Lead Program
Asbestos Program Manager
928-269-5215
Environmental Department
Air Quality Program Manager
P.O. Box 99110
Yuma, Arizona 85369-9110
Fax: 928-269-5216
Asbestos Program
Lead Policy
It is the policy of MCAS Yuma to provide a safe and healthful working and living environment for all personnel. Compliance with established Lead-Based Paint (LBP) control safety standards and procedures will be maintained to eliminate the hazards of lead intoxication. Training will be provided to all MCAS Yuma personnel who have the potential for occupational LBP exposure. The methods used to minimize LBP exposure include training, communication, inspection, and control. The objectives of the LBP O&M program are:
- Identify, evaluate, control and eliminate existing LBP hazards. Priority will be given to facilities frequented by children under the age of 6 and where LBP or LCM is in deteriorated condition.
- Protect facility occupants (especially children) and workers from existing hazards. When LBP hazards are identified, the hazard or the occupants will be removed until the situation is contained or remedied.
- Prevent LBP hazards from developing. Precautions will be taken during maintenance, renovation, or demolition to minimize or eliminate LBP exposure, and to ensure lead-containing building materials are not used in construction. Lead-containing materials such as ceramic tile shall not be used at MCAS Yuma.
- Restrict the use of LBP. No paint or coating formulated with lead other than the regulated amount, consistent with reasonable manufacturing processes should be specified, purchased, used, or approved for use on existing and proposed MCAS Yuma facilities. All personnel shall substitute suitable lead free materials in place of lead containing materials where authorized. Paint containing lead will not be stored or used by personnel at MCAS Yuma unless specifically approved and authorized on the Base Authorized Users List.
- Comply with environmental protection, and health and safety regulations.
- Identify, evaluate, and remediate past LBP hazards. Painted surfaces of all facilities and structures constructed, repaired, and /or maintained prior to 1980 should be assumed to contain lead unless appropriate sample analysis proves otherwise. However, large-scale testing and removal of lead-containing paint on Marine Corps shore facilities should not be implemented solely to alleviate a potential LBP hazard.
Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our homes and workplaces. Lead may cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death. Children 6 years old and under are most at risk, because their bodies are growing quickly.
EPA is playing a major role in addressing these residential lead hazards. In 1978, there were nearly four million children with elevated blood levels in the United States. In the 1990’s, that number had dropped to 434,000 kids, and it continues to decline.
Since the 1980’s, EPA and its federal partners have phased out lead in gasoline, reduced lead in drinking water, reduced lead in industrial air pollution, and banned or limited lead used in consumer products, including residential paint. States and municipalities have set up programs to identify and treat lead poisoned children and to rehabilitate deteriorated housing. Parents, too, have greatly helped to reduce lead exposures to their children by cleaning and maintaining homes, having their children’s blood lead levels checked, and promoting proper nutrition. The Agency’s Lead Awareness Program continues to work to protect human health and the environment against dangers of lead by developing regulations, conducting research, and designing educational outreach efforts and materials.
Health Concerns
Even children who appear healthy can have dangerous levels of lead in their bodies.
Lead is even more dangerous to children than adults because children’s growing bodies absorb more lead and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.
If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies suffer from damage to the brain and nervous system, behavior and learning problems, slowed growth, hearing problems, and headaches.
Lead is also harmful to adults. Adults can suffer from difficulties during pregnancy, other reproductive problems (male and female), high blood pressure, digestive problems, nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems, and muscle and back pain.
Where Lead is Found
In general, the older the home or workplace, the more likely it has lead-based paint.
Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint.
In soil around the home or workplace.
Household dust.
Drinking water. Your home or business might have plumbing with lead or lead solder.
The job. If you work with lead, you could bring it home on your hands or clothes.
Old painted toys and furniture.
Food and liquids stored in lead crystal or lead-glazed pottery or porcelain.
Where Lead is Likely to be Found
Lead from paint chips, which you can see, and lead dust, which you can’t always see, can be a serious hazard.
Peeling, chipping, chalking, or cracking lead-based paint is a hazard and needs immediate attention.
Lead-based paint may also be a hazard when found on surfaces that children can chew or that get a lot of wear and tear. These areas include:
- Windows and window sills
- Doors and door frames
- Stairs, railings, and banisters
- Porches and fences
Lead dust can form when lead-based paint is dry scraped, dry sanded, or heated. Dust also forms when painted surfaces bump or rub together. Lead ships and dust can get on surfaces and objects that people touch. Settled lead dust can re-enter the air when people vacuum, sweep or walk through it.
Lead in soil can be a hazard when children play in bare soil or when people bring soil into the house on their shoes.
Checkig Your Family, Home and Workplace for Lead
Get your children and home tested if you think your home has high levels of lead.
Just knowing that a home has lead-based paint may not tell you if there is a hazard.
To reduce your child’s exposure to lead, get your child checked, have your home tested (especially if your home has paint in poor condition and was built before 1978), and fix any you may have.
Workplaces and facilities are inspected for lead-based paint prior to any work being performed.
Have qualified professionals do the work.
Trained professionals use a range of methods when checking your home and workplace, including:
- Visual inspection of paint condition and location.
- A portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) machine.
- Lab tests of paint samples.
- Surface dust tests.
Prior to any work being performed in an office space or on any facility, a Work Request is needed to inspect the building for ACM and LBP for the scope of work being performed.
Training
The Environmental department offers a 2 hour Asbestos and Lead Awareness Training once a month. Also a 24-hour training module is offered which contains the Asbestos and Lead Awareness Training. Call 269-3201 for more information. Videos to enhance the training can be checked out at the Environmental Department.