R392-600-6. Confirmation Sampling and Decontamination Standards  


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  •   (1) The decontamination specialist shall conduct confirmation sampling after decontamination to verify that concentrations are below the decontamination standards prior to the submittal of a final report. Samples are not required if a contaminated surface has been removed and replaced, unless there is evidence that the area has been re-contaminated. All decontaminated areas and materials, areas not contaminated, and surfaces that have not been removed shall be sampled for compliance with the standards in Table 1.

      (2) If the decontamination standards are not achieved, the decontamination specialist or owner of record shall perform additional decontamination and the decontamination specialist shall re-sample to confirm the surface or area meets the decontamination standards specified in Table 1.


    TABLE 1


    COMPOUND DECONTAMINATION STANDARD


    Red Phosphorus Removal of stained material or

                        cleaned as specified in this rule such

                        that there is no remaining visible

                        residue.

    Iodine Crystals Removal of stained material or

                        cleaned as specified in this rule such

                        that there is no remaining visible

                        residue.


    Methamphetamine Less than or equal to 1.0 microgram

                        Methamphetamine per 100 square

                        centimeters


    VOCs in Air Less than or equal to 1 ppm


    Corrosives Surface pH between 6 and 8


    Ecstasy Less than or equal to 0.1 microgram

                        Ecstasy per 100 square centimeters


      (3) The decontamination specialist or owner of record shall also conduct sampling and testing for all of the metals listed in Table 2 unless there is clear evidence that these metals were not used in the illegal drug operations. If Table 2 contaminants are present, the decontamination specialist or owner of record shall decontaminate the affected areas and the decontamination specialist shall sample until they meet the decontamination standards in Table 2.


    TABLE 2


    COMPOUND DECONTAMINATION STANDARD


    Lead Less than or equal to 4.3 micrograms Lead

                         per 100 square centimeters


    Mercury Less than or equal to 3.0 micrograms

                         Mercury per cubic meter of air


      (4) Confirmation sampling procedures.

      (a) All sample locations shall be photographed.

      (b) All samples shall be obtained from areas representative of the materials or surfaces being tested. Samples shall be collected from materials or surfaces using wipe samples and shall be biased toward areas where contamination is suspected or confirmed or was known to be present prior to decontamination.

      (c) All samples shall be obtained, preserved, and handled and maintained under chain-of-custody protocol in accordance with industry standards for the types of samples and analytical testing to be conducted.

      (d) The individual conducting the sampling shall wear a new pair of gloves to obtain each sample.

      (e) All reusable sampling equipment shall be decontaminated prior to sampling.

      (f) All testing equipment shall be properly equipped and calibrated for the types of compounds to be analyzed.

      (g) Cotton gauze, 3" x 3" 12-ply or 4" x 4" 8-ply, in sterile packages, shall be used for all wipe sampling. The cotton gauze shall be wetted with analytical grade methanol for the wipe sampling. The cotton gauze shall be blotted or wiped at least five times in two perpendicular directions within each sampling area.

      (h) After sampling, each wipe sample shall be placed in a new clean sample container and capped tightly. Recommended containers are 50-mL polypropylene disposable centrifuge tubes or 40-mL VOA glass vials. Plastic bags shall not be used. The sample container shall be properly labeled with at least the site or project identification number, date, time, and actual sample location. The sample container shall be refrigerated until delivered to an analytical laboratory.

      (i) Each sample shall be analyzed for methamphetamine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and ecstasy depending upon the type of illegal drug operations using NIOSH Manual of Analytical Method (NMAM) 9106, 9109 or 9111 or equivalent method approved by the Utah Department of Health.

      (5) Confirmation sampling.

      (a) Grab samples or composite samples are allowed for confirmation sampling of contaminated areas.

      (b) Three 10 cm. x 10 cm. areas (100 square centimeters) shall be wipe sampled from each room of the property where illegal drug operations occurred, hazardous materials were stored and where staining or contamination are or were present. The three samples shall be obtained from a nonporous section of the floor, one wall, and the ceiling in each room or any other location where contamination is suspected.

      (c) Three 10 cm. x 10 cm. areas (100 square centimeters) shall be wipe sampled from different areas of the ventilation system, unless the system serves more than one unit or structure. If the system serves more than one unit or structure, samples shall be collected from a representative distribution of the system as well as the corresponding areas that it serves until the contamination is delineated, decontaminated, and determined to be below the decontamination standards established in this rule.

      (d) If there is a kitchen, three 10 cm. x 10 cm. areas (100 square centimeters) shall be wipe sampled from the surfaces most likely to be contaminated including the counter top, sink, or stove top, and from the floor in front of the stove top or any other location where contamination is suspected.

      (e) If there is a bathroom, three 10 cm. x 10 cm. areas (100 square centimeters) shall be wipe sampled from the surfaces most likely to be contaminated including the counter top, sink, toilet, or the shower/bath tub and any other location where contamination is suspected.

      (f) If there are any appliances, one 10 cm. x 10 cm. area (100 square centimeters) shall be wipe sampled from the exposed portion of each appliance. If multiple appliances are present, each wipe sample may be a composite of up to three 100 square centimeter areas on three separate appliances, provided that the surfaces most likely to be contaminated are tested.

      (g) If there is any other enclosed space where illegal drug operations occurred, hazardous materials were stored, or where staining or contamination is present, three 10 cm. x 10 cm. areas (100 square centimeters) shall be wipe sampled from the surfaces most likely to be contaminated.

      (h) Each wipe sample shall be placed in a new clean sample container and capped tightly. Recommended containers are 50-mL polypropylene disposable centrifuge tubes or 40-mL VOA glass vials. Plastic bags shall not be used.

      (6) VOC sampling and testing procedures.

      (a) A properly calibrated PID or FID capable of detecting VOCs shall be used for testing. The background concentration of VOCs shall be obtained by testing three exterior areas outside the areas of contamination and in areas with no known or suspected sources of VOCs. All VOC readings shall be recorded for each sample location.

      (b) At least three locations in areas of contamination shall be tested for VOC readings. The testing equipment probe shall be held in the sample location for at least 30 seconds to obtain a reading.

      (c) All accessible plumbing traps shall be tested for VOCs by holding the testing equipment probe in the plumbing pipe above the trap for at least 60 seconds.

      (7) Testing procedures for corrosives.

      (a) Surface pH measurements shall be made using deionized water and pH test strips with a visual indication for a pH between 6 and 8. The pH reading shall be recorded for each sample location.

      (b) For horizontal surfaces, deionized water shall be applied to the surface and allowed to stand for at least three minutes. The pH test strip shall then be placed in the water for a minimum of 30 seconds and read.

      (c) For vertical surfaces, a cotton gauze, 3" x 3" 12-ply or 4" x 4" 8-ply, in sterile packages, shall be wetted with deionized water and wiped over a 10 cm. x 10 cm. area at least five times in two perpendicular directions. The cotton gauze shall then be placed into a clean sample container and covered with clean deionized water. The cotton gauze and water shall stand in the container for at least three minutes prior to testing. The pH test strip shall then be placed in the water for a minimum of 30 seconds and read.

      (d) pH testing shall be conducted on at least three locations in each room within the areas of contamination.

      (8) Lead Sampling and Testing Procedures.

      (a) Unless there is clear evidence that lead was not used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine, or ecstasy at the illegal drug operations, lead sampling shall be conducted as follows:

      (i) Cotton gauze, 3" x 3" 12-ply or 4" x 4" 8-ply, in sterile packages shall be used for wipe sampling. The cotton gauze shall be wetted with analytical grade 3 per cent nanograde nitric acid for the wipe sampling. The cotton gauze shall be blotted or wiped at least five times in two perpendicular directions within each sampling area.

      (ii) Three 10 cm. x 10 cm. areas (100 square centimeters) shall be sampled in each room within the areas of contamination; and

      (b) After sampling, each wipe sample shall be placed in a new clean sample container and capped tightly. The sample container shall be properly labeled with at least the site or project identification number, date, time, and actual sample location. The sample container shall be delivered to an analytical laboratory that uses EPA Method 6010B or an equivalent method approved by the Utah Department of Health.

      (c) The sample shall be analyzed for lead using EPA Method 6010B or equivalent.

      (9) Mercury Sampling and Testing Procedures.

      (a) A properly calibrated mercury vapor analyzer shall be used for evaluating the decontaminated areas for the presence of mercury. All mercury readings shall be recorded for each sample location.

      (b) At least three locations in each room within the areas of contamination shall be tested for mercury vapor readings. The testing equipment probe shall be held in the sample location for at least 30 seconds to obtain a reading.

      (c) All accessible plumbing traps shall be tested for mercury by holding the testing equipment probe in the plumbing pipe above the trap for at least 60 seconds.

      (10) Septic tank sampling and testing procedures.

      (a) All sampling and testing shall be performed in accordance with current EPA sampling and testing protocol.

      (b) The liquid in the septic tank shall be sampled with a new clean bailer or similar equipment.

      (c) The liquid shall be decanted or poured with minimal turbulence into three new VOA vials properly prepared by the analytical laboratory.

      (d) The VOA vials shall be filled so that there are no air bubbles in the sealed container. If air bubbles are present, the vial must be emptied and refilled.

      (i) The sample vials shall be properly labeled with at least the date, time, and sample location.

      (ii) The sample vials shall be refrigerated until delivered to the analytical laboratory.

      (iii) The sample shall be analyzed using EPA Method 8260 or equivalent.

      (11) Confirmation sampling by Local Health Departments.

      The local health department may also conduct confirmation sampling after decontamination is completed and after the final report is submitted to verify that the property has been decontaminated to the standards outlined in this rule.