United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Industrial Environmental
Research Laboratory
Research Triangle Park NC 27711
Research and Development
EPA-600/S9-84-012 June 1984
&EPA Project Summary
EADS Liquid Effluents Data
System 1982 Annual Report
J. Patrick Reider
This report is the first data summary
of wastewater sampling and analysis
results compiled in EPA's Liquid Efflu-
ents Data System (LEDS). LEDS is a
component of a group of related
computerized data bases — the Envi-
ronmental Assessment Data Systems
(EADS) — that describe multimedia
discharges from energy systems and
industrial processes. EADS was designed
to aid researchers in environmental
assessment, source characterization,
and control technology development.
This report summarizes data compiled
from the implementation of LEDS in
1980 through 1982. It lists the sources
reported in LEDS, feed materials used,
chemical analysis data on hazardous
and priority pollutants, and the number
of samples for each source.
This Project Summary was developed
by EPA's Industrial Environmental
Research Laboratory. Research Triangle
Park. NC. to announce key findings of
the research project that is fully docu-
mented in a separate report of the same
title (see Project Report ordering
information at back).
Introduction
The Liquid Effluents Data System
(LEDS) is a computerized information
system that contains results of sampling
and analysis of wastewater discharges
from energy systems and industrial
processes. LEDS is one of four waste
stream data bases that make up the
Environmental Assessment Data Systems
(EADS). LEDS became operational in
June 1980. This annual report describes
LEDS and its growth, contents, and
future within EADS.
EADS is a comprehensive system of
computerized data bases that describe
energy systems, industrial processes,
control technologies, and process dis-
charges. Moreover, EADS is a protocol for
data analysis and evaluation that allows
users to make consistent and meaningful
interpretations of the data collected and
reported. The EADS protocol may be
applied to any type of sampling and
analysis activity in which discrete samples
are collected.
EADS consists of four operational data
bases for multimedia product, process, or
waste streams sampled and analyzed,
that are supported by a variety of
reference data bases and data evaluation
programs. The four sampling and analysis
data bases now in operation are the Fine
Particle Emissions Information System
(FPEIS), the Gaseous Emissions Data
System (GEDS), LEDS, and the Solid
Discharge Data System (SDDS).
Each data base contains extensive in-
formation on the source of the discharges,
on applied control technologies, on fuels
or feedstocks, and on the composition of
each discharge. EADS applies to most
sources, including industrial processes,
energy systems, and wastewater treat-
ment plants. The structure of EADS and
the types of data contained in it are
discussed in the full report
The vast and growing volume of samp-
ling and analysis data produced by EPA,
its contractors, and other agencies
required a mechanism to consolidate
such data. These organizations have
produced and still are producing a broad
range of data from a variety of industrial
and energy sources, and sampling and
analysis methods and protocols are
constantly evolving. EADS was created to
provide a comprehensive and diverse
repository for multimedia environmental
sampling and analysis data to consolidate
the data in a central location where they
can be readily available to the user
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community. To meet this provision, EADS
was designed to accommodate a variety
of multimedia data from assorted sampling
and analysis programs.
One requirement of an environmental
data base was that a consistent format be
used to facilitate accurate, reliable data
assessments. More specifically, it was
essential that data be reported in similar
units and be compiled with consistency in
engineering conditions, technical bases,
etc. To meet this need, EADS was
developed to provide a standardized and
uniform protocol for reporting sampling
and analysis data.
A critical need existed for current
information and standardized data analysis
procedures. Thus, EADS was created to
supply current sampling and analysis
data for evaluation and to provide
standard methods for retrieving and
analyzing the data. LEDS, for example,
has been useful to EPA's Office of
Research and Development in developing
the Wastewater Treatability Manual.
EADS is updated and expanded constantly,
and a Program Library aids users in data
evaluation through the utilization of
standard reports and analysis software.
Finally, and possibly most important,
EADS was created to document the
quality of the data reported. EPA is
committed to producing environmental
data of high quality and to providing a
cost-effective way to document results of
sampling and analysis programs so that
data quality may be determined. EADS is
an integral component of IERL—RTP's
approved Quality Assurance (QA) Program
Plan and contains QA parameters to help
the user interpret the data. The broad
applicability and comprehensiveness of
EADS make it particularly suitable for a
QA documentation role.
Data from EADS have been used to
model process engineering emissions, to
design and evaluate control technology,
and for many other applications. Because
of the sensitive nature of some stationary
source emissions data, EADS provides a
special feature that protects cofidential or
proprietary source data. With this feature,
EPA does not know the identity of the
source. This feature enables the EADS to
obtain, store, and use multimedia emis-
sions data that would otherwise be un-
available. Confidentiality, already used
extensively, has been a great aid in
obtaining data which probably would not
have been available otherwise.
EADS is user-oriented. A LEDS User
Guide documents instructions for data
encoding and submittal, along with
methods for data retrieval. LEDS data
may be retrieved either by direct computer
access to the data base and its user
program or by written or verbal request to
EADS technical support staff. Use of the
LEDS data and analysis software is
described in the LEDS User Guide. The
documentation is revised easily, and
supplements are issued as needed.
A key component of the design effort
for the EADS data bases isflexibility. User
needs will change, and EADS can adaptto
these changes to remain a useful infor-
mation resource. EADS has undergone
several improvements since it became
operational in 1980, and will undergo
additional changes as needed. EADS is
still the only sampling, analysis, and
engineering data system available that is
completely integrated across media
boundaries.
Description of the LEDS Data
Base
The LEDS data base contains industrial
or energy process source emissions test
data and related source and control
system design and operating data. It
describes liquid effluents at the point
where the liquid sample is collected from
the discharge stream. This is accomplished
through a flexible data base structure and
in the definitions of the principal data
types that are reported. Data types are
defined as data elements, each describing
a particular piece of information (e.g., a
source characteristic, discharge stream
characteristic, control device or treatment
process, source operation, test informa-
tion, analyses of the fuels a no; feedstocks,
sampling activity information, chemical
analyses, radionuclide analysis, or bio-
assay result). The data elements collec-
tively describe the entire source test
activity. LEDS may contain more than
500 discrete data elements for each site
test activity reported. The extent (or
completeness) of the data contained in
the data base depends on the objectives
of the site test plan.
Major categories of data at each level of
the data base are given in Figure 1. The
data are grouped into four general
categories: general source description
and related information; design conditions
and parameters of the effluent stream and
of the control device or treatment/stor-
age/recovery process; test operating
information, including analysis of any
fuels and feedstock; and sampling
activities information, including chemical,
physical, radionuclide, and biological
analysis results.
Data Summary
The LEDS data base is similar in size to
GEDS in terms of numbers of samples
(about 450), although LEDS contains
twice the number of test series. The rate
of growth of LEDS will increase signifi-
cantly as emphasis at the Federal and
state levels shifts from air pollution to
toxic and hazardous waste problems.
Toxic and hazardous waste sampling
typically involves either liquid or solid
media. Source categories in LEDS are
summarized in Table 1.
Test Series
Level
Stream Design
Level
Source Categorization
Reference Information
Stream Design
Information
Test Operating
Level
Sample
Level
_L
Fuels/Feedstocks
Characteristics
Control System
Design Information
Source/Process
Operating Information
Control System
Operating Parameters
Sample Pun
Information/Data
Sample Component
Results/Analysis
Inorganic
Analysis/
Non-Level I
Organic
Level I
Organic Analysis
Radionuclides
Analysis
Bioassay
Results
Figure 1. LEDS structure.
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Table 1 . Summary of Source Categories in LEDS
Print-00 1 Environmental Assessment Data Systems
Source Category Summary
Data Base: LEDS
Where Clause Follows:
WHC355LT 01/01/83
Source Category
Chemical Manufac
Chemical Manufac
Chemical Manufac
Chemical Manufac
Chemical Manufac
Chemical Manufac
Coal Mining
Coal Mining
Combust-Energy
Combust-Energy
Combust-Energy
Combust-Energy
Combust-Energy
Combust-Energy
Combust-Energy
Consumer Services
Consumer Services
Consumer Services
Consumer Services
Consumer Services
Fabricated MTL Prod
Leather Products
Metal Mining
Metal Mining
Metal Mining
Metal Mining
Metal Mining
Metal Mining
Metal Mining
Metal Mining
Metal Mining
Metal Mining
Metal Mining
Metals
Metals
Metals
Metals
Metals
Metals
Metals
Metals
Metals
Metals
Metals
Metals
Metals
Metals
Metals
Metals
Textiles & Products
Textiles & Products
Textiles & Products
Source Type
Gum & Wood
Pharmaceuticals
Surface Coating
Surface Coating
Surface Coating
Synthetic Rubber
Bituminous & Lignite
Misc Coals
Commercial-lnst
Industrial
Utility
Utility
Utility
Utility
Utility
Laundries
Laundries
Laundries
Laundries
Laundries
Metal Products
Tanning /Finishing
Ore Mine & Dressing
Ore Mine & Dressing
Ore Mine & Dressing
Ore Mine & Dressing
Ore Mine & Dressing
Ore Mine & Dressing
Ore Mine & Dressing
Ore Mine & Dressing
Ore Mine & Dressing
Ore Mine & Dressing
Ore Mine & Dressing
Primary Ferrous
Primary Ferrous
Primary Ferrous
Primary Ferrous
Primary Ferrous
Primary Ferrous
Primary Ferrous
Primary Ferrous
Primary Ferrous
Primary Ferrous
Primary Ferrous
Primary Ferrous
Primary Ferrous
Primary Ferrous
Primary Nonferrous
Primary Nonferrous
Dyeing & Finishing
Dyeing & Finishing
Dyeing & Finishing
Product or Devicle
Oils
Not Specified
Paints
Paints
Paints
Misc Products
Bituminous
Not Specified
Incinerators
Gasification
Boiler
Boiler
Boiler
Boiler
Boiler
Automobiles
Automobiles
Automobiles
Other
Other
Appliances
Cured Leather Gbods
Bauxite
Copper
Ferroalloy
Iron
Iron
Lead
Lead /Zinc
Silver
Titanium
Uranium
Uranium
Coke
Iron
Iron
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Steel
Aluminum
Copper
Blended Fabric
Polyester Fabric
Wool
Process Type
Extraction/Fraction
Not Specified
Latex Paint MFG
Latex/Oil Mix Paints
Oil Paint MFG
Polymerization Proc
Phys-Mech Cleaning
Mining
Multiple Chamber
Entrained Bed
Cyclone
Horiz Opposed Wall
Single Wall
Stoker
Tangential
Rollover
Tunnel
Wand
Commercial
Industrial
Surface Coating
Not Specified
Mine
Mine/Mill
Mine/Mill
Mine
Mine/Mill
Mine/Mill
Mine/Mill
Mine/Mill
Mine/Mill
Mill
Mine
Coke Oven
Foundry /Casting
Sintering
Alkaline Cleaning
Basic Oxygen Furnace
Coating
Cold Rolling
Electric Arc Furnace
Hot Coating
Hot Forming
Open Hearth
Pipe & Tube Prod
Scarfing
Vacuum Degassing
Foundry /Casting
Foundry/Casting
Finishing
Finishing
Finishing
SIC
2861
2834
2816
2816
2816
2822
1211
1200
4953
4960
4911
4911
4911
4911
4911
7542
7542
7542
7210
7210
3449
3111
1051
1021
1061
1011
1011
1031
1031
1042
1099
1094
1094
3312
3320
3320
3312
3312
3312
3312
3312
3312
3312
3312
3312
3312
3312
3334
3331
2264
2262
2269
Page: 001
Date: 05/02/83
Number of
Test Series
5
9
11
1
2
5
3
" 7
1
1
5
;
5
2
6
2
1
2
6
8
7
7
1
2
3
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
2
1
6
3
3
6
4
3
4
3
2
3
1
3
2
3
1
12
2
1
Number of
Samples
15
18
33
3
6
10
6
19
8
6
17
3
13
2
10
7
4
7
24
28
14
14
2
7
8
2
2
4
8
4
3
2
4
2
16
6
6
12
8
6
8
6
4
6
2
8
4
6
2
24
4
2
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LEDS data are characterized by variety
in the source categories, in the control
device/treatment systems, and in the
compounds analyzed. The data base
contains information on conventional
wastewater pollutants and nonconven-
tional inorganic and organic compounds.
About half of the test series have been
conducted on effluent streams from the
metals source category, primarily in ore
mining and dressing, and primary ferrous
sources. The rest of the test series are in
the chemical manufacturing, combustion,
consumer products, and incineration
source categories. The source categories,
control systems, feed materials, and
numbers of samples in LEDS are summa-
rized in the full report.
J. P. Reider is with Midwest Research Institute, Kansas City, MO 64110.
Gary L. Johnson is the EPA Project Officer (see below).
The complete report, entitled "EADS Liquid Effluents Data System 1982 Annual
Report," (Order No. PB 84-194 091; Cost: $8.50. subject to changej will be
available only from:
National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield, VA 22161
Telephone: 703-487-4650
The EPA Project Officer can be contacted at:
Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
•ft- US GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, 1984—759-015/7733
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Center for Environmental Research
Information
Cincinnati OH 45268
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
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