Lead paint dust contamination

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I'm working on a story about the lead paint dust contamination of
the lower stacks (some 700,000 items) of the Pennsylvania State
Library in Harrisburg. Has this kind of problem occurred at any
other library? What are the prospects for a successful clean-up? I'd
like to talk to anyone with thoughts on this.

The contamination occurred almost a year ago, and the state recently
hired a consultant, GR Environmental, Inc., of Rockville, Md., to
draw up options for remediating the problem. It occurred when
painters hired by the state Department of General Services used
sanders to remove known lead paint from exterior windows. Within a
few days, the dust had infiltrated and contaminated the lower
stacks. The state knew they were dealing with lead paint, but at the
time the contract was let was not voluntarily following EPA/OSHA
lead paint removal regulations. Thanks for any help any of you in
the profession can provide.

David DeKok, reporter
The Patriot-News
Harrisburg
717-255-8173

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 9:60
                   Distributed: Monday, March 4, 1996
                        Message Id: cdl-9-60-023
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