United States Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory Research Triangle Park NC 27711 Research and Development EPA/600/S4-87/023 Feb. 1988 &EPA Project Summary Environmental Methods Testing Site Project: Data Management Procedures Plan E. H. Barrows The Environmental Methods Testing Site (EMTS) Data Management Proce- dures Plan identifies the computer hardware and software resources used in the EMTS project. It identifies the major software packages that are avail- able for use by principal investigators for the analysis of data. It establishes standard methods for the transfer of data sets between the two principal operating locations. The procedures to add data to the EMTS data base, to extract data, and to generate reports are detailed. The responsibilities for the controlled, orderly and efficient use of the resources are delineated. This Project Summary was developed by EPA's Environmental Monitoring Sys- tems Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC, to announce key findings of the research protect that Is fully documented In a separate report of the same title (see Project Report ordering Information at back). Introduction The purpose of the Environmental Methods Testing Site (EMTS) project is to advance the state of the art of assessing human exposure to environmental pol- lutants. Characterization of this site re- quires a well-managed computerized data base to store and efficiently retrieve data. The approach is to set up a single, well- characterized site, and then invite princi- pal investigators to conduct relevant field studies at this site. The EMTS Project has selected the Chattanooga Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) for this purpose. The SMSA contains the city of Chat- tanooga, Tennessee and the six counties surrounding it. The overall output goals of the EMTS project are to provide computer graphics and analysis and terminal views of data. These goals are met by providing a com- mon data base for users, providing pro- ducts that will assist users in the conduct and analysis of their studies, and providing products that will assist EPA in advancing methodologies for assessing human exposures. Data Processing Configurations The general flow of data in the EMTS will normally be directed from various originating sources into the NCC IBM 3090/200 computer at RTP for data col- lection and initial manipulations. These data will be stored in a relational data base environment using FOCUS, and from these data, customized subsets will be extracted for analysis and manipulations. Analysis resources of two principal types are available for the EMTS project: (1) statistical packages on the IBM mainframe may be used for analyzing tabular data sets, and (2) the Geographic Information System available on the DEC VAX 11 /785 at the EMSL/LV facility may be used for analyzing spatial data sets. Data trans- mission resources include tapes and telecommunication facilities to move files between computer systems. Access methods available to the investigators to access the computer systems are discussed. Responsibilities and Procedures The EMTS Data Set Inventory System is a PC-based system maintained by the ------- ERC to provide an index of all data sets included in the EMTS data base. EMSL/RTP will process data sets and assist investigators in the statistical analysis of data. Selected data sets will be built by EMSL/RTP for transfer to EMSL/LV and entry into the GIS. The ARC/INFO system at EMSL/LV will be used to create spatial representations of data and to perform analysis of data. E. H. Barrows is with Northrop Services. Inc.. Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. R. H. Jungers and T. C. Lawless are the EPA Project Officers (see below). The complete report, entitled "Environmental Methods Testing Site Project: Data Management Procedures Plan,"(Order No. PB 87-229 654/AS; Cost: $11.95, subject to change) will be available only from: National Technical Information Service 5285 Port Royal Road Springfield, VA 22161 Telephone: 703-487-4650 The EPA Project Officers can be contacted at: Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 United States Environmental Protection Agency Center for Environmental Research Information Cincinnati OH 45268 U.S. OFFICIAL^. UlPOSTAI I MAR i 7'83 V OfMO .2 Official Business Penalty for Private Use $300 EPA/600/S4-87/023 .-.-^ t-2bOK3, OOOC329 PS 'SE"cr ------- |