Iniki
                         April 1990
600K92001
Andrew W Breidenbach Environmental
Research Center
                            ,<"f

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                                                 The Andrew W. Breidenbach
                                         Environmental Research Center-
                                         Cincinnati, houses research laborato-
                                         ries, training facilities and adminis-
                                         trative offices. The ten-story structure
                                         is located at 26 West Martin Luther
                                         King Drive. The Center is named
                                         after its first director, Dr. Andrew W.
                                         Breidenbach.
                                                 From 1975 until his retire-
                                         ment in March 1978, he served as
EPA's Assistant Administrator for Water and Hazardous Materials. Having a
distinguished career with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its
predecessor organizations, Dr. Breidenbach will be remembered as a dedicated
leader in many facets of environmental protection.

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         The history of environ-
mental research in Cincinnati
reaches back to the turn of the
century. In 1912 the first water
pollution laboratory in the
United States was established
here, in the Kilgour Mansion,
near the banks of the Ohio River.
                                 1912 - Third end Kilgour Streets • Congress established the first water pollution
                                 laboratory.

                                                                            In 1948, the water
                                                                    pollution research activities
                                                                    were moved to the Robert A.
                                                                    Taft Sanitary Engineering
                                                                    Center on Columbia Parkway.
                                                                    The Center soon established a
                                                                    reputation for its work in waste-
                                                                    water treatment, water supply
                                                                    control, air pollution, radiation,
                                                                    and food protection for the
                                                                    Public Health Service and HEW.
                                                                    In effect, most of the federal
                                                                    government's major environ-
                                                                    mental research began here.
                                                                    Water pollution control endeav-
                                                                    ors at Taft and across the
                                                                    country came under the man-
                                                                    agement of the Department of
                                                                    the Interior's Federal Water Pol-
                                                                    lution Control Administration.
1948 - Robert A. Taft Sanitary Engineering Center used for research in air pollution,
water pollution control, radiation and food protection by the Public Health Service and
Department of Health Education and Welfare.
        In 1970 the Environmental Protection Agency was established, organizing activities under the
areas of wastewater treatment, drinking water, solid waste, radiation, air pollution control, industrial
wastes/mine pollution control, and analytical quality control. The Taft Center remained the major EPA
research facility and was responsible for wastewater research. Other EPA facilities were scattered
throughout the city.
                                                                            In 1975 the Environ-
                                                             '  "'   mental Research Center was
                                                                    constructed on a 22 acre site
                                                                    donated by the City of Cincin-
                                                                    nati. The property lies adjacent to
                                                                    the main campus of the Univer-
                                                                    sity of Cincinnati and near a
                                                                    major hospital/medical research
                                                                    complex. The building was com-
                                                                    pleted at a cost of 28 million
                                                                    dollars and was dedicated in
                                                                    1975 by President Gerald R. Ford.
                                                                            The Center is one of two
                                                                    major EPA research centers in
                                                                    the nation.
                                                                 MM
1975 - Present facility dedicated, providing the cutting edge of technology research for
EPA.
                             «Mia> stutis of AMIMCA
                                   PROTECTION  AGENCY
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...to generate the
scientific and
technological tools to
help us understand the
causes, extent, and
consequences of pollution
and to develop strategies
for prevention and
abatement.
The Andrew W. Breidenbach
Environmental Research Center
(AWBERC) is One  of the U.S.
EPA's Largest Research and
Development Facilities.

       The primary mission of the U.S. Environmental Pn
tection Agency is to reduce the risks posed by pollutants to
public health and welfare and to natural ecosystems. The sta
at AWBERC strives to provide scientific information and dat
for Agency decision makers to help select cost-effective and
environmentally safe means of achieving environmental
results in support of the Agency's regulatory responsibilities
and to advance the state of knowledge on environmental
problems not yet well understood.
       The work at EPA-Cincinnati has helped to establis
the Center's reputation as a world leader in water research.
AWBERC is also emerging as a center of excellence in the
field of hazardous waste management.
       Research and development completed at the Center
strives to answer these basic environmental questions:
    Which pollutants are dangerous and how are we
    unknowingly exposed?
    At what levels do they become a threat to human health
    and welfare?
    What are the health risks of being exposed to pollution?
    How can you detect contamination in the water, air and
    on the land?
    What are the most effective ways to clean up and
    eliminate further pollution?
    How should we respond to emergency situations such a
    chemical spills and releases?
                                        Equally as important to finding these answers, the
                                 Andrew W. Breidenbach Environmental Research Center
                                 assures that its findings are shared with other agencies and
                                 environmental professionals who are actively involved in pro
                                 tecting the environment. The staff understands that it is every
                                 one's duty — federal, state and local governments as well as
                                 private citizens — to find and use innovative answers to
                                 today's environmental challenges.

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One of the Primary Issues Facing Mankind is the
Protection and Re-establishment of a Quality Environment.
The Environmental Protection Agency's Mission is to
Oversee and Protect the Environment, and Communicate to
the World Its Ideas, Solutions, Science and Information.
       The Office of the Senior Official
for Research and Development (OSORD)
serves as the official spokesperson for the
Office of Research and Development, and in
some instances for the Agency. Through this
Office, EPA in Cincinnati communicates
environmental research and development
information to others across the Nation and
around the world. In addition to serving as
the representative for EPA in Cincinnati, the
Office is responsible for providing the
following programs:
                Environmental Education — The Environmental Education Program
          strives to enhance the awareness of the public, educators, private industry, and
          local government of ORD and EPA advances and positions on various aspects
          of environmental awareness.

                Public Affairs and Community Relations— The Public Affairs and
          Community Relations Program is responsible for providing the general
          environmental research and development information needs of the public,
          community, international-scientific visitors, other Federal agencies and the
          news media.

                Health and Safety— The Health and Safety Program is responsible for
          assuring that the Cincinnati research facilities are health protective and in
          compliance with Federal, State and local environmental regulatory
          requirements.

                Research Outreach— The Research Outreach Program establishes and
          conducts programs to enhance working relationships between ORD and
          universities, technical informational media, private industry, and local
          congressional representatives.

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How do you test for
pollutants? Are some
tests  better than  others?
Are the laboratories
that test  our water and
wastewater meeting
federal standards?
                                  The Environmental Monitoring
                                  Systems  Laboratory (EMSL)
                                  Oversees the EPA's Quality
                                  Assurance Program for Water and
                                  Wastewater Analysis.

                                          The mission of the Environmental Monitoring
                                  Systems Laboratory in Cincinnati (EMSL-Cincinnati ) is to
                                  develop, evaluate, standardize and apply analytical methods
                                  and quality assurance procedures and reference materials for
                                  environmental assessments. Included are chemical methods to
                                  identify and measure inorganic and organic pollutants and
                                  biological methods to detect, identify, enumerate, and
                                  evaluate effects of bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa, and
                                  parasites. Methods and models are developed to detect and
                                  quantify responses in aquatic and terrestrial organisms
                                  exposed to environmental stressors and to correlate the
                                  exposure with effects on chemical and biological indicators.
                                  The four laboratory research divisions are Chemistry, Micro-
                                  biology, Quality Assurance, and Ecological Monitoring.
        Purple sea urchins from the west coast
        will be used by EMSL scientists to study
        toxic effects of surface water on
        reproduction.
                                   A Particle-Beam Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry System is used
                                   to develop methods for determination of organic environmental pollutants tha
                                   are not amenable togas chromatography.
       To ensure that data of known and adequate quality
are obtained through the Agency's monitoring programs, the
laboratory develops, demonstrates, and disseminates quality
assurance procedures, manuals, guidelines, quality control
samples and calibration standards. Studies are conducted to
ensure that the Agency's selected chemical and biological
methods provide adequate data of known quality and that
laboratories using those methods are providing data of
acceptable quality.
          Laboratory scientists continually evaluate and
  adapt new and emerging state-of-the-art techniques and
  instruments to provide improved field and laboratory
  methods for monitoring chemical and biological
  contaminants and to minimi/e waste generated by
  laboratory procedures. Two emerging areas of research
  involve human exposure. One issue is the need  for
  standardized methods for assessing the type, extent, and
  effects of airborne microorganisms in indoor environments
  Another involves development of procedures and
  acquisition of data to assess the nature and extent of humai
  exposure to pollutants ingested in food and beverages.
          EMSL-Cincinnati  has a major responsibility in
  the Agency's process for certification of laboratories
  providing data to monitor  the quality of drinking water
  throughout the nation. Through a tiered process, EMSL-
  Cincinnati certifies regional laboratories, who certify state
  laboratories, who certify local government and private
laboratories. In addition, EMSL-Cincinnati trains drinking
water laboratory certification officers from all over the nation
and its  protectorates at annual chemistry and microbiology

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ne Important Objective of the
ffice of Ground Water and
rinking Water is to Assert
ationalLeadership to Assure
tat Public Drinking Water is of
ifficient Quality to Protect  the
iblic Health.

    Consistent with this objective, the Technical
iport Division (TSD), also located at the AWBERC,
ists in the implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act
intended, by supporting the development and
>lementation of drinking water regulations. Additionally,
uiical assistance is provided to EPA regions, states, and to
il entities.
    The TSD is composed of the Water Supply Technol-
' Branch (WSTB) and the Drinking Water Quality Assess-
irt Branch (DWQAB). The WSTB develops data and
vides engineering services through national surveys,
itment technology studies, and technical assistance. As the
uirements for compliance with drinking water regulations
ome more numerous and more complex, WSTB is focusing
:he development and delivery of specific information and
iniques to assist states and utilities in implementing these
uirements.
 Engineers and staff review comprehensive performance evaluation results
 a community water system.
     The DWQAB provides information in the areas of
 tutoring and analytical methods. It has fully operational
 mistry and microbiological laboratories, capable of
 estigating a broad range of problems dealing with drink-
 water contamination. This branch is developing monitor-
 strategies to assess whether water utilities are in compli-
 e with existing regulations. Also, it is managing the
 ional laboratory certification implementation program and
 wolved in developing analytical methods training pro-
 ms.
                                                    The VG High Resolution Mass Spectrometer is used
                                                    to detect and identify extremely low concentrations
                                                    of compounds in drinking water.
                                                    Once pollutants are
                                                    identified, and effective
                                                    methods for detecting
                                                    and treating them are
                                                    established, how can
                                                    states and smaller
                                                    communities begin to
                                                    conform to  safe water
                                                    standards?  Are the
                                                    regulations being
                                                    implemented? Is it
                                                    working?

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What can realistically be
done to protect and
restore our environment?
                                      Underground Storage Tank test apparatus, Edison, New Jersey.

                                              The Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory (RREL)
                                      is responsible for the planning, implementation, and manage-
                                      ment of research to provide an authoritative, defensible
                                      engineering basis in support of the policies, programs, and
                                      regulations of the Environmental Protection'Agency with
                                      respect to drinking water, wastewater, pesticides, toxic
                                      substances, pollution prevention, solid and hazardous wastes,
                                      and Superfund-related activities.
                                              RREL research provides invaluable information to
                                      states and cities regarding drinking water. The staff com-
                                      pares treatment systems for effectiveness and cost. They
                                      provide information which helps municipalities produce safe
                                      drinking water. Disinfectants, which are essential to safe treat-
                                      ment of drinking water, also produce by-products which
                                      remain in the water. RREL studies ways to control the by-
                                      products.
                                              RREL searches for cost effective ways to treat and
                                      manage wastewater, including sludge, urban runoff and in-
                                      dustrial discharges. At the Center, the RREL developed a
                                      relatively inexpensive and rapid procedure for states to use to
                                      determine which discharges are toxic. They also develop and
                                      evaluate new technologies to treat wastewater. RREL investi-
                                      gates methods for preventing pollution, thereby reducing
                                      wastewater treatment needs.
                                                                         for many years
                                                                  disposal of wastes into the
                                                                  ground were not controlled.
                                                                  No one thought about the
                                                                  long term  effects this would
                                                                  have on the land and under-
                                                                  ground water supplies. Leaks
                                                                  into the land, water  and air
                                                                  were posing serious threats to
                                                                  the environment. Later, as we
                                                                  became concerned about
                                                                  resource conservation, some
                                                                  regulations were enacted.
                                                                  Approximately 27,000 hazard-
                                                                  ous waste sites have been
                                                                  identified and the Congress
                                                                  has enacted "Superfund" leg-
                                                                  islation to  respond to the
                                                                  need to clean up these
                                                                  dangers.
                               RREL study of lead corrosion from water
                               faucets constructed of various materials.

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        Treatment or cleanup is a major focus of A WBERC's
RREL staff. They are developing new disposal technologies to
meet government standards. They are investigating innova-
tive concepts such as bioremediation which uses safe, natural
organisms to degrade pollutants in water, air or soil. These
methods could provide the solution to many pollution
challenges.

        At the Center Hill facility, RREL conducts tests on
contaminated soil to determine if it can be treated and what
treatment would be most effective.
        RREL oversees the operation of the Incineration
Research Facility in Jefferson, Arkansas where scientists are
looking for safe ways to burn hazardous wastes, organic
chemicals and metals and prevent their release into the air.
        What can be done about old
        landfills that contain harmful
        wastes which are threatening
        the land and underground
        water supplies?  What will we
        do to prevent further damage
        to the land?  What can we do
        in case of emergencies such as
        chemical spills and
        hazardous releases?
 Rotating biological contactor designed to utilize white rot fungus to treat
 synthetic and actual woodtreating wastes.
        RREL supports Superfund activities by develop-
ing ways to prevent and contain hazardous releases.
They develop methods for regions and states to use to
evaluate sites. Their research reveals ways to manage
uncontrolled waste sites. The RREL manages the Super-
fund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) program
which is designed to make it easier to devise and use new
treatment methods and monitoring techniques. The SITE
program explores alternative disposal and cleanup
methods (38 new technologies in the first 4 years alone!).
The SITE Program is instrumental in encouraging the
private sector to take advantage of the commercial oppor-
tunities of providing hazardous waste cleanup at Super-
fund sites.
        RREL's Superfund Technical Assistance Re-
sponse Team (START) provides on-call assistance for
Superfund activities. The findings of their treatability
studies are  used to help decide which toxins can be
treated and how best to do it. They support RREL's
Superfund  cleanup activities by conducting research
which involves producing, storing and treating hazardous
wastes.
        To protect workers at hazardous waste sites
RREL evaluates and chooses protective clothing and res-
pirators. They have conducted research with robots to
eliminate exposure of humans to potential danger. These
findings have benefited other organizations whose
personnel face threats of contamination.
RREL Site demonstration where PCBs are removed
from a spill and destroyed during a combined thermal
and chemical process.

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What happens to all of
the EPA's research
findings?
The Center for Environmental
Research Information (CERI)
Bridges the Gap Between
Research and Implementation.

       CERJ's Technology Transfer and Technicall Informa
tion staff oversee a vigorous program with the goal of collect-
ing research findings, reviewing documents for scientific in-
tegrity, and making the most important information available
EPA regions, other federal agencies, state and local govern-
ments, and private industry make use of this information.
CERI publishes brochures, capsule and summary reports,
handbooks, newsletters, project reports and manuals. The
organization conducts regional workshops, seminars,
conferences and video teleconferences to share EPA data.
                                                       TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
                                                       U ", f, ft' •
                                         CERI continually seeks new ways to improve
                                  information delivery and utility. "Expert systems" are com-
                                  puterized systems that bring considered knowledge of
                                  technical experts to engineers who are responsible for design-
                                  ing or correcting deficiencies in pollution control facilities.
                                  Presently an expert system that will run on a personal
                                  computer is being developed for municipal wastewater
                                  treatment plants. By using the system, plant engineers can
                                  evaluate and correct problems found in their facilities. The
                                  same type of program will also be developed for drinking
                                  water plants and solid waste disposal centers.
                                                       CERI is making full use of all com-
                                                munication capabilities. An electronic
                                                bulletin board quickly and inexpensively
                                                distributes information.
 10

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Opportunities for Cooperative
Research & Development with EPA:
rhe Federal Technology Transfer Act
Program
       Both EPA and private industry seek new, cost-
•ffective technologies to prevent and control pollution. The
etween EPA, industry and academic institutions. According
o the Act, these agreements will foster the technological and
ndustrial innovation that is "central to the economic environ-
nental, and social well-being of citizens of the United States."
       What can industry gain from
 •igning an FTTA Agreement with EPA?

  • Access to High-Quality Science
   Expanded Communications Channel
   Between Government and Private Sector

   Exclusive Agreements for Developing New
   Technologies
       Several companies already have agreements with
 PA including Exxon, Shell Oil, Ford Motor Company,
 hiPont, Dow Corning, Hewlett-Packard, Fisher Scientific,
 erkin-Elmer, Rohm and Haas, Electric Power Research
 istitute, Water Quality Association, American Water Works
 issociation Research Foundation, as well as several small
 usinesses.

       The Office of Technology Transfer and Regulatory
 upport (OTTRS) is responsible for the central development
 nd implementation of technology transfer policies and
 rocedures for the FTTA Program at EPA. In this capacity,
 i'1'l'KS monitors, evaluates and manages the invention
 ortfolio of EPA to carry out the mandates of the Act. This is
 :complished through assistance to the private sector in
 eveloping cooperative R & D agreements and negotiating
 censing agreements.
                                                                                   11

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What are acceptable
levels for the various
contaminants found in
the water, air and land
for the protection of
human health? Who sets
the standards?
The Environmental Criteria and
Assessment Office has the
Responsibility for Preparing
Human Health-Based Criteria an

Assessment Documents for
Contaminants in the Environmei

       When a specific contaminant is identified by the
Agency as a possible hazard, all available information is
obtained by using data base searches of both national and
international literature. This information is then evaluated
and summarized. Documents are then prepared assessing tl
health hazards of exposure. All assessments are subjected tc
peer review process and, when finalized, are utilized by the
Agency as supporting documentation for regulation and
enforcement.
       ECAO also develops new methods for assessing rit
and uses gathered information to plan future research strate
gies. At the Center, ECAO developed a method for deriving
the human health criteria for ambient water (e.g., lakes, rive
This method was applied to 129 priority pollutants and is
        being used as a basis for setting standards across I
        nation.
               ECAO has developed risk assessment
        methodologies for the disposal or reuse ofmunici
        pal sewage sludge and the risks of indirect exposi
       1 to municipal waste incineration. Work is also
       I* continuing on revising the 1986 "Guidelines for th
        Health Risk Assessment of Chemical Mixtures" ar
        the new noncancer risk assessment guidelines.
               ECAO plays a key role in prioritizing
        Superfund sites using established criteria for
        pollutants. ECAO's Superfund Technical Support
        Center acts as a focal point of information for
                              Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) is an on-line data base developed
                              for EPA staff in response to a growing demand for consistent risk information
                              representing Agency consensus opinions on chemical substances for use in
                              decision-making and regulatory activities. Although designed for EPA staff, it
                              is also accessible to other government agencies, the public, state, local and
                              international communities. For additional information contact IRIS User
                              Support at (513) 569-7254.

                                      Superfund sites, supplying data and information necessary
                                      those involved in the cleanup. ECAO also determines levels
                                      which the accidental release or spill of hazardous waste mui
                                      be reported.
                                             ECAO is the lead office in the Agency for the devel
                                      opment and maintenance of the Integrated Risk Informatio
                                      System (IRIS) data base. This data base describes acceptabl
                                      levels of oral and/or inhalation exposure to specific enviror
                                      mental contaminants, both carcinogens and noncarcinogens
                                      These levels have been agreed upon by Agency-wide work
                                      groups, and as such, are the concensus of the Agency.
 22

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The Environmental Response
Team (ERT), Operations Support
Section, Provides Technical
Support Through Response
Oriented  Training and On-site
Assistance.
      OSS/ERT, serves as a technical support group for
EPA regional offices regarding cleanup. The ERT trains
federal, state, and municipal agencies to deal with environ-
mental incidents. This organization develops and delivers
EPA's Superfund training nationwide.
ERT conducts continuous Emergency Response Training at their River Road
Testing Station.
       The ERTl'Operations Support Section provides
on-site technical assistance when an urgent response is
required to contain spills or other chemical releases. OSS
assists Super-fund personnel to stabilize spill areas and
prevent downstream effects, and serves as a technical support
group for EPA regional offices regarding cleanups.
                     Hazardous chemical spill.

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I
                                                        The library is open to the public and contractors for reference use only. Library hours are
                                                        8 am. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
                         AWBERC's Library
                         houses the largest
                         collection in the EPA
                         library network
                         including over 17,000
                         books, 200,000 technical
                         reports, and an advanced
                         CD literary search
                         capability.
        Administration of these diverse programs covering
so many aspects of environmental control and preservation is
a monumental task. Like any large organization, there are
many administrative responsibilities such as property man-
agement, computer services, accounting, personnel develop-
ment, and labor relations to name only a few. The Office of
Administration and Resources Management (OARM)
provides this administrative support for AWBERC and many
other EPA facilities across the United States. With their
expert services, the task of research, development and im-
plementation of environmental regulations is done more
efficiently.
        The library at the Andrew W. Breidenbach Environ-
mental Research Center is a composite of the holdings, dating
from 1950, of the Public Health Service and the Federal Water
Pollution Control Administration. The facility was established
in 1971 and at one time served as the scientific and technical
focal point for all EPA libraries. It was moved to its present
location at the Center in 1976.
                                                               A WBERC Computer Center serves as the National Disaster Recovery Site for
                                                               the Agency mainframe computer systems and is the secondary national site for
                                                               the Agency statistical analysis system. It houses the major telecommunications
                                                               node for the Agency and serves as the AWBERC Information Center.

                                                                      The Facilities Management and Services Division
                                                               serves the Center and other facilities by overseeing construc-
                                                               tion, major repair, communications, property and supply
                                                               management, shipping and receiving, transportation, safety
                                                               and security services. The Contracts Management Division
                                                               controls contracts for research and development as well as all
                                                               construction contracts for the Center and others throughout
                                                               the nation.

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       Personnel matters are handled by the Human Re-
ources Management Division. This office supervises a
omprehensive management program for approximately 900
mployees. They oversee employee benefits, retirement
ounseling, career development, recruitment, labor relations,
raining, performance evaluations, and help plan and formu-
ite personnel policy.
       The Information Resources Management Division
irovides invaluable services to support work being done at
k.WBERC and to every other EPA facility. Information
upport services are managed from this office. Their state-of-
he-art program provides one central source of information
overing all aspects of EPA research and development. They
per ate the Computer Center which manages the Center's
ibrary, houses the major telecommunications node for the
'PA, operates the AWBERC's Information Center and serves
s the National Disasater Recovery Center for the Agency's
Computer Services. In essence, they facilitate smooth ex-
hange of information throughout the entire EPA organiza-
ion.
       The Center's Computer Center, under the manage-
nent of OARM, is responsible for support services for
nainframe and microcomputers, technical and management
onsultation, library management with major database access
or literature searches, technical assistance, needs analysis,
raining, and the Center's telecommunications.


       Like all federal government agencies, the Andrew W.
reidenbach Environmental Research Center is committed to
romoting equal employment opportunities for people of all
ices, ages, creeds and physical challenges. The Office of
'ivil Rights (OCR) advises and assists personnel at the
'enter and its off-site facilities regarding civil rights issues.
hey are responsible for alerting young people to career
pportunities in the environmental field.
       To accomplish this important task OCR facilitates the
?ederal Womeris Program, Minority Apprenticeship Program,
Jlack Employment Program and Hispanic Employment
'rogram as well as other programs for recruiting and career
levelopment of women. OCR prepares the Center's Affirma-
ive Action Program Plans.
   Composition of workforce:

                     Professional 63°/

          Clerical 14%,


    Technical 12%,



Administrative 7%


           Others 4%"

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                                 The Electron Microscope can detect asbestos fibers with its capability of 250,000 X
                                 magnification.
Full Containment Facility for Hazardous
Wastes. In 1989 EPA Cincinnati completed
construction of a specialized facility for
evaluating methods to test and treat
hazardous wastes. This state-of-the-art
facility, unique in the nation, includes
maximum safety features to preclude
exposure of employees or the surrounding
environment to hazardous chemicals.
        The Andrew W. Breidenbach Environmental
Research Center, a 10-story, 200,000 square foot building,
contains some of the most sophisticated equipment and
expert staff to research, develop and support environmental
activities. Its laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art
instruments such as one of the most powerful electron micro-
scopes in existence. The Electron Microscope Facility is
currently used to detect lead in drinking water and to analyze
results of exposure to asbestos.
        Hazardous wastes are tested and treated in the
newly completed Research Containment Facility for hazard-
ous waste. This facility is a self-contained, freestanding
facility that has an overall research area of 7,500 square feet. I
contains unparalleled safety features designed to protect its
employees and community. The Pathogenic Suite is the centei
for research to detect and identify microorganisms in drinkinj
water. Here standardized methods for pathogen analysis
(sources of disease) are developed. The Center also maintains
and operates six mobile treatment units which are able to be
sent to areas of contamination. They are used to study
treatment of industrial wastewaters, sludges, sediments and
certain liquid wastes. The Center also operates Drinking
Water Pilot Plants which evaluate such drinking water
treatment alternatives as chlorination, activated carbon,
filtration, diffused air aeration, packed column air stripping
and ozonation.
        The Center oversees several offsite laboratories:
The Test and Evaluation Facility adjacent to a municipal
wastewater treatment plant in the community provides the
EPA with the ability to study wastewater treatment needs am
to test new treatment methods. This facility houses compo-
nents of the RREL and is available for Agency wide use for
studying wastewater treatment. Here the EPA works with
both private and public agencies to find usable and innovativ
answers to wastewater problems.

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      The Center Hill Research Facility is the site of
;earch and development activities on landfills, contami-
ted soil, ground water remediation, expert systems and the
iposal of ash from municipal waste incinerators. Here the
1EL conducts tests on stabilization of hazardous waste and
-site treatment processes.
      The Bioassessment and Ecotoxicology Research
cility (EMSL) in Newtown, Ohio, conducts and supports
earch on living aquatic organisms that have been exposed
pollutants. EMSL uses this facility in the evaluation of
aatic testing procedures.
      The Incineration Research Facility in Jefferson,
kansas, is responsible for finding techniques to improve
ste burning methods for eliminating hazardous wastes,
;anic chemical mixtures and metals.
      The Releases Control Branch (RGB) in Edison, New
sey, develops equipment and methods to clean up hazard-
i wastes and chemicals which have been released into the
I, air and water. Work here resulted in the first mobile in-
eration unit in the United States which has safely elimi-
ed twelve million pounds of dioxin-containing wastes at
ht Superfund sites. The RGB, a component of RREL, also
ivides technical assistance to EPA emergency response
ms throughout the country.
     The Center currently has an
ployee Wellness Center which provides
iess seminars, exercise classes, and the
1 of Nautilus and other exercise equip-
nt.
     An early childhood development
ter, Future Environments, Inc. (FED is
> located on the premises. FEI provides
'elopmental childcare for EPA and other
leral employees and children in the
rounding community. FEI services
ints through five-year olds and can
ommodate 48 children.
                                                                                             17

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                           Index





Dedication	



Genesis	



Mission	



Office of the Senior Official for Research and Development.



Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory.	



Technical Suppc
Risk Reduction Engineering

               9                         x
Center for Environmental Research information^,	1
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Office of Technology Tilajrjsfer and Regulatory Support	1


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Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office	1



Environmental Response Team	1



Office of Administration and Resources Management	1



Office of Civil Rights	1



Unique Facilities	1

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