Carcinogenic PAH containing coating systems
Certain types of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) are carcinogenic and are often found in coal tar (epoxy) based coatings. These substances pose a health risk to those who have to remove this type of coating.
PAH (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) coating systems are typically coal tar (epoxy) based systems. These systems have proven to be highly effective in buried and submerged conditions. The disadvantage is that these contain certain PAH that are proven to be carcinogenic and therefore carry a significant health risk. Suspected PAH are listed by the EU and US EPA on designated lists. These specific carcinogenic PAH are found in coal tar products such as coal tar epoxy coatings. These have been widely used on various water works such as water locks and flood gates. It is therefore possible that existing coating systems that are to be removed are suspected of containing these specific PAH. This will provide a significant health risk for the workers responsible for the execution of the work and will result in the requirement of extensive and costly precautions during the preparation and coating process. DCC is able to assist at the testing of coating systems for the presence of suspected PAH. By sampling the coating system on site and testing the samples using GC/MS techniques, the presence and amount of suspected PAH can be accurately ascertained following EU and EPA regulations.
