Construction and Demolition Waste (Asbestos, Lead Paint, CCA Wood, Gypsum H2S, Respirable Crystalline Silica, Regulatory Gap) — outdoor safety profile
High riskConstruction and demolition (C&D) waste is the single largest waste stream in the United States at approximately 600 million tons per year — more than twice the total municipal solid waste generation (EPA 2018 estimate).
What is this product?
Construction and demolition (C&D) waste is the single largest waste stream in the United States at approximately 600 million tons per year — more than twice the total municipal solid waste generation (EPA 2018 estimate). C&D waste includes concrete, wood, drywall, metals, asphalt, brick, glass, and plastics from building construction, renovation, and demolition. Despite its massive volume, C&D waste receives significantly less regulatory oversight than MSW: C&D landfills in many states require no liner or leachate collection system, creating a pathway for contaminant migration to groundwater. The hazardous materials embedded in C&D waste present serious worker and environmental risks. Asbestos, present in pre-1980 buildings in insulation, floor tiles, roofing, and pipe wrap, requires NESHAP-regulated abatement before demolition — but inadequate survey and illegal demolition practices continue to release asbestos fibers, with EPA enforcement actions averaging 300+ per year. Lead-based paint in pre-1978 buildings (an estimated 37 million US housing units still contain lead paint per HUD) generates lead-contaminated dust and debris during renovation and demolition: OSHA's lead in construction standard (29 CFR 1926.62) sets a PEL of 50 ug/m3 but blood lead levels of 10-40 ug/dL are documented in demolition workers. Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated wood, used extensively in residential decks, playground equipment, and fence posts before the 2003 voluntary phase-out, contains arsenic at 2,500-6,700 ppm, chromium at 1,500-4,100 ppm, and copper at 1,200-3,800 ppm — burning CCA wood releases arsenic trioxide (As2O3), and landfilling CCA wood leaches arsenic and chromium into groundwater at concentrations exceeding MCLs. Gypsum drywall in wet, anaerobic landfill conditions generates hydrogen sulfide (CaSO4 + organic matter → CaS + CO2; CaS + H2O → H2S + Ca(OH)2), with H2S concentrations in C&D landfill gas reaching 100-1,000+ ppm — well above the IDLH of 50 ppm. Concrete crushing for aggregate recycling generates respirable crystalline silica (RCS) at worker breathing zone concentrations of 50-500 ug/m3, compared to the OSHA PEL of 50 ug/m3 — silicosis risk is well-documented in concrete recycling workers.
What's in it
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Building Material
Paint Contaminant
Wood Preservative
Concrete Dust
Drywall Decomposition
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