When published reports questioned the safety of chemical emissions of styrene-based resin used in cured-in-place pipe, NASSCO sprang into action to do its part to learn more and ensure the protection of workers and residents in the communities we serve.  

The first step was to form a CIPP safety work group under NASSCO’s Pipe Rehabilitation Committee. The work group brought together NASSCO members and other industry organizations including the American Composites Manufacturers Association, North American Society for Trenchless Technology, NSF International, The Water Research Foundation and Water Research Centre. The intention was to better understand potential health risks via thorough research.

The work group, bringing together the expertise of the world’s most respected organizations in this field, prepared requests for proposals for a two-phase study:

Phase One: Awarded to the University of Texas at Arlington Center for Underground Infrastructure Research and Education and the Institute for Underground Infrastructure in Germany, the four-month study focused on the review of published literature pertaining to chemical emissions of styrene-based resin used in CIPP. The resulting report found that existing studies do not adequately capture worker exposures or levels in the surrounding areas to which workers or citizens may be exposed. The CUIRE team also developed a robust scope of work for capturing and analyzing CIPP emissions data.

Phase Two: The second RFP received many responses and was awarded to the Trenchless Technology Center at Louisiana Tech University, in partnership with the Army Corps of Engineers, to carry out the scope of work defined by CUIRE. The primary project objectives were to (1) measure and quantify worker/public exposure and (2) evaluate potential health risks to workers and the public due to CIPP emissions. 

TTC’s field study included six different test sites in Shreveport, Louisiana; Aurora, Colorado; and St. Louis. Tests were conducted in a variety of weather and geographic conditions on a variety of pipe lengths and diameters ranging from 6 to 36 inches. Evaluation of potential health risks to workers and the surrounding community for this study were based on published regulatory guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. A webinar conducted by TTC with initial findings and recommendations can be found at www.nassco.org/news. The full reports from CUIRE and TTC are also available at www.nassco.org.

Safety is paramount to NASSCO, and we know the findings of these studies are just the beginning. Therefore, the industry is coming together to collaborate once again via NASSCO’s CIPP safety work group to identify areas for additional research, update safety guidelines and — above all — keep workers and our communities safe.

For more information or to become part of this important work group, please email NASSCO’s executive director at director@nassco.org.

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Get the EDge - Training and Continuing Education Courses

PACP TRAINING 

March 9 - Frederick, MA

Includes: LACP, PACP, MACP

Trainer: Rizwan Siddiqi

443-739-9234 • rasiddiqi@gmail.com

March 10 - Phoenix, AZ

Includes: LACP, PACP, MACP

Trainer: Marilyn Shepard

916-899-8961 • mshepard1@hotmail.com

March 10 - Lawrenceville, GA

Includes: LACP, PACP, MACP

Trainer: John Jones

678-527-4212 • plumblineconsultant@gmail.com

March 10 - Kansas City, MO

Includes: MACP, LACP, PACP

Trainer: Jerry Weimer

513-659-5008 • jerryweimerconsulting@gmail.com

March 10 - Maumee, OH

Includes: PACP, MACP, LACP

Trainer: Brandon Conley

574-201-7704 • brandonconleypacp@gmail.com

March 11 - Evansville, IN

Includes: ITCP - CIPP

Trainer: Gerry Muenchmeyer

252-626-9930 • gerry@muenchmeyerassoc.com

March 11 - Kansas City, MO

Includes: ITCP - Manhole Rehabilitation

Trainer: Tim Back

513-253-8461 • timbacktwo@gmail.com

March 16 - Timonium, MA

Includes: LACP, PACP, MACP

Trainer: Irvin Gemora

410-458-9591 • irv.gemora@gmail.com

March 17 - Raleigh, NC

Includes: PACP, MACP, LACP

Trainer: Paul Booth

704-681-3989 • woodsideenv@gmail.com

March 17 - Lebanon, NH

Includes: PACP, MACP, LACP

Trainer: Lindsey Sylvester

6March 606-4436 • lindsey.sylvester@wright-pierce.com

March 17 - Evansville, IN

Includes: ITCP - Manhole Rehabilitation

Trainer: Tim Back

513-253-8461 • timbacktwo@gmail.com

March 18 - Frisco, TX

Includes: PACP, MACP, LACP

Trainer: Jerry Weimer

513-659-5008 • jerryweimerconsulting@gmail.com

March 23 - Wichita Falls, TX

Includes: LACP, PACP, MACP

Trainer: Bryan K. Ballard

918-645-1748 • ballardbs@icloud.com

March 24 - Durham, NC

Includes: MACP, LACP, PACP

Trainer: Paul Booth

704-681-3989 • woodsideenv@gmail.com

March 24 - Ann Arbor, MI

Includes: MACP, LACP, PACP

Trainer: Brandon Conley

574-201-7704 • brandonconleypacp@gmail.com

March 31 - Fresno, CA

Includes: PACP, MACP, LACP

Trainer: Marilyn Shepard

916-899-8961 • mshepard1@hotmail.com

March 31 - Solon, OH

Includes: PACP, MACP, LACP

Trainer: Brandon Conley

574-201-7704 • brandonconleypacp@gmail.com

April 2 - Gainesville, FL

Includes: ITCP - Manhole Rehabilitation

Trainer: Tim Back

513-253-8461 • timbacktwo@gmail.com