U.S. EPA Research and Development Improvement Network & Science Walk Poster Abstracts December 1-4,1997 ------- A number of individuals and organizations contribute to the research conducted by ORD. These organizations include other federal agencies, universities, and support contractors. The individuals identified under the PREPARED BY: portion of each abstract are those in ORD who are contact points regarding the efforts describedin the abstract. If additional information is needed from individuals involved in the work but outside of ORD, their names and telephone numbers are available from the contact points. Those of us involved in preparing this booklet thank all of our associates who helped in the mechanics of putting it together. Particularly, we thank Pat Burke who assembled the booklet into its final format, and Randy Bacon who took Pat's efforts and turned them into what you now have in hand. Most importantly, we want to thank all of the abstract preparers who put up with our critiques, and hopefully constructive criticisms, and willingly responded to our many telephone calls and E- mails. ------- Improvement Network Session Poster Abstracts Printed on Recycled Paper 1 ------- 1-1 MANAGING CHANGE IN ORD This poster will provide the central theme of Workshop II. PREPARED BY: Carol Finch, ORD, (202-564-6638) 1-2 COMMITMENT TO LONG-TERM CHANGE: CHANGE FOR A PURPOSE Demonstrates management's commitment to long-term change by showing a timeline of management improvement activities. Highlights activities which began at Workshop I continuing through the implemen- tation of Workshop II. The timeline offers potential improvement activities to roll out after Workshop II. PREPARED BY: Carol Finch, (202-564-6638), ORD 1-3 ORD COMMUNICATIONS FRAMEWORK Describes the activity that IOAA initiated as a commitment to developing a framework for a communications strategy. Also provides a hands-on demonstration using ORD's Intranet as an outreach strategy. PREPARED BY: Carol Finch, (202-564-6638), ORD 1-4 MANAGEMENT COUNCIL The ORD Management Council worked on a wide variety of management issues, including those that fall into the five improvement areas. Accomplishments fall into categories of budgeting and planning, financial management, human resource management, information management, red tape, and infrastructure. The ORD Management Council has identified major goals for the next year that will continue to improve the overall management of ORD. PREPARED BY: Colleen Lentini, (202-564-6686), ORMA 1-5 OFFICE OF SCIENCE POLICY(OSP) WHO? The Office of Science Policy—the result of the reorganization of the old Office of Science Policy and the Office of Research and Science Integration—is a Headquarters office with many missions. What are those missions and why should you care? Who are those OSP staff and why are they calling you? What improvements have we made this past year? Our on-screen slide presentation answers these questions and more! PREPARED BY: Mary Ellen Radzikowski, (202-564-6757), OSP ICD-6 CAREER DEVELOPMENT Career Development was identified as one of the "first five issues" at the 1996 ORD Organizational Change meeting. Many concerns were identified including lack of information on career development ------- opportunities, lack of resources for training, and limited use of indi- vidual development plans. An action plan addressing career develop- ment improvements was prepared. The plan included improving the distribution of information on career development and a number of specific actions on individual development plans, resources, and management support for these activities. Each ORD organization and the Human Resources Council have made significant progress in implementing the 1996 action plan. In fact, many activities have far exceeded the 1996 ideas. This poster group will highlight the many actions taken across ORD in the last year. PREPARED BY: Nancy Wentworth (202-564-6830), ORD Career Advancement and Development Workgroup ICD-7 HUMAN RESOURCES COUNCIL (HRC) RECOMMENDATIONS ORD's HRC's Career Development Workgroup is recommending that ORD institute a comprehensive Career Development Program for all managerial, scientific and engineering, administrative, and secre- tarial employees by implementing a three-component Program which includes: (1) Career Planning, (2) Training, and (3) Advancement Opportunities. A comprehensive and equitable Career Development Program will serve to prepare ORD for the future by making the best utilization of the skills and interests of ORD staff and by identifying future needs of the organization. The HRC will brief the ORD Man- agement and Science Councils on the recommended Program and present an overview of the recommendations at the 1997 Chance Workshop. It is recognized that career development is a joint responsibility of both the employee and ORD management. Each employee has the ultimate responsibility for his/her career development. However, ORD must provide the appropriate tools, and management must determine the needs of the organization and be held accountable for implementa- tion of the Career Development Program. PREPARED BY: Kelly Leovic (919-541-7717), NRMRL, Nancy Wentworth (202-564-6830), NCERQA ICD-8 CAREERPOINT CAREER DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM CareerPoint is a computer-based Career Development System which assists employees in understanding the career development process, evaluating strengths and preferences, identifying development areas, creating development goals, developing specific career develop- ment plans, and preparing for career discussions with their managers. An ORD-wide Test Panel was organized to determine if: (a) on an individual basis — was CareerPoint useful? and (b) as an organization ------- — should ORD provide it to all employees and promote its use? CareerPoint was installed in RTF, Cincinnati, Edison, Athens, DC, Duluth, and Las Vegas. An evaluation form was developed, the software was tested, and a review of the findings was presented to the ORD Human Resource Council. The test panel concluded that CareerPoint is a useful Career Development Tool which merits ORD- wide support to promote access to it for all ORD employees. PREPARED BY: Barry Goldfarb, (202-564-6741), ORMA ICD-9 ORD'S TRAINING EXCHANGE ASSIGNMENTS ORD has developed and is implementing a training exchange program to allow ORMA and National Laboratories/Centers employees an opportunity to gain a better understanding of how the different ORD organizations operate. The program is designed to provide training in a variety of functions, including administration and resources manage- ment in ORD Headquarters and the ORD Laboratories and Centers. To date, one ORMA person has worked at NHEERL-RTP, and one NRMRL person has worked with ORMA in Headquarters as part of this exchange program. PREPARED BY: Peter Durant, (202-564-6746), ORMA ICD-10 ORD MENTORING PROGRAM The ORD Mentoring Program will provide opportunities for all ORD employees to receive individualized counseling and guidance. This assistance can enhance their proficiency and support their career • development and professional growth. Mentoring can improve the effectiveness of the organization and the people in it. When successful mentoring takes place within any organization, a nurturing, learning environment develops and becomes part of the overall culture. Mentoring is typically implemented as a component of a comprehen- sive human resource program. The ORD program is designed to: increase recognition of people's knowledge and expertise; provide another mechanism for staff to develop and improve their knowledge, skills, and abilities; empower staff to customize their training and development activities along non-traditional lines; foster cooperation across ORD; enhance individual development and growth opportuni- ties; encourage greater communication and an open culture; provide employees with greater job satisfaction; and enhance career develop- ment. PREPARED BY: Jayne Ramsey, (202-564-6736), ORMA ------- ICD-11 INCORPORATING A REVIEW OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT AS PART OF THE ORD MANAGEMENT REVIEW PROGRAM The process for conducting internal management reviews at ORD sites may be amended to include data gathering on career development, mentoring, performance standards, training, and Individual Develop- ment Plan activities. The review could look into the allocation of resources for training and other dimensions of career development such as promotions, implementation of the dual track system, and career development plans. The goal would be to identify successful practices and opportunities for improving career development activities. PREPARED BY: Steven Smith (202-564-6738), ORMA ICD-12 OFFICE OF SCIENCE (OSP) POLICY ACTIVITIES The OSP has undertaken a number of activities relating to career and organizational development. Internal and external training/ rotational assignments have been completed by many of the staff. The Office of Human Resources and Organizational Services provided coaching to managers and supervisors on the development and use of Individual Development Plans. From a larger perspective, OSP is working with organizational change/management consultants to address some of the issues attendant to the February 1997 merger of Office of Research and Science Integration and the original OSP. Activities have included three All Hands Meetings on change issues, including a two-day workshop, selection of a "transition team" to chart the course of change, and a series of coaching sessions for the leader- ship group. This effort will continue into mid-year 1998. PREPARED BY: Mary Ellen Radzikowski (202-564-6757), OSP ICD-13 NATIONAL EXPOSURE RESEARCH LABORATORY (NERL) ACTIVITIES The NERL has undertaken a number of activities. NERL is developing a standard protocol entitled "Policy and Procedures for NERL's Orientation Program for New Employees" for use by new hires to help them understand the organizational and administrative proce- dures of NERL and ORD. Also, NERL has established a long-term training program (with no grade-level restrictions) to aid employees in acquiring training necessary to enhance their careers. The new para- digm of conducting more in-house research requires that some Project Managers return to the bench — NERL has created a course on human exposure assessment to help employees in this transition. All NERL employees recently received an E-Mail inviting them to join NERL's Career Enhancement and Development Improvement Workgroup (seven new employees volunteered). Areas identified for ------- future investigation are: career promotion pathways available for professionals not directly performing research (e.g., Quality Assurance Officers, Project Officers, etc.); individual development plans' (IDPs') policy; training opportunities (catalogue them and identify barriers); performance evaluation systems (these are not uniform across the NERL - does this effect employees promotional potentials?) PREPARED BY: Bob Graves (513-569-7197), NERL ICD-14 NATIONAL CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (NCEA) ACTIVITIES The NCEA established a work group with representatives from each of its locations to develop solutions to the career development issues identified at the first Williamsburg conference. After looking at other group's follow-up actions, it was decided that NCEA would await the outputs of the ORMA activities on mentoring and the use of Career Point. Efforts to expand scientific training opportunities, develop individual development plans, improve upward mobility, and expand career progression options are continuing. PREPARED BY: Chon Shoaf (919-541 -4155), NCEA ICD-15 NATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT RESEARCH LABORATORY (NRMRL) ACTIVITIES The NRMRL has done a number of things to address career development concerns within the Laboratory. They conducted an analysis of travel utilization for administrative activities versus techni- cal travel which showed more money was going to technically related travel. They also looked at Individual Development Plans (IDPs), and decided that supervisors should let staff know that IDPs are available, and it is the staff's responsibility to initiate the IDP development. In addition, they designated a Laboratory Career Development resources person and established a new hire mentoring program. Peer panel promotion guidelines were established for administrative positions from GS-5 through GS-13 level, and science positions from GS-11 through GS-15, and a flow chart documenting the processes was prepared. The Laboratory is also investigating professional certifica- tions for staff as a means of documenting staff qualifications and credibility. PREPARED BY: George Moore (513-569-7991), NRMRL ICD-16 NATIONAL HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS RESEARCH LABORATORY(NHEERL) ACTIVITIES The NHEERL established a NHEERL Action Team that prepared a draft career development plan that (1) defines what a viable career development program should strive to be; (2) states objectives of such a 6 ------- plan; (3) defines several areas of concern; and (4) presents problems and solutions associated with each area of concern. A number of significant issues were discussed and decisions/conclusions made. A few of these are listed below. • A commitment was made to hire for the Laboratory a Human Resource Coordinator who has expertise in career development activities. • Division Directors will be encouraged to provide the opportunity to develop and to implement Individual Development Plans for all staff. • Desirability of developing a long-term training and mentoring programs will be investigated. • An effort will be made to identify in a user-friendly catalogue what kinds of course offerings on training and other career development activities are available to Laboratory staff. • Establish a standing Career Development committee within NHEERL. More information on NHEERL's activities can be found on the ORD Career Development Intranet site (www.cin.epa.gov and then find ORMA). PREPARED BY: Steve Broderius (218-720-5574), NHEERL ICD-17 NATIONAL CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND QUALITY ASSURANCE (NCERQA) A core group of staff from the Environmental Engineering Re- search Division initiated a Career Development Work Group that identified a cluster of issues for management's attention: lack of awareness of award and career development opportunities and policies in ORD and the Agency. Additional discussions with other NCERQA staff affirmed the issues. A number of actions were taken, including making Awards' manuals available and providing a report on awards made in the previous year to NCERQA employees. A Career Development workshop was conducted using the WorkPower Plus system from Career Systems Advantage, Inc."information. The workshop was well-received and could easily be used across ORD as a planning tool to encourage the development and use of individual development plans. It is likely that additional workshops will be held for NCERQA staff. The request for a system for tracking resources used for career development (travel money, registration fees, and time of staff) and awards has been "put on hold" pending modifications to OMIS and resolution on questions of confidentiality of awards and career development information. PREPARED BY: Nancy Wentworth (202-564-6830), NCERQA ------- ICD-18 SCIENTIFIC/PROFESSIONAL TECHNICAL (SIT) PROMOTION PROCESS ORD S/T Promotion Process — ORD has established a new process to provide promotion opportunities for its bench scientists and engineers. This provides an avenue for promoting ORD researchers who have world-class qualifications to promotions above the GS-15 level (S/T scientists and engineers are compensated at levels similar to Senior Executive Service members). ORD has formed a Technical Qualification Board for reviewing and recommending promotions to the S/T level with an emphasis on internal ORD candidates. PREPARED BY: Peter Durant (202-564-6746), ORMA IR-19 REDUCING RED TAPE ORD-WIDE Red Tape emerged from the first Williamsburg Workshop as an item of significant concern to staff throughout ORD. Since the Workshop, considerable attention has been paid at the local level to reducing red tape involved in transactions or processes where authority exists to make changes. The Red Tape Synergy Group was formed shortly after the Williamsburg Workshop. Comprised of a member from each Laboratory, Center, or Office its purpose is to serve as a medium for exchange of information regarding local successes. Its further purpose is to provide a vehicle for raising issues to higher levels for resolution where authority for resolution does not exist locally. To date, the Group has recommended that eleven additional delegations be made to lower levels of the organization. The Group has served as a catalyst for raising issues regarding Responsibility Center Consolida- tion and Bank Card procedures as well. There are still a number of red tape issues, and some of these are likewise being addressed. However, the 1997 Survey data show Red Tape to still be a matter of significant concern. As part of this poster presentation, viewers will be asked to note their comments and suggestions for further work. The ORD-Wide Red Tape poster consists of three panels. The first gives background from Williamsburg I, the second depicts the work of the ORD-Wide Red Tape group, and the third lists remaining issues and solicits comments from the viewers. These posters were prepared by Richard Garnas, Ken Dawsey, and Mary Shaffran. PREPARED BY: Ken Dawsey, (850-934-9361), NCEA Red Tape IR-20 REDUCING RED TAPE: THE BACKGROUND ONE YEAR AGO Red Tape topped the list at ORD's first improvement workshop last year. Participants from across ORD noted that a CYA culture exists with a general lack of trust, empowerment, or appropriate delegation. This condition has resulted in frustration and low morale for employees as well as a loss of research momentum. Participants' recommenda 8 ------- ions for reducing red tape fell into five broad action areas: (1) re- delegate to lowest possible level; (2) review, evaluate, and revise ORD policies and procedures for value-added and accountability; (3) service-oriented ORE) organizations act as facilitators and not barriers; (4) communicate ORD rules; and (5) simplify Lab Implementation Plans and reduce information requests. PREPARED BY: Richard Garnas, (702-798-2235), ORD Red Tape Workgroup IR-21 NATIONAL EXPOSURE RESEARCH LABORATORY-WIDE IMPROVEMENT NETWORK (NERLWIN) The objective of the NERLWIN is to solicit ideas with openness (and amnesty), listen to issues, commit to working as partners to find solutions for making NERL and ORD more efficient and effective, and strengthen communications NERL-wide regarding the Williamsburg follow-on activities. Members advise and assist the Laboratory Director in developing effective policies, strategies, and programs for the five ORD-Wide Improvement Opportunities: integrating science with EPA mission, infrastructure and resources to support science, reducing red tape, improving communication, and career advancement and development. It is our belief that participants at all levels is a key element in providing guidance and direction to NERL and ORD management in the implementation of these activities. PREPARED BY: Richard Garnas, (702-798-2235), NERL IR-22 RED TAPE WORKGROUP The Red Tape Workgroup is comprised of 12 members represent- ing the Immediate Office of the Director, the Research and Administra- tive Support Division, the Management Coordination Division, and each National Health Environmental Effects Research Laboratory Division. The Workgroup is charged with identifying problems caused by unnecessary red tape, searching for solutions, and recommending remedial action. This includes researching the background for each action item, making contact outside NHEERL as necessary, understand- ing the requirements of ORD and/or the Agency versus that of NHEERL specifically. Thus far, the Workgroup has actively addressed the following eight administrative issues: delegations, signature requirements for ADP purchases, electronic forms, personnel actions, store stock requisitions, bankcards, hazardous agent protocols, and professional services contracts. Recommendations for five of the eight areas have been implemented with the remaining three well underway. PREPARED BY: Debbie Andrews, (919-541-4911), NHEERL 9 ------- IR-23 NATIONAL CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (NCEA) RED TAPE REDUCTION Red Tape was identified as an impediment to producing research products and fulfilling the overall mission of NCEA in the first em- ployee survey conducted by ORD. After the Williamsburg I Workshop, NCEA formed an internal Red Tape Reduction Team with representa- tives from each NCEA Division. The Team first conducted an assess- ment of the red tape issues identified in the Williamsburg I Workshop to determine which issues were most important to NCEA. Then the assessment was distributed to all NCEA staff with a request for comments and suggestions on what are the most important red tape problems that interfere with getting their jobs done. Staff response pointed out several problem areas, many of which remain. Since that time NCEA has made some progress in reducing red tape. Internal steps have been taken within some NCEA Divisions to delegate responsibility further down the line or to make procedures more user- friendly. There is, however, much that needs to be accomplished in this area, and a long-term effort will be necessary to make substantial progress. PREPARED BY: Joe DeSantis, (202-260-0436), NCEA IR-24 REDUCING RED TAPE IN THE NATIONAL EXPOSURE RE- SEARCH LABORATORY (NERL): A SUMMARY OF ACCOM- PLISHMENTS At the conclusion of the ORD Improvement Workshop last year, NERL participants committed to reducing red tape in the following eight areas listed below: • Review and revise the NERL delegations of authority. • Work on an easy access electronic system. • Involve NERL individuals in the review and revision of ORD policies and procedures: sole source justifications; lAGs, other vehicles; international travel; and bank card. • Implement the two signature model and work with ORMA on its implementation • Revise lab notebook system to account for electronic information consistent with NERL policy. • Ensure NERL project research plan includes QA, peer review, etc. • Involve NERL managers in budget decisions. • Use electronic signature wherever possible. PREPARED BY: Richard Garnas (702-798-2235), NERL 10 ------- IR-25 INTEGRITY PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL (IPC): A PILOT AP- PROACH TO REDUCING RED TAPE The Federal Managers Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA) requires us to maintain vigilancejn safeguarding the government's resources and to make improvements in our work processes while remaining responsive to our clients. What has evolved at NERL-Las Vegas since the Act's implementation is an IPC which is composed of local administrative specialists who wage war on unnecessary red tape by: (1) recognizing and addressing potential or existing administrative obstacles; (2) establishing a reasonable schedule of internal self-assessments; (3) reducing duplications or illogical steps in administrative processes; and (4) adding stability and confidence in support services. The IPC strives to develop issues for review; deliberate on potential improvements; decide on recommendations to forward for management consideration and implementation; and dissolve the focus on that particular issue and begin again. PREPARED BY: Richard Garnas (702-798-2235), NERL IR-26 OFFICE OF RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRA- TION (ORMA) IN MOTION: MOVING TO CUT RED TAPE Over the past year, ORMA has worked to reduce red tape in internal ORMA processes, ORD-wide procedures, and at the Agency- wide level. While there have been several successes, ORMA looks forward to further improvements in FY 1998. PREPARED BY: Jim Morant (202-564-6681), ORMA IR-27 THE NATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT LABORATORY (NRMRL) RED TAPE The NRMRL, has been proactive in cutting red tape at both the Laboratory and the Division levels. At the Laboratory level, we carefully analyzed delegations with emphasis on acquisition and human resource functions. The goal was to identify opportunities to redelegate approvals to the lowest appropriate level. It was determined that there were many instances in which the Laboratory Director had the authority to delegate approval to a lower level. On April 10, 1997, the Laboratory Director dramatically enhanced delegations down to the Division Directors. In the acquisition area, this included enhanced delegations for contracts, cooperative agreements and interagency agreements. In the Human Resource area, delegations were enhanced in the long-term training, overtime pay, time off awards and for other performance based actions. In addition, the Divisions were encouraged to cut red tape within their operations. One example of this was in the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Division (APPCD) which commissioned a cross division team to identify red tape cutting 11 ------- opportunities. The team came up with a number of suggestions and recommendations. As a result, APPCD management has implemented major changes to current policies to eliminate unnecessary approvals and simplify cumbersome procedures. Such changes included: elimination of computer purchase justification, delegation of SEE training to Branch Chiefs, eliminate need for branch level travel plans, and simplified leave procedures for PHS Corp Officers. PREPARED BY: Frank T. Princiotta, (919-541-2821), NRMRL IC-28 OFFICE OF RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRA- TION (ORMA) COMMUNICATIONS Identifies the technological approaches taken by ORMA to enhance communications among ORD employees. PREPARED BY: Cliff Moore (202-564-6513), ORMA IC-29 OFFICE OF RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRA- TION (ORMA) INTRANET Identifies this technology as a tool for communications and explores the potential for this mechanism for ORMA and ORD. PREPARED BY: Cliff Moore (202-564-6513), ORMA IC-30 NATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT RESEARCH LABORATORY (NRMRL) COMMUNICATIONS PROJECTS The communications workgroup, with the full participation and cooperation of the NRMRL staff and management and the hard work of the other four Laboratories improvement areas, would like to highlight . the communication successes which have been developed or occurred over the past year. These successes have included: • An update of the E-mail system at each of the four Office locations to allow trouble-free interaction; • Subsurface Protection and Remediation Division's (Ada's) website is averaging over 1,000 "hits" a month; • Senior staff meeting minutes are available to all the staff; • Completion and follow-up of an informal NRMRL communications survey; • Staff input was provided to improve the NRMRL monthly report; • Development of an Internet and Intranet communications strategy by the Technical Transfer and Support Division; • The communications workgroup is developing an interactive list server to allow NRMRL staff to post improvement ideas to the workgroup; • Nearly all staff are satisfied with the hardware and software capabilities provided on their personal computers according to the NRMRL communications survey. PREPARED BY: Thomas Holdsworth (513-569-7675), NRMRL 12 ------- IC-31 NATIONAL HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS RESEARCH LABORATORY(NHEERL) The NHEERL Communications Opportunity Workgroup, compris- ing of a representative from each Division within NHEERL, discussed the results of the Williamsburg ballot and then presented opportunity, areas from each respective Division. The Williamsburg communica- tions ballot items were prioritized by number of votes and arrayed to link local communication issues, NHEERL communication issues and to develop an implementation plan, which was then presented to and accepted by NHEERL senior management. Details of our approach and accomplishments are presented in this poster. We consider our work to be a multi-year opportunity process initiated at the 1996 Williamsburg Meeting and implemented through subse- quent meetings, conference calls, and video conferences. Every NHEERL employee is encouraged to participate by volunteering comments on proposals, providing comments through amnesty boxes, and volunteering time in various opportunity areas. The collective willingness of all NHEERL staff to assertively participate in these improvements is reaping positive rewards for this Laboratory and its workforce. PREPARED BY: NHEERL Communications Improvement Group, James Harvey, Chair (850-934-9237) IC-32 THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESS- MENT (NCSA): BUILDING COMMUNICATION LINKAGES Since the Williamsburg Workshop in 1996, NCEA has taken up the issue of improving communication as a critical development goal. Beginning with debriefings at each NCEA location and the formation of a Communications Improvement Workgroup, NCEA has been striving for effective communication linkages across the entire organi- zation. As examples: a series of team building workshops proved a meaningful forum for reflecting on the diversity of interests and communication needs that exist in NCEA; the Technical Information Exchange seminars highlight recent project activities of NCEA scien- tists; the Director's Science Discussion Meetings have helped improve understanding of technical projects; and an entrepreneurial effort that resulted in an E-mail MOVE-NEWS newsletter kept the staff informed before, during, and after negotiations for a lease on new NCEA office space. To a wider audience, the NCEA website serves as a display case for the organization highlighting our goals, capabilities and products while linking to other helpful sites. Over twelve thousand accessions have been made since going on line in May. Priority additions still in the formative stages include a technical expertise 13 ------- directory (in cooperation with the NCEA Integrating Science Group), chat rooms, and other exciting features. NCEA@Work, an on-line intranet site supplementing the public access web page, is expected to be completed in December, It will serve the day-to-day information needs of our staff as well providing important items of interest to the rest of ORD and EPA. PREPARED BY: The NCEA Improving Communication Workgroup: Bob Frederick, Kim Hoang, David Cleverly, Joe Corbett, and Dave Oberlin, (202-260-0689), NCEA IC-33 ENHANCING THE FLOW OF INFORMATION IN AND FROM THE NATIONAL EXPOSURE RESEARCH LABORATORY (NERL) The NERL is pursuing improvements in both internal and external communications through the use of the EPA Intranet and the EPA Internet. Four of the NERL Divisions, the Center for Exposure Assessment Modeling, as well as project specific areas such as the Microbiology Home page and the Atmospheric Modeling Initiative have a presence on the EPA Public Access Server. Since March of 1997, the number of hits on NERL Web Sites has increased from approximately 30,000 per month to over 70,000 per month. The goal is to make public as much information as possible so that the research community and the general public can see and understand the work being performed by the NERL. Internally, the NERL has developed an Intranet presence designed to provide NERL employees and other interested parties information that will help them in their day-to-day jobs, as well as enhancing their ability to interact with their colleagues throughout the agency (http:// www.cin.epa.gov/nerl/). Using a combination of Lotus Notes Applica- tions and regular HTML Coding, discussion databases have been created and an Ecosystems Intranet work site is being designed and created. By placing the delegations of authority and other information on Lotus Notes servers deployed throughout the NERL, employees and others have real time access to data as it is posted and subsequently amended. PREPARED BY: Rosemarie C. Russo and Christopher Byrne (706-355-8010), NERL IC-34 NETWORKED ANALYTICAL DATA SYSTEMS (NADS) ORD is in the process of making data gathered on various pieces of scientific equipment and projects available on the Intranet through the NADS. Using Lotus Notes servers deployed at all ORD Sites, the goal is to have data generated made available in real-time. Currently, information is available including the National UV Monitoring Net- work, EMAP, AFM Images, and other Microscopy Images. Included 14 ------- on the NADS Intranet Site is an AVI Movie File of a Virtual Reality "Fly By" of Hunlic Acid on Graphite. In addition, there are discussion groups to allow for the free flow exchange of information ideas within ORD. The potential-tise of this technology will result in a better understanding of each others' work and provide a platform for the sharing and exchange of ideas and information. PREPARED BY: Rosemarie C. Russo and Christopher Byrne (706-355-8010), NERL IRI-35 SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS The Office of Resources Management and Administration coordi- nates the work of the Capital Equipment Committee to purchase scientific equipment (approximately $5M/year). ORD created a capital equipment escrow to set aside resources needed by Laboratories to purchase scientific equipment costing $75K and above. Using these resources, Laboratories have been able to purchase new state-of-the art equipment and/or replace technically obsolete, aged equipment. As a result, scientific equipment was deleted from FMFIA material weak- ness report in FY 1995. Nonetheless, ORD efforts to improve the condition of Laboratories' scientific equipment are continuing. Man- aged by Capital Equipment Committee to ensure optimum utilization, an average of $5.0M per year is provided to purchase scientific equipment costing $75K and above for Laboratories. PREPARED BY: Jason C. Choe (202-564-6729), ORMA IRI-36 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE: A PROGRESS REPORT At the first ORD Workshop in 1996, many resource issues were identified requiring clarification and data gathering. All Laboratories/ Centers/Offices formed work groups to work on these issues. A cross- cutting look at resource/infrastructure issues that ORD has completed as well as some future plans are displayed in our progress report. PREPARED BY: Kay Waters (202-564-6727), ORMA IRI-37 NATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT RESEARCH LABORATORY (NRMRL) RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE WORK GROUP The NRMRL Resources and Infrastructure Work Group examined the question of how to most effectively apply our fiscal and personnel resources and research infrastructure to conduct high-quality, signifi- cant, in-house research. The approach used was: (1) characterize the current condition, (2) envision a desired future state, (3) identify issues and obstacles, and (4) develop an action plan. To better understand our current condition and to frame a desired future state, preliminary benchmarking interviews were conducted with representatives of 15 ------- several highly respected government and private research organiza- tions. Our current condition reflects our historical mixture of extramu- ral and in-house operations, and a management emphasis on extramural funding. In contrast, the interviews reveal that other research organiza- tions place a strong management emphasis on their people and their products. A significant transition will be required within NRMRL to change a primarily in-house, performance-based operation with a focus on people and products. Most aspects .of that transition appear to be under the control of ORD and NRMRL, management, and staff. A13- point future state was identified, and 23 actions are recommended. One key recommendation is to continually benchmark high-performance research organizations world-wide and identify and utilize practicable improvements to ORD and NRMRL research planning and execution. PREPARED BY: Frank Freestone (908-321-6632), NRMRL IRI-38 LABORATORY IMPROVEMENTS The Office of Resources Management and Administration coordi- nates about $7M a year to fund major repair and improvement projects (>$75K) for our Laboratories. These funds are allocated from the Agency's Building and Facilities Appropriation. Additionally, ORD allocates approximately $4M per year from its S&T funds to support repair and improvement projects costing $75K or less. Our charts will display the funding as allocated by Lab for FY 1997, FY 1998 and FY 1999. PREPARED BY: Jack Simmons, (202-564-6732), ORMA IRI-39 TRAVEL: FY 1997 Detailed review of travel by categories was prepared by all Laboratories/Centers/Offices in response to the specific request of ORD Workshop I. The categories included; training, scientific meet- ings, administrative, management, and others. This summary is provided to display how ORD spent its travel funds in FY 1997. PREPARED BY: Cliff Moore, (202-564-6513), ORMA IRI-40 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT SCIENCE: A NATIONAL EXPOSURE RESEARCH LABORATORY (NERL) SUMMARY During the first ORD Improvement workshop one year ago, NERL participants committed to the following improvement activities for resources and infrastructure to support science listed below: • Reach agreement between Laboratory Director and scientists on definition of research. • Influence and contribute to ORD definition of infrastructure. • Define "core" research areas to sustain/protect. 16 ------- • Evaluate "acceptable" allocation of infrastructure; it must be protected. • Maintain long-term stability (3-5 years) of infrastructure essential for strong research capability. « Include travel and FTE allocations in infrastructure. » Ensure that all teams/Pis are aware of their infrastructure allocations. • Periodically adjust infrastructure to reflect dynamic nature of research. • Ensure research infrastructure data are robust—resource simulation models. PREPARED BY: Richard Garnas, (702-798-2235), NERL IRI-41 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (IR) TEAM The National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) IR Team developed an Infrastructure Definition that was appropriate for use in determining the essential types of support necessary to maintain the core capabilities of NCEA. It then applied that definition in a careful review of the FY 1997 budget and supplied that information to the Management Deputies for their review. The definition was and continues to be used in defining information to be included in the LIPS. Other improvements made by NCEA in this opportunity area include the following: • Development of a Strategic IRM Plan to guide the acquisition and use of computer equipment and software to better serve staff needs both now and over a five-year time frame. « Major immediate improvements in the purchase of PCs and software throughout the organization. • Organizing the move to a new facility on 17th Street, including ordering furniture and equipment to meet individual needs and organizational effectiveness. PREPARED BY: Joe Corbett, (202-260-7665), NCEA IRI-42 NATIONAL HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS RESEARCH LABORATORY (NHEERL) INFRASTRUCTURE OPPORTUNITY GROUP: 1997 The "old" definition of infrastructure was vague so the first task of the Infrastructure Opportunity Group (IOG) was to define "Infrastruc- ture." Using guidance from the ORD Williamsburg I meeting, the major components of the definition were determined. Included in the definition is support for training, travel, operating expenses, staffing, and extramural resources. Next, through frequent conference call discussions with NHEERL divisional representatives, action plans to 17 ------- address each of these components were generated. The plans were discussed with NHEERL management in June and fined tuned. The - NHEERL definition has been disseminated to the other ORD Infra- structure Groups, and an ORD consensus in definition is being devel- oped. Discussions with NHEERL management about the implementa- tion of the action plans are underway. PREPARED BY: Elizabeth George (919-541-5036), NHEERL IIS-43 GOAL TO IMPROVE THE INTEGRATION OF ORD SCIENCE INTO THE MISSION OF EPA The National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL) made two commitments at Williamsburg I related to improving the integration of ORD science into the mission of the Agency. We have completed one of our commitments which was the installation of an ORD homepage @ HTTP://WWW/CIN.EPA.GOV/WORKGROUP as well as a chat room @ HTTP://WEBNT.CIN.EPA.GOV.4080 both of which have the complete electronic posting of all communications by the ORD workgroup dealing with the integration science issue. The chat room permits real time, electronic communication by up to 25 people in EPA simultaneously on a topic of mutual interest. The second commitment was to facilitate a "State of Science Meeting" on a topic of mutual interest among ORD, the operating programs and regions. Some 37 potential topics have been identified by the participants and a round of priority setting voting has been completed within ORD. Media specific priority topics were also solicited from the research coordinating councils. The current topics of primary interest in ORD were "Disinfection-by-Products and Microbiological Risks in Drinking Water - Sources to Consumption" as well as Endocrine Disrupters. The workgroup could not reach consensus on the appropriate topic for the first "State of Science Meeting" or the primary purpose of the meet- ings. Some members felt the primary purpose of such a meeting was to improve research coordination among the ORD organizations. Others felt that the primary purpose was to improve technical communications among ORD, the operating programs and the Regions. Others felt that we needed an improved planning system, and these state-of-science meetings would be a first step in a series of improved research planning meetings. Other discussion issues included who should attend these meetings, ORD researchers, ORD grantees, outside experts, all of the above. PREPARED BY: John J. Convery, (513-569-7986), NRMRL 18 ------- IIS-44 NATIONAL EXPOSURE RESEARCH LABORATORY (NERL) IMPROVEMENTS IN INTEGRATING SCIENCE WITH EPA's MISSION fe The NERL accomplishments in the area of integrating science with EPA mission include the creation of increased opportunities for interaction among NERL scientists at various sites and between NERL scientists and other ORD scientists and clients in the program offices and regions. This was done through the establishment of NERL home- pages on the Internet and Intranet and through participation in the establishment of the ORD-wide bulletin boards and chat rooms. A NERL research strategy was developed to summarize current research including links to other EPA programs and to identify major issues and client research needs. It also serves as a framework for areas of future research. In addition, NERL developed clear definitions of applied/ basic research and short- and long-term research and held subject area workshops for resource planning attended by Human Exposure and Ecological Exposure lead scientists. PREPARED BY: Gerard N. Stelma, Jr. (513-569-7384), NERL IIS-45 GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND RESULTS ACT (GPRA): UTILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY The GPRA comes into full implementation in FY 1999 requiring Federal Agencies to link program activity to performance. GPRA gives the EPA an opportunity to better demonstrate how it is successfully achieving its mission. To do this, the Agency has identified 10 goals which contribute to its mission. Much of ORD's efforts contribute to achievement of Goal 8 to "provide sound science to improve under- standing of environmental risk.." ORD also helps to achieve other EPA goals such as Clean Air and Clean and Safe Water. This poster provides information abo.ut the GPRA requirements and what ORD has done to meet these requirements. PREPARED BY: David Kryak and Howard Cantor (202-564-6709), ORMA 19 ------- Science Walk Session Poster Abstracts 20 ------- S-01 UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY OF MECHANISMS FOR DIOXIN FORMATION IN COMBUSTION SYSTEMS NRMRL has been conducting research on the formation of poly- chlorinated dibenzodioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (diox- ins) in combustion systems. Use of NRMRL/APPCD combustors, field combustors, and mobile diesel vehicles has shown that dioxins form from incomplete combustion reactions in the presence of sufficient amounts of chlorine and catalytic surfaces. Dioxins most typically form in the cooling portion of combustion systems, from temperatures between 650°C to 300°C. Catalytic surfaces are necessary to promote dioxin formation; these catalysts are usually transition metals, such as copper (Cu) and iron (Fe). This mechanistic work has developed two technologies that prevent formation of dioxins. The first, termed SICORE, involves high temperature sorbent injection to bind up hydrogen chloride (HC1) and chlorine (C12), making Cl unavailable to chlorinate the multi-ring dioxin structures. SICORE has been patented and an exclusive license has been granted to Nalco Fuel Tech to encourage commercialization. The second technology that prevents dioxin formation relies on a common pollutant, sulfur dioxide (SO2), to reduce levels of dioxin. The effect of SO2 to reduce dioxin levels has recently been demonstrated at a field waste combustor where minor amounts of co-fired high sulfur coal greatly reduced dioxin formation. The effect of SO2 is likely responsible for the very low observed emissions from coal-fired power plants. Research on this effect continues in order to identify the mechanism and promote this preven- tative approach. This research program aims to further understand the genesis of organic pollutants as byproducts from combustion processes. Many of these pollutants, including dioxins and polycyclic aromatic hydrocar- bons (PAHs), are extremely toxic and environmentally persistent. Further understanding of mechanisms that promote formation of complex toxic organics from small, unburnt hydrocarbon fragments in the presence of surface catalysts will lead to methods for preventing formation of such pollutants. PREPARED BY: Frank T. Princiotta, NRMRL (919-541-2821) and Brian K. Gullett, NRMRL (919-541-1534) S-02 BIOGENIC EMISSIONS National and regional biogenic emissions can make major contri- butions to total VOC emissions which result in ozone compliance problems. Ozone control strategies must produce NOx emission reductions in areas with high biogenic VOC emissions (biogenic 21 ------- emissions are over half of all annual VOC emissions and are an even higher proportion during ozone episodes.) Without knowledge on biogenic emission contributions, Agency control strategies can very well focus on ineffective VOC-only reductions resulting in the waste of millions of dollars on VOC emission controls. Recent field studies have validated the efficacy of the biogenic emissions model developed to allow for estimation of these emissions as a function of location and other factors. PREPARED BY: Frank T. Princiotta (919-541-2821), NRMRL S-03 FINE PARTICULATE MATTER FROM COMBUSTION SOURCES: PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL, AND HEALTH EFFECTS CHARACTERISTICS Researchers at the National Risk Management Research Labora- tory (NRMRL) and the National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL) are conducting a joint research project to improve the understanding of combustion source operations and health effects. This work will help define the origins and mechanisms of adverse health impacts due to increases in ambient particulate levels. By combining the expertise and facilities of NRMRL's Air Pollution Technology Branch (APTB) on combustion source operations and emissions with that of NHEERL's Pulmonary Toxicology Branch (PTB) on damage to lung function from exposure to particulate matter, it is hypnotized that a link between specific types of particulate sources and adverse health impacts can be determined. This project is a clear case of how cooperative research involving diverse areas of expertise can improve the scientific understanding of complex issues. PREPARED BY: Frank T. Princiotta (919-541-2821), NRMRL, and Daniel Costa, (919-541-2532), NHEERL S-04 EXPOSURE FACTORS HANDBOOK The 1997 Exposure Factors Handbook provides a summary of the available statistical data on various factors assessing human exposure. Volume I, General Factors, includes an introduction and discussion of variability and uncertainty and provides data for drinking water consumption, soil ingestion, inhalation rates, and dermal factors including skin area and soil adherence factors. Volume II, Food Ingestion Factors, provides data for consumption of fruits and veg- etables, fish, meats and dairy products, homegrown foods, and breast milk. Volume III, Activity Factors, provides data for human activity factors, consumer product use, and residential characteristics. Recom- mended values are provided for the general population and also for 22 ------- various segments of the population who may have characteristics different from the general population. This document is an update of the Exposure Factors Handbook published in 1989 and it incorporates Science Advisory Board (SAB) review comments submitted in March 1997. PREPARED BY: Jacquline Moya, (202-260-2385), NCEA S-05 OVERVIEW OF TOXICITYASSESSMENTS FOR BORON USING NEW METHODOLOGIES The National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) has been involved in developing and evaluating several toxicity assess- ments for boron. These boron (B) assessments use innovative new methodologies for risk assessment. These methodologies include the benchmark dose and categorical regression analysis for boron, as well as innovative ways to look at uncertainty. Development of new assessments has involved work with the Office of Water (OW), the boron industry and WHO (World Health Organization) International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS). These assessments based on new methods may reduce reliance on default assumptions by providing mechanistic based data yielding a more quantitative and biologically defensible human health risk assessment. AH of these assessments will provide a sound scientific basis for assessing the risk to Boron and reduce environmental risk based on the best available scientific information. PREPARED BY: Carolyn Smallwood, NCEA (513-569-7425) S-06 ORD STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY OUT- REACH ORD expertise and science provide state and local government and communities innovation to improve environmental protection program effectiveness and reduce costs. OSP's region, state and local staff work to build capacity within national, state, and local government associations to work with their constituency to the advance the dissemination of ORD products to state and local clients. The staff also provides a liaison between ORD and the Agency's Community- Based Environmental Protection (CBEP) initiative, state and local government policy, the Agency's environmental justice program, and other clients as opportunities at HQ arise. With cooperative agreements through OSP, ORD links with the Council of State Governments's to work on ecological monitoring and assessment, with the National Association of Counties on EPA technical assistance tool evaluation, The National Governors Association on risk management, and with 23 ------- Public Technology, Inc. on environmental information technology. OSP also supports the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council's Subcommittee on Health and Research. OSP seeks to link ORD labs and centers to the Agency's clients through these initiatives by identifying program links between the ORD research agenda and client concerns. PREPARED BY: Lawrence Martin, OSP (202-564-6497) S-07 PARTICULATE MATTER - THEME OVERVIEW Recent epidemiology reports suggest an association between human mortality and morbidity and exposure to ambient air paniculate matter (PM). Concern stems from the impact not only on healthy individuals, but notably on potentially susceptible subgroups. Studies of ambient PM in the laboratory are complicated by the difficulty in obtaining adequate bulk samples of ambient PM to do inhalation studies. Thus as a preliminary approach, intratracheal instillation can be used to assess the overall toxicity and hazard. However, controversy exists as to the appropriateness of intratracheal instillation (IT) of PM into the rodent lung as a surrogate for inhalation exposure. We have conducted a series of studies using inhalation and intratracheal instilla- tion to validate this approach and have confirmed by both methods that bioavailable metals associated with the PM may be integral to the toxicity observed. Further work with intratracheal instillation, inhala- tion, and exposures involving real-time concentrated PM will further this effort to assess the effects of ambient PM on the health of normal and cardiopulmonary diseased rodents. PREPARED BY: Kevin Dreher, (919-541-3691), NHEERL and Daniel L. Costa, (919-541-2532), NHEERL S-08 ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS AND PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS During the past several years concern has grown over exposure to chemicals that disrupt endocrine function. Many of the endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are persistent organic pollutants (POPS) such as the polyhalogenated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, and biphenyls, DDT and DDE. The research efforts in the Experimental Toxicology Division area can be divided into several subsections: experimental and computational model development; pharmacokinet- ics; and interaction studies. While the research is divided into these categories, considerable interactions are between areas. In particular these studies focus on determining the shapes of the dose-response curves for EDCs at relevant exposures and the tissue levels associated with adverse effects. Researchers in the Experimental Toxicology Division have developed models of endocrine disorders such as 24 ------- diabetes and endometriosis and other diseases. Recent efforts have focused on the effects of EDCs and (POPS) in these animal models. Because humans are exposed to numerous EDCs and POPs, researchers are characterizing the effects of environmentally relevant mixtures of these chemicals in the animal models of endocrine diseases. In addition, the researchers in ETD have developed quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR), physiologically based-pharmacokinetic (PBPK) and biologically based dose response (BBDR) models for EDCs. The QSAR models for the different classes of EDCs developed by ETD researchers may provide a means of screening and prioritizing these chemicals for testing as required by the Food Quality Protection Act. Furthermore, much of this research has been in support of the ongoing reassessment of the health risks of dioxins. PREPARED BY: Michael DeVito (919-541 -0061), NHEERL S-09 METHODS, MODELS AND SUSCEPTIBILITY The Experimental Toxicology Division (ETD) performs research to improve EPA's regulatory decisions and risk assessment process. This includes the development and application of toxicologic assessment methods and the creation of predictive models, as well as performing research to support the first two steps in the risk assessment process (i.e., hazard identification and dose-response assessment). The research projects presented in this poster cover a wide range of issues, disciplines, approaches, media and pollutants, all of which contribute to and are relevant for improving risk assessment and regulatory policy decisions, by directly supporting a number of program offices. These offices include OAR, OAQPS, ORIA, GAP, OPPTS, OPP, OPTS, OSWER, and OW. The 16 research projects presented are divided into the following areas: 1) test methods development and refinement; 2) mechanistic and toxicokinetic research; 3) susceptible populations; and 4) relationship between toxic endpoints and disease. PREPARED BY: Ralph Smialowicz (919-541-5776), NHEERL S-10 DISINFECTION BY-PRODUCTS, VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS, AND ARSENIC The research projects included in this theme address issues primarily of interest to the Agency's Office of Water. Risk assessors in the Office of Water are in need of new data and approaches to substan- tiate the scientific basis of their risk estimates for priority disinfection by-products (DBPs) and arsenic, as mandated by the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996. The Amendments specifically direct the development of physiologically based pharmacokinetic models for DBPs along with research to enhance mechanistic understanding and improve capabilities to perform rodent to human extrapolations. New 25 ------- regulations for DBFs are scheduled to be promulgated in 2002, and therefore, information regarding health effects and exposure will be needed to initiate negotiations in 2000. ETD research on DBFs has focused on volatile by-products, specifically the trihalomethanes (THMs), a class that includes the most prevalent DBFs in chlorinated drinking water. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) studied by ETD, which include other environmental contaminants in addition to the THMs, are also of concern for the Indoor Air, Urban Air and Superfund programs. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) also requires the Agency to implement a final arsenic rule in 2001. ETD's arsenic research program addresses fundamental questions that underlie uncertainties about the health effects of arsenic in humans and which have been presented in the Arsenic Research Plan developed by the agency and submitted to Congress under the terms of the SDWA. Novel mechanis- tic data about the dynamic behavior of arsenic will provide the agency with better information to refine the risk assessment for this metalloid and to develop rational and appropriate standards for human exposure. PREPARED BY: Rex Pegram (919-541-0410), NHEERL and David Thomas, (919-541-4974), NHEERL S-ll TRENDS IN INDICATORS OF EUTROPHICATION IN THE HUDSON-RARITAN ESTUARY Long-term monitoring of New York Harbor waters indicate that many areas of the Harbor have recently experienced dramatic improve- ments in several conventional water quality indicators. These improve- ments include Harbor-wide order-of-magnitude reductions in ambient coliform concentrations, and significant increases in dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in the waters of the Inner Harbor. However, in contrast to these and other water quality improvements, some areas of the outer Harbor, in particular, Jamaica Bay, western Long Island Sound, and Raritan Bay, exhibit either no trend or a negative trend in several water quality indicators. For example, in some of these waters bottom average DO concentrations show a decreasing trend, while trends in surface water DO concentrations are indicative of increasing supersaturation. Sites which exhibit the greatest top-to-bottom DO stratification, also exhibit high plankton activity, decreasing transpar- ency, elevated pH, and the highest average chlorophyll 'a' concentra- tions in the Harbor. While the increased algal activity, and the decline in related indicators suggest some areas of the Hudson-Raritan Estuary are experiencing increasing eutrophication, both nutrient loads and ambient nutrient concentrations have remained mostly constant over the past 20 years. The recent covariance of dissolved oxygen minima among very diverse and isolated areas of the Harbor strongly suggest 26 ------- other factors, possibly meteorological, hydrologic, or oceanographic in nature, may be affecting water quality trends in some parts of the Estuary, calling into question the probable success of planned nutrient management efforts aimed at decreasing the occurrence of hypoxia in the Harbor. PREPARED BY: Marie O'Shea (908-321-4468), NRMRL S-12 IMPACT OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT ON WATER QUALITY TRENDS IN THE LOWER HUDSON RIVER Long-term trends in dissolved oxygen (DO) and total coliform bacteria concentrations are used to evaluate the impact of almost 60 years of sewage abatement and treatment in the lower Hudson River near New York City (NYC). Although some water pollution control plants (WPCPs) have been in operation in the region since the 1930s, the most significant abatement of untreated sewage in the lower Hudson River has occurred since the late-1970s, when most of the existing plants were upgraded to secondary treatment, and additional plants were constructed. From at least 1922 through the early 1960s, average summer DO percent saturation varied between 35-50% in surface waters and 25-40% in bottom waters. Beginning in the late 1970s, DO concentrations generally increased through the 1980s and especially into the 1990s, coinciding with the upgrading of the 170 mgd North River plant to secondary treatment in the spring of 1991. Average summer percent saturation in the early 1990s exceeded 80% in surface waters and 60% in bottom waters. In addition, summer DO minima have increased from less than 1.5 mg 1-' in the early 1970s to greater than 3.0 mg H in the 1990s, and the duration of hypoxia during summer months has been reduced. Total coliforms also display strong declining trends from the 1970s into the 1990s, with declines attributed to plant upgrades, construction of two NYC plants (North River and Red Hook) in the mid-1980s, and improved operation of the sewer system. This paper will examine these and other changes to dissolved oxygen (DO) and coliform bacteria in the lower Hudson River, in response to recent improvements in both sewage capture and treatment. PREPARED BY: Marie O'Shea, NRMRL (908-321-4468) S-13 CRITERIA FOR PAH EXPOSURE DETERMINED FROM SELECTED REFERENCE SITES AND STATISTICALLY SAMPLED SITES Exposure criteria are needed to provide universal references for assessment of streams. Reference values for naphthalene, associated with oil contamination, and benzo[a]pyrene, associated with combustion by-products, were determined for fish in Ohio streams by 27 ------- measuring bile metabolites (Lin et al, 1996). The exposure criteria values were rounded up from the 0.90 fractile upper reference limit calculated according to the recommendations of the International - Federation of Clinical Chemistry. The exposure criteria were 0.3 u.g benzo[a]pyrene/mg protein and 50 jig naphthalene/mg protein for data obtained from statistically selected (REMAP) first through third order streams. In the Eastern Cornbelt Plains, 7.5% of the sites exceeded the benzo[a]pyrene and the naphthalene criteria values. For both types of metabolites, more than half of the rivers of concern sampled by the Ohio EPABiomonitoring Program exceeded the criteria values. This method can be used to develop criteria of exposure for other contaminants to other wildlife and other ecosystems. PREPARED BY: Susan Cormier and E. Lin, NERL (513-569-7995) S-14 A POTENTIAL MECHANISM OF ACTION FOR ARSENIC AS A CARCINOGEN: DNA METHYLATION ALTERATIONS The mechanism of action of the human carcinogen arsenic is not well understood. Because arsenic is detoxified using an S- adenosylmethionine/methyltransferase pathway we hypothesized that arsenic exposure could affect DNA methylation. Human lung A549 cells exposed to 0.08 to 2 M arsenite in vitro over a 2 week period acquired increases of up to 7-fold in cytosine methylation in a 5'- control region of the p53 promoter as confirmed by bisulfite modifica- tion technique of DNA sequencing and by Hpall restriction analysis. Using Sssl methylase to quantify CpG methylation, hypermethylation was shown was present globally throughout the genome. CMTase mRNA was increased in cells grown in the presence of arsenite as detected by RT-PCR, and CMTase preparations isolated from arsenite- exposed cells had higher levels of activity per g protein. We conclude that changes in DNA methylation induced by arsenic could underlie its mechanism of action as a carcinogen. PREPARED BY: M. J. Mass, NHEERL (919-541-3514) and L. Wang, NHEERL (919-541- 0324) S-15 IDENTIFICATION OF ANALYTICALLY PROBLEMATIC POLLUTANTS WITH A NEW MASS SPECTROMETRIC TECHNIQUE Structural identification of environmental pollutants is often impossible even with the Agency's advanced analytical techniques. A high resolution mass spectrometric (HRMS) technique pioneered at BSD can identify pollutants that would otherwise be reported as "unknowns." The technique very accurately measures three exact masses and two relative abundances for one ion and the ions weighing 1 and 2 amu more. Together, these five values yield a unique elemental 28 ------- composition. Two examples illustrate the power of this new technique. For a Superfund site sample, elemental compositions were determined for thje presumed molecular ion formed from each of 47 compounds corresponding to unidentifiable gas chromatographic peaks. These compositions, and tracking of the ions characteristic of alkylbenzothiazoles (at 20,000 resolution), confirmed that these compounds were benzothiazole derivatives from a nearby dye manu- facturing plant. In a second example, the new HRMS technique determined the elemental compositions of the molecular ion and 10 fragment ions from several isomers, leading to identification of a series of alkylated cyanotetralins in well water from an area having an elevated incidence of childhood cancer. PREPARED BY: A. H. Grange, NERL (702-798-2137) and G. W. SovocooJ, NERL (702-798-2212) S-16 NON-PURGEABLE VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS RAPIDLY DETERMINED BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHYIMASS SPECTROMETRY USING DIRECT AQUEOUS INJECTION A number of analytical techniques are available for identifying and quantifying volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in aqueous media (e.g., purge and trap; headspace analysis). These approaches all involve preliminary steps to remove the analytes from the aqueous matrix. Some VOCs (i.e., "non-purgeables"), however, cannot be removed from water. The Environmental Sciences Division (NERL, Las Vegas) has developed a method that bypasses the need for all preliminary steps when analyzing water for VOCs. This method uses fused-silica gas chromatography via direct injection of the aqueous sample, coupled with determination by ion-trap mass spectrometry. This direct aqueous injection (DAI) method has been evaluated for 18 non-purgeable volatile organic compounds of which nine have no EPA- approved method. Using internal standardization, the relative response factors and relative retention times for the 18 compounds were deter- mined. The precision of the technique was 19% and 13% (relative standard deviation) for the splitless and on-column injection, respec- tively. On average, DAI was also able to detect as few as 800 mol- ecules of analyte in every one billion molecules of water (800 ppb). PREPARED BY: Steven M. Pyle, NERL (702-798-2529) and Alvin B. Marcus, NERL (702-798-2324) S-17 A ROTATED PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS OF TOTAL COLUMN OZONE OBTAINED FROM TOMS FOR 1984 TO 1989 The global distribution of total column ozone (3) is attracting great international attention as concerns over reduced global abundances escalate. Detection of a trend is an arduous task, made difficult by 29 ------- numerous natural inter- and intra - annual fluctuations, many of which are not well understood. Accordingly, this study analyzes these natural variations (across all spatial and temporal scales) through the applica- tion of rotated Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to the 3 data derived from Version 6.0 TOMS (Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer) for the period 1984-1989. Utilization of Kaiser's varimax orthogonal rotation allows delineation of eleven homogeneous subregions that together account for 74.08% of the total variance. Each subregion displayed statistically unique 3 characteristics that were further examined through time series and spectral analysis, allowing identifica- tion of the probable phenomena (i.e. annual and semiannual cycles, QBO, ENSO, baroclinic waves) responsible for the variability of 3. PREPARED BY: Brian Eder, NERL (919-541-3994) and Sharon LeDuc, NERL (919-541-1335) S-18 TECHNOLOGY TOOLS FOR CLEANER PRODUCTION: SEPARATIONS FOR REMOVAL/RECYCLE/REUSE AND GREEN ENGINEERING FOR CHEMICAL SYNTHESIS In four in-house projects, the Clean Processes and Products Branch, Sustainable Technologies Division, NRMRL, is developing and evaluating technologies for making industrial processes cleaner. The first project, Pervaporation for VOC Removal and Recovery, grew out of a successful in-house study of the membrane technology applied to a surfactant-treated contaminated groundwater. After investigating several potential industrial applications, we identified solvent dehydration as the most promising and will begin bench work in FY 98. Performance predictive software is also under development in-house. The second project is Temperature Swing Sorption for VOC Removal and Recovery. A potentially significant advance in the technology is being studied in the lab, with a pilot evaluation at a DOD paint spray booth planned for late FY 98. In the third project, Adsorp- tion for Metals Removal and Recovery, we are developing adsorbents to remove and recover metals from industrial streams. Target metals are nickel, copper, and lead found in metal finishing and primary metals industry process and waste streams. The fourth project, Alter- native Oxidation using Photocatalysis, will develop an environmen- tally benign catalytic process for partial oxidation of hydrocarbons in the manufacture of commodity chemical oxygenates such as alcohols, aldehydes and ketones. The experimental process uses ultraviolet light and a titanium dioxide catalyst. Currently we are investigating multiple reactor configurations, deposition of a nanocrystalline catalyst film and additional catalysts and co-catalysts, such as iron and copper. PREPARED BY: Teresa Marten, NRMRL (513-569-7565) 30 ------- S-19 ORD'S REGIONAL SCIENTIST PROGRAM The Regional Scientist Program fosters communication between ORD and the Regions. An ORD scientist, detailed to a Regional Office, provides expert advise to managers, develops applied science projects that utilize ORD research products, and communicates regional science needs to ORD's research planning process. The program builds science capacity in the Regions, brings regional experience into the laboratories, and provides professional development opportunities. The poster introduces the current Regional Scientists and describes their activities. PREPARED BY: John Miller, OSP (202-564-4896) S-20 SHOULD ORD CARE ABOUT WHAT THE PROGRAMS ARE DOING? OSP's Regulatory Support Staff links ORD research and expertise with the Agency's regulatory process. Participating in that process helps to make EPA's programs, guidance, regulations, and reports more legally defensible. This poster details the activities regulatory support re- quires. Some of the activities in which OSP Regulatory Support Staff are involved require that they: • review the tiering of policy and regulatory actions; the various tiers refer to the degree on internal EPA scrutiny given to each action, and the tiering is based on the significance of the action. • conduct essentially a 'triage' on the new regulatory activities to assess the need for and level of ORD involvement, and help identify ORD experts for workgroups and participating when they have expertise. Recent efforts include review and participation on efforts associated with clean air act workgroups, recent pesticide regulations and recent solid waste regulations. analyze proposed and enacted legislation for its impacts on ORD's research program. Recent efforts include analysis of congressional inquiries on the clean air standards, the safe drinking water act, and the food quality protection act. Staff also respond to external (e.g., congressional) inquiries. PREPARED BY: Ed Hanlon, OSP (202-564-6761) S-21 THE ECOLOGICAL CONDITION OF ESTUARIES IN THE GULF OF MEXICO The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in cooperation with other federal agencies, initiated the Environmental Monitoring and Assess- ment Program (EMAP) in order to document the status and geographi- cal extent of the condition of the nation's ecological resources. Using a 31 ------- standardized, probabilistic sampling design and standardized methods, the Estuaries component of EMAP (EMAP-E) launched a demonstra- tion project in 1991 to monitor the ecological condition of near-shore waters along the Gulf of Mexico coast. The Gulf of Mexico region covers estuarine systems from Rio Grande, Texas to Florida Bay, Florida. EMAP-E has conducted sampling surveys in the Gulf estuar- ies during the summers of 1991-1995. This poster highlights informa- tion about the ecological condition of estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico available from EMAP-E and other federal and state environmental programs. In FY'98, we will combine available information to provide an environmental "report card," assessing the overall ecological condition of Gulf of Mexico estuaries. PREPARED BY: Virginia Engle, John Macauley, and Kevin Summers, NHEERL (850-934-9200) S-22 EPA'S SCIENCE POLICY COUNCIL Established in 1993 by the Administrator, the Science Policy Council (SPC) addresses significant science policy issues that go beyond regional and program boundaries. The SPC is chaired by the Deputy Administrator and is composed of senior managers from the programs, regions, and laboratories. Staff in ORD's Office of Science Policy support SPC activities, which currently include efforts in areas such as Cumulative Risk, Risk Characterization Implementation, Peer Review Issues, Cancer Guideline Implementation, and Social Science Issues. PREPARED BY: Kerry Dearfield, OSP (202-564-6486) and Ed Bender, OSP (202-564-6483) S-23 THE ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (EIMS): IMPROVING ACCESS TO ORD'S DATA AND INFORMATION RESOURCES. The Environmental Information Management System (EIMS) stores and manages descriptive information (metadata) about data, projects, models, and documents used by Agency staff. The core of this system is a relational database containing both metadata and data. World Wide Web forms provide direct access to the metadata components of the system enabling anyone with an Internet browser to identify and find environmental information resources. Thus far, the EIMS has been implemented for an ORD research program (ReVA), a regional office (Region 10), and a program office (OW's Surf Your Watershed Pro- gram). The continued development and application of EIMS within ORD is being coordinated by the recently formed ORD Scientific 32 ------- Information Management Coordination Board (SimCorB). SIMCorB is developing pilot projects to integrate EIMS with existing ORD pro- grams, such as EMAP, and to capture descriptive information about legacy data sets held by ORD. These projects are designed to develop the full potential of EIMS to become the inventory of environmental resources held by ORD. PREPARED BY: Robert Shepanek, NCEA (202-260-3255) and Gary Collins, NERL (513-569-7174) S-24 GENETIC DIVERSITY OF CENTRAL STONE ROLLER FROM THE GREAT MIAMI RIVER DRAINAGE BASIN, OHIO The response of a species to stress may depend on the genetic variability at its disposal. Molecular approaches are useful for measur- ing genetic diversity within and among wild populations exposed to environmental stressors. We have developed molecular tools for genetic analysis which generate a high number of loci in the absence of specific sequence information. These methods are well-suited for evaluating regional scale population diversity and potential vulnerabil- ity. We applied these to assess the level of genetic variation in popula- tions of Central Stone Rollers (Campostoma anomalum) collected from tributaries of the Great Miami River in Ohio during the summer of 1995 as a part of a Regional Environmental Monitoring and Assess- ment Program (REMAP) project. The results demonstrate that a trend exists towards a relationship between genetic diversity and stream order. Therefore, isolated populations farthest from main conduits or in lower stream orders may be the most vulnerable to stressor exposure. It is hoped that information pertaining to genetic diversity, when inte- grated with other metrics, will aid in making scientifically grounded decisions for resource management. PREPARED BY: R.N. Silbiger, S.A. Christ, A.C. Leonard, M. Garg, D.L. Lattier, T. Wessendarp, D.A. Gordon, A.C. Roth, M.K. Smith and G.P. Toth, NERL (513-569-7623) S-25 EXPOSURE MONITORING IN TELEOSTS USING GLOBAL EXPRESSION OF TISSUE-SPECIFIC GENES AS MARKERS Expression of certain genes in aquatic organisms is the cellular "reaction" to environmental "action". We are using molecular biology tools to assess such reaction, or gene induction, in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). These methods will provide a means for sensitive detection of the "first cellular event" in response to environmental impact. The activation of certain genes may be correlated with classes of chemical compounds. Molecular approaches to exposure monitoring 33 ------- are supported by the hypothesis that subcellular events resulting from the contact of an organism with chemical milieu are detectable far in advance of those effects observed at higher levels of biological organi- zation. We have, therefore, developed a method designed to identify, in any target tissue, genes which are expressed or suppressed as a function of chemical exposure. This method is currently being applied in conjunction with an in situ exposure monitoring scheme, using caged fish. It is expected to contribute substantially to the detection of pesticides and endocrine disrupting compounds in stream ecosystems. PREPARED BY: D. Lattier and G. Toth, NERL (513-569-7419) S-26 A MICROBIOLOGICAL SURROGATE FOR EVALUATION OF DRINKING WATER TREATMENT PLANT EFFICIENCY The emergence of waterborne pathogens, such as Cryptospordium, has prompted renewed interest in procedures for evaluating water treatment plant performance. In this study, endospores of aerobic spore-forming bacteria were used as microbial surrogates for evaluating the efficiency of various unit processes in drinking water treatment. A method of assaying for the microbial surrogate is proposed. Occur- rence data for various source waters and data from coagulation and disinfection studies will be presented. Evaluations of endospore removal will be compared with removals of turbidity and particle removal. Seasonal removal data through a full-scale treatment plant and data from a pilot-scale plant will also be presented. PREPARED BY: E. W. Rice, K. R. Fox, R. J. Miltner, D. A. Lytle and C. H. Johnson, NRMRL (513-569-7204) S-27 COLLABORATIVE STUDY OF TWO METHODS FOR THE DETECTION OF ESCHERICIA COLI IN WATER A collaborative study was conducted to evaluate two methods for the detection of Escherichia coli in water. The Agency approved 24 hour EC-MUG procedure was compared with a rapid 4 hour glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) method. Nine samples representing four different sample types were examined. Fourteen analysts from ten governmental •and two commercial laboratories participated in the study. A total of 769 total coliform positive cultures were analyzed for the presence of E. coli. There was a 98% agreement between the two methods. Intel-laboratory variability was within accepted limits. Based upon these findings, the rapid GAD assay was equivalent to the standard 24 hour, elevated temperature procedure. PREPARED BY: E. W. Rice and C.H. Johnson, NRMRL (513-569- 7204) and J. W. Messer, NERL (919-541-1425) 34 ------- benchmark dose approach, problem formulation for ecological risk assessments, and a framework for integrating cancer and noncancer risk assessment. PREPARED BY: William P. Wood, NCEA (202-260-1095) S-30 PCBs, THYROID HORMONES AND OTOTOXICITY IN RATS: CROSS-FOSTERING EXPERIMENTS DEMONSTRATE THE INFLUENCE OF POSTNATAL LACTATIONAL EXPOSURE Previous research has demonstrated the sensitivity of the develop- ing rat to the hypothyroxinic and ototoxic effects of perinatal exposure to Aroclor 1254 (A 1254). We tested the hypothesis that postnatal expo sure via lactation is the major cause of the ototoxicity by cross- fostering animals at birth. Primiparous rats (22-24/dose) received 0 or 6 mg/kg A1254 (po in corn oil) from gestation day (GD) 6 to postnatal day (PND) 21. On the day of birth half of the treated litters and half of the control litters were cross-fostered, resulting in the following groups: CTRL/CTRL - controls; PCB/PCB - perinatal exposure; PCB/CTRL - prenatal exposure only; CTRL/PCB - postnatal exposure only. We assessed offspring at a number of ages for: plasma thyroid hormone concentrations, liver concentrations of PCBs, body weight, mortality, auditory startle amplitudes, and auditory thresholds for 1 and 40-kHz tones. Circulating T4 concentrations were sharply reduced in the PCB- exposed group at GD21, and on PND 3,7,14 and 21 in the PCB/PCB and the CTRL/PCB groups. Smaller decreases in T4 were observed in the PCB/CTRL group on PND 3,7, and 14. Amounts of PCBs in the liver on PND 21 were similarly elevated in the PCB/PCB and CTRL/ PCB groups, but not in the PCB/CTRL group. Auditory startle ampli- tudes were unchanged in all groups. A1254 exposure caused permanent hearing deficits (20 dB increase) at the low frequency (1 kHz) in the PCB/PCB and CTRL/PCB groups. These data demonstrate significant hypothyroxinic and ototoxic effects of postnatal lactational exposure to PCBs. PREPARED BY: K. M. Crofton, P.R.S. Kodavanti, E. C. Derr-Yellin and C. G. Nace, NHEERL (919-541 -2672) S-31 INCREASED [H3JPHORBOL ESTER BINDING IN RAT CER- EBELLAR GRANULE CELLS AND INHIBITION OF 4SCa 2+ SEQUESTRATION IN RAT CEREBELLUM BY POLYCHLORI- NATED DIPHENYL ETHER CONGENERS AND ANALOGS: STRUCTURE-ACTIVITY RELATIONSHIPS Research in our laboratory has indicated that a prototypic ortho- substituted, non^coplanar polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congener disrupts calcium homeostasis and second messenger systems in nerve cells in vitro. Other studies on the structure-activity effects of 24 PCB 36 ------- S-28 TOOLS FOR POLLUTION PREVENTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS The National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL) Systems Analysis Branch has developed a number of tools to assist users in incorporating environmental considerations and sustainable development concepts into the decision-making process. The tools range from completed computer programs to documented conceptual frameworks and methodologies. Thirteen tools are complete or currently under development. This poster highlights four of the tools: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Tool for Reduction and Assessment of Chemical Impacts (TRACI), Pollution Prevention Progress (P2P), and Program for Assisting the Replacement of Industrial Solvents (PARIS). An accompanying publication ("toolbox") gives a synopsis and the current status of each of the tools, the capabilities and limitations of each tool, how and when the tools should be used, and how tools can be combined for enhanced application. PREPARED BY: Terri Hoagland, NRMRL (513-569-7783) S-29 RISK ASSESSMENT FORUM The Risk Assessment Forum is a standing committee of senior EPA scientists charged with studying selected risk assessment issues. The Forum was established to promote Agency-wide consensus on difficult and controversial risk assessment issues and to ensure that this consen- sus is incorporated into appropriate Agency risk assessment guidance. To fulfill this purpose, the Forum assembles Agency risk assessment experts in a formal process to study and report on issues from an Agency-wide scientific perspective. Forum activities range from long- term risk assessment guidelines development to one-time conferences, each designed to foster inter-office dialogue and, as appropriate, develop expert scientific consensus on important risk assessment issues. Risk Assessment Forum products include: risk assessment guidelines, technical panel reports on special risk assessment issues, and peer consultation and peer review workshops addressing controver- sial risk assessment topics. ORD scientists play key roles in the Forum's activities. Forum work is managed by a staff lodged in and supported by the National Center for Environmental Assessment. Several ORD scientists participate in shaping and managing the Forum's agenda as Forum members while others participate on Forum technical panels, often leading these efforts. Presently, the Forum is completing the Agency's first risk assessment guidelines for neurotox- icity risk assessment and ecological risk assessment and revisions to the earlier carcinogen risk assessment guidelines. Efforts are underway to development further guidance on the use of Monte Carlo analysis, the 35 ------- congeners suggested that those with chlorination substitution patterns favoring non-coplanarity were active in vitro, while those that were coplanar had littl|or no activity in vitro. The present experiments tested the hypothesis that coplanarity is a salient structural feature in the activity of the PCBs by testing the effects of related chemical classes such as the polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PCDEs) in which coplanarity is more difficult to achieve regardless of the degree and pattern of chlorinated. Selected PCDEs and their analogs were predicted to be active in vitro, since they are non-coplanar in nature. Molecular mechanics calculations and conformational modeling supported the hypothesis that the potential for PCBs to assume a coplanar state plays a fundamental role in the activity of PCBs in nervous system cells in vitro. PCB congeners that are active in the nervous system tend to be o/t/w-substituted and non-coplanar, which are structural characteristics normally associated with low arylhydrocarbon (Ah) receptor activity. The results of these studies suggest that potential health risk associated with exposure to PCB mixtures containing ortAo-substituted and non-coplanar congeners would underestimate risk associated with effects in the nervous system. PREPARED BY: R.S. Kodavanti, T.R. Ward, J.D. McKinney, C.L. Waller and H.A. Tilson, NHEERL (919-541-7584) . S-32 BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS TO EXPAND AN ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE UNITED STATES MID-ATLANTIC REGION: AN ATLAS There is a growing public, legal, and scientific awareness that broader-scale views are important when assessing regional environ- mental quality. In the past, the media has concentrated on dramatic events, focusing our environmental awareness on local or isolated phenomena such as cleaning up Superfund sites, stopping pollution from a drainage pipes, saving individual endangered species, or choosing a site for a county landfill. Today, our perceptions are changing. We realize-that humans and our actions are an integral part of the global ecosystem, and that the environment is complicated and interconnected with human activities across local and regional scales. We have begun to take a broader view of the world and of our place in natural systems. Technological advances in remote sensing and computing now make it possible to assess regional environmental quality, to envision where we hope to be in the future, and to identify the steps we need to take to improve environmental quality. An atlas has been prepared which takes advantage of these advanced technolo- gies and presents results of one of the first comprehensive, regional- scale environmental assessments. PREPARED BY: Bruce Jones, NERL (702-798-2671) 37 ------- S-33 DEVELOPING A RISK ASSESSMENT OF PATHOGENIC SHRIMP VIRUS INTRODUCTIONS INTO THE UNITED STATES Worldwide and within the U.S., shrimp aquaculture has suffered substantial economic losses due to pathogenic viruses. Although these viruses pose no threat to human health, recent catastrophic outbreaks on U.S. shrimp farms, the appearance of diseased shrimp in U.S. com- merce, and new information on the susceptibility of shrimp and other crustaceans to these viruses prompted the Joint Subcommittee on Aquaculture (ISA; Office of Science and Technology Policy) to initiate a risk assessment of the introduction and spread of exotic shrimp viruses to the wild penaeid shrimp fishery and shrimp aquaculture industry in the Gulf of Mexico and southeastern coastal United States. The ISA appointed a federal interagency work group to assemble available information on the shrimp virus problem and prepare a preliminary report that is structured around the problem formulation phase of an ecological risk assessment. Here, we describe the highlights of the report, including the economic and management context of the problem, the management goal, and the overall conceptual model for the proposed risk assessment. We discuss the potential effects of pathogenic viruses on penaeid shrimp and other species and the possible exposure pathways to wild shrimp in the context of penaeid shrimp life history patterns and other anthropogenic stressors and environmental factors that affect shrimp. Finally, we review responses to the report obtained from stakeholder meetings and future plans for a full risk assessment. PREPARED BY: H. Kay Austin and William Van der Schalie, NCEA (202-260-5789) S-34 NETWORKED ANALYTICAL DATA SYSTEMS (NADS) ORD is in the process of making data gathered on various pieces of scientific equipment and projects available on the Intranet through the Networked Analytical Data Systems Initiative (NADS). Using Lotus Notes servers deployed at all ORD Sites, the goal is to have data generated made available in real-time. Currently, information is available including the National UV Monitoring Network, EMAP, AFM Images, and other Microscopy Images. Included on the NADS Intranet Site is an AVI Movie File of a Virtual Reality "Fly By" of Humic Acid on Graphite. In addition, there are discussion groups to allow for the free flow exchange of information ideas within ORD. The potential use of this technology will result in a better understanding of each others' work and provide a platform for the sharing and exchange of ideas and information. PREPARED BY: Rosemarie C. Russo, Tom Prather, and Christopher Byrne, NERL (706-355-8010) 38 ------- S-35 EPA's QA PROGRAM ON THE SUPPLIERS OF PROTOCOL GASES In 1992 EPA^National Exposure Research Laboratory initiated a nationwide QA program for EPA Protocol Gases. The program had three goals: increase the acceptance and use of Protocol Gases by the air monitoring community, provide a QA check for the suppliers of these gases, and to help the users identify suppliers who could consis- tently provide accurate certified Protocol Gases. In this QA program, which operates continuously, Protocol Gases are procured by EPA and the supplier's certification of the pollutant concentration(s) is verified by EPA. The results are published on EPA Technology Transfer Network's electronic bulletin board. If a supplier's concentration differs from the EPA values by more than 2.5%, the supplier is immedi- ately notified in writing. The results obtained for SO2, CO and NO Protocol Gases are described in this paper. PREPARED BY: Avis Hines, NERL (919-541-4001) S-36 THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESS- MENT (NCEA): EPA's RISK ASSESSMENT OFFICE ORD's National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA) serves as a national resource center for advancing the evolving science of human health and ecological risk assessment. Further, the integra- tion of hazard; dose-response, and exposure data and models into a clear and useful risk characterization for use by federal and state agencies, the scientific risk community and the broader public and private sectors is a specific end-product of the Center. NCEA occupies a critical position in ORD between (1) the researchers in other ORD components who are generating new findings and data, and (2) the regulators in the EPA program offices and regions who must make regulatory, enforcement, and remedial action decisions. Thus, NCEA is uniquely positioned to influence ORD's future research agenda to assure that it addresses research needs identified by risk assessments and to serve as consultants to the programs and regions on the use of science in environmental decision making. In support of these func- tions, NCEA focuses its work in three major areas: • Development of assessment methodologies that reduce uncertain ties in current approaches • Conduct assessments of contaminants and sites of national significance • Provide guidance and support to risk assessors Other important goals of NCEA are to: 1) advance the integration of ecological risk assessment with human health assessment as a funda- mental approach in risk assessment activities; 2) act as a catalyst for advances in the science of risk assessment brought about by coopera 39 ------- tion and an exchange of ideas among environmental health profession- als in the federal, state, industrial, academic, environmental, public interest, and international communities; and 3) fully characterize'the impacts on ecological and human systems whether they result from exposure(s) to single, complex, or multiple physical, chemical, biologi- cal or radiological stressors. PREPARED BY: Linda C. Tuxen, NCEA (202-260-5949) S-37 HUMAN EXPOSURE AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES , DIVISION In addition to the recent ORD reorganization, NERL has recently reorganized to align the different divisions under ecological or human health in order to better support ORD's science mission. To support this structure this year NERL/RTP realigned its three divisions into one: The Human Exposure and Atmospheric Sciences Division. This includes one branch from the Las Vegas group. One of our major areas of expertise and emphasis is particulate matter (PM). Our PM team is collaborating with NHEERL in monitoring particulate matter near selected nursing homes in support of epidemiological studies concern- ing PM and mortality. Another area of active PM research is develop- ing the new Federal Reference Method monitors in conjunction with OAQPS. The Exposure Methods and Monitoring Branch (EMMB) set up field sites on the Neuse River this past summer, in cooperation with the State of North Carolina, the U.S. Geological Survey, and NC State University to start testing for endocrine disrupters. EMMB are also working with the state and other groups in EPA to determine what role HEASD will play in researching the Pfiesteria issue that is currently causing fish kills in North Carolina and Maryland. Our mobile sources group and Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics branch are still active in monitoring auto emissions and determining the environmental impact from different types of automotive fuels. PREPARED BY: Deborah R. Mangis, NERL (919-541-3086) S-38 CELL CULTURE METHOD TO DETERMINE CRYPTOSPO- RIDIUM PARVUM VIABILITY A practical, rapid, and inexpensive method to determine the .viability of low numbers of Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts is deemed necessary to establish the risk of transmission of this organism in drinking water. A cell culture method has been developed to assess C. parvum viability and infectivity in vitro. Two methods, the enzyme- immunoassay (EIA) and fluorescence antibody test (FAT), were compared to detect cell infections resulting from this organism. A human adenocarcinoma cell line, HCT-8 (clone C10A), was infected 40 ------- with varying doses (0-105 per well or chamber; >90% excystation rate) of surface-sterilized C. parvum oocysts produced in adult mice. The oocysts were allowed to excyst, and the sporozoites allowed to attach to host cells for 4 hr after which unattached parasites and cell debris were washed with RPMI1640. The infected cells were incubated at 37°C, 5% CO2/95% air incubator for a total of 24 hr. Infected cells treated with human and rabbit anti-Cryptosporidium antibodies and infections detected colorimetrically or by fluorescence. Preliminary results showed that cells infected with about 200 oocysts can be detected by EIA and about 100 oocysts by FAT which are comparable to the conventional suckling mice assay used to assess C. parvum viability. PREPARED BY: Armah. A. de la Cruz, Ph.D., NERL (513-569-7224), and Hector E. Moreno, and James H. Owens, NRMRL (513-569-7882 or 7235) S-39 PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY-APPROVED MEMBRANE FILTER METHOD FOR TOTAL COLIFORMSAND ESCHERICHIA COLI IN DRINKING WATER Recent waterborne outbreaks have drawn attention to the reliability of the analytical methods used for monitoring drinking water. The performance characteristics of the U.S. EPA-approved membrane filter method for total coliforms (TC) and E. coli, respectively, were determined by the ASTM method. Five isolates of each of the follow- ing four types of colonies were picked from 11 samples of wastewater- spiked or natural tap water and identified: mEndo sheen, MUG+ (E. coli); sheen, MUG- (TC); and nonsheen, MUG+ and MUG- (nontargets). The results showed that both media had low specificities and high false-positive rates for the target organisms. The false- positive organisms for mEndo agar were primarily Aeromonas, Vibrio, and fluorescent Pseudomonas species, while those for nutrient agar with MUG were fluorescent and other Pseudomonas species. In addition, mEndo agar had a high false-negative rate. Because the EPA method failed with >40% of the isolates, it is unreliable for routine monitoring of drinking water. PREPARED BY: Dr. Kristen P. Brenner, NERL (513-569-7317) and Clifford C. Rankin, NERL (513-569-7306) S-40 BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR SOUND ENVIRONMENTAL DECISIONS NCERQA will focus on its research programs—their relationship to the ORD Strategic Plans and how they enhance EPA's credibility as a scientific organization and help ORD achieve its goal of providing 41 ------- national and international leadership in environmental science and risk assessment. The presentation will feature information on NCERQA's Research Progress Workshops Reports, Adopt-a-Grant program, STAR Reports, 1996 Research Abstracts, and 1997 Research Awards. PREPARED BY: Ronald Slotkin, NCERQA (202-564-6854) S-41 IMPROVING THE QUALITY AND UTILITY OF EPA'S MONI- TORING DATA The Environmental Monitoring Management Council (EMMC) brings together EPA's senior managers to promote Agency-wide policies on environmental measurement and monitoring. The EMMC, as a cross-Agency forum, has numerous initiatives underway that are designed to improve the quality of the data that serve as the basis for environmental decision making. One initiative involves The Agency- wide Monitoring Strategy which will provide EPA with a plan for ensuring that EPA has the data needed to track and report progress toward achievement of environmental goals, compare the risks of environmental threats, identify emerging threats to human health and the environment, and inform the public. The strategy will serve as the link between today's single-media, statute-driven monitoring programs and a more "holistic" multi-media approach to monitoring needed to support results-oriented planning and the growing number of cross- media environmental initiatives. A second initiative is the Perfor- mance-Based Measurement System (PBMS). PBMS is a framework for matching the analytical method used to the data requirements of specific measurement circumstances and, consequently, will lead to improvements in data quality. Rather than requiring that a specific, prescribed analytical method be used for a particular measurement, under PBMS, any method can be used provided that it is demonstrated to meet required performance standards. This approach will be more flexible and more cost-effective for the regulated community and will therefore encourage innovation in analytical technology. A third initiative is the Method Development Information System (MDIS) for tracking new measurement needs and method development products which will serve as a communication tool for the environmental monitoring community. It will allow scientists and regulators in EPA's programs, the Regional Offices, and the states to notify the research and development community of needs for new or improved measure- ment techniques and will track the progress of on-going research and development projects designed to meet their needs. This Windows- based system is designed for desk-top use both as a reference library and as a communication tool. Portions of the system will be available to the public so that private sector research and development organiza 42 ------- lions can be informed of trends in environmental measurement and EPA's measurement needs. Finally, EMMS has established the Na- tional Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC) as a voluntary association of state and federal officials organized for the purpose of fostering the development of nationally accepted standards for environmental laboratory accreditation. NELAC's goal is to achieve reciprocity among state laboratory accreditation programs in order to reduce the number of on-site laboratory inspections, eliminate duplication in laboratory proficiency testing, and establish a uniform national standard for environmental laboratory performance. NELAC adopted a full set of standards for the program in July of 1997 and will begin program implementation in 1998. PREPARED BY: Carol Finch, EMMC (202-564-6638), David Friedman, EMMC (202-564-6662), Sherry Hawkins, EMMC (202-564- 6671), Jan Jablonski, EMMC (202-564-6663) S-42 A MODIFIED mTEC MEDIUM FOR MONITORING RECRE- ATIONAL WATERS The mTEC method, currently recommended by the USEPA for measuring E. coli, requires transferring membrane filters from the primary to a substrate medium after 24 hrs. incubation. The medium was modified by eliminating brom cresol purple and brom phenol red, and substituting 500mg/L of 5-bromo-6-chloro-3-indoyl-beta-D- glucuronide in the original formulation to eliminate the membrane transfer step. E. coli is identified by observing red colonies on the membrane after 24 hrs. incubation. The methods were compared using split surface water samples to determine if detection rates and specific- ity for E. coli differed. Comparison indicated E. coli detection rates of the two methods were not significantly different. The false positive rate of the original method was significantly greater than the modified method; false negative rates of the two methods were not significantly different. The modified mTEC method measured the same E. coli population as the original method with greater specificity for the target organism. PREPARED BY: Bennett Smith, NERL (513-569-7316) and Alfred P. Dufour, NERL (513-569-7303) S-43 FRAMEWORK FOR CONDUCTING INTEGRATED ASSESSMENTS EXAMPLE - CONDITION OF THE MID-ATLANTIC ESTUARIES Research is being conducted to develop and evaluate a framework for conducting integrated assessments across spatial scales to address major environmental problems facing the ecosystem of the Atlantic coastal region of the United States. Three features common to almost 43 ------- every environmental assessment are: (1) a link with policy or regula- tory questions and issues, (2) a value-added perspective to assessments, ranging from a formal, quantitative cost/benefit analysis of alternatives to a qualitative improvement in our understanding of potential impacts or effects, and (3) a synthesis and interpretation of scientific informa- tion to present it in an understandable format for the intended audience. These features have been translated into a sequence of steps that are being used to guide the development of the integrated assessment of environmental resources and serve as an initial framework. These steps: (1) identify what will be assessed through clear elucidation of management concerns in the form of assessment questions of relevance to environmental managers; (2) identify the purpose of the assessment, e.g., evaluate the significance of a change of condition with a minimum uncertainty; (3) identify what is required to make the evaluation, e.g., knowledge of the problem and natural resources, and (4) identify how the evaluation will be implemented. The proposed framework has been exercised by applying it to the development of a State of the Region Report for Mid-Atlantic Estuaries. PREPARED BY: John Paul, Charles Strobe, Brian Melzian, John Kiddon, James Latimer, Dan Campbell, Don Cobb, and Barbara Brown, NHEERL (401-782-3088) S-44 THE ECOLOGICAL CONDITION OF ESTUARIES IN THE GULF OF MEXICO The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in cooperation with other federal agencies, initiated the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) in order to document the status and geographical extent of the condition of the nation's ecological re- sources. Using a standardized, probabilistic sampling design and standardized methods, the Estuaries component of EMAP (EMAP-E) launched a demonstration project in 1991 to monitor the ecological condition of near-shore waters along the Gulf of Mexico coast. The Gulf of Mexico region covers estuarine systems from Rio Grande, Texas to Florida Bay, Florida. EMAP-E has conducted sampling surveys in the Gulf estuaries during the summers of 1991-1995. This poster highlights information about the ecological condition of estuar- ies of the Gulf of Mexico available from EMAP-E and other federal and state environmental programs. In FY 98, we will combine avail- able information to provide an environmental "report card," assessing the overall ecological condition of Gulf of Mexico estuaries. PREPARED BY: Virginia Engle, John Macauley, and Kevin Summers, NHEERL (850-934-9200) 44 ------- S-45 COMPARATIVE WATERSHED STUDY IN WESTERN LAKE SUPERIOR This study is designed to determine the effects of forest fragmenta- tion on streams in Watersheds draining to western Lake Superior and the role of wetlands in the surrounding watersheds in mediating these effects. Characterization of all second and third order watersheds for size, mature forest cover, recent logging, and wetland coverage. Effects endpoints will include hydrology, sedimentation, water quality, nutrient transport and biotic community structure and function in streams. Once the link between landscape structure and ecosystem function is established, watersheds will be classified and ranked by sensitivity to stressors or resilience of component ecosystems. This will facilitate extrapolation of risk across watersheds in a given class as well as predictions of impacts of land-use changes on ecosystem function and structure in watersheds from a variety of hydrogeomorphic regions elsewhere in the Lake Superior basin. Ultimately this research will be used as a case study to test a conceptual model of watersheds sensitivity which could serve as a basis for watershed classification throughout the Great Lakes region. An overall framework for the study will be presented along with preliminary data on fish community structure in the selected watersheds. PREPARED BY: John Brazner, NHEERL (218-529-5207) S-46 ASSESSING REGIONAL FOREST ECOSYSTEM VULNERABILITY TO RAPID GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE We evaluated potential effects of future environmental change rates so rapid that species may not be capable of migrating fast enough to fill newly available niches, or of growing fast enough to complete life cycles. First, we developed a process-based model of tree seed trans- port that can operate at local to regional scales. It mimics differing agents of seed transport (wind, animals, running water), seed properties of species (mass and fall speeds, annual seed production, seed longev- ity, seed response to immersion in water, etc.) and effects of environ- mental properties (land uses, land cover patterns, topography, soils, etc.) which act to facilitate or reduce seed transport. We ran the model on a 200 X 200 m land use and land cover grid over areas approximat- ing 5 degrees of latitude and longitude, although other grid sizes and areas can be used. Second, we simulated forest growth by modifying Bugmann's ForClim forest succession model (Ecology 77:2055) to simulate tree species responses to summer drought in the Pacific Northwest, and to 45 ------- run at several thousand points simultaneously. We tested the succession portion of the model by comparison with vegetation in the Pacific Northwest U.S. under present day climate, and the migration portion by comparison with Holocene vegetation reconstructed from fossil pollen data in the Midwestern U.S. The model calculated the potential seed transport across the 15 km between sites at which the succession model simulated the annual growth of different tree species and ages. With each time step, the migration simulator determined the seed species available to establish seedlings at each forest succession site, while the succession model determined which trees at each site were reproduc- tively mature and the quantity of seeds available for transport. We projected future vegetation with the model under AGCM- generated climate scenarios in the Pacific Northwest. The process of migration was relatively unimportant to forest dynamics and resulting carbon sequestration under a future warming because climate condi- tions benign to tree growth occur short vertical distances from deterio- rating ones in this mountainous region. In contrast, much more obvious effects on forest structure and composition were generated by climate change acting directly on the process of forest growth and succession. Delayed migration in response to rapid climate change may be much more important in flat or gently rolling terrain while forest succession is probably of similarly great importance in both flat and mountainous regions. PREPARED BY: Allen M. Solomon, NHEERL (541-754-4601) S-47 THE EFFECTS OF OZONE ON CO2 FLUX FROM SOILS WITH PONDEROSA PINE AND BLUE WILDRYE IN COMPETITION Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws.) seedlings were planted with 3 densities of blue Wildrye grass (Elymus glaucus Buckl) and exposed to ozone to study the effects of plant competition and ozone on below-ground processes. CO2 flux was measured monthly from 1995 through 1997, and soil active bacterial and fungal biomass were measured periodically over the three year period. Seasonal variation in CO2 flux from soil was high due to changing soil temperatures. By the end of the first exposure season, grass competition and ozone both increased CO2 flux from soil. During the second exposure season, CO2 flux from soil tended to be higher in ozone treated plots than in control plots. During the third and current exposure season (1997), CO2 flux was not different among treatments. Soil organic matter (LOI) was higher in ozone treated plots than in control plots through out the study period. Active microbial biomass was increased in ozone exposed plots by the beginning of the 1997 exposure season. The results suggest that 46 ------- ozone stress increases soil organic matter and soil CO2 flux, and alters soil microbial biomass. The extent to which these changes affect soil nutrienjtdynamics |s currently under investigation. PREPARED BY: Chris Andersen, NHEERL (541 -754-4601) S-48 SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF BIOMASS IN FORESTS OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES Our goal was to produce a map of the biomass density and pools of eastern forests (hardwoods and softwood; encompassing 32 states and 1991 counties) using new approaches for converting inventoried wood volume (Forest Service FIA data) to estimates of above and ground biomass. We estimated biomass density and pools from the FIA data by forest type and stand size-class for each county, and mapped the results using an overlay of the map of the forest resources of the US (Powell et al. 1993). We developed functions between biomass expansion factors (BEF; ratio of aboveground biomass density of trees to merchantable volume) and stand volume. The BEFs ranged from >4 Mg m-3 for low volume stands to <1 Mg m-3 for high volume stands, and were statistically related to stand volume. Belowground biomass was estimated as a function of aboveground biomass from regression equations (Cairns et al. 1997). Average total biomass density for hardwood forests was 159 Mg ha-1, and ranged from 56-234 Mg ha-1, and for softwood forests was 110 Mg ha-1 and ranged from 2-344 Mg ha-1. The average biomass density is about half that of mature forests. The total biomass for all eastern forests for the late 1980s was estimated at 20 Pg, with highest amounts in the Northern Lake states, mountain areas of the Mid-Atlantic states, and parts of New England, and lowest amounts in the Midwest states. Our esti- mates are higher than those reported in other studies using the FIA data, and suggest that US forest contain more C and accumulate it at a faster rate than previously reported. PREPARED BY: Sandra Brown, NHEERL (541-754-4346) S-49 PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF OFF-CHANNEL LOTIC RIPARIAN HABITATS (ALCOVES) OF THE WILLAMETTE RIVER (OREGON, USA) Since European settlement of the Willamette River basin (~29,400 km2) dramatic changes have taken place, altering the status of main channel riparian habitats. We initiated a research project to evaluate functional attributes of these systems with regard to the ecology of the river. Pilot studies of 1996 focused on the characteristics of 16 alcoves located on a 53 km reach of the river. Physical dimensions, human 47 ------- impact and vegetation varied among the systems sampled. Results suggest that the mixture of hyporheic connectivity and ground water flow from surrounding agricultural sites combine with physical factors to determine attributes of these systems. Future work will evaluate fish utilization and ground water flow with respect to these habitats. Potential restoration of aggregate mining activities near the main river channel will benefit from an increased understanding of these existing off-channel sites. PREPARED BY: D. H. Landers, NHEERL (541-754-4427) S-50 MONITORING FORESTED RIPARIAN ECOSYSTEMS: WHAT IS THE WISEST APPROACH? Riparian forests are small, but widespread features of forested landscapes. Their contributions to water quality and aquatic and terrestrial habitats are critical to streams and forests. We developed a conceptual model that relates indicators of riparian forest structures to these three features. We compare characterizations of riparian areas by 'multiple observational approaches including multiple resolutions of multispectral data (in 30m, 3m, and 1m pixels), fine resolution air photos, videography, and intensive ground measurements. Our work focused on 90 probability sites within Northwestern Oregon. The results underscore that choices about observational methods must account for the scale of the relationships between ecological patterns and processes. PREPARED BY: Paul L. Ringold, S. Cline, NHEERL (541-754-4601) S-51 FIELD VALIDATION OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC MARINE AMPHIPOD SEDIMENT TOXICITY TESTS WITH GRANDIDIERELLA JAPONICA Contaminated field sediments from Pearl Harbor, HI, Lauritzen Channel, CA, Black Rock Harbor, CT and Elliot Bay, WA were tested for toxicity using 10-day sediment toxicity tests with the amphipods Rhepoxynius abronius, Leptocheirus plumulosus, Eohaustorius estuarius, Corophium insidiosum, and Grandidierella japonica, and chronic (28-day) tests with L. plumulosus and G, japonica. In all sediment tested, results of the 10-day sediment tests were similar among all species except C. insidiosum in terms of significant differ- ence from control sediments. Grandidierella collected from DDT- contaminated sediments from Lauritzen adapted to contaminants in that sediment. The 10-day and 28-day LC50's in terms of % contaminated sediment in the dilution series from Lauritzen and Black Rock Harbor indicated general concurrence among the species tested and between the 10- and 28-day tests as to the toxicity of the sediment. Results of 10-day and 28-day tests validate G. japonica as an appropriate test 48 ------- species for sediment toxicity testing on the U.S. mainland, in Hawaii and potentially elsewhere where G. japonica is found, provided the test animals are cultured or collected from a population living in uncon- taminated sediment. PREPARED BY: J.O. Lambers.on, R.C. Swartz and RJ. Ozretich, NHEERL (541-867-4043) S-52 BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS TO EXPAND THE ENVIRONMEN- TAL TECHNOLOGY CHOICES OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DECISION MAKERS IN THE UNITED STATES AND ABROAD The Environmental Technology Verification Program (ETV) is a service of the Environmental Protection Agency designed to accelerate the development and commercialization of improved environmental technology through third party verification and reporting of perfor- mance. The goal of ETV is to provide purchasers, permitters and developers with objective and quality assured performance data. Since its inception in October 1995, ETV has designed 12 pilot projects to test a wide range of partner and procedural alternatives and to cover a broad range of environmental areas. Although the 12 pilots began on different schedules, all will be operational in 1998. The first pilot, Site Characterization and Monitoring Technologies, verified 11 environ- mental technologies in 1996 and 1997. Thirty-five additional technolo- gies are presently in the verification process. ETV envisions verifying over 350 better, faster, cheaper technologies by the year 2005. ETV is managed by the Office of Research and Development with pilot managers from the National Risk Management Research Laboratory and the National Exposure Research Laboratory. The ETV poster exhibit for the ORD Williamsburg Workshop includes two posters. One poster is a map of the U.S. entitled ETV Pilot Partnerships highlighting the ETV pilots, their partner, the location of their partner organization and a brief description of the pilot activities. The other poster lists the ETV Team Pilot Managers, the partner organization Pilot Managers and the ETV Program Coordination Director and Contacts with their telephone numbers. To learn more about ETV, see the ETV Web Site at: http://www.epa.gov/etv. PREPARED BY! Tina Maragousis Conley, NRMRL (202-260-2579) S-53 BIOVENTING: LOW COST IN-SITU BIOREMEDIATION OF SOILS Bioventing is the delivery of gases to subsurface soils to promote •in-situ biodegradation of organic contaminants. Initially, bioventing was developed to remediate fuel-contaminated sites. Since fuels, such as diesel and jet fuel, are biodegradable by soil microorganisms if 49 ------- sufficient oxygen is available, bioventing was developed to deliver oxygen by injecting air into the subsurface. Usually, the injection rate can be optimized to provide adequate oxygen while minimizing volatilization. Bioventing of fuel-contaminated sites has been studied extensively by EPA and others resulting in the technology being used widely and considered as "off the shelf." Using bioventing to attack other aerobically biodegradable compounds is currently under study including using bioventing to treat PAH-contaminated sites such as wood treating and manufactured gas plant sites. In recent years, the bioventing concept has been generalized so that other microbiologies harnessed to biodegrade more recalcitrant contaminants. Under development now at NRMRL is cometabolic bioventing and anaerobic bioventing. Cometabolism of chlorinated solvents such as trichloroethylene (TCE) can be accomplished by injection a specific cosubstrate, such as propane, and air. This gas mixture establishes the correct environment for the soil microorganisms to perform cometabolic destruction of TCE. Anaerobic microbial transformations may be desirable for treatment of highly chlorinated soil contaminants such as perchloroethylene (PCE), PCBs and DDT. By injecting nitrogen gas to displace soil oxygen and adding small amount of hydrogen and carbon dioxide gases, anaerobic dechlorina- tion of these compounds may be possible. Many dechlorinated compounds can then be destroyed by aerobic biodegradation via aerobic bioventing. Thus, sequential anaerobic-aerobic bioventing may be an effective treatment train. Since the cost of bioventing of fuel contamination is so low ($5-$25/cu-yd), and variants on the technology such as those described above should not add significant cost, the bioventing research program at NRMRL is attempting to develop a general technology for use with a wide variety of soil types and contamination. PREPARED BY: Gregory Sayles, NRMRL (513-569-7607) S-54 ENHANCED SOURCE REMOVAL The objective of the enhanced source removal project is to evaluate alternative and innovative technologies to extract non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) from unconsolidated permeable formations. NAPLs serve as persistent sources of dissolved ground-water plumes at many contaminated sites, and are typically categorized according to their fluid phase density as light non-aqueous liquids (LNAPLs) or dense non-aqueous liquids (DNAPLs). Nine methods for in-situ NAPL extraction were evaluated at a contaminated site on Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The contaminant was a complex mixture of organic wastes present as a residual LNAPL. Predominant components of the LNAPL 50 ------- were jet fuel and chlorinated solvents. Adjuvants used to expedite LNAPL removal included surfactants, alcohol cosolvents, air, steam, and a macromolecuje. Tests were conducted in 3 m x 5 m cells which were hydraulically isolated by interlocking sheet piles. Remedial fluids containing one or more of these adjuvants were flushed through a contaminated zone of each test cell. LNAPL content was estimated both before and after flushing using core sample analysis and partition- ing tracer tests. In addition, concentrations of NAPL constituents in waste streams were monitored and used to estimate mass of contami- nant extracted. Because of their fluid phase density, DNAPLs have proven to be very difficult to locate and remediate. Therefore, the current focus of the project is an evaluation of the technologies used at Hill AFB for removal of DNAPLs. This work is being performed at the Ground Water Remediation Field Laboratory, Dover AFB, Delaware. In this case, perchloroethylene (PCE) will be released into double contained test cells to create a known DNAPL source. Ground water sampling and tracer tests will be used to estimate volume and distribution of DNAPL in test cells both before and after remediation. Multiple technology demonstrations will be conducted in each of two test cells at the site. The first technology to be evaluated will be cosolvent- enhanced solubilization. PREPARED BY: Carl G. Enfield, NRMRL (513-569-7489) and A. Lynn Wood, NRMRL (406-436-8552) S-55 IN-SITU PERMEABLE REACTIVE BARRIERS TO REMEDIATE GROUND WATER CONTAMINATED WITH CHROMATEAND CHLORINATED SOLVENT COMPOUNDS: FULL-SCALE FIELD DEMONSTRATION Much of the current research on ground-water remediation has focused on the removal of contaminated water from the subsurface and treating it at the surface. While the removal of the contaminants is desirable, the costs often are prohibitive and rarely are contaminant concentra- tions lowered to the required regulatory levels. This has been particu- larly evident for standard "pump-and-treat" approaches. In-situ ' chemically reactive permeable walls or treatment zones are being considered as a low-cost and effective alternative for the restoration of contaminated soils, ground water and surface water systems. The chemical form of the contaminant in question is transformed via oxidation-reduction and/or precipitation reactions to an immobilized and/or non-toxic form. The application of in situ approaches to ., subsurface restoration efforts increase the emphasis on adequate site characterization and thorough understanding of the subsurface system 51 ------- targeted for restoration and the geochemical mechanisms controlling contaminant transformations. Research into the use of zero-valent metals to remediate ground- water contaminated with mixed wastes (inorganic and organic) has been ongoing at the Environmental Protection Agency's National Risk Management Research Laboratory in Ada, Oklahoma (NRMRL-Ada) since 1991. The primary emphasis has been on inorganic contaminants such as chromate, arsenic, nitrate and sulfate, however we have also investigated the application of this technology for chlorinated organic compounds. Laboratory-based research at NRMRL-Ada conclusively demonstrated the effectiveness of using zero-valent metals to remediate chromate in ground water and this research was scaled up to pilot and full-scale demonstrations in September 1994, and June 1996, respec- tively, near an old chrome plating facility on the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Support Center near Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Perfor- mance monitoring results of the first year following installation of the full-scale barrier wall are presented and directions for future research involving this promising innovative technology are proposed. PREPARED BY: Robert W. Puls, NRMRL (405-436-8543) S-56 ORD SCIENCE COUNCIL KNOW YOUR SCIENCE COUNCIL FY97 MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ACTIVITIES ORD RESEARCH STRATEGIES AND PLANS ORD's Science Council is chaired by the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Science. Science Council members provide a balance between health and ecological research. They include the Associate Directors for Health and Ecology of ORD's National Laboratories and Centers; the Associate Director for Science in NCERQA; and the Associate Director for Science and the Director of OSP. The Science Council advises the AA and ORD's Executive Council on research and scientific issues with special consideration for strategic planning and integration with Agency-wide goals. The Science Council serves as the principal forum for identifying, discuss- ing and providing advice on Agency scientific and technical issues, as well as work environment and professional development for scientists. The Science Council manages the process for development and review of ORD research strategies and plans on high priority research areas and programs. Draft documents are available via the Internet at: http:// www.epa.gov/ORD/resplans. . PREPARED BY: Lisa Matthews, IOAA (202-564-6669) 52 ------- S-57 EPA'S INTEGRATED RISK INFORMATION SYSTEM {IRIS} PILOT PROGRAM IRIS is an EPA data base containing Agency consensus scientific positions on potential adverse human^health effects that may result from chronic exposure to environmental contaminants. IRIS health assessments include the oral reference dose (RfD), the inhalation reference concentration (RfC}» and the cancer assessment for both oral and inhalation exposure. The Agency is conducting a pilot program to improve the scientific consensus and review process that precedes IRIS database entries. Under the pilot, EPAis testing improvements in (1) solicitation of scientific information from the public on chemicals under consMeration^) documentation in . IRIS summariesand support documents, includjngne|i^Tcixlcorogical Reviews,'* „ _ " (3)^conducting external peerjev§w7 either by mail or^anelVe^|ing^a!iSJ*) * streamlining final Internal AgeWyeonsensus. The piloVincludes"ass^ment or ' reassessment of the following 10 chemicals: bentazon, biryHiumrchlordane, ... . «" , ^V" '*"" * ^-^^"tJSMV 'V'-X*->^ 4 C^f^^A^ > -I - - chromium, cumene, methyl methacrylate, methylene dfphenyl diisocyanate, - > naphthalene, tributyltin oxide, and vinyl chloride. Also, the IRIS discussion of arsenic carcinogenicity is being augmented. Both the existing and proposed new cancer guidelines (EPA, 1996) are being applied. The new IRIS flies and Toxico- logical Reviews are being made available as they are completed from summer 1997 through winter 1998 on the new IRIS web site, http:/lww\v,epa.gov/iris. An evaluation of the pilot process and products is being used K> design standard operating procedures for EPA's long-term IRIS program". A revised and expanded IRIS program is being developed for 1998. ' ? PREPARED BY: A. Mills, NCEA (202-260-0569) & O. L. Foureman, NCEA (919-541-1183) S-58 RESEARCH NEEDS FOR FUEL OXYGENATES The demands of the Clean Air Act for the use of oxygenated and reformulated gasoline ("oxyfuels") in areas with excessive carbon monoxide and ozone levels in ambient air have led to increased potential for environmental contamination from, and human exposure to, chemicals such as methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) used as fuel oxygenates. There have been increasing questions about the potential health and environmental impact from the use of oxyfuels. However, the available information on conventional gasolines and on oxyfuels (and even the oxygenates themselves in some cases) is not sufficient to support quantitative assessments of the risks of oxyfuels in relation to conventional fuels. A complete assessment requires information on emissions, potential exposures, health and environmental effects, and the overall impact to air and water quality. To define and address the research needed to respond to these questions, NCEA in cooperation with ORD laboratories and offices, as well as the Office of Air and Radiation and other program and regional offices, has coordinated development of an information and research needs document to support risk assessment and risk management efforts related to oxyfuels. "Oxyfuels Information Needs" (EPA Report No. 600/R-96/069) covers a broad range of research and analyses needed to improve the scientific understanding of environmental risks and benefits of oxyfuels relative to conventional fuels. More recently, a draft "Research Strategy for Oxygenates in Water" has been under development to address more specifically the issues related to oxyfuel contamina- tion of ground, surface, and drinking water. A workshop to review the draft "Research Strategy" was held in October (Workshop Draft will be available on the ORD/NCEA web page). An External Review Draft is expected to be released for public comment in January 1998. PREPARED BY: Michel Stevens, NCEA (919-541-4645) AU.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1997—650-273/61010 ------- ------- |