and leaching values of heavy metals in synthetic gypsum, which found that these chemicals could have leaching values of up to 550 times the level for safe drinking water. Although the chemical process that captures FGD gypsum is different from the physical collection of fly ash and bottom ash, which is more likely to pick up heavy metals as a matter of course, mercury and other heavy metals are showing up in synthetic gypsum-and, as a result, in our buildings. Synthetic gypsum is created from a byproduct of flue-gas desulfurization (FGD), a process coal-fired power plants use to limit emissions. has not been linked to indoor air quality problems, but potential leaching of heavy metals and biocides included for mold resistance are among the issues that need to be addressed more thoroughly by the gypsum board industry. However, in the last decade, Chinese drywall has been linked with indoor air quality problems, while concerns have cropped up around waste from coal power plants and its links to drywall.ĭomestic manufacturers are quick to point out that gypsum board manufactured in the U.S. Virtually ubiquitous in our buildings, gypsum board is widely seen as an innocuous building material. The steps are listed in order of effectiveness.Drywall, which makes up 15% of demolition and construction waste, leaches toxins and releases hydrogen sulfide gas in landfills. When choosing risk controls, start by asking yourself the questions in the following steps. If that's not possible, there are other risk controls to use. The most effective way to reduce the risk of exposure to drywall dust is to eliminate the source of exposure. It may be necessary to contact a qualified asbestos abatement professional to remove it. Tell your employer, who will investigate. If you suspect there may be asbestos in old installed gypsum boards, do not touch it or move it. Avoid dry sweeping and the use of compressed air. You can reduce the amount of airborne dust when sanding and cleaning up by using a vacuum system. Your best protection from drywall dust is controlling the dust created from sanding. Installers need to consider the risk of strains and sprains when handling drywall and working on drywall ceilings. Though we believe none of this drywall was used in B.C., workers might encounter it and should be aware of it.Īnother risk relates to the size and weight of drywall panels that must be moved or lifted into place. They can also corrode electrical, plumbing, and HVAC components. The gases can cause upper respiratory problems. Old drywall mud and some gypsum boards can contain asbestos.Īlso, some drywall imported from China between 20 contains sulfur compounds. If silica is present, workers may face an increased risk for silicosis and lung cancer. Over time this dust can cause upper respiratory problems similar to asthma. The largest risk is dust and silica exposure from sanding. Drywallers typically have the most exposure, but other workers nearby may also be affected.ĭrywall is a relatively safe material to use. Workers may breathe in the fine dust that comes from sanding drywall and joint tape.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |