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Board conditions shingle‑replacement permit at 2517 Pacific on lead‑safety measures after neighbors report contamination
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Summary
After neighbors produced wipe samples and an industrial hygienist testified to elevated lead dust, the Board granted an appeal and conditioned the 2517 Pacific Ave. shingle permit on specified cleanup, lab certification and containment measures and required compliance with a DBI Notice of Violation.
The Board of Appeals on May 31 granted an appeal and issued the permit for limited shingle removal at 2517 Pacific Avenue only after conditioning the work on several safety measures aimed at preventing and remediating lead contamination.
Neighbors’ counsel Ryan Patterson and industrial hygienist Basil Falcone described wipe‑sample testing that found elevated lead concentrations on adjacent properties and said shingle removal had generated visible dust. “The sample that we took actually shows 84,000 parts per million of lead,” Falcone said, noting that regulatory thresholds are far lower and that standard containment and negative‑pressure techniques are industry practice.
The permit holders acknowledged lapses in initial work practices, said they have hired an industrial hygienist and installed containment on three sides, and agreed to further protections. Melinda Sarjapour, representing the permit holders, said a DBI investigation had begun and the contractor had engaged a certified hygienist and would comply with enforcement steps.
DBI Inspector Joe Duffy told the board a Notice of Violation had been issued requiring an immediate cleanup protocol, HEPA vacuuming, wet dusting, double‑bagging of debris, sealing of nearby windows/vents within 10 feet, and lab certification that adjacent properties are clean; the NOV set a re‑inspection date and a seven‑day compliance window for cleanup steps.
Given the evidence and DBI’s NOV, the board conditioned the permit on three of the appellant’s requested items (hiring/retaining an industrial hygienist, certification of cleanup from a qualified lead testing lab, and expansion/sealing of containment) and required compliance with DBI’s NOV items; the motion carried 5‑0. Commissioners stressed that DBI would review documentation and that a specific plan will be required to permit further work.
Next steps: the permit holders must complete cleanup steps, obtain lab certification that adjacent properties are free of lead dust, and provide documentation to DBI per the NOV before any further demolition work proceeds.
