Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has created of a new permit program that regulates the sandblasting of outdoor water tanks to remove lead-based paint.
Contractors often use sandblasting to remove paint from water tanks in preparation for repainting them.
Effective immediately, all water tank sandblasting projects involving removal of lead paint are required to have an air quality permit from DNREC that will ensure containment measures are taken to prevent the release of lead paint chips into the environment, a release stated.
The new sandblasting permit to be issued by DNREC’s Division of Air Quality also requires the tank owner to provide residents within 1,000 feet of a tank notification 30 days before any sandblasting activities, a release stated.
“DNREC is committed to the proper management of sandblasting activities of outdoor water tanks to ensure no lead enters the environment, given the harm that lead exposure can cause,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “By implementing this new permit, DNREC will also increase public awareness of lead-containing water tank sandblasting projects in Delaware.”
The state has seen issues with lead paint and structures in regard to the Saint Georges Bridge, which saw lead contamination from painting projects.
For information on the permit, please DNREC’s website at https://de.gov/sandblasting or contact DNREC’s Division of Air Quality, at 302-739-9402.
According to the Division of Public Health, the largest source of potential lead exposure for Delaware residents is in homes constructed before 1978. To learn more about lead abatement strategies, visit www.LeadSafeDelaware.org.
