Ansonia Local School District, Ansonia, Ohio

Lawhon & Associates, Inc. was contacted by the Ansonia Local Schools to assist them in determining the appropriate sampling and disposal methods for a mercury containing gymnasium floor at a soon to be demolished school building. Historic data from similar floors in schools nationwide indicated the possibility that the flooring could test positive for the presence of Mercury at levels which would require the disposal of the flooring as a hazardous waste. L&A reviewed the history of the floor at Ansonia Schools and contacted the Ohio EPA. In negotiations with the Ohio EPA, L&A was able to establish that, because the floor was attached to the concrete substrate and would not fall off or become friable, then sampling of the flooring and concrete substrate as one unit would be appropriate. Based on the sampling method, L&A was able to demonstrate that the flooring material was not a hazardous waste, but was a solid waste which could be disposed of in a regular sanitary landfill, rather than a hazardous waste landfill. This finding saved Ansonia Schools approximately $150,000 in disposal fees. This site has been used as a model for future disposal of mercury contaminated flooring in school building demolitions in the State of Ohio.