ICAL
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY o
Oil and Special Materials Control Division \
Office of Water Program Operations
Washington, D. C. 20460
-------
-------
EMERGENCY INFORMATION SYSTEMS
AVAILABLE TO THE SPILL COORDINATOR
The National Oil and Hazardous Materials Contingency Plan requires
that accurate assessments be made of the potential or actual danger that
a discharge of oil or hazardous substances may present. To aid com-
petent water quality managers in time of emergency a data bank is a
valuable tool. This data bank would permit the water quality manager
to carefully evaluate the material relative to its environmental exposure.
It is the purpose here to describe the Oil and Hazardous Materials—
Technical Assistance Data System and its applications to emergency
situations where an On-Scene Coordinator would need fast, accurate
data on the degree of hazard involved, the countermeasures to be
utilized and the personnel safety precautions to be taken.
The Oil and Hazardous Materials Technical Assistance Data System
(OHM-TADS) is an automated information retrieval file designated to
facilitate rapid-retrievel of information on more than 850 oil and haz-
ardous substances. Data files were constructed in such a manner that a
systematic query program could prove of great value, both for on-line
response to spill incidents, and for summary evaluation relating to en-
forcement and research activities.
The prime function of the files is to provide immediate feedback
of information on hazardous substances to spill response team personnel.
Individual segments contain both numerical data and interpretive com-
ments. These can serve as background for decision making and guide-
lines to initiate corrective action.
The completed files can also be used as a source of diverse infor-
mation on hazardous substances as a whole, allowing research and
enforcement authorities to assess areas where more work or stricter regu-
lations are needed.
Although the files are meant to be a complete and accurate summary
of all pertinent information concerning oil and hazardous substances,
it must be realized that they immediately become incomplete as the
result of an almost continuous outpouring of new data from a multitude
of sources. It is evident that constant updating of the files is necessary.
SCOPE
The Oil and Hazardous Materials Technical Assistance Data System
(OHM-TADS) is designed to include all information pertinent to spill
response efforts related to any material designated as an oil or hazardous
material. As such, it includes a wide variety of physical, chemical, bio-
logical, toxicological, and commercial data. However, the greatest
emphasis is placed on the deleterious effects these materials may have
on water quality.
-------
The investigative effort required to compile the data files involved no
original research. Consequently, the completed files comprise a com-
pendium of information available in open literature. Further, the data
gaps represent a fairly accurate listing of current research needs.
Sources of information include articles in journals, books, papers
presented at various symposia, compendiums, governmental reports,
and basic reference texts.
Data is entered in a form that requires some technical background
for maximum benefit. It is assumed that the user is familiar with chemi-
cal symbols and common chemical-biological terms.
SEGMENT RATIONALE
The following lists segment numbers and headers, as well as the
basic considerations which were made in collecting data for the OHM-
TADS files.
1. TADS Accession No.: Identifier for the data file.
2. Material Name: Generally, the common name for the material.
3. Synonyms: Alternate identifiers or similar isomers for which the
data is valid.
4. Trade Names (Company): Lists trade names and the associate
manufacturer whenever possible.
5. Chemical Formula: Gives most common formula or describes
nature of materials included in the general heading such as com-
ponents of an industrial blend or mixture.
6. Species in Mixture: Identifies typical product purity in cases of
single constituent materials, or specific major components of
hetrogeneous mixtures.
7. SIC Code: This segment can be used to identify possible sources
of spilled materials.
8. Common Uses: Enumerates common uses of materials.
Mode of Transport: These individual segments relate to normal routes
of transport.
9. Rail (%): Percentage shipped by rail.
10. Barge (%): Percentage shipped by barge.
11. Truck (%): Percentage shipped by truck.
12. Pipeline (%): Estimated percentage shipped by pipeline. Refers
only to lines exterior to plant operations.
13. Containers: Lists type of shipping containers normally used or
required by law.
14. Shipment Size: Typical shipment size when available.
15. General Storage Procedures: Relates to precautions to be taken
when storing the material. Rationale for these measures varies
from safety considerations to precautions designed to protect the
material from degradation.
16. General Handling Procedures: States the precautions to be taken
when handling the material. Information relates to both safety
considerations and practices designed to prevent degradation of
the material.
-------
17. Personal Safety Precautions: Lists equipment to be employed
when working in a spill area. Refers to disaster conditions and as
such often presupposes fire or intense heat. Response teams should
use their own judgment in deciding when stated precautions are no
longer necessary. For most circumstances, eye protection, hard
hats, and gloves are recommended.
18. Production Sites: Lists major producers and their plant locations.
19. Use Areas: This segment was designed to identify specific areas
of use for individual materials. It was found to be meaningless
for most compounds. Occasionally, it was used to identify warfare
materials used by the Department of Defense or trade name items
with limited distribution.
20. Hydrolysis Product Of: Lists hazardous materials which decom-
poses to the material of reference when contacted with water.
21. % Additive: Lists typical stabilizers and inhibitors added to the
base material.
HAZARDS OTHER THAN WATER POLLUTION
22. Flammability: Summarizes potential for fire at a spill site.
23. Explosiveness: Summarizes potential for violent rupture or vigor-
ous reaction at a spill site.
24. Air Pollution: Summarizes degree of hazard to people in the
vicinity of a spill. May refer to fumes, vapors, mists, or dusts of
the material spilled or its combustion and/or decomposition
products.
25. Action Levels: An interpretive segment designed to aid in initiating
response activities. Suggests notification of fire and air authority
if material poses flammability or air hazard. Recommends alerting
Civil Defense if explosion hazard exists. When explosion or severe
air pollution exists, evacuation is indicated. If the material in
question is highly corrosive or can be absorbed through the skin
at toxic levels, affected waterways should be restricted from public
access. When flammable materials are involved, ignition sources
should be removed. Air contaminants require entry from upwind.
If the spill involves solids, attempts should be made to prevent
suspension of dusts in the air. If the material is one that will form
a slick on water before dissolving, early attempts at containment
will be quite beneficial.
It is assumed that these actions will be complemented by gen-
eral defensive responses. These include, notifying downstream
water users of the spill, stopping all leaks or diverting their flow
from reaching surface waters, and removing all bags, barrels and/
or other containers that still may be leaking to the water body.
26. Field Detection, Limit (ppm), Techniques, Ref: A three part
segment listing potential field detection techniques, the lower
sensitivity limit, and the literature reference where more data can
be obtained. Field test generally refers to any gross identification
method that can be used at the spill site without elaborate or
-------
non-portable equipment. It normally assumes that the material or
the chemical class has been identified so that general tests for
aldehydes or phenols, etc. are applicable. The two major types of
tests listed are inorganic colorimetric reactions and organic spot
tests.
27. Laboratory Detection, Limit (ppm), Techniques, Ref: Follows
format of previous segment for specific tests that can be used for
positive identification of material. These tests are generally reliant
on sophisticated laboratory analysis equipment, such as atomic
absorption units and gas chromatographs.
28. Major Hazards: Summarizes data from previous segments and
toxicological information. No order of priority is established for
this segment. Rather, the degree of fire, explosion, reactivity, and
toxicological hazards is listed wherever these hazards are con-
sidered important.
29. Standard Codes: Enumerates the NFPA codes for materials as
well as pertinent transportation codes.
30. Melting Point (°C): Accepted value under standard conditions
unless otherwise noted below in segment 31.
31. Melting Characteristics: Decomposes, ignites, etc. (Example)
32. Boiling Point (°C): Accepted value under standard conditions
unless otherwise noted below in segment 33.
33. Boiling Characteristics: Reduced pressure, etc. (Example)
34. Solubility (ppm 25°C): Typically the listed value for standard
reference conditions.
35. Solubility Characteristics: Slightly and moderately are used when
a specific value is not given.
36. Specific Gravity: Listed value for material in the state it is most
often shipped. For materials whose boiling point is near ambient
temperatures, the liquid state was usually referenced.
37. Probable location and state of material: This is an interpretive
segment of the above physical data designed to assist personnel in
identifying the material spilled and its whereabouts. The data
attempts to describe the physical appearance of the material as
shipped (i.e., a dark red powder, etc.) and its probable location
if the spill occurs in or near surface water.
38. Binary Reactants: Lists materials known to react when put in
contact with the material of interest.
39. Lower Flammability Limit (%): Listed value is % of material in
air which is the lower limit of flammability.
40. Upper Flammability Limit (%): Listed value is % of material
in air which is the upper limit of flammability.
41. Toxic Combustion Products: Occasionally lists specific materials
or classes of materials released when compound of concern is
burned or heated to decomposition.
42. Extinguishing Methods: Notes fire fighting techniques and out-
lines unique precautions to be taken if any.
43. Lower Explosive Limit (%): Listed value is % of material in
air which is the lower explosive limit.
-------
44. Upper Explosive Limit (%): Listed value is % of material in
air which is the upper explosive limit.
45. Flash Point (°C): Listed open cup value when available, other-
wise closed cup.
46. Auto Ignition Point (°C): Listed value at which auto ignition
occurs in the presence of adequate air.
47. Inhalation Limit (Value): Generally the accepted threshold limit
value (TLV) which is that level acceptable for industrial ex-
posure over an eight hour period. May sometimes be the LC50
for inhalation.
48. Inhalation Limit (Text): Units and source of above segment.
49. Irritation Levels (Value): Level at which skin and mucous mem-
brane irritation occurs.
50. Irritation Levels (Text): Reference and explanatory comments
for above segment.
51. Direct Contact: Summary statement indicating corrosiveness or
irritation value of material in direct contact with skin, mucous
membranes, or eyes.
52. General Sensation: Designed to identify some of the reactions
people might have when exposed to the designated material,
sensation upon breathing vapors, symptoms and effect on body
from poisoning, vapor concentration levels at which noticeable
reactions occur, warning properties, and miscellaneous toxi-
cological observations.
53. Lower Odor Threshold (ppm): Listed value.
54. Lower Odor Threshold (Text): Source of information.
55. Medium Odor Threshold (ppm): Listed value.
56. Medium Odor Threshold (Text): Source of information.
57. Upper Odor Threshold (ppm): Listed value.
58. Upper Odor Threshold (Text): Source of information.
59. Lower Taste Threshold (ppm): Listed value.
60. Lower Taste Threshold (Text): Source of information.
61. Medium Taste Threshold (ppm): Listed value.
62. Medium Taste Threshold (Text): Source of information.
63. Upper Taste Threshold (ppm): Listed value.
64. Upper Taste Threshold (Text): Source of information.
65. Corrosiveness: General statement of observations on corrosive
action to materials commonly used for packaging or equipment
that might be required at a spill site.
66. Synergistic Materials: Lists other materials and water quality
parameters whose presence can increase the toxicity of the ma-
terial of interest.
67. Antagonistic Materials: Lists other materials and water quality
parameters whose presence can reduce the toxicity of the material
of interest. Antidotes are occasionally given.
68. Degree of Hazard to Public Health: Interpretive summary of data
from previous segments. This segment focuses on those lexico-
logical chemical hazards directly affecting public health.
69. Exchange Capacity with Natural Soils: Describes ion exchange,
-------
chemical, and adsorption interactions likely to take place in natural
soils. In general, strong cationic exchange is common with clays,
while anionic exchange is weak for all but a few common anions.
70. Industrial Fouling Potential: Relates potential problems from use
of water contaminated by the material of interest. Generally re-
fers to use in boiler feed and cooling water. Materials with flash
points below 50°C are listed as potential rupture hazards when
included in boiler feed or cooling water.
71. Effect on Water Treatment Process: Describes potential interaction
with typical water and wastewater treatment facilities. Most fre-
quent entries concern effect of chlorination on the aesthetic prop-
erties of contaminated water, and the effect of high concentration
on sewage organisms.
72. Direct Human Ingestion (mg/kg wt): Note toxic dose levels
via human consumption.
73. Reference for Direct Human Ingestion: Source of information.
74. Recommended Drinking Water Limits (ppm): Cites Public Health
Service Drinking Water Standards where available.
75. Reference for Recommended Drinking Water Limits: Source of
information.
76. Body Contact Exposure (ppm): States acute contact threshold
limits in water where available.
77. Reference for Body Contact Exposure: Source of information.
78. Fresh Water Toxicity:
Column 1—Concentration in ppm at which test results were re-
ported.
Column 2—Time of exposure in hours whenever given.
Column 3—Species tested, generally given a common name.
Column 4—Effect on organism tested often given as TLm or
LD50.
Column 5—Test environment, includes data on water quality,
source of water used, specific isomer or additive em-
ployed with material of interest and related informa-
tion.
Column 6—Source of information.
79. Limiting Water Quality: Lists water quality characteristics men-
tioned by researchers as being critical to the toxic level of the
contaminant in question.
80. Salt Water Toxicity: This table is set up in same fashion as
segment 78. Data on marine development is quite limited.
81. Animal Toxicity:
Column 1—Species, lists animal of reference—typically lab ani-
mals—rats, guinea pigs, mice, dogs, and monkeys.
Column 2—Gives value of LD50 in mg/kg body weight.
Column 3—Gives time of exposure when listed, as well as mode
of application. If no comment appears, application was
oral. IP indicates intraperitoneal method, IM intra-
muscular, IV, intravenous.
-------
Column 4—Source of data.
82. Livestock Toxicity (ppm): Lists recommended or limiting levels
of concentration in ppm for use on livestock.
83. Reference for Livestock: Source of information.
84. Waterfowl (ppm): Concentration in ppm felt to be hazardous to
waterfowl upon acute exposure.
85. Reference for Waterfowl: Source of information.
86. Aquatic Plants (ppm): Concentration in ppm found to be in-
jurious to aquatic flora listed.
87. Reference for Aquatic Plants: Source of information.
88. Irrigable Plants (ppm): Concentration in ppm found to be in-
jurious to the crop listed.
89. Reference for Irrigable Plants: Source of information.
90. Major Species Threatened: This segment was originally designed
to spotlight individual species especially susceptible to the material
of interest. Data such as this is very rare. Consequently, the
segment includes specific data on tests run with different plants
and animals.
91. Acute Hazard Level: Attempts to indicate level of hazard result-
ing from a spill. Relates to inhalation, ingestion and contact with
material. Also lists specific water use hazard level such as fish
toxicity and irrigation water toxicity.
92. Etiological Potential: Enumerates diseases and ailments initiated
or accelerated by exposure to the material of interest.
93. Emergency Water Quality Std (ppm): Gives concentration in
ppm which would be a maximum acceptable concentration of the
material in water for all uses, but for short duration only, under
emergency conditions.
94. Prolonged Human Contact (ppm): States safe level for prolonged
bathing and swimming activities.
95. Reference for Prolonged Human Contact: Source of information.
96. Potential for Accumulation: Recounts data on ability of various
organisms to accumulate a material and the specific organs in
which concentration is most pronounced.
97. Chronic Aquatic Toxicity Limits (ppm): Maximum level in ppm
found to be safe for extended exposure of fish to the material of
interest.
98. Reference for Chronic Aquatic Toxic Limit: Source of information.
99. Taste Imparting Characteristics (ppm): Level in ppm at which
material will impart a taste to the flesh of fish living in the
affected waters and source of the data.
100. Reference for Taste Imparting Characteristics: Source of informa-
tion.
101. Chronic Animal Toxicity Limits (ppm): Concentration in ppm
thought to be the threshold for extended use by livestock.
102. Reference for Chronic Animal Toxicity Limits: Source of info.
103. Chronic Waterfowl Toxicity Limits (ppm): Concentration in ppm
considered to be maximum permissible in water inhabited by
waterfowl.
-------
104. Ref for Chronic Waterfowl Toxicity Limits: Source of information.
105. Chronic Plant Toxicity Limits (ppm): Threshold level in ppm for
extended use as irrigation water.
106. Ref for Chronic Plant Toxicity Limits: Source of information.
107. Soil Transformation Properties: Notes any effect the material might
have on soil properties. Sodium is the most common transformer
with its ability to disperse soils.
108. BOD (Ib/lb), Time (days), Ref: Lists biochemical oxygen demand
of pure substances on a Ib/lb or % of theoretical demand basis,
the duration of the test in days, and the source of information.
109. In Situ Amelioration: Lists potentially effective treatment methods
which could be applied to the body of water for removal of the
spilled material. Methods deemed to include hazards equal to or
greater than that of the contaminant were systematically excluded.
The term carbon refers to activated carbon in granular or pow-
dered form.
110. Beach and Shore Restoration: This segment is used mainly to
indicate if material can safely be burned off of beaches. Occa-
sionally recommendation is made to wash affected area with a
neutralizing solution.
111. Availability of Countermeasure Material: Lists major materials
required for countermeasure recommended in segment 109 and
possible local sources for those materials.
112. Disposal Methods: Describes recommended techniques for dis-
posing of spilled materials.
113. Disposal Notification: Lists local authorities who should be noti-
fied before disposal methods in segment 112 are initiated.
114. Chronic Hazard Level: Interprets chronic toxicological-biological
hazard to life forms subjected to material of interest for extended
periods of time.
115. Food Chain Concentration Potential: Indicates potential for ma-
terial to be concentrated to toxic levels while it is passed up the
food chain. Where possible, data is given on findings in predator
species.
116. Persistency: Interprets BOD and chemical data to estimate ma-
terial life span in a free aquatic system. When possible degradation
products are specified.
117. Major Water Uses Threatened: Lists water uses imperiled by a
spill and consequently indicates what type of downstream water
users should be notified of the spill.
118. Adequacy of Data: A simple classification was used to indicate
the availability of data. Poor—indicates toxicological data is
sparse if it exists at all. Fair—indicates toxicological data was
found but no aquatic toxicities are listed. Moderate—indicates toxi-
cological data was found along with some information on toxicity
towards fish. Good—indicates both toxicological and aquatic
toxicity data was found. Limited References—identifies those ma-
-------
terials for which a complete literature survey was not run.
119. Carcinogenicity: Relates results of work aimed at indicating car-
cinogenicity of materials.
120. Mutagenicity: Cites finding of tests for mutagenicity.
121. Teratogenicity: Cites findings of tests for teratogenicity.
122. Color in Water: Identifies the color or appearance of concen-
trated solutions of the material of interest. In many cases, dilution
and material coloring will minimize the visibility of the color listed
here.
123. Fields Containing Data: Lists any/all of the preceding segments
which contain data.
The Oil and Hazardous Materials-Technical Assistance Data System
is an on-line interactive information retrieval system. The system is
capable of processing structured and unstructured data in an on-line
conversational mode, whereby the user can interact with the system in
natural language or abbreviated expressions. Data in the system are
condensed to obviate the need for extensive study by the user. The
random access provision permits the user to solve problems involving
unidentified pollutants by searching for color, odor or other physical/
chemical characteristics as observed on-scene.
The main characteristic of this system is that it automatically takes
each word and processes it into an inverted index file, making each word
a search component of the data base. The data themselves are in two
files. A serial file consisting of variable block length character strings
plus additional information, and an inverted file consisting of the index
expression followed by the associated information strings.
Searches are formulated in an English-like language using Boolean
logic. The system responds with the number of documents meeting the
request and the researcher is then able to refine or restructure the query
if necessary. The resulting pertinent information can then be displayed
at the user's terminal, listed at a remote medium speed terminal, or at
the central site.
This system is oriented towards the informational retrieval problem
that is characterized by difficult and vague subject definition, extensive
variance in term selection, changing scientific and technical terminology,
and imprecise search definition. The system greatly facilitates file
browsing.
WHERE TO GET FURTHER INFORMATION
For more detailed information on the Oil and Hazardous Materials-
Technical Assistance Data System (OHM-TADS), please contact:
Ms. Jean Wright, Program Analyst
OHM-TADS Project Officer
Division of Oil and Special Materials Control
Environmental Protection Agency (WH-448)
Washington, D. C. 20460
Office (202) 245-3057
-------
-------
-------
-------
-------
------- |