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In August, MSD
began construction of the $64 million Alternative Solids Process (ASP)
facility at the Morris Forman Wastewater Treatment Plant. The ASP will
replace the existing Zimpro process, which currently contributes to
the majority of odors at the Morris Forman plant.
As part of the
project, MSD’s contractors have been involved in the removal of
three large incinerators designed to burn treated solid materials. The
incinerators were constructed in the mid-1970’s and have not been
used or tested since 1983.
During the
demolition process, it has come to MSD’s attention that the
incinerators, their firebrick linings and ash left within the
incinerators contain both lead and cadmium. Testing has determined
that paint coatings on the incinerator steel surfaces contain lead.
Cadmium is present in the residual ash adhering to the interior
firebrick lining.
These conditions
came to MSD’s attention after a contractor employee, working on the
demolition project, tested with higher than normal blood lead levels.
As a result, MSD
has reassessed the contractor’s procedures for containment of
materials during demolition, monitoring of air samples and testing of
employee blood levels for lead and cadmium.
In turn, MSD has
limited access to the solids processing building to its own employees
until demolition is complete. In addition, all MSD employees who have
been exposed to the interior of the building during such demolition
have been blood tested for levels of lead and cadmium. Test results
that have been returned reveal that MSD employees blood levels are
well below acceptable upper limits for both lead and cadmium. Any
employee required to enter the building during the remainder of the
demolition project will be required to wear protective clothing and
respirators. These are all precautionary measures.
MSD does not
anticipate any significant delay in the completion of the ASP project
as a result of these findings.
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