PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-676
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 676
MARCH 2009
2
PS 676
MAR 09
3
PS 676
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Dear Editor,
The water dispersible CARC story
in PS 668 (Jul 08) had a lot of
good information. But there are some
additional cautions you might want to let
readers know about.
Both CARC and WD CARC material
that is removed by grinding, chipping
or sanding are considered hazardous
material. Both contain isocyanates that
can cause irritation of the skin and
mucous membranes, chest tightness
and difficulty breathing. So I’d suggest
using a positive-pressure, air-supplied
respirator if a large area is being
prepared for painting.
Then, all of the material removed by
grinding, chipping or sanding, including
the sandpaper used, needs to be placed
in a sealed container and disposed of as
hazardous waste.
SSG Kent A. Bacon
CSMS Shop
New Castle, DE
Editor’s note:
Thanks for the info, Sergeant. We did some further checking with
the experts at the US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine
(CHPPM). They had a little more to add:
“If CARC or WD CARC is burned or heated, it can release isocyanate vapors and
metals. That’s why you should always remove CARC by sanding or grinding to bare
metal 4 inches on either side of an area to be welded or torch cut, and from both the
front and back sides of the metal.
“You never know what was applied below
the top coat of paint so you can never be certain
how hazardous a paint removal task will be.
While we’re not aware of any isocyanate hazard
from handling CARC residue from sanding
and grinding, there
is
a potential risk of heavy
metals exposure. This is particularly important
for National Guard units and other units that may
have older vehicles and equipment. Those vehicles
may have been originally coated with CARC that
contains lead and hexavalent chromium.
“Even today’s CARC coatings, which are fairly non-hazardous when dry, may
have underlying primers and primer washes that contain hexavalent chromium that
can be released by sanding and grinding. Sanding and grinding on CARC
coatings can also remove cadmium from plated fasteners and Fttings.
Water Dispersible CARC…
What to Do
with the
I’ve got to do a little
grinding before I can
do any spot painting.
not without
protective
equipment,
you won’t!
what’cha
got there?
it’s the CARC
dust I ground
off that tank. I
want to be sure
it’s disposed of
properly!
hey,
soldier.
Leftovers
676.02-03.indd
1-2
1/27/09
2:37:00 PM
SSG K.A.B.
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