Solidification/stabilization of contaminated spent blasting media in Portland cement concretes and mortars

Abstract

The use of abrasive blasting to remove paint containing lead, cadmium, and chromium from steel bridges is producing contaminated spent blasting media which may be classified as hazardous by the Environmental Protection Agency based on the Toxicity Characteristic Rule. Recent environmental regulations are making the transportation and disposal of this material difficult and costly. One method of handling the spent material is by using solidification/stabilization technology to reuse and/or recycle the contaminated material and render it non toxic. This thesis investigates the use of portland cement concretes and mortars to solidify/stabilize the contaminated blasting media and produce a usable construction material