Investigation Spotlight: Water Tower Abrasive Blasting

Problem

In 2023, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) was notified that a company contracted to repaint a city water tower in a downtown area released grit and dust into the air. While the contractors were abrasive blasting old paint off the water tower, a mixture of abrasive material and an unknown amount of lead-based paint was ejected. The mixture coated vehicles, outdoor dining areas, and other establishments downtown.

Investigation

The local health jurisdiction requested technical assistance from CDPH to evaluate potential exposure risks to the public. CDPH coordinated with the city, the county, as well as air quality management district staff to conduct field screening for lead in the soil at several locations near the water tower, including the yard of a nearby elementary school and the downtown area. Fortunately, lead screening indicated levels were not above expected background levels. CDPH learned that the contractors did not follow the air district's permitting protocols, including notifications before conducting abrasive blasting, characterizing lead concentrations before and after the operation, and the use of catchment systems to collect the mixture of abrasive material and lead-based paint.

Implications

Although the screening results indicated that lead exposure risks were low, similar abrasive blasting of lead-based paint activities in the future should include community notifications, setback distances, and additional lead characterization before and after the paint removal action to help identify and address any concerns in advance.​​​
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