McClellan AFB, CA, the General Services Administration (GSA),
and Courtaulds Aerospace successfully combined their efforts to repackage a
hazardous material. The result was an annual savings of $26,000 in disposal of
waste material.
During repair and maintenance of aircraft, it is necessary to use a primer
coat prior to painting or touch-up operations. Past procedure consisted of
purchasing primer in quart or gallon units of issue, the only units of issue
available to the Department of Defense (DoD). The primer consists of two
substances that had to be mixed and used within two hours. Under this process,
excess primer frequently required disposal as a hazardous waste. Personnel
also were required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
when mixing the two ingredients because of strontium chromate compounds. When
a gallon was the only unit of issue available, shop personnel often
transferred the mixed paint into much smaller containers for ease of use at
the site of application. This sometimes resulted in spills.
In 1996, the Base requested that Courtaulds Aerospace package and make
available the primer in 3-ounce kits. The company cooperated and produced the
3-ounce kits. GSA stock-listed the smaller kits under National Stock Number
(NSN) 8010-01-439-0683. The Base now uses the 3-ounce kit, the amount
determined to be most frequently required for touch-up jobs. If more is
required, two or three kits can be used. Shop personnel save time by using
only the amount needed for specific jobs. As a result, a much smaller
inventory is maintained, primer seldom exceeds its shelf life, and the waste
is drastically reduced.
For detailed information on the 3-ounce kit, please contact Ms. Mari-Ann
Christianson, McClellan AFB Pollution Prevention Division, SM-ALC/EMPM, DSN
633-1687.