mardi 9 septembre 2014

Sponge Blasting Removes Contaminants Safely

By Kerri Stout


Lead-based paint formulas have been unavailable for over four decades, but there are still many standing structures bearing multiple coats. Part of the cleanup and removal process involves shielding nearby residents from the toxins that become airborne, primarily paint fragments and dust. Sponge blasting can accomplish that without the noise, disruption, and choking clouds that can accompany other commonly used scouring methods.

The process is important to industrial scouring and cleanup as well as lead paint removal. It is safe and effective to use on various materials, including easy-to-damage layers of substrate, hard surfaces including stone, and even heavy machinery. Commonly compared to sand, abrasives, or carefully targeted high-pressure water jets, this scouring process is technically more advanced. The abrasives cause measurably less surface trauma, and are safer environmentally.

Sponge media make this possible. They are actually tiny, water-based polyurethane bits that contain different strengths of abrasive material. When shot under high pressure onto a surface, their unique chemical consistency actually collects and surrounds fragments of surface paint or rust. Sponges absorb the environmentally harmful substances, which can later be chemically removed, and the media recycled. Disposal is consistent with current EPA standards.

There are five broad categories of these abrasives, color-coded to illustrate their particular strengths. Red sponge media is impregnated with steel grit that is the ideal consistency for slicing through many industrial coatings. Color code silver contains suspended aluminum oxide particles effective against paint and similar hard external coatings, and is also used to prepare industrial surfaces.

Flaking coats of old paint and lighter industrial sealers are easily removed using Brown media, which is also effective against surface rusting. The White variety is commonly used by store owners to eliminate building graffiti, and can be used on composites, tile, or fiberglass. Green sponge media is the lightest abrasive, and is employed mainly to get rid of soot and grease deposits in places hard to reach with normal cleaning tools.

The system eliminates nearly all dust generated using traditional scouring methods. Sandblasting is actually cheaper to use initially, because the cost of that material is lower, and it is readily available. Sand is more difficult to control during blasting, however, and can easily damage some types of material. Sponges not only suppress dust, but trap the contaminants inside, and the different abrasive ranges permit greater accuracy.

Individual sponges can be cleaned and recycled, making them even more cost effective. The machines that pressure-spray these particles are quieter than other types of blasters, and make it possible to complete jobs in crowded urban locations without forcing adjacent businesses to close down for the duration. In some cases, employees can remain inside while work continues on other floors.

Fewer toxic emissions and a generally higher quality of surface preparation and cleanup is the end result. There is less chance for contractors to be slapped with fines for violating environmental regulations, and nearby residents are usually less hostile to the interruption. Setup is not as complicated as older methods, residue and dust is more readily controlled, and safe disposal and recycling of materials help finish the job efficiently.




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