Screening level assessment of arsenic and lead concentrations in glass beads used in pavement markings
By: Bryan Boulanger [and three others]
Contributors: Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center; United States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Infrastructure Research and Development; Texas A & M Transportation Institute
Publisher: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Research, Development, and Technology, Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center
Published: 2014
Place of publication: McLean, VA
Language: eng
Number of pages: 96
Subjects: Road markings; Design and construction; Environmental aspects; Glass beads; Arsenic; Lead
Description: Retroreflective glass beads used in pavement markings are a critical component of highway safety. Glass beads meeting American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) M247 specifications are the current industry standard. AASHTO M247 glass beads are fabricated using reclaimed glass cullet, offering cost effective performance while beneficially reusing sources of industrial and commercial waste glass. However, reclaimed glass cullet may contain elevated levels of arsenic and lead that can be passed through to the final product. Concern regarding the presence of arsenic and lead in retroreflective glass bead products within the U.S. marketplace resulted in recently adopted legislation that sets a 200 part-per-million (ppm = 106 x massmetal/massbeads) limit for both arsenic and lead for beads used on United States roadways. While the scientific justification for the 200 ppm limit is not immediately clear, the proposed legislation is regarded as a good-faith attempt to limit the risk associated with the presence of arsenic and lead in the beads. This research developed a preliminary understanding of the risk associated with the presence of arsenic and lead in glass beads used in pavement marking systems to support decisionmaking. Researchers tested 15 samples of commercially available glass beads in current use on U.S. roadways from State transportation department stockpiles.
Notes: Title from title screen (viewed June 18, 2014).

"January 2014."

"Publication No. FHWA-HRT-14-021."

"HRDS-10/01-14(WEB)E"--Page 96.

"Performing organization, Texas A&M Transportation Institute, The Texas A&M University System"--Technical report documentation page.

Includes bibliographical references (page 93-94).

Final report.

Sponsored by Office of Infrastructure Research & Development, Federal Highway Administration DTFH68-09-E-00105 TRAIS
Table of contents: title: Executive summary; title: Characterization of arsenic and lead concentrations within commercially available glass beads in current use on U.S. roadways; title: Proposed model for the assessment of human health risks associated with glass beads used for pavement marking; title: Model-derived human health screening levels for arsenic and lead in glass beads; title: References.