HEPA-equipped vacuums cleanups

Given that the HUD guidelines recommend the use of HEPA vacuums and the OSHA Lead in Construction standard requires that vacuums be equipped with HEPA filters where vacuums are used, EPA proposed requiring the use of HEPA vacuums in its proposed work practices. Nonetheless, EPA requested comment on whether the rule should allow the use of vacuums other than vacuums equipped with HEPA filters. Specifically, EPA requested comment on whether there are other vacuums that have the same efficiency at capturing the smaller lead particles as HEPA-equipped vacuums, along with any data that would support this performance equivalency and whether this performance specification is appropriate for leaded dust cleanup. 

SPILL CLEAN-UP Dry sand or earth should be spread on the leak, or spill area bulk liquid may also be absorbed with fly ash or cement powder cleanup of areas contaminated wit soot should involve dry vacuuming of surfaces with a vacuum cleaning system equipped with a high efficiency particulate (HEPA) filter after preliminary cleanup, wash surfaces with alkaline of nonionic synthetic detergents in water clean nonporous electrical and mechanical equipment with organic solvents remove all sources of ignition. 

Figure 4.2 Vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter. Filtering the exhaust air from the vacuum with a high efficiency filter reduces the rate of formation of aerosols of hazardous particles and is recommended whenever a vacuum cleaner must be used in a laboratory. For cleanup of spills of hazardous agents, the device must be able to handle cleanup of liquids. (Courtesy of Hako Minuteman, Inc.)...

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