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When the dome of the Old Capitol building began showing wear and tear from exposure to the extreme Midwest weather, it was critical that the existing gold leaf be removed and replaced without damaging the copper substrate. 

Lighthouses, once critical for safe international shipping and commerce have essentially been replaced with modern navigational tools such as radio beacons and GPS. Many lighthouses remain functional with working lanterns, used as a backup tool for mariners in instances where other navigational systems have failed. 

Lead paint removal is a challenge regardless of location and circumstances, but even more so when the process takes place in a busy train station. This was the case when Avalotis Corporation was tasked with a lead paint removal, surface preparation, and high-performance coating system application at the 30^th Street train station in Philadelphia, PA.

The Wyandot County Courthouse (Located in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, USA) is considered one of the best preserved examples of classical, turn-of-the-century architecture. Built in 1899, the courthouse was added to the National Historic Places in 1973.

Wilson Hall (recently renamed Friedman Hall) is one of the most heavily used buildings on the Brown University campus. The Romanesque-style (circa 1891) structure was built at the bequest of George Francis Wilson and was designed by architects Gould and Angell to expand Brown’s lecture and classroom space.

In February 2019, work began on the decommissioning of the Battery Street Tunnel in Seattle, Washington. Completed in 2022, this project was a huge undertaking that included removing the tunnel’s utility and mechanical systems, removing decades of automotive soot buildup from the tunnel, filling the tunnel, and sealing its entrances.

Commercial coatings specialists involved in deleading and are yearning for larger contracts might find themselves looking to become more highly certified. Increasingly, large public and private entities (including oil companies, departments of transportation, and public utilities) insist contract bidders possess additional certifications from organizations such as SSPC (The Society for Protective Coatings). SSPC certifies both companies and individuals, verifying contractor organizations with defined knowledge and procedures.

Imagine for a moment that ACME Coatings Contractor has recently completed an important water tank exterior coatings project. The job, which involved removing lead-based paint from the 40 meter (135-ft) tall, 3.7-million liter,legged tank, went well from start to finish. The owners are happy, final payment has been rendered, and the project manager is filing the last bit of paperwork when the owner’s representative calls and asks, “Out of curiosity, how can we be sure that ACME didn’t leave lead dust under or around the tank?”

Take a deep breath and consider the following: Every worker required to wear a tight-fitting respirator on the job needs a respirator fit test. In the United States and many other countries, respirator fit tests are law. This law even applies to disposable N95 particulate respirator masks. A respirator fit test, typically conducted in a controlled environment, is markedly different than the quick “seal check” performed whenever a worker puts on a respirator.

Those involved in lead paint removal, lead based paint encapsulation, or concerned with lead paint removal costs have likely heard the term “Cradle to Grave,” but not everyone knows what it means in the lead abatement world.