Science Inventory

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Technical Brief - Two technologies evaluated for their ability to remove cesium-137 contamination EPA evaluates homeland security related technologies that will help protect human health and the environment from the adverse impacts of terrorist acts. Radiological attacks may require massive evacuation to protect human health and greatly interfere with economic and business activities. As a result, there is much interest in technologies that can be used to mitigate these impacts and help with the cleanup following terrorist acts. As part of this effort, EPA has evaluated two strippable coating technologies for their ability to remove cesium-137 (Cs-137) from concrete surfaces: • Stripcoat TLC FreeTM (Bartlett Services Inc.) • OrionTM Strippable Coating (OrionTM SC) (Isotron Corp.) The coatings were applied to concrete coupons contaminated with Cs-137. Both products can be applied like paint, using commercially available, airless paint sprayers, brushes, or rollers. Figure 1 shows application with a paint sprayer, the method used in this evaluation. The treated surfaces were allowed to cure overnight into a solid coating and were then removed from the concrete surface. OrionTM SC apparently binds radiological material through chemical and physical interactions when it is cured. Stripcoat TLC FreeTM apparently binds radiological material only through physical interaction between the radiological material and the cured coating. Each technology was evaluated for: • Decontamination efficacy (percent removal) from vertical and horizontal surfaces, 7 days and 30 days after contamination of the coupons • Application and removal times • Ease of use on irregular surfaces • Labor requirements • Utility requirements • Portability • Secondary waste • Surface damage • Preparation and cleanup • Cost Note that the 7-day and 30-day tests were performed to determine if a more rapid response would provide a better decontamination efficacy with these products. Another important objective of the evaluation was to determine if the wet strippable coatings would adhere adequately to a vertical surface.

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