c/EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
EPA/600, 8-87'050
Sept 1987
Research and Development
Superfund
Research,
Development, and
Demonstration
Strategy and
Program Plan
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EPA/600/8-87/050
September 1987
Superfund
Research, Development, and
Demonstration Strategy and Program
Plan
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
-•--'.-< ",, Library (5PL-16)
... • :>-< ?-"bcra Street, Room 1670
l.aicago, 1L 60604
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NOTICE
This document has been reviewed in accordance with
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policy and
approved for publication. Mention of trade names or
commercial products does not constitute
endorsement or recommendation for use.
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Table of Contents
PREFACE ii
TABLE OF ACRONYMS iii
1. INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Background 1
1.2 New Research Mandates 1
2. RESEARCH FRAMEWORK .2
2.1 Research Issues 2
2.1.1 Risk Assessment Research 5
2.1.2 Risk Reduction Research 5
2.1.3 Technical Support 5
2.2 Relationship to Other Research 6
2.2.1 Grants Research 6
2.2.2 Other Federal Research 6
2.3 Roles and Responsibilities 7
2.3.1 Research Committee 7
2.3.2 Tracking 9
3. RISK ASSESSMENT RESEARCH 9
3.1 Objectives and Goals 9
3.2 Risk Characterization 10
3.2.1 Site Assessment Support 10
3.2.2 Chemical Mixtures 10
3.3 Exposure Assessment 10
3.3.1 Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism 11
3.3.2 Biomarkers 11
3.3.3 Environmental Assessment 11
3.4 Health Assessment 12
3.4.1 Reproductive Risk Assessment 12
3.4.2 Neurotoxicology 12
3.4.3 Carcinogenicity 12
3.4.4 Immunotoxicology 12
3.5 Expected Accomplishments 13
4. RISK REDUCTION RESEARCH 13
4.1 Goals, Objectives, and Approach 13
4.2 New or Improved Technologies 14
4.2.1 Technologies for Site Surface Cleanup 14
4.2.2 Technologies for Ground-Water Cleanup 15
4.3 SITE Program 16
4.3.1 Demonstration Program 16
4.3.2 Development Program 17
4.4 Personnel Protection 17
4.5 Related Work 17
4.6 Expected Accomplishments 18
5. TECHNICAL SUPPORT 18
5.1 Technical Services 19
5.1.1 Quality Assurance 19
5.1.2 Reportable Quantities 19
5.1.3 Site-Specific Risk Assessments 19
5.1.4 Remote Sensing and Aerial Photography 19
5.2 Scientific and Engineering Expertise 19
5.2.1 Enforcement Support 19
5.2.2 Remedial Action Support 20
5.3 Training and Technology Transfer 20
5.4 Expected Accomplishments 21
6. RESOURCES 21
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PREFACE
The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) explicitly
authorized the Environmental Protection Agency, in concert with several other agencies,
to conduct hazardous waste research, development, and demonstrations and to
aggressively pursue a program of technology transfer and training.
EPA's Office of Research and Development, working with representatives of the
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Regions, States, and other federal
agencies, has developed this research strategy as the most appropriate course to follow
over the next few years.
EPA's research programs are governed by a policy of risk management, which
combines qualitative and quantitative aspects of risk assessment with risk avoidance and
risk reduction. In addition, the Agency maintains a strong program of technical support,
principally focused on Regional, state and local government audiences concerned with
regulations, permits, and enforcement. Risk management is therefore the endpoint
around which the Superfund Research Strategy is built.
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TABLE OF ACRONYMS
AEERL Air and Engineering Research Laboratory
ATSDR Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
CEPP Chemical Emergency Preparedness [Staff; OSWER]
CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980
[ = Superfund]
CLP Contract Laboratory Program
DOD U.S. Department of Defense
DOE U.S. Department of Energy
HERL Health Effects Research Laboratory
HHS U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
HWERL Hazardous Waste Engineering Research Laboratory
HSWA Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1986
IRIS Integrated Risk Information System
LOEL Lowest Observed Effects Level
NIEHS National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences
NOEL No Observed Effects Level
OADEMQA Office of Acid Deposition, Environmental Monitoring, and Quality Assurance [ORD]
OEETD Office of Environmental Engineering and Technology Demonstration [ORD]
OEPER Office of Environmental Processes and Effects Research [ORD]
OERR Office of Emergency and Remedial Response [OSWER]
OHEA Office of Health and Environmental Assessment [ORD]
OHR Office of Health Research [ORD]
OPA Office of Policy Analysis [ORD]
OPMT Office of Program Management and Technology [OSWER]
OPP Office of Pesticide Programs [OPTS]
OPPE Office of Policy, Planning, and Evaluation
OPTS Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances
ORD Office of Research and Development
ORPM Office of Research Program Management [ORD]
OSW Office of Solid Waste [OSWER]
OSWER Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
OUST Office of Underground Storage Tanks [OSWER]
OWPE Office of Waste Programs Enforcement [OSWER]
PCS Program Coordination Staff [ORD]
PPA Planned Program Activity
PRP Potentially Responsible Party
QA/QC Quality Assurance/Quality Control
RAC Risk Assessment Council
RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976
RD&D Research, Development, and Demonstration
RFA Request for Applications
R/D Reference Dose
RI/FS Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study
SAR Structure Activity Relationship
SARA Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986
SITE Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation
T&E Test and Evaluation
USGS United States Geological Survey
VOC Volatile Organic Compound
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1. INTRODUCTION
This research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) strategy not only describes the Office of
Research and Development (ORD) Superfund research program but other ORD support relevant to the
Superfund program mission. It is intended to guide the Superfund Office and the Agency in setting
research priorities and allocating resources; to aid in coordination among Federal agencies that conduct
Superfund-related research; and to assist ORD scientists and engineers in understanding the program-
matic context of their work. Covering the five-year period FY87 through FY91, the strategy comprises all
Superfund research work undertaken by the ORD offices and laboratories, and refers to related research
conducted by ORD under other statutes.
The Superfund RD&D program is generally structured to conform with the Agency's risk-assessment
and risk-management decision process. This research framework mirrors the procedures used in the
Superfund Program: assessments are conducted at each site to determine specific health and ecological
risks; then, if needed, options are formulated and evaluated to determine what remedial actions can be
taken to reduce the risk to acceptable levels. Risk managers rely on this scientific and technical
information to make cleanup decisions.
1.1 Background
The original Superfund law—the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act of 1980(CERCLA)—was envisioned as a cleanup effort that would use existing knowledge to
assess and clean up the nation's abandoned hazardous waste sites. That attitude has changed markedly.
It is now widely recognized that better tools and information are needed to assess risks at sites, to
understand potential effects on human health and the environment, and to provide reliable cleanup
solutions.
CERCLA did not explicitly authorize research and development activities. However, ORD provided
extensive technical support to the Superfund program in several areas, including development of
techniques and procedures needed to assess sites and situations; evaluation of technologies to manage
uncontrolled waste sites; information and procedures on personnel protection technologies; direct
technical assistance to enforcement and Superfund offices, and the EPA regional offices; and technical
oversight of data quality assurance.
The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) was signed by President
Reagan on October 17, 1986. The amendments made major changes to the original Superfund law,
including strict cleanup standards strongly favoring permanent remedies at waste sites, stronger EPA
control in settlement with parties responsible for waste sites, a mandatory schedule for initiation of
cleanup work and studies, assessment of the potential threats to human.health posed by each waste site,
and increased state and public involvement in the cleanup decisionmaking process.
In particular, two SARA requirements directly affect research priorities: the need for better assess-
ment of health risks posed by Superfund sites and treatment technologies that offer permanent
protection of human health and the environment. The new requirements on cleanup standards
illustrate the statutory intent in these areas. SARA requires that remedial actions protect human health
and the environment, be cost-effective, and be in accordance with the requirements of the National
Contingency Plan. They must use, to the maximum extent practical, permanent solutions and alternative
treatment or resource recovery technologies. Each technology must be evaluated to determine its
long-term effectiveness. Finally, remedial actions must attain the legally applicable Federal and State
standards, requirements, criteria, or limitations. If a remedial action results in any hazardous substance
remaining on site, the remedy must be reviewed at least every five years and, if needed, additional
action must be taken to ensure the protection of human health and the environment.
1.2 New Research Mandates
To help achieve these ambitious goals, SARA adds the following major new authorities for RD&D in
EPA and other Federal agencies:
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• Section 209 of SARA amends CERCLA by adding a §311(b), which authorizes an EPA program of
research, evaluation, testing, development, and demonstration of alternative or innovative
treatment technologies that may be utilized in response actions to achieve more permanent
protection of human health and welfare and the environment.
• Section 209 [now §311(c)] authorizes EPA to conduct and support, through grants, cooperative
agreements, and contracts, research on the detection, assessment, and evaluation of the effects and
risks to human health from hazardous substances and detection of hazardous substances in the
environment.
• Section 209 [now §311(d)] authorizes the establishment by EPA of up to 10 hazardous substance
research centers to conduct research and provide training on the manufacture, use, transportation,
disposal, and management of hazardous substances, and publication and dissemination of the
results.
• Section 110 [now §104(i)] authorizes a research program at the Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry to develop appropriate methods to determine the health effects of hazardous
substances frequently found at Superfund sites. In addition to programmatic responsibility, research
at ATSDR shall seek to develop methods to determine the health effects of such substances in
combination with other substances (complex mixtures).
• Section 209 [now §311(a)] authorizes a program at the National Institute for Environmental Health
Sciences (NIEHS) to develop advanced techniques for detection and evaluation of the effects on
human health of hazardous substances; methods to assess the risks to human health presented by
hazardous substances; methods and technologies to detect hazardous substances in the environ-
ment; and basic biological, chemical, and physical methods to reduce the amount and toxicity of
hazardous substances.
• Section 211 amends Title 10 of the United States Code (Chapter 160, Environmental Restoration) and
authorizes the Secretary of Defense to carry out a program of research, development and
demonstration with respect to hazardous waste. The Department of Defense program is directed
towards a reduction in the quantities of hazardous wastes; methods for treatment, disposal, and
management (including recycling and detoxification); identification of more cost-effective cleanup
technologies; toxicological data collection and methodology on risk of exposure; and the testing,
evaluation, and field demonstration of innovative technologies.
2. RESEARCH FRAMEWORK
The overall objective of the Superfund RD&D program is to improve the technical and scientific basis
of the Agency's risk management decisions at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites.
The Superfund RD&D program in ORD will improve the risk assessment and risk reduction capabili-
ties of the program offices, Regions, States, and potentially responsible parties (PRPs), and will help
ensure that effective cleanup solutions are implemented. A viable research program depends upon
strong in-house research expertise and state-of-the-art research facilities. This expertise can then
support the cleanup and enforcement activities of Superfund through guidance and technical leader-
ship. This chapter lays out the rationale and structure of ORD's research strategy, and shows how the
research issues fit within the overall risk management framework of the Agency. Subsequent chapters
describe each research segment in detail.
2.1 Research Issues
The Superfund research program addresses nine broad technical issues (Table 1) that represent the
needs of the Superfund Office and are used as a framework for planning, budgeting, and justifying the
RD&D program.
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Table 1. Super-fund Research Issues
ISSUE
OBJECTIVE
Site and Situation Assessment
Health Effects and Risk
Assessment
Technology Evaluation
Innovative and Alternative
Technology RD&D
Personnel Protective
Equipment
Reportable Quantities
Technical Support
Quality Assurance
Technology Transfer
Provide techniques and procedures to allow on-scene coor-
dinators to quickly and effectively assess the degree of hazard
posed at specific sites.
Conduct research and development to detect and evaluate
risks and effects on human health from hazardous substances.
Assess the technologies, techniques, and construction
materials that may provide cost-effective control of hazardous
releases.
Conduct research, development, and demonstration that
promote commercialization of alternative treatment and
monitoring technologies.
Evaluate technologies needed to ensure personnel health and
safety during removal and cleanup operations.
Provide information on carcinogenicity or chronic health
effects needed by OERR to adjust reportable quantities for
specific chemicals.
Review remedial action design and implementation plans, and
provide technical expertise and review to OERR and OWPE.
Provide oversight to the national Contract Laboratory
Program, and develop analytical methods for chemical
measurements and characterization; review QA/QC plans.
Transmit Information to OERR, Regions, States, and local
authorities to assist in site cleanup.
These nine technical issues may be grouped within two mission-oriented categories that together
support the risk assessment and risk reduction approach used by the Superfund Office.
• RD&D includes the basic and applied research and development program and the technology
demonstration program. It results in new or improved data bases, risk assessment methods,
detection methods for hazardous substances, and control technologies. RD&D is subdivided into risk
assessment research and risk reduction (control technology) research.
• Technical support involves direct assistance by ORD scientists and engineers. ORD maintains
hazardous substances and alternative technology data .bases, is responsible for the Integrated Risk
Information System (IRIS), and provides support to the Risk Assessment Council and Risk Assessment
Forum. ORD also provides the quality assurance program for the Contract Laboratory Program and
remote sensing in support of site assessment and enforcement actions.
Figure 1 presents the distribution of resources among the research issues for FY88. In terms of
technical discipline, engineering comprises about one-half of the total program; monitoring about
one-quarter; and one-quarter is divided among environmental processes, scientific assessment, health
effects, and exploratory research. Table 2 shows how each of the nine issues relates to the research
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Figure 1. Superfund Research by Issue
(FY1988)
Technology Transfer
Innovative/Alternative
Technology
Quality Assurance
Site and Situation Assessment
Technology Evaluation
Personnel Protective
Equipment
Reportable Quantities
Technical Support
Health Effects/Risk
Assessment
Table 2. Superfund Research Issues by Program Need
ISSUE
RD&D
RISK
ASSESSMENT
RISK
REDUCTION
TECHNICAL
SUPPORT
Site and Situation Assessment
Health Effects/Risk Assessment
Technology Evaluation
Innovative and Alternative
Technology RD&D
Personnel Protective
Equipment
Reportable Quantities
Technical Support
Quality Assurance
Technology Transfer
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categories.
2.1.1 Risk Assessment Research
Two separate classes of studies are conducted under this category: human health risk assessment
and ecological risk assessment. Assessments of risks to human health at Superfund sites are limited by
information on chemicals present at a site, insufficient toxicological information on many of the known
chemicals, and behavior of chemical mixtures. Currently, only four sets of guidelines for human health
effects risk assessment exist: carcinogenicity; mutagenicity; chemical mixtures; and suspected
developmental toxicants. These existing guidelines have served to define research needs that are now
being addressed by various ORD activities. Interim guidelines for male and female reproductive risk
assessment are scheduled for publication in the Federal Register in late fall of 1987. Future research will
expand the methodologies to include reproductive and developmental effects, immunological effects,
neurotoxic effects, and the effects on sensitive populations.
Additional procedures will be developed to ensure that the existing guidelines and any subsequent
assessment methods are used appropriately. This will allow the general public and industry to
understand EPA's risk assessment process, will provide an understanding of the uncertainties associated
with risk assessment methods, and will result in clearer communication of risk to the public.
The long-term goal of the ecological risk assessment program is to develop procedures that will
predict the ecological consequences from existing Superfund sites, including the long-term effectiveness
of remedial actions. Currently, there are no uniform ecological risk assessment guidelines to ensure
consistency for different Superfund sites. Ecological risk assessment research will improve current
methods to account for environmental effects related to incremental dosage, compensate for differ-
ences between laboratory tests and actual field populations, include estimates of indirect effects of
toxicants, improve predictive reliability, and improve the characterization of uncertainties. General
approaches and procedures will be developed to ensure that ecological risk assessment methodologies
are available for analyzing Superfund sites before, during, and after cleanup.
2.1.2 Risk Reduction Research
While human health and ecological risk assessments define existing or expected risks, implemen-
tation of control technologies actually mitigate or eliminate the risks associated with Superfund sites.
Superfund sites contain various hazardous chemicals and chemical mixtures, in several different
forms: liquids, solids, gases, and sludges. The goal of risk reduction RD&D is to identify, evaluate and
provide permanent treatment and containment technologies needed to clean up Superfund sites,
including polluted aquifers.
The challenge is to provide effective control technologies that can treat complex mixtures in various
forms and achieve very high risk reduction efficiencies for pollutants that are toxic at low concentrations
without transferring those risks elsewhere.
2.1.3 Technical Support
The Superfund program is action-oriented. SARA establishes ambitious schedules for investigating
and cleaning up Superfund sites. To help meet these schedules, ORD will provide comprehensive
technical support to the Superfund and enforcement offices, Regional Offices, states, and private
industry.
The major technical support activities utilize ORD's technical expertise and facilities to provide timely
technical services, data and protocols, training and technology transfer. These activities are primarily
site-specific and assist in determining the cleanup requirements and the resultant selection of cleanup
technologies This is high-priority work that offers scientists and engineers an opportunity to transfer
the latest research knowledge directly to clean up actions. In addition, Superfund research entails a
significant quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) effort, designed to ensure that data are
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documented and of acceptable quality. ORD provides control samples and oversees QA/QC throughout
the Superfund Contract Laboratory Program.
This research strategy will describe the major informational gaps (data, methods, and technologies)
that remain relative to Superfund site-specific risk assessments and risk reduction options. However,
ORD develops similar or related methods and data in support of other Agency programs carried out
under different statutes. The high-priority work identified in this plan will complement ongoing and
future related work being conducted in support of the other non-Superfund programs. Where there is
any overlap or similar relationship, it will describe how the work will be coordinated and result in
'appropriate and useful tools for Superfund site-specific risk assessments and risk management actions
2.2 Relationship to Other Research
2.2.1 Grants Research
An additional aspect of the Superfund research program is its support of research grants on risk
assessment and risk reduction to independent universities and research institutes. Specific research
topics, chosen for their relevance to Superfund problems, are solicited through Requests for Applications
(RFAs), which are issued as flyers and published in selected journals. Formal grant applications
responding to RFAs are selected for support on the basis of technical peer reviews In FY87, the
Superfund Grants Program will issue two RFAs with the following titles: (1) development of
technologies for the in situ treatment of hazardous materials and (2) development of measurement and
monitoring methods. In both cases, projects will be supported for a maximum of three years. Projects
will include new approaches, but for the most part will be adaptations of existing technologies.
Emphasis will be on projects that have high potential for near-term applicability at Superfund sites.
2.2.2 Other Federal Research
SARA requires a comprehensive and coordinated Federal program of RD&D and training to support
the Superfund cleanup effort. Research programs are authorized in two Federal agencies in addition to
EPA: the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in health-related areas and the Department
of Defense (DOD) in technology. Substantial coordination has occurred between all three agencies to
ensure an integrated Federal research effort and to avoid duplication of effort
Health-Related Research
Table 3 highlights the research and operational activities of EPA and HHS offices. The National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) supports multidisciplinary biomedical research
through grants to universities. EPA conducts applied research to detect, evaluate, or assess effects and
risks to human health from hazardous substances. EPA's research program will focus on the
development and evaluation of lexicological test methods, exposure assessment methodology, and risk
assessment techniques. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) is authorized to
conduct research related to its population-based health assessment responsibilities, which involve
human exposure test methods, human health effects, epidemiological studies, site-specific health
assessments, chemical-specific toxicological profiles, disease registries, and toxicological testing
SARA does not clearly differentiate among research areas and agencies. Instead, each agency's
program is centered on different areas related to its particular expertise: NIEHS supports basic university
biomedical research; EPA conducts and supports applied research that will provide the information
needed to assess risks at sites; and ATSDR conducts human population research and toxicological testing.
ORD, ATSDR, and NIEHS have taken steps toward coordinating research activities. Each agency's
research plans have been circulated among scientists from the other agencies for review. Opportunities
for collaborative research have been identified, as well as areas where close coordination of projects will
be needed. The EPA Assistant Administrator for Research and Development, the Associate Administra-
tor of ATSDR, and the Director of NIEHS plan to meet at least quarterly to discuss research plans and
resolve issues.
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Table 3. Superfund Health Research in EPA, NIEHS. and ATSDR
Basic Research
HHS/NIEHS
Biomedical
Interdisciplinary
Toxicological
Studies
EPA/ORD
Monitoring
Ecological
Engineering
Health
Applied Research
HHS/ATSDR
Epidemiological
Studies
Health
Surveillance
Systems
Toxicological
Testing
Human
Exposure
Assessment
Occupational
Safety and
Worker Health
Clinical
Toxicology
EPA/ORD
Animal
Toxicology
Extrapolation
Methods and
Models
Risk Assessment
and Characteri-
zation
Exposure
Prediction and
Modeling
Fate and
Transport
Monitoring and
Engineering
Operational Activities
HHS/ATSDR
Health
Assessments
Toxicological
Profiles
Disease
Registries
Surveillance
Systems
Worker
Protection
Risk Com-
munication
EPA
Risk
Assessment/Risk
Management
Technology
Demonstration
RI/FS
Response
Actions
Enforcement
Technology-Related RD&D
SARA also authorizes Superfund RD&D in DOD to support its Environmental Restoration Program. A
DOD and EPA working group was established in 1985 to explore cooperative research efforts that could
be undertaken on hazardous waste technology. In 1986, the Department of Energy (DOE) joined the
working group. While not directly authorized to conduct Superfund research, DOE is interested in
cooperating on the development and demonstration of cost-effective and long-term solutions to
hazardous waste problems that may be applicable to DOE facilities. Over 30 cooperative RD&D projects
are currently underway as a result of this EPA, DOD, and DOE working group.
2.3 Roles and Responsibilities
While the Superfund research program is the responsibility of the Assistant Administrator for
Research and Development, all Superfund resources remain the responsibility of the Superfund National
Program Manager—the Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER)
through the Director of the Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (OERR). This division of
authorities is unique within the EPA research program, and requires extremely close cooperation and
working relationships between ORD and OSWER managers and technical staffs.
2.3.1 Research Committee
ORD's research programs are guided by a combination of formal and informal input from program
offices and Regions. The Hazardous Waste/Superfund Research Committee, one of six ORD/program
office/Regional advisory committees to the Assistant Administrator for ORD, is jointly chaired by Office
Directors representing ORD and OSWER. Three standing subcommittees—Superfund Research, Tech-
nology Transfer, and Hazardous Waste Research—are also jointly chaired by ORD and Program Office
personnel. The Superfund research program is primarily coordinated by the co-chairs of the Superfund
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Research Subcommittee, although the Technology Transfer and the Hazardous Waste Subcommittees
are responsible for the integrated technology transfer programs and the Hazardous Releases research
issues, respectively. The majority of hazardous waste research supports RCRA and HSWA, and will not be
considered further in this document.
The Director of the Office of Environmental Engineering and Technology Development (OEETD) and
the Director of the Office of Program Management and Technology (OPMT) are, respectively, the co-
chairs for ORD and OSWER. Members and Subcommittee Co-chairs are shown in Table 4.
Table 4. Hazardous Waste/Superfund Research Committee
Office of Research and
Development
Regions and Other
Members
Office of Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
John Skinner, OEETD, Co-Chair
Fred Lindsey, OEETD
Darwin Wright,* OEETD
Jay Benforado,* ORD
Tom Miller, ORPM/PCS
MikeCallahan.OHEA
Tom Hauser, OEETD/HWERL
Richard Phillips, OHR/HERL
Clint Hall, OEPER/RSKERL-Ada
Cal Lawrence,* ORPM/CERI
Bob Snelling, OADEMQA
EMSL-LV
'Co-Chair, Hazardous Waste
Subcommittee
*Co-Chair, Superfund
Subcommittee
^Co-Chair, Technology Transfer
Subcommittee
Dan Beardsley, OPPE/OPA
Lee DeHihns,* Region IV, CERCLA
Oscar Ramirez, Region VI, RCRA
*Contact: Ralph Jennings
Thomas Devine, OPMT, Co-Chair
Jeff Denit,* OSW
Tom Pheiffer.T OPMT
Ron Brand, OUST
Elaine Davies, CEPP
Frank Biros, OWPE
* Co-Chair, Hazardous Waste
Subcommittee
TCo-Chair, Superfund and
Technology Transfer
Subcommittees
Superfund Research Subcommittee
The Superfund Research Subcommittee is composed of joint ORD/program office work groups,
which have the day-to-day responsibility to ensure that: program office priorities are factored into
research plans; extramural resource allocations reflect priorities; research results are conveyed to the
Program and Regional Offices in a timely manner; technical issues between ORD offices, laboratories,
and Program offices, are resolved expeditiously; and ongoing research projects reflect expectations and
priorities. Generally, technical issues and priorities are resolved at the work group level; any potential
deviations from Committee agreements, if approved by the Subcommittee co-chairs, are submitted in
writing to the Committee co-chairs for approval. The applicable ORD office director(s), and the Office of
Research Program Management (ORPM) may also be involved.
Historically, the work group organization parallels the budgetary issues (Table 1). However, this is by
no means required, and the Subcommittee is considering possible alternatives and recommendations for
a structure that enhances cross-office communications and more closely conforms to this plan
Technology Transfer Subcommittee
The Technology Transfer Subcommittee is responsible for recommending priorities for technology
transfer activities funded through the Committee, which include integrated technology transfer
programs for hazardous waste, enforcement, and underground storage tanks, as well as Superfund.
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Within the constraints placed on the use of trust fund monies, the Technology Transfer Subcommittee
will seek to encourage activities that leverage among several program needs.
In addition, the Technology Transfer Subcommittee serves as an advisory body to OSWER, setting
priorities for the Program Offices' resources. Since the Technology Transfer Subcommittee has represen-
tatives from six of the ten EPA Regions, it provides an excellent vehicle for directly addressing Regional
needs.
2.3.2 Tracking
OSWER needs to know progress and interim results of ongoing research in order to plan its own
regulatory and enforcement agenda and to ensure that field office staffs have the most current
information available. ORD will provide OSWER with project-tracking information commensurate with
the level of the research activity defined by the Research Committee. In general, this means below the
level of the planned program activity (PPA), but may aggregate laboratory projects or tasks.
The ORD Subcommittee co-chair ensures that program office counterparts receive adequate
information on research progress. As a routine matter, the Program Coordination Staff (ORPM/PCS)
generates and transmits quarterly'progress reports for each PPA to the OSWER co-chair. However, the
ORD and OSWER Work Groups will ensure that significant events are immediately communicated, and
any changes in schedules, products, or resources are coordinated as they occur.
3. RISK ASSESSMENT RESEARCH
This section of the research program strategy discusses the environmental and health risk assessment
research program. To begin the new RD&D program, two priorities will be emphasized: development
of health effects data and methodologies and their application to human health risk assessment
methods; and total exposure methods. The program will focus on:
• New or improved sampling protocols and analytical methods to characterize sites as well as wastes at
sites;
• Methods to determine the "populations at risk" at Superfund sites;
• Methods to determine the routes of, and extent of, exposure to wastes at sites;
• Methods to determine the adverse health effects in populations exposed to hazardous substances;
and
• Risk characterization methodologies, including calculation of the incidence of adverse effects in
exposed populations.
3.1 Objectives and Goals
The goal of health effects research is to provide laboratory and field observations of adverse health
effects and exposures to chemicals. Risk assessment research provides qualitative and quantitative
predictions of human health effects from these exposures and provides a credible basis for regulatory
actions. EPA's risk assessment methodologies include four broad components: hazard identification;
dose-response assessment; exposure assessment; and risk characterization. The quality and scientific
certainty of site assessments are contingent on these components. The research program provides data,
lexicological assistance, and methods in all four areas.
Research on human health risks is planned around several major lexicological data needs: risk
characterization methods (hazard identification, dose-response assessment, and exposure assessment)
for noncancer endpoints and quantitative links of monitored concentrations to delivered dose to target
bioreceptors; techniques to extrapolate from high to low dose, route to route, and animals to human;
structure activity relationship (SAR) methods; statistical methods to describe uncertainties and in vivo
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and in vitro methods to enhance health effects data on site-specific priority chemicals. Additional
research on exposure will include techniques for monitoring human populations, biological markers,
pharmacokinetics and total body burden, advanced biological methods, exposure monitoring systems,
and episodic exposures.
To plan the health-related and risk assessment research program ORD and OERR independently
identified research needs. OERR prepared a list of research and technical information needs based on a
survey of regional staff and their contractors, while ORD identified the scientific gaps that hinder the
assessment of Superfund sites. These parallel efforts were merged and resulted in the final program
framework for FY87 and FY88 as described in detail below
3.2 Risk Characterization
To augment the Agency's existing risk characterization ability, this effort will focus on estimating the
incidence of adverse health effects in populations exposed to hazardous substances. Basic and applied
research will include direct site assessment support activities, rapid-response toxicity testing, and
toxicological evaluation associated with control technologies. Additionally, research will be conducted
on the nature and magnitude of toxicological interactions associated with multimedia exposure to
chemical mixtures.
3.2.1 Site Assessment Support
The accuracy of site assessments in the Superfund program predominately controls the quality of
risk-based decisions. This research effort is directed at reducing the uncertainties in extrapolation
techniques (high to low dose, animals to human, route and duration exposure, and species sensitivity), as
well as patterns of toxicologic interaction for multimedia and multichemical exposures. To enhance the
scientific rationale supporting the reliance on these tools, an integrated approach of data survey,
testing, and analysis will be used.
Site assessment research represents a microcosm of health and risk assessment research issues.
Exposure assessment, including transport and fate; chemical-specific hazard identification for
less-than-lifetime and route-specific exposure; sensitive subpopulations; and post-remedial residual risk
assessment are all fundamental components of technically defensible site assessments. The ability to
characterize the identity and level of contaminants present is integral to the assessment of a site.
Chemical and newly developed screening techniques will provide detailed data from which risk
assessments can be based.
3.2.2 Chemical Mixtures
EPA begins its health risk assessment process by evaluating risks from specific chemicals and
extrapolating that information, to the extent possible, to the mixtures found at Superfund sites. These
sites typically contain complex mixtures of many different compounds and their degradation products,
all of which exist in more than one physical phase. The current approach—using indicator chemicals to
assess risk at sites—does not quantitatively assess possible toxicant interactions that may occur in such
complex mixtures.
This research will focus on improving risk assessment techniques for situations involving complex
mixtures through: investigation of dose-additivity methods for assessment of mixtures of systemic
toxicants; validation of risk-additivity methods for assessment of mixtures of mutagens and carcinogens
and nonmutagens and noncarcinogens; use of methods such as structure-activity relationships (SARs) to
account for mixtures of highly variable composition (variations in space or time, or wastes that contain
poorly studied components); and assessment of partial-lifetime exposure to complex mixtures.
3.3 Exposure Assessment
Exposure assessment—estimating the concentration of a pollutant at the point of receptor
contact—typically entails the use of mathematical modeling of transport and fate. Environmental moni-
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toring data can provide a more direct measure of exposure, and are used when available to complement
modeling.
Exposure assessment methodologies have developed rapidly in recent years; however, additional
research is needed to refine models especially in terms of transport mechanisms that vary by site. Over
the next five years, there will be increasing need for better data and refined methods to reduce the
inherent scientific uncertainties.
Direct measurement of human exposure has been done using personal air monitors, on tap water,
food and beverages, and even skin absorption. Body burdens have been measured using exhaled
breath, blood, and adipose tissues. These methods are presently available for certain groups of
chemicals, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), metals, and pesticides, but they need to be
developed for other important groups, such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins, and furans. Field
studies of exposure of residents near hazardous waste sites are possible for VOCs; an initial screening
using breath sampling could select sites that require follow-up environmental monitoring.
Exposure assessment in the context of adverse human health effects is the determination or
estimation of that dose or concentration of a chemical pollutant delivered to the target organ. Health
effects assessment methods will address this subject.
3.3.1 Pharmacokineticsand Metabolism
A major pharmacological and toxicological need is to base risk estimates on concentration or dose of
a chemical actually eliciting an effect at the target organ, rather than on concentrations found in the
environment or applied dose. The goal of this research will be to extend exposure assessment capabi-
lities to internal target sites which will contribute significantly to more accurate and reliable estimates of
risk.
Pharmacokinetics (PK) describes the rate of the disposition of a chemical and its metabolites in the
body. Physiologically based PK models are mathematical descriptions of such disposition, and will help
Superfund exposure assessments in several ways: to predict tissue deposition from one exposure
regimen to another; to predict tissue concentrations from species in which experimental data exist to
those species where data are unavailable; and to compare the effect that alterations in metabolic
pathways and rates have on internal disposition.
3.3.2 Biomarkers
A "biological marker" is any biological measurement made that can be used to estimate the extent
of exposure of an organism or to provide an indication of an adverse health effect caused by exposure to
hazardous substances. The goal of biological marker research is to develop and utilize these techniques
to determine the rate of uptake of chemicals in the body and to determine the relationship between
chemical dose and observed health effects.
Biological marker research will substantially improve quantitative risk estimates made at Superfund
sites and will enable more precise exposure estimates, currently a major component of uncertainty.
Biological effect markers will improve the ability to predict onset of adverse health effects.
3.3.3 Environmental Assessment
Environmental assessment research addresses the physical determinants of human exposure, and is
closely related to complementary work under the site assessment category. The five-year research
program will collect empirical data for physical-chemical properties, measurement of partitioning
characteristics in the environment, field testing and calibration of transport and fate models, analysis of
dispersive vectors for transfer of pollutants to humans, development of methods to estimate human
intake rates of chemicals by multimedia exposure pathways, and development of a data base handbook
on exposure assessment parameters
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3.4 Health Assessment
Health assessment research is designed to improve the accuracy of health risk estimates associated
with chemical-specific exposures at Superfund sites. Research will provide new data and rapid, cost-
effective methods for screening chemicals for toxicity. The research program will also provide
comparative potency data for risk estimates of priority chemicals and complex mixtures. Initial emphasis
will be on neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, mutagenicity and carcinogenicity, target-organ toxicity,
including hepatotoxicity and pulmonary toxicity. Much of the work will involve acquisition of data in
test mammalian and nonmammalian species and humans with common exposures, which will also
permit improvement in interspecies extrapolations.
3.4.1 Reproductive Risk Assessment
Adverse effects on human reproduction is a principal concern at many Superfund sites and methods
are needed to enable a thorough examination and quantification of reproductive risks. Coordinated
laboratory and field investigations will be performed to facilitate assessment of reproductive and
development risks at hazardous waste sites. This research will enhance OERR's ability to rapidly evaluate
reproductive risks, based on available data, for specific chemicals found at sites. The research activity will
focus on specific chemicals found at sites.
3.4.2 Neurotoxicology
Scientific understanding of, as well as public concern about, neurotoxic effects of chemicals has
grown in recent years. By capitalizing on recent scientific advances, applied research for the Superfund
program will produce more sensitive, specific, and efficient methods for assessing risks of human
exposure to neurotoxic chemicals and extrapolating toxicant-induced neurological disorders from
animals to humans.
3.4.3 Carcinogenicity
One of the key health effects of concern from exposure to hazardous substances is cancer induction.
Even though scientists do not understand the mechanisms of cancer, the massive amount of basic cancer
research has identified important parameters that EPA can use in assessing cancer risks at Superfund
sites. Currently, however, risk assessment methods and approaches do not maximize the use of available
scientific information. There have been rapid changes in the understanding of carcinogenesis, requiring
continual revisions to risk assessment methods. At the same time, new approaches are needed that will
increase the understanding of molecular, cellular, and pathological aspects of carcinogenesis and
pharmacokinetics to better estimate the risks of exposure to environmental carcinogens.
The ORD research program is currently focusing on the development of biologically based models for
carcinogen risk assessment, use of pharmacokinetics for dose extrapolation, methods to express
uncertainties, animal-to-human extrapolation methods, and the generation of specific data for
particular chemicals to reduce uncertainties in carcinogen risk assessment.
3.4.4 tmmunotoxicology
Recent research involving testing of components of immune system functions indicates that a variety
of chemicals found in the work place and environment depress immune responses. The immune system
plays a vital part in maintaining human health by protecting the body from foreign substances;
therefore, the relationship between environmental chemical exposure and the integrity of the immune
system is of great importance, especially in alterations of host-defense mechanisms.
Research in immunotoxicology will focus on identifying an array of available tests and models that
would effectively identify and predict risks to humans.
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3.5 Expected Accomplishments
Over the next five years, the Superfund research program in risk characterization will directly
support site assessment activities in a number of areas, with anticipated results providing: (1) health
data and methods for toxicological effects of priority chemicals; (2) risk assessment techniques for
partial-lifetime exposures needed for temporary contamination episodes, coupling exposure assessment
and epidemiology, and reviews and updates of approaches used in interspecies conversion of dose and
duration; (3) methods to extrapolate toxic-effect levels between routes of exposure, estimate total
hazard following multiple exposures, and protect sensitive subgroups (age, genetic predisposition to
disease) currently not identified in Superfund risk assessments, (4) review and improvement of
acceptable daily intake calculation methods; (5) coupled source and personal monitoring to discriminate
among possible sources of pollutants and between background and anthropomorphic levels; (6) new
multi-analytic chemistries for site characterization; (7) real-time monitors and field screening techniques
for priority chemicals; and (8) methods to account for highly variable mixtures and the assessment of
partial-lifetime exposures to complex mixtures.
During this time, exposure assessment research will result in better and more methods to assess
absorption across pulmonary, dermal, and placental membranes, integration of existing global, organ-
specific, and cell-specific pharmacokinetic models developed using data from other exposure pathways
to predict targets for use on dose-response functions; long- and short-term metabolic effects and human
metabolic rate constants for humans from in vivo studies; and an assessment of the expected variation in
metabolic rates and patterns resulting from genetic differences. Biomarkers may be developed to
substantially improve population-selection criteria for epidemiological studies that usually form the
basis for quantitative risk estimates.
Health research will develop and evaluate the techniques required for R!/FSs on reproductive risk,
neurotoxicity, and carcinogenicity of chemicals of concern. Within five years, health research will have
evaluated various approaches for estimating teratogenic risk; reproductive toxicity endpoints for risk
analysis and approaches for evaluating severity of response; fetal toxicity relative to maternal toxicity;
multigeneration data; and currently available infertility tests for risk assessment
4. RISK REDUCTION RESEARCH
Risk due to pollutants at Superfund sites can be reduced in three ways: the pollutant source can be
removed, treated, and disposed elsewhere; exposure can be minimized; and control technologies can be
applied at the site to detoxify, destroy, or immobilize hazardous constituents
The research and development program is targeted primarily on the efficacy of control technologies
in reducing contamination and risk. The other risk reduction options (source removal and exposure
control), while used in the past, are now generally considered less desirable than methods that reduce
toxicity and mobility. Under SARA, EPA must select remedial measures that emphasize permanent
solutions, and utilize alternate treatment technologies where practical and cost-effective.
4.1 Goals, Objectives, and Approach
The overall goal of the Superfund risk reduction research is to ensure the availability of effective
technology for the cleanup of hazardous waste sites that pose an unacceptable risk. To meet this goal,
the program has 10 research objectives, the last five of which concern the development of new or
improved treatments:
1. To permanently and significantly reduce the volume, toxicity, or mobility of hazardous wastes;
2. To provide in situ treatment of contaminated surface soils and unsaturated soils;
3. To clean up contaminated ground water;
4. To contain hazardous wastes on site or provide for ultimate disposal of treatment residuals;
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5. To protect the personnel involved in site assessment and cleanup;
6. To demonstrate innovative technologies for the cleanup of Superf und sites;
7. To expedite availability of innovative and alternative technologies;
8. To provide information on new treatment technologies for the benefit of EPA, State, and private-
sector decisionmakers;
9. To develop improved analytical, chemical, or biochemical detection technologies to assess the
effectiveness of remediation on treatment;
10. To encourage private-sector development of appropriate technologies.
The Superfund program is largely an operational program. Superfund is a technology user, and this
places emphasis on research, development, and demonstration programs designed to fill technology
needs. Agency decisionmakers need information on the performance and cost of technologies so that
trust funds can be directed effectively. With the exception of certain forms of incineration and chemical
fixation, cost-effective permanent technologies have not been fully tested on all important
combinations of wastes at Superfund sites and materials containing these wastes.
The risk reduction program is divided into two complementary areas. One area encompasses an
EPA-funded effort to develop new or improved control and treatment technologies both in house and
through extramural projects. A number of technologies have been developed in this way, such as the
EPA mobile incinerator and mobile soil washer. EPA has found it necessary to actively develop
technologies because of the lack of adequate development by the private sector
The other major area related to Superfund technology is the SITE program (Superfund Innovative
Technology Evaluation), an effort to expedite the development and commercial availability of
alternative technologies developed by the private sector. The goal of the program is to remove the
informational, regulatory, and institutional impediments to new technology development and commer-
cialization efforts. There are two major RD&D components to this program:
• A demonstration program for developed treatment and site assessment technologies that provides
credible performance and cost-effectiveness information developed at full-scale using actual
Superfund wastes;
• An evaluation program for emerging treatment and site assessment technologies designed to
provide technical advice to the private developer and, where necessary and appropriate, support
continued development.
Both of these subprograms include extensive technology transfer and technical assistance efforts.
4.2 New or Improved Technologies
Agency efforts to develop and adopt technologies are divided between site surface cleanups and
ground water cleanups.
4.2.1 Technologies for Site Surface Cleanup
Surface wastes, such as waste lagoons, barrels, or sludge piles, can be excavated and moved to the
treatment equipment for detoxification These technologies will be referred to as "surface equipment
technologies " If the wastes have penetrated below the surface, it may be more desirable to treat the
waste in place (in situ treatment) A surface lagoon could also be treated in place, as opposed to moving
the waste to a treatment unit.
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For both the surface equipment and in situ treatment technologies, five major processes are being
addressed:
• Extraction processes, which separate contaminants from the media in which they are found. The
development of field-usable systems for separating contaminated soils into its fractions could
minimize on site treatment and disposal costs.
• Immobilization processes, which permanently bind a contaminant to the existing medium or to a
modified medium.
• Detoxification processes, which detoxify, degrade, or destroy the contaminants in the hazardous
waste. The most common detoxification processes include biological, chemical, and thermal
techniques. Studies of alternative technologies being conducted under the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act (RCRA) will be extended to the wide diversity of Superfund hazardous substances
and contaminated residuals. Tests will establish process applicability, feed, and waste preparation
requirements, ability to meet the RCRA best demonstrated available technology requirements, and
determine residue quality.
• Delivery and recovery processes, essential elements of most in situ treatment technologies, are
required to deliver the "treatment medium" to the source of contaminants, and, if necessary,
recover the contaminants for further treatment. They remain the biggest engineering obstacle to
actual implementation, because actual systems have not been applied frequently to hazardous
waste problems. Waste-site feeds are highly variable, thus feedstock handling, preparation, and
introduction into the incinerator are a major concern.
Table 3 provides more information on the specific technologies that are being developed or
evaluated. One additional category is field monitoring equipment, including:
• Screening technologies for environmental monitoring, which provide rapid cost-effective
measurements in the field. The most promising screening technologies include X-ray fluorescence,
field-gas chromatography, immunochemical methods, and fiber-optic sensors.
4.2.2 Technologies for Ground-Water Cleanup
The cleanup of ground waters contaminated by Superfund hazardous wastes is a difficult technical
problem. Two alternative approaches for cleanup of polluted ground water are available—pump-treat-
recharge and in situ treatment.
Pump-Treat-Recharqe
In this approach, the ground water is pumped to the surface, treated to remove the pollutants, and
then injected either back to the ground water or to surface waters. Conventional water supply
treatment technologies are available to treat contaminated ground water that has been pumped to the
surface. Appropriate sludge handling and disposal will be required to treat any sludges. Superfund
research in this area is limited but may be reexamined as new technologies or approaches are identified.
In Situ Treatment
In situ restoration of polluted ground water is a complex operation. Current research is examining
ways of making in situ restoration techniques less expensive and more easily applicable. Biodegradation
of contaminants is one of the most promising techniques. An in situ process utilizing microorganisms to
degrade specific contaminants could be a more economical and effective treatment.
Initial success in the laboratory has been achieved for the biodegradation of trichloroethylene (TCE),
PCBs and several other compounds Research is continuing on biodegradation, with substantial emphasis
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Table 3. Technologies for Site Surface Cleanup
In Situ
On Site
Extraction
Evaluation of artificial freezing of
contaminated soils; vapor phase soil
decontamination (soil flushing,
biodegradation, vacuum removal),
colloidal gas aphron technology,
and electrokenetic extraction
Field demonstration of the EPA Soils Washing
System; removal of lead, other inorganics,
trichloroethylene, and other volatile organics
from soils and sediments. Laboratory studies to
improve technology of extracting organics with
surfactant and chelation agents. Investigation
of mining separation techniques.
Immobilization
Evaluation of solidification and
stabilization, grouting,
precipitation, and thermal fusion
(vitrification).
Temporary containment of contaminated
materials prior to extraction, immobilization,
degradation, or detoxification. Fixation and
stabilization will be evaluated with emphasis
on equipment that can be used on site.
Improved techniques and options for waste
containerization and storage will also be
initiated. Immobilization processes are used
primarily for the treatment of surface lagoons.
Degradation
and
Detoxification
Applications of permeable
treatment wall systems, full-scale
building decontamination
techniques; increased emphasis on
promising in situ biological
processes.
Test burns and related compliance and
operational activities at CRF m support of
Superfund site cleanup activities. Pilot-scale
incinerators will be used to incinerate samples
of residues to determine waste-handling and
feeding requirements, operating conditions for
maximum efficiency; air pollution control
requirements; and to assess incineration
residues. Demonstrate Mobile Carbon
Regenerator will be demonstrated under
full-scale field conditions to reactivate spent
carbon from a physical/chemical treatment
system; Continue to develop potassium
polyethylene glycol (KPEG) detoxification
process and white rot fungus biological process.
Delivery and
Recovery
Evaluate the effectiveness of systems
to deliver extraction,
immobilization, or detoxification
agent to site and recover it with the
pollutant.
Evaluate techniques to improve incinerator
feedstock handling procedures so that
commercial on-site incineration systems can be
used at minimum cost.
on the adaptation of processes for in situ cleanup (biosystems). Future laboratory and field studies will
be initiated to assess the effectiveness of in situ cleanup, leading to in situ cleanup protocols.
4.3 SITE Program
The purpose of the SITE program is to remove obstacles to the development and routine use of
alternative or innovative technologies developed by the private sector. This involves a demonstration
program, a development program, and an impediments removal program.
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4.3.1 Demonstration Program
Probably the most serious barrier to routine use of alternative or innovative treatment and site-
assessment technologies in Superfund cleanup is a lack of credible, full-scale information on the
performance and cost-effectiveness of these technologies. EPA decisionmakers are reluctant to use
these technologies when they have not been "proven in the real world." To develop this kind of
information, the technology must be demonstrated at full scale on Superfund wastes. Under the SITE
'program, private developers can operate their commercial-scale equipment on Superfund wastes and
most will be demonstrated at Superfund sites. EPA will monitor and evaluate the tests and report the
results. The cost-effectiveness of the technologies will be extended to other wastes and other Superfund
situations as guidance for EPA and other decisionmakers. SARA §311(b) requires that EPA conduct at
least ten such demonstrations a year.
EPA began implementation of the program in early 1986 with a Commerce Business Daily advertise-
ment asking interested private developers to participate. As a result, EPA is currently working with the
owners of ten innovative technologies to arrange demonstrations during 1987. To identify additional
technologies for 1988 demonstrations, another advertisement was issued in January, 1987.
4.3.2 Development Program
As part of the SITE program, EPA will sponsor an evaluation and support program to encourage
private-sector technology development A pilot- and bench-scale evaluation effort will be the
cornerstone of this program and will be conducted similarly to the demonstration program. Developers
will operate their equip-ment; EPA will provide wastes and conduct the evaluation. EPA expects to
evaluate between 15 and 25 such technologies annually starting in FY88. To expedite these evaluations,
EPA intends to develop a test and evaluation (T&E) facility in Edison, New Jersey.
Some technologies are developed by small firms lacking the resources to commercialize their
developments expeditiously. For a particularly promising technology, EPA may directly support further
development. Typically, this will not be considered until after an evaluation. Thus, no development
support projects are envisioned until late in FY88.
4.4 Personnel Protection
One way of reducing the risk to personnel directly involved in the Superfund cleanups is to provide
the personnel with protective clothing and equipment. ORD has worked with EPA personnel and private
industry to evaluate technologies applicable for personnel to use during removal and remedial activities.
Evaluations of protective clothing, breathing apparatus, and personal hazard detectors will result in
data and information to support what should be provided and how it should be used. Procedures are
also being developed for the decontamination or disposal of protective clothing and associated
equipment.
Future activities will include the evaluation of personal cooling devices and vital-signs monitoring
devices under actual field conditions. These activities are focused upon increasing the safety, efficiency,
range, and cost-effectiveness of cleanup operations at hazardous waste spills and at Superfund sites.
4.5 Related Work
The development of risk reduction technology for Superfund sites is similar to the development of
control technologies for other environmental problems. The closest related area is the technology
needed under RCRA for treatment of hazardous wastes and for correcting environmental problems
associated with existing hazardous waste land disposal facilities. The Superfund research program will
utilize the RCRA-related alternative technology research program to gather information on their
performance in treating Superfund wastes. As the various technologies are being evaluated on RCRA
wastes, additional tests will be scheduled with selected Superfund wastes.
A second area in which complementary work is underway is the development of personnel
protection technology, although the activities are being phased down. Because EPA's pesticides and
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toxic substances programs also need such technology, a combined research plan has been developed.
The objectives of this program are to:
• Develop and evaluate chemical protective clothing and equipment;
• Develop and evaluate procedures to provide safe working environments;
• Develop and verify methods to predict the effectiveness of chemical protective clothing;
• Develop and evaluate hazard detection methods and equipment;
• Ensure that all data are of known quality and acceptable for their intended use.
4.6 Expected Accomplishments
The major products in the area of technologies for on-site and in situ cleanup over the next few years
include reports or handbooks on survey and assessment of completed and ongoing remedial actions;
leachate treatment techniques; assessment of international hazardous waste technologies; on site
cleaning of equipment; in situ treatment of hazardous waste contaminated soils; and selected
assessment of on site stabilization/fixation methods. Additional user-friendly applications, such as
expert systems, will be made available to allow on-scene and field office personnel rapid access to
complicated databases.
A major focus will be on the development and demonstration of biological treatment systems
(biosystems). The research program will also enable newly developed monitoring processes to be
demonstrated as feasible to Superfund issues. Applicable technologies will then be developed,
evaluated, and validated. Considered in the program will be biological methods (immunoassays),
physical methods, such as fiber-optic sensors and x-ray fluorescence, and expert systems to provide real-
time data analysis in the field.
Research bearing on ground-water cleanup will produce reports and technical articles on
bench-scale demonstration of feasibility for ;'n situ biodegradation of TCE, and will develop procedures
for biological cleanup of TCE-contaminated areas and enhanced biorestoration of contaminated ground
water.
The SITE demonstration program will follow the SITE strategy and program plan with series of
reports on each technology, and will develop and maintain the Superfund Technology Clearinghouse.
Personnel protection research will produce reports and handbooks evaluating personnel hazard
detection for highly toxic chemicals, on the performance of personal cooling devices, and on personnel
health and safety procedures in specific situations.
5. TECHNICAL SUPPORT
ORD also provides nonresearch support to the Superfund program that is critical to the day-to-day
success of Superfund cleanup activities. The technical support program involves the scientists and
engineers working on the risk assessment and risk reduction RD&D, and ORD's Center for Environmental
Research Information.
The overall goal of the Superfund technical support program is to provide the Program Offices,
Regional Offices, states, and private industry with the technical expertise and current information
necessary to implement the Superfund risk assessment and risk reduction process, and to operate the
day-to-day program of providing enforcement support to the Regions. The objectives of the program
are to:
• Provide direct technical services to support the site-specific assessments;
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• Provide scientific and engineering expertise to support the site-specific risk assessment and
reduction;
• Provide data and protocols for risk assessments and risk reduction activities;
• Conduct a comprehensive training and technology transfer program;
• Conduct other Superfund-related programmatic activities to support the RD&D program;
• Ensure that all data are of known and acceptable quality.
5.1 Technical Services
5.1.1 Quality Assurance
Sound risk assessment and risk reduction decisions depend on data of known and documented
quality. The primary responsibility of the Superfund quality assurance (QA) program is to ensure that
the analytical data produced by EPA and its Contract Laboratory Program (CLP) are of known and
documented quality. A second responsibility is to provide QA support to the Regional and ORD
laboratories.
QA support is provided for 15 analytical methods, over 75 individual laboratories, the analysis of
60,000 to 80,000 samples per year, QA audits of potential contractors prior to their selection, QA audits
to evaluate the performance of contract laboratories, provision of standard materials for calibration of
analytical methods, and evaluation and improvement of analytical methods for additional types of
waste or waste matrices. QA support activities will be expanded to provide for an additional 15 to 30
analytical methods and additional contract laboratories as required.
Research will be initiated to determine the effects that sampling protocols, handling, and shipping
have on final data integrity. The goal of this research is to identify those areas, outside the laboratory,
where data integrity may become compromised, and to provide a protocol to eliminate the uncertainty.
Research emphasis will be on the standardization of procedures, field audits, and laboratory materials
used in the field-sampling process.
5.1.2 Reportable Quantities
The overall objective of this area is to provide the necessary health effects documentation for
determining reportable quantities (RQs) for substances proposed for listing as hazardous wastes or on
the Acute Hazards List under RCRA. SARA requires that an RQ be prepared for every chemical listed
under RCRA, and EPA anticipates that this effort will be substantially completed in FY89.
5.1.3 Site-Specific Risk Assessments
Program and Regional offices often request ORD to prepare site-specific, chemical-specific, or
situation-specific exposure and risk assessments to evaluate the hazard and remediation or regulatory
options available for Superfund sites. These include carcinOgenicity profiles for compounds on/the
original CERCLA substances list, rapid-response health assessments, and assistance to ATSDR in preparing
toxicological profiles.
5.1.4 Remote Sensing and Aerial Photography
Remote sensing and aerial photography provide valuable information in pre- and post-remedial site
assessments. Some newer techniques will be added that offer greater cost-effectiveness, including
multispectral scanners and other passive systems, laser fluorosensors, differential absorption, and other
technologies. ORD provides this service to the Regional Offices, OERR, OWPE, and EPA contractors as
needed.
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5.2 Scientific and Engineering Expertise
5.2.1 Enforcement Support
SARA strengthens EPA's enforcement responsibilities and formalizes procedures for negotiating
settlements with PRPs. ORD provides scientific and engineering expertise, as requested, to revievy risk
assessments and remedial action plans. ORD experts provide assistance for enforcement-case
preparation and may serve as expert witnesses. Major enforcement support activities include:
• Monitoring support for case preparation, compliance monitoring, and development of settlement
agreements;
• Geographical mapping to locate subsurface anomalies and trace leachate plumes;
• Engineering technical advice and consultation on emergency and remedial response options;
• Technical support for the application of site-specific ground-water models;
• Peer-reviewed endangerment assessments and brief hazard summaries for use in negotiation and
litigation.
5.2.2 Remedial Action Support
The cleanup of Superfund sites requires a remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS) and a
Remedial Action Plan. ORD provides direct scientific and engineering support to the program and
Regional Offices, upon request, to assist in reaching an acceptable permanent solution for each site. This
direct technical support is provided by the same scientists and engineers who conduct the Superfund
research. Consequently, ORD will provide state-of-the-art data, methods, and technologies for
consideration in cleanup plans.
The major remedial action support activities include:
• Site-specific monitoring;
• Site-specific quality assurance;
• Site-specific engineering and scientific advice on cleanup options;
• Site-specific evaluations of cleanup technologies;
• A multidisciplinary team of ground-water specialists;
• Technical support on marine contamination from coastal sites;
• Technical support on application of multimedia risk assessment methods
5.3 Training and Technology Transfer
The Superfund RD&D program produces an enormous amount of scientific and engineering
information, which must be synthesized, interpreted, organized, packaged, and disseminated to EPA
Program and Regional Offices, states and local governments, contractors, PRPs, and the public. ORD has
a very active technology transfer program that will be expanded from FY87 to FY91. While ORD does
not sponsor training, perse, it supports the program offices through the development and integration
of automated systems into computer-assisted instruction, expert systems, and databases.
ORD and OSWER developed a joint Technology Transfer Strategy (April, 1987) that describes the
systematic process for identifying needs, disseminating information, and evaluating their results. A key
organizational element of the Technology Transfer Strategy is the Technology Transfer Subcommittee,
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which serves a dual role as a standing subcommittee of the Hazardous Waste/Superfund Research
Committee and the advisory body to OSWER in setting program office priorities for technology transfer
activities.
The training and technology transfer activities within the Superfund RD&D program will conform to
the OSWER Technical Training Policy as well as the Technology Transfer Strategy.
The selection of appropriate, cost-effective innovative or alternative treatment technologies to clean
a specific hazardous waste spill or Superfund site involves a complex decisionmaking process. Using
microcom-puters, expert systems offer an opportunity for a real-time problem-solving capability. Unlike
manuals or seminars, expert systems provide direct help to decisionmakers in the development of
cleanup options for Superfund sites. They provide clear, concise, and structured approaches based on
the latest data. Continuous maintenance of expert systems is mandatory, however, to ensure that the
latest information is available from the research community, other users, and industry to complement
information provided on site.
Work on expert systems must accompany the technology RD&D program to ensure that the
necessary data are collected for the decisionmaking process. The data requirements for the expert
systems must be identified before testing begins in the RD&D phase. Working with Program Office
representatives and the Office of Information Resources Management, the Superfund research program
will ensure that expert systems are designed with appropriate safeguards to prevent their misuse.
5.4 Expected Accomplishments
Technical services will continue to grow in relative importance and effort over the next several years.
The QA program will develop procedures to identify and investigate deliberate fraud in the CLP.
Investigatory procedures will be evaluated for reliability in identifying fraud and mismanagement, and
an investigative QA protocol will be developed. Through its completion by FY90, the reportable
quantities program will produce RQ chapters in chemical-specific health and environmental effects
documents (HEEDs), RQ documentation for carcinogenicity or chronic toxicity for chemicals from the
Extremely Hazardous Substances List, and additions or revisions as needed in the future to meet
statutory requirements.
Scientific and engineering expertise will continue to be available on a person-to-person basis,
although the trend is towards expert systems and other computer-based methods for training and
technology transfer. ORD will develop and maintain a clearinghouse for information on remedial
actions, technologies, analytical methods, and case histories.
6. RESOURCES
The historical funding of the Superfund RD&D program is presented in Table 5. The Agency has
developed detailed budgets for FY87-FY88, which include increased resources for the new SARA
research authorities, and is currently preparing a budget request for FY89 Table 6 presents the
distribution of resources by ORD office, program category, and budget issue. The major areas of
expansion are the new health effects and risk assessment research program, exploratory grants, and the
SITE program
For FY88, the President's Budget includes additional resources for health effects and risk assessment
research and the SITE program. Funds are also included in the FY88 request for renovation of a T&E
facility where Superfund wastes and treatment technologies would be evaluated.
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Table 5. ORD Superfund Resources
Intramural and Extramurnal Dollars
Fiscal Year
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88*
FTEs
7.6
26.6
27.1
42.5
58.0
57.6
85.6
85.6
Total ($ Millions)
5.0
13.8
6.8
8.9
12.6
10.6
38.7
58.8
*President's Budget.
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Table 6. Superf und Research Resources by Program Area
(Total Resources in Thousands)
Issue
Site and Situation Assessment
FY87:
FY88:
Health Effects/Risk Assessment
FY87:
FY88:
Technology Evaluation
FY87:
FY88:
Innovative and Alternative
Technology RD&D (SITE)
FY87:
FY88:
Personnel Protective Equipment
FY87:
FY88:
Test and Evaluation Facility
FY88:
Reportable Quantities
FY87:
FY88:
Technical Support
FY87:
FY88.
Quality Assurance
FY87:
FY88:
Technology Transfer
FY87:
FY88:
Subtotals (FY87):
Subtotals (FY88):
Total (FY87):
Total (FY88):
Risk Assessment
FTEs $000
17.9 $4,948.5
17.9 $4,865.0
5.0 $6,770.8
5.0 $9,991.4
22.9 $11,719.3
22.9 $14,856.4
85.6 $38,681.9
85.6 $58,812.0
RiskReduction
FTEs $000
19.3 $6,583.3
193 $5,704.5
8.0 $9,070.9
8.0 18,629.4
2.0 $714.3
20 $725.3
$5,600.0
29.3 $16,3685
29.3 $30,659.2
Technical Support
FTEs $000
27 $698.1
27 $829.6
207 $5,678.3
20.7 $7,044.2
9.0 $3,784.9
9.0 $4,796.8
1.0 $432.8
1.0 $625.8
33.4 $10,594.1
33.4 $13,296.4
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1987 548-158/67067
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