4A Public Hearing 2015 0120 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City of San Leandro Housing Element Update (2015-2023) Project Initial Study and Environmental Checklist a) Would the project create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through the routine transport, use or disposal of ha.Zardous materials? Although the Housing Element itself would not result in the physical development of residential units, future development anticipated under the Housing Element could involve the handling of potentially hazardous building materials (i.e. Asbestos -containing materials [ACMs], lead-based paint [LBP], polychlorinated bi- phenyls [PCBs], mercury) that may be encountered during the demolition or modification of existing struc- tures, if required under the proposed Project. State -level agencies, in conjunction with the USEPA and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulate removal, abatement, and transport procedures for asbestos -containing materials. ACM's are materials that contain asbestos, a naturally -occurring fibrous mineral that has been mined for its useful ther- mal properties and tensile strength. Releases of asbestos from industrial, demolition, or construction activities are prohibited by these regulations and medical evaluation and monitoring is required for employees perform- ing activities that could expose them to asbestos. Additionally, the regulations include warnings that must be heeded and practices that must be followed to reduce the risk for asbestos emissions and exposure. Finally, federal, State, and local agencies must be notified prior to the onset of demolition or construction activities with the potential to release asbestos. LBP, which can result in lead poisoning when consumed or inhaled, was widely used in the past to coat and decorate buildings. Lead poisoning can cause anemia and damage to the brain and nervous system, particular- ly in children. Like ACMs, LBP generally does not pose a health risk to building occupants when left undis- turbed; however, deterioration, damage, or disturbance will result in hazardous exposure. In 1978, the use of LBP was federally banned by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Therefore, only buildings built be- fore 1978 are presumed to contain LBP, as well as buildings built shortly thereafter, as the phase-out of LBP was gradual. The USEPA prohibited the use of PCBs in the majority of new electrical equipment starting in 1979, and ini- tiated a phase-out for much of the existing PCB -containing equipment. The inclusion of PCBs in electrical equipment and the handling of those PCBs are regulated by the provisions of the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 USC Section 2601 et seq. (TSCA). Relevant regulations include labeling and periodic inspection re- quirements for certain types of PCB -containing equipment and outline highly specific safety procedures for their disposal. The State of California likewise regulates PCB -laden electrical equipment and materials con- taminated above a certain threshold as hazardous waste; these regulations require that such materials be treat- ed, transported, and disposed accordingly. At lower concentrations for non -liquids, regional water quality control boards may exercise discretion over the classification of such wastes. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health's (Cal OSHA) Lead in Construction Standard is contained in Title 8, Section 1532.1 of the California Code of Regulations. The regulations address all of the following areas: permissible exposure limits (PELs); exposure assessment; compliance methods; respiratory protection; protective clothing and equipment; housekeeping; medical surveillance; medical removal protec- tion (MRP); employee information, training, and certification; signage; record keeping; monitoring; and agen- cy notification. The removal of these potentially hazardous building materials (if present) by contractors licensed to remove and handle these materials in accordance with existing federal, State, and local regulations would insure that risks associates with the transport, storage, use, and disposal of such materials would be less than significant. R3geI30