EPA/600/R-92/078
May 1992
Inventory of Exposure-Related
Data Systems Sponsored By
Federal Agencies
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Health Research
Washington, D.C. 20460
Centers for Disease Control
National Center for Health Statistics
Office of Analysis and Epidemiology
Hyattsville, MD 20782
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Health Studies
Atlanta, GA 30333
May 1992
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EPA/600/R-92/078
May 1992
INVENTORY OF EXPOSURE-RELATED DATA SYSTEMS
SPONSORED BY FEDERAL AGENCIES
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Health Research
Washington, DC 20460
Centers for Disease Control
National Center for Health Statistics
Office of Analysis and Epidemiology
Hyattsville, MD 20782
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
Division of Health Studies
Atlanta, GA 30333
Prepared by:
Eastern Research Group, Inc.
Lexington, MA 02173
May 1992
Printed on Recycled Paper
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DISCLAIMER
The information in this document has been funded wholly or in part by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency under contract 68-D90133 to Eastern
Research Group, Inc., it does not necessarily reflect the views of the Agencies who
have sponsored this effort and no official endorsement should be inferred. Mention
of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or
recommendation for use.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREFACE viii
OVERVIEW 1
Introduction 1
Purpose 1
Scope 2
Method 3
Limitations 5
List of Data System Name Changes 6
Organization of Inventory 9
Synopsis of Data Systems Included 10
Additional Information Resources 13
Table of Selected Characteristics of Data Collection Systems 18
Table of Specific Media Characteristics of Data Collection System 24
PART I: DATA COLLECTION SYSTEMS (for a listing of specific data systems, see next
page)
PART H: DATA HANDLING SYSTEMS (for a listing of specific data systems, see next page)
APPENDLX A Listing of Data Systems by Name and Acronym ....... A-l
APPENDLX B Listing of Data Systems by Department B-l
or Agency
APPENDIX C Questionnaire C-l
APPENDLX D Related Data Systems D-l
(For a listing of specific systems, see page D-l)
APPENDLX E Listing of Chemicals by Data Collection E-l
System and Media
in
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.)
DATA SYSTEMS INCLUDED IN INVENTORY (PARTS I AND II)
Acid Deposition Data Network (ADDNET) II-l
Acid Deposition System (ADS) 1-1
Acidification Chemistry Information Database (ACID) II-3
Aerometric Information Retrieval System (AIRS) 11-4
Agricultural Chemical Usage 1-5
Air Facility Subsystem (AFS) of the Aerometric Information Retrieval
System (AIRS) 1-8
Air Quality Data Handling System (see Aerometric Information Retrieval
System)
Air Quality Subsystem (AQS) of the Aerometric Information Retrieval
System (AIRS) I-H
Airborne Particulate and Precipitation Data (see Environmental Radiation
Ambient Monitoring System)
Alaskan Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project 1-14
Alkalinity, Lake Area, and Deposition for New England States 1-15
Ambient Ozone Concentrations 1-16
Anticipated Residues in Food (OPPE Pesticide Food Residue) 1-17
Aquatic Toxicity Information Retrieval (AQUIRE) 1-21
Biennial Reporting System 1-25
Biological Effects Surveys (see National Status and Trends)
Biomonitoring of Environmental Status and Trends Program (see National
Contaminant Biomonitoring Program)
Carbon Monoxide Total Exposure Assessment Methodology Study
(CO TEAM) 1-29
Chemical Screening Branch (CSB) Existing Chemicals Assessment
Tracking System (CECATS) 1-34
Coal Technology Data System H-8
Coastal Environmental Assessment Studies (see Environmental Monitoring
and Assessment Program)
Commercial Power Reactor Dose (see Radioactive Materials Released
from Nuclear Power Plants)
Community Health Air Monitoring Program (CHAMP) 1-37
Compliance Data System (CDS) 1-41
Comprehensive Data Handling System (see Aerometric Information
Retrieval System)
Comprehensive Epidemiologic Data Resource (CEDR) 11-11
Daily Values File (see Water Data Storage and Retrieval System)
Distribution Registry of Organic Pollutants in Water(WaterDROP) . . . 1-42
Eastern Lake Survey (ELS) 1-43
Effects of Sulfur Dioxide and Respirable Particles on Human Health
(Six Cities Study) 1-47
Emergency Response Notification System (ERNS) 1-52
IV
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.)
DATA SYSTEMS INCLUDED IN INVENTORY (PARTS I AND D) (cont.)
Emission Inventory System/Point Source (see Aerometric Information
Retrieval System)
Emissions Certification Database 1-56
Environmental Display Manager (EDM) E-13
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) 1-59
Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System (ERAMS) 1-63
Federal Reporting Database System (FRDS) 1-68
Fish Information Network (FIN) 1-72
Fluoridation Census 1-73
Global Environment Monitoring System (GEMS) 1-76
Graphical Exposure Modeling System (GEMS) E-16
Great Lakes Fish Monitoring Program 1-82
Groundwater Site Inventory File (see Water Data Storage and Retrieval
System)
Hazardous and Nonhazardous Waste Surveys (see Biennial Reporting
System)
Hazardous Substance Release/Health Effects Database (HAZDAT) .... 1-83
Hazardous Waste Data Management System (see Resource Conservation
and Recovery Information System)
Hazardous Waste Site Data Base (see Lockheed-U.S. EPA, EMSL-LV) . . .
Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES) ..... 1-87
Industrial Facilities Discharge File (IFD) H-20
Integrated Data Base (IDE) 1-92
Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) 1-96
Internal Radiation Dosimetry System (OHSP) 1-100
International Air Data Base (see Graphical Exposure Modeling System) . .
Lake Analysis Management System (LAMS) 1-104
Lockheed-EPA, Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory -
Las Vegas (LESC-EPA,EMSL-LV) . 1-107
Long-Term Monitoring Project (LTM) 1-111
Marine Pollution Retrieval System (MPRS) 1-115
Market Basket Study (see Total Diet Study)
Microbiology and Residue Computer Information System (MARCIS) . . 1-119
Month and State Current Emission Trends (MSCET) 1-123
Monthly Emissions Inventory for Sulfur Dioxide 1-127
Mussel Watch Project (see National Status and Trends)
National Acid Deposition Program - National Trends Network (see Acid
Deposition System)
National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program (NAPAP) 1-128
National Air Monitoring Stations (NAMS) 1-133
National Air Pollution Control Program (see Aerometric Information
Retrieval System)
National Air Toxics Information Clearinghouse (NATICH) 1-134
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.)
DATA SYSTEMS INCLUDED IN INVENTORY (PARTS I AND II) (cont.)
National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank (NBSB) 11-21
National Coastal Pollutant Discharge Inventory (NCPDI) 1-138
National Contaminant Biomonitoring Program (NCBP) 1-143
National Emissions Data System (NEDS) 1-147
National Environmental Specimen Bank '. . . 1-148
National Estuarine Inventory (NEI) 11-24
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) .... 1-152
National Herbicide Use Database 1-157
National Human Adipose Tissue Survey (NHATS) 1-160
National Human Milk Monitoring Program 1-164
National Human Monitoring Program (see National Human
Adipose Tissue)
National Hydrologic Benchmark Network (see National Water Quality
Networks Programs)
National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank 1-168
National Park Service Environmental Database Management
System (NPSEDMS) 1-169
National Park Service Visibility Monitoring Program (see Interagency
Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments)
National Pesticide Monitoring Program (see National Contaminant
Biomonitoring Program)
National Pesticide Survey (NPS) 1-173
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (see Permit
Compliance System)
National Residential Radon Survey (NRRS) 1-177
National Shellfish Register of Classified Estuarine Waters
(Register) 1-181
National Status and Trends for Marine Environmental Quality (NS&T) 1-185
National Stream Quality Accounting Network (see National Water
Quality Networks Program) •
National Stream Survey (NSS) 1-190
National Surface Water Survey (see Eastern Lake Survey,
National Stream Survey, and Western Lake Survey)
National Survey of Pesticides in Drinking Water Wells (see
National Pesticide Survey)
National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) 1-194
National VOC Data Base 1-195
National Water Information System n 1-200
National Water Quality Networks Program 1-201
Nonoccupational Pesticide Exposure Study (NOPES) 1-207
Northeast Regional Oxidant Study (NEROS) 1-212
Ocean Data Evaluation System (ODES) 1-216
VI
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TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.)
DATA SYSTEMS INCLUDED IN INVENTORY (PARTS I AND n) (cont.)
Offsite Human Surveillance Program (see Internal Radiation
Dosimetry System)
Peak Flow File (see Water Data Storage and Retrieval System)
Particle Total Exposure Assessment Methodology Study (PTEAM) . . . 1-220
Permit Compliance System (PCS) 1-225
Pesticide Information Network (PIN) . 1-228
Pesticide Use Surveys (see Agricultural Chemical Usage)
Radioactive Materials Released from Nuclear Power Plants 1-232
Radiochemical Surveillance Network (see National Water
Quality Networks Program)
Reach Pollutant Assessment (RPA) n-27
Recall Database 1-236
Records of Decisions System (RODS) 1-240
Regional Air Pollution Study (RAPS) 1-241
Resource Conservation Recovery Information System (RCRIS) 1-245
Sample Tracking and Data Management System (STDMS) ......... 1-249
Social, Economic, Environmental, Demographic Information
System (SEEDIS) E-30
State and Local Air Monitoring Stations (SLAMS) 1-250
State/EPA Residential Radon Survey 1-251
Station Header File (see Water Data Storage and Retrieval System)
Storage and Retrieval of Aerometric Data (see Aerometric
Information Retrieval System)
Storage and Retrieval of Water Quality Data (STORET) 1-254
Synthetic Organic Chemicals (SOC), United States Production
and Sales (Annual SOC Report) 1-259
Total Diet Study (TDS) 1-263
Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 1-267
Toxic Substances Control Act Test Submissions (TSCATS) 1-271
Tritium Network (see Water Quality Networks Program)
Unit Values File (see Water Data Storage and Retrieval System)
Volatile Organic Compound Total Exposure Assessment Methodology Study
(VOC TEAM) 1-275
Waste Management Database System (see Resource
Conservation and Recovery System)
Water Data Storage and Retrieval System (WATSTORE) 1-281
Water Quality File (see Water Data Storage and Retrieval System)
Water Use File (see Water Data Storage and Retrieval System)
Western Lake Survey (WLS) 1-285
Wisconsin Fisheries Database (FISH.WIS) . . 1-288
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PREFACE
This report, an Inventory of Exposure-Related Data Systems Sponsored by Federal
Agencies, is a compilation of information on federally managed data systems that contain
exposure information. These systems access collections of analytical results that assess
environmental media such as air, soil, or water, as well as analytical results from food,
human samples, or hulk chemicals. The Inventory focuses on data systems that:
• Contain information on a large geographic area (i.e., national, regional, state,
or region of a state—excluding individual research studies of limited scope);
• Have data or summary documents that are generally available for research or
other purposes; and
» Are supported, at least in part, by public funds.
The Inventory emerges from-the premise that the availability and quality of exposure
data is a central issue in environmental studies. Objective and quantifiable exposure data
are needed to perform risk assessments, to evaluate risk management programs, to evaluate
the status of and trends in exposure, and to perform epidemiologic studies and surveillance
activities. The first step in encouraging the development of high-quality exposure data is to
determine and characterize the data systems that already exist.
This report consists of a brief overview of the purpose, scope, method, limitations,
organization, and findings of the inventory, followed by detailed summaries of each data
system. The Inventory is organized into two parts: Part I contains descriptions of data
collection systems that collect source data; Part n contains descriptions of data handling
systems that provide easy and flexible access to data available in other data systems. (This
distinction is not meant to imply that data collection systems do not provide easy and flexible
access to data.) If a data system collects any source data, it is listed in the data collection
system section regardless of the data handling capabilities of the system. Summaries within
each section are in alphabetical order by name of the data system. In Part I, the detailed
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description of each data collection system includes the objectives and coverage of the system,
summary of environmental data, sample design and analysis, database characteristics, and
contact persons for additional information. (For some data systems detailed information
was not available; in these instances a brief description is provided.) In Part n, the detailed
write-up of each data handling system describes the coverage of the system, the data sources
included, data presentation, and data availability.
In addition, there are four appendices. Appendix A contains the names and acronyms
(if any) of the data systems. Appendix B lists the data systems by agency. Appendix C
contains the questionnaire that was sent to each of the database managers. (Responses to
the questionnaire and a great deal of additional information provided by these individuals
formed the basis of the summaries in this Inventory.) Appendix D contains additional data
systems that support and quantify environmental exposure assessment by providing
information such as emission factors and food consumption data. In addition, a listing of
chemicals found in the data collection systems was compiled in which the chemicals are listed
by data collection system name and media. Appendix E describes how this list was compiled;
the listing itself is on a diskette accompanying this document.
This Inventory served as the background document for the workshop entitled "Making
Use of Environmental Exposure Databases." This workshop, which was held in January
1992, was jointly sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry, and the National Center for Health Statistics of the
Centers for Disease Control. The workshop focused on four questions: How are these
databases being used? Are data available to document exposures for both the general
population and high risk groups? What critical data are not available? Should existing
databases be modified, or should new databases be created to address data gaps?
This project was initiated by the Task Force on Environmental Cancer and Heart and
Lung Disease and completed under the joint direction of the Environmental Protection
Agency, the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control, and the
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
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The Inventory represents the efforts of many individuals in the federal government
who completed the questionnaires, the staff of Eastern Research Group, Inc. (especially Leslie
Beyer, Linda Stein, David Mellard, and Janice Pacenka), Haluk Ozkaynak, Ph.D., and the
following memhers of a steering committee whose tenacity resulted in the completion of this
Inventory: Ken Sexton, Sc.D., Environmental Protection Agency; Sherry Selevan, Ph.D.,
Environmental Protection Agency; Jeffrey Lybarger, M.D., Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry; and Thomas Miller, Environmental Protection Agency. The efforts of all
of these individuals are greatly appreciated.
Diane K. Wagener, Ph.D.
Centers for Disease Control
National Center for Health Statistics
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OVERVIEW
INTRODUCTION
Federal, state, and local officials face increasing public demand for information on exposure
to toxicants in the environment and their possible adverse health effects. The potential for
exposure exists in the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we consume, and the soil and
dust we contact. With industrialization and new technological developments, both the quantity and
types of substances in the environment are increasing.
To conduct environmental studies or to evaluate program effectiveness, officials and
researchers need quality data on potential toxic exposures. The premise of this project is that data
systems exist that could be used to meet these needs. Federal and state agencies, for example,
maintain environmental exposure data systems, which are typically generated for specific purposes
(e.g., regulatory). In some instances, the quality of the data is not optimal. However, of equal
concern to this project is the presumption that the use of existing quality data is not optimal. This
Inventory was generated as a means to learn more about existing data systems and the potential
for new and innovative uses of the data in them.
PURPOSE
This Inventory is intended to aid policy makers, program managers, and researchers, as well
as concerned citizens, in identifying potential sources of exposure information. Exposure
information is needed by epidemiologists, risk assessors, risk managers, and policy makers to
evaluate the status and trends in exposure assessment and disease surveillance. The Inventory
should broaden the scope of available information for these individuals and help them identify
potential data sources. The Inventory, however, was not designed to answer all questions that might
be asked about a data system. Instead, limited characteristics of these resources are described in
the Inventory. It is intended that users of the Inventory will seek additional information from the
contact persons listed in the description of each data system.
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SCOPE
In August 1981, the Task Force on Environmental Cancer and Heart and Lung Disease
published the Directory of Exposure-Related Data Bases. This report included information on 13
information resources, which were largely federally managed. Criteria for inclusion were that the
resource contain numerical or qualitative data that assist in exposure assessment, contain
observational data, involve ongoing or periodic data collection, and be publicly accessible. Since
the publication of the Directory in 1981, efforts to collect environmental data have expanded
enormously. The purpose of this current Inventory is to expand and update the Directory.
This Inventory describes data systems that contain exposure-related information and are
managed and funded by the federal government. (Although many state- and locally-sponsored
databases contain valuable exposure-related information, the scope of this Inventory was limited
to federal systems due to lack of resources.) Exposure-related information was defined broadly to
include analytical results that assess food, human samples, or bulk chemicals; or assess an
environmental media such as air, soil, or water. Occupational exposure measurements were
excluded to limit the size and complexity of the project.
The Inventory focuses on data systems that:
• Contain data on a large geographic area (i.e., national, regional, state, or region of
a state—excluding individual research studies of limited scope);
• Have data or summary information documents that are generally available for
research or other purposes; and
• Are supported, at least in part, by public funds.
With some exceptions, the data systems included in this Inventory contain measured, as contrasted
to estimated, data. The exceptions have been included because they have been widely used to
characterize potential human exposures.
In contrast to the previous Directory, this Inventory does not include resources that focus
on lists of citations to other forms of information such as articles, reports, or databases. Further,
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this Inventory does not focus on databases that contain only production volume data. The reasons
for these limitations were largely to make the scope of this project achievable.
METHOD
A five-member steering committee directed this project. Its members represented the
Environmental Protection Agency, the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for
Disease Control, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. A wide range of data
sources can be used in exposure assessment. These include production volumes, emissions
inventories, ambient concentration models and measurements, micrdenvironmental concentration
models and measurements, human activity patterns, personal exposure measurements, and biological
measurements. To assist defining the scope and contents of this Inventory, a variety of previous
documents were consulted, and meetings were held with officials from the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry, Environmental Protection Agency, National Center for
Environmental Health and Injury Control (Centers for Disease Control), National Center for
Health Statistics (Centers for Disease Control), National Institute for Environmental Health
Sciences (National Institutes of Health), and the National Library of Medicine.
Many documents provided guidance on the content for this Inventory, including the previous
inventory, Directory of Exposure-Related Databases. In addition, recent documents were reviewed
for applicability of content, identification of needs, and scope. These documents included:
Environmental Health: A Plan for Collecting and Coordinating Statistical and Epidemiologic
Data. 1980. National Center for Health Statistics. U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services. DHHS Pub. No. (PHS) 80-1248. U.S. Government Printing Office: Washington,
DC.
Environmental Health: A Study of the Issues in Locating, Assessing, and Treating Individuals
Exposed to Hazardous Substances. 1981. National Center for Health Statistics. U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services. DHHS Pub. No. (PHS) 81-1275. U.S.
Government Printing Office: Washington, DC.
The Potential for Linking Environmental and Health Data. 1989. National Governors'
Association. Washington, DC.
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After reviewing and discussing these and other documents, the steering committee felt that
sampling strategies for occupational exposures were substantially different from those used for most
other environmental data. Consequently, the steering committee decided that the Inventory would
focus on nonoccupational exposures so as to limit the scope and complexity of the project.
The steering committee 'also decided to focus efforts for this Inventory on systems that
contained information on a large geographic area. This decision necessarily eliminated pilot studies
and targeted research projects.
Several relevant inventories were reviewed for format and content as guidance for this
project. These inventories included:
Abramowitz, J.N., D.S. Baker, and D.B. Tunstall. 1990. Guide of Key Environmental
Statistics in the U.S. Government. World Resources Institute.
HHS Data Inventories (for various fiscal years). U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services. U.S. Government Printing Office: Washington, DC.
Information Resources Directory. 1989. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of
Information and Resources Management.
Frisch, J.D., G.M. Shaw, and J.A. Harris. 1990. Epidemiologic Research Using Existing
Databases of Environmental Measures. Archives of Environmental Health. 45:303-307.
Nutrition Monitoring in the United States: The Directory of Federal Nutrition Monitoring
Activities. 1989. U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, and Agriculture. DHHS
Pub. No. (PHS) 89-1255-1. U.S. Government Printing Office: Washington, DC.
Several meetings were held with representatives from the agencies noted above to identify
database characteristics of most interest and to develop a questionnaire. The questionnaire was
then sent as a pilot project to sk data systems, chosen because they represented a wide variety of
data system characteristics. The questionnaire was subsequently revised and sent to the managers
of over 100 databases. The questionnaire and instructions are included as Appendix C.
The questionnaire sought information on the purpose of the data system, geographic
coverage, site selection, source and dispersion information, sample collection and quality control,
data preparation and availability, and toxicant and media assessed. In addition, system managers
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were requested to provide background information and descriptive reports. Given the scope of the
systems included and the type of information requested, no satisfactory short questionnaire could
gather all the information needed to develop the summaries provided in this Inventory. Therefore,
the collection of this information and followup clarification required multiple contacts with the data
managers. Once written, each description was reviewed by Ms. Beyer or Ms. Stein (Eastern
Research Group, Inc.), Dr. Ozkaynak (Harvard University), and Dr. Wagener (National Center for
Health Statistics).
LIMITATIONS
No assurance can be given that all inscope data systems have been included. Time and
resource limitations prevented exhaustive canvassing to assure that all appropriate systems were
identified. The inclusion list was sent to government officials, some of whom provided us with the
names of additional data systems. Many system managers, however, ignored the original request
for information (i.e., the questionnaire) and followup mailings. In such cases, staff attempted to
obtain information via telephone conversations or from descriptions available in reports or
brochures.
As noted above, an important limitation of an Inventory including 95 data systems is that
detailed information cannot be provided. Hence it is important for the user to seek additional
information from the contact person listed as part of each data system description.
One problem that arose in this survey was that over time systems have changed names, some
multiple times. In those instances, we have listed both former and current names. Table 1
summarizes this information and provides cross-references for the user.
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TABLE 1
LIST OF DATA SYSTEM NAME CHANGES
Name
In Inventory
Air Quality Data Handling System
Airborne Particulate and Precipitation Data
Biological Effects Surveys
Biomonitoring of Environmental Status
and Trends Program
Coastal Environmental Assessment Studies
(CEAS)
Commercial Power Reactor Dose
Comprehensive Data Handling System
(CDHS)
Daily Values File
Emission Inventory System/Point Source
and Area (BIS)
Groundwater Site Inventory File
Hazardous and Nonhazardous Waste Surveys
Hazardous Waste Data Management System
(HWDMS)
Hazardous Waste Site Data Base
International Air Data Base
Market Basket Study
Aerometric Information Retrieval System (AIRS)
Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring
System (ERAMS)
National Status and Trends (NS&T)
National Contaminant
Biomonitoring Program (NCBP)
Environmental Monitoring and
Assessment Program (EMAP)
Radioactive Materials Released from Nuclear
Power Plants
Aerometric Information Retrieval
System (AIRS)
Water Data Storage and Retrieval System
(WATSTORE)
Aerometric Information Retrieval
System (AIRS)
Water Data Storage and Retrieval System
(WATSTORE)
Biennial Reporting System
Resource Conservation and Recovery
Information System (RCRIS)
Lockheed-U.S. EPA, EMSL-LV
Graphical Exposure Modeling System (GEMS)
Total Diet Study (TDS)
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TABLE 1 (cont.)
Name
In Inventory
Mussel Watch Project
National Acid Deposition Program-National
Trends Network (NADP-NTN)
National Air Pollution Control Program
National Human Monitoring Program (NHMP)
National Hydrologjc Benchmark Network
National Park Service Visibility Monitoring
Program
National Pesticide Monitoring Program
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES)
National Stream Quality Accounting Network
(NASQUAN)
National Surface Water Survey
National Survey of Pesticides in Drinking Water
Wells
National Water Information System II
Offsite Human Surveillance Program (OHSP)
Peak Flow File
Pesticide Use Surveys
Radiochemical Surveillance Network
National Status and Trends (NS&T)
Acid Deposition System (ADS)
Aerometric Information Retrieval System (AIRS)
National Human Adispose Tissue (NHATS)
National Water Quality Networks Programs
Interagency Monitoring of Protected
Visual Environments (IMPROVE)
National Contaminant Biomonitoring Program
(NCBP)
Permit Compliance System (PCS)
National Water Quality Networks Program
Eastern Lake Survey (ELS), National Stream
Survey (NSS), and Western Lake Survey (WLS)
National Pesticide Survey (NPS)
Water Data Storage and Retrieval System
(WATSTORE)
Internal Radiation Dosimetry System
Water Data Storage and Retrieval System
(WATSTORE)
Agricultural Chemical Usage
National Water Quality Networks Program
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TABLE 1 (cont.)
Name
In Inventory
Station Header File
Storage and Retrieval of Aerometric Data
(SAROAD)
Tritium Network
Unit Values File
Waste Management Database System
Water Quality File
Water Use File
Water Data Storage and Retrieval System
(WATSTORE)
Aerometric Information Retrieval
System (AIRS)
Water Quality Networks Program
Water Data Storage and Retrieval System
(WATSTORE)
Resource Conservation and Recovery System
(RCRIS)
Water Data Storage and Retrieval System
(WATSTORE)
Water Data Storage and Retrieval System
(WATSTORE)
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ORGANIZATION OF THE INVENTORY
In the synopsis that follows, two types of data systems are discussed: data collection systems
and data handling systems. Data collection systems are systems that collect data (mostly
environmental sample results, but some estimated data are included, too). Data handling systems
are those systems that coordinate and/or compile data from multiple data collection systems and
provide the user with easy, but sophisticated, statistical and graphical representations of data. In
some instances, this distinction is blurred because some data collection systems also provide flexible
analytical features.
Descriptions for the data collection systems, which are located in Part I of the Inventory,
contain information on the purpose of the data system, geographic coverage, site selection, sample
collection and quality control, data availability, and toxicant and media assessed. The data handling
system descriptions, located in Part II, are more cursory; they describe coverage of the system, data
sources included, data presentation, and data availability. Although Part II descriptions do not
provide details on the component databases, they do refer potential users of these files to writeups
on specific component databases found in Part I. Any system that has primary data collection
responsibilities was included in Part I as a data collection system.
Also provided in the Inventory are appendices A to D. Appendix A contains two tables:
one lists the systems by name and acronym; the other lists them by acronym and name. Appendix
B cross-references the systems by the federal agencies that manage them. Appendix C contains the
questionnaire. Appendix D presents summaries of additional data systems that do not contain
analytical measurements, but contain information that support environmental exposure assessment.
Examples of this type of information include emission factors, fate and transport models, and
surveys of consumer usage of products or consumption of various foods. Summaries of 17 such
systems are located in Appendix D. Appendix E contains an introduction to the listing of the
specific chemicals found in the data collection systems. In this listing, the chemicals are listed by
data collection system name and media; the listing itself is on a diskette accompanying this
document.
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SYNOPSIS OF DATA SYSTEMS INCLUDED IN THE INVENTORY
The American public is most often interested in environmental pollution because of concern
for possible adverse health effects. However, evaluating the relationship between potential
exposures and the potential for adverse health effects is a complex process. Figure 1 graphically
outlines some aspects of this evaluation. The focus of this Inventory is on the exposure assessment
portion of this evaluation process.
The data systems included in this Inventory primarily collect and compile analytical
measurements. Systems that were based on models or occupational measurements were not
included. Further, the Inventory was restricted to those systems that evaluate large geographic
areas. The most frequent reason for excluding a system was the lack of geographic information.
This Inventory includes detailed descriptions of 67 data collection systems managed by 17
lead government agencies, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the World Health
Organization (WHO). Twelve data handling systems are also included. The summary statistics that
follow are based on those data collection systems in Part I for which detailed information was
available.
Table 2 presents the number of data collection systems that provide each type of data
included in the Inventory. The majority (54) of the data systems contain environmental
concentration measurements. The geographic coverage of most of the included data collection
systems was national (44 out of 67). Given that only databases encompassing a large geographic
area were included, this bias towards national systems is not surprising. Although the coverage was
national, the sampling strategy differed from system to system. Few systems measured the same
toxicants in the same media.
The primary objective of the data collection systems was most often monitoring (36 data
collection systems). Regulatory support was the primary focus of 19 systems, and research was the
primary objective of 29 systems. Six were legally required, but not for regulatory purposes.
-10-
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Sources
Environmental
Pathways
Environmental
Concentrations
Human
Exposures
Dose
Effects
• Identification
• Characterization
• Apportionment
- Transport
• Transformation
• Interaction
• Fate
-Air
•Water
-Soil
•Food
Route
Magnitude
Duration
Frequency
• Bioavailability
• Absorption
• Distribution
• Metabolism
• Elimination
• Genetic
• Pulmonary
• Cardiovascular
• Reproductive
etc...
Exposure
Assessment
Effects
Assessment
Figure 1 Factors Affecting the Relationship Between Potential Exposures and Potential
Health Effects
Source: K. Sexton. 1991. Human Exposure Assessment and Public Health. In: New
Horizons in Biological Dosimetry. B.L. Gledhill and F. Mauro, eds. New York:
Wiley-Liss, Inc.
-11-
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TABLE 2
INFORMATION TYPE
Information Type
Number of
Databases*1
Production Volumes
Emission Inventories
Environmental Measurements
Microenvironmental Concentrations
Personal Monitoring
Human Samples
5
11
54
10
7
13
does not sum to 67 because some data bases have
more than one information type.
-12-
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Of specific concern for this Inventory was the level of detail provided as location identifiers.
Table 3 lists various identifiers used by these systems and the number of systems that use those
identifiers. As can be seen, the most frequent identifiers used were state and latitude/longitude (52
and 44 data collection systems, respectively). This will be important when linkage with other data
systems is contemplated. The data collection frequencies are given in Table 4. Many of the systems
collected data yearly.
The number of databases surveying each media assessed is presented in Table 5. Thirty-
three of the databases surveyed water, while 31 surveyed air. The classes of toxicants measured are
shown in Table 6. Inorganic compounds (e.g., metals) were most frequently measured followed by
pesticides, volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic compounds, andPCBs. Of course, the
class of toxicant measured is affected, in part, by the media assessed. In addition, the toxicants
assessed depend on the applicable legislation and available laboratory techniques. Table 7
summarizes selected characteristics of the data collection systems (i.e., period of data collection,
geographic coverage, media covered, and class of chemicals included). Table 8 lists the specific
media assessed (e.g., ground water, bulk chemicals, dust), for each data collection system.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RESOURCES
In the course of this project, several information resources came to our attention that
provide the user with a comprehensive listing of available data systems and other forms of
information. Some of these information resources that are sponsored by federal agencies are listed
below. This list is by no means exhaustive.
EARTH SCIENCE DATA DIRECTORY (ESDD'i
ESDD is a guide to databases in the fields of earth science and natural resources. Each
record describes a unique database including its geographic coverage, type of access, time span, and
contact person. ESDD includes information on over 2,000 databases created by government
agencies, academic institutions, and private sector efforts. ESDD is available on compact discs that
-13-
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TABLES
LOCATION IDENTIFIERS
Location Identifiers
Number of
Databases3
Latitude/Longitude
Universal Transmercator Coordinates
Street Address
Zip Code
Census Tract
City/Municipality/Township
County/Parish
Metropolitan Statistical Area
State
Hydraulic Unit Codes
River Reach Number
Congressional District
Other
44
10
21
17
3
30
28
8
52
7
1
3
17
aTotal does not sum to 67 because many databases have
multiple location identifiers and others have none.
-14-
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TABLE 4
COLLECTION FREQUENCY
Collection Frequency
Number of
Databases41
Yearly
Quarterly
Monthly
Weekly
Daily
Irregular
Mixed Frequency, varies by chemical
Mixed Frequency, varies by facility
Other
14
3
2
1
7
10
5
5
20
aTotal does not sum to 67 because some databases have
multiple collection frequencies.
-15-
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TABLES
MEDIA SAMPLED
Media Sampled
Number of
Databases3
Bulk Chemicals
Air
Water
Food
Soil
Human Samples
Other
10
31
33
15
17
13
13
aTotal does not sum to 67 because some databases have
more than one type of data.
-16-
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TABLES
MEASURED PARAMETERS
Measured Parameters
Number of
Databases51
Acids/Acid Aerosols
Aeroallergens
Aesthetic Qualities
Asbestos
Bases
Cigarette Smoke
Criteria Pollutants
Dioxins/Furans
Fluoride
Inorganic Compounds
Microorganisms
Particulates
PCBs
Pesticides
Radionuclides
Semi-Volatile Organic Compounds
Trihalomethanes
Volatile Organic Compounds
Other
9
0
18
6
3
3
17
15
14
45
9
14
27
35
22
30
9
32
12
aTotal does not sum to 67 because a databases may have
more than one location identifier.
Includes physical and chemical indicators of water
quality and ion concentrations.
-17-
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are updated quarterly. A user-friendly interactive format allows the user easy access to the
information.
For information, or to contribute information, contact:
C.R. Baskin
ESDD Project Manager
U.S. Geological Survey
801 National Center
Reston, VA 22092
(703) 648-7112
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (ETIS)
ETTS is a collection of systems designed to assist planners and decision-makers. BUS was
developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Construction Engineering Research Laboratory.
User support service is provided through the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. BITS
includes an Economic Impact Forecast System (containing socioeconomic data for every county in
the nation), Computer-aided Environmental Legislative Data System (containing abstracted federal
and state environmental regulations and standards), and the Soils System (containing data on soil
characteristics). ETTS contains the Environmental Information Connection (EIO. EIC allows the
user to search on specific topics to identify specialized institutions, individuals with environmental
expertise, appropriate government agencies, and environmental databases. Also, EIC will prepare
bibliographies. Finally, ETTS also contains a Hazardous Materials Management System (HMMS).
The HMMS contains information on regulated substances, data from Material Safety Data Sheets,
access to HAZARDLINE (a commercially available chemical information system), and access to
several electronic bulletin boards that collect comments and solutions to problems commonly
encountered in engineering projects.
-29-
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For more information on ETIS, contact:
BUS
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Department of Urban and Regional Planing
1003 West Nevada St.
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-1369
(217) 244-5116 (Environmental Information Connection)
NATIONAL AERONAUTIC AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION'S (NASA) MASTER
DIRECTORY
This directory is an international effort. It gives high-level information about datasets
available to researchers at little or no cost, and provides direct connections to some 50 other online
systems and inventories. The directory currently describes approximately 900 earth science,
oceanography, and atmospheric science datasets; about 150 astronomy datasets; some 100 planetary
science datasets; about 100 solar physics datasets; and 250 space physics datasets. The earth science
data come from state and federal agencies and universities. Datasets can be searched using key
words, including specific variable fields.
Information on this system can be obtained from:
Joy Beier
National Space Science Data Center
(301) 513-1662
or
ST Systems Corporation
7601 Ora Glen Drive
Suite 300
Greenbelt, MD 20770
-30-
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NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL DATA REFERRAL SERVICE (NEDRES^
This database identifies the existence, location, characteristics, and availability of more than
10,000 individual environmental data sources. References are provided for a wide variety of
environmental data, including climatological and meteorological; oceanographic; geophysical and
geological; geographic; and hydrological and limnological. On-line access is available, as well as
computer printouts and agency reports.
Information on this system can be obtained from:
Gerald S. Barton
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration
1825 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20235
(202) 606-5548
NATIONAL GEOPHYSICAL DATA CENTER (NGDC)
The NGDC was established by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric
Administration of the Department of Commerce as a central library for geophysical data. The
Center collects and disseminates data on seismology, geomagnetism, geothermics, satellite remote
sensing, well log data, hydrographic characteristics, and sediments.
For more information on data available and formats in which the data can be provided
contact:
National Geophysical Data Center
NOAA, Code E/GC
325 Broadway
Boulder, CO 80303-3328
(303) 497-6419
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NATIONAL WATER DATA EXCHANGE (NAWDEX^
NAWDEX is a confederation of federal and nonfederal water-oriented organizations
managed by a program office in the Water Resources Division of the Department of Interior.
Information on sites for which water data are available, the types of data available, and the
organizations that store the data is available from NAWDEX. In addition, a directory of assistance
centers located at the Water Resources Division District offices is available.
More detailed information can be obtained from:
NAWDEX Program Office
Water Resources Division
U.S. Geological Survey
801 National Center
Reston, VA 22092
SOME PUBLICLY AVAILABLE SOURCES OF COMPUTERIZED INFORMATION
ON ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND TOXICOLOGY
This listing includes databases consisting of chemical profiles, bibliographies, full-text entries,
bulletin boards, and special subjects. Over 25 special subject areas are included such as acid rain,
air quality, agrochemicals, dermal toxicity, phytotoxicity, risk assessment, and teratogenicity.
The listing is available through:
Kathy Deck or Sandy Bonzo
Information Resources Management Group
National Center for Environmental Health and Injury Control
Chamblee 27 F-29
Centers for Disease Control
Atlanta, GA 30333
(404) 488-4588
-32-
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TOXICOLOGY INFORMATION ONLINE (TOXLINF)
This interactive online system is specifically designed to offer comprehensive bibliographic
coverage of toxicology information. The system includes 16 subfiles: Toxicity Bibliography
(TOXBIB) from MEDLINE; Chemical-Biological Activities (CBAC) from Chemical Abstracts',
Toxicological Aspects of Environmental Health (BIOSIS) from Biological Abstracts; Pesticides
Abstracts (PESTAB); International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (IPA); NIOSHTIC; Toxicology
Research Projects from the NIH Computer Retrieval of Information on Scientific Projects (CRISP)
database; Toxicology Document and Data Deposit from the National Technical Information Service
(NTIS); Environmental Mutagen and Teratology Information Centers (EMIC andETIC of the Oak
Ridge National Laboratory); International Labor Office CIS Abstracts (CIS); Aneuploidy
(ANEUPL); Epidemiology Information System (EPIDEM) of the Food and Drug Administration;
Toxic Substances Control Act Test Submission (TSCATS); Poisonous Plants Bibliography (PPBIB);
and Federal Research in Progress (FEDRIT).
For additional information, contact:
TOXONE
MEDLARS Management Section
National Library of Medicine
Building 38A, Room 4N421
Bethesda, MD 20209
(800) 638-8480
TOXICOLOGY DATA NETWORK (TOXNET)
TOXNET is a computerized system of files oriented to toxicology and related areas. This
integrated system can be used to search, retrieve, and review records from 10 files. These files
include: Hazardous Substances Data Base (HSDB) from the Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry; Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) from the National
Institute for Occupational Safely and Health; Chemical Carcinogenesis Research Information
System (CCRIS) from the National Cancer Institute; Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS)
from the Environmental Protection Agency; Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) (see description in Part
-33-
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I of this Inventory) from Environmental Protection Agency; Directory of Biotechnology Information
Resources (DBIR) from the National Library of Medicine; Genetic Toxicology (GENE-TOX) from
the Environmental Protection Agency; ETICBACK and EMICBACK from the Oak Ridge National
Laboratory; and Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology (DART) from the National Library
of Medicine.
For additional information, contact:
TOXLINE
MEDLARS Management Section
National Library of Medicine
Building 38A, Room 4N421
Bethesda, MD 20209
(800) 638-8480
-34-
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PART I: DATA COLLECTION SYSTEMS
-------
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ACID DEPOSITION SYSTEM
Acronym: ADS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Atmospheric Research and
Exposure Assessment Laboratory (AREAL)
Contact Person: James A. Reagan, U.S. EPA, AREAL, MD-56, Research Triangle Park, NC
27711, (919) 541-4486
Objectives and Coverage: .
Under the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, precipitation samples from geographically
representative sites in non-urban areas that are at least 50 km inland from large water bodies must
be tested for constituents that contribute to and comprise acid precipitation. The measurement of
acid precipitation became a major research objective under the National Acid Precipitation
Assessment Program (NAPAP) in the early 1980s (see NAPAP database). The objective of ADS
is to report annually on the status and trends of acid precipitation and, if possible, to determine the
effects of controls placed on sulfur dioxide emissions. The database focuses on rural areas and
certain sensitive ecosystems (e.g., crops, forests). In addition to being legally required under the
Clean Air Act, ADS data are often used for research purposes.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Water (precipitation)
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds, ions and physical and chemical indicators of water
quality
Types of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
1-1
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Sample Design and Analysis:
The sampling program was organized in 1978 by the National Acid Deposition Program-
National Trends Network (NADP-NTN). NTN is comprised of five contributing networks made
up of government and utility representatives from the United States and Canada, including: the U.S.
Department of Energy; the Canadian Acid Precipitation Monitoring Service (Atmospheric
Environment Service); the Ontario Ministry of the Environment; the Electric Power Research
Institute's Operational Environment Network (United States); and the NADP-NTN sample
collection/laboratory subnetwork, which contributes data to the overall project.
Rainwater is collected from 200 monitoring sites located in rural areas and near sensitive
ecosystems across the contiguous United States and the southern portion of Canada. All of the
contributing networks analyze samples for the compounds of interest: NH3+, NO3", SO4=, K+, H+,
C&++, Mg+, Na+, and Cl". Some of the networks also analyze for certain metals, but this is not
required under the program.
Individual networks are responsible for their own sample collection and analysis based on
a common set of sampling protocols. A task force within NADP-NTN, the Universal Deposition
Decision Committee, issued guidelines on how sampling locations should be determined (e.g.,
geographic representativeness; primarily rural areas; and particularly sensitive ecosystems) and how
samples should be taken.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS —
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude of the monitor site; street address (if known); name of city,
municipality, or township; county/parish; state; zip code
Time Coverage: 1978-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Generally weekly; on a daily basis in southern Canada;
extra samples are required after a weather event (e.g., storm)
Regularity of sample collection: Tuesday mornings
Source and dispersion information: Acidic deposition typically originates from non-point
source pollution emissions and reflects impacts of various pollutants; thus, specific
sources are not identified in this database
1-2
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Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: NADP-NTN Universal Deposition Decision Committee
sampling guidelines
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: 3-6 weeks
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Annual updates;
18 months lag after end of prior year
Qualify Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks, field blanks, duplicates, spikes,
external laboratory analyses, data entry audits, laboratory audits via unknown (to the lab)
spiked samples
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Rainwater: Inorganic compounds; ions and physical and chemical indicators of
water quality; rainwater is analyzed for NH3+, SO4=, H+, Cl', Mg+, C++, K+,
Na+
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: . Database-specific codes or identifiers
1-3
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DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Annual updates; individual data entries and summary statistics are
available on specific agents; for a single monitoring site, quarterly and annual averages are
available
Availability: Any requester can obtain data; on-line to U.S. EPA, AREAL and state computers
with this database by direct VAX access
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts, Agency reports, journal publications
Machine-readable ~ Diskette, tape (not preferred); on-line to EPA and states
Reports: Routinely available annually through the National Technical Information Service (NTIS),
5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650 or from U.S. EPA AREAL
Reference Documents: None
Data/Reports Available From: National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal
Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650, or from James Reagan, U.S. EPA, AREAL,
MD-56, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, (919) 541-4486
1-4
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AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL USAGE
Acronym: None
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Agricultural Statistics
Service (NASS)
Contact Person: Sam Rives, USD A, NASS, 14th and Independence Streets, Washington, DC
20250, (202) 447-2324
Objectives and Coverage:
The objective of the Agricultural Chemical Usage database is to quantify the amounts of
agricultural chemicals, including pesticides and fertilizers used annually in major crop-producing
states. These data collection survey was developed and funded as part of a multi-agency program,
the Pesticide Data Program, established to meet the 1989 President's Water Quality Initiative to
protect groundwater and surface water from contamination by fertilizers and pesticides. This
program is designed to upgrade the reliability of pesticide use data and the quality of information
on pesticide residues in food. USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is
responsible for collecting data on on-farm pesticide use. These data will be used to support water
quality programs and assist in identifying pesticides of interest to EPA for inclusion in its
monitoring program. These data will also be used by USDA's Economic Research Service to
estimate the economic implications of agricultural pesticide use.
Two surveys have thus far been conducted by the NASS to provide comprehensive statistics
on agricultural chemical use. Both were conducted in 1990 and will be performed annually or
biannually depending on the type of crop. The first survey was conducted for field crops - corn,
cotton, potatoes, rice, soybeans, and wheat. The second survey was conducted for vegetables,
melon, and strawberries. These surveys include use information for all agricultural chemicals,
including fertilizers, pesticides (which include insecticides, fungicides, miticides, nematicides, soil
fumigants, herbicides, growth regulators, defoliants, and desiccants), and plant nutrients.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Bulk chemicals
Classes of compounds: Pesticides, fertilizers
Type of data available: Summary statistics on specific agents
Estimation versus observational data: Estimated data of total amount of chemicals used annually
by farmers in selected states
1-5
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Sample Design and Analysis:
Personal interviews were conducted with farmers regarding annual pesticide and fertilizer
use. Responses were based on farmers' records if available (records are required for restricted use
pesticides; some states may require that records for other chemicals be kept; extension service
offices encourage farmers to document usage). Sites are selected based on crop and state. Farms
producing major crops (field crops and 40 vegetable crops) were selected in certain states from a
comprehensive sampling base developed by USDA that reflects a statistically reliable random
sample of the population of farmers in each state selected. Thus, the estimates were statistically
representative of chemical use on targeted crops in the surveyed states. Data on the individual farm
level are confidential; therefore, state-based averages are reported. Sampling variability and
associated confidence limit estimates, and non-sampling errors are discussed in each survey report.
Surveys for fruit and nut crops are planned.
For the 1990 field crop survey, 15,025 sample fields were included based on a random
sample of fields in which the probability of selecting a particular field was directly proportional to
the total acres planted to that crop in a given state. The number of states in which fields were
selected varied by crop. For corn, farm fields in 47 states were surveyed; for cotton, 6 states were
represented; for potatoes, 11 states; for rice, 2 states; for soybeans, 29 states; for winter wheat, 12
states; for spring wheat, 4 states, and for durum wheat, 1 state.
For the 1990 vegetable, melon, and strawberry crop survey, 4 states were represented. The
sample population consisted of an NASS list of vegetable farms from each state in the survey. The
sample was a stratified systematic sample; vegetable farms were partitioned into mutually exclusive
strata, and each state had a unique set of strata priorities. Obtaining a state-level estimate was the
criterion used to project final sample sizes. The vegetable survey collected data on chemical
application, and the NASS converted the product information to an active ingredient level.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: Selected states (for field crops, varies by crop; for vegetable crops, 4 states);
surveys captured approximately 80 percent of crop production in 47 states;
California excluded from 1990 vegetable survey
Identifiers: State
Time Coverage: 1990-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Annual for field crops; biannual .for vegetables and fruits
Regularity: Regular
Source and dispersion information: Not available (farm-level data confidential)
1-6
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Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Yes (individual farm data included in statewide summaries)
Standard procedures: Not applicable — data, not samples, collected
Approximate time between sample collection and data entry to database: 6 months
Quality Assurance/Qualify Control Procedures: Pretesting of interview questions; training for and
supervision of interviewers; data edit checks
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS
Pesticides, fertilizers
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Name of active ingredient
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Summary statistics on specific agents by state and crop
Availability: Any requester can obtain data (only state-level data available; farm-level data are
confidential)
Form: Hard copy - Agency reports
Machine readable — Diskette (Word Perfect)
Reports: Agricultural Chemical Usage 1990: Field Crops Survey; Agricultural Chemical Usage 1990:
Vegetable Crops Survey
Reference Documents: None
Data/Reports Available From: USDA Economic Research Service/National Agricultural Statistics
Service, P.O. Box 1608, Rockville, MD 20849, or call. (800) 999-6779
1-7
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AIR FACILITY SUBSYSTEM OF THE
AEROMETRIC INFORMATION RETRIEVAL SYSTEM (AIRS)
Acronym: AFS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air Quality Planning
and Standards (OAQPS)
Contact Person: Chuck Isbell, U.S. EPA, OAQPS, National Air Data Branch, MD-14, Research
Triangle Park, NC 27711, (919) 541-5448
Objectives and Coverage:
The AFS contains aerometric emissions and regulatory compliance data on air pollution
point sources (individual facilities) monitored by EPA and state and local agencies. Information
is available on operating status, and descriptive and parametric data are provided for stacks and
other emissions points and processes within a facility. Continuous emissions monitoring data,
asbestos activities, and information on landfills for some sites may be found in AFS. Some of the
data are confidential. AFS replaced the National Emissions Data System (NEDS), which provided
information on point and area sources, and the Compliance Data System (CDS), which included
information such as compliance status and action status (see separate entries on NEDS and CDS).
AFS point source data are used by states to prepare State Implementation Plans (SIPs), by EPA's
National Air Data Branch to calculate estimates of national annual air emissions, and by other
regulatory agencies and academic and environmental organizations. Also see the separate entry for
AIRS in Part II of this inventory for further information.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Air (point sources)
Classes of compounds: Primarily criteria pollutants and particulates; also information on inorganic
compounds, VOCs, and semi-VOCs
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Estimation versus observational data: Both observational and estimated data
1-8
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Sample Design and Analysis:
The AIRS Facility Subsystem includes data on more than 100,000 point source facilities
nationwide. Point sources emitting more than 100 tons per year of criteria pollutants other than
lead and CO must report actual or estimated annual emissions data; reporting requirements for
lead begin at 5 tons per year, and for CO at 1,000 tons per year. AFS contains more compliance
than emissions data. Emissions estimates from 1985 to the present are available at process-specific
levels and are accumulated for plant totals.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Latitude/Longitude and universal transmercator coordinates of the point
source; street address; zip codes; name of city, municipality, or township;
county/parish; state; Federal Information Processing Standard (FTPS) codes;
Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes, and Source Category Codes (SCCs);
CDS, NEDS, EPA, or Dun and Bradstreet IDs are used to access facility
information in AFS
Time Coverage: 1985-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Mixed frequency - varies by facility and state; states must
report point source (e.g., plants, boilers) data annually, though some report more
frequently
Regularity of sample collection: Regular
Source information: All data collected at the source
Dispersion information: Generally not available
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Data are available as individual samples (e.g., stack or boiler level) and
as aggregated emissions for an entire facility
Standard procedures used: Sampling procedures are specified in 40 CFR Part 60, Appendix
A for criteria pollutants and some others; 40 CFR Part 61, Appendk B for
hazardous pollutants; and 40 CFR Part 60, Appendk B for performance
specifications (e.g., calibration criteria); alternative methods are acceptable if they
have been approved by EPA (must be as stringent as EPA methods)
1-9
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Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Real-time for data obtained by
continuous emissions monitors; otherwise within 30 days for individual samples
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: States submit point
source data at least annually as required by law; states and other users may submit
required and other data to AFS on-line more often (e.g., daily or quarterly) as they
obtain new data
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: EPA recommends that states use blind lab audit
samples; edit checks
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR
Stack Emissions: Particulates, gaseous criteria pollutants, inorganic compounds,
VOCs, semi-VOCs
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name or mixture; database-specific codes, based
on chemical classification and physical state of the parameter
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
AFS data are available through the Aerometric Information Retrieval System (AIRS). See
AIRS in Part II of this inventory for a description of the level of data aggregation, availability, form,
reports, reference documents, and sources for data and reports.
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AIR QUALITY SUBSYSTEM OF THE
AEROMETRIC INFORMATION RETRIEVAL SYSTEM (AIRS)
Acronym: AQS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air Quality Planning
and Standards (OAQPS)
Contact Person: Jacob Summers, U.S. EPA, OAQPS, National Air Data Branch, MD-14, Research
Triangle Park, NC 27711, (919) 541-5695
Objectives and Coverage:
The Air Quality Subsystem of AIRS (see an overall description of the AIRS database in
Part II) contains measurements of ambient concentrations of air pollutants and associated
meteorological data, primarily from the State and Local Air Monitoring Stations (SLAMS) and
National Air Monitoring Stations (NAMS) networks (see separate entries for SLAMS andNAMS).
Other sources for AQS data include: Special Purposes monitoring sites established by state and
local agencies (e.g., to determine concentrations of a pollutant in specific areas), the National Park
Service monitoring sites, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and private industry (through state
reporting). AQS replaces and upgrades the previous Storage and Retrieval of Aerometric Data
(SAROAD) database; for example, through AQS, states now have direct access to the system for
both submittal and retrieval of data. The Air Quality Subsystem contains four types of data:
monitoring site data (e.g., site location and operation); raw data (individual values of pollutant
concentrations or meteorological conditions); summary data; and precision and accuracy data (for
air quality monitors).
Although AQS contains virtually all the data that was previously in SAROAD (either on-line
or on tape), site IDs were changed when SAROAD data was converted to AQS.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Air (ambient)
Classes of compounds: Primarily gaseous criteria pollutants and particulates; also some information
on inorganic compounds, VOCs, and semi-VOCs
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents • ,
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
The Air Quality Subsystem includes approximately 20,000 sites in 50 states. Monitoring
depends on federal regulations regarding population, pollutant sources, geographical area, etc.
Pollutants monitored vary according to site and year. 40 CFR Part 58 specifies minimum
monitoring requirements for criteria pollutants. For CO, NO2, SO2, and ozone, sampling is
performed using continuous monitors, and data are reported as hourly averages. For lead and
particulates, 24-hour samples are collected and reported as a 24-hour average concentration.
(Also see entries for NAMS and SLAMS.)
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Latitude/Longitude and universal transmercator coordinates of the monitor site;
street address; name of city, municipality, or township; county/parish; metropolitan
statistical areas (MSA); state; EPA Air Quality Control Regions (urbanized areas);
Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) codes
Time Coverage: 1975-present (most complete data available for 1970-present)
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Mixed frequency ~ different intervals for different
pollutants (e.g., hourly, daily, monthly, quarterly, and/or yearly); states must report
ambient air quality data quarterly; for particulates and lead, the frequency of
monitoring is typically every 6th day, whereas other gaseous species are monitored
continuously
Regularity of sample collection: Regular
Source information: Not available
Dispersion information: Not available
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Not pooled for gases and particulates; for lead, if concentration is low, a
composite sample may be analyzed, and one analysis performed for all samples
taken in a week, month, or quarter
Standard procedures used: Sampling procedures are specified in 40 CFR Part 53; for
instrumentation, refer to, List of Designated Reference and Equivalent Methods (EPA
Atmospheric and Exposure Assessment Laboratory)
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•'ii-'Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Continuous analysis for gases;
approximately weekly or monthly for particulates and lead; datalogger
instrumentation is used to store and transmit information daily, primarily for gases
and to a limited degree for particulates
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: States submit
ambient monitoring data quarterly or monthly; AQS is updated weekly
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks; field blanks; duplicates; spikes;
data validation checks; quality assurance requirements are specified in 40 CFR Part 58,
Appendix A and several volumes of procedures
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR
Outdoor urban and rural: Particulates (TSP, PM10, Pb), gaseous criteria pollutants,
some data on inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name or mixture; database-specific codes, based
on chemical classification and physical state of the parameter
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
AQS data are available through the Aerometric Information Retrieval System (AIRS). See
AIRS in Part II of this inventory for a description of the level of data aggregation, availability, form,
reports, reference documents, and sources for data and reports.
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ALASKAN MARINE MAMMAL TISSUE ARCHIVAL PROJECT
Acronym: None
Sponsoring Agencies: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); U.S.
Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service
Contact Person: Stephen A. Wise, NIST, Building 222, Room B-158, Gaithersburg, MD 20899,
(301) 975-3112
Objectives and Coverage:
The Alaskan Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project was initiated in 1987 to establish a
representative collection of tissues from Alaskan marine mammals for future contaminant analyses
and documentation of long-term trends in environmental quality. This project is one of the many
activities of the National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank (see separate entry in Part II of this
Inventory). Since most marine mammals are at or near the top of the food chain, chemical analysis
of their tissues may be useful in determining whether bioaccumulation of contaminants associated
with human industrial activities is occurring in the marine food chains of the Arctic. In addition,
some of the native population of Alaska depend upon such animals for a substantial portion of their
diet. Therefore, the contaminant levels found in marine mammals may have health implications
for the human population occupying these regions. To date, 65 specimens of blubber, kidney, and
liver have been collected from northern fur seals, ringed seals, belukha whales, bearded seals, and
stellar sea lions from 6 sites in Alaska. (Muscle tissue was also collected from northern fur seals
in 1987 only. Additional species and/or new sites are planned for the project each year.
Detailed information was not available at the time of publication.
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ALKALINITY, LAKE AREA, AND DEPOSITION FOR NEW ENGLAND STATES
Acronym: None
Sponsoring Agency: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Contact Person: Richard J. Olson, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831,
(615)574-7819
Objectives and Coverage:
This database consists of estimates of surface water characteristics by lake size class,
alkalinity class, and wet deposition levels for H+, SO4, and NO3 for each of the 3.75-min
latitude/longitude cells in northeastern United States. Alkalinity classes of surface waters in New
York and New England were estimated from a detailed northeast regional surface water alkalinity
map. The map was digitized, and alkalinity classes were assigned to 3.75-min latitude/longitude
cells. Estimates of the extent of surface waters were derived by estimating the percentage of lakes
in four size classes for each of the latitude/longitude cells. Annual wet deposition values for
hydrogen, sulfate, and nitrate ions were estimated from monitoring data in the Acid Deposition
System (ADS). See separate entries for ADS and for the Acid Deposition Data Network
(ADDNET).
Detailed information was not available at the time of publication.
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AMBIENT OZONE CONCENTRATIONS
Acronym: None
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Brookhaven National Laboratory
Contact Person: Elizabeth A. Coveney, U.S. DOE, Biomedical and Environmental Assessment
Division, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, (516) 282-2259
Objectives and Coverage:
These data consist of ozone concentration levels by county and by a 0.5 by 0.5 degree
latitude/longitude grid across the continental United States. Both data sets contain estimates of 7-
hour average ozone concentrations for the time periods April to May, April to June, May to
September, June to September, and June to October for each year from 1978 to 1982 (except June
to October, 1982). The gridded data values were estimated by extrapolating from monitoring
stations selected to minimize urban influences. The extrapolation used a kriging algorithm. The
county values were estimated from the gridded data. This same data appears in a more
comprehensive form in the Aerometric Information and Retrieval System (AIRS). See separate
entries for AIRS and for the Acid Deposition Data Network (ADDNET).
Detailed information was not available at the time of publication.
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ANTICIPATED RESIDUES IN FOOD
Acronym: OPPE Pesticide Food Residue
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Policy, Planning and
Evaluation (OPPE)
Contact Person: Joseph C. Reinert, U.S. EPA, OPPE, Pesticide Policy Branch (PM-220), 401 M
Street SW, Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-7557
Objectives and Coverage:
The OPPE Food Residue database contains pesticide residue data on raw and processed
food. Data are provided on a voluntary basis by other government agencies and food processing
companies. Monitoring data for 286 pesticides on an estimated 49,857 samples taken predominantly
during 1985 to 1988 are included in the database (data through 1991 will be included by the end
of fiscal year 1991). These data are used to estimate pesticide residues in the general food supply
for scientific and regulatory purposes by government agencies (EPA, U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA), and states). The food and pesticide industries, food industry trade groups,
and public interest groups also use this information for scientific and other purposes.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Human food sources
Classes of compounds: Pesticides
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
Monitoring information is obtained on pesticide residues present in raw agricultural
commodities, animal products, and processed foodstuffs by the Pesticide Policy Branch from three
sources: state monitoring data compiled by the FDA, the National Food Processors Association,
and Agriculture Canada. The format in which information is received is often inconsistent (e.g.,
commodities reported by different names, pesticides listed by different chemical names); therefore,
the data are edited to remove obvious errors and inconsistencies before they are entered into tables,
using the ORACLE Relational Database Management System.
A draft report which includes methods to improve this program is presently being reviewed
by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the FDA. The recommended methods to
improve the database include: standard residue sampling protocols used by state and federal
agencies; a minimum set of information to be provided with each sample; and a standard data
coding system and database format for the transmission of data.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Name of state and/or county (for some data only)
Time Coverage: 1980-present (greater than 85% of the data are from 1985 to 1988; the database
will be updated to 1991 by the end of fiscal year 1991)
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Not applicable; sampling and analysis data are obtained
from other agencies; presently sampling protocols for these data vary
Regularity of sample collection: Not applicable (see above)
Source information: None
Dispersion information: None
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Not in the database, however, original food samples are sometimes pooled
depending upon how large an individual composite sample is
Standard procedures used: Approved Multi-Residue Analysis Methods for Pesticides,
published by the FDA
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Approximate time between
sample collection and analysis of the samples in submitted data vary
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Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Information not
available; approximate time between data received from the FDA, the National
Food Processors Association, and Agriculture Canada and data entry to database
is 1.5 years
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures:
inconsistencies only)
Data entry audits (obvious errors and
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES
Meat; poultry; plants; fruit; vegetables; fish/shellfish; processed food commodities:
Pesticides
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name or mixture; database-specific codes or
identifiers, or other codes (analytical lab number, food company number)
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available; data can
be aggregated in any form requested (e.g., commodity, pesticide, specific products, year)
Availability: Any requester can obtain a hard copy of the computer printouts (identified as
volumes 2-4) and a hard copy of the summary report (volume 1); subsets of data are
available on diskette
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts; Agency report; microfiche
Machine readable - Diskette (ASCII, Word Perfect, ORACLE)
Reports: Volume 1 describes the project, how it was created, where the data are obtained, how it
is edited, QA/QC procedures, and the electronic database; Volume 1 is distributed through
the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), USDA, and FDA; volumes 2-4 contain
the computerized data
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Reference Documents: None
Data/Reports Available From: National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal
Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650 (for hard copies of report and data on
microfiche); Search Service, Dynamac Corporation, The Dynamac Building, 11140 Rockville
Pike, Rockville, MD 20852, (301) 417-6126 (for hard copies or diskette of data); Joseph C.
Reinert, U.S. EPA, OPPE, Pesticide Policy Branch, (PM-220), 401 M Street SW,
Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-7557
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AQUATIC TOXICITY INFORMATION RETRIEVAL
Acronym: AQUIRE
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Environmental Research Lab
- Duluth
Contact Person: Anne Pilli, U.S. EPA, Environmental Research Lab, 6201 Congdon Boulevard,
Duluth, MN 55804, (218) 720-5516
Objectives and Coverage:
AQUIRE was established to provide scientists and managers with quick access to a
comprehensive, systematic, computerized compilation of aquatic toxicity data. The database consists
of aquatic toxicity data extracted from scientific papers from over 6,000 domestic and international
publications from 1970 to the present, and from independently compiled data files. The scope of
the scientific papers included has been defined by the criteria of single chemical exposure and has
been limited to those organisms that are exclusively aquatic. Interactions on the aquatic interface
(amphibians, bipeds, mammals, reptiles, rooted semi-aquatic plants), and the microscopic
community (bacteria and viruses) are omitted. Exposures must either be aqueous, diet, or injection;
in vitro toxicity test results are not included. The database does not include exposures from
petroleum-based mixtures, complex effluents, chemical mixtures, and water chemistry effects (e.g.,
pH). Exposures are tested in fresh water, salt water, tap water, brackish water, or estuarine water.
Both field and lab tests are included. Results are mostly relevant to surface and marine water
exposures. Acute, sublethal, and bioconcentration effects are included for tests with freshwater and
marine organisms. The 'data collected include over 100,000 individual test results and information
on 5,200 chemicals and 2,400 aquatic organisms.
AQUIRE is designed to be used as a reference tool, with individual and summary aquatic
toxicity data catalogued by toxicant, test organism, test conditions, and test endpoint. Tissue
residue and bioconcentration information for edible portions of aquatic species are stored in the
database. AQUIRE has potential for use in aquatic to human extrapolation of chemical exposures
and risks. Because AQUIRE is a compilation of the available data, it is recommended that
researchers requiring contextual information for the data consult original publications; reprints of
all references included in the database are on file. Additional information regarding purity, grade
formulation, active ingredients, and radiolabeled isotopes is stored in AQUIRE text files, which are
not available to the user at this time.
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Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Aquatic food sources (e.g., fish, shellfish, algae)
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs,
dioxms/fiirans, radionuclides
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on
specific agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
Sample Design and Analysis:
Aquatic toxicity data published in United States and international scientific papers and data
from independently compiled data files are collected and reviewed for appropriateness for the
AQUIRE database. Toxicity papers are acquired by literature searches, review article bibliographic
listings, U.S. EPA Water Quality Criteria document bibliographies, and from existing toxicity reprint
collections. The literature covers 1970 to the present, with current publications acquired and
reviewed on a continuing basis. The bibliographic file and the main database files are checked for
duplicate publications to assure that each data point is included only once in AQUIRE. If a
publication contains data for a single chemical, in addition to one of the above categories of
toxicants, the paper is retained and only the single chemical data are used in AQUIRE.
If data are published in a dissertation, symposium proceeding, internal report, or a book,
in addition to a peer-reviewed journal, only the journal publication is included in AQUIRE.
Foreign publications are reviewed if either an English abstract or a translated table of data are
included. Data reported in review papers are abstracted from the original publication.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National and international
Identifiers: No geographic identifiers (database consists primarily of laboratory test results);
the data elements in AQUIRE are grouped by test chemical, test organism, test
conditions, and test endpoint
Time Coverage: 1970-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Variable, depends on source of data (data obtained from the
literature)
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Regularity of sample collection: Variable, depends on source of data (data obtained from the
literature)
Source information: None available
Dispersion information: Not applicable — no data collected at the source
Methods of Sample Analysis: Data are collected from the literature
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: The data encoded are evaluated according to existing standard test
methods such as the American Society for Testing and Materials, U.S. EPA, and the
American Public Health Association; each test reviewed for AQUIRE is assigned
a review code that indicates the adequacy of method documentation available in the
scientific paper
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Variable, depends on source of
data (data obtained from the literature)
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Data are obtained
from the literature, reviewed for quality, and entered into the database on a
quarterly basis
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Quality assurance procedures begin with
literature acquisition and cataloging and continue through the chemical and species files,
the literature review process, data entry, and data retrieval. The AQUIRE literature is
processed by reviewers who receive 4 months of training. To be included in AQUIRE,
a study must involve exclusively aquatic test organisms; involve toxicants having Chemical
Abstracts Service Registry Numbers (CASRNs); involve aqueous, dietary, or parental
exposures; test chemicals; describe test conditions and test endpoints; and provide
documentation of test methods that conform with standard quality assurance guidelines.
Based on these and other criteria, studies are rated by AQUIRE reviewers as: (1)
meeting all criteria, (2) generally satisfactory, (3) weak or unsatisfactory, (4) format
limitation associated with an abstract or foreign paper, or (5) study in the Gilford File.
(The Gilford File, added in February 1989, contains laboratory data for Acute Toxicity
of Organic Chemicals (ATOC), determined using a single test species, 30-day fathead
minnows.) Data obtained from independently compiled data files must meet the
AQUIRE data parameter and quality assurance guidelines. If tests are missing key
fields, or the experimental methodology was erratic, the data are rejected. Transfer of
data is by computer with accompanying quality assurance procedures.
Following the extraction of acceptable data, a 10 percent quality assurance check of
CASRN, verification of species Latin name, and confirmation of effect concentrations
are made. Differences (if any) are documented, discussed, and resolved by the data
coordinator. Any subsequent corrections are also reviewed by two staff members. In
addition to manual checks, there are various computerized checks within the database
structure. A biannual EPA QA/QC audit is also conducted.
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ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES
Fish/Shellfish: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs,
dioxui/furans, radionuclides
Tissue residue and bioconcentration information for edible portions of aquatic species
are stored in the database
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical Abstract Service Registry Number (CASRN);
chemical name using Ninth Collective Index (9CI) System standard nomenclature; Simplified
Molecular Input Line Entry System (SMILES) notation is used to describe chemical structure;
if a CASRN is not available through standard sources, the toxicity data cannot be included
in AQUIRE
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual entries and summary statistics are available for specific
agents
Availability: Federal, state, or local governmental agencies may obtain data using DECnet, Prime-
net, a modem, or computer; other users can obtain access through a government agency
Form: Machine readable — Tape (ASCII), on-line
Reports: None
Reference Documents: Aquatic Toxicity Information Retrieval Data Base: A Technical Support
Document. Anne Pilli, Daria O. Carle, and Barbara Riedel Sheedy. April 1989. U.S. EPA,
Environmental Research Laboratory, Duluth, MN 55804
Data/Reports Available From: Ann Pilli, U.S. EPA, Environmental Research Laboratory, 6201
Congdon Boulevard, Duluth, MN 55804, (218) 720-5516; or Scientific Outreach Center, (218)
720-5548, for information about accessing the database
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BIENNIAL REPORTING SYSTEM
Acronym: None
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Solid Waste and
Emergency Response (OSWER)
Contact Person: John Fogerty, U.S. EPA, OSWER, 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC 20460,
(202)260-4697
Objectives and Coverage:
As required by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Code of Federal
Regulations, Title 40 requires generators of hazardous wastes and facilities that treat, store, or
dispose of hazardous wastes to file biennial reports. EPA's OSWER maintains and publishes this
information every other year in National Biennial RCRA Hazardous Waste Reports. These national
reports include national and state-level data and analyses on: the types and amounts of hazardous
wastes generated; waste treatment methods (e.g., injection well, landfill, incineration); and waste
management and waste minimization practices. The national biennial reports also include rankings
of types of hazardous wastes generated and amounts generated by states and facilities. Imports and
exports of hazardous wastes for each state are also included, as is a comparison of the latest and
previous national data. Summary profiles of the generation and management of hazardous wastes
for each state are provided.
The comprehensiveness of the national biennial reports is limited by inconsistent reporting
by states, although EPA has placed major emphasis on assuring the quality of submissions from the
largest hazardous waste generators and management facilities and is revising RCRA regulations to
require more consistent and comprehensive information. The national biennial reports do not
include data on wastes exempted from RCRA permitting requirements (e.g., wastewater treatment
tank units regulated under the Clean Water Act), nor do they include data on RCRA-generated
wastes that are exported out of the United States.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Water, soil, air, bulk chemicals
Classes of compounds: Hazardous waste codes as defined in 40 CFR, Part 261, subpart D,
including inorganic compounds; pesticides; VOCs; semi-VOCs; ignitable, corrosive, and
reactive wastes
Type of data available: National and state-level summary data are available
Estimation versus observational data: Both estimated and observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
Generators and managers of RCRA hazardous wastes submit site reports to EPA regional
offices or to state offices authorized by EPA to administer RCRA programs by March 1st of each
even-numbered year. The National Biennial RCRA Hazardous Waste Report is a compilation and
analysis of this information. Due to inconsistent reporting by states, some data submitted to EPA
have provided detailed site-specific information, while other data have been reported only at the
aggregate level (e.g., total quantity of waste generated at a site, but not the types of waste
generated). Since these summary-level data were the only data that could be obtained for all sites,
only summary data were used to conduct national analyses in the 1987 National Biennial Report.
In addition, some states did not report all hazardous wastewaters subject to RCRA; these exclusions
may have resulted in artificially low state and national quantity totals. Also, in some cases, EPA
could not unambiguously determine which generators were subject to reporting under RCRA, thus
resulting in a possible underestimation of hazardous waste generators. Finally, California did not
provide compatible waste characterization data for most of its generators; again, this may have
resulted in an under-representation of generators in the EPA national report.
Quality assurance measures helped to resolve some of the data inconsistency problems
described above. Data were checked for completeness and internal consistency. In addition, an
evaluation of the largest hazardous waste generators and management facilities in each state was
conducted. This involved sites that generated or managed more than 100,000 tons of RCRA
hazardous wastes in 1985, 1986, or 1987, and also the 5 largest sites in each state regardless of the
quantities they generated. Subsequent to these quality assurance measures, EPA prepared draft
profile reports for each state which were reviewed by the state's environmental coordinator for
accuracy. Data were then corrected for the National Biennial Report.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Street address; zip code; city, municipality, or township; county/parish; state
Time Coverage: 1981-presSht
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Biennial
Regularity of sample collection: Regular
Source information: Type and quantity of total hazardous wastes generated at regulated
facilities are reported (sometimes data are available on individual waste streams
generated)
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Dispersion information: Wastes from each facility are tracked from source to final
disposition (i.e., treatment or disposal)
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Data are aggregated to the state-level for national analyses; some
individual site-specific data are available
Standard procedures used: Not applicable
Approximate time between sample (data) collection and analysis: 1 year
Approximate time between sample (data) analysis and data entry to database: 1 year
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Data entry audits; evaluation of largest hazardous
waste generators and management facilities in each state
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Surface water and ground water: Some information on discharged wastes to surface
water, groundwater, and leachate
SOIL
AIR
Sediment: Some information on hazardous waste industrial sediments and sludge
discharges
Outdoor air: Organic and inorganic gases
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Discarded commercial chemicals (lab packs)
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name or mixture; EPA hazardous waste codes;
state hazardous waste codes; Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes; hazardous waste
form codes
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DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Data are aggregated to the state-level for national analyses; some
individual site-specific data are available
Availability: Any requester can obtain data
Form: Hard copy — EPA National Biennial Reports; computer printouts; files or log books (varies
by state)
Machine readable — On-line (national data beginning .with 1989 will be available on-line
in 1992 in Focus software to authorized EPA mainframe users; states have own data
in various forms (e.g., tape, diskette)
Reports: 1987 National Biennial RCRA Hazardous Waste Report (published every 2 years)
Reference Documents: Hazardous Waste Report: Instructions and Forms
Data/Reports Available From: National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal
Rd., Springfield, VA 22161 (703) 487-4650; state RCRA program offices; EPA Regional
offices; Dina Villari, (202) 260-4670
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CARBON MONOXIDE TOTAL EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY STUDY
Acronym: CO TEAM
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and
Development
Contact Person: Gerald G. Akland, U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, MD-75,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, (919) 541-4885
Objectives and Coverage:
CO TEAM was primarily designed to characterize population exposures to carbon monoxide
(CO) and to characterize the sources contributing to those exposures. The data resulting from CO
TEAM were to serve as input to EPA's CO criteria document and subsequent Agency regulations.
The Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) was used for measuring the frequency
distribution of carbon monoxide (CO) exposure in a representative sample of an urban population.
(See also the Volatile Organic Compound Total Exposure Assessment Methodology Study (VOC
TEAM), the Particle Total Exposure Methodology Study (PTEAM), and the Nonoccupational
Pesticide Exposure Study (NOPES) in this Inventory.) A CO personal exposure monitor (PEM)
was developed and the sampling methodology was tested. The methodology was applied in two
urban areas, Washington, DC, and Denver, Colorado, during the winter of 1982-1983 (the time of
year when maximum fixed-site CO levels usually occur). Personal exposure monitoring data were
collected together with activity data from a stratified probability sample of residents living in each
of the two urban areas. Well-established survey sampling procedures were used for selecting
individuals. The resulting exposure data permit estimates of CO exposure for the eligible
populations of the two areas, as well as statistical comparisons between population subgroups (e.g.,
commuters vs. noncommuters and residents with and without gas stoves).
Summary of Environmental Data
Media: Air, human samples (exhaled breath)
Classes of compounds: Carbon monoxide
Types of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics on specific agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
The methodology was developed and tested to estimate the distribution of personal, hourly
exposures to CO and the distributions of personal exposures associated with various activities and
environments. A nine-person pilot study was conducted in Los Angeles in 1980. The personal CO
monitoring methodology was then field-tested in two target areas, Denver, CO, and Washington,
DC, during the winter of 1982-1983. The target population in each city consisted of
noninstitutionalized, nonsmoking adults who were 18 to 70 years of age.
A stratified, three-stage, probability-based sampling procedure was employed in each city.
During the first stage, the geographic area was divided according to Bureau of Census standardized
areas and a sample of these areas was selected. A compiled list of address and telephone numbers
were used as the sampling frame for selecting households during the second stage.. A
knowledgeable household member was given a short screening interview to obtain information
about each household member. The household screening data were used to identity eligible
individuals (i.e., non-smokers, aged 18 to 70) so that they could be targeted for oversampling in the
third stage. The individuals in the third stage sample were asked to carry a personal CO monitor
and fill out an activity diary for a 24-hour period. Each individual was monitored for 1 day in
Washington and 2 days in Denver. The PEM recorded the time and average CO concentration
each time the "activity button" on top of the instrument was pushed, and the average CO
concentration every hour. In both cases, the CO value was the integrated average CO
concentration since the last recorded value. The participants also wrote down the time, location,
and activity code in the diary every time they pushed the activity button on the instrument. Each
participant carried a new PEM and diary for a second, consecutive, 24-hour period in Denver.
The study included measurements of CO in exhaled breath for every participant. The
purposes of the breath measurements were to estimate the distribution of carboxyhemoglobin
(COHb) values in the two populations using accepted relationships between alveolar CO and
COHb; and to compare the observed breath measurements with personal exposures. Breath CO
concentrations of 625 nonsmoking persons in Washington, DC and 454 nonsmokers in Denver, CO
were collected in the winter of 1982-83.
Household screening questionnaire data were collected from 4,408 households in
Washington, DC and 2,133 households in the Denver metropolitan area. In Washington and
Denver, 1,161 and 485 subjects, respectively, agreed to participate. The CO TEAM study,
performed between November 1982 and February 1983, produced 712 and 808 valid complete
person-days of data in Washington and Denver, respectively. The fraction of selected nonsmoking
adult individuals who agreed to participate was 58 percent in Washington and 43 percent in Denver.
Although these response rates are not high, they are consistent with the response rates of similar
TEAM studies in which personal monitoring was conducted.
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DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: City or municipality (Washington, DC and Denver, Colorado Standard
Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSAs))
Identifiers: SMSA; latitude/longitude of the city, county, and zip code; census tract; zip
code; street address; city, municipality, or township; county; state
Time Coverage: 1982-1983
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: one 24-hour, integrated sample was collected from each
Washington, DC participant; two 24-hour, integrated samples were collected from
participants in Denver, Colorado
Regularity of sample collection: Sampling in each geographic area followed a regular
schedule depending on the sampling protocol and the monitoring team's ability to
adhere to the schedule; each individual was monitored for 1 day in Washington and
2 days in Denver
Source information: Much of the data were collected indoors near CO sources;
multivariate analyses were useful in identifying the nature and extent of the indoor
and in-transit sources of CO
Dispersion information: Not available (air exchange rate measurements, which can often
explain the spread of the pollutants using indoor models, were not made)
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: Special instrumentation (CO PEM) and sampling and analysis
protocols were developed for this project (see Sample Design and Analysis)
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Immediate (sampling was
conducted using direct reading instruments)
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 3 months
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks, field blanks, duplicates, external
laboratory analysis, data entry audits, review of questionnaires and entries, direct verification
of questionable data by calling the respondent
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ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR
Indoor homes and public buildings; outdoor urban; personal monitor: CO
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES
Exhaled breath: CO *
BULK CHEMICALS Not Applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name carbon monoxide (CO)
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics (e.g. by person, time
period, microenvironment type, etc.)
Availability: Any requestor can obtain data
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts, agency reports, journal publications
Machine readable - Tapes (ASCII), diskettes (ASCII)
Reports:
Hartwell, T.D., C.A. Clayton, R.M. Michie, R.W. Whitmore, J.S. Zelong, S.M. Jones, and D.A.
Whitehurst. 1984. Study of Carbon Monoxide Exposure of Residents of Washington DC, and Denver,
CO. Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory, Environmental Protection Agency, Research
Triangle Park, NC. EPA-600/S4-84-031. NTIS Pub. No. PB 84-183516.
Johnson, T. 1984. A Study of Personal Exposure to Carbon Monoxide in Denver, CO. Environmental
Monitoring Systems Laboratory, Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC.
EPA-600/S4-84-014. NTIS Pub. No. PB 84-146-125.
Reference Documents:
Akland, G.G., T.D. Hartwell, T.R. Johnson, and R.W. Whitmore. 1985. Measuring human
exposure to carbon monoxide in Washington, DC and Denver, CO during the winter of 1982-1983.
Envir. ScL Technol 19(10):911-918.
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Ott, W., J. Thomas, D. Mage, and L. Wallace. 1988. Validation of the simulation of human activity
and pollutant exposure (Shape) model using paired days from the Denver, CO Carbon Monoxide
Field Study. Atmospheric Environment. 22(10):2101-2113.
Wallace, L., J. Thomas, D. Mage, and W. Ott. 1988. Comparison of breath CO, CO exposure and
Coburn model predictions, U.S. EPA Washington-Denver (CO) Study. Atmospheric Environment.
22(10):2183-2193.
Data/Reports Available From: National Technical Information Service (NITS), 5385 Port Royal
Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650); for data requests contact: Gerald G. Akland,
U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, MD-75, Research Triangle Park, NC
27711, (919) 541-4885
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CHEMICAL SCREENING BRANCH (CSB) EXISTING CHEMICALS ASSESSMENT
TRACKING SYSTEM
Acronym: CECATS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Prevention and Toxic
Substances
Contact Person: John S. Leitzke, U.S. EPA, Office of Prevention and Toxic Substances (TS-778),
Existing Chemicals Assessment Division, 401 M St. SW, Washington, DC 20460, (202)
260-3507
Objectives and Coverage:
Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), Section 8(e), notices of substantial risk
are submitted to the Chemical Screening Branch (CSB) of the U.S. EPA Office of Toxic Substances
by manufacturers, processors, distributors, and importers of chemicals when they become aware of
new data that supports a conclusion that a chemical may present a substantial risk of injury to
human health or the environment. In addition, For Your Information (FYI) submissions are also
submitted, which are similar in content to the TSCA Section 8(e) notices, but are voluntary and go
beyond statutory requirements under TSCA.
CECATS tracks documents submitted to and developed by the CSB and contains both
administrative and chemical hazard/exposure tracking information. The purpose of CECATS is to
help determine which substances need further regulatory review. Chemical Hazard Information
Profiles (CHIPs) or Substitute Hazard Profiles are written for substances of greatest concern based
on environmental and health effects. Administrative tracking information includes submission and
report dates, submitter names, status of review, and initial disposition or distribution to outside
groups. Examples of chemical hazard/exposure information include Chemical Abstracts Service
Registry Number (CASRN), chemical name, and information type (type of toxicity or exposure data
contained in the document). CECATS is a document-tracking system, not a chemical-tracking
system, but it does track which chemicals are in which documents. Similarly, CECATS does not
contain endpoint information (such as actual toxicity values or toxicity information), but does track
which kinds of information can be found in which documents.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Water, soil, air, human food sources, human samples, bulk chemicals
Classes of compounds: Most hazardous or toxic chemicals, including: VOCs, semi-VOCs, PCBs,
inorganic compounds, pesticides
Type of data available: Qualitative analyses of documents discussing particular chemicals; no
individual samples referenced
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Estimation versus observational data: Both estimated and observational data are contained in the
documents referenced
Sample Design and Analysis:
Each time a TSCA Section 8(e) notice or FYI submission is received by the Chemical
Screening Branch, a screening process is initiated to determine whether a Chemical Hazard
Information Profile (CHIP) will be developed for that substance. CHIPs are brief narrative reports
(20-40 pages) that summarize the readily available information on health effects, environmental
effects and exposure relating to a specific chemical. Substitute Hazard Profiles are also developed,.
which are similar in content to CHIPs but generally are less comprehensive and shorter (10 pages),
address only one type of toxic effect, and-do not address exposure. During screening, CSB
considers factors such as TSCA jurisdiction, severity of toxic effect, extent of exposure and
assessment, and regulatory status. Nearly 98% of all chemicals screened are not selected for further
review and are not published as CHIPs or Substitute Hazard Profiles.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: None
Time Coverage: 1977-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Varies; whenever TSCA Section 8(e) notices are submitted
to the Chemical Screening Branch of the U.S. EPA Office of Toxic Substances
Regularity of sample collection: Not applicable
Source information: Not applicable
Dispersion information: Not applicable
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Not applicable
Standard procedures used: Not applicable
.Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Not applicable
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Not applicable
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ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media: Most of the following classes of compounds can be
found in each of the media indicated below: VOCs, semi-VOCs, PCBs, inorganic
compounds, pesticides
WATER
See above
SOIL
AIR
See above
See above
FOOD SOURCES
See above
HUMAN SAMPLES
See above
BULK CHEMICALS
See above
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CASRN);
chemical name or mixture
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual document titles and references are entered into the database
Availability: Any requester can obtain data; portions of CECATS are accessible on-line
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts
Machine readable — On-line (direct access)
Reports: Chemical Hazard Information Profiles (CHIPs); Substitute Hazard Profiles
Reference Documents: None
Data/Reports Available From: On-line access — Carolyn Thornton, (202) 475-8620; Chemical
Hazard Information Profiles (CHIPs) and Substitute Hazard Profiles available from the
EPA Environmental Assistance Division (202) 554-1404; reports available from John
Leitzke, U.S. EPA, Office of Prevention and Toxic Substances, (202) 260-3507
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COMMUNITY HEALTH AIR MONITORING PROGRAM
Acronym: CHAMP
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Atmospheric Research and
Exposure Assessment Laboratory (AREAL)
Contact Person: Thomas Lawless, U.S. EPA, AREAL, Research Triangle Park; NC 27711, (919)
541-2291
Objectives and Coverage:
CHAMP consists of epidemiological studies conducted in large metropolitan areas of the
United States to determine human health effects and morbidity and mortality associated with air
quality in these areas. Pollutant sampling data include long- and short-term air monitoring for
particulates, criteria pollutants, benzopyrene, and selected inorganic compounds. In addition,
human tissue samples from autopsied cadavers; and pulmonary function testing of individuals from
these areas were collected. Also included are results from a separate study which compared air
samples collected in a small town with those collected in a large city in California; and results of
pulmonary function tests of individuals who spent time in both of these areas.
This program was implemented during 1972-1977 by the former Epidemiology and Biometry
branches of the EPA.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Air, human samples
Classes of compounds: Particulates, criteria pollutants, inorganic compounds, semi-VOCs
(benzopyrene)
Type of data available: Individual data entries are available on specific agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
Los Angeles, CA; Birmingham, AL; Salt Lake City, UT; Charlotte, NC; and Riverhead, NY
counties were selected by scientists at EPAs Epidemiology and Biometry Branches to be included
in a long term study of health effects of pollution. These study areas were selected because they
represent large metropolitan areas with an increase of respiratory disease caused or aggravated by
air quality. Local health officials in these counties were consulted to help select air monitoring
locations according to zip code. Continuous analyzers, located in areas in the center of selected
zip codes, measured criteria pollutants, benzopyrene, and selected inorganic compounds 24-
hours/day, 365 days/year. At the same time, size-selective particulate samples were collected on
filters using high volume samplers. Visibility monitors were also located in counties known to have
especially poor air quality. In addition, short term air quality sampling was conducted at facilities
in these areas where episodes affecting human health were reported in the Morbidity and Mortality
Weekly Report (Centers for Disease Control, Department of Health and Human. Services). If
pollutant concentrations were found to be elevated, operation at the facility was halted by EPA
until air sample results were found to be within acceptable levels.
As part of this study, EPA contracted with the University of California (at Riverside) for
pulmonary function testing and medical examinations to be conducted on individuals residing in
these geographic areas. Volunteers were obtained through a screening questionnaire; testing and
examinations were conducted in portable vans located in each of the areas.
EPA also contracted with the University of California for human tissue (hair and fat)
sampling of autopsied cadavers from medical facilities in these areas. Pathologists contacted
researchers at the University whenever an autopsy was performed on individuals who had resided
in these areas. Samples were frozen, collected, and analyzed for various trace elements.
Samples of maternal and fetal blood and hair were also collected immediately following
delivery by physicians of hospitals within the geographic areas in cooperation with EPAs
Epidemiology and Biometry branches. These samples were sent to an EPA contracted laboratory
for analysis of trace elements.
A separate study compared air quality sample and pulmonary function.test results collected
in a small town with those collected in a large city in California. Ambient air samples for criteria
pollutants, particulates, benzopyrene, and selected inorganic compounds were collected at Pacific
College, Anjun, CA, located in the mountains of Napa Valley. At the same time, pulmonary
function tests were conducted on students who volunteered for this study and were planning to
attend medical school at the affiliate Loma Linda University in LaSierra, CA. Once at Loma Linda
University, the pulmonary function of these students was re-tested and similar air quality
measurements were collected.
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DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: Region of state (Los Angeles, CA; Salt Lake City, UT; Charlotte, NO,
Riverhead, NY; Anjun, CA; LaSierra, CA)
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude of the monitor site and city; universal transmercator
coordinates of the monitor site and city; street address; city, municipality, or
township; county; state
Time Coverage: 1972-1977
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Daily
Regularity of sample collection: Regular
Source information: None
Dispersion information: Not applicable
Methods of Sample Analysis:
9
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: Ambient air quality standards found in 40 CFR III, Parts 51,52,
53, 58
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Immediate for direct reading
air measurements; approximately 5 days for particulate samples; approximately 1-2
months for human tissue samples
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 1 month
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks, field blanks, duplicates, spikes,
external laboratory analysis, data entry audits; procedures from the EPA Quality Assurance
Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems
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ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
Outdoor urban and rural: Particulates, criteria pollutants, inorganic compounds,
semi-VOCs (benzopyrene)
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES
Hair; fat; blood: Inorganic compounds (barium, boron, cadmium, chromium,
copper, iron, lead, magnesium, mercury, selenium, silver, tin, vanadium,
arsenic, beryllium, cobalt, zinc)
u •
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identity Agents: Chemical name or mixture, Storage and Retrieval of
Aerometric Data (SAROAD) codes (see entry for Air Quality Subsystem)
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries are available on specific agents
Availability: Any requester can obtain data
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts; Agency reports
Reports: Reports describing short term air quality monitoring conducted at facilities where
episodes affecting human health occurred were prepared by EPA investigators
Reference Documents: 40 CFRIII; EPA Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement
Systems
Data/Reports Available From: National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal
Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650
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COMPLIANCE DATA SYSTEM
Acronym: CDS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air Quality Planning
and Standards (OAQPS), National Air Data Branch (NADB)
Contact Person: Jerry Husketh, U.S. EPA, OAQPS, NADB, MD-14, Research Triangle Park, NC
27711, (919) 541-5449
Objectives and Coverage:
CDS provided source data for the AIRS Facility Subsystem (AFS) and has been replaced
by the AFS (see separate entry for AFS). CDS was the standard mechanism for compliance and
enforcement tracking for all federal air emissions enforcement agencies and for over half of all state
and local enforcement agencies, especially for requirements such as State Implementation Plans
(SIPs), New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), and National Emissions Standards for
Hazardous Pollutants (NESHAPs). CDS information included data on all major and many minor
stationary sources of air pollution and included: an inventory of facilities subject to local, state, and
federal emissions regulations; descriptive facility information; type of pollutant being emitted;
emission point-information1 (e.g., process description); compliance tracking of violators and of
facilities in compliance; and data on compliance and enforcement actions and progress, such as
inspections, enforcement schedules, notices of violation, civil actions, criminal actions, and orders.
CDS assisted local, state, and regionaljegulatory agencies in developing enforcement strategies and
providing reports that fulfilled performance and reporting requirements. CDS users were
responsible for data submissions, quality control, and retrieval, and were encouraged to closely
follow CDS quality assurance procedures.
CDS included data for over 70,000 stationary sources, with complete information for Class
A sources (as defined by the 1980 Alabama Power Decision) and less complete information for
Class B sources. Information was complete for violators and less complete for facilities in
compliance. Over 12,000 enforcement actions were included. Different emission points within a
single facility could be assessed, as well as total potential uncontrolled emissions for each process.
Pollutant loading information was available for a limited number of facilities through CDS (more
complete data sources were NEDS and AIRS). In addition to known point sources, which are
required to be tracked, CDS included information on unverified Class A VOC sources
(approximately 4,000 sources). Local, state, and regional enforcement offices also entered other,
nonmandatory types of data and information about other facilities into CDS. Data on special
enforcement problem areas were also included in CDS, such as information on selected primary
copper, lead, and zinc smelters (e.g., emission and process point identification).
Detailed information was not available at the time of publication.
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DISTRIBUTION REGISTRY OF ORGANIC POLLUTANTS IN WATER
Acronym: WaterDROP
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Environmental Research
Laboratory
Contact Person: Wayne Garrison, U.S. EPA, Environmental Research Laboratory, Analytical
Chemistry Branch, College Station Road, Athens, GA 30605, (404) 546-3145
Objectives and Coverage:
The WaterDROP system contains information from the 1970s concerning the measurement
of organic pollutants in water that has been abstracted from water pollution literature, primarily
from the United States. Specific chemical information is available at particular locations. Negative
results as well as positive results are reported. Information includes: chemical name, Chemical
Abstract Service Registry Number (CASRN), type of water measured, sampling method, data and
location of sample; method of analysis; pollutant concentration; confidence ratings; and citations.
For substances identified as drinking water pollutants; physical parameters such as boiling point and
water solubility data are available. Information is available only in the form of computer printouts.
Detailed information was not available at the time of publication.
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EASTERN LAKE SURVEY
Acronym: ELS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and
Development; National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program (NAPAP) (multiagency,
including U.S. EPA)
Contact Person: Mr. Alan Herlihy, U.S. EPA Environmental Research Laboratory, 200 SW 35th
Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, (503) 757-4442 ^
Objectives and Coverage:
The Eastern Lake Survey was conducted in two phases as part of the National Surface
Water Survey (NSWS; other components included the Western Lake Survey and the National
Stream Survey, also described in this Inventory). Through a two-phase monitoring program, the
ELS assessed the effects of acidic deposition on surface waters in the Northeastern United States,
upper Midwest, the southern Blue Ridge, and Florida. The objectives of the Phase I survey
conducted in the fall of 1984 were to determine in potentially sensitive regions of the eastern
United States: 1) the percentage and location of lakes that were acidic (based on fall samples); 2)
the percentage and location of lakes that had low acid neutralizing capacity (ANC); and 3) the
chemical characteristics of the lakes studied. Another objective of Phase I was to provide a
database for selecting lakes for further study.
The objective of ELS-Phase II, conducted in 1986, was to assess temporal variability in
regional lake water chemistry with respect to acidic deposition effects. To achieve this, the ELS-
Phase II: 1) assessed the sampling error associated with ELS-Phase I sample; 2) estimated the
number of lakes that were not acidic in the fall, but were acidic in other seasons; and 3) established
seasonal water chemistry characteristics among lakes and related the fall index sample to seasonal
and annual water chemistry patterns.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Surface water (lakes)
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds, ions (including fluoride), physical and chemical
indicators of water quality
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
For ELS-Phase I, water samples were collected in the fall of 1984 from 1,612 lakes selected
from within three regions of the eastern United States (Northeast, Upper Midwest, and Southeast)
expected to exhibit low buffering capacity (measured by ANC). A number of chemical variables
and physical attributes thought to influence or be influenced by surface water acidification were
measured for each lake. Lakes were selected by a systematic random process. The sample design
allowed the ELS-Phase I database to be used to investigate the chemical status of lakes within a
specific region. Additionally, the database can be used to investigate correlative relationships
among chemical variables on a regional basis.
For ELS-Phase II, water samples were collected from 145 statistically representative lakes
only from the Northeast in three seasons (spring, summer, and fall of 1986). Lakes analyzed in
ELS-Phase II were chosen from those samples in ELS-Phase I, using a variable probability sample,
and results were compared to the ELS-Phase I results. Like ELS-Phase I, data from ELS-Phase
II can be used to provide unbiased estimates of the status and extent of acidic and low ANC lakes
for a defined lake population. However, the ELS-Phase II sample did not include lakes with the
following characteristics: lakes with high ANC (>400 ug/L); severely nutrient-enriched lakes;
shallow lakes (<1.5 m deep); large lakes (>20 km2); and lakes modified by anthropogenic
disturbances (e.g, major wastewater treatment plant discharge).
In the Phase-II survey, data quality control measures identified several problems that would
limit the use of some sample results. For chloride, values measured at one of the labs should not
be used; these suspect values are flagged in the database or labeled as missing. Population
estimates for chloride should not be made for the summer and spring (fall values were measured
elsewhere and are valid). For conductivity samples, all field measurements appear to be unreliable,
were not validated, and should be interpreted with caution; no problems appeared with laboratory
conductivity measurements. For total aluminum, data showed very poor agreement between labs,
and precision was highly variable. (This problem was evident in all NSWS surveys.) Also, a
number of total aluminum values were less than one subcategory of aluminum. No measurement
problems were found with subcategories of aluminum. Finally, air-equilibrated dissolved inorganic
carbon and air-equilibrated pH showed some laboratory bias and poor precision at higher pH.
Users are strongly advised to use the closed-system dissolved inorganic carbon and pH
measurements for data analysis.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: Regional (ELS-Phase I — Northeast, Upper Midwest, southern Blue Ridge,
Florida; ELS-Phase II — Northeast, including the Adirondacks, Poconos/Catskills,
northern New England, southern New England, and Maine)
Identifiers: Latitude/Longitude of the monitor site; name of state; (ELS-Phase I also
included the name of the county/parish)
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Time Coverage: ELS-Phase I - 1984
ELS-Phase II - 1986
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: ELS-Phase I -- One time only; ELS-Phase II — Once in
spring, summer, and fall
Regularity of sample collection: Regular
Source and dispersion information: Specific sources not determined — acidic deposition is
typically from nonpoint sources of pollution, and reflects impacts from various
dispersed pollutants
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: Methods for Chemical Analyses of Water and Wastes (modified
for acidic deposition research); Handbook of Methods for Acid Deposition Studies,
Laboratory Analysis for Surface Water Chemistry; Handbook of Methods for Acid
Deposition Studies, Field Operations for Surface Water Chemistry
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: 1-28 days, varies by analyte
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 3-6 months
Quality Assurance/Qualify Control Procedures: For both ELS-Phase I and II ~ Laboratory blanks,
field blanks, duplicates, spikes, external laboratory analyses, data entry audits; in addition,
for ELS-Phase I -- field audits, lab audits, analysis of known standards; for ELS-Phase II -
- analysis of natural audit material, lab split samples
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Surface: Inorganic compounds; ions (including fluoride); microorganisms; physical
and chemical indicators of water quality
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
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BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name or mixture
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries are available on specific agents. Summary
statistics are also available on specific agents, as cumulative distribution functions of
regional lake acid-base status
Availability: Any requester can obtain data
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts, Agency reports, journal publications
Machine readable - Tape, diskette (ASCII, SAS)
Reports: National Surface Water Survey, Eastern Lake Survey, Phase I: Quality Assurance Plan; Field
Operations Report; Data Analysis Plan
Reference Documents: National Surface Water Survey: Eastern Lake Survey—Database Dictionaries
for Phase I and Phase II
Data/Reports Available From: National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal
Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650 (for data or report copies); Susan Christie,
(503) 757-4645 (for information on reports available)
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EFFECTS OF SULFUR DIOXIDE AND
RESPIRABLE PARTICLES ON HUMAN HEALTH
Acronym: Six Cities Study
Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS); U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Contact Person: George Malindzak, NIEHS, P.O. Box 12233, Research Triangle Park, NC 22709,
(919) 541-3289; Carl Hayes, U.S. EPA, MD-58, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 (919)
966-7548
Objectives and Coverage:
The Six Cities Study was an extensive multi-year epidemiologic investigation of exposures
and community health in six U.S. cities: Watertown, MA; Kingston/Harriman, TN; St. Louis, MO;
Steubenville, OH; Portage, WI; andTopeka, KS. The investigation consisted of ambient and indoor
air monitoring of selected pollutants in these cities and health questionnaires and pulmonary
function tests administered to selected participants from the cities. Ambient air measurements
included sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), oxygen (O2), total suspended particulate
(TSP), and particulate matter less than 10/im in aerodynamic diameter (PM10) collected from a
central site in each community for the purpose of assessing chronic and acute exposures of
epidemiologic study participants. Concentrations, of NO2 and particulate matter less than 2.5/mi
in aerodynamic diameter (PM^) were measured in homes of approximately 1,800 children
participating in the epidemiology study. Health questionnaires and pulmonary function tests were
administered to a large cohort of children and adults from the selected communities between 1974
and 1989. The objectives of this epidemiologic study were to study the: 1) chronic effects of air
pollution in longitudinal health data from the original cohort of children; 2) acute effects of air
pollution on pulmonary function as measured in annual exams of children; 3) chronic effects of air
pollution on lung function in adults; 4) effects of air pollution in a repeated cross-sectional study
of children; 5) effects of indoor air pollution on respiratory symptoms and lung function of children;
and 6) acute effects of air pollution on daily symptom reporting.
Summary of Environmental Data
Media: Air, human samples (exhaled breath)
Classes of Compounds: Criteria pollutants (SO^ ozone (O3), NO2, carbon monoxide (CO));
particulates (TSP, PM10, PM^, inhalable particulates less than 15/tm in aerodynamic
diameter (IPjs), respirable size particulate matter (RSP), sulfates, elements); acids/acid
aerosols; cigarette smoke
Types of data available: Summary statistics on specific agents in published articles
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
The six cities (Watertown, MA, Kingston/Harriman, TN; St. Louis, MO; Steubenville, OH;
Portage, WI; Topeka, KS) were chosen to represent the range of sulfur oxide and particulate air
pollution in the United States from 1974-1977 and to ensure a geographic distribution of the
samples collected. Adults between 25 and 74 years of age were randomly selected from various
census lists such as household voting lists or commercial listings. Because the sampling frames in
the 6 cities were constructed at different times and in different ways, the initial samples varied from
2,174 to 3,583 adults. The children initially selected included all first- and second-grade school
children in each community. In the Portage, WI area, the numbers were small, so children from
grades 1 through 4 were selected. This resulted in a different age distribution for this one city, but
all comparisons between cities were age-adjusted. In Topeka, KS, more than half of the schools
were selected at random because of their size. All school children were evaluated annually. During
the first and second evaluations, new first-grade school children were added to the study if the
number of children in that community was less than 1,500. In each community, the school children
were first seen at the same time as the adults. The rate of refusal (i.e., refusal of the parents to
allow their children to participate) did not exceed 5 percent in any school.
The assessment of health effects in adults was made by personal interviews using a standard
questionnaire and simple tests of pulmonary function by trained nonmedical interviewers. The
questionnaire included questions on respiratory symptoms, tobacco smoking habits, and
occupational and residential history. It was a modified version of the British Medical Research
Council Questionnaire, which has been used for 15 years in population studies in the United States
and Canada.
Air quality monitoring was performed in each community in, an attempt to quantify
individual exposures to SO2, mass respirable particles, sulfates, NO2, and ozone. This included
continuous fixed-location sampling, indoor/outdoor monitoring, and personal monitoring.
Continuous monitoring equipment in each community was located at a central site representative
of the total residential exposure. From these primary sites, the hourly average concentrations of
SO;,, NOj, and O3 were recorded. In addition, meteorologjc parameters (e.g., wind speed and
direction, temperature, and dew point), were recorded; and 24-hour integrated samples for TSP,
RSP, NOa, and SO2 were collected every 3 days at the central station. In 1979, new ambient air
monitoring was initiated including dichotomous sampling (PM^s and PM15) and elemental particle
composition analysis.
The original cohort of children (1974-1989) consisted of 14,357 children who provided health
questionnaires and pulmonary function test data on an annual basis for 12 years. A new cohort of
6,273 children, similar in characteristics to the main cohort, provided 3 annual questionnaires and
2 pulmonary function examinations between 1983-1986. A stratified sample of homes and
approximately 1,800 children were selected from the second cohort of 6,273 for indoor air sampling,
based on smoking and use of a gas stove in the home. Daily respiratory symptom diaries were
obtained from these children for approximately 1 year. Indoor air monitoring included measuring
NO2 and PM^ concentrations in homes. In 1984, aerosol acidity measurements were begun.
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DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: Regional (Watertown, MA; Kingston/Harriman, TN; St. Louis, MO;
Steubenville, OH; Portage, WI; Topeka, KS)
Identifiers: Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA); city; state; street address;
country; latitude/longitude and universal transmercator coordinates of the monitor
sites
Time Coverage: 1974-1989
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Daily (hourly average concentrations of SO2, NO2, O3, and
meteorologic parameters); 24-hour integrated samples for TSP, RSP, NO2, and SO2
every 3 days; indoor air monitoring was conducted on a less frequent basis (1 week
integrated sampling for NO2)
Regularity of sample collection: Ambient air monitoring was conducted continually. Indoor
air monitoring and personal monitoring were conducted multiple times each year 'in
each city. Once a year in each city, questionnaires were administered and
pulmonary function tests were conducted.
Source information: None available
Dispersion information: None available
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: In-house methods (Harvard Quality Assurance Manual for Air
Quality Assessment, Volumes 1-5, 1982) and EPA reference methods for criteria
pollutants (EPA Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems,
Volume 2 -Ambient Air - Specific Methods')
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: 6 months
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 1 year
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks, field blanks, duplicates, external
laboratory analysis, data entry audits
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ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR
Indoor homes and public buildings; outdoor urban and rural; personal monitor:
Particulates (TSP, PM10, PM^, IP1S, RSP, sulfates, elements); criteria
pollutants (SO^ O3, NO2, and CO in indoor, outdoor and some personal
air); acids/acid aerosols (indoor and outdoor air); cigarette smoke (indoor
and personal)
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES
Exhaled breath: Pulmonary function tests (forced expiratory volume in 1 minute
(FEVj), forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMEF)
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Storage and Retrieval of Aerometric Data (SAROAD) codes
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Summary statistics are available in published articles
Availability: Data are restricted to investigators until the study is completed; published journal
articles are available
Form: Hard copy — Journal publications
Reports: Journal articles are published (see also Reference Documents)
Brunekreef, D.W., D.W. Dockery, RE. Speizer, J.H. Ware, J.D. Spengler, and E.G. Ferris, Jr. 1989.
Home dampness and respiratory morbidity in children. American Review of Respiratory Disease.
140:1363-1367.
Schwartz, J., D.W. Dockery, J.Hi Ware, J.D. Spengler, D. Wypij, P. Koutrakis, F.E. Speizer, and
B.G. Ferris, Jr. 1980. Acute effects of acid aerosols on respiratory symptom reporting in children.
Presented at Annual Meeting of Air and Waste Management Association, Anaheim, CA, June 25-
30.
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Kinney, P.L., J.H. Ware, J.D. Spengler, D.W. Dockery, RE. Speizer, and E.G. Ferris, Jr. 1989.
Short-term pulmonary function change in association with ozone levels. American Review of
Respiratory Disease. 139:56-61.
Briggs, S.L.K. and J.D. Spengler. 1988. Trends in fine and coarse aerosol concentration from 1979
to 1986 in six U.S. Cities, PM-10: Implementation of Standards. APCA/EPA International Specialty
Conference, pp. 191-206.
Koutrakis, P., J.M. Wolfson, and J.D. Spengler. 1988. An improved method for measuring aerosol
strong acidity: results from a nine-month study in St. Louis, Missouri and Kingston, Tennessee.
Atmospheric Environment. 22:1463-1468.
Reference Documents:
Ferris, Jr., E.G., F.E. Speizer, J.D. Spengler, D. Dockery, Y.M.M. Bishop, M. Wolfson, and C.
Humble. 1979. Effects of sulfur oxides and respirable particles on human health. American Review
of Respiratory Disease. 120:767-779.
Ferris, Jr., E.G., J.H. Ware, and J.D. Spengler. 1987. Exposure measurement for air pollution
epidemiology. In: Epidemiology and Health Risk Assessment. L. Gordis, ed. New York: Oxford
University Press, pp. 120-128.
Dockery, D.W., J.D. Spengler, L.M. Neas, F.E. Speizer, E.G. Ferris, Jr., J.H. Ware, and B.
Brunekreef. An epidemiologic study of respiratory health status and indicators of indoor air pollution
from combustion sources. Proceedings of APCA Specialty Conference, Combustion Processes and
the Quality of the Indoor Environment, September 27, 1988.
Speizer, F.E. 1989. Studies of acid aerosols in six cities and in a new multi-city investigation:
design issues. Environmental Health Perspectives. 79:61-68.
Spengler, J.D., GJ. Keeler, P. Koutrakis, P.B. Ryan, M. Raizenne, and C.A. Franklin.
Exposures to acidic aerosols. Environmental Health Perspectives. 79:43-51.
1989.
Data/Reports Available From: Copies of published articles or reprints may be requested from
Douglas W. Dockery, Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Environmental
Health, 665 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, (617) 432-1244
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EMERGENCY RESPONSE NOTIFICATION SYSTEM
Acronym: ERNS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Emergency and
Remedial Response (OERR); U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Research and
Special Programs Administration
Contact Person: ERNS Information Line at U.S. EPA, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency
Response (OSWER), OERR, Emergency Response Division (ERD), (OS-210), 401 M
Street SW, Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-2342
Objectives and Coverage:
ERNS is a national database used to store information on releases of oil and hazardous
substances. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
(CERCIA), the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), the Clean Water Act
(CWA), and the Hazardous Material Transportation Act require reporting of releases of oil and
hazardous substances. The primary purpose of ERNS is to standardize and collect these
notifications made to the federal government. Since its inception in 1986, ERNS has received over
170,000 release notifications.
The ERNS program is a cooperative data sharing effort among EPA Headquarters, DOT
Research and Special Programs Administration's John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems
Center (VNTSC), and the National Response Center (NRC) (a nationwide response center for
chemical emergencies, staffed by the U.S. Coast Guard and sponsored by 14 federal agencies). EPA
manages and funds ERNS, and the VNTSC provides operation and maintenance support through
an interagency agreement with EPA.
Currently, ERNS data are used to assist decision-makers in emergency response and
release prevention issues. Specific examples of ERNS data applications include guidance and
regulatory development, responses to congressional inquiries, response preparedness, compliance
and enforcement support, statistical and trend analysis, environmental planning, spill prevention
programs, legal analyses, property transfers/site audits, and academic research.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Water, soil or sediment, air
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, trihalomethanes, semi-VOCs, pesticides,
PCBs, dioxins/furans, radionucUdes, acids/acid aerosols, criteria pollutants, and any
other chemicals reported to ERNS as a release
Types of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics
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Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
Sample Design and Analysis:
NRC, EPA Regions, and the U.S. Coast Guard generally receive the initial notification of
an oil or hazardous substance release. A series of questions about the release are asked. The
information is immediately transmitted to the appropriate EPA Regional Office or Coast Guard
District Office, depending on the release location. The EPA or Coast Guard On-Scene
Coordinator (OSC) then transmits the information to the appropriate state and local response
authorities and other parties, as necessary. Information on all releases reported to the NRC and
EPA Regional Offices is electronically transmitted to the VNTSC in Cambridge, Massachusetts,
where it becomes part of the ERNS database. Each EPA Region maintains its own Region-specific
database, which is a subset of the national database. Until 1989, information on releases reported
to the Coast Guard was provided to ERNS via the Marine Safety Information System. Since 1989,
many releases which would have been reported to the Coast Guard in the past are now reported
to the NRC.
Examples of notification information in ERNS include discharger identification, date of
release, material released, cause of release, damage/injuries/deaths, amount released, source of
release, incident location, response actions taken, authorities notified, and environmental medium
into which the release occurred. Most of this information is obtained from the initial notification;
it is cited as unverified data, because it may be incomplete or inaccurate. Depending on the
severity of the release and response actions taken, the EPA or Coast Guard OSC may obtain
further information from personnel at the release site or through discussing of the situation with
state and local officials. In instances where notification information is verified, additional and more
detailed data on the release, including, information 'related to response actions, can be added to
ERNS. Although field samples may be collected by emergency response personnel, sampling data
are not included in ERNS.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National (U.S., Puerto Rico, and the Pacific Trust Territories, with limited
coverage of U.S. coastal waters)
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude of the incident location, point source, country, city, and zip
code; street address; zip code; city, municipality, or township; county; state; river
reach number; highway and waterway mile markers (data elements exist, but are only
included in ERNS if known at the time of release notification)
Time Coverage: 1986-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Sampling data are not included in ERNS
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Regularity of sample collection: Sampling data are not included in ERNS
Source information: Some data are collected at the source of the release; other databases
(e.g., EPA's CERCLA Information System (CERCLIS), DOT's Hazardous Materials
Information System (HMIS), and ATSDR's Hazardous Substances Emergency Event
Surveillance System (HSEESS)) contain follow up/confirmatory data which help to
identify the source of releases
Dispersion information: Some data in ERNS may describe elements which indicate the size
of the release such as, property damage greater than $50,000, evacuation, response
actions
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Sampling and analytical data are not included in ERNS
Standard procedures used: Sampling and analytical data are not included in ERNS; NRC,
EPA, and USCG provide a standardized interagency system for incident data
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Sampling and analytical data are
not included in ERNS
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Sampling and
analytical data are not included in ERNS; approximate time between receiving
data from NRC and EPA and data entry to ERNS varies; data are immediately
received from NRC and entered into ERNS; data are reported daily to weekly from
EPA regions and immediately entered into ERNS
Qualify Assurance/Qualify Control Procedures: Data entry is checked
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Surface, groundwater, leachate, municipal, private: Inorganic compounds, VOCs,
trihalomethanes, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs, dioxins/furans, radionuclides
and any other chemicals reported to ERNS as a release
SOIL
Residential, industrial, sediment: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs,
pesticides, PCBs, dioxins/furans, radionuclides, and any other chemicals
reported to ERNS as a release
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AIR
Outdoor urban and rural: Criteria pollutants, inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-
VOCs, pesticides, PCBs, dioxins/furans, acids/acid aerosols, and any other
chemicals reported to ERNS as a release
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identity Agents: Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CASRN),
chemical name or mixture, reported name with a chemical table to correlate it with the
CASRN; Chemical Hazards Response Information System (CHRIS) codes
DATABASE AFAILABILTTY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary release totals such as, annual
releases by mode (marine, highway, offshore, pipeline, railway, underground storage tanks,
air transport, facility, other); most commonly reported materials; annual reports of specific
releases by region; comparisons of the number of release reports between states/calendar
years/EPA Regions or cities; comparison of the number of release reports for broad
chemical groups; and release reports categorized by the quantity of the material released
Availability: Any requester can obtain data; cost for data is assessed based on the materials used
and the time and effort expended to fill the request
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts, Agency reports
Machine readable — Tape (ASCII, Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code
(EBCDIC))
Reports: Periodic reports which contain summaries of release notifications; standard ERNS reports
which provide a one-page summary of the releases as reported to the federal government;
Quick Reference Fax Sheets which include: Overview of ERNS (OSWER9360.0-29FS),
CERCLA Notifications (OSWER 9360.22FS), and Oil Notifications (OSWER 9360.22FS);
reports are distributed to DOT, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA), the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and EPA's
Offices of Solid Waste (OSW), Policy, Planning, and Evaluation (OPPE), Emergency and
Remedial Response (OERR), and Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention
Reference Documents: CERCLA, Section 103; Title III of SARA, Section 304; The Federal Water
Pollution Control Act, Section 311; The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution
Contingency Plan (NCP), Sections 300.51 and 300.65
Data/Reports Available From: Information on the national ERNS system or specific data may be
obtained by calling the ERNS Information Line at (202) 260-2342 or by contacting the U.S.
EPA, Freedom of Information Act Office, A-101, 401M Street SW, Washington, DC 20460;
for information concerning EPA Regional ERNS databases, contact the Freedom of
Information Act Office of the specific EPA Region
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EMISSIONS CERTIFICATION DATABASE
Acronym: None
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Mobile Sources
Contact Person: Eldert A. Bontekoe, U.S. EPA, Office of Mobile Sources, 2565 Plymouth
Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, (313) 668-4200
Objectives and Coverage:
The Emissions Certification Database contains emissions data on regulated pollutants
(hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and oxides of nitrogen) from certain types of motor vehicles
(automobiles and small trucks). Measurements are based on exhaust gases measured at the tailpipe.
The measurements are taken by the U.S. EPA's Office of Mobile Sources, and the vehicles
represent all new domestic and imported consumer vehicles introduced into the United States
nationally. Test vehicles are selected based on the likelihood of being worst-case emitters. Each
type of engine is tested once per year. The Emission Certification Database verifies emissions
information supplied by manufacturers and is required under the Clean Air Act. The information
is primarily used by the U.S. EPA and manufacturers for regulatory purposes to ensure emission
compliance. Some analytical results are confidential.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Air (automobile exhaust emissions)
Classes of compounds: Particulates (hydrocarbons), criteria pollutants (CO, NOJ
Type of data available: Individual samples and summary statistics are available on specific agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
All vehicles introduced into the United States each year are required to comply with
emission standards under the Clean Air Act. Each engine family produced by a given manufacturer
is tested for the regulated pollutants based on emissions measured at the exhaust pipe. Vehicles
are tested over a fixed cycle (speed-time or hp-time tract), and results are calculated on a
grams/mile or grams/BHp-Hr (BHp-Hr=break horse power per hour, a measure of the output of
an engine) basis. Testing procedures are developed by the Society of Automobile Engineers (SAE).
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: No geographic identifiers; identified by vehicle engine type
Time Coverage: 1975-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Each engine family is tested once per year;
Manufacturers may apply to carry over old data if vehicle is the same as last year
Regularity of sample collection: Annually
Source information: Data are collected at the source
Dispersion information: Not available
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: Society of Automobile Engineers standard procedures
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Seconds
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 1 day
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Data entry audits; field blanks; acceptable ranges
for measured results; coordination with outside labs; comparison with manufacturer results
on same vehicle
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ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR
Automobile emissions: Participates (hydrocarbons), criteria pollutants (CO, NOX)
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Database-specific codes or identifiers
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents; sorting is possible on thousands of variables (e.g., engine-specific details and
correlations)
Availability: Requester must be approved; some data are confidential; on-line data available within
U.S. EPA; files or-log books only available to EPA personnel
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts
Machine readable — Tape, diskette, bulletin boards, on-line (ASCII)
Reports: Notices are published in the Federal Register
Reference Documents: None
Data/Reports Available From: Notices are published in the Federal Register and provide the name
and address of the contact person; written requests for computer printouts to the U.S. EPA
Office of Mobile Sources, 2565 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, Attention:
Certification Division
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ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT PROGRAM
Acronym: EMAP
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and
Development ^
Contact Person: Thomas Dixon or Miriam Rodon-Naveira, U.S. EPA, Office of Research and
. Development, (RD-680), 401 M Street SW, Washington DC 20460, (202) 260-5782
Objectives and Coverage:
In 1988, the Science Advisory Board of the U.S. EPA recommended implementing a
program within EPA to monitor the status and trends of ecological conditions and to develop
innovative methods for anticipating emerging problems before they become crises. In response,
EPA initiated EMAP. The first five years of the Program will involve the design and
implementation of the system. EMAP objectives include: estimation of the current status, changes,
and trends in indicators of the condition of the nation's ecological resources on a regional basis;
monitoring of indicators of pollutant exposure and habitat condition; identification of associations
between human-induced stresses and ecological condition; and generation of periodic statistical
summaries and interpretive reports on status and trends to resource managers and the public. The
EMAP networks will provide statistically unbiased estimates with quantifiable confidence limits over
regional and national scales for periods of years to decades.
Six broad ecological resource categories have been defined within EMAP: near-coastal
waters, inland surface waters, wetlands, forests, arid lands, and agroecosystems. Within each of
these categories, EMAP is determining the ecological resource categories and resource sampling
units that will be assessed in a series of annual surveys. Indicators of response, exposure, habitat,
and stressors will be defined. These will determine the types of environmental assessments that will
be conducted, such as biomarkers, pathogens, bioassays, tissue concentrations, ambient
concentrations, exotics, habitat structure and landscape pattern.
In 1990, EMAP initiated its first demonstration project, a study of estuaries in the mid-
Atlantic region. These data will be used for analyses to determine indices. Additional
demonstration projects will be conducted over the next several years. Full implementation of
monitoring in all resources is being targeted for 1995.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Water, air, soil, food sources
Classes of compounds: Currently inorganic compounds, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs (soil); acids
(water); particulates, criteria pollutants, acids (air); additional classes will be added as the
Program develops ... •
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Type of data available: Individual samples and summary statistics are available on specific agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
Sample Design and Analysis:
The probability-based EMAP sampling design will lead to unbiased estimates with known
confidence of the extent of resource classes and their current ecological condition. The proposed
sampling design uses a systematic triangular sampling grid of randomly placed points in the U.S.
Grid density will vary to meet specific needs, but the baseline density will be one point per 640 km2
(about 12,600 points in the contiguous United States, around 2,400 points in Alaska, and 56 points
in Hawaii). A two-stage process is then used to select points from the grid for landscape
description and sampling site selection. In the first stage, landscape within a hexagonal area
centered on a subset of grid points sampled probabilistically from the large grid will be
characterized to estimate the extent of each resource class and to aid selection of resource sampling
units. In the second stage, a subset of resource sampling units is selected for each resource class,
from which regional estimates are to be made.
EMAP will operate a series of annual surveys, measuring indicators during a particular
season or other time period that is likely to be specific to each resource category. Distinct subsets
of sampling points (resource sampling units) will be selected, and environmental assessments will
be performed on a rotating four-year cycle. A particular site will therefore be sampled only every
fourth year, and condition estimates will be based on four-year running averages. Consequently,
EMAP will provide sufficient information about the conditions at any particular site for a period
of 40 to 60 years. Standardized analysis procedures will be developed for each survey and study
component.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude and universal transmercator coordinates of the monitor site
Time Coverage: Phased-in; first demonstration data collected 1990; full implementation expected
by 1995
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Once every four years samples will be collected at a
specific monitoring site during a particular season or other time period that is likely
to be specific to each resource category
Regularity of sample collection: Every four years
Source information: Not available
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Dispersion information: Not directly available
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Some assessments will be averaged over a season, others will have
individual entries
Standard procedures used: Procedures and manuals will be determined as the Program
develops; standard methods will be used when available
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: To be determined
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: To be determined
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Details not available at this time
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Surface water: Acids (additional classes will be added)
SOIL
Sediment: Currently inorganic compounds, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs, other
physical and chemical characterization
AIR
Outdoor rural: Currently particulates, criteria pollutants, acids (HNO3)
FOOD SOURCES
Fish/Shellfish: Inorganic compounds, pesticides, PCBs
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CASRN) and
database-specific codes to link with other existing databases
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Availability: Requester must be approved
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Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts; Agency reports; journal publications
Machine readable - Tape, diskette, on-line (ASCII, SAS), CD-ROM (future)
Reports: Yearly reports will be published; special reports are available about the planning process,
preliminary findings, and workshops; journal publications; periodical entitled EMAP Monitor
Reference Documents: EMAP Information Management Committee Charter; Environmental
Monitoring and Assessment Program Guidelines for Preparing Logistics Plans; Environmental
Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) Overview
Data/Reports Available From: National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal
Rd., Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650; state offices within given biogeographic regions;
EPA Regional Offices; U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration
The following individuals specialize in various resource categories:
EMAP Information Management: Eugene Meier (702) 798-2237
EMAP Air/Deposition Database: Steve Bromberg (919) 541-2919
EMAP Forests Soil Productivity Database: Rick D. Van Rernortel (702) 734-3295
EMAP Near Coastal Database: Richard W. Latimer (401) 782-3077
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ENVIRONMENTAL RADIATION AMBIENT MONITORING SYSTEM
Acronym: ERAMS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Radiation Programs
Contact Person: Geraldine A. Luster or Paula Goode, U.S EPA, Office of Radiation Programs,
National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory, 1504 Avenue A, Montgomery, AL
36115-2601, (205) 270-3433
Objectives and Coverage:
ERAMS is comprised of nationwide sampling stations that provide air, surface water,
drinking water, and milk samples from which environmental radiation levels are derived. The
objective is to monitor and identify trends in the accumulation of long-lived radionuclides in these
media. The surface water and drinking water data are compared with standards set forth in the
U.S. EPA National Interim Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NDPDWR). The milk program
is a cooperative effort with the Food and Drug Administration.
The field sampling stations are selected for wide population coverage as well as being
located near possible sources of environmental radioactivity, including nuclear power plants and
related industries. However, data may be too sparse for use in human health studies.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Water (including surface water, drinking water, and precipitation); air; food sources (milk)
Classes of compounds: Radionuclides; particulates (gross beta radiation); radiation (alpha, beta,
gamma)
Type of data available: Individual data entries are available on specific agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
Since 1973, environmental radiation monitoring has been conducted for airborne participates
and precipitation, drinking water, surface water, and pasteurized milk (at milk processing facilities).
Gross beta radioactivity measurements and certain specific analyses are performed on air
particulates and precipitation samples as indicator measurements in assessing the general impact
of all contributing sources on environmental levels of radiation.
Airborne particulates and precipitation samples are collected continuously at 74 field
stations located throughout the United States near present and potential sources of environmental
radioactivity. Seventy-eight drinking water monitoring sites are located in areas near nuclear power
plants and related industries, preferably in major population centers, and 58 surface water stations
are located downstream from operating nuclear facilities. In a cooperative program with the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration's Dairy andLipid Product Branch, Milk Sanitation Section, monthly
milk samples are collected at 65 pasteurized milk processing facility sampling sites, with one or
more sites located in each state, Puerto Rico, and the Panama Canal Zone.
Sample collection for all media is conducted by state health departments (on a goodwill
basis). After collection, samples are sent to the National Air and Radiation Environmental
Laboratory (NAREL) for analysis. Samples are collected and analyzed using standard procedures
from the EPA "Radiochemical Procedures Manual."
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude and universal transmercator coordinates of the nearest city
centroid; name of city, municipality, or township; state
Time Coverage: 1973-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection:
Air particulates/precipitation: Air particulates are collected continuously with a
filter, and twice weekly field measurements of gross beta radioactivity are
taken; precipitation samples are composited monthly at stations with air
filters
Drinking water: Analyses include: (a) tritium on a quarterly basis; (b) gross alpha,
gross beta, strontium-90, and gamma on annual composites; (c) radium-226
and -228 if the gross alpha exceeds certain levels; (d) specific iodine-131 on
a quarterly sample per year for each station; and (e) an annual composite
for plutonium and uranium for stations that exceed gross alpha levels
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Surface water: Quarterly grab samples are taken; river and stream samples are
analyzed quarterly for tritium and annually for specific gamma activity
8
Milk: Samples are composited on a monthly basis, according to production, from
major milk suppliers representing more than 80% of milk consumed in a
given population center. Monthly samples are analyzed for gamma emitting
nuclides; quarterly composites are analyzed for strontium. For the first
month of the 3 quarters beginning January, April and October, 10 regional
composite samples of milk from states within each of EPA's 10 regions are
analyzed for strontium-89 and strontium-90; also, all samples collected in
July are analyzed for strontium-89 and strontium-90
If any samples in any of the media show increased concentrations above background
or expected levels, the station is contacted and additional samples are
collected
Regularity of sample collection:
«
Air particulates/precipitation: Air filters collect continuously and are changed every
Tuesday and Friday; precipitation samples are collected as it rains or snows
and are composited for the month collected
Drinking water and surface water are collected monthly or quarterly depending on
the analysis being done
Milk is collected monthly or quarterly depending on the analysis being done
Source and dispersion information: Some drinking water stations have rivers or lakes as
source water; these sources are identified in the database; all surface water samples
are collected downstream from nuclear power plants or related industries; some milk
samples are collected from dairies in urban areas located in the vicinity of nuclear
power plants
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Samples composited monthly and quarterly (see Sample Characteristics
above)
Standard procedures used: Samples are analyzed using procedures from the EPA
Radiochemical Procedures Manual
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis:
Air particulates/precipitation: field measurements are taken 5 to 29 hours after
changing air filters; 6 weeks to 2 months for all analyses to be completed
Drinking water: Analysis begins one week after sample collection; 3-4 months for
all analyses to be completed
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Surface water: Analysis begins upon receipt of sample
Milk: 2-3 months
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 7-10 days
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Data entry audits, laboratory blanks, duplicates,
spikes, external laboratory analyses
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Drinking water: Radionuclides (radium, tritium, uranium, strontium), radiation
Surface water: Radionuclides (tritium, gamma radiation)
Other (precipitation): Radionuclides (plutonium, uranium), radiation
SOIL Not applicable
AIR
Outdoor Urban: Particulates (gross beta radiation)
FOOD SOURCES
Pasteurized milk: Radionuclides (iodine, barium, cesium, potassium)
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries are available on specific agents
Availability: Any requester can obtain data; available on-line through direct VAX access; users can
call Ms. Bobby Weiler, (205) 270-3466 for on-line access
Form: Hard copy - Agency reports
Machine readable - Tape, on-line (ASCII, VAX backup, EBCDIC)
Reports: Quarterly reports, Environmental Radiation Data, published by the U.S. EPA Office of
Radiation Programs, are available to states that operate the ERAMs network and to
individuals requesting information
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Reference Documents: None
Data/Reports Available From: State offices in states that operate the ERAMS network; U.S. EPA,
Office of Radiation Programs, Washington DC, Dr. Charles Petko (205) 270-3411 or Paula
Goode (205) 270-3433
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FEDERAL REPORTING DATABASE SYSTEM
Acronym: ERDS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Office of Groundwater and
Drinking Water
Contact Person: Cecil J. Sexton, U.S. EPA, Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water, 401 M
Street SW, Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-7276
Objectives and Coverage:
FRDS is a centralized database for information on public drinking water supplies, including
their compliance with monitoring requirements, maximum contaminant levels (MCL), and other
requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Amendments of 1986. Data are used for
the Public Water System Supervision (PWSS) Program maintained by EPA's Office of Drinking
Water. ERDS contains approximately 12 million records. Information tracked includes:
owner/operator name and address; operational status; location; on-site visits; sources; violations;
enforcement and compliance actions; treatment; variances and exemptions; area (county and
population) the system serves; and historical information. Additional information is entered at each
state's discretion. ERDS does not track private wells or public water supplies excluded by the
SDWA.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Surface water and ground water
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCS, trihalomethanes, pesticides,
PCBs, dioxins/furans, radionuclides, microorganisms, physical and chemical indicators of
water quality
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
The Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1986 stipulate that all public water supply
facilities must conduct monitoring, maintain records, and provide compliance and enforcement
information to EPA. Monitoring must be performed in accordance with 40 CFR Part 141: The
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations and analysis must be done in accordance with 40 CFR
Part 136: Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis of Pollutants. Public water supply
owners and operators are required to report monitoring results to the state (to the EPA Regional
office in non-primacy states or Indian lands) at frequencies (daily, monthly, quarterly, or yearly,
depending upon the contaminant) specified in state and federal regulations. Monitoring reports
are submitted to state (or Regional) enforcement officials, who determine if a violation has
occurred and submit quarterly reports to EPA Headquarters containing any new information for
FRDS. Some states submit FRDS information manually, while others have developed automated
data processing systems compatible with FRDS.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude of the zip code, city, county, and monitor site; street address;
zip code; name of city, municipality, or township; county; state
Time Coverage: 1976-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Varies depending upon the size (population served) of the
public water supply and the monitoring requirements of state and federal regulations
Regularity of sample collection: Varies (see above)
Source information: EPA identification numbers are used to indicate source; source names
are sometimes given at the option of the state (or EPA Regional office)
Dispersion information: None
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: CFR Part 141 allows public water supply facilities to pool up to five
samples; if the public water supply serves a population of greater than 3,300, five
samples can be pooled within their own system; if it serves a population of less than
3,300, it can pool five samples with four other public water systems
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Standard procedures used: Monitoring is performed in accordance with 40 CFR Part 141:
The National Primary Drinking Water Regulations and analysis is done in accordance
with 40 CFR Part 136: Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis of
Pollutants
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Varies with each contaminant
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database:' 4 months
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Data entry audits; laboratory blanks (part of the
Laboratory Certification Project maintained by the EPA, Office of Groundwater and
Drinking Water, Technical Support Division)
ENVIRQNMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Surface, Groundwaten Inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCS, trihalomethanes,
pesticides, PCBs, dioxins/furans, radionuclides, microorganisms (total
coliform, fecal coliform), physical and chemical indicators of water quality
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Database-specific codes or identifiers (FRDS 4-digit codes)
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents (see Reports)
Availability: Any requester may obtain data; requester must be approved by EPA and states (or
Regions) for computer access rights; information on a public water supply that has an
ongoing enforcement case cannot by obtained
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts, files, Agency reports, journal articles
Machine readable — Tape, diskette (ASCII; FXLEGEN is used to generate data in any
form), bulletin board, on-line
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Reports: Quarterly reports, which include: Comprehensive Report; Service Area and Source Data;
Facilities and Population Served by Primary Water Supply Source; Distribution of PWSs (by
State, Source); Violation by Population; PWSs: Months in Violation; Annual Data
Evaluation/Random Selected Sample Systems; Violation by Primary Water Supply Source;
Summary and Violation Date; Months in Violation by Date; Random Selected Systems; State
Follow-up on Significant Noncompliers/Exceptions Report; customized reports are also
available
Reference Documents: 40 CFR Part 136: Guidelines Establishing Test Procedures for the Analysis
of Pollutants; Safe Drinking Water Amendments of 1986; 40 CFR Part 141: The National
Primary Drinking Water Regulations; 40 CFR Part 142: The National Primary Drinking Water
Regulations Implementation; EPA Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water Supply Guidance
Manual; Data Verification Protocol
Data/Reports Available From: Cecil J. Sexton, U.S. EPA, Office of Groundwater and Drinking
Water, 401 M Street SW, Washington DC 20460, (202) 260-7276 (for all forms of data and
on-line approval); state and regional environmental protection agencies also authorize user
accounts and passwords for on-line information
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FISH INFORMATION NETWORK
Acronym: FIN
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and
Development
Contact Person: Joan P. Baker, Western Aquatics, Inc., Suite 220, Executive Park, 1920 Highway
54, Duram, NC 27713, (919) 544-9454
Objectives and Coverage:
The FIN database contains data and information relating to the distribution and status of
fish populations in surface waters in the Adirondack region of New York state that are sensitive
to or already affected by acidic deposition. All available data on physical characteristics, fish
populations, fisheries management procedures, and water chemistry for 2,759 lakes in the
Adirondack Ecological Zone and approximately 600 other lakes in proximity to the Adirondacks
have been incorporated into FIN. Efforts to compile data for other regions in the Northeast have
been initiated. Most data were obtained from 2 major sources: the New York State Department
of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and Carl L. Schofield of Cornell University. Additional
water chemistry data were obtained from Donald F. Charles of Indiana University. Data compiled
in FIN have been recorded at the most specific level of detail possible. Also see separate entry for
the Acid Deposition Data Network (ADDNET), which maintains 14 data sets that contain
information on lake morphometry, station location, fish status, and water chemistry.
Detailed information was not available at the time of publication.
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FLUORIDATION CENSUS
, Acronym: None
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease
Control (CDC), National Center for Prevention Services (NCPS)
Contact Person: Darrell H. Sanders, Jr., U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
CDC, NCPS, Dental Disease Prevention Activity, Atlanta, GA 30333, (404) 488-4451
Objectives and Coverage:
The Fluoridation Census was first collected from states in 1967. The census has been
conducted on a periodic basis, with the most recent census being the 1989 census. The purpose of
the census is to determine the proportion of the population that is receiving the benefits of
optimally adjusted fluoridated water and to monitor this proportion over time. Further,
information from this census helps target prevention programs administered by NCPS.
The NCPS maintains a master file of water systems that have reported fluoridation in the
previous census. When the census is updated, these lists are sent to the states. The states are
requested to update both the status of fluoridation of the water system and the population served
by the water system.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Water (drinking water)
Classes of compounds: Ions (fluoride)
Type of data available: Individual data entries
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
The Fluoridation Census is intended to be. a complete enumeration of public water supplies
that contain fluoride, either through natural sources or through chemical additives. The NCPS
maintains a master file of water systems that have reported optimum fluoridation in the previous
census. Optimum levels are determined by the state and are given in the database. When the
census is updated, the master list is sent to the states. The states are requested to update both the
status of fluoridation of the water system and the population served by the water system. Only
public water supplies are included in this census. Further, only the public water supplies that are
optimally fluoridated are listed in the census. Water supplies are classified as community, military,
native American, or school water supplies.
Geographic information is given for the site of the treatment facilities, but not for the extent
of the distribution of the water system. There are water systems that cross county boarders, but
the extent of the population served in each county are not given.
Analyses of fluoridation are conducted in accordance to EPA regulations.
system is analyzed separately.
Each water
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Name and FIPS code for state and county; name of water system and name of
community served
Time Coverage: Periodic census, 1967, 1969, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1988, 1989
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Groundwater is measured once yearly, surface water is
measured once every three years
Dispersion information: The size of the population served by the water system is given,
however, the geographic boundaries of the served population are not given
Details of other sample characteristics were not available at time of publication
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
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Standard procedures used: Approved Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Waste
Water published by the American Public Health Association, American Water Works
Association, and Pollution Water Control Federation (most recent edition #17,
1989)
Details of other sample analysis characteristics were not available at time of publication
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Details of the QA/QC procedures were not
available at time of publication
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Drinking water: Ions (fluorides)
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Database-specific codes or identifiers
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries, including type of water system, type of fluoride
chemical used to adjust water, total population served by water system
Availability: Any requestor can obtain diskettes with data on the current census and summary
reports
Form: Hard copy — Reports contain summary tables by states and territories
Machine readable — Diskette (dBase)
Reports: Each census has a summary status report: Fkioridation Census Summary, (year)
Reference Documents: None
Data/Reports Available From: Darrell H. Sanders, Jr., CDC, NCPS, Dental Disease Prevention
Activity, Atlanta, GA 30333, (404) 488-4451
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GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SYSTEM
Acronym: GEMS
Sponsoring Agencies: World Health Organization (WHO); United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP); Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations
Contact Persons:
GEMS/AIR: Dr. David Mage, WHO, 1211, Geneva 27, Switzerland, 41-22-91-3729;
Gardner Evans, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Atmospheric Research and
Exposure Assessment Laboratory (AREAL), MD-56, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711,
(919) 541-3887 (U.S. contact)
GEMS/WATER: Dr. Martine Allard, WHO Collaborating Center on Surface and Ground
Water Quality at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters (CCIW), National Water Research
Institute, Burlington, Ontario, (416) 336-6441
GEMS/FOOD: Dr. Gerry Moy, WHO, 1211, Geneva 27, Switzerland, 41-22-791-3698; Jerry
Burke, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration
(FDA), Division of Contaminant Chemistry, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition,
200 C Street SW, Washington, DC, (202) 245-1307 (U.S. contact)
Objectives and Coverage:
GEMS, established under the auspices of the WHO, UNEP, and the FAO, is a program
which involves monitoring of air, water, and food quality on a global scale. Scientists from 60
countries throughout the world participate in GEMS. GEMS/AIR contains results of air quality
sampling; GEMS/WATER includes freshwater quality sample results; and GEMS/FOOD contains
food contamination results. Although the three programs do not cover many of the areas in the
developing world, they do provide valuable information which indicates current regional, national,
and global trends in environmental health.
The Collaborating Center on Air Pollution Control, established by the WHO and operated
by the U.S. EPA, maintains the GEMS/AIR database on EPA computers using application systems
designed specifically for the WHO. The WHO CCIW in Canada was established for the purpose
of data handling for the GEMS/WATER database. The GEMS/FOOD database is maintained by
the Information Systems Support Division at the United Nations (UN) International Computing
Center, WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
Data for each of the GEMS monitoring programs are summarized and assessed by scientists
at the GEMS data centers, WHO, UNEP, and FAO (GEMS/FOOD data only). A series of air
quality, water, and food assessment reports are issued, such as, air quality assessment reports which
evaluate the relative exposures of populations to ambient air pollution in a wide range of urban
areas and estimate the trends which emerge. It is hoped that dissemination of GEMS information
on levels, trends, and health significance of environmental contamination will permit UN member
countries to make national decisions for the improvement of environmental conditions of relevance
to public health.
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Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Air; surface and ground water; food sources
Classes of compounds:
GEMS/AIR: Particulates; criteria pollutants (sulfur dioxide and some data on nitrogen
dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead)
GEMS/WATER: Inorganic compounds; VOCs (benzene); semi-VOCs (phenol); pesticides;
PCBs; microorganisms (total and fecal coliform); physical and chemical indicators
of water quality; ions (including fluoride)
GEMS/FOOD: Inorganic compounds; PCBs; pesticides; aflatoxins
Type of data available: Summary statistics are available on specific agents for all GEMS databases;
individual data entries are only available with permission from WHO and UNEP for
GEMS/FOOD and GEMS/WATER; information on the availability of individual data was
unknown for GEMS/AIR at the time of publication
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
Sample Design and Analysis:
The gathering of data is done by national institutions of UN member countries with help
from relevant UN agencies. To maintain uniformity, a standardized coding system is used for each
database to transfer data between countries and the data center. The data are checked and edited
and any questions which arise are resolved through WHO headquarters. Countries receive reports
from the data centers for scrutiny of their data. Any corrections or amendments are subsequently
applied to the master database.
Monitoring sites included in GEMS/AIR are large urban areas with three identifiable sites
within the metropolitan area: city center, industrial, and suburban. Air sampling data for total
suspended particulate (TSP) and sulphur dioxide are collected by scientists from participating
countries. Data are generally collected on a 24-hour basis and reported to the Collaborating Center
on Air Pollution Control on a quarterly schedule.
Monitoring stations in GEMS/WATER are selected from existing national or local networks
wherever possible; otherwise, new stations were established. Priority is given to rivers, lakes, and
groundwaters used for water supply. Data are collected by national institutions on a schedule which
varies from country to country and are forwarded to the WHO CCIW.
Food contamination data in GEMS/FOOD includes chemical and biological agents arising
from environmental and industrial pollution, agricultural technology, food processing practices, and
natural sources. Data are collected by national food contamination monitoring programs in
countries producing the foodstuffs and importing countries at points of entry and are forwarded to
WHO headquarters. Data items reflect the food name and its country of origin, contaminant, year
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of sampling, number of samples analyzed, detection limit, and median, 90th percentile, and
minimum and maximum measurement of the contaminant detected.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: Global (over 60 countries)
Identifiers:
GEMS/AIR: Latitude/longitude of the monitor site; street address
GEMS/WATER: LatitudeAongitude of the monitor site
GEMS/FOOD: Name and address of participating institutions and collaborating
laboratories
Time Coverage:
GEMS/AIR: 1972-present
GEMS/WATER: 1976-present
GEMS/FOOD: 1979-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection:
GEMS AIR: Varies; samples collected by individual countries; data collected daily
by participating agencies; reported to the Collaborating Center on a
quarterly schedule
GEMS WATER: Varies; samples collected by individual countries; data collection
by participating agencies and the Collaborating Center varies from country
to country
GEMS FOOD: Varies; samples collected by individual countries; data collected
yearly by participating institutions; approximately every 3 years by the
data center
Regularity of sample collection: Varies; samples collected by individual countries
Source information:
GEMS/AIR and GEMS/WATER: None
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GEMS/FOOD: Data on global food contamination by food commodity is available;
source of food contamination (e.g., farm) can be traced by some of the
national institutions of UN member countries
Dispersion information:
GEMS/AIR: None
GEMS/WATER and FOOD: Sample results may indicate dispersion to food
.products and waterways
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Unknown; samples collected by individual countries
Standard procedures used: Standard analytical procedures required of national institutions
of each country; WHO standardized coding systems are used to transfer data
between the countries and the data centers; the Global Water Data Management
System (Glowdat), a water quality database, is used by the WHO CCIW for data
processing and reporting
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Unknown; samples collected by
individual countries
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Unknown; samples
collected by individual countries; approximate time between receival of data at the
data center and entry to database is 6-12 months for GEMS/AIR, 3 months for
GEMS/FOOD, and 1 month for GEMS/WATER
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Each country has its own procedures for data
collection; data entry audits are done at each of the data centers; GEMS/FOOD and
GEMS/WATER include a quality assurance/quality control program for laboratory analysis
that is maintained by designated laboratories; these programs are described in GEMS/FOOD
Analytical Quality Assurance Studies; GEMS/WATER Operational Guide (information on the
GEMS/AIR quality assurance/quality control program for laboratory analysis was
unavailable at the time of publication)
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Surfiace and groundwater: Inorganic compounds; VOCS (benzene); semi-VOCS
(phenol); pesticides; PCBs; microorganisms (total and fecal colifbrm);
physical and chemical indicators of water quality; ions (fluoride)
SOIL Not applicable
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AIR
Outdoor Urban: Suspended participate matter, criteria pollutants (sulfur dioxide
and some data on nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and lead)
FOOD SOURCES
Plants, Gsh/shellfish, milk: Inorganic compounds (lead, cadmium, mercury, tin);
PCBs; pesticides (organochlorine and organophosphorus compounds);
aflatoxins
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents:
GEMS AIR: Storage and Retrieval of Aerometric Data (SAROAD) coding system (see Air
Qualify Subsystem entry)
GEMS/WATER: Chemical name or mixture; National Water Quality Data Bank of
Canada (NAQUADAT) coding system
GEMS/FOOD: Chemical name or mixture
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Summary statistics are available on specific agents for all GEMS
databases; individual data entries are only available with permission from WHO and.UNEP
for GEMS/FOOD and GEMS/WATER; information on the availability of individual data
was unknown for GEMS/SIR at the time of publication
Availability: WHO publications are available to the public; requester must obtain approval from
WHO andUNEP for individual data for GEMS/FOOD and GEMS/WATER (unknown for
GEMS/AIR)
Form: GEMS/AIR: Hard copy — Computer printouts
Machine readable — Tape, diskette (ASCII)
GEMS/WATER: Hard copy - Agency reports
Machine readable - Diskette (ASCII)
GEMS/FOOD: Hard copy - Agency reports
Machine readable — Diskette (ASCII; several other forms available)
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Reports: Distributed to the UNEP and the WHO
GEMS/AIR: Air Quality in Selected Urban Areas, which gives a statistical analysis of GEMS
air data, is prepared by the Collaborating Center on Air Pollution Control;
assessment reports are produced by WHO
GEMS/WATER: Several; data summaries are prepared in 3-year intervals and published
in GEMS/WATER Data Summaries; others include: GEMS/WATER Operational
Guide, a directory of participating institutions; and GEMS'/WATER Data Evaluation
Reports
GEMS/FOOD: Assessment of Chemical Contamination in Food (3 years of data
summaries); latest version was published in 1988 and includes 1983-1985 data (some
data are not included for reasons of confidentiality)
Reference Documents:
GEMS/AIR: WHO guideline, Selected Measurement Methods
GEMS/WATER: Several listed in Agency reports, examples include: Standard Methods for
the Examination of Water and Waste Water, American Public Health Association,
American Water Works Association and Water Pollution Control Federation, 1989;
Water Quality Assessments, A Guide for the Use of Biota Sediment and Water in
Environmental Monitoring, Chapman, D. (ed.), (in press)
GEMS/FOOD: Codex Alimentarius, Codex Alimentarius Commission (includes acceptable
limits for contaminants); Federal Registers and similar national publications which
include food legislation (e.g., acceptable contaminant levels in food, sampling and
analysis methods) in each country
Data/Reports Available From:
GEMS/AIR: Gardner Evans, U.S. EPA, Atmospheric Research and Exposure Assessment
Laboratory, MD-56, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, (919) 541-3887 (for
published WHO documents); Dr. David Mage, WHO, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland,
41-22-791-3729 (for all other data forms and to request individual data)
GEMS/WATER: Dr. Martine Allard, WHO Collaborating Center on Surface and Ground
Water Quality at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters (CCIW), National Water
Research Institute, Burlington, Ontario, (416) 336-6441
GEMS/FOOD: Dr. Gerry Moy, WHO, Geneva 27, Switzerland, 41-22-791-3698
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GREAT LAKES FISH MONITORING PROGRAM
Acronym: None
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Great Lakes National Program
Office
Contact Person: David DeVault, U.S. EPA, Great Lakes National Program Office, 5GL, 230 S.
Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60604, (312) 353-1374
The Great Lakes Fish Monitoring Program, begun in 1970, collects samples of rainbow
smelt, coho salmon, and chinook salmon from the Great Lakes and analyses them for PCBs, DDT,
hexachlorobenzene, dacthal, chlordane, dieldrin, toxaphene, mirex, heptachlorepoxide, and
pentachlorophenyl methyl ether. The Program also performs analyses periodically for dioxins, and
other substances for special studies. Some data are collected annually (smelt, coho), while other
data are collected biennially (different species are studied in different years). Available reports
include: Contaminants in Fish from Great Lakes, Harbors, and Tributary Mouths (D. Devault, Toxicol.
14:587); and Pofychorinated Dibenzojurans and Poloychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxins in Great Lakes
Fish: A Baseline and Interlake Comparison (D. Devault, Environ. Tox. and Chem., Vol. 8).
Detailed information was not available at the time of publication.
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HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE RELEASE/HEALTH EFFECTS DATABASE
Acronym: HAZDAT
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
Contact Person: Mike Perry, ATSDR, Office of the Assistant Administrator, Office of
Information Resource Management, 1600 Clifton Road (E28), Atlanta, GA 30333, (404)
639-0720
Objectives and Coverage:
ATSDR, created by Congress in 1980, has the mission to prevent or mitigate adverse
human health effects and diminished quality of life resulting from exposure to hazardous
substances in the environment. To achieve this goal ATSDR conducts health assessments
and consultations at Superfund sites and other sites; conducts or funds health studies of
individuals exposed to hazardous materials at these sites; and develops toxicological profiles
?Tf™?md°US substances- As Part of these activities, ATSDR is currently developing
HAZDAT, a database that records ATSDR activities. At the time of this writing, past
ATSDR data are being entered into HAZDAT. It is anticipated that HAZDAT may be
available to some other federal agencies beginning April 1992. It is not known when it will
be available to the general public. Data in HAZDAT include: site characteristics; activities
and site events; contaminants detected; contaminant media; maximum concentration;
population impacted by the site or event; community health concerns; ATSDR
recommendations; environmental fate; exposure routes; and physical hazards at the site or
event. HAZDAT also includes data from EPA's Comprehensive Environmental Response
Compensation, and Liability Information System (CERCLIS), including: CERCLIS number-
site name; address; National Priority List (NPL) status; site description; latitude and
longitude; and operable units (specific locations at each site). Substance-specific data from
ATSDR toxicological profiles are included in HAZDAT: presence on ATSDR's Priority List
of Hazardous Substances; health effects by route and duration of exposure; metabolites;
interactions; susceptible populations; and biomarkers of exposure and effects. HAZDAT can
be used by ATSDR personnel for research and information management purposes (e.g., to
obtain a complete site history; for rapid access to toxicological data; to identify similarities
of sites and events).
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Water, soil, air, food sources, human samples (urine)
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, trihalomethanes, semi-VOCs, pesticides,
PCBs, dioxins/furans, radionuclides, asbestos, ions (including fluoride), physical and
chemical indicators of water quality
Type of data available: Summary statistics are entered into the database
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
Activities of ATSDR are performed by three Divisions; the Division of Health
Assessment and Consultation, the Division of Health Studies, and the Division of Toxicology.
The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation conduct site assessments at Superfund
National Priorities List (NPL) sites and at sites where emergencies involving hazardous
materials have occurred. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state
environmental protection agencies usually alert ATSDR of an emergency event. Emergency
response is jointly provided by ATSDR, EPA, and other government agencies involved in
emergency response. ATSDR provides recommendations for evacuation, spill clean up, etc.
The Division of Health Assessments and Consultation also conduct health assessments at
other sites (indoor and outdoor environments), when requested. When substance information
is included in ATSDR's health assessments and consultations, the maximum concentration
of each substance per media is included in HAZDAT.
When known exposures to individuals at sites visited by ATSDR have occurred, long
term epidemiological and biological monitoring are conducted or funded by the Division of
Health Studies. Information on the activities of the Division of Health Studies was
unavailable at the time of publication.
Data from each of these ATSDR investigations and current medical literature have
been used by the Division of Toxicology, in conjunction with EPA, to rank 275 substances
at toxic waste facilities in order of priority. Toxicological profiles for 120 of these substances
have been developed and are continually updated based on new information. Future plans
include the development of profiles for the remaining substances.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National (United States and U.S. Territories)
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude of the point source (from .the EPA CERCLIS
database); street address; zip codes; census tract; city, municipality, or
township; county/parish; state; congressional district
Time Coverage: 1980-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Varies, depending upon the conditions at the site and
the agency collecting the samples
Regularity of sample collection: Varies, depending upon the conditions at the site and
the agency collecting the samples
Source information: Data are collected at the source
Dispersion information: On-site and off-site sampling data indicate migration in some
media •
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Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: When substance information is included in ATSDR's health
assessments and consultations, the maximum concentration of each substance
per media are included in HAZDAT
Standard procedures used: Information not available at the time of publication
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Varies according to site
and agency
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Past ATSDR
data are presently being entered into the database; it is anticipated that
health assessment data will be entered at the completion of the assessment
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Data entry audits; EPA and other
fP7?^ment aSencies involved in emergency response perform sampling and analytical
QA/QC procedures
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Surface; groundwater; leachate; municipal; private: Inorganic compounds,
VOCs, trihalomethanes, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs, dioxins/furans]
radionuclides, asbestos, ions (including fluoride), physical and chemical
indicators of water quality
SOIL
Residential; industrial; sediment; Superfund sites; dust: Inorganic compounds,
VOCs, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs, dioxin/furans, radionuclides!
asbestos
AIR
Outdoor urban and rural: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs, pesticides,
PCBs, dioxin/furans, radionuclides, asbestos
FOOD SOURCES
Nondomesticated and domesticated mammals; plants; fish/shellfish: Inorganic
compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs, dioxin/furans,
radionuclides, asbestos
HUMAN SAMPLES
Inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs, dioxin/furans; and
clinical organ-system function tests
BULK CHEMICALS Not Applicable
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Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number
(CASRN); chemical name or mixture; database-specific codes or identifiers
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Summary statistics are entered into the database; data can be
aggregated by various topics
Availability: Currently, HAZDAT is available only to ATSDR staff; after HAZDAT has been
verified for data accuracy, others may use and obtain data; will be available to other
federal and state agencies in 1992, and to the general public later
Form: Hard copy - Computer printouts; Agency reports
Machine readable - On-line (IBM mainframe)
Reports: ATSDR does not yet provide regular reports on this database.
Reference Documents: None
Data/Reports Available From: Mike Perry, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry, Office of the Assistant Administrator, Office of Information Resource
Management, 1600 Clifton Road (E28), Atlanta, GA 30333, (404) 639-0720
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HISPANIC HEALTH AND NUTRITION EXAMINATION SURVEY
Acronym: HHANES
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control
(CDC), National Center for Health Statistics
Contact Person: Robert Murphy, National Center for Health Statistics, Room 900, 6525 Belcrest
Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782, (301) 436-7068
Objectives and Coverage:
HHANES, a data collection effort conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics
(NCHS) from 1982 to 1984, was mandated to collect health data on Hispanics and to derive
estimates of health and nutritional status that are comparable to estimates available for the general
population from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) programs (see
the description of NHANES in Part I of this Inventory). The goals of HHANES were: (1) to
estimate the national prevalence of selected diseases and risk factors in Hispanic populations (2)
to estimate distributions of selected health parameters, and (3) to document and investigate reasons
for trends in selected diseases and risk factors. HHANES collected and disseminated data obtained
from physical examinations, diagnostic tests, anthropometric measurements, laboratory analyses, and
personal interviews. A representative sample of Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, and Cuban
Americans, who constituted approximately 76 percent of the 1980 Hispanic population in the
United States, were interviewed; 85 percent of those interviewed were also examined. The database
was specifically designed to assess exposure in minority populations (Hispanics) and Hispanics 6
months to 19 years of age and 45 to 74 years of age. The data collected included information on
exposure to pesticides, lead, and other toxics as well as blood levels of a variety of toxicants and
their metabolites. HHANES was the first special population survey undertaken by the NCHS. It
was designed to identify unmet health care needs of Hispanics and has been used to study blood
lead levels in Hispanic children and cigarette consumption among Mexican American smokers.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Human samples (blood, urine, hair)
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds (trace metals, lead), semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs,
cotinine, carboxyhemoglobin, thiocyanate, and erythrocyte protoporphyrin
Type of data available: Individual data entries on specific agents; summary statistics (e.g.,
geometric and arithmetic means, percentage of individuals with elevated levels, and
percentage of individuals with quantifiable levels) on specific agents tested in sample
populations
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
HHANES used complex, multistage, stratified, clustered sample of defined populations to
obtain data representative of the health and nutritional status of Hispanics 6 months to 74 years
of age in the United States. The population studied was the civilian noninstitutionalized Hispanics
front three areas of the country: Mexican Americans in the Southwest (defined as California,
Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado), Puerto Ricans in the New York City area (defined
as selected counties in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut); and Cuban Americans m Bade
County (Miami), Florida. Using 1980 census data, counties from these target survey areas were
identified and characterized by Hispanic population density and number. Based on this
information, the sampling areas were identified. The stratification variables used were number of
Hispanics, the percent of the population that was Hispanic, the ratio of the 1980 to 1970 Hispanic
population, median income, and the percent of the Hispanic population that was urban. Based on
these data, households and individuals within households were chosen for inclusion. Eligible
Hispanics 6 months to 19 years in age and 45 to 74 years of age were oversampled to improve the
reliability of estimates of their health characteristics and nutritional status.
Information on a wide range of demographic variables was obtained including age, national
origin sex, income, education, and marital status. Physical examinations, diagnostic tests (including
blood pressure, electrocardiograms, and dental examinations), anthropometnc measurements,
laboratory analyses (including urinalysis, biochemical analysis of whole blood and serum, and oral
glucose tolerance tests), personal interviews, and dietary interviews were conducted on individuals
Selected for participation. Using standard analytic and QC/QA procedures, blood samples were
analyzed for pesticides, trace metals, lead, cotinine, carboxyhemoglobm, thiocyanate, PCBs, and
erythrocyte protoporphyrin, and urine samples were analyzed for pesticides and PCBs. During a
pilot test, hair samples from a subsample of 12- to 19-year-olds were tested for selected trace
metals. Questions were asked regarding the type of heating fuel used, tobacco use (12- to 74-year-
olds), farmwork history, use of Kweli for head or body lice, and pesticide exposure (12- to 74-year-
olds).
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: Regional (i.e., the Southwest; the New York City area; and Dade County
(Miami), Florida)
Identifiers: SMSA (standard MSA); state; region of the country
Time Coverage: 1982-1984
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Sampling occurred on a daily basis in each primary
sampling unit (county); each individual was sampled once
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Regularity of sample collection: Blood and urine samples from each individual were
collected at the time of his or her physical examination at the mobile exam center;
individuals were examined mornings, afternoons, or evenings, weekdays or weekends;
each individual was examined/sampled only once
Source information: Information was collected on use of pesticides at work and at home,
smoking history (to compare with serum cotinine, carboxyhemoglobin, and
thiocyanate concentrations), and occupation
Dispersion information: Not applicable
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: EPA Toxicant Analysis Center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
performed the pesticide and PCB analyses; the National Center for Environmental
Health and Injury Control (NCEfflC) (formerly the Center for Environmental
Health) performed the lead and erythrocyte protoporphyrin analyses; Dr. Edward
Radford at the University of Pittsburgh conducted the thiocyanate and
carboxyhemoglobin analyses; the University of California, San Francisco analyzed
a small subset of the blood samples for cotinine; the University of New Mexico
Primate Research Center analyzed blood samples for trace metals
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: A few months; longest period
of freezer storage before analysis was 2 to 3 years for pesticides; the lead samples
were stored for a shorter period of time
Approximate time between sample analyses and data entry to database: Varied by analyte
and lab
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Field blanks, duplicates, spikes, external laboratory
analyses, data entry audits; the EPA Toxicant Analysis Center performed and reviewed the
QA/QC procedures; the lab participated regularly in an interlaboratory QC study; NCHS
and EPA reviewed the QA/QC results; the NCEfflC lab also participated in an
interlaboratory study
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
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FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES
Blood; urine; hair: Inorganic compounds, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs, cotinine,
carboxyhemoglobin, thiocyanate, eiythrocyte protoporphyrin; and clinical
organ-system function tests
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name or mixture
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries on specific agents; summary statistics
(geometric and arithmetic means, percent with elevated levels, and percent with quantifiable
levels) on specific agents
Availability: Any requester can obtain data as they become available on publicly accessible
computer datatape; data are provided in a form that does not reveal individual identities
or violate confidentiality.
Form: Hard copy - Journal publications
Machine readable — Tape (ASCII); pesticide and cotinine data not yet released on computer
data tape
Reports: Summary statistics are published in reports on an irregular basis in Vital and Health
Statistics, Series 11
Reference Documents:
Carter-Pokras, O., GJ. Pirkle, G. Chavez, and E. Gunten 1990. Blood lead levels
of 4-11 year old Mexican American, Puerto Rican, and Cuban children. Public
Health Reports. 105(4): 388-393.
Interagency Committee on Nutrition Monitoring. September 1989. Nutrition
monitoring in the United States: The directory of federal nutrition monitoring
activities. Hyattsville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Public Health Services. DHHS Pub. No. PHS 89-1255-1.
Maurer, K.R., R. Russell-Briefel, C.M. Dresser, et al. 1985. National Center for
Health Statistics. Plan and operation of the Hispanic Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey, 1982-84. Vital and Health Statistics, Series 1, No. 19.
Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. DHHS Pub. No. PHS 89-
1321.
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Najjar, M.F. and RJ. Kuczmarski. 1989. National Center for Health Statistics.
Anthropometric data and prevalence of overweight for Hispanics: 1982-84. Vital
and Health Statistics, Series 11, No. 239. Washington, DC: U.S. Government
Printing Office. DHHS Pub. No. PHS 89-1689.
Perez-Stable, EJ., B.V. Marin, DJ. Brody, and N.L. Benowitz. 1990. Apparent
underreporting of cigarette consumption among Mexican American smokers. Am.
J. Public Health. 80(9): 1057-1061.
Data/Reports Available From: National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal
Road, Springfield, VA 22161 (703) 487-4650; state offices; federal offices; regional libraries
of the National Libraries of Medicine; schools of public health. For information, call the
NTIS at (301) 436-8500. For information and copies of Vital and Health Statistics, call the
Scientific and Technical Information Branch, NCHS at (301) 436-8500
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INTEGRATED DATA BASE
Acronym: IDE
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Contact Person: M.L. Payton, U.S. DOE, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management,
DOE/RW-132, Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-9140
Objectives and Coverage:
IDB is a national database of spent fuel and radioactive waste inventories used for national
program planning, decision-making, and other program management activities. This database
compiles the historical waste inventories through the most recent data year. These include
inventories from commercial as well as DOE facilities, except spent fuels produced from the
manufacture of nuclear weapons. Information on spent fuels and wastes are included for nuclear
reactors, storage facilities, reprocessing facilities, uranium mill tailings, and miscellaneous sources
defined as part of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Bulk chemicals, soil
Classes of compounds: Radionuclides (waste forms include spent fuel, highly radioactive material,
transuranic wastes, low-level waste, uranium mill tailings, miscellaneous radioactive
materials, and mixed low-level wastes)
Type of data available: Summary statistics on specific waste forms (available for specific sites by
year)
Estimation versus observation data: All data are inventory amounts; direct measurements are not
available
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Sample Design and Analysis:
Data are included from all commercial and government reactors, special fuel associated with
government-sponsored research and demonstration programs, universities, private industries, storage
facilities, and fuel reprocessing plants. Over the years, waste regulations have been revised, waste
category definitions have changed, measurement instrumentation and calibration methods have been
improved, and record-keeping has been upgraded at all waste generating and receiving sites.
Therefore, the quality of the information over time has changed. In addition to the spent fuel and
wastes from processing, uranium mill tailing information is available from all licensed commercial
sites and from restoration sites. Sites are selected for restoration under the Uranium Mill Tailings
Remedial Action Program (UMTRAP), the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program
(FUSRAP), the Decontamination and Decommissioning Program (D&D), and the Surplus Facilities
Management Program (SFMP). UMTRAP site criterion is that the processing site must have had
all or substantially all of the uranium production for sale to federal agencies prior to January 1971.
FUSRAP site criterion is that the sites were formerly used to support the nuclear activities of
DOE's predecessor agencies (the Manhattan Engineer District and the Atomic Energy
Commission). The D&D program objective is to decontaminate and decommission inactive, surplus
DOE facilities formerly associated with the government's defense efforts. The SFMP's objective
is to decontaminate and decommission inactive, surplus DOE facilities formerly associated with
civilian projects.
Information is available by site. However, the dispersion from the site, apart from
transportation of packaged waste to waste disposal sites, is not available.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Facility name
Time Coverage: 1980-present (some data available as early as 1960)
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Not applicable; frequency of data collection is yearly
Regularity of sample collection: Not applicable; data collection is done on a regular basis
Source information: Site specific
Dispersion information: Not available
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Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Not applicable
Standard procedures used: Not applicable
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Not applicable
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Not applicable; data
are available for previous calendar year
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Not applicable
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL
Industrial: Radionuclides
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS
Radionuclides
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Definitions of spent fuel and radioactive waste are specified
by DOE
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Data on specific waste forms are available by site, by year
Availability: Detailed information is available from specific DOE and commercial sites; database
access available to DOE and DOE-sponsored contractors
Form: Hard copy - Agency reports
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Reports: Routinely available annually; distributed by DOE (see addresses below) to DOE field and
area offices, sites and contractors, Environmental Restoration offices and contractors, and
selected government agencies; annual report: Integrated Data Base for 19xx: U.S. Spent Fuel
and Radioactive Waste Inventories, Projections, and Characteristics
Reference Documents: See reports
Data/Reports Available From: U.S. DOE, Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, (202)
586-9687; U.S. DOE, Office of Environmental Restoration and Waste Management, (301)
353-4728 or (301) 353-3569; Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Integrated DataBase Program,
(615) 574-6823
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INTERAGENCY MONITORING OF PROTECTED VISUAL ENVIRONMENTS
Acronym: IMPROVE
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NFS), Air Quality
Division
Contact Person: Kristi Gebhart or William Malm, NFS, Air Quality Division, CIRA Building,
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, (303) 491-8292
Objectives and Coverage:
IMPROVE consists of air quality data from Class I ("Clean Air") areas that include national
parks and wilderness areas with special prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) status. This
monitoring program is aninteragency effort with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and the U.S. Department of the Interior, including the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, and the Bureau of Land Management, providing financial support. NPS provides
monitoring and maintains data to determine spatial and temporal trends in visibility in the NPS
parks and wilderness areas for which visibility is an air quality related value. Monitoring is also
conducted to determine what species of participates (e.g., sulfates, nitrates) causes visibility
problems. Data are presently used for visibility research. The data will also be used for regulatory
purposes when a baseline for visibility has been established.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Air
Classes of compounds: Particulates, criteria pollutants (sulfur dioxide), acid aerosols, inorganic
compounds (including sulfates, nitrates)
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
Class I national parks with 6,000 acres of land or greater and class I wilderness areas with
5,000 or greater acres of land (as of August 7,1977)) with PSD status are included in this sampling
program. Of these sites, those where air quality permit investigations have been made by state
environmental protection agencies are selected for monitoring.
Since fine particles cause most of the visibility degradation in protected areas, these are
included in this air monitoring program. Ambient sulfur dioxide measurements are also collected
at approximately twenty of these sites, selected to represent each geographic area of the United
States Sample locations in the parks and wilderness areas include areas away from local sources
(e.g., a parking lot) and easily accessible areas. Two-24 hour samples per week are collected
throughout the year using continuous analyzers. Particulate filters are changed on a regular basis
by NPS personnel and are analyzed at the University of California, Davis, CA. Information on
sampling and analysis of acid aerosols and inorganic compounds was not available at the time of
publication.
In the future, the IMPROVE sampling strategy may include the following changes:
monitoring of additional pollutants; change of sample duration to better meet research needs;
improved minimum detection limits; different monitoring sites, and inclusion in the National Park
Service Environmental Database Management System (NPSEDMS). See separate entry for
NPSEDMS. J •
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude of the monitor site; name of park and monitoring site; state;
elevation
Time Coverage: 1979-present (varies by site; some as early as 1979; others as late as 1988)
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Two 24-hour samples per week
Regularity of sample collection: Regular
Source information: IMPROVE data are used to develop receptor and regression models
to help identify sources
Dispersion information: Pollutant levels in national parks and wilderness areas reflect
dispersion
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Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: None
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Several weeks
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Several weeks
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks, fieldblanks, duplicates, external
laboratory analysis, data entry audits
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR
Outdoor Rural: Particulates, criteria pollutants (sulfur dioxide), inorganic
compounds (including sulfates and nitrates), acid aerosols
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Database-specific codes or identifiers
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics (quarterly summaries of
sample averages and standard deviations) are available
Availability: Any requester can obtain data
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts, Agency reports, journal publications
Machine readable - Tape, diskette (ASCH, SAS)
Reports: Quarterly Data Summaries, written by the University of California, are distributed to the
National Park Service
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Reference Documents: IMPROVE Sampler Manual, Version 2
Data/Reports Available From: Thomas Cahill, University of California, Crocker Nuclear
Laboratory, Davis, CA 95616, (916) 752-4674
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INTERNAL RADIATION DOSIMETRY SYSTEM
Acronym: OHSP (Offsite Human Surveillance Program)
Sponsoring Agencies: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Environmental Monitoring
Systems Laboratory (EMSL); U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Nevada Operations Office
Contact Persons: Anita A. Mullen, U.S. EPA, EMSL, P.O. Box 93478, Las Vegas, Nevada 89193-
3478, (702) 798-2597; Michael A. Marelli, U.S. DOE, Nevada Operations Office, P.O. Box
98518, Las Vegas, Nevada 89193-8518, (702) 295-0961
Objectives and Coverage:
The information in OHSP is used for monitoring and documentation of human radionuclide
exposure of families residing in communities and ranches surrounding the Nevada test site (Nevada,
Utah, and California locations)! Whole body and lung counts, as well as radiochemical bioassays
of urine and fecal samples, are conducted. The database primarily includes internal radiation
dosimetry measurements on a moderate size cohort over a twenty year period. Supporting data on
noble gas or radionuclide measurements in air, water, animal tissue, and occasionally in plants are
also maintained by the laboratory in charge of the Internal Radiation Dosimetry System. The EPA
and DOE use results obtained from OHSP, along with these other data, to evaluate the total
radiological dose to the region from the Nevada test site. Data in OHSP include names and social
security numbers and are therefore considered confidential. Summary data may be obtained upon
request and approval.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Human samples (another related database maintained by EPA, the Sample Tracking and
Data Management System (STDMS), covers water, air, and animal samples)
Classes of compounds: Radionuclides
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents -
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
The original monitoring program started in December 1970 with 34 families (142
individuals) who resided in communities and ranches surrounding the Nevada test site. They were
selected on the basis of their willingness to participate in the program and their location of
residence in relation to possible releases from the site. Families who resided in areas not affected
by such fallout were also selected to participate as controls. In 1981, families of the operators of
the community monitoring stations were added to the program.
Urine samples are collected from the participants and analyzed for radionuclides. on a 6-
month basis (less often when traveling or scheduling problems arise). The original 34 families are
sampled in the spring and fall, and the additional families in the summer and winter. If
radionuclides are detected that may be excreted mainly in feces, then fecal samples are collected.
Otherwise only urine samples are collected and analyzed. Whole body and lung counts are
conducted on the same schedule.
If an individual or a family moves out of this geographic region, they are dropped from the
monitoring program and replaced with a new family within the region who is willing to participate.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: Regional
Identifiers: Latitude/Longitude of the zip code, city and county centroids, the point
source and the monitor site by loran reading; street address; zip codes; city,
municipality or township; county/parish; state
Time Coverage: 1970-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Seasonal schedule but not always regular
Regularity of sample collection: Irregular; 6-month intervals attempted (sometimes
affected by travel and scheduling problems)
Source information: Yes, utilizing the STDMS database
Dispersion information: Not applicable
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
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Standard procedures used: Whole body and lung counters are intercalibrated to standards
of the National Institute of Standards and Testing (NIST); standard EPA
radiochemical methods used - NRA 1.16 Determination of Tritium in Tissue, NRA
1.21 Determination of Tritium in Urine, NRA 2.17 General Operation of Gamma
Ray Detection Systems, NRA 1.12 Simultaneous Analysis of Plutonium, Uranium
and Thorium in Environmental Samples; all radiochemical procedures are traceable
to NIST standards
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Immediately for whole body
counts; 1 month for radiochemical bioassays
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 1 week or less
Quality Assurance/Qualify Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks, duplicates, spikes,
external laboratory analyses, data entry audits
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES
Radionuclides in urine and feces (normally measure plutonium, americium and
strontium, however other radionuclides can be detected)
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Database-specific codes or identifiers
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Availability: Requester must be approved; individual data are confidential when used with name
or social security number. Summary data may be obtained upon request and approval.
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Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts, Agency reports, journal publications
Machine readable - Tape, diskette (ASCII)
Reports: Annual Agency report, Offsite Environmental Monitoring Report; journal
publications periodically printed in Health Physics Journal
Reference Documents: Nuclear Data/Canberra Software Documentation (Whole Body Counting
Series and Radionuclide Analysis Series); guidelines from International Committee on
Radiological Protection and the National Committee on Radiological Protection
Data/Reports Available From: Anita Mullen, U.S. EPA, P.O. Box 93478, Las Vegas, Nevada 89193-
3478, (702) 798-2597; confidential information (i.e. any identifying information of
participants) will be deleted; participants may obtain their own data on hard copy; diskettes
and tapes provided on request (not on-line)
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LAKE ANALYSIS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Acronym: LAMS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and
Development, Environmental Research Laboratory-Deluth, Large Lakes Research Station
Contact Person: Mr. William L. Richardson, U.S. EPA, 9311 Groh Rd, Grosse He, MI 43138-1697
(313) 692-7611
Objectives and Coverage:
The Lake Analysis Management System (LAMS) is a compilation of multiple EPA
Environmental Research Laboratory data containing physical and biological information on water,
sediment, fish, biota (e.g., ducks), and phytoplankton from the Great Lakes Basin, including the
Canadian portion. The primary objective of this database is to provide research information for
various Great Lakes projects.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Water (lakes), sediment
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds, PCBs, pesticides
Type of data available: Individual data entries on specific agents
Estimation versus observational data: Both observational and estimated data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
LAMS currently includes data from approximately 12 projects; examples include the Green
Bay Mass Balance Project and the Upper Great Lakes Connecting Channel Study. Sample design
and analysis varies depending on the individual project. Generally, a hypothesis is developed based
on a series of questions (e.g., what is the optimal expenditure of pollution control resources) A
sampling framework is established (e.g., based on source, transport, fate, exposure, dose). Sites are
chosen based primarily on recommendations by EPA's Regions 2 and 5 in collaboration with the
Great Lakes National Program in Chicago. Examples of sampling methods (e.g., for the Green Bay
project) include pumping and filtering of water samples from different depths, coring for sediment
samples, and taking biological samples with nets. Sampling is done in conjunction with other
organizations involved with the specific project, such as state agencies, individual companies, and
EPA regions. When necessary, estimated data are derived from existing literature.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: Great Lakes Basin including Canadian portion
Identifiers: Latitude/Longitude of the point source and the monitor site; name of state
Time Coverage: 1974-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Data collected on an as-needed basis, i.e., for special
research projects
Regularity of sample collection: Dependent on the objectives and design of the project
Source information: Yes
Dispersion information: Models and dispersion coefficients are used
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Depends on the project
Standard procedures used: Various EPA standards are used as well as standards developed
for individual projects
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Depends on the project
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 1 year
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks, field blanks, duplicates, spikes,
external laboratory analysis, data entry audits
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ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Surface: Inorganic compounds; pesticides; PCBs
Municipal: Inorganic compounds; pesticides; PCBs
SOIL
Sediment: Inorganic compounds; PCBs
AIR Not applicable
POOD SOURCES Not applicable
TTTTMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name or mixture; Storage and Retrieval of Water
Quality Data (STORET) identifiers (see separate entry for STORJil)
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries are available on specific agents
Availability: Data available to anyone who can provide funding for processing or who is willing to
obtain the data without assistance
Form: Hard copy - Computer printouts, journal publications
Machine readable - Tape, diskette (ASCII, variable)
Reports: Upper Great Lakes Connecting Channels Project Report; Green Bay Mass Balance Project
Report
Reference Documents: None
Data/Reports Available From: National Technical Information Service (NTIS) 5285 Port Royal
RoS Spingfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650; Debra Caudell, U.S. EPA, Environmental
Research Laboratory, (313) 697-7600
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LOCKHEED - EPA, ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING SYSTEMS LABORATORY -
LAS VEGAS
Acronym: LESC-EPA, EMSL-LV
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Environmental Monitoring
Systems Laboratory (EMLS)
Contact Person: William H. Engelmann/Steve P. Gardner, 944 East Harman, Las Vegas, NV
89119, (702) 798-2664
Objectives and Coverage:
The Lockheed-EPA database was established to evaluate the performance of the indicator
parameters specified for use in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) ground-
water monitoring program. After finding that the initially-specified indicators were unreliable,
Lockheed-EPA recommended alternatives. The database is now being used to evaluate the success
of other regulatory monitoring programs, to develop ground-water contamination profiles for
hazardous waste disposal sites, and to design industry-specific ground-water monitoring systems to
protect human health and the environment.
The database consists of data obtained from the records of various state and federal
agencies responsible for ongoing investigations of waste disposal sites; these agencies, not Lockheed,
collect and analyze samples. The database contains primarily ground-water monitoring data, but
also contains some soil data from approximately 550 hazardous waste disposal site investigations
across the United States. These sites are regulated by various laws including RCRA and the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The data
can be sorted by regulatory classification (e.g., RCRA site, CERCLA site, etc.); by industry type
(e.g., mixed-disposal site, aerospace, wood-treatment, etc.); by location/site, industry, region, state,
or nation; or by sampling date.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Ground water, soil (Superfund sites)
Classes of compounds: Ions (e.g., chloride and fluoride), physical and chemical indicators of water
quality (e.g., acidity, alkalinity, color, odor, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, hardness, BOD,
salinity), inorganic compounds, VOCs, trihalomethanes, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs,
dioxins/furans, radionuclides
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics on specific agents; statistics
(frequency of detection, average concentration, mean concentration, and data variance)
have been generated for specific wells, individual sites, specific industries, EPA regions,
states, regulatory classification, and national summaries
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Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
Sample Design and Analysis:
Sample collection and analysis are performed by various state and federal agencies, who are
also responsible for performing standard QA/QC procedures. Lockheed-EPA reviews the data
collected from agency records to ensure that the results are appropriate for entry into the database
(i.e., that they are ground-water and not surface-water or leachate monitoring results, etc.).
Information from the records (e.g., chemical/contaminant name, chemical concentration, collection
frequency, etc.) is then entered into the database and tabulated. Basic statistics generated include
frequency of detection, average, concentration, and variance of measurements. Statistics are used
to track trends in contaminant occurrence as a function of geographic location, industry type, and/or
regulatory classification.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Location of point source and monitor site as indicated by state; hydrologic unit
codes (U.S.G.S. hydrologic region); U.S. EPA Region
Time Coverage: 1978-1987; although data are still being generated at the site investigation level,
they have not been collected or entered into the database since 1987
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Varies by facility; Superfund sites may be limited to a
single event; RCRA detection sites require quarterly monitoring; RCRA assessment
monitoring may range from semi-annual to monthly; frequency for sanitary landfills
has not been established
Regularity of sample collection: Each of the 550 facilities control their own sampling
frequency
Source information: All of the data were generated as part of site-specific characterization
and/or monitoring/remediation activities
Dispersion information: The individual site monitoring wells are identified as upgradient
or downgradient of the site and/or onsite/offsite; also, for many sites backup hard
copy site maps are available to identify sampling locations to support source-
receptor investigations
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Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No. Analytical scans for 11-45 compounds are entered as a group to track
the non-detectable events; detectable concentrations are entered individually by
chemical
Standard procedures used: Varies by agency and facility; most are site-specific and use
standard collection protocols and sample handling/processing procedures
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Varies by number of analyses
required (ranges from 31 to 250 analytes) and number of wells per facility (4 to 100)
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Varies
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Varies by facility/agency; QA/QC procedures are
available in the original site - investigation file, but have not been incorporated in the active
data files
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Ground water (hazardous waste sites): Ions (e.g., chloride and fluoride), physical
and chemical indicators of water quality (e.g., acidity, alkalinity, color, odor,
turbidity, dissolved oxygen, hardness, BOD, salinity), inorganic compounds,
VOCs, trihalomethanes, semi- VOCs, pesticides, PCBs, dioxins/furans,
radionuclides
The database contains records for Appendix IX compounds (245 substances for
which monitoring is required at RCRA sites) and 800 tentatively identified organic
compounds reported in RCRA and CERCLA site monitoring records. Some limited
data are also available for leachates.
SOIL
Superfund Site: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs
This information has been filed in hard copy format when it was produced during
the original site investigation, but it has not been incorporated into the database
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
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BULK CHEmCALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CASRN),
chemical name or mixture, database-specific numeric codes for ground-water contaminants,
contaminant-specific analytical methodology (volatile, base/neutral, pesticide, inorganic)
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries on specific agents. Summary statistics are on
specific agents. Statistics available for specific wells, individual sites, specific industries, EPA
regions, states, regulatory classifications, and national summaries
Availability: Restricted to data collection agency
Form: Hard copy - Computer printouts, Agency reports, journal publications
Reports: Yes, produced irregularly (as required to meet project objectives) and distributed to
federal offices.
Reference Documents: None provided
Data/Reports Available From: Russell H. Plumb, Jr., Lockheed-ESC, Las Vegas, NV 89119, (702)
734-3265
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LONG-TERM MONITORING PROJECT
Acronym: LTM
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and
Development
Contact Person: John Stoddard, Mantech Environmental Technology Inc., U.S. EPA,
Environmental Research Laboratory, 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, (503)
757.4441
Objectives and Coverage:
LTM is a database designed to assess long-term trends in the acid-base status of individual
lakes or streams in six rural areas: Maine, Vermont, the Adirondack and Catskill Mountain regions
of New York, the Upper Midwest, and the Colorado Rockies. The results of monthly or quarterly
samples taken in these lakes and streams are compiled. This information identifies any changes in
pH status and other parameters which may have occurred over the sampled time period (1983 -
present) and is indicative of trends in the region. Lakes and streams in other rural and urban areas
will be included in this project in the future.
Summary of Environmental Data
Media: Surface water
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds; physical and chemical indicators of water quality;
ions
Type of data available: Individual data entries are available on specific agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
Sites were selected based on pre-existing data from studies of acid deposition. Water
samples are collected 1 meter below the surface from a boat in each lake and mid-stream. Samples
are collected monthly in the Catskill Mountain regions; quarterly in Maine, Vermont and the Upper
Midwest, and three times each summer in the Colorado Rockies. Water samples are transported
to 1 of 6 laboratories nationwide, where they are analyzed for pH, acid neutralizing capacity, sulfate,
nitrate, chloride, calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, total aluminum, dissolved organic carbon,
electrical conductivity and color. In some locations, pH is measured in the field as well as in the
laboratory using a pH meter.
Other monitoring networks, e.g., the National Acid Deposition Program-National Trends
Network (NADP-NTN) (see separate entry for Acid Deposition System for a description of NADP-
NTN), and the Multi-state Atmospheric Pollution and Power Production Study (MAPIIIS) (a
privately funded database that provides regional air data), are used to obtain information on acid
deposition. Based on this information, estimates of acid deposition and its relation to pH change
can be made in the lakes and streams of the LTM.
Sites monitored have been the same throughout the project, although there are plans to
include other lakes and streams in the future.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: Regional (lakes or streams in Maine, Vermont, the Adirondack and
Catskill Mountains in New York, the Upper Midwest and Colorado Rockies)
Identifiers: Latitude/Longitude of the point source; name of state; hydraulic unit
codes
Time Coverage: 1983-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Samples are collected monthly in the Catskill Mountain
regions; quarterly in Maine, Vermont and the Upper Midwest, and three times each
summer in the Colorado Rockies
Regularity of sample collection: Regular
Source information: This project uses source information from sites included in other
monitoring networks in which estimates of acid deposition and its relation to pH
change have been made to relate sampling results and sources (see Sample Design
and Analysis).
Dispersion information: Not applicable
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Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: All methods listed in EPA/600/4-87/026 Handbook of
Methods for Acid Deposition Studies: Laboratory Analyses for Surface Water
Chemistry (1987)
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: 1 month
Approximate time between sample analyses and data entry to database: 6 months
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks, field blanks, duplicates, external
laboratory analysis, data entry audits, natural audit samples (3 times/year); individual
laboratories have primary responsibility; auditing and oversight is done by EPA laboratory
in Corvallis, Oregon
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Surface: Inorganic compounds (calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium,
total aluminum); physical and chemical indicators of water quality (pH, acid
neutralizing capacity, dissolved organic carbon, electrical conductivity, color);
ions (sulfate, nitrate, chloride)
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name or mixture
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries are available on specific agents
Availability: Any requester can obtain data; diskettes in ASCII or SAS format will be sent upon
request (not available on-line)
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Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts, journal publications
Machine readable - Diskette (ASCII and SAS)
Reports: All data from 1983-1989 will be published as 11 journal articles in Water, Air and Soil
Pollution in 1992 (in press)
Reference Documents: Data Users Guide to the U.S. EPA Long Term Monitoring Project
Data/Reports Available From: John Stoddard, ManTech Environmental Technology Inc., U.S. EPA
Environmental Research Laboratory, 200 SW 35th Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, (503) 757-
4441
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MARINE POLLUTION RETRIEVAL SYSTEM
Acronym: MPRS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Coast Guard, Marine and
Environmental Protection Division
Contact Person: Mary Robey, U.S. Coast Guard, Marine and Environmental Protection Division
2100 Second Street SW, Washington, DC 20593, (202) 267-6670
Objectives and Coverage:
MPRS includes data on spills and potential spills (whenever there is a potential for a vessel
to spill its contents, e.g., a grounding) into the navigable waters of the United States and on any
land or air releases to U.S. coastal zones that the Coast Guard responded to. Data are classified
into seven categories of information: chemicals, facilities, vessels, resources, violations, materials,
and personnel. Spill and release information includes data on the product and amount spilled or
released; the location, date, and time of the spill or release; the removal party; the funds expended;
and the source (facility or vessel) of the spill or release. These data are used for justification of
criminal action, and for monitoring and research purposes.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Water; soil; air
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, trihalomethanes, semi-VOCs, pesticides,
PCBs, dioxins/furans, radionuclides, acids/acid aerosols
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
Field units of the U.S. Coast Guard respond to reported spills, potential spills, or releases
in navigable waters and in other media within their jurisdiction. Water, air, and/or soil samples are
collected when circumstances justify the need for sampling. These circumstances include source
identification and justification of criminal action, and depend upon the characteristics of the spilled
or released material (e.g., volatility). Samples are taken at the source, whenever necessary and
possible and in areas surrounding the source. If the source is unknown, samples are taken from
the spill and suspected sources. The U.S. Coast Guard Central Oil Identification Laboratory
(COIL) compares oil spill samples with suspected source oil samples using gas chromatography for
source identification. Samples other than oil are analyzed by a local contractor.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude of the point source; name of city, municipality, or township;
state
Time Coverage: 1973-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Whenever the circumstances of a pollution incident or
potential incident justify the need for sampling
Regularity of sample collection: Irregular, as stated above
Source information: Data are collected at the source of the spill or release for verification
of the source, whenever necessary and possible
Dispersion information: Samples taken from areas surrounding source; samples taken from
spill area when source is unknown
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: U.S. Coast Guard procedures included in the Marine Safety
Manual (e.g., Oil Identification System (OIS) for analysis of oil in water and
soil)
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: 2 days
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Varies; several
days, depending upon workload at laboratory
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Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Duplicates; data entry audits will be done in the
near future
AIR
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Surface, groundwater, leachate, private: Inorganic compounds, VOCs,
trihalomethanes, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs, dioxins/furans, radionuclides
SOIL
Residential, industrial, sediment: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs,
pesticides, PCBs, dioxins/furans, radionuclides
Outdoor urban, industrial outdoor rural: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-
VOCs, pesticides, PCBs, dioxins/furans, radionuclides, acids/acid/aerosols
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Database-specific codes (Chemical Hazard Response
Information System (CHRIS) codes)
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents (data can be accessed in any form requested)
Availability: Any requester can obtain data
Form: Hard copy — computer printouts
Machine readable - Tape (ASCII)
Reports: Polluting Incidents In and Around U.S. Waters, available periodically (approximately every
3-4 years; the latest edition is 1986); distributed to other Coast Guard units and the
National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
Reference Documents: Several, examples include Comindant Instruction (COMDTINST) M16450.2
Series, and the Chemical Hazard Response Information System
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Data/Reports Available From: Mary Robey, U.S. Coast Guard, Marine and Environmental
Protection Division, 2100 Second Street SW, Washington, DC 20593; reports available from
the NTIS, Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161
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MICROBIOLOGY AND RESIDUE COMPUTER INFORMATION SYSTEM
Acronym: MARCIS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service,
Science and Technology Program, Residue Evaluation and Planning Division
Contact Person: William T. Hubbert, D.V.M., USDA, Annex Building, 312th Street SW Room
602, Washington, DC 20250, (202) 205-0007
Objectives and Coverage:
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the USDA collects samples of meat and
poultry at slaughtering establishments and from import shipments at ports of entry as part of its
National Residue Program. The samples are analyzed for the presence of unacceptable
concentrations of chemical compounds that may contaminate meat and poultry presented for
inspection. The results of these analyses are contained in MARCIS. The compounds primarily
include: pesticide chemicals approved for direct application to livestock and poultry or for treating
crops that become components of animal feed or that are used in some way in the farm
environment; animal drugs used to treat or prevent diseases or to enhance production; and
environmental contaminants. (The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) establish acceptable levels of residues (tolerances) for these
compounds in their respective areas of responsibility.) The MARCIS program is carried out as part
of the Agency's responsibilities under the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products
Inspection Act to ensure that USDA-inspected products in commerce are safe, wholesome, and free
of adulterating residues. Results are evaluated to indicate prevalence and concentrations of
residues, to identify producers marketing animals with violative concentrations of residues, evaluate
residue trends, and identify problems within the industry for which corrective efforts may be
needed. The National Residue Program also maintains the Residue Violation Information System
(RVIS) database, which includes followup data on violations and is used by FSIS and the FDA.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Food sources
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs, radionuclides,
microorganisms, antibiotics, veterinary drugs
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
Residue testing of animals slaughtered in the United States is divided into three major
activities: monitoring, surveillance, and exploratory projects. Each year, compounds are selected
for monitoring based on the availability of laboratory methodology (because of the large number
of potential residues that may occur in the food chain, analytical methods are not available for all
compounds of interest) and the existence of an FSIS evaluation system for the compounds to be
tested This system classifies each pesticide, animal drug, and environmental contaminant according
to its potential for harmful residues to occur in animals at slaughter, and inherent toxicity. It is
intended for FSIS use as a guideline and not for the development of formal quantitative estimates
of risk from meatborne residues. An advisory board of scientists from EPA, FDA, and USDA
identify any significant new information that may affect a compound classification. Once
compounds are selected and suitable methods are available, a monitoring program based on
unbiased sampling, is designed to provide information on the occurrence of residue violations m
specified animal populations. The number of samples chosen in an annual plan for a given
compound-species combination is designed to detect a national problem that affects a specified
percentage of the animal population of interest (the number of samples generally is chosen to
provide 95% probability of detecting at least one violation when one percent of the animal
population sampled is violative).
When the results of monitoring indicate that producers are marketing animals for slaughter
with violative concentrations of residues, the animals are subjected to ongoing sampling and testing'
(termed surveillance sampling) until compliance is demonstrated. This sampling is directed at
particular carcasses or products based on monitoring results. In-plant testing procedures may be
performed by the inspector. Samples indicating the presence of a residue are submitted to an FSIS
laboratory for analysis. Test results indicate the appropriate regulatory action.
When test results indicate a violative concentration of residues in an imported product,
subsequent shipments of the same product group from the establishment are retained at the port
of entry until laboratory results are known. If results are positive, the suspect product is not
permitted to move into commerce. All shipments of the product from that country are placed on
an increased testing schedule until a record of compliance is re-established for the country.
In addition, exploratory projects are often conducted to evaluate the occurrence of residues
in animals for which no safe limits have yet been established, to evaluate new monitoring methods
and approaches, and for a variety of other reasons. These studies may be nationwide or limited to
specific geographic areas. Sample collection may be random and statistically based, or biased to
obtain "worst case" information. The results are given either to the FDA, which has responsibility
for establishing tolerances for animal drugs and environmental contaminants in food, or to the
EPA, which sets pesticide tolerances in food. These results are included in MARCIS.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
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Identifiers: Street address; zip codes; name of city, municipality, or township; state
Time Coverage: 1976-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Daily
Regularity of sample collection: Animals are randomly selected for monitoring at
slaughtering establishments; sampling of import shipments at ports of entry is done
on a pre-established schedule; surveillance sampling is conducted until compliance
is demonstrated
Source information: Not applicable
Dispersion information: Sample results from slaughtering establishments indicate dispersion
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: FSIS standard procedures are published in the USDA
publication, Chemistry Laboratory Guidebook; these procedures are modifications of
established methods, including: methods of the Association of Official Analytical
Chemists, Federal Register methods, historical official methods, and other published
methods; these procedures have been modified and validated as needed by FSIS to
provide acceptable performance characteristics to detect compounds in muscle, liver,
kidney, or fat tissue
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Immediately for in-plant testing,
and within 1 week for laboratory samples upon receipt at the laboratory
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Within 48 hours
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks, field blanks, field audits,
duplicates, spikes, external laboratory analysis, check of sample analysis, data entry audits
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
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AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES
Domesticated animals and birds: Inorganic compounds, VOCs,\ semi-VOCs,
pesticides, PCBs, radionuclides, antibiotics, and veterinary drugs
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Database-specific codes or identifiers, or other codes (CFR
reference names are used when available; isomers of a compound are not listed separately;
different salts, esters, etc. are listed separately if the use conditions of these substances
appear in different CFR citations; metabolites are listed separately only when the tolerance
citation refers to a specific metabolite, or when a suitable regulatory method is available for
the metabolite; complex mixtures are listed as a single entry)
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents (violative residue levels within each animal species or production class; results are
given according to the tissue/organ targeted)
Availability: Any requester can obtain reports; individual data are confidential
Form: Hard copy - Agency reports
Reports: Annual reports: Compound Evaluation and Analytical Capability, National Residue
Program Plan includes compounds considered, criteria for evaluation, residue limits, FSIS
residue analytical capability, a 10 year history of the NRP, and a program plan for the
upcoming year; Domestic Residue Data Book, National Residue Program lists violative residue
levels within each species or production class for the previous year
Reference Documents: Meat and Poultry Inspection: The Scientific Basis of the Nation's Program;
40 CFR 180; 21 CFR 556; 21 CFR 109; 21 CFR 522, 524, 526, 529, 540, 544, 546, 548, 558;
Chemistry Quality Assurance Handbook; Chemistry Laboratory Guidebook; The Microbiological
Laboratory Guidebook
Data/Reports Available From: Office of Information and Legislative Affairs, USDA, FSIS,
Washington, DC 20250, (202) 447-9113
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MONTH AND STATE CURRENT EMISSION TRENDS
Acronym: MSCET
Sponsoring Agency: Argonne National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Contact Person: Edward Kohout, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne, IL 60439, (708) 972-7644
Objectives and Coverage:
MSCET provides monthly air emissions estimates and identifies trends for oxides of nitrogen
(NOJ, sulfur dioxide (SO2), arid nonmethane volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by state, region,
season, and sector (e.g., industrial, commercial, residential). Estimates are based on a variety of
information, including energy consumption, type of technology used, and emission control
technology. MSCET predominantly uses estimated data and modeling to generate emissions factors
and other information. MSCET has developed methodologies and estimates for both stationary
and mobile emissions sources. Estimates are available for the 48 contiguous United States and are
used for monitoring, research, and regulatory purposes. MSCET also provides "flash reports," which
are recent emission trends that provide a forecast for one additional year beyond the year cited in
the most recently published EPA Trends Report.
As with most estimates, a level of uncertainty is associated with MSCET emission estimates
due to lack of or insufficient data in some areas. The database is, however, useful in making
comparisons across different regions and over time.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Air (outdoor urban, outdoor rural, and/or stack emissions)
Classes of compounds: NO,, SO2, VOCs
».,
Type of data available: Summary statistics on specific agents
Estimation versus observational data: Mostly estimated data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
MSCET developed four separate methodologies for calculating emissions estimates based
on emission source category. Methodologies were developed for: the electric utility industry, the
transportation sector, the copper smelting industry, and all remaining sources, termed ICRIM
(industrial fuel combustion, commercial/residential fuel combustion, industrial processes, and
miscellaneous sources). Whenever possible, MSCET estimated emissions at the individual
combustor (e.g., boiler) level; when this level of data were not available, emissions were estimated
based on the type of technology used.
For electric utility estimates, MSCET used a consumption/emission factor (CEF) method,
in which the amount of fuel consumed each month was multiplied by an appropriate emission
factor, which included reductions in emissions if pollution control devices were used. In special
cases, direct estimation methods (e.g., continuous emission monitors) were used instead of the CEF
method.
For the transportation sector, MSCET methodology was based on an emission factor.
Separate algorithms were used to estimate on-highway and off-highway (e.g., locomotive, aviation,
and waterway) emissions. For on-highway sources, emissions were calculated using vehicle-miles-
traveled (VMT) data and emission factors from EPA's MOBILE4 model, which includes speed,
temperature, and altitude as major parameters. The U.S. Department of Transportation's
publication Highway Statistics provided VMT by state and road type. For off-highway sources, EPA
AP-42 Form was used, as well as sector-specific documents which provided statistics on operational
and fuel consumption activity data. The Transportation and Energy and Emissions Modeling
System (TEEMS) methodology was used to estimate various transportation emissions.
For copper smelters, data were supplied primarily by state air pollution control agencies and
were computed using a plant-level sulfur mass balance technique based on actual measurements of
fugitive emissions. NOx and VOC emissions from copper smelters are considered to be
insignificant; therefore, these were estimated differently, using the ICRIM methodology described
below. When mass balance data were unavailable, data from the EPA AP-42 Form and information
from continuous emission monitors were used to estimate sulfur dioxide emissions. These data
supplemented the 1985 National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program (NAPAP) Emissions
Inventory data. In the absence of available sulfur-content value and heat value data at the state
level, national-level sulfur-content values and heat values for the specific fuel type were used.
Confidentiality of plant-level data prevented comprehensive quality assurance checks.
Methodology for the ICRIM sector utilized data from =the 1985 NAPAP Emissions
Inventory, which provided base-year estimates. When available, state-level activity data (usually
from the State Energy Data System, or SEDS, database) were also used. MSCET then developed
trends data using sector-specific growth rates, often derived from time-series data from the EPA's
National Air Pollutant Emission Estimates, 1940-1987 (also known as the EPA Trends Report), or
from Federal Reserve Board (FRB) indexes of industrial production. The ICRIM methodology
utilized a "shift-share" approach (e.g., states with a higher relative growth gain in share), based on
NAPAP data. Monthly emissions were estimated by disaggregating annual emissions based on
monthly activity data. Monthly shares before 1985 were held .constant because these data were
missing. If no appropriate trend indicator could be identified, emissions were held constant at the
levels reported in the 1985 NAPAP Inventory.
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Other data sources for the ICRTM emissions estimates included: the EIA's Monthly Energy
Review for fuel consumption data; the U.S. Department of Commerce Survey of Current Business
for industrial production data; DOE's Quarterly Coal Report; the Natural Gas Monthly; and data
collected by the National Climatic Data Center (state-specific, population-weighted, heating-degree-
day data).
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National (48 contiguous states)
Identifiers: State; region (e.g., SE, NW, etc.); EPA Federal Regions 1-10
Time Coverage: 1975-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Monthly
Regularity of sample collection: Data are collected as they become available
Source information: Some samples are taken at source
Dispersion information: None available, except for some copper smelter data
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Yes
Standard procedures used: Methodologies developed from: the EPA 1985 National Acid
Precipitation Assessment Program (NAPAP) Emissions Inventory; the EPA Trends
Report; the EPA MOBILE4 model; and the Argonne National Laboratory's
Transportation Energy and Emissions Modeling System (TEEMS) methodology
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: 1 month
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 1 month
Qualify Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Data entry audits
ENVmONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
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SOIL Not applicable
AIR
Outdoor urban; outdoor rural (industrial, agricultural, and/or residential); stack
emissions: NO^ SO2, VOCs
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name or mixture
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Summary statistics on specific agents by geographic region, state, and
season or month
Availability: Any requester can obtain data
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts, Agency reports
Machine readable - Diskette (ASCII, SAS, Tab delimited)
Reports: Current Emission Trends for Nitrogen Oxides, Sulfur Dioxide, and Volatile Organic
Compounds by Month and State: Methodology and Results (August 1990)
Reference Documents: Review of the Month and State Emissions Trends (MSCET) Data Bases for
the National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program (1990, third-party review); data sources
for the MSCET electric utility and some of the other MSCET emissions estimates included:
(1) the Energy Information Administration's (EIA) Form 759: Monthly Power Plant Report
(formerly FPC-4) (data on monthly fuel consumption); (2) Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission Form 423: Monthly Report of Cost and Quality of Fuels for Electric Plants
(formerly FPC-423) (data on monthly deliveries of fuels to plants and fuel quality); (3) EIA
Form 767: Steam-Electric Plant Operation and Design Report (formerly Form 67) (fuel
consumption data for individual boilers); (4) EPA Report AP-42: Compilation of Air
Pollutant Emission Factors (estimated emission factors for stationary point and area
sources); (5) Report EPRI-CS-4277-SR, SO2 and NOx Retrofit Control Technologies
Handbook, and Report EPRI-CS-5361, Retrofit Combustion Controls for Gas/Oil-Fired Utility
Boilers (two Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) reports on retrofit controls with
estimates of potential reductions in NOx emissions using low-Nox burners).
Data/Reports Available From: Chuck Cilek, (708) 972-4237
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MONTHLY EMISSIONS INVENTORY FOR SULFUR DIOXIDE
Acronym: None
Sponsoring Agency: U;S. Department of Energy, Argonne National Laboratory
Contact Person: Don Hanson, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, Argonne,
IL, 60439, (708) 972-5061
This inventory of monthly emissions of SO2 for 1975-1983 was designed to reflect actual
annual SO2 emissions variability. The database has been discontinued. Data include state-total and
source-category-specific monthly SO2 emissions for the continental U.S. Computation of monthly
emission estimates involved a portioning of total annual SO2 emissions to monthly values through
the use of several databases. Also see the separate entries for the Month and State Current
Emissions Trends (MSCET) and for the Acid Deposition Data Network (ADDNET).
Detailed information was not available at the time of publication.
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NATIONAL ACTO PRECIPITATION ASSESSMENT PROGRAM (VERSION 2)
Acronym: NAPAP
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Air and Energy Engineering
Research Laboratory
Contact Person: Janice Wagner, U.S. EPA, MD-62, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, (919)
541-1818
Objectives and Coverage:
The National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program (NAPAP) was authorized by Congress
under the Acid Precipitation Act of 1980. This major research program was initiated to study the
causes and potential adverse effects of acid deposition in and around the United States. A
fundamental objective of the NAPAP research was to investigate emissions sources that may
contribute to acid deposition. To achieve this objective, a NAPAP Task Group on Emissions and
Controls developed historical and current (1985) inventories of acid deposition precursor emissions.
Since long range pollutant transport plays a critical role in acid deposition, emissions inventories
encompassed geographic areas larger than those where the acidification and deposition effects were
observed. The investigation of acid precipitation in the United States (particularly in the northeast)
and in Canada required development of emissions inventories for all states and provinces in both
countries.
The NAPAP assembled data in two phases. The first phase involved data collection and
quality assurance of total emissions and source characteristics of acid deposition precursors. Data
in the NAPAP Emissions Inventory include point source emissions and facility data (i.e.
documentation of physical parameters such as stack height) for 9,175 plants and 66,308 points
(stacks) in the United States and Canada, as well as area source emissions estimates (e.g., for motor
vehicle emissions) for 3,073 United States counties and 10 Canadian provinces. Emissions estimates
of natural sources of total suspended participates were also determined and included in the 1985
U.S. NAPAP Natural Particulate Emissions Inventory. Since these database characteristics are
similar, although the source is different, the database characteristics described in this summary
pertain to both.
The second phase included the development of a modelers' emissions inventory in which
total emissions data were converted to a format suitable for use as input to regional atmospheric
transport models. Hourly emissions by day of the week and season were calculated for speciated
aggregate emissions. These models are used to study source-receptor relationships and regional
impacts of pollutants involved in acid deposition.
(See the separate entries in part I of this inventory for the Acid Deposition System (ADS)
and in Part II for the Acid Deposition Data Network (ADDNET).)
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Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Air (point and area source emissions)
Classes of compounds: Criteria pollutants (except ozone), VOCs, total hydrocarbons, total and size
fractionated particulates, acids/acid aerosols, inorganic compounds
Types of data available: Individual data entries are available on specific agents
Estimation versus observational data: Predominantly estimated data
Sample Design and Analysis:
EPA worked closely with state air pollution programs to plan, fund, assemble and ensure
the quality of the inventory data. EPA and states have the authority to collect required emissions
data under Title 40, CFR, Part 51, Section 51.321-51.323. Environment Canada was the regulatory
agency responsible for developing Canadian national emissions inventories. In a manner analogous
to the State-EPA partnership in the United States, Environment Canada worked with provincial
environment ministries to collect emissions data for Canadian industries.
Both the emissions and modelers' emissions inventories are divided into point and area
sources. The database contains information on the precise location of point sources that emitted
at least 100 tons per year of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, VOCs, total suspended particulates, or
carbon monoxide during the 1985 base year. Area sources include mobile and stationary sources
too numerous and too small to be listed individually, such as residential space heating. The United
States point and area source emissions, as well as facility data (information on the engineering
design and performance of industrial processes), were generated by state agencies using the
National Emissions Data System (NEDS) methodology, in which emissions are estimated directly
for each source. Individual state confidentiality restrictions prevented the complete reporting of
some priority data elements. Environment Canada calculated source emissions for Canada
following a similar methodology.
In addition to criteria pollutants, emissions estimates for primary sulfate particulate, total
hydrocarbons, VOCs, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride, and ammonia, which also play an
important role in the acid deposition process, were developed by EPA and Environment Canada
through the application of emission factors.
Estimates of natural alkaline particulate emissions from unpaved roads, wind erosion, and
dust storms (United States only) were also developed and included in the 1985 U.S. NAPAP
Natural Particulate Emissions Inventory.
The total emissions data were converted into a modelers' inventory of emissions (using the
Flexible Regional Emissions Data System - FREDS) in a format that can be used as input to
regional atmospheric transport models. This format includes a grid of specific geographic areas,
hourly emissions data, and is speciated (e.g., information on stable product chemical species rather
than emitted chemical species is included; VOCs and TSP emissions are broken into various
chemical species classes, which include 32 classes of VOCs, nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide,
sodium calcium, potassium and magnesium).
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DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National (48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia); Canada (to 60
degrees north latitude)
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude and universal transmercator coordinates of the county and
point source; name of county and state
Time Coverage: 1985
Sample Characteristics: Not applicable; no samples collected or analyzed
Frequency of sample collection: Not applicable; no samples collected; database reflects
emissions estimates for 1985
Regularity of sample collection: Not applicable
Source information: Data represent source emissions
Dispersion information: Annual total emissions data are converted into a modelers'
inventory of emissions which can be used as input to regional atmospheric transport
models. This modelers' inventory is included in the 1985 NAPAP Modelers'
Emissions Inventory (Version 2).
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Not applicable; no samples analyzed, however, small and numerous
sources (estimated data) are aggregated as area sources
Standard procedures used: Not applicable; no samples analyzed, however, U.S. emissions
data were collected through the EPA National Emissions Data System (NEDS) (see
separate entry in Part I of this Inventory); Environment Canada calculated source
emissions for Canada following a similar methodology
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Not applicable
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Not applicable;
approximate time between data collection and entry into database varies
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Data entry audits of inventories (checks for
completeness, range checks, analysis of utility records, emissions confirmations by facilities
for the largest emitters, and identification of missing values for priority data items)
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ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR
Outdoor urban, outdoor rural, stack emissions: Total and size fractionated
particulates, criteria pollutants (except ozone), VOCs, acids/acid aerosols,
inorganic compounds
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Database-specific codes or identifiers; pollutants are
identified according to the location on the data record
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries are available on specific agents
Availability: Any requester can obtain data
Form: Hard copy — Agency report
Machine readable -- Tape (ASCII)
Reports: One report only, which reflects the base year 1985 - The 1985 NAPAP Emissions Inventory
Version 2: Development of the Annual Data and Modelers' Tapes. The objective of this
. report is to present information to assist users of the emissions and modelers' inventories.
The report describes the data collection efforts, emissions summaries, methodologies, and
data sources used to estimate and allocate the emissions estimates to the modelers'
inventory; the quality assurance/quality control procedures; the formats of the modelers'
inventory data tapes; and the information required to access the inventory data.
Reference Documents: Several used, listed at the end of each chapter in the report; examples
include: NEDS/NAPAP Emission Inventory Workshop Handbook; Criteria Pollutant Emission
Factors for the 1985 NAPAP Emissions Inventory; EPA Emissions Confirmation Guide for
Major Source Categories
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Data/Reports Available From: Agency report and magnetic tapes can be purchased from the
National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road., Springfield,
Virginia 22161, (703) 487-4650; agency report order number: EPA-600/7-89-012a;
approximately 20 to 30 magnetic tapes available, examples include: 1985 Emissions Inventory
Version 2 - United States and Canadian TSP Non-Mobile Sources Modelers Tape - Spring,
Saturday 1985; NAPAP Emissions Inventory Version 2 - Point Source Data 1985; NAPAP
Emissions Inventory Version 2 - Canadian Annual Area Sources 1985; NAPAP Emissions
Inventory Version 2 - U.S. Point Source Modelers Inventory for 1985; for a complete listing
of available tapes, requests should be faxed to NTIS (fax #: 703 321-8547)
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NATIONAL AIR MONITORING STATIONS
Acronym: NAMS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air Quality Planning
and Standards (OAQPS)
Contact Person: David Lutz, U.S. EPA, OAQPS, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, (919) 541-
5476
Objectives and Coverage:
NAMS, part of the State and Local Air Monitoring Stations (SLAMS) network (see separate
entry for SLAMS), was established to monitor ambient air concentrations of criteria pollutants and
particulates as well as some other pollutants in areas with high pollutant concentrations and high
population exposure. These stations meet stricter criteria than the rest of SLAMS for siting (fixed
sites in areas of high population), and for instrument selection (all equipment at NAMS must meet
the standards of the "List of Designated Reference and Equivalent Methods"; other SLAMS sites
must only meet these criteria if they are used to designate attainment or non-attainment status for
compliance with the Clean Air Act). Location of NAMS sites do not change over time, providing
continuity in monitoring. NAMS data are submitted at least quarterly (often monthly) by states to
OAQPS. Data obtained from NAMS (and other SLAMS sites) comprise most of the data found
in the Air Quality Subsystem (AQS) of the Aerometric Information Retrieval System (AIRS) (see
separate entries for AQS in Part I and AIRS in Part II for further information).
Detailed information was not available at the time of publication.
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NATIONAL AIR TOXICS INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE
Acronym: NATICH
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air and
Radiation/Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards
Contact Person: Vasu Rilaru, U.S. EPA, Pollutant Assessment Branch, MD-13, Research Triangle
Park, NC 27711, (919) 541-0850, (919) 541-5332 '
Objectives and Coverage:
NATICH was established to assist state and local air pollution agencies in developing and
implementing air toxics control programs. Its primary purpose is to collect, classify, and disseminate
air toxics information from state and local agencies, the U.S. EPA, and other federal and
international agencies, thereby facilitating the exchange of information about air toxics and
regulatory/monitoring programs. Information about the activities of various agencies, problems
encountered by these agencies, and agency contacts can be found in the database as well as
information about air pollutants (e.g., permit decisions, ambient air and source emissions test data,
EPA risk assessment information). Bibliographic citations for published studies are also available.
Data from all federal, state, and local regulatory/control agencies are included in the
database. As a result, the database covers all types of air toxics studies conducted in different
locations and environments. The data in NATICH are not available through other databases.
NATICH is presently linked to EPA's Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). (TRI contains information
submitted by industry under the provisions of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to
Know Act.) In the future, NATICH may also be linked to EPA's Aerometric Information Retrieval
System (AERS).
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Air
Classes of compounds: Criteria pollutants, inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs, PCBs,
dioxins/furans, asbestos
Type of data available: Individual data entries on specific agents; summary statistics (including
pollutant information, e.g., information on health effects, exposure assessment), ambient
monitoring data, etc.) on specific agents. Data can be sorted by activity (e.g., emissions
testing for traditional sources, ambient monitoring), by pollutant (e.g., by name, code), or
by source category. Bibliographic and agency information are also available.
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
NATICH compiles data received from state and local agencies; it does not itself collect or
analyze samples, nor does it review or analyze agency data. NAITCH does not evaluate the
suitability of agency sampling techniques or analytical methods for the determination of risk
assessment, air standards, or criteria. NATICH includes data from all types of air toxics studies
conducted in various locations throughout the United States.
The Clearinghouse collects information annually by sending data collection forms to all state
and local agencies. Information may be submitted in three ways: (1) agency responses to annual
surveys, (2) direct entry of data by agencies, and (3) electronic transfer of large data files. The
information thus acquired is classified by agency, pollutant, and emission source, and includes data
on general agency facts (including address and agency contacts), regulatory program descriptions
and contacts, permits, acceptable ambient concentrations, ambient air monitoring studies, source
tests, emissions inventories, research and methods development, and supporting publications.
Citations and abstracts are included for published EPA, National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health (NIOSH), and other federal/international agency documents, such as emission factors
documents, health assessments, source sampling/ambient monitoring methodologies, and technical
monitoring documents. Ongoing EPA and NIOSH research projects, such as chemical hazard
information profiles and epidemiology studies, are also cited and abstracted.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: City, municipality, or township, county/parish, state
Time Coverage: 1984-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Data collected from agencies on a yearly basis
Regularity of sample collection: Varies by agency
Source information: For source testing, includes Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)
codes, industry categories, and Source Category Codes (SCQ; for permits, includes
the SCC code and the process within the facility
Dispersion information: Not available in database; contacts in state and local organizations
may be able to provide information; contact names are included in the database
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Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Unknown
Standard procedures used: Varies by state or local agency
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Varies by agency
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Varies
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Data entry QA/QC is performed by the contractor
that enters the data into the database. The Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number
(CASRN) and chemical name are checked and the data are checked for any inconsistencies.
In addition, the state agencies can check the data and change incorrect entries. (The
QC/QA for sample collection and analysis is performed by the state or local agency, not by
NATICH.)
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media;
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR
Outdoor urban; industrial outdoor rural; stack/source emissions; ambient
monitoring information: Criteria pollutants, inorganic compounds, VOCs,
semi-VOCs, PCBs, dioxins/furans, asbestos
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CASRN) ;
chemical name or mixture
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries on specific agents. Summary statistics on
specific agents; summary information includes pollutant, acceptable ambient limits, source
testing data, etc.
Availability: Any requester can obtain data
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Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts, Agency reports
Machine readable — On-line (ASCII)
Reports: Bimonthly newsletters containing information on research, agency case histories, and
state, local, and federal air toxics programs and activities; special reports on specific air
toxics issues; annual hard copy reports of all data contained in the database; and responses
to requests for specific information. In addition, the user can generate 25 different reports
in which the information is sorted by Agency, pollutant, Standard Industrial Classification
(SIC) codes, industry category description, or key word on various topics including:
Acceptable Ambient Levels, pollutant research information, methods development activities,
non-health-related impacts, permitting information, emissions inventory, and source, testing
information.
Reference Documents: NATICHDatabase Report on State, Local and EPA Air Toxics Activities (July
1990)
Data/Reports Available From: National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal
Rd., Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650; state and federal EPA Offices; for information,
contact Vasu Kilaru, U.S. EPA, Pollutant Assessment Branch, MD-13, Research Triangle
Park, NC 27711, (919) 541-0850, (919) 541-5332
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NATIONAL COASTAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE INVENTORY
Acronym: NCPDI
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA)
Contact Person: Daniel R..G. Farrow, NOAA, Office of Ocean Resources Conservation and
Assessment (ORCA), Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) Division, Pollution
Sources Characterization Branch, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 220, Rockville, MD
20852, (301) 443-0454
Objectives and Coverage:
The NCPDI, developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's
Pollution Sources Characterization Branch, contains pollutant loading estimates for all point,
nonpoint, and riverine sources located in coastal areas that discharge to the estuarine, coastal, and
oceanic waters of the contiguous United States (excluding the Great Lakes). Discharge estimates
for nine separate classes of pollutants in nine major source categories are included in this database.
The estimates were originally made for the base year 1982, but can be considered to approximate
pollutant discharge conditions during the period 1980-1985. A series of projects are currently
underway to improve and refine the estimates for selected pollutant source categories and coastal
areas. Information in this database is provided to resource managers at the federal, state, and local
level to help develop effective management strategies to protect and restore these waters.
The development of these data is one of several interrelated activities of NOAA. A
separate database is maintained for each of these activities (see the National Status and Trends
Program and the National Shellfish Register of Classified Estuarine Waters for descriptions of
related NOAA databases). Each of these databases use the same spatial framework and together
are used by NOAA for the strategic assessment of the Nation's coastal and oceanic resources.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Surface water
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds; pesticides (1982 and 1987 data available for 35
pesticides; original 1982 data available only for organochlorine pesticides); microorganisms;
PCBs (original 1982 data only); physical and chemical indicators of water quality; other
(petroleum hydrocarbons, nutrients, wastewater treatment sludges, and flow)
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Estimation versus observational data: Most values based on estimates; some observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
The NCPDI uses NOAA's National Estuarine Inventory (NEI) (see separate entry in Part
II) data atlas, which was created to provide a spatial framework that could be used in several
related NOAA projects. The spatial framework developed was the estuarine drainage area (EDA),
defined by NOAA as that portion of a watershed that most directly affects an estuary and is
delineated by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) cataloging units and the head of the tide. Two atlas
volumes were subsequently published detailing the land use and physical and hydrologic
characteristics of the estuarine systems within the NEI.
The NCPDI was developed for three geographic regions in the United States: the Gulf of
Mexico, East Coast, and West Coast. Seasonal and annual estimates of pollutant discharges from
source categories were made for the base year, 1982, in each of these regions. Estimates are
currently being updated to 1987 and will be completed in the next few years (updates have been
completed for the Gulf of Mexico). Source categories for the 1982 estimates include: point
sources, urban andnonurban non-point sources, sources upstream of coastal areas, irrigation return
flow, oil and gas operations, marine transportation operations, accidental spills, and dredging
operations. Only the point, nonpoint, and upstream source categories are included in the 1987
estimates.
The Land Use Data Analysis (LUDA) program of the USGS, which compiles data for 40
different types of land use in the United States, was the primary source of land use data for the
NCPDI. Other sources, such as the National Resources Inventory of the U.S. Soil Conservation
Service; the Bureau of the Census; the Census of Agriculture; and state, regional, and city planning
agencies were also used. The result was a set of consistent land use estimates in acres that were
used for analysis in each of the geographical regions. These data indicate the amount of surface
area occupied by land use activities that affect pollutants contained in stormwater runoff.
Pollution estimates for each source category include: the level of activity in the base year;
the quantity of wastewater or runoff discharged per unit of output or over a specified period of
time; and the concentrations of pollutants in wastewater or runoff. For point sources, discharges
are estimated primarily through EPA and state National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) permit and compliance files. If such information is inaccurate or incomplete, engineering
estimates of typical pollutant concentrations are made based on the facility type. For nonurban
nonpoint sources in the East Coast, the Simulator for Water Resources on Rural Basins Model, a
watershed modeling program, is used to estimate runoff and sediment discharge. Nitrogen and
phosphorous discharges are based on the Cornell University Nutrient Simulation Model. Estimates
of pollutant discharges for other constituents are made based on these parameters. For urban
nonpoint sources, the volume of runoff is estimated and the pollutant load is calculated using
information obtained from a former EPA database, the National Urban Runoff Program (NURP)
(NURP has been discontinued, however, urban runoff data are not collected by cities). For
upstream sources, monitoring information from USGS National Stream-Quality Accounting
Network (NASQAN) stations is used to estimate pollutant mass loadings. A detailed description
of these estimation methods is included in a set of Methods Documents.
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DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National (estuarine, coastal, and oceanic waters of the contiguous United States,
excluding the Great Lakes, extending landward to the head of the tide and seaward to
the boundary of the Exclusive Economic Zone (12 miles offshore))
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude of the point source; name of city, municipality, or township,
and county; state; hydrologic unit codes; estuarine drainage area
Time Coverage: 1982, 1987 (estimates are periodically updated)
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Not applicable — no samples collected; estimates
were made on a seasonal basis and aggregated to an annual basis for 1982; these
estimates are presently being updated to 1987
Regularity of sample collection: Not applicable — no samples collected; updating of
pollution discharge estimates in the three geographic regions is an ongoing process
Source information: Point source information collected from states and NPDES
permit files; data for non-point sources can be related to category of land use (e.g.
agricultural, urban) but not to specific sources
Dispersion information: Not applicable
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Not applicable ~ no samples analyzed
Standard procedures used: Not applicable — no samples analyzed; (see Sample Design and
Analysis for established data analysis and estimation methods used)
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Not applicable — no samples
collected or analyzed
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Not applicable -
no samples analyzed; approximate time between data collection and data entry is 1
year
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Data entry audits; audit trail (each data point can
be traced back to its source of information)
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ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER:
Surface: Inorganic compounds (arsenic, iron, lead, mercury, zinc, cadmium,
chromium, copper); pesticides (1982 and 1987 data available for 35
pesticides; original 1982 data only for organochlorine pesticides);
microorganisms (fecal coliform bacteria); PCBs (original 1982 data only);
physical and chemical indicators of water quality (biochemical oxygen
demand, total suspended solids); petroleum hydrocarbons, nutrients (total
nitrogen and phosphorus); wastewater treatment sludges; flow (wastewater
flow or surface runoff)
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Database-specific codes or identifiers (standard chemical
abbreviations are used, prefixed with a seasonal or annual abbreviation)
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on
specific agents (e.g., data can be aggregated by pollutant, source category, individual source,
spatial unit, temporal dimension)
Availability: Any requester may obtain data
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts
Machine readable - Diskette (ASCII, SAS, Rbase)
Reports: The National Coastal Pollutant Discharge Inventory summarizes activities of the NCPDI;
assessment reports on specific topics (e.g., the National Coastal Pollutant Discharge
Inventory: Point Source Discharges in Coastal Areas of Texas - A Summary By Estuarine
Watershed for 1987; National Coastal Pollution Discharge Inventory: PubUcalfy Owned
Treatment Works in Coastal Areas of the U.S^A.; The National Coastal Pollution Discharge
Inventory Discharge Summaries for New Jersey) are distributed to a targeted constituency
with an interest in the report topic (government agencies and other users of this
information), and are also available upon request; Methods Documents which describe the
methodologies used to generate pollutant loadings for source categories are available
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upon request; all reports include a discussion of data quality and limitations relevant to the
report topic
Reference Documents: Several, which are listed in reports; examples include: Planning Guide for
Evaluating Agricultural Nonpoint Source Water Quality; Control of Water Pollution from
Cropland, Volume 1: A Manual for Guideline Development, and Volume 2: An Overview;
Development Document for Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standard for Specified Point
Source Category
Data/Reports Available from: Mitchell Katz, NOAA, ORCA, SEA Division, Pollution Sources
Characterization Branch, 6001 Executive Blvd., Room 220, Rockville, MD 20852, (301) 443-
0453 (for reports); Daniel R.G. Farrow, NOAA, ORCA, SEA Division, Pollution Sources
Characterization Branch, 6001 Executive Blvd., Room 220, Rockville, MD 20852, (301)
443-0454 (for data requests); a letter describing the requested information should be sent
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NATIONAL CONTAMINANT BIOMONITORING PROGRAM
Acronym: NCBP
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Contact Person: Donald Steffeck, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Environmental
Contaminants, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 330, Arlington, VA 22203, (703) 358-2148
Objectives and Coverage:
Since 1967, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has periodically analyzed residues of
selected organochlorine contaminants and potentially toxic elements in samples of fish and birds
collected from a nationwide network of stations. This program, which originated as the FWS
segment of the National Pesticide Monitoring Program (a multiagency monitoring effort), is now
maintained by the FWS as the National Contaminant Biomonitoring Program (NCBP). NCBP
documents temporal and geographic trends in concentrations of environmental contaminants that
may threaten fish and wildlife and provides information on the success of regulatory actions
intended to reduce environmental concentrations of toxic materials. The database covers freshwater
streams and interior upland and wetland habitats.
The NCBP is scheduled to change its name and sample design in October 1992; the name
will become the Biomonitoring of Environmental Status and Trends Program. In addition, the data
will be made accessible to the general public. At present, it is only available through journal
articles.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Fish and bird samples
Classes of compounds: Pesticides, PCBs, VOCs, semi-VOCs, and inorganic compounds in fish
(earlier data do not include the toxic metals and PCBs), pesticides and PCBs in birds
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
Freshwater fish were collected from stations at key points in major rivers throughout the
United States and in the Great Lakes from 1967 to 1988 at approximately 2 to 3 year intervals. The
species of fish collected and statistical representativeness vary by region and year. The frequency
of measurements and locations where samples were collected could bias site-specific evaluations.
Three samples were collected from each station; two of a representative bottom-feeding species and
one of a representative predatory species. Each were analyzed for organochlorine chemicals
(pesticides, PCBs, industrial chemicals) and inorganic metals (arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead,
mercury, selenium, and zinc). Laboratory analysts also looked for other p
otential contaminants in the 1988 collection by checking for unknown peaks on a gas
chromatograph. Extrapolation of results to other fish and game animals may be uncertain.
In an effort to assess the body burden of organochlorine compounds in birds, the FWS
analyzed starlings and wings from wild ducks shot or trapped by hunters in the United States from
1965 to 1985. (Sampling of ducks occurred during the 1965, 1966, 1969, 1972, 1976, 1979, 1981,
1982, 1984 and 1985 hunting seasons; sampling of starlings occurred from 1967 to 1985 at 2 to 3
year intervals.) For ducks, mallard wings were used since this species is found throughout the
continental United States. Black ducks from the Atlantic Flyway were also included because
mallards are not abundant there. The starling was chosen because it is numerous, widely distributed
throughout the continental United States, and an omnivorous feeder.
Sampling of fish and birds is planned to occur approximately every five years as part of the
Biomonitoring of Environmental Status and Trends Program. Other bioassessment methods will
also be included in this new program.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude of the monitor site; name of state; hydrologic unit codes
Time Coverage: 1965-1985 for black ducks and mallards; 1967-1985 for starlings; 1967-1988 for fish
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Varies; mainly on a 2-3 year basis; future sampling is
expected to occur approximately every 5 years
Regularity of sample collection: Regular
Source information: None available
Dispersion information: Not applicable
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Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Each site consists of a pooling of 3-5 individual samples of fish and
usually 10 or more bird samples
Standard procedures used: Biological sampling and bioassay techniques have varied
according to species, year of analysis, and laboratory; FWS is in the process of
standardizing these techniques to be used in the new program; standard FWS
chemical extraction methods are used, which are classified according to the chemical
analyzed; procedures are included in published journal articles
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: 1 year, varies depending upon
sample collection
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 3 years; varies
depending upon sample collection
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks, field blanks, duplicates, spikes,
data entry audits; confirmation of 10% of the samples is done by gas chromatography with
mass spectrometry; interlaboratory cross checks were done on select samples up until 1980
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES
Fish: Pesticides; PCBs; VOCs; semi-VOCs; inorganic compounds (arsenic,
cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, selenium and zinc)
Birds (ducks): Pesticides; PCBs
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
OTHER;
Birds (starlings): Pesticides; PCBs
Fish (non-consumable): Pesticides; PCBs; VOCs; semi-VOCs; inorganic compounds
(arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, selenium and zinc)
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name or mixture
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DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Availability: Any requester can obtain data
Form: Hard copy — Published articles
Machine readable — Will probably be available after October 1992
Reports: 40 articles published to date; examples include: National Contaminant Biomonitoring
Program: Concentrations of Arsenic, Cadmium, Copper, Lead, Mercury, Selenium, and Zinc
in U.S. Freshwater Fish, 1976-1984; Residues of Organochlorine Pesticides and
Pofychlorobiphenyls in Starlings From the Continental United States, 1982; Organochlorine
Residues in Adult Mallard and Black Duck Wings, 1981-1982; all articles published prior to
1980 are included in Pesticide Monitoring Journal, most articles published after this time are
included in Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; articles discuss
multiyear aggregated data and are generally available approximately every 2 to 3 years
Reference Documents: None
Data/Reports Available From: Donald W. Steffeck, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of
Environmental Contaminants, 4401N. Fairfax Drive, Room 330, Arlington, VA 22203, (703)
358-2148
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NATIONAL EMISSIONS DATA SYSTEM
Acronym: NEDS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air Quality Planning
and Standards (OAQPS), National Air Data Branch
Contact Person: Jerry Husketh, U.S. EPA, NADB, MD-14, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711,
(919) 541-5449
The National Emissions Data System (NEDS) provided source data for the AIRS Facility
Subsystem (see separate entry) and the AIRS Area/Mobile Source Subsystem (currently under
development) for point source and area air emissions, primarily for criteria pollutants. These two
AIRS systems have replaced NEDS. Information on individual point sources was available through
NEDS and is now available through AIRS, including: pollutant type and quantity; emissions control
equipment; estimated percent of emission control efficiency; emission estimation methods used and
emission estimates (for both point and area sources); identification of confidential information;
universal transmercator zone and latitude longitude data; stack data; ash and sulfur content; and
fuel use data, including fuel type, boiler design, combustor/processing method, and throughput,
operating, and fuel process rates. Raw data or summary statistics (e.g., geographic and process-
related summaries of emissions and fuel consumption) were available for individual plants for each
criteria pollutant. Inventories of the total number of plants/points within a state or county were
also available, as well as a ranking of plant emissions within a state or nationally for each criteria
pollutant. Emissions could also be identified by Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code and
Source Classification Code (SCC). Responsibility for maintaining the NEDS database was shared
by states, EPA Regional Offices, and EPA's National Air Data Branch (NADB). States submitted
data annually to the Regional Office, which validated the data and sent them to the NADB for
database updates.
Detailed information was not available at the time of publication.
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NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIMEN BANK
Acronym: None
Sponsoring Agencies: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and
Development, and Office of Health Effects Research; U.S. Department of Commerce,
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Contact Person: Stephen A. Wise, NIST, Building 222, Room B-158, Gaithersburg, MD 20899,
(301) 975-3112
Objectives and Coverage:
The National Environmental Specimen Bank, one of many projects within the National
Biomonitoring Specimen Bank (NBSB) (see separate entry in Part II) at the National Institute of
Standards and Technology, was established in 1979 as a pilot program to investigate the feasibility
of long-term storage of environmental samples. Well-preserved and documented samples are
archived for retrospective analysis as analytical techniques improve or as concerns about previously
unidentified pollutants arise. To date, this pilot project has focused primarily on the establishment
of a human liver bank, the analysis of approximately 20 percent of the archived liver specimens for
selected organic and inorganic constituents, and research related to specimen banking.
Approximately 600 liver specimens have been collected since 1980; analysis for trace elements,
organic pesticides, and PCBs have been done on approximately 100 of these samples. In addition,
NIST has made a comparison of different storage conditions and has developed sampling and
storage protocols for archived specimens. The existing database on the stored human liver
specimens and the unanalyzed liver specimens in the bank offer a number of opportunities, such
as : providing baseline environmental data for monitoring pollutant trends over time and among
different sites; providing the opportunity for retrospective analysis of samples from the past; and
evaluating the stability of biological samples during storage.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Human samples
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds, pesticides, PCBs
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
In 1980, liver samples were collected during autopsies performed at three locations: the
Mayo Clinic in Minneapolis, Minnesota; the King County Medical Examiners Office in Seattle,
Washington; and the State of Maryland Medical Examiners Office in Baltimore, Maryland. From
1981-1990, liver samples were obtained from the Seattle, Washington facility; in 1991, samples were
obtained from the Baltimore, Maryland facility. These facilities work with local universities which
serve as contractors for EPA and NIST for this project. The three geographic areas were chosen
to represent the east and west coasts and the central United States. Livers are selected from adults
18 years of age or older, who did not have a long hospital stay, were not drug users, and were free
from hepatitis and the human immuno-deficiency virus (HIV). Thus far, analysis for trace
elements, chlorinated pesticides, and PCBs has included three groups of liver samples collected in
1980, 1982, and 1984.
Human liver samples are collected, processed, and stored under conditions that avoid or
minimize contamination of the specimen or any other changes in specimen chemical composition.
Non-contaminating materials are used for any contact with the sample (e.g., a titanium-bladed knife
is used to avoid contamination from environmentally important trace elements found in
conventional cutting instruments; clean, dust-free Teflon surfaces are used for sample preparation).
Identical (e.g., homogeneous) sample aliquots are necessary to allow for valid comparison of
analytical techniques and evaluation of the stability of specimens during storage. A cryogenic
homogenization procedure using Teflon disk mills was developed by NIST scientists for this
purpose. These mills homogenize sample aliquots, with subsampling errors due to nonhomogeneity
estimated at less than 2 percent. This procedure minimizes contamination and eliminates the risk
of potential changes in the sample associated with thawing and re-freezing. After sample
preparation, the liver specimens are stored in Teflon bags or jars and frozen in liquid nitrogen at
the NIST specimen bank facility. Presently, specimens are banked at -150° C to avoid the physical
changes noted at other temperatures and because of the relative maintenance-free, low cost
operation of liquid nitrogen vapor freezers. Information describing the sample and the sampling
site are recorded and maintained in the National Environmental Specimen Bank database.
To address the question of storage stability, aliquots of the homogenized liver samples were
analyzed for various inorganic and organic contaminants, and were stored under conditions such
as freeze-dried, room temperature, and fresh frozen at -25°, -80°, or -150° centigrade (C) and
reanalyzed in several years for comparison of storage conditions. Results of chemical analyses and
physical evidence of changes (e.g., color changes, clumping, formation of ice crystals) in the sample
aliquots were used for comparison purposes.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: Regional (Baltimore, MD; Minneapolis, MN; and Seattle, WA)
Identifiers: Name of city and state
Time Coverage: 1980-present
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Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: 50 samples per year
Regularity of sample collection: Irregular, based on availability; approximately one sample
per week is typically collected
Source information: None
Dispersion information: Limited to geographic region
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: NIST sample collection and analytical protocols, e.g., Analysis
of Human Liver Specimens
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: 2-5 years (archiving of
specimens is the goal)
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 4-6 months
Qualify Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks, duplicates, spikes
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES:
Liver biopsies: Inorganic compounds, pesticides, PCBs
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name or mixture
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DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Availability: Any requester can obtain data
Form: Hard copy — Journal publications
Machine readable — Diskette (ASCII)
Reports: Wise, S. et al. 1989. Experiences in Environmental Specimen Banking, International Journal
of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, volume 37, pages 91-106; Zeisler, R. et al., eds. 1983.
Biological Trace Element Residues; Zeisler, R. et al., eds. 1983. The Pilot Environmental
National Specimen Bank-Analysis of Human Liver Specimens, National Bureau of Standards
Special Publication 656
Reference Documents: Several, which are listed at the end of each publication
Data/Reports Available From: Stephen A. Wise, National Institute of Standards and Technology,
Building 222, Room B-158, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, (301) 975-3112
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NATIONAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION EXAMINATION SURVEY
Acronym: NHANES
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control
(CDC), National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Division of Health Examination
Statistics
Contact Person: Robert Murphy, CDC, NCHS, Division of Examination Statistics, 6525 Belcrest
Road, Room 900, Hyattsville, MD 20782, (301) 436-7068 •
Objectives and Coverage:
NHANES, a major data collection system of the National Center for Health Statistics
(NCHS), is a series of discrete data collection surveys in which randomly selected groups of U.S.
citizens are interviewed and examined to determine their health and nutritional status. The goals
of NHANES are: (1) to estimate the national prevalence of selected diseases and risk factors, (2)
to estimate national population reference distributions of selected health parameters, (3) to
document and investigate reasons for trends in selected diseases and risk factors, (4) to contribute
to the understanding of disease etiology, and (5) to investigate the natural history of selected
diseases.
NHANES obtains health data from civilian noninstitutionalized individuals in locations
throughout the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii); the study specifically includes minority
populations and low-income populations. Young, old, and minority populations are oversampled
to ensure that the data collected for these groups are reliable.
To date, two NHANES surveys have been completed and a third is underway. (A HANES
survey specifically targeted for Hispanics (HHANES) is described separately in Part I of this
Inventory.) The data for NHANES I were collected from 1971 to 1975, the data for NHANES II
were collected from 1976 to 1980, and NHANES IE was begun in 1984 and is expected to be
completed in 1994.
NHANES has historically been a multi-agency effort. In addition to NCHS, the following
agencies have participated in NHANES surveys: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the
Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Energy, the National Heart, Lurig, and Blood
Institute, the National Institute for Diabetes, Kidney, and Metabolic Disorders, the National Center
for Environmental Health and Injury Control (NCEHIC), the National Institute of Environmental
Health Sciences, the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institutes of Health, among others.
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Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Human samples (blood, urine)
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds (including trace metals), VOCs (NHANES III only),
semi-VOCs, pesticides, cotinine, erythrocyte protoporphyrin, carboxyhemoglobin (NHANES
II only), and thiocyanate (NHANES II only)
Type of data available: Individual data entries on specific agents; summary statistics (e.g.,
geometric and arithmetic means, percent elevated, and percent quantifiable) on specific
agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
Sample Design and Analysis:
NHANES studies are cross-sectional and use a complex, multistage, stratified, probability
cluster sample of households throughout the United States. Primary sampling units (PSUs) are
identified, and characterized using a wide range of stratification measures such as age, sex, race,
national origin, education, income, and marital status. The number of PSUs identified and the
number of people examined/interviewed is different for each NHANES. For NHANES I and II,
over 20,000 people were interviewed/examined in 100 and 64 PSUs, respectively. For NHANES
III, NCHS plans to interview/examine over 40,000 people in 81 PSUs.
Physical examinations, diagnostic tests (including blood pressures, electrocardiograms, bone
densities (NHANES III only), dental examinations and spirometry); anthropometric measurements;
laboratory analyses (including blood and urine tests, biochemical analysis of whole blood and serum,
and oral glucose tolerance tests (NHANES II and III only); x-rays (x-rays of the hand and wrist
were taken for NHANES I, x-rays of the cervical and lumbar spine and of the chest were taken in
NHANES II, and no x-rays are planned for NHANES III); personal interviews; and dietary
interviews are conducted on individuals. Blood and urine samples are analyzed using standard
analytic and QC/QA procedures. Blood sera from NHANES II are being saved for later analysis
under NHANES III. In addition, any sera available after protocol analyses were performed under
NHANES II, were frozen and stored. These sera have been largely depleted by subsequent
biochemical analyses for antigens to infectious agents. NHANES III is storing sera and white blood
cells for future analysis. Longitudinal followup interviews were obtained from the adults in
NHANES I (NHANES I Epidemiologic Followup Study). A similar followup is planned for
NHANES III.
NHANES also provides information on consumption of foods. These data, in conjunction
with contaminant information, might be used to estimate intake of certain toxicants.
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DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: SMSA (Standard MSA), state, region of the country
Time Coverage: 1971-1994 (periodic)
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Sampling occurs on a daily basis, but each individual is
sampled only once
Regularity of sample collection: Samples are collected at the time of the physical exam
which may be scheduled weekdays or weekends, mornings, afternoons, or evenings;
each individual is examined once
Source information: For NHANES in, questions were asked regarding the smoking history
of the sampled person and other household members, the source of drinking water,
home heating sources, and occupational exposure to volatile substances. For
NHANES II, questions were asked regarding smoking status (carboxyhemoglobin
study), pica (lead study), pesticide and disinfectant exposure, and occupation.
Dispersion information: Not applicable
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: The analytical procedures used for each NHANES are set by
the agency conducting each test. For NHANES II, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency analyzed the urine and blood samples for pesticide residues and
metabolites, the Bureau of Labs of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) analyzed
blood samples for lead, and Dr. Edward Radford at the University of Pittsburgh
analyzed blood for carboxyhemoglobin. For NHANES III, NCEHIC is measuring
cadmium, lead, cotinine, erythrocyte protoporphyrin, pesticides, and volatiles
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Depends on analyte
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Generally,
immediately
Qualify Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Field blanks, duplicates, spikes, external laboratory
analyses, data entry audits
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ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES
Blood; urine: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs, pesticides, cotinine,
carboxyhemoglobin, eiythrocyte protoporphyrin; and clinical organ-system
function tests
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name or mixture
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries on specific agents; summary statistics (geometric
and arithmetic means, percent elevated and percent quantifiable) on specific agents
Availability: Any requester can obtain data, which are provided in a form that does not reveal
individual identities or violate confidentiality (for NHANES III, data are not available to
the public until after study completion in 1994)
Form: Hard copy— Agency reports, journal publications (not available for NHANES III until
1994)
Machine readable - Tape (ASCII) (not available for NHANES III until 1994)
Reports: Summary statistics are published in reports on an irregular basis in Vital and Health
Statistics, Series 11
Reference Documents:
For NHANES I
National Center for Health Statistics. 1973, 1977. Plan and operation of the Health and
Nutrition Examination Survey, United States 1971-73. Vital and Health Statistics,
Series 1, No. lOa (1973) and lOb (1977). Washington, DC: U. S. Government
Printing Office. DHEW Pub. No. PHS 79-1310.
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Singer, J.D., P. Granahan, N.N. Goodrick, et al. 1982. National Center for Health
Statistics. Diet and iron status, a study of relationships: United States, 1971-74. Vital
and Health Statistics, Series 11, No. 229. Washington, DC: U.S. Government
Printing Office. DHHS Pub. No. PHS 83-1679.
For NHANES II
Fulwood, R., C.L. Johnson, J.D. Bryner, et al. 1982. National Center for Health Statistics.
Hematological and nutritional biochemistry reference data for persons 6 months-74 years
of age: United States, 1976-1980. Vital and Health Statistics, Series 11, No. 232.
Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. DHHS Pub. No. PHS 83-1682.
Mahaffey, K.R., J.L. Annest. 1986. Association of erythrocyte protoporphyrin with blood
lead level and iron status in the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey, 1976-1980. Environmental Research. 41:327-338.
McDowell A., A. Engel, J.T. Massey, and K. Maurer. 1981. National Center for Health
Statistics. Plan and operation of Second National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey, 1976-80. Vital and Health Statistics, Series 1, No. 19. Washington, DC:
U.S. Government Printing Office. DHHS Pub. No. (PHS) 89-1321.
Murphy, R. and C. Harvey. 1985. Residues and metabolites of selected persistent
halogenated hydrocarbons in blood specimens from a general population survey.
Environmental Health Perspectives. 60:115-120.
For NHANES HI
Interagency Committee on Nutrition Monitoring. September 1989. Nutrition monitoring in
the United States: The directory of federal nutrition monitoring activities. Hyattsville,
MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service.
DHHS Pub. No. PHS 89-1255-1.
WoteW, C.E., R.R. Briefel, and R. Kuczmarski. 1988. Contributions of the National
Cancer for Health Statistics. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 47:320-8.
Data/Reports Available From: National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port
Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650; state offices; federal offices;
regional libraries of the National libraries of Medicine; schools of public health;
for information, call the NTIS at (301) 436-8500; for information and copies of the
Vital and Health Statistics Reports, call the Scientific and Technical Information
Branch, NCHS at (301) 436-8500
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NATIONAL HERBICIDE USE DATABASE
Acronym: None
Sponsoring Agencies: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Pesticide Programs
(OPP); U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service; U.S. Department of
Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of
Resources Conservation and Assessment (ORCA), Strategic Environmental Assessments
Division
Contact Person: Leonard Gianessi, Resources for the Future, Inc., 1616 P Street NW, Washington
DC 20036, (202) 328-5036
Objectives and Coverage:
The National Herbicide Use database, compiled by Resources for the Future (RFF),
contains data on herbicide use in agricultural crop production throughout the United States.
Estimates of use for 96 active ingredients on 84 crops in the 48 contiguous states of the United
States are included in the database. Data available for each crop include 1987 estimates for the
number of acres of harvested crop, the average rate of use per acre, the total number of acres
treated, and the total pounds of active ingredient used. This information can be aggregated on a
county, regional (group of counties), state, or national level. Data are used by regulatory officials,
researchers, environmental groups, and planning agencies to design policies for herbicide monitoring
in the environment and to evaluate proposed regulatory actions.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Bulk chemicals
Classes of compounds: Pesticides
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available
Estimation versus observational data: All estimated data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
Crop acreage estimates were taken from the 1987 Census of Agriculture, and estimates of
herbicide use v/ere taken from publicly available federal and state government reports. Additional
insecticides and fungicides have been added to the database since 1987. This information was
aggregated into summary statistics by scientists at Resources for the Future, Inc., based on surveys
conducted by the Cooperative Extension Service of the U.S. Department of Agricultu-re and
information obtained from company manufacturers.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Name of county and state
Time Coverage: 1987-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Not applicable; no samples taken
Regularity of sample collection: Not applicable; no samples taken
Source information: Amount of pesticides used over a year in each state and county
Dispersion information: None
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Not applicable; no samples taken
Standard procedures used: Resources for the Future, Inc. standard procedures for data
verification
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Not applicable; no samples
taken
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Not applicable; no
samples taken; approximate time between data received and data entry to
database is within 1 year
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Data entry audits
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ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
.HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS
1 Pesticides
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name or mixture; database-specific codes or
identifiers
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on a county,
regional (group of counties), state, or national level
Availability: Any requester can obtain data
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts, Agency reports, journal publications
Machine readable — Diskette (ASCII, dBase)
Reports: Herbicide Use in the United States: National Summary Report; The Use of Herbicides in
U.S. Crop Production: Use Coefficients Listed by State; The Use of Herbicides in U.S. Crop
Production: Use Coefficients Listed by Active Ingredient; Herbicide Use Data, by County for
the State of ( ); National Herbicide Report (County Level); reports are available upon
request; customized county reports which provide information on the estimated use of 96
active ingredients for any regional grouping of counties are also available
Reference Documents: None
Data/Reports Available From: Leonard Gianessi, Resources for the Future Inc., 1616 P Street NW,
Washington, DC 20036, (202) 328-5025
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NATIONAL HUMAN ADIPOSE TISSUE SURVEY
Acronym: NHATS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Toxic Substances
(OTS)
Contact Person: Janet Remmers, U.S. EPA, OTS, National Human Monitoring Program, 401 M
Street SW, Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-1583
Objectives and Coverage:
NHATS is maintained by the National Human Monitoring Program for the purpose of
detecting and quantifying the prevalence of toxic organic compounds in the general population.
NHATS data are used to address part of OTS's mandate under the Toxic Substances Control Act
(TSCA). Baseline levels of chemicals in human adipose tissue specimens collected from autopsied
cadavers and surgical patients in the continental United States are measured. This monitoring
program has been used primarily for establishing exposure trends for organochlorine pesticides and
PCBs. In 1984, additional volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds were included to detect
other potentially toxic compounds that might be entering the environment. This expanded target
list was used in the analysis of adipose specimens collected during fiscal year 1982 (FY82). A
follow-up study of the FY82 data was also conducted in order to identify any gas
chromatography/mass spectrometry peaks which had not been previously identified. NHATS has
also performed several other one-time special studies, such as for lead and cadmium, and a clinical
study of transformer workers. The program is currently finishing analyses on samples collected in
1987. It is unclear whether the program will continue; no new sampling is planned.
The significance of this database is twofold. Human risk compound comparison with
NHATS data allows EPA to more accurately assess the danger of these compounds to the human
population from environmental sources. Secondly, if future sampling is done, compounds identified
in this study may be selected for inclusion in the broad scan analysis (see Sample Design and
Analysis) of future NHATs samples. This would provide EPA with long-term bioaccumulation
information which could be tracked for possible long-term trends.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Human samples
Classes of compounds: Semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs (1970-present); inorganic compounds and
VOCs (1982); dioxins/furans (1982, 1987)
Type of data available: National and regional (census division) summary statistics are available on
specific agents on a yearly basis
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
Human adipose tissue specimens are collected according to a statistical survey design and
are representative of a cross-section of the population. The sampling frame consists of
Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) of the continental United States, partitioned into 17 strata.
Approximately 1,000 samples are obtained each fiscal year (for some years, the sample size may be
much less). Where MSAs or Standardized Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSA) cross stratum
boundaries, they are divided to fit within the strata. A probability sample of MSAs is selected, with
the probability proportional to the population size. Rural populations were not considered in the
sampling strategy. A hospital, medical examiner, or pathologist within each selected MSA is
designated to participate in the survey. Participants are requested to collect human adipose tissue
specimens from autopsied cadavers and surgical patients. Quotas for sample collection for each
participant are specified for age group, race group, and sex of donor. The extent to which these
samples reflect the prevalence in the general population is unclear. If the tissue is collected from
a cadaver, the donor should preferably have died suddenly (for example, from a car accident or a
heart attack). Cachexic (i.e., physically wasted and malnourished) patients, victims of pesticide
poisoning, and patients institutionalized for long periods of time are excluded. Samples are
composited by region and age-group before analysis, and all samples are sent to the laboratory
contractor (which changes from year to year).
Data on organochlorine pesticides and PCBs reported for the NHATS specimens up to the
FY82 collection are based on packed column gas chromatography/electron capture detector analysis.
The NHATS specimens collected during FY82 were selected for a broad scan analysis of volatile
and semi-volatile organic TSCA-related chemicals using high resolution gas chromatography/mass
spectrometry. Although broad scan analysis provided OTS with an expanded list of potentially toxic
compounds in adipose tissue, a large number of unidentifiable peaks existed. Therefore, a
procedure was subsequently developed to automatically characterize these unidentified peaks based
on a forward library search approach. This procedure resulted in the tentative identification of
many additional compounds, however, a significant number of peaks were still unresolved or
unidentified in the gas chromatography scan. As a final choice the traditional reverse search
approach was adopted on a larger set of target compounds that offered a greater degree of
selectivity and sensitivity. On the set of FY 82 composite samples target compound analysis was
done using three listings of chemicals selected as being among the most environmentally significant:
the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) Title III, Section 313 toxic chemical
listing; the SARA Section 110 listing; and a listing of 16 priority compounds from the unidentified
peaks study and targeted by EPA as chemicals of interest. Three-hundred and forty-nine
compounds were identified from these listings.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), Standardized Metropolitan Statistical
Area (SMSA)
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Time Coverage: 1967-present (Public Health Service administered NHATS from 1967-1970; EPA
from 1970-present)
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Annual
Regularity of sample collection: Collection quota is given on a yearly basis; design does not
specify that specimens must be collected at any specific time during the year
Source information: Not available
Dispersion information: Geographic trends rather than individual specific source receptor
relationships can be inferred
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Samples are composited according to geographic region and age group
prior to analysis
Standard procedures used: NHATS has developed its own protocols, most of which are
specifically designed for this program (e.g., broad-scan analysis method)
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Varies greatly - 1-5 years;
depends on budget availability for chemical analysis
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 4-10 months,
depending on the complexity of the data
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks; spikes; external laboratory
analyses; data entry audits
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
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. HtiMAN SAMPLES:
Adipose tissue: Semi-VOCs, pesticides and PCBs (1970-present); inorganic
ccj^jpounds and VOCs, (1982); dioxin/furans (1982, 1987)
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical iiffime or mixture
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
ULeyel of Data Aggregation: National and regional (census division) summary statistics are available
on ispecific agents on a yearly basis
Availability: .Any requester can obtain data
E&rm: Hard copy - Agency reports, journal publications
Machine readable — NotravaiMble
Reports: Available on an irregular basis as analyses -are completed; Available .reports include:
Broad Scan Analysis of the FY82 National Human Tissue 'Survey Specimens; Characterization
of the HRGC/MS Unidentified Peaks from the Analysis of Human Adipose Tissue; Baseline
Estimates and Time Trends for Beta-benzene hexachloride, Hexachlardbenzene, and
Pofychlorinated Biphenyls in Human Adipose Tissue, 1970-1983; Identification of SARA
Compounds in Adipose Tissue; Mirex Residue Levels in Human Adipose Tissue: A Statistical
Evaluation; Analysis for Pofychlorinated Dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) and Dibenzofurans (PCDF)
in Human Adipose Tissue: Method Evaluation Study, also numerous journals articles
Reference Documents: None >
Data/Reports Available From: National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal
Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650
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NATIONAL HUMAN MILK MONITORING PROGRAM
Acronym: None
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Pesticide Programs
(OPP)
Contact Person: Jerome Bloiuieli, U.S. EPA, OPP, Health Effects Division (H7509C), 401 M
Street SW, Washington, DC 20460, (703) 557-0336 _^
Objectives and Coverage:
The National Human Milk Monitoring Program contains the results of two studies: the
National Study to Determine Levels, of Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Insecticides in Human Milk
(conducted in 1975-1976), and a follow-up to this study, The Second National Study to Determine
Levels of Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Insecticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Human Milk
(conducted in 1976-1978). The objective of these studies was to estimate the distribution of
selected organochlorine pesticide and PCB levels in human milk among nursing mothers giving birth
in general care hospitals in the United States. A total of 1,436 milk samples were collected in the
first study and 1,842 in the follow-up study from women residing in urban and rural areas
throughout the contiguous Unites States The studies were designed to provide information on the
levels of pesticides and PCBs retained in human milk, the geographic variation in retention, and
the characteristics of nursing mothers (including age, dietary information, race, and number of
children nursed). Data collected are useful in estimating long-term trends in pesticide and PCB
levels in human milk. However, the degree to which these results can be generalized to the entire
population is limited because of potential selection bias (it was not known whether the subjects who
agreed to participate in the study differed from those who elected not to participated in it.)
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Human milk samples
Classes of compounds: Pesticides, PCBs
Type of data available: Summary statistics are available on specific agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
General care hospitals (622) were chosen from those that participated in the EPA Second
National Hospitalized Acute Pesticide Poisoning Study and were classified into one of five
geographic regions (northeast, southeast, midwest, northwest, southwest). The regions were derived
by grouping ten EPA regions into five. Within each of the regions, general care hospitals with
nursery facilities were stratified and a certain percentage were selected according to number of
births during a calendar year. Every effort was made to obtain information directly from the
selected individuals (mothers).
Residue analysis performed at participating laboratories included isolating the fat from the
milk and extracting the chlorinated hydrocarbons from the fat. Primary identification and
quantification of the pesticides were performed using a gas chromatograph with an electron capture
detector. During data analysis, standard chi-square tests for homogeneity of proportions were used
to statistically investigate differences in distribution of the residues of each contaminant in mother's
milk by geographic region, race, age, and number of children nursed. Differences in residue
concentrations between urban and rural areas were also examined. Analyses were limited to the
effects of factors individually rather than jointly; thus, reported differences with respect to one
factor were not adjusted for the effects of all other factors. Also, because of the small sample sizes
it was not possible to investigate the potential effects of employment in a pesticide related industry
and exposure to pesticides at home or at work.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Geographic region (northeast, southeast, midwest, northwest, southwest)
Time Coverage: 1974-1978
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Irregular; two studies conducted; mothers participating in
the studies provided one sample per study
Regularity of sample collection: Samples were collected at the same time in each sampling
period ,
Source information: No environmental samples were collected to examine the relationships
between the mothers' milk samples and environmental concentrations of pesticides
and PCBs. However, the results from the second study showed decreases in the
concentrations of pesticides and PCBs in mothers milk since the time of the first
study consistent with the banning or restriction of most of these materials in the
United States after the first study.
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Dispersion information: Limited to one of five geographic regions
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: EPA Analytical Standards for Chlorinated Pesticides;
procedures listed in the Manual of Analytical Methods for the evaluation, storage,
activation, and use of Florisil by Pesticide Community Studies Laboratories, Primate
Research Center, Perrine, Florida (1971)
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Several months
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 1 week
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Duplicates, spikes, external laboratory analyses
(designed and monitored by EPA), intralaboratory analyses, data entry audits, training of
field epidemiologists and analytical chemists
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES
Maternal milk Pesticides, PCBs
HUMAN SAMPLES
Milk: Pesticides, PCBs
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical or mixture name
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Summary statistics are available on specific agents
Availability: Any requester can obtain data
Form: Hard copy - Agency reports
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Reports: National Study to Determine Levels of Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Insecticides in Human Milk;
Second National Study to Determine Levels of Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Insecticides and
Poly chlorinated Biphenyls in Human Milk (E.P. Savage et al (1984)); distributed to the
National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
Reference Documents: Several listed at the end of each report; examples include: Insecticides in
Human Milk; DDT in Human Milk; The Insecticide Residues in Human Diet; Chlorinated
Hydrocarbon Insecticides in Plasma and Milk of Pregnant and Lactating Women
Data/Reports Available From: National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal
Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650; Jerome Blondell, U.S. EPA, OPP, Health
Effects Division (H7509C), Washington, DC 20460, (703) 557-0336 (for information on
reports)
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NATIONAL MARINE MAMMAL TISSUE BANK
Acronym: None
Sponsoring Agencies: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Contact Person: Stephen A. Wise, NIST, Building 222, Room B-158, Gaithersburg, MD 20899,
(301) 975-3112 .__
Objectives and Coverage:
The National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank was initiated in 1990 by NOAA, in conjunction
with NIST, to establish a representative collection of tissues from marine mammals for future
contaminant analyses and documentation of long-term trends in environmental quality. This project
is one of the many activities of the National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank (see separate entry in
Part II of this Inventory). The National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank is similar to the Alaskan
Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project (see separate entry in Part I of this Inventory) except that
it focuses on the continental U.S., whereas the Alaskan project focuses on Alaskan marine
mammals. Since most marine mammals are at or near the top of the food chain, chemical analysis
of their tissues may be useful in determining whether bioaccumulation of contaminants associated
with human industrial activities is occurring in the marine food chains. To date, only tissue samples
from marine mammals in the Northeast have been collected for inclusion in the National Marine
Mammal Tissue Bank. These include blubber and liver tissue samples from harbor porpoises
caught in nets by commercial fisheries and from pilot whales stranded on Cape Cod in
Massachusetts. Samples have been taken from a total of 14 of these animals to date. Plans for
future sampling include tissue collection of marine mammals from all coastal regions of the
continental U.S.
Detailed information was not available at the time of publication.
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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ENVIRONMENTAL DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Acronym: NPSEDMS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Air Quality Division
Contact Person: Mr. William Brick, Aerovironment, Rocky Mountains Region, 200 Union
Boulevard, Suite 311, Lakewood, CO 80228, (303) 989-2667
Objectives and Coverage:
NPSEDMS is maintained by the National Park Service (NPS) for the purpose of assessing
the effects of air pollution on vegetation in U.S. National Parks, primarily those designated as Class
I ("Clean Air" areas).
This database consists of air sampling results for criteria pollutants within these parks.
Utilizing these results, the NPS seeks to: assess the effects of air pollution on sensitive resources
in these parks; understand the nature and sources of air pollution; assess the effects of emission
control strategies to mitigate or eliminate the impact of existing and proposed emission sources on
NPS resources; and provide NPS personnel with the information needed to comply with statutory
resource management and protection responsibilities and to support other air quality related
management needs.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Air
Classes of compounds: Criteria pollutants
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
National Parks with 6,000 acres of land or greater are selected for inclusion in this program
based on their Clean Air Act class designation (class I parks are included), as well as ecoregion
representation and expected range of pollutant concentration.
A site visit is made at each park to determine appropriate sample locations, which include
cleared areas with electric power and a telephone system nearby, if possible. Other sites may be
selected for special sampling projects designed to determine damage to a particular plant life.
Time-integrated air samples for sulfur dioxide (two 24-hour samples each week of the year) are
collected on filter packs. If elevated concentrations are detected on a frequent basis, monitoring
of sulfur dioxide is conducted 24 hours/day throughout the year, using continuous monitoring
methods (pulsed fluorescence spectroscopy).
Air sampling for ozone is conducted 24 hours/day throughout the year, using continuous
chemiluminescence (ultraviolet absorption photometry) monitors, at all sites except Steam Town
National Historical Site, Scranton, PA.
Meteorological measurements are also taken at most parks in the program, with plans for
these measurements to be taken at all of these parks in the future.
All air quality and meteorological measurements are reduced to hourly, arithmetic averages,
except for vector wind speed, which is calculated to a vector average. All averages are reported to
the EPA Aerometric Information Retrieval System (AIRS) (see separate entry in Part II of this
Inventory).
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National, primarily in areas designated as Class I under the Clean Air Act
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude and universal transmercator coordinates of the monitor site;
name of county and state
Time Coverage: 1980-present (most sites on-line since 1987)
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Two 24-hour, time-integrated samples for sulfur
dioxide/week in most locations; continuous monitoring of sulfur dioxide, ozone,
and meteorological variables in some locations
Regularity of sample collection: Regular
Source information: Results of fine particulate sampling included in the NPS Visibility
Monitoring Program Database are used to relate data from NPSEDMS to sources
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Dispersion information: No data collected at source
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: NFS standard procedures are used for time-integrated samples;
EPA reference and equivalent methods EQOA-0577-019, EQOA-0881-053, EQSA-
0876-013, EQSA-0276-009 are used for continuous analyzers. The EPA methods are
referenced in: Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems
(Volume 1: Principles; EPA 600/9-76-005; Volume 2: Ambient Air Specific Methods,
EPA/600/4-77/027A); or Ambient Monitoring Guidelines for Prevention of Significant
Deterioration, EPA 450/4-87-007
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: 1-2 months for time-
integrated, sulfur dioxide samples; instantaneous for other continuous sulfur dioxide,
ozone and meteorological measurements; precipitation data recorded on event basis
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 24 hours-1 week
for continuous measurements; 45-90 days after each calendar quarter for the
integrated sulfur dioxide measurements
Qualify Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks; field blanks; duplicates; spikes;
data entry audits; EPA quality assurance requirements for continuous measurements found
in 40 CFR 58, Appendix A are followed
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR:
Outdoor Rural: Criteria pollutants (ozone and sulfur dioxide) and meteorological
measurements
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Database-specific codes or identifiers, or other codes (EPA's
AIRS database codes)
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DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents; various data extremes, averages, and doses are summarized by month for ozone and
sulfur dioxide; hourly measurements are available as well as graphical (time-series) plots of
data for all air quality and meteorological data
Availability: Although the general public does not have on-line access to this system, any requester
can obtain hard copies of the data by contacting any regional EPA office; federal, state, or
local governmental agencies and subcontractors of EPA may obtain data through EPA's
AIRS system
Form: Hard copy - Computer printouts
Machine readable — Tape, diskette (ASCII); on-line through EPA's AIRS system
Reports: Preliminary data available monthly for internal use only; Quarterly and Annual Reports
(for 1989 and 1990); it is anticipated that separate reports for quarterly and annual data will
be published for 1991; reports are distributed to state air pollution control agencies, EPA
Regional Offices, NPS Regional Offices, U.S. Forest Service Regional Offices, and
individual NPS units
Reference Documents: Code of Federal Regulations, Chapter 40, Parts 53-60, Protection of the
Environment
Data/Reports Available From: Miguel Flores, Department of the Interior, National Park Service,
Air Quality Division, P.O. Box 25287, Denver, Colorado 80225, (303) 969-2072
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NATIONAL PESTICIDE SURVEY
Acronym: NFS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Pesticide Programs
Contact Person: U.S. EPA, OPP Docket, Office of Pesticide Programs, 401 M Street SW,
Washington, DC 20460, (800) 426-4791
Objectives and Coverage:
Primary objectives of the NFS include regulatory, monitoring, and research activities. The
two goals of this one-time survey are: (1) to determine the frequency and concentration of
pesticides and nitrate in drinking water wells nationwide, and (2) to improve EPA's understanding
of how the presence of pesticides and nitrate in drinking water wells is associated with patterns of
pesticide use and the vulnerability of groundwater to contamination. The program was designed
to obtain information on public community water supply wells and rural domestic drinking water
wells nationwide. The survey does not assess the presence of pesticides or nitrate at the local,
county, or state levels, nor does it address the presence of pesticides or nitrate in ground water or
surface water generally. Instead, the survey focused on the quality of water in drinking water wells
before treatment, rather than the quality of drinking water at the tap.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Water (wells ~ municipal and private, before treatment or blending)
Classes of compounds: Pesticides, nitrate, inorganic compounds (127 analytes, total)
Type of data available: Summary statistics on specific agents
Estimation versus observational data: EPA sampled over 1,300 wells; estimated data were used to
determine pesticide use because actual county-level data were not available
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Sample Design and Analysis:
The National Pesticide Survey was designed to yield results that are statistically
representative of the nation's approximately 94,600 community water supply wells and 10,500,000
rural domestic water supply wells. Stratified random probability sampling methods were used to
select wells for water quality analysis. EPA sampled 540 community water supply wells in all 50
states and 752 rural domestic wells in 38 states. All counties in the United States were
characterized according to (a) pesticide use, and (b) the relative vulnerability of ground water to
contamination. Questionnaires were used to collect additional data describing the well and
surrounding area; well construction; pesticide use on the property where the well was located; and
information on crops, pesticide use, and land use within one-half mile of the well. Chemicals were
chosen that had potential to leach into ground water and which were used in at least one million
pound quantities nationwide in 1982. All pesticides regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act were
included.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude of the zip code centroid; street address; name of city,
municipality, or township; county/parish; state; congressional district; well
identification codes
Time Coverage: 1988-1990
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Each site sampled once
Regularity of sample collection: Sampling of over 1,300 sites spread out evenly in two-week
intervals during the year
Source and dispersion information: Questionnaires were used to identify locations and
activities that might affect the presence and levels of pesticides in drinking water
wells
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: Most methods found in Methods for the Determination of
Organic Compounds in Drinking Water, CERI (EPA/600/4-88/039); used 2 existing
EPA methods (NFS Methods 7 and 9) and developed 6 new methods (NFS Methods
1-6)
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Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: less than 14 days
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Database is to be
publicly released approximately a year and a half after the collection of the last
sample
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Lab blanks; field blanks; duplicates; spikes;
external lab analysis; data entry audits; field audits; interviewer training; 24-hour hotline for
sampling teams; logic checks; instrument control standards; reanalysis
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Groundwater, municipal, private: Inorganic compounds, pesticides
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CASRN);
chemical name or mixture; database - specific
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Summary statistics on specific agents (data on single location -- per well
— at one point in time); data are cross-referenced by chemical
Availability: Any requester (except that names and addresses of private well owners are
confidential); database will be publicly available approx. 8/91
Form: Hard copy — Agency reports
Machine readable — Tape (SAS)
Reports: National Pesticide Survey: Project Summary (Fall 1990); "Results and Findings"
Reference Documents: National Pesticide Survey: Survey Anafytes (Fall 1990); National Pesticide
Survey: Analytical Methods (Fall 1990);
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Data/Reports Available From: Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791; also available from state
pesticide regulators (e.g., agriculture departments); drinking water regulators (e.g., health
and/or environmental departments); and U.S. EPA, U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA), and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) headquarters and regions
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NATIONAL RESIDENTIAL RADON SURVEY
Acronym: NRRS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Radiation Programs
Contact Person: Frank Marcinowski, U.S. EPA, Office of Radiation Programs, 401 M Street SW,
(ANR-464), Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-4189 .
Objectives and Coverage:
The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) (Public Law 99-499, 1986)
Section 118(k) requires the U.S. EPA Administrator to conduct a national assessment of radon
levels where people normally live and work, including educational institutions. The National
Residential Radon Survey provides an estimate of the national frequency distribution of annual
average radon concentrations in occupied residences (97.5% of the 1980 United States population)
for each of the 10 EPA regions. The survey was designed to achieve reasonable precision in
estimating the number of homes with relatively high levels of radon concentration (above 10 pCi/L).
The survey is also intended to provide information from which correlations can be made between
radon concentrations, house construction, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
characteristics. In addition, the survey is designed to provide information on radon exposures to
sensitive populations, such as children and smokers.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Indoor air
Classes of compounds: Radon
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents; also distribution estimates on a national and regional basis
Estimation versus observational data: Observational assessments
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Sample Design and Analysis:
NRRS was divided into two phases. Phase I of the survey involved identifying the
households to be sampled, interviewing the residents of each household, and placing the detectors.
Phase II included panel maintenance, collection of the detectors, analysis of the data, and
production of a final report. Houses selected were those that were defined by the United States
Census as containing household populations, which account for approximately 97.5% of the United
States population, and those in which permanent residents lived. The study did not include
nonhousehold populations, such as inmates of institutions, military personnel in base housing or on
ships, or residents of college dormitories, rooming houses, convents, or halfway houses. Following
administration of the survey questionnaire, year-long alpha-track detectors (ATDs) were placed in
the participating residences. Detectors were placed at each level of the home used as living areas,
other than the basement. Single-level homes received one detector in the living area and one in
the bedroom area. Multi-level homes received a maximum of 3 detectors. A total of 7,134 homes
were selected for the survey, based on statistical and geographical coverage. After panel
maintenance, 6,285 (88 percent of Phase I) homes remained for Phase II — well above the target
value of 5,000 homes required to meet the survey precision. The detectors were retrieved through
the mail during the summer of 1990. The ATDs were analyzed, and statistical analyses performed
on the data. No information is available on the homes that did not return the detectors.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Primary sampling unit (PSU), consisting of census-defined counties or county
equivalents; latitude/longitude of the county centroid; census-tract (enumeration
district); zip code; street address; name of city, municipality, or township; state
Time Coverage: 1989-1990
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Yearly
Regularity of sample collection: Once a year, in June-August, in the same homes each year
Source information: Samples taken at individual homes
Dispersion information: Radon emanates from soil; hot spots are statistically identified
through measurements
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: For certain analyses, the arithmetic average of measurements taken at
several locations within a house are used
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Standard procedures used: U.S. EPA Indoor Radon and Radon Decay Product
Measurement Protocols; U.S. EPA Interim Protocols for screening and follow-up;
Radon and Radon Decay Product Measurements
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: 2 weeks-1 month
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 2 weeks
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks, field blanks, duplicates, spikes,
external laboratory analyses, data entry audits, performance evaluation audits, technical
systems audit
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not Applicable
SOIL Not Applicable
AIR
Indoor Homes: Radionuclides — radon
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Availability: Any requester can obtain data
Form: Hard copy — Agency reports, journal publications
Machine readable — Tape, diskette (ASCII)
Reports: National Residential Radon Survey Statistical Analysis, Volumes 1-3; available in summer
1992
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Reference Documents: Planning the Environmental Protection Agency's National Residential Radon
Survey; The National Residential Radon Survey: Final Quality Assurance Project Plan
Data/Reports Available From: Frank Marcinowski, U.S. EPA, Office of Radiation Programs, 401
M Street SW, (ANR-464), Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-4189
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NATIONAL SHELLFISH REGISTER
OF CLASSIFIED ESTUARINE WATERS
Acronym: Register
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA); Interagency Task Force on Shellfish Growing Waters (U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, NOAA)
Contact Person: Eric Slaughter, NOAA, Office of Ocean Resources Conservation and Assessment
(ORCA), Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) Division, Human Activities Branch,
6001 Executive Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852, (301) 443-8843
Objectives and Coverage:
The National Shellfish Register is a compilation of information about estuaries in the
United States that have been classified for shellfishing. To protect public health, approximately 19
million acres in 24 states are currently classified as either approved, conditionally approved,
restricted, or prohibited for shellfishing (for oysters, clams, and mussels). First published in 1966,
the Register was developed to inventory-acreage and classification status of shellfishing waters; later
versions have also included information on water quality (based primarily on fecal coliform levels).
The latest (1990) Register includes historical trends data; information on pollution sources
(including point and nonpoint sources), productivity of waters, and state management efforts;
reasons for changes from the 1985 classifications; and discussions of relationships between shellfish
production, classifications, pollution, and public expenditures. The Register is updated every 5
years, and data are being digitized using NOAA's Geocoast Geographic Information System
(GEOCOAST), which will store data, perform calculations, and print data onto nautical charts.
The development of these data is one of several interrelated activities of NOAA. A
separate database is maintained for each of these activities (see the National Status and Trends
Program and the National Coastal Pollutant Discharge Inventory (NCPDI) for descriptions of
related NOAA databases). Each of these databases use the same spatial framework and together
are used by NOAA for the strategic assessment of the Nation's coastal and oceanic resources.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Surface water (estuaries)
Classes of compounds: Microorganisms, inorganic compounds, pesticides, PCBs, radionuclides; also
meteorological and hydrographic data
Type of data available: Individual data entries on specific agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
The Register uses NOAA's National Estuarine Inventory (NEI), which was created to
provide a spatial framework that could be used in several related NOAA projects. The spatial
framework developed was the estuarine drainage area (EDA), defined by NOAA as that portion
of a watershed that most directly affects an estuary and is delineated by U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS) cataloging units and the head of the tide. Two atlas volumes were subsequently published
detailing the land use and physical and hydrologic characteristics of the estuarine systems within
the NEI.
Sampling requirements and procedures for the Register are based on the National Shellfish
Sanitation Program (NSSP) Manual. The NSSP requires that a sanitary survey be performed before
an area is approved as a source of shellfish harvesting. The sanitary survey identifies and evaluates
all actual and potential sources of pollution; determines the distance of such sources from shellfish-
growing areas; assesses the effectiveness and reliability of sewage treatment systems; ascertains the
presence of poisonous or deleterious substances; and collects and analyzes water samples from the
growing area, particularly for bacteriological quality. Sample collection should provide a profile of
adverse pollution conditions, reflecting point sources and meteorological, hydrographic, and
seasonal factors. Sampling is performed by state regulatory agencies, primarily for total or fecal
coliform. Sanitary surveys are reviewed at least annually by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) and are reevaluated every 3 years. "Hot spots," such as industrial discharge areas, are
sampled routinely. For the 1990 Register, NOAA examined state data and/or conducted field
investigations with state personnel for waters in over 100 estuaries.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National (24 shellfish-producing, coastal states)
Identifiers: National Ocean Survey nautical charts (being digitized); latitude/longitude of
point source, and monitor site (sometimes available); state; estuarine drainage area
Time Coverage: 1966-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: States collect data monthly; Register data are compiled
every 5 years
Regularity of sample collection: Varies; some states use adverse pollution conditions to
determine when to sample; others use scheduled random sampling
Source information: State sanitary surveys identify pollution sources, their positional
relationship, and the extent of their impact on shellfishing waters
Dispersion information: Not applicable
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Methods of Sample Analysis:
»
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: FDA National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) Manual
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: 1 week
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Varies by state
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Varies by state, but is referred to in the NSSP
Manual
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WA'IER
Surface: Microorganisms (total and/or fecal coliform bacteria, vibrio bacteria,
occasionally viruses, and dinoflagellates ,(for marine biotoxins, such as red
tide, which causes paralytic shellfish poisoning)); inorganic compounds;
pesticides; PCBs; and ladionuclides (primarily Gulf of Mexico)
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Varies by state
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries on specific agents; consistent with other NOAA
programs which use the NEI framework
Availability: Federal, state, or local governmental agencies may obtain data; National Technical
Information Service (NTIS); over 1,000 agencies and individuals in NOAA's user files will
automatically receive the 1990 Register
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Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts, Agency reports
Machine readable (for classification and pollution source data only; not available for water
quality results) — Diskette (RBase, Excel); other forms, varies by state
Reports: Generated irregularly except for the Register itself, for which a report is generated every
5 years
Reference Documents: 1990 National Shellfish Register; The Quality of Shellfish Growing Waters in
the Gulf of Mexico; The Quality of Shellfish Growing Waters on the East Coast of the United
States; The Quality of Shellfish Growing Waters on the West Coast of the United States; NSSP
Shellfish Sanitation Program: Manual of Operations
Data/Reports Available From: National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal
Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650; state offices (all relevant agencies in shellfish-
producing states); federal offices (those part of the Interagency Task Force on Shellfish
Growing Waters); industrial members of the Shellfish Institute of North America; contact
individual state health agencies for specific results, or contact the Register for referrals to
appropriate state official; Mitchell Katz, NOAA, (301) 443-8843
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NATIONAL STATUS AND TRENDS FOR MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Acronym: NS&T
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), Office of Ocean Resources Conservation and Assessment
(ORCA)
Contact Person: Thomas O'Connor, NOAA (OMA32), ORCA, Coastal Monitoring Bioeffects
Assessment Division, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852, (301) 443-8644
Objectives and Coverage:
The purpose of the NS&T Program is nationwide monitoring to determine the
environmental quality of estuarine and coastal waters and to detect any spacial or temporal changes.
The principal objectives of the NS&T database are to: 1) maintain and manage all chemical
concentrations reported from NS&T monitoring programs for marine organisms and sediments; 2)
provide data to other NOAA personnel for analysis; and 3) provide data to major data centers for
permanent storage. NOAA coordinates its NS&T program with the Near Coastal component of
EPA's Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) (see separate entry for
EMAP).
NS&T contains seven major components: the Mussel Watch Project; the Benthic
Surveillance Project; Biological Effects Surveys and Research; Historical Trends Assessment;
Specimen Banking; Regional Assessments; and a Quality Assurance Program. The Mussel Watch
Project monitors chemical levels in bivalve mollusks (mussels and oysters) and sediments. The
Benthic Surveillance Project monitors chemicals in benthic (bottom-dwelling) fish and associated
sediments; frequency of external and internal disease conditions in fish is documented. Biological
Effects Surveys are two- to three-year studies conducted in specific locations after previous studies
have indicated potential for substantial environmental degradation. These studies are designed to
provide detailed information of the magnitude and extent of ecosystem degradation. Biological
effects research has been conducted in Boston Harbor, southern California, Tampa Bay, Long
Island Sound, and the Hudson-Raritan Estuary; liver tumors, impaired reproduction, or genetic
toxicity in fish resulting from exposure to chemical contaminants have been studied in these areas.
The Historical Trends Assessment project combines new and historical data to provide
information about the evolution of environmental contamination, generally focusing on areas of
highest contamination of specific chemicals; fish, shellfish, and sediment data have been added to
provide information on long-term chemical contamination trends. The Environmental Specimen
Banking Project (see separate entry for the National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank in Part II of
this Inventory) maintains a specimen bank at the National Institute of Standards and Technology
in Gaithersburg, MD, for future uses (e.g., testing of chemicals that have not yet been identified
as toxic; use of new analytical methods). The Regional Assessment project seeks to compare local
levels of contamination to national-scale results. Finally, the Quality Assurance project seeks to
produce nationally uniform analytical results and to ensure comparability among data sets. All
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participating labbratories'must use standard procedures and standard reference materials, and must
perform routine tests to check reliability of techniques against both known and unknown chemical
samples.
The development of these data is one of several interrelated activities of NOAA. A
separate database is maintained for each of these activities (see the National Shellfish Register of
Classified Estuarine Waters and the National Coastal Pollutant Discharge Inventory (NCPDI) for
descriptions of related NOAA. databases). Each of these databases use the same spatial framework
and together are used by NOAA for the strategic assessment of the Nation's coastal and oceanic
resources.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Fish/shellfish (mussels and oysters, bottom-dwelling fish); marine sediments
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds; semi-VOCs; pesticides; PCBs; radionuclides
Type of data available: Individual data entries on specific agents
Estimated versus observational data: All observational data
Sample Design and Analysis:
NS&T uses NOAA's National Estuarine Inventory (NEI) (see separate entry), which was
created to provide a spatial framework that could be used in several related NOAA projects. The
spatial framework developed was the estuarine drainage area (EDA), defined by NOAA as that
portion of a watershed that most directly affects an estuary and is delineated by U.S. Geological
Survey (USGS) cataloging units and the head of the tide. Two atlas volumes were subsequently
published detailing the land use and physical and hydrologic characteristics of the estuarine systems
within the NEI.
NS&T sampling includes approximately 300 sites from near-coastal and estuarine waters.
Sites are located in all states, including Alaska and Hawaii. Monitoring sites are selected 10 to 100
km apart to collect data representative of large areas. Sites are regularly moved within areas,
although sampling strategy does not change. Distances between sites are less in estuaries and
embayments than along open stretches of coast. The site selection method is designed to avoid
small-scale patches of contamination. A uniform set of environmental measurements is applied
nationally. Information on source of pollutants is not determinable through the database. The
NS&T Program includes urban, suburban, and rural areas, and avoids "hot spots" and/or known
discharge points. Biological effects studies are conducted in areas that have moderate to high
contamination levels.
In the Mussel Watch Project, six separate composites from each site (three for organic
compounds and three for metal analyses) are collected. Each mussel composite contains 30
individuals, each oyster composite contains 20 individuals, and each sediment sample is made of
three composites. For most contaminants, bivalves accumulate chemicals at different rates;
therefore comparisons of biological data from different sites should always account for species type.
Comparisons among sites can also be made for sediment samples. In the Benthic Surveillance
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Project, chemical analyses are generally done on three composite samples of 10-20 fish livers each.
Sixty individuals are analyzed for microscopic changes caused by disease. Nationwide, 15 different
fish species are analyzed, with different species sampled at different sites. For the Specimen
Banking project, approximately 10 percent of samples collected at NS&T sites are stored in liquid
nitrogen at the National Institute of Science and Technology. The Historical Trends Assessments
Project focuses on two types of trends: those involving a single contaminant or contaminant class,
and those involving a number of contaminants at a specific geographical region over different time
periods. Chemical trends in the sediment cores can be examined through 5 to 10 year intervals.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude of monitor site
Time Coverage: 1984-present for benthic fish and sediments
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Yearly
Regularity of sample collection: Regular
Source information: None available
Dispersion information: All samples taken in near-coastal and estuarine waters
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: Benthic Surveillance and Mussel Watch Projects Sampling
Protocols; NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS OMA 40; NOAA Technical
Memorandum NMFS F/NWC-92; A Rapid High-Pressure Liquid Chromatographic
Method for Isolating Contaminants from Tissue and Sediment Extracts (Northwest
Fisheries Center); National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) standard
reference materials
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: 6 months
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 1 year
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks; field blanks; duplicates; spikes;
external lab analysis; data entry audits; annual inter-lab comparison exercises
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ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL
Sediment (marine): Inorganic compounds; semi-VOCs; pesticides; PCBs;
radionuclides; (more specifically, for the Mussel Watch and Benthic
Surveillance projects, this includes 24 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAHs); 20 cogeners of PCBs; DDT and its and breakdown products (DDD
and DDE); 9 other chlorinated pesticides; butyltins; 4 major elements; and
13 trace elements)
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES
Fish/Shellfish: Inorganic compounds; semi-VOCs; pesticides; PCBs; radionuclides;
(more specifically, for the Mussel Watch and Benthic Surveillance projects,
this includes 24 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); 20 cogeners of
PCBs; DDT and its breakdown products (DDD and DDE); 9 other
chlorinated pesticides; butyltins; 4 major elements; and 13 trace elements)
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Database-specific codes
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries on specific agents; consistent with other NOAA
programs which use the NEI framework
Availability: Any requester can obtain data
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts, agency reports, journal publications, some microfilm
Machine readable — Diskette, on-line (ASCII, Lotus, Excel, SPSS,, Rbase, as needed)
Reports: Irregularly published; depends on data submissions and timing of analysis; over 200
documents available, including: PCB and Chlorinated Pesticide Contamination in U.S. Fish
and Shellfish: A Historical Assessment Report; A Summary of Selected Data on Chemical
Contaminants in Sediments Collected During 1984,1985,1986, and 1987; A Summary of Data
on Tissue Contamination from the First Three Years (1985-1988) of the Mussel Watch Project
Reference Documents: None
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Data/Reports Available From: State officers of coastal states; SEA Grant Program, (401) 792-6114;
federal offices (NOAA, including NOAA Data Center, other offices if requested); Dr. Tom
O'Connor (301) 443-8655
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NATIONAL STREAM SURVEY
Acronym: NSS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and
Development; National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program (NAPAP) (multiagency,
including U.S. EPA)
Contact Person: Alan Herlihy, U.S. EPA, Environmental Research Laboratory, 200 SW 35th
Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, (503) 757-4442
Objectives and Coverage:
The National Stream Survey (NSS) was a component of the National Surface Water Survey,
which also included the Eastern and Western Lake Surveys (see separate entries for these databases
elsewhere in this Inventory). The NSS covered surface waters in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern
United States. Its objectives were to 1) determine the percentage, extent, location, and chemical
characteristics of streams that were acidic or that had low acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) and thus
might become acidic in the future; and 2) identify streams representative of important classes that
might be selected for more intensive study or long-term monitoring. The NSS contains chemistry
data, geographic attributes, and watershed descriptive information.
Summary of Environmental Data: •
Media: Surface water (streams)
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds, ions (including fluoride); physical and chemical
indicators of water quality
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
The NSS was designed to chemically and physically characterize a target population of
streams in the mid-Atlantic and southeastern United States based on a probability sample. For the
purposes of the NSS, streams were defined as water bodies that have drainage areas of less than
155 square kilometers (60 square miles), but are large enough to-be represented as blue lines on
l:250,000-scale U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps. This size was viewed as a
reasonable compromise that includes streams large enough to be important for fish habitat, yet still
small enough to be susceptible to the impacts of acidic deposition. During the spring of 1986, the
NSS sampled stream segments (corresponding to river reaches) of a stream network at both
upstream and downstream locations.
A two-stage statistical sampling procedure was developed to select a representative subset
of 500 stream reaches as a probability sample from which the characteristics of the total reach
population could be extrapolated. Reaches were excluded if they were too large, located within
metropolitan areas or tidal zones, or affected by oil field brine, acid mine drainage, or point source
pollution. The NSS used index values to describe the chemical status of each stream sampled.
Users of the NSS can readily examine subpopulations of interest. The NSS also includes results
of a pilot stream survey conducted in the southern Blue Ridge Province.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: Regional (mid-Atlantic; southeastern United States)
Identifiers: Latitude/Longitude of the monitor site; name of county/parish, state
Time Coverage: 1986
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: One time only
Regularity of sample collection: A total of one or two samples per site were collected in
the spring of 1986
Source and dispersion information: Acidic deposition typically originates from nonpoint
source pollution and impacts of various pollutants; specific sources are not
determined in this database
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
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Standard procedures used: EPA Methods for Chemical Analyses of Water and Wastes
(modified for acidic deposition research); Handbook of Methods for Acid Deposition
Studies, Laboratory Analysis for Surface Water Chemistry; Handbook of Methods for
Acid Deposition Studies, Field Operations for Surface Water Chemistry (all published
by the EPA Office of Research and Development)
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: 2-28 days, varies by analyte
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 3-6 months
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks; field blanks; duplicates; spikes;
external laboratory analyses; data entry audits; lab and field audits; natural audit samples
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Surface: Inorganic compounds; ions (including fluoride); physical and chemical
indicators of water quality
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPT.FS Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name or mixture
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries are available on specific agents. Summary
statistics are also available on specific agents, as cumulative distribution functions of
regional stream acid-base status
Availability: Any requester can obtain data
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts, Agency reports, journal publications .
Machine readable - Tape, diskette (ASCII, SAS)
Reports: National Stream Survey — Quality Assurance Report; Field Operations Report
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Reference Documents: National Stream Survey Database Guide; A Sampling and Analysis Plan for
Streams in the National Surface Water Survey
Data/Reports Available From: National Technical Information Service (NITS), 5285 Port Royal
Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650 (for data or report copies); Susan Christie,
(503) 757-4645 (for information on reports available)
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NATIONAL URANIUM RESOURCE EVALUATION
Acronym: NURE
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE); U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS)
Contact Person:
Objectives and Coverage:
NURE consists of radiometric and magnetic data from aerial surveys and geochemical data
from waters and sediments. Data are available by latitude/longitude. Data are available from:
USGS, EROS Data Center, Sioux Falls, SD 57198. For further information about NURE, write
U.S. Department of Energy, P.O. Box 2567, Grand Junction, CO 81502.
Detailed information was not available at the time of publication.
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NATIONAL VOC DATA BASE
Acronym: None
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and
Development
Contact Person: Dr. Larry T. Cupitt, U.S. EPA, Atmospheric Research and Exposure Assessment
Laboratory (AREAL), Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, (919) 541-2270
Objectives and Coverage:
Anticipation of new federal regulations for air toxics has placed added emphasis on the
measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in most states. Consequently, knowledge
concerning ambient atmospheric concentrations of VOCs has advanced considerably in the last
decade. A national ambient VOC database covering th'e period from 1970 to 1980 (Brodzinsky and
Singh, 1983) was previously prepared for EPA. This database has now been updated to include the
ambient outdoor and indoor VOC measurements collected between 1980 and 1987. Some personal
VOC monitoring data (e.g., from EPA's VOC Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM))
(see separate entry) studies were also included. The database was prepared by collecting,
evaluating, and consolidating reports (from researchers and the literature) of ambient and indoor
VOC concentrations in urban, rural, remote, source-dominated, and indoor environments; it covers
more than 300 potentially hazardous VOCs. All available data were included and given a quality
rating. Nevertheless, the original references should be consulted to obtain more detailed
information before using the database for specific applications.
The database, which is in dBase III+, is organized into 7 files: ambient daily average
concentrations, indoor daily average concentrations, sampling and analysis methods, sampling site
information, bibliographic data reference, chemical-specific and unit conversion information, and
a file containing lists of synonyms of and chemicals related to, the VOCs in the database. The
database is designed to be used with dBbase III+, which permits efficient linking of files and key
fields such as data reference, site type, and chemical name.
The primary and secondary objectives of this exposure database are research and
monitoring, respectively. The database can be used to: preliminarily compare air quality in urban,
non-urban, source-dominated, and indoor environments; highlight areas of adequate and inadequate
information; and provide a foundation for evaluating the implications of state and federal
regulations.
Even though within the database the data are reported to three significant digits in ppv, this
does not mean that all data are accurate to the ppt levels. Conversion of concentrations from ^g/m3
to ppb and different analytical techniques resulted in concentration values reported to three decimal
places. Other limitations of the database include assumptions made in filling in less-than-detectable
concentrations; combining multiple observations taken during a given day; and pooling results from
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widely different sites, and different sampling and analysis protocols. These and other limitations
must be kept in mind when using the database, which is primarily intended as a screening tool.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Air
Classes of compounds: VOCs
Type of data available: Individual samples are entered into the database; individual data entries
are available on specific agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
Sample Design and Analysis:
The data assembled in this project came from many different studies with a wide variety of
objectives, sampling time and methods, and analytical techniques. The 1980s VOCs Database,
published in 1983, contained data collected from 1970 to 1980 and was created under a previous
EPA contract. In updating this database, data published prior to 1980 were not specifically sought,
but were included in the 1987 database when discovered.
Data were sought by sending surveys to numerous individuals and by contacting researchers
by telephone. In addition, a computerized literature search was conducted using the Chemical
Abstracts Service Registry Number (CASRN) database accessed through the DIALOG Information
Retrieval Service; this yielded 3,000 references. The titles of these references were reviewed and
rejected if they indicated: (1) a study of emissions or sources; (2) a solely health-related study; (3)
a laboratory or modeling study; or (4) an industrial workplace study. Thus of the original 3,000
references, 710 were determined to be potentially eligible for inclusion in the update. As many of
these references as possible were located and reviewed. The database compilers actively sought
only the 151 VOCs targeted in the 1980 database. However, data about other eligible VOCs that
were sampled with the 151 targeted chemicals were also extracted. This increased the number of
chemicals to 320. Chemicals that were eligible for inclusion were non-pesticides with vapor
pressures greater than 10-6 Torr at 20 °C known to exist predominantly in the gas phase, not the
particle phase. '
Data were collected primarily in the United States. (A very limited amount of data from
Canadian sites were included in the 1980 database.) Data were sought from both indoor and
outdoor environments; indoor concentrations were limited to either residential or office spaces,
while outdoor spaces were limited to the fenceline and beyond. The vast majority of the data are
surface measurements of ambient VOCs. The database includes some aircraft samples taken from
the troposphere, but not from the stratosphere (10 to 50 km). When more than one sample was
taken per day, daily average concentrations were calculated through a weighting scheme in which
weights were assigned in proportion to the length of the sampling periods.
Within the database, the data are ranked and rated. In the 1980 VOCs database, a one-digit
quality code was assigned as follows: 1 for excellent, 2 for good, 3 for acceptable, 4 for
questionable, and Z when a quality code could not be assigned. However, the assignment of these
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quality codes was subjective. The authors integrated the available published and unpublished
information with their personal knowledge and experience to arrive at quality codes for the data.
In the updated database, these codes were left intact for the existing records. For new records,
however, a new and more objective ranking/rating system using composite scores was developed in
which scores of 2.0 to 2.3, 2.3 to 2.9, 3.0 to 3.6, and more than 3.6 to 5.0 indicate satisfactory,
average, good, and very good data quality, respectively. A score of less than 2 indicates that a
quality code could not be assigned.
Users should consult the original references to obtain more detailed information and to
assess the applicability of the rating and ranking scheme to their requirements before using the
ranking and rating scores.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National; Canada (limited data for Canada only for 1970-1980)
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude of the city and monitor site; street address; city,
municipality, or township; county/parish; state; Storage and Retrieval of Aerometric
Data (SAROAD) number when available
Time Coverage: 1970-1984
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Variable; depends on particular source of data
Regularity of sample collection: This is a compilation of data reported in the literature; no
standard sampling regimen
Source information: No
Dispersion information: Not applicable
. Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Depends on specific investigator; all of the values reported by the original
investigator are included
Standard procedures used: Depends on specific investigator; sampling and analysis
procedures are included for each chemical at each site for each reference
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Depends on specific investigator;
this information, if provided, is included in the VOC method database file for each
concentration reported
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Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Unknown;
varies among different studies
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: When the 1980 database was updated, data records
from 28 randomly selected references (20 percent of the references from which data were
extracted) were examined and'checked for data extraction and input errors; virtually none
were found. To ensure accuracy in the entry of new data, the following quality assurance
procedures were used: only experienced data entry personnel were used; they worked short
periods of time each day to avoid errors induced by fatigue and boredom; much of the data
were transferred into the database directly from diskettes or magnetic tape (data were
checked to ensure accurate transfer); error-checking routines were included in the dBase
Ill-f software package; all data entries were checked independently to identify errors;
scatterplots and other graphic display techniques were used to identify "outliers" or
potentially erroneous data; data outliers were rechecked to ensure that the information was
correct; and a number of EPA staff members and scientists reviewed the project for
accuracy and consistency of data evaluation and reporting.
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR
Indoor homes and public buildings; outdoor urban, remote, suburban, source-
dominated, and rural; personal; workplace/office: VOCs
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CASRN);
chemical name assigned by CAS; synonyms; database-specific codes; chemical formula
written following CAS conventions
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual samples are entered into the database; individual data
entries are available on specific agents
Availability: Any requester can obtain data
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Form: Hard copy - Agency reports, Diskette (ASCII); the database is available on microcomputer
(IBM PC-compatible) diskettes for use with dBase III+; a utility program written in dBase
III+ is also available for entering new data into one of five VOC databases and/or
extracting pertinent data based on a set of user identifiable filters.
Reports: None
Reference Documents: U.S. EPA Project Report: National Ambient Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs) Database Update. February 1988. Atmospheric Sciences Research Laboratory,
Office of Research and Development, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711.
EPA/600/3-88/010(a).
Brodinsky, R. and H.B. Singh. 1983. Volatile Organic Chemicals in the Atmosphere: An
Assessment of Available Data. Environmental Sciences Research Laboratory, U.S. EPA,
Research Triangle Park, NC. EPA-60Q/3-S3^027(A).
Shah, JJ. and H.B. Singh. 1988. Distribution of volatile organic chemicals in outdoor and
indoor air. Environmental Science and Technology- 2 22(12): 1381-1388.
Data/Reports Available From: Dr. Jitendra Shah, President, G2 Environmental, Inc., 304 S.W.
Hamilton Street, Portland, OR 97201, (503) 228-2335; National Technical Information
Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650
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NATIONAL WATER INFORMATION SYSTEM II
Acronym: NWIS-II
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Water
Resources Division (WRD)
Contact Person: JohnBriggs, USGS, WRD, National Center, MS-437,12201 Sunrise Valley Drive,
Reston, VA 22092, (703) 648-5624
Objectives and Coverage:
The National Water Information System II is the new name of the National Water Data
Storage and Retrieval System (WATSTORE). The USGS is presently in the process of designing
this new system which will include a broader range of environmental data than the current
WATSTORE database (see separate entry for WATSTORE in this Inventory). Although the
design of the program will change, all of the information from the current WATSTORE database
will be transferred to the new system and available to users. The new system will be phased in
during 1993 and 1994.
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NATIONAL WATER QUALITY NETWORKS PROGRAM
Acronym: None
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Dept. of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Water Resources
Division (WRD)
Contact Person: Timothy Miller, USGS, WRD, MS-412, National Center, 12201 Sunrise Valley
Drive, Reston, VA 22092, (703) 648-6868
Objectives and Coverage:
USGS's National Water Quality Networks include the National Stream Quality Accounting
Network (NASQUAN), the National Hydrologic Benchmark Network, the Radiochemical
Surveillance Network, and the Tritium Network. The primary objective of NASQUAN, the largest
of these networks, is to detect water quality conditions and trends over time in surface waters, and
when possible to relate trends to upstream land and water use. A secondary objective is the
estimation of constituent loads from the continent to coastal areas and the Great Lakes. In
addition, information on the transport of constituents by rivers to the ocean is available through
NASQUAN. Users can generate maps containing information of interest. Each NASQUAN
station represents an integration of upstream water quality conditions, and therefore may not
identify specific water quality conditions in other areas of the watershed.
The Radiochemical Surveillance Network operates at selected sites within NASQUAN;
samples are taken for gross radiochemical data for several isotopes. NASQUAN data are used by
state agencies to write federally mandated reports and by other government and private
organizations for research.
The Benchmark Network monitors natural streamflow and water quality of small river basins
known to be relatively unaffected by human activity. The objectives of the Benchmark Network are
to document natural changes in hydrologic characteristics and to provide a comparative base for
studying the effects of human activity on the hydrologic environment. Data from the Benchmark
Network are used to detect water quality trends and to describe water quality conditions.
The Tritium Network monitors tritium concentrations in precipitation and streamflow at
network stations. Detectable levels of tritium in the environment are used as a tracer to study the
movement and mixing of water in the hydrosphere. Data from this network are used to study
deposition and outflow of tritium for the continental United States and to approximate average
residence times of water within river basins. Tritium data are best used to study processes that
occur on a timescale of 10 to 100 years.
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Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Surface water
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds; microorganisms; physical and chemical indicators of
water quality; ions (including fluoride) (NASQUAN and Benchmark Networks);
radiochemicals (Radiochemical and Tritium Networks)
Type of data available: Individual data entries on specific agents at specific locations; some
summaries of data are available
Estimation versus observational data:
NASQUAN and Benchmark Networks: All observational data
Tritium Network: Observational and estimated data
Sample Design and Analysis:
NASQUAN and Benchmark Network monitoring stations cover the entire United States
(NASQUAN covers the continental United States, Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico; Benchmark
includes the same except for Puerto Rico). NASQUAN currently includes 410 sites. These are
generally selected near the downstream end of hydrologic units known as accounting units
(established by the Water Resource Council) or at representative sites along coastal areas and the
Great Lakes. (Accounting units are part of a standardized system to identify locations of water
bodies based on hydrologic features, similar to the river reach system.) NASQUAN site selection
allows for sampling of large rivers and major tributary streams for physical and chemical
characteristics, and covers more than 90 percent of the surface water volume in the United States.
Currently there are approximately 525 accounting units that range in size from 200 to 600 square
miles. Sampling is conducted at a fixed location on a fixed schedule for each site. Hydrologic units
include urban, suburban, and rural/agricultural areas.
The Radiochemical Network consists of 46 sampling sites within NASQUAN. The
Benchmark Network consists of 58 sampling sites generally located in national or state forests, other
reserve areas, or on private land. The Tritium Network includes 30 sampling sites (14 streamflow
and 16 atmospheric precipitation sites) in approximately 11 states (previously, the Tritium Network
was nationwide; data are available for these inactive sites). For years when no data were available
at a given station, tritium deposition was estimated based on available data from other locations
(e.g., Canadian and.other sites operated worldwide by the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA)). Accuracy of most tritium samples are within 3 percent.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: NASQUAN, Radiochemical, and Benchmark Networks: National
Tritium Network: 11 states (although data are available for nationwide inactive
sites)
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Identifiers:
NASQUAN and Radiochemical Networks: Latitude/longitude of each monitor site;
assigned codes for counties and monitoring sites; name of county/parish;
state; hydrologic unit codes; station identification number and name;
identification is made uniquely using sample location, date, and time
Benchmark Network: Latitude/longitude of county, monitor site; name of county,
state; hydrologic code; downstream order number
Tritium Network: Latitude/longitude of the monitor site; name of county, state
Time Coverage:
NASQUAN and Radiochemical Networks: 1973-present
Benchmark Network: 1964-present
Tritium Network: Early 1960s-present (tritium deposition estimates available from
1953)
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Mixed frequency, varies by site and chemical type, and
network
NASQUAN: Originally, all sites were sampled monthly; now 60 percent of sites are
sampled six times per year, 40 percent are sampled quarterly (dissolved trace
elements are sampled quarterly; nutrients, major ions, field parameters, and
bacteria are measured at each visit)
Radiochemical: Twice a year
Benchmark: 73 percent of the sites are sampled quarterly, 23 percent bimonthly, and
4 percent monthly
Tritium: Monthly composite precipitation samples (3-month composites at some
stations) taken at Tritium Network stations, with monthly streamflow grab
samples taken from selected Tritium Network locations
Regularity of sample collection:
NASQUAN, Radiochemical, and Benchmark: Samples are collected about the same
time within each period; however, variance is allowed for weather conditions
and workloads; variation may be plus or minus a few weeks
Tritium: Within the same week each month
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Source and dispersion information: Not available through the USGS National Water
Quality Networks (may be available through other databases, such as the EPA
Needs Survey; Resources for the Future's Environmental Data Inventory; USD A1982
National Resource Inventory; U.S. Census of Agriculture; Ethyl Corporation's U.S.
Gasoline Consumption Report; the Salt Institute's U.S. Road Salt Application Report;
the Department of Energy's Trends in Motor Gasoline (1942-81))
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used:
NASQUAN, Radiochemical, and Benchmark: Methods for collection, preservation,
and analysis are all USGS approved methods, such as: Techniques of
Water-Resource Investigations (TWRI), Book 5, Ch. A4, Methods for Collection
and Analysis of Aquatic, Biological, and Microbiological Samples; TWRI, Book
5, Ch. Al, Methods for Determination of Inorganic Substances in Water and
Fluvial Sediments; USGS Open File, Report 90-140, Methods for Collection
of Surface Water and Bed-sediment Samples for Physical and Chemical
Analyses
Tritium: Variation of the National Bureau of Standards Method 492
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: .
NASQUAN, Radiochemical, and Benchmark: For nutrients, approximately 2
weeks; for ions and trace elements, approximately 1 month
Tritium: 1-2 years
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database:
NASQUAN, Radiochemical, and Benchmark: Approximately 2 months
Tritium: Varies according to USGS District Offices; generally every few years
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures:
NASQUAN, Radiochemical, and Benchmark: Laboratory blanks; external laboratory
analyses; data entry audits; standard water reference samples; blind analyses of
samples of known concentration
Tritium: Lab blanks; some blind samples; the IAEA performs external lab analyses every
10 years
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ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Surface: NASQUAN and Benchmark: Dissolved inorganics, major ions (including
fluoride), trace elements, dissolved and total nutrients, bacteria, physical and
chemical indicators of water quality
Radiochemical: Grossradiochemicals (alpha-radioactivity —naturaluranium;
beta-radioactivity --cesium-137, strontium-90^ttrium-90 equilibrium mixture;
uranium; radium-226)
Tritium: Tritium
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions'Used to Identify Agents: Chemical or mixture name; Storage and Retrieval of Water
Quality Data (STORET) parameter codes and descriptions (see separate entry)
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Analytical results are stored as discrete data; individual data entries are
available on specific agents; some summaries of data have been made and data analysis and
interpretations published
Availability: Any requester can obtain data
Data for the NASQUAN, Radiochemical, and Benchmark Networks are stored in the USGS
Water Storage and Retrieval System (WATSTORE) and in the EPA's Storage and
Retrieval of Water Quality Information (STORET) database and can be accessed
through either system (see separate entries for each of these systems elsewhere in
this inventory); data can also be accessed through the USGS National Water Data
Exchange (NAWDEX)
Some Tritium Network data (pre-1981) is stored in WATSTORE
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Form: NASQUAN and Benchmark:
Hard copy — Computer printouts; Agency reports (annual report by state)
Machine readable - Tape; on-line (ASCII); CD-ROM available through US West,
Inc., Denver, CO
Tritium:
Machine readable — on-line
Reports:
NASQUAN, Radiochemical, and Benchmark: Agency reports (compilation of flow and
water quality data by state); Water Resources Division Information Guide (overviews
of programs, locations of USGS water regions and districts, contact persons); journal
articles (e.g., on water quality trends, lead concentration, pesticides, acid
precipitation, and fecal coliform in U.S. rivers)
Tritium: Some published reports —Residence Times in River Basins as Determined by Analysis
of Long-Term Tritium Records; Tritium Deposition in the Continental United States,
1953-83
Reference Documents: USGS Open File Report 83-533 (statistical summary of data from the USGS
National Water Quality Networks)
Data Reports Available From:
NASQUAN, Radiochemical, and Benchmark: On-line registered users of STORET or
WATSTORE (can be accessed directly or through the USGS National Water Data
Exchange — NAWDEX); on-line through USDS district offices and some federal and state
agencies that have cooperative agreements with NAWDEX, (703) 648-5664; hard copy (call
NAWDEX); for Information Guide, call USGS Chief Hydrologist for Operations, (703) 648-
5031; for journal articles, call USGS Office of Water Quality's National Networks
Coordinator, Bob (703) 648-6861
Tritium: On-line and some hard copy data available; call USGS District Offices, or Robert
Michel, (703) 648-5968
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NONOCCUPATIONAL PESTICIDE EXPOSURE STUDY
Acronym: NOPES
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Atmospheric Research and
Exposure Assessment Laboratory, Office of Research and Development
Contact Person: Andrew E. Bond, U.S. EPA, Atmospheric Research and Exposure Assessment
Laboratory (AREAL), MD-76, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, (919) 541-4329
Objectives and Coverage:
EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) and Office of Pesticide Programs
(OPP) conducted the Nonoccupational Pesticide Exposure Study (NOPES) to assess the level of
pesticide exposure experienced by the general U.S. population. NOPES utilized the Total Exposure
Assessment Methodology (TEAM) to estimate exposure. (See also Volatile Organic Compound
TEAM (VOC TEAM), Particle TEAM (PTEAM), and Carbon Monoxide TEAM (CO TEAM)).
The TEAM approach applies probabilistic population sampling techniques; indoor, outdoor, and
personal exposure monitoring; and human activity pattern data for multiple routes of exposure to
support total human exposure assessment. NOPES carried this process one step further by
estimating potential human health effects associated with nonoccupational exposures to pesticides
by selected study areas and associated monitoring seasons. The primary methodological objective
of NOPES was to develop and refine the monitoring instrumentation, laboratory procedures, and
survey questionnaires needed for a TEAM study of pesticides. The overall analytical objective of
NOPES was to estimate the levels of nonoccupational exposure to selected household pesticides
through air, drinking water, food, and dermal contact. Specific objectives were to: 1) estimate
exposure levels for the populations of two urban areas of the United States; 2) assess the relative
importance of each exposure pathway to the overall level of exposure; 3) characterize the
components of variability in the observed exposure levels; and 4) investigate and, if possible, model
the relationships between exposure levels; rates of use, activity patterns, and other factors that could
contribute to variation in exposure levels.
Summary of Environmental Data
Media: Air, water, food sources, dermal contact
Classes of compounds: Pesticides
Types of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics on specific agents
/
Estimation versus observational data: Air, water, and dermal contact pesticide concentrations were
measured directly; food exposures were estimated indirectly
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Sample Design and Analysis:
The NOPES project was designed to test whether the TEAM approach could be adapted
to estimate exposures to selected household pesticides and pesticide degradation products from air,
drinking water, food, and dermal contact in stratified random samples of the populations in two
urban areas, Jacksonville, FL and Springfield and Chicopee, MA. Jacksonville was selected to
represent an area of the country with relatively high pesticide use, and the Springfield region was
selected to represent an area of low-to-moderate pesticide use. The Springfield area was broadened
to include the neighboring town of Chicopee to increase the variety of housing types and ensure
a sufficient population size for screening. The design also permitted examination of several
components of the variation in pesticide air exposures, including regional differences, seasonal
changes, short-term temporal variations, and interpersonal differences in patterns of use.
In each study area, the target population (i.e., the population from which statistical
inferences were to be made) consisted of individuals at least 16 years of age. Participants were
selected at random using standard area household survey sampling techniques. The NOPES
sampling design is a three-stage design. Probability sampling was used at all stages of selection to
ensure that the sample was statistically representative and to allow valid statistical inferences to be
made from the data. In the first stage of the sampling design, a stratified sample of relatively small
Census-defined geographic areas (blocks or groups of blocks) was randomly selected in each study
area. At the beginning of each season's data collection, a second-stage random sample of housing
units was selected, and the sample households were screened to ascertain characteristics of their
dwellings and residents. The screening data were used to stratify the sample households into three
categories based on the potential for exposure to pesticides from indoor air (high, medium, and
low). The goal for each season's third-stage sample was to have 50 percent high-exposure
respondents, 30 percent medium-exposure respondents, and 20 percent low-exposure respondents.
Attempts were made to contact all persons selected in the third-stage sample for participation in
the monitoring and interview portion of the study. Third-stage sample members were randomly
selected, and no more than one person was selected from any one household. The final number
of respondents selected for personal and indoor monitoring was 173 individuals in Jacksonville and
86 individuals in Springfield/Chicopee. The overall response rates from the third and second stages
combined were 45 percent for Jacksonville and 40 percent for Springfield/Chicopee.
Methodology was developed for collecting and analyzing air samples for 32 selected
pesticides and pesticide degradation products. Emphasis was placed on both identifying and
quantitating the target pesticide compounds. The questionnaires and monitoring and analysis
procedures were tested in a pilot study conducted in Jacksonville, FL in August and September
1985.
To permit assessment of regional and seasonal variations in exposure levels, the main
NOPES data collection was conducted in three phases: Phase I—summer 1986 in Jacksonville, FL;
Phase II—spring 1987 in Jacksonville, FL, and Springfield and Chicopee, MA; and Phase
in—winter 1988 in Jacksonville, FL and Springfield, and Chicopee, MA. In both study areas, some
sample members were asked to participate in all seasons of the study, whereas others were recruited
only for a single season. Monitoring some people in more than one season permitted assessment
of whether the overall differences observed between seasons were due to true seasonal variations
or random sampling variations. Short-term temporal variations were addressed by monitoring some
respondents twice in the same season.
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For each sample member who agreed to participate in the study, a study questionnaire was
administered, personal and area air sampling were conducted (two or more fixed-site locations; at
least one inside and outside of the respondent's home), and an activity log questionnaire was
administered at the end of the 24-hour monitoring period.
In some households drinking water samples (29) were collected for analyses. Dermal
exposure during pesticide application events was also estimated for a small number of respondents
by analyzing cotton gloves worn during typical application events following the regular monitoring
period. Food exposure to pesticides was estimated indirectly by using residue concentration
information from the Total Diet Study (see description in Part I of this Inventory) together with
dietary intake data, which was collected for each individual in the survey population.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: City or municipality (Jacksonville, FL and Springfield/Chicopee, MA)
Identifiers: City, state
Time Coverage: 1985-1988
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Single and multi-seasons data collection over three
years
Regularity of sample collection: Samples were collected in Jacksonville, FL during the
summer of 1985 and 1986, spring 1987, and winter 1988. Samples were collected in
Springfield and Chicopee, MA during spring 1987 and winter 1988.
Source and dispersion information: In addition to indoor air monitoring, information on
pesticide use and application in the last 48 hours was collected. Also, pesticide
levels in house dust were analyzed in a subset of homes. Exploratory analysis of this
database was conducted. Multivariate air exposure models for pesticides may be
constructed in the future using the NOPES data.
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: Analysis of the polyurethane foam (PUF) plug, water and glove
samples followed protocols developed by Southwest Research Institute for the
NOPES target compounds; chlordane and heptachlor concentrations were
determined following American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) methods;
extraction samples collected by PUF were analyzed according to EPA .Method 608
(Methods 608, 1984); gas chromatography with an electron capture detector
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(GC/ECD) was used for quantitation of chlorinated target compounds, and gas
chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) served as a confirmation analysis
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: 5-7 days
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 14 days
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks, field blanks, duplicates,
spikes, external laboratory analysis, data entry audits
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Drinking water: Pesticides
SOIL Not applicable
AIR
Indoor homes; outdoor rural; personal monitor: Pesticides
FOOD SOURCES
Not directly measured; inferred indirectly by coupling pesticide residue information
in the TDS with individual dietary intake data collected as part of NOPES
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identity Agents: Chemical name or mixture
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Availability: Any requestor can obtain the data tapes by directly contacting EPA or accessing the
files through the National Computer Center
Form: Machine readable — tape (ASCII), on-line (ASCII)
Reports: Nonoccupational Pesticide Exposure Study (NOPES) - Final Report (EPA/600/3-90/003
distributed through EPA libraries and regional offices, and the National Technical
Information Service (NTIS), NTIS Pub. No. PB90 - 152224/AS.
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Reference Documents: Nonoccupational Pesticide Exposure Study (HOPES) Phase I with Addendum.
EPA/0-90/001; Nonoccupational Pesticide Exposure Study (NOPES) Phase II Interim Report,
Vols. 1 and 2. EPA/600/0-90/004; Nonoccupational Pesticide Exposure Study (NOPES) Phase
III Interim Report, Vols. 1 and 2. (EPA/600/0-90/004).
Data/Reports Available From: NHS, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-
4650; for data requests contact Andrew E. Bond, U.S. EPA, Atmospheric Research and
Exposure Assessment Laboratory (MD-76), Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, (919) 541-
14329
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NORTHEAST REGIONAL OXIDANT STUDY
Acronym: NEROS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and
Development, Atmospheric Research and Exposure Assessment Laboratory (AREAL)
Contact Person: John Clarke, U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, AREAL, MD-80,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, (919) 541-3660
Objectives and Coverage:
The objective of the Northeast Regional Oxidant Study (NEROS) was to develop a database
for the evaluation of an EPA regional model of ozone formation, transport, and removal and to
obtain data for the study of oxidant formation and transport in urban plumes and on a regional
scale. NEROS was a special-research field study conducted over one-month periods during the
summers of 1979 and 1980. The 1979 study focused on the measurement of regional ozone and
precursor patterns and development of data used to evaluate the performance of the model. The
1980 study focused on measurements to understand physical and chemical processes of ozone
formation and transport, including: urban plume studies in Columbus, Ohio, and Baltimore,
Maryland; regional plume dispersion and chemical studies; and ozone dry deposition and boundary
layer structure measurements over forests and crop lands. NEROS included the northeastern
portion of the United States, encompassing the area east of about 84° longitude and north of 38°
latitude. NEROS was coordinated with a separate but related project called Persistent Elevated
Pollution Episodes (PEPE). An extensive database was generated, called the General Distribution
Database (GDDB) of PEPE-NEROS.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Air
Classes of compounds: Criteria pollutants (NO^ CO,O3, SO2), VOCs (hydrocarbons), ions
(including sulfate, nitrate, ammonium), index of fine particles (scattering coefficient)
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
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Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
Sample Design and Analysis:
NEROS was a large field measurements program sponsored by the EPA Atmospheric
Sciences Research Laboratory, other federal agencies (NASA, the Department of Energy, the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Federal Aviation Agency, the Tennessee
Valley Authority, and the National Science Foundation), industry, and universities in 1979 and 1980.
Chemical, optical, and meteorological measurements were made from stationary and mobile
platforms and included airborne and ground-based sampling and both in-situ and remote-sensing
sampling. A Lagrangian sampling mode was used (i.e., an initial specified volume of air was
sampled at several forecast positions as it was being transported over the study area). The sampling
design provided three-dimensional validation data for a regional air model extending from eastern
Ohio to the East Coast, and from northern Virginia to southern Maine.
In August, 1979, a regional-scale aircraft sampling program was conducted using three
aircraft to obtain: continuous measurements of ozone, oxides of nitrogen, and sulfur dioxide; grab
samples to be analyzed later for hydrocarbon species; scattering coefficient by nephelometer; and
meteorological data. Aircraft flew alternately within the mixing layer and above it. Meteorological
data were used to establish the orientation and spacing of the flight tracks. Surface deposition rates
and cloud venting of boundary-layer ozone were also studied near Lancaster, PA.
The 1980 field program was conducted jointly with the Persistent Elevated Pollution
Episodes (PEPE) program, which studied regional haze episodes. For the Columbus, Ohio,
component of the 1980 NEROS study, three principal chemical sampling aircraft were used which
were equipped to make continuous measurements of trace gases (O3, NO/NO,, and SO2) and to
sample for aerosols (e.g., particulate sulfur, sulfuric acid) and meteorological and navigational
parameters. Each aircraft also collected integrated filter samples, which were analyzed for sulfate,
nitrate, and other species. In addition, whole air grab sample canisters were taken for detailed
hydrocarbon speciation. Other aircraft were used for fast-response and regional-scale
measurements (e.g., remote-sensing in long-range flights, both outside the mixing layer and looking
down into the mixing layer; vertical ozone profiles; and aerosol and ozone spatial distribution. The
regional-scale transport data were conducted primarily over forests and croplands because these
areas composed most of the study area and also to obtain uniformity of terrain offered by rural
areas (urban areas have many confounding factors) and to study removal of pollutants by forests
and croplands. The Canadian Atmospheric Environment Service also took aircraft measurements,
filter samples at three sites, and meteorological soundings along the United States-Ontario border.
In addition to aircraft measurements, ground measurements in the 1980 Columbus, Ohio,
study were taken at fixed sites for air quality parameters, such as ozone, NO/NO,,, hydrocarbon
species, aldehydes, and meteorological data. Vertical ozone profiles above the ground were
measured by a tethered balloon. Two mobile ground platforms also measured a variety of air
quality parameters (gaseous and aerosol, including detailed aerosol size distribution); other mobile
units made meteorological measurements.
The 1980 NEROS study also included the Baltimore, Maryland area for which in-situ
pollutant and meteorological measurements were made using three aircraft and a mobile van on
22 days from July to August. Other pollutant measurements were made from ground stations and
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a tethered balloon system; meteorological data were obtained from pilot balloons, radiosondes, and
acoustic sounders.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: Regional (Northeast, from eastern Ohio to the East Coast and northern Virginia
to southern Maine, with urban plume studies at Columbus, OH, and Baltimore,
MD)
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude of the monitor site
Time Coverage: 1979-1980
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Samples collected twice, once in 1979 and once in 1980,
each time over a one-month period in the summer of each year
Regularity of sample collection: Sampling conducted on specific days during the field study,
only during favorable meteorological conditions
Source information: Not available
Dispersion information: The 1980 study obtained data to analyze plumes from area and
point sources, including the spread of the plume as it moved away from the source
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: Both routine and new methods were employed; few procedures
were standardized as EPA methods at the time of this study (1979-1980); state-of-
the art instrumentation was used
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Varied — immediate for real
time samples (for ozone, oxides of nitrogen, SO2); one week for canisters (for
hydrocarbons); several months for filter packs (for sulfate, nitrate, etc.)
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 6 months to 1 year
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks; field blanks; duplicates;
external laboratory analysis; data entry audits
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ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR
Outdoor urban and rural: Criteria pollutants (NO^ CO, O3, SO2), VOCs
(hydrocarbons), ions (including sulfate, nitrate, ammonium), index of fine
particle pollution (nephelometer scattering coefficient)
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identity Agents: Chemical name or mixture
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics (grouped by day of
measurement) are available on specific agents
Availability: Any requester can obtain data
Form: Hard copy — Reports; journal publications
Machine readable — Tape (ASCII)
Reports: Project PEPE-NEROS (1980): Measurements and Data Base --An Overview (NTTS PB 88-
238472); NEROS Baltimore Plume Study (various volumes covering topics such as database
format description, quality assurance, mission and description, and vertical wind profiles)
Reference Documents: None
Data/Reports Available From: National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal
Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650 (for PEPE-NEROS Overview only); John
Clarke, U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, AREAL, MD-80, Research
Triangle Park, NC 27711, (919) 541-3660 (for all other reports, journal articles, and data)
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OCEAN DATA EVALUATION SYSTEM
Acronym: ODES
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Water
Contact Person: Bob King, U.S. EPA, Office of Water, (WH 556F), 401 M Street SW,
Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-7050
Objectives and Coverage:
The Ocean Data Evaluation System (ODES) was developed for the EPA 301(h) sewage
discharge program and is used for regulatory and monitoring purposes. ODES contains a variety
of data on the marine environment, including pollutant loadings and concentrations, environmental
conditions, quality of receiving water, effluent data, bioaccumulation information, fish pathology,
trawl sampling, benthic surveys, sediment chemistry and grain size, bioassays, and permit
requirements.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Water (primarily near sewage discharge outfalls), soil (marine sediments), human food
sources (fish/shellfish)
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds, organic metals, VOCs, trihalomethanes, semi-VOCs,
pesticides, PCBs, dioxins/furans, radionuclides, asbestos, microorganisms, ions (including
fluoride), physical and chemical indicators of water quality
Type of data available: Individual data entries or summary statistics on specific agents, depending
on the type of information. In general, data are "raw," and requires some manipulation and
summarizing for analysis, which can be done through ODES.
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis: .
Certain municipalities, national estuary programs, ocean dumping programs, and other
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit holders are required to submit
various types of marine monitoring data as part of their permits. Sampling strategy is typically
based on the characterization of a point source of pollution (e.g., sewage treatment plant). If
certain effluent limitations are not met by a wastewater treatment facility, additional monitoring
could be required. ODES can store and analyze data. Information in ODES is accessed through
a series of analytical tools that performs retrieval or analysis (e.g., scatterplots, bar charts, maps,
or reports). ODES includes over 2 million entries with the majority of the data being from
southern California.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude of the city, point source, and monitor site; name of city,
municipality, or township; state
Time Coverage: 1979-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Mixed frequency, varies by facility. Most data are
collected quarterly, but different facilities are required to measure different types
of data as frequently as daily and as infrequently as annually.
Regularity of sample collection: Permits do not specify at what time of day, month, etc.,
samples should be collected.
Source information: Yes, based on sampling strategy
Dispersion information: Yes, ODES dispersion models available
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Some data are pooled (e.g., bioaccumulation data). Composite samples
are often created from several grab samples of sediment or as many as 60 different
fish specimens. Other data are analyzed and entered into the database individually
(e.g., water quality, benthic data).
Standard procedures used: A wide range of methods are used, most of which are approved
by EPA for 301(h) monitoring projects. Some examples include: EPA 206.2 (for
heavy metals); Battelle SOP 5-202-02 (for PAHs); EPA Method 8010 (for
halogenated organic compounds).
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Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: 1 week
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 6 months
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks, field blanks, duplicates, spikes,
external laboratory analyses, data entry audits; users can access QA/QC
reports
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Surface (primarily water near sewage discharge outfalls): Inorganic compounds,
VOCs, trihalomethanes, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs, dioxins/furans,
radionuclides, asbestos, microorganisms, ions (including fluoride), physical
and chemical indicators of water quality
SOIL
Sediment (marine): Inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs,
microorganisms
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES
Fish/Shellfish: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs,
dioxin/furans, radionuclides, asbestos
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CASRN);
chemical name or mixture; database-specific codes (National Oceanographic Data Center
(NODC) codes)
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Some data are pooled; some are entered into the database individually;
a wide range of on-line tools are available to manipulate the data
Availability: Any requester can obtain data through a modem; a user-friendly, menu-driven
interface allows the user to develop graphical representations, descriptive statistics, and
maps, and to evaluate dispersion models
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Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts, Agency ^reports
Machine readable — Tape, diskette, on-line (ASCII, SAS, Fortran)
Reports: Published irregularly (generally for evaluation of NPDES permit compliance)
Reference Documents: ODES User Guide; ODES Tool Description Manual; ODES Data Submission
Manual
Data/Reports Available From: A user ID and password are available from: Kim Stahlman (703)
841-6005; for other information, call Bob King, U.S. EPA, Office of Water, (202) 260-7050
or Tad Deshler, TetraTech, (206) 822-9596
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PARTICLE TOTAL EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY STUDY
Acronym: PTEAM
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Atmospheric Research and
Exposure Assessment Laboratory, Office of Research and Development; California Air
Resources Board
Contact Person: Lance A. Wallace, U.S. EPA, EPIC Building, 166 Bicher Road, Vint Hill Farms
Station, Warrenton, VA 22186-5129, (703) 341-7509; Peggy Jenkins, California Air
Resources Board, Sacramento, CA (916) 323-1504
Objectives and Coverage:
The primary objective of the PTEAM was to estimate the frequency distribution of exposure
of an urban population to inhalable and respirable particles. The study attempted to determine the
sources of particle exposures through the combination of mass and chemical measurements made
on personal, indoor, and outdoor particle samples. (See also the Volatile Organic Compound Total
Exposure Assessment Methodology Study (VOC TEAM), the Carbon Monoxide Total Exposure
Assessment Methodology Study (CO TEAM), and the Nonoccupational Pesticide Exposure Study
(NOPES) in Part I of this Inventory.)
As a preliminary to the PTEAM population study, a nine-home prepilot study was
conducted in March 1989 in the San Gabriel Valley of Southern California, which includes cities
such as Arcadia, Temple City, El Monte, Monrovia, Azusa, Covina, and Glendora. The primary
purpose of this nine-home study was to develop a methodology for personal exposure monitoring
of particulates that could be applied later in the large-scale main population study. Personal
aerosol monitoring conducted during this prepilot study included 12-hour measurements over a
period of several days of 2 participants in each of 9 volunteer households, using personal exposure
monitors (PEM). Microenvironmental monitoring (MEM), in which particles were measured in and
near the homes of participants, was also conducted.
The full-scale field study took place in the fall of 1990. The main goal of the study was to
estimate the frequency distribution of exposures to PM10 (particulate matter less than 10 /-im in
aerodynamic diameter) for all nonsmoking Riverside residents aged 10 and above, based on a
probability sample of 175 residents. Several other objectives included: 1) estimating the frequency
distribution of indoor concentrations in residences and immediate outdoor air (e.g., back yards)
concentrations of fine (aerodynamic diameter. < 2.5 /im) and coarse (aerodynamic diameter
between 2.5ju,m and 10 ju.m) fractions of PM10; 2) determining the relationships between indoor,
outdoor, and personal measurements; 3) using the concurrent indoor and outdoor measurements
to determine the contribution of outdoor air to indoor and personal concentrations; 4) identifying
activities affecting personal exposures to PM10 using "12-hour recall" questionnaires answered by the
participants; 5) determining the sources of particles using measurements and diary data; 6)
estimating the contribution of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and other particle sources to
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total particle exposure; and 7) confirming the existence of the "personal cloud" effect, and
identifying its source, if possible.
Summary of Environmental Data
Media: Air
Classes of compounds: Particulates (PM10 PM^, particle-bound elements, particle-bound
polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), particle-bound phthalates, nicotine)
Types of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics on specific agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
Sample Design and Analysis:
Since the PTEAM Study was a cooperative venture through an independently funded
research effort supported by the California Air Resources Board (CARB); the study site (Riverside)
was in California. In addition to particle mass and elements, the particle-bound organic compounds
and semi-volatile organic compounds were measured as indicators of potential mutagenicity and
carcinogenicity. Thus an additional objective was to measure semi-volatile organics in subgroups
of the southern California test population. CARB sponsored the measurement and analyses of
polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phthalates in both indoor and outdoor rnicroenvironmental
samples.
Riverside, California was selected as the urban area most suitable for performing the
PTEAM study because of the temporal variability of inhalable particulate concentrations and the
absence of a single dominant stationary source of pollutants. A probability sampling design was
used to select participants in Riverside to provide the basis for interferences to the target
population's personal exposures to inhalable particles (PM10). A stratified multistage area
household sampling design was used because the environmental samples had to be collected in-
person and because face-to-face interviewing were necessary to obtain the highest response rates.
Geographic areas were selected at the first stage of sampling. At the second stage, brief interviews
were conducted for a sample of housing units within the selected areas to identify the household
members eligible for the PTEAM study. These data were used by the interviewer to determine
which individual, if any, to select from the household for personal exposure monitoring. For each
Riverside resident, the overall probability of being selected was approximately equal, except for
people who worked outside the home at least 30 hours per week and for people who were exposed
to passive smoking in their homes. The latter subpopulations were slightly oversampled to obtain
sufficient sample sizes to support separate statistical analyses. The survey design resulted in a
sample of people from which defensible inferences could be made to the target Riverside
population of 139,000.
In the Riverside PTEAM Study a total of 178 nonsmoking persons aged 10 or older were
selected for monitoring over 2 consecutive 12-hour periods. During each monitoring period, one
personal, indoor, and outdoor PM10. and one indoor and outdoor PM25 samples were scheduled for
collection. Approximately 4 persons were monitored each day. from September 22 through
November 9, 1990. To provide source characterization data, additional samples were collected to
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measure nicotine levels and air exchange rates in each study home. Under direction from the
California Air Resources Board, particle-bound PAH/phthalate samples were collected in a subset
of 135 homes. A fixed monitoring site was set up at one location in Riverside to monitor ambient
levels of particulates during each 12-hour period throughout the study. Samples for PM10 and
dichotomous samplers were operated at this site alongside personal and stationary monitors
identical to those used for participant monitoring. A mobile laboratory was set up in Riverside for
weighing all particulate filters.
Over 95 percent of the personal and stationary particulate samples, nicotine samples, and
air exchange samples were successfully collected as scheduled. Over 90 percent of the
PAH/phthalate samples were successfully collected. The only significant portion of data not
collected as intended was the measurement of meteorological conditions at the monitoring site.
Meteorological data were obtained from three airports in the vicinity of Riverside to supplement
data from the monitoring site.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: Riverside, CA
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude of the city; state
Time Coverage: September-November 1990
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: ' Daily for 48 days (September 22, 1990 to November 9,
1990)
Regularity of sample collection: Regular; indoor, outdoor, and personal samples were
collected on different subjects each day except at the central site where 96
consecutive 12-hour samples were collected
Source information: Air exchange information can be used to model indoor particle
concentrations
Dispersion information: None
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: Storage and weighing of filters followed standard EPA
procedures; collection and analysis of personal particle, nicotine, PAHs, and
phthalates followed protocols developed by Harvard University and/or Research
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Triangle Institute; techniques developed by EPA, Desert Research Institute, and
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory were used for x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: 1-2 days for particle mass; 6
months for XRF; 1 year for air exchange and nicotine mass
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 16 months after
completion of the field study
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks, field blanks, duplicates, external
laboratory analysis, data entry audits, field performance audits
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR
Indoor homes and public buildings; outdoor urban; personal monitor: Particulates
(PM10, PM^s in indoor and outdoor samples only, particle-bound elements,
particle-bound PAHs and particle-bound phthalates inside and outside of a
subset of 135 homes, nicotine)
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name or mixture
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries are available on specific agents
Availability: Any requestor can obtain data
Form: Hard copy — Agency reports
Machine readable ~ Tape or diskette (ASCII, SAS or dBase IE)
Reports: Final study report not yet available; Particle Total Exposure Assessment Methodology
(PTEAM): Riverside California Pilot Study (draft final report prepared by Research Triangle
Institute)
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Reference Documents:
Ozkaynak, H., J.D. Spengler, J.F. Ludwig, D.A. Butler, C.A. Clayton, E. Pellizzari, and R.W.
Wiener. 1990. Personal Exposure to Particulate Matter: Findings from the Particle Total
Exposure Assessment Methodology (PTEAM) Prepilot Study. Proceedings of the Fifth
International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate. July 29-August 3, 1990,
Toronto, Canada. Paper can be obtained by calling Haluk Ozkaynak at the Harvard School
of Public Health at (617) 432-4112.
Spengler, J.D., H. Ozkaynak, J. Ludwig, G. Allen, E.D. Pellizzari, E.D., and R.W. Wiener.
1989. Personal Exposures to Particulate Matter: Instruments and Methodologies for PTEAM
Study. Presented at the EPA/Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA)
Conference on Total Exposure Assessment Methodology -- A New Horizon, Las Vegas, NV.
Paper can be obtained by calling the AWMA at (412) 232-3444.
Pellizzari, E.D. 1990. Particle Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (PTEAM) Work Plan.
Volume I: Study Design, U.S. EPA contract # 68-02-4544, Atmospheric Research and
Exposure Assessment Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC. Paper can be obtained by
calling Eto Pellizzari at Research Triangle Park Institute, (919) 541-6579.
Wallace, L.A., E. Pellizzari, L. Sheldon, R. Whitmore, H. Zelon, A. Clayton, R. Shores, K.
Thomas, D. Whitaker, P. Reading, J. Spengler, H. Ozkaynak, S. Froehlich, P. Jenkins, P.,
L. Ota, andD. Westerdahl. 1991. The TEAM Study of Inhalable Particles (PM10): Study
Design, Sampler Performance, and Preliminary Results. Presented at the AWMA 84th Annual
Meeting & Exhibition, Vancouver, British, Columbia, June 16-21. Paper can be obtained
by calling AWMA at (412) 232-3444.
Perritt, R., C. Clayton, E. Pellizari, L. Wallace, and J. Spengler. 1991. Particle Total
Exposure Assessment Methodology (PTEAM) Study, paper presented at May 1991 EPA
AWMA Symposium on Measurement of Toxic and Related Air Pollutants. Paper can be
obtained by calling AWMA at (412) 232-3444.
Data/Reports Available From: Lance A. Wallace, U.S. EPA, EPIC Building, 166 Bicher Road, Vint
Hill Farms Station, Warrenton, VA 22186-5129, (703) 341-7509
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PERMIT COMPLIANCE SYSTEM
Acronym: PCS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Water Enforcement
and Permits
Contact Person: Dela Ng, Office of Water Enforcement and Permits (EN-338), U.S. EPA, 401 M
Street SW, Washington, DC 20460, (202) 475-8323 (For information on sampling design:
George Gray, (202)-475-8313
Objectives anfl Coverage:
PCS is ,a computerized info,rmati©n system ifor tracking the permit, complanee, and
enforcement status
-------
Sample Design and Analysis:
The sampling strategy is specified in the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) permit and is based on Effluent Guidelines developed by the EPA Office of Water
Regulations and Standards (OWRS). The Guidelines provide general guidance (e.g., required
effluent concentration levels of pollutants based on type of industry), but the actual specifications
are developed by the permit writer, which is the state, if EPA-approved, or the EPA Regional
Office. Permits are site-specific in determining effluent concentration limits, monitoring and
reporting requirements. Changes in sampling protocol are determined by the NPDES permit
requirements.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude of the point source; name of city, municipality, or township;
state; river reach number
Time Coverage: 1986-present
Sample Characteristics:
$
Frequency of sample collection: Mixed frequency; site-specific, based on the NPDES
permit requirements; varies by chemical
Regularity of sample collection: Regular; sample collection is based on NPDES permit
requirements
Source information: Data collected at source
Dispersion information: Not available through PCS
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: Procedures determined by NPDES permit requirements, based
on analytical methods in 40 CFR, Part 136; if none stated in Rule for a specific
agent, permit writer must specify methods in permit. General guidance provided by
Effluent Guidelines developed'by EPA OWRS.
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: If on-site - 8 hours; if
laboratory analysis — 48 hours
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Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Approximately 60
days
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: EPA Regions and states have their own QA/QC
methodologies; data entry audits
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER (Effluent discharges)
Municipal and private: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, trihalomethanes, semi-VOCs,
pesticides, PCBs, dioxins/furans, radiohuclides, microorganisms, ions
(including fluoride), physical and chemical indicators of water quality
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: STORET (Storage and Retrieval of Water Quality Data)
parameter codes. STORET codes are cross-referenced to Chemical Abstracts Service
Registry Number (CASRN) numbers, but database can only be searched through STORET
codes.
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Summary statistics on specific agents
Availability: Any requester can obtain data
Form: Hard copy — computer printouts
Reports: On an ad-hoc request basis
Reference Documents: PCS Executive Summary
Data/Reports Available From: U.S. EPA Library, Washington, DC; Freedom of Information
requests; or, contact George Gray (202) 475-8313
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PESTICIDE INFORMATION NETWORK
Acronym: PEST
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Pesticide Programs
Contact Person: Constance A. Hoheisel, (H7507C), 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC 20460,
(703) 557-5455
Objectives and Coverage:
PIN enables pesticide monitoring data generated by a variety of sources to be routinely
identified, obtained, and utilized. PIN also provides federal, state, and local agencies with a means
of sharing information and expertise on pesticides. In addition, information in PIN is used to
enhance the accuracy of pesticide risk assessments and risk/benefit regulatory decisions regarding
exposure and.effects of pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act
(FIFRA). PIN is composed of three files:
1) The Pesticide Monitoring Inventory (PMI) is a nationwide compilation of synopses of
pesticide monitoring projects conducted by federal, state, and local governments as well as private
groups. PMI includes the location of the monitoring project, the pesticide(s) involved, an abstract
of the project, and the name and address of a contact person. PMI does not contain hard data or
results; these can be obtained from individual contact persons for each project.
2) The Restricted Use Products (RUP) File is a regulatory file that serves as an
information resource for states. Information provided includes pesticide active ingredients, dates
of restriction, reasons for restriction, and all products that contain the restricted active ingredients.
3) The Coordination File is a cross-referencing chemical index of all synonyms for the
active ingredients listed in the PMI and RUP files.
In addition, by 1992, PIN will include a database containing monitoring data from the late
1970s to the present for pesticides in ground water. PIN will also include a file on the
environmental fate of pesticides, including chemical and physical parameters (e.g., solubility, soil
conditions, pH, half-life, etc); computerized fact sheets on pesticides; and certification and training
data for pesticides.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Water; soil; air; food sources; non-food sources (plants, animals); human samples; bulk
chemicals
Classes of compounds: Pesticides (some studies also contain information required for drinking
water testing on inorganic compounds, VOCs, dioxins/furans, aesthetic)
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Type of data available: Descriptions of monitoring projects (individual data entries for
groundwater projects will soon be available)
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
Sample Design and Analysis:
Projects for inclusion in PIN are solicited from users of the network and through notices
in the Federal Register, brochures, newsletters, and presentations at meetings. All project managers
are contacted annually to update information. The PMI is a collection of projects, each with its .
own specific design. The database was not designed with any specific population in mind.
/
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Street address; zip codes; county/parish; state; latitude/longitude of the monitor
site (occasionally available)
Time Coverage: 1970-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Irregular; each project has its own sampling frequency
Regularity of sample collection: Varies by source
Source and dispersion information: Not provided in database
Methods of Sample Analysis: ;
Samples pooled: Depends on source of data
Standard procedures used: Managers of the various projects are requested to provide
references for methods and standard procedures when they submit project data
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Not applicable
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Unknown
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Unknown
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ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER . r
Surface; ground water; leachate; municipal; private: Pesticides (also some
information on inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs, dioxins/furans,
aesthetic)
SOIL
AIR
Residential; industrial (farm/agriculture); sediment; dust: Pesticides
Indoor homes and public facilities; outdoor urban and rural; personal monitor:
Pesticides
FOOD SOURCES
Gamebirds; mammals (domesticated and nondomesticated); plants; fish/shellfish:
Pesticides
HUMAN SAMPLES
Pesticides
BULK CHEMICALS
Pesticides
OTHER
Plants (non-consumable): Pesticides
Animals (non-consumable): Pesticides
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CASRN),
chemical name, EPA Register number (RUP file only), EPA PC code (formerly the
Shawnessy code, assigned to active ingredients when data submitted to the Office of
Pesticide Programs - RUP file only)
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Depends on source of data
Availability: Any on-line requester can obtain data through modem; free service; monitoring data
not currently available in PIN - can be obtained from individual project managers listed in.
PMI file; in the future, monitoring data for pesticides in ground water will be available in
PIN
Form: Machine readable - On-line (ASCII); diskette (for RUP file only)
Reports: On-line, generated by user
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Reference Documents: On-line manuals
Data/Reports Available From: (703) 557-7499 (user support); Constance Hoheisel, (H7507C), 401
M Street SW, Washington, DC 20460, (703) 557-5455
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RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS RELEASED FROM NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
Acronym: None
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
Contact Person: Joyce L. Tichler, (516) 282-3801, or Herbert Bernstein, (516) 282-2261,
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Scientific Information Systems Group, ASD/DAS,
Building 051, Upton, NY 11973
Objectives and Coverage:
Atmospheric, effluent, and solid waste releases of radioactive materials from nuclear power
plants (planned, existing, or closed) are governed by 10 C.F.R. Parts 20 and 50 and by limits
established in site-specific technical specifications (NRC-approved) for each facility. Through the
Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) maintains a
record of radioactive releases from licensed nuclear reactors to ensure that they are within
regulatory requirements. This database contains data from licensed nuclear power plants that were
declared by the utilities to be in commercial operation from 1978 onward, and includes facilities
which are permanently or indefinitely shut down or are not yet in commercial operation.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Water (liquid effluent); air (emissions); soil (solid waste)
Classes of compounds: Radionuclides
Type of data available: Individual samples are entered into the database; annual summary
statistics are available in published reports
Estimation versus observational data: Observational data for operating facilities; estimated
data for closed or pre-operational facilities
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Sample Design and Analysis:
The sampling strategy is based on radioactive releases reported by licensed nuclear power
facilities as of December 31st for each year. Data consist of activity in Curies (both total and by
nuclide, airborne, liquid, and solid) reported quarterly, semiannually, or annually and presented in
written reports as annual releases. Generally, quarterly, semiannual, and annual data are all
contained in the database, although licensed facilities are only required to report annual releases.
The database only covers planned releases, which result from normal operation or from anticipated
operational occurrences. Major unplanned releases — such as accidents — are not included; however,
unplanned releases or radioactive materials from miscellaneous actions such as equipment failure,
operator error, or procedure error that are not of such consequence as to be considered accidents
are included in this database. The release information is used for modeling population dose by the
Pacific Northwest Laboratory, which combines meteorological and population information with
release data for a specified area around each plant.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude of the point source (facility location); street address (if
known); city; zip code; state; distance and direction of the plant form a known
municipality or population center (e.g., "50 miles northeast of...")
Time Coverage: 1978-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Mixed frequency, varies by facility; the data may be
provided on a quarterly, semiannual, or annual basis, depending on the licensee;
written reports publish only annual data
Regularity of sample collection: Varies by facility
Source information: Emissions from specific plants
Dispersion information: The database itself does not include the necessary data to evaluate
dispersion; however, Pacific Northwest Laboratory has performed model runs that
combine these release data with meteorological and other data obtained from plant
operators and NRC to estimate population dose due to radioactive releases from
nuclear power plant sites
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Pooled for annual reports; individual samples available in database
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Standard procedures used: Different analytical methods are used by different licensees
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Varies by facility
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Varies; usually a
few months
Qualify Assurance/Qualify Control Procedures: Data entry audits - the processed data is returned
to the plants for review; the annual data are reviewed by the sponsoring agency (NRC), and
inter-year comparisons are done and corrections made
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Liquid effluent: Radionuclides
SOIL
Solid waste: Radionuclides
Stack Emissions: Radionuclides
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
«
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Individual nuclides (chemical mixtures formed by the
released elements are not identified)
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: The reports from the plants are reduced to a common report format;
individual quarterly data, when reported, are retained in the computerized record, but the
written report gives annual data
Availability: Any requestor can obtain reports; special reports may be arranged
Form: Hard copy — Annual reports
Machine readable — Not currently available; may be available in future
Reports: Annual reports — Radioactive Materials Released from Nuclear Power Plants
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Reference Documents: None
Data/Reports Available From: National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port
Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650; U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, Office of Information Resources Management, (301) 492-7585; Joyce
Tichler, Brookhaven National Laboratory, (516) 282-3801 (for special reports)
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RECALL DATABASE
Acronym: None
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air and Radiation
Contact Person: Stuart Romanow, U.S. EPA,,Office of Air and Radiation, Office of Mobile
Sources, Manufacturers Operations Division, Recall Branch, (EN-340F), 401 M Street SW,
Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-6511
Objectives and Coverage:
The Recall Database includes vehicle emissions results generated specifically for
enforcement purposes. Selected in-use motor vehicles are subjected to emissions testing to
determine if they comply with federal emissions standards. These data are used in investigations
which may result in a recall of a class of vehicles to correct an emissions nonconformity. The
testing is conducted at selected sites to be representative of the national population.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Air (vehicle emissions)
Classes of compounds: VOCs (evaporative hydrocarbons); criteria pollutants (carbon monoxide,
nitrogen oxides)
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
The Recall Branch of EPA selects a vehicle class (an engine family, with a subset of similar
vehicles sometimes included) for emissions testing based on previous performance and information
obtained from manufacturers and other sources. Emissions testing is done at the Motor Vehicles
Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan or the Virginia Testing Laboratory in Washington, DC. A
certain percentage (dependant upon resources) of the selected vehicles are also tested at the
Department of Health, Denver, Colorado, to determine if vehicles comply at high altitudes. Testing
at these sites is considered by the Recall Branch to be representative of the national population,
since there is no significant bias in selection. A randomized list of vehicles in the selected vehicle
class and geographical area(s) is obtained from the state(s) motor vehicle registration office. Based
on a telephone questionnaire administered to owners, a sample of vehicles which have been
properly maintained and used are selected for testing from this list. Emissions testing following the
Federal test procedure described in 40 CFR 86 includes measurements of total exhaust
hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and oxides of nitrogen in grams per mile; evaporative hydrocarbon
emission measurements are expressed in grams per test. If an initial surveillance program indicates
possible noncompliance, a confirmatory, testing program of the vehicle class is generally
implemented, which consists of additional emissions testing of properly maintained vehicles. This
testing procedure employs more stringent vehicle screening criteria. The vehicle class is investigated
whenever elevated emissions are detected, which results in a recall of the affected vehicles if a
problem is found.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: Region of state '(Washington, DC; Detroit/Ann Arbor, Michigan; and
the Denver, Colorado areas)
Identifiers: Name of test site
Time Coverage: 1977-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Varies from site to site
Regularity of sample collection: Varies, depending upon program needs and
resources
Source information: All data collected at the source
Dispersion information: None available
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Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: Vehicle emissions testing procedures described in 40 CFR 86
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: 10 minutes
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 4 weeks following
the completion of testing for a class of vehicles
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Duplicates and external laboratory analysis are
done as part of a three component (gases, vehicles, equipment) Correlation Program; gas
cylinders named by a reference laboratory are analyzed by the database laboratories for
concentrations of a particular pollutant; vehicles tested at one laboratory are subjected to
repeat testing at other database laboratories; inspection of equipment to determine
conformance with 40 CFR 86, SubpartB; other procedures include an extensive check of the
translation from raw data to the processed form (to look for any errors during testing); and
"test monitoring", in which the testing procedures are viewed by another person; these
procedures are included in the Virginia Testing Laboratory Quality Control Procedures
Manual, the Motor Vehicles Laboratory Quality Control Procedures Manual, and the Colorado
Department of Health Quality Control Procedures Manual
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
Vehicle Emissions: Criteria pollutants (carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides); VOCs
(total exhaust hydrocarbons, evaporative hydrocarbons)
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name or mixture
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DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics (mean emission levels
and failure rates by vehicle class) are available on specific agents
Availability: Any requester can obtain data; individual data are available on-line through the
Michigan Terminal System (MTS) for requesters who have a Wayne State University MTS
account; hard copy only, if requester doesn't have an MTS account at Wayne State
University
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts; files or log books
Machine readable -- On-line (MTS in MICRO)
Reports: Summary reports (in a computer printout format), which contain mean emission levels
and failure rates for each vehicle class, are prepared for internal use at the completion of
vehicle testing
Reference Documents: 40 CFR 86; Virginia Testing Laboratory Quality Control Procedures Manual;
Motor Vehicles Laboratory Quality Control Procedures Manual; Colorado Department of Health
Quality Control Procedures Manual
Data/Reports Available From: Public Information Reference Unit, EPA Headquarters Library, 401
M Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-5926 (for examination and reproduction
of computer printouts); Stuart Romanow, U.S. EPA, Office of Air and Radiation, Office
of Mobile Sources, Manufacturers Operations Division, Recall Branch, 401 M Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-6511, to request access to the MTS at Wayne State
University; once request is granted, a commercial account and identification number must
be obtained by contacting Claire Jackman, Computing and Information Technology, Wayne
State University, 5925 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48202, (313) 577-1962; the
account and identification numbers must then be given to Stuart Romanow
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RECORDS OF DECISION SYSTEM
Acronym: RODS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Emergency and
Remedial Response and Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
Contact Person: Mike Cullen, U.S. EPA, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, 401 M
Street SW, Washington, DC 20460, (202) 475-9369
Objectives and Coverage:
RODS was established to track site clean-ups under the Superfund program and to justify
the type of treatment chosen at each site. RODS stores information on: technologies used to clean
up sites and justification for their use; site history and characteristics; community participation;
enforcement activities; and scope of response action. Information is obtained from EPA Regional
Offices on an ongoing basis. RODS is available on EPA's mainframe computer, as well as in tape
format. In addition, the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) maintains hard copies of
RODS as well as abstracts. Information on on-line access, reports, and user manuals are available
from Thomas Batts, (202) 245-3770.
Detailed information was not available at the time of publication.
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REGIONAL AIR POLLUTION STUDY
Acronym: RAPS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and
Development
Contact Person: Joan Novak, U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, Atmospheric
Research and Exposure Assessment Laboratory, MD-80, Research Triangle Park, NC
27711, (919) 541-4545
Objectives and Coverage:
The Regional Air Pollution Study (RAPS), conducted from 1974 to 1977, served as a
comprehensive study of an urban area for which all interrelated processes affecting air pollution
emissions, dispersion, composition, and atmospheric effects could be studied concurrently. RAPS
was established with three main objectives: to develop, evaluate, and validate air quality simulation
models on a regional scale, covering urban and rural stationary and mobile sources; to develop,
evaluate, and validate models of local-scale phenomena that complement regional-scale models; and
to create a comprehensive, accurate, and readily retrievable database based on field investigations
for all criteria pollutants and selected non-criteria pollutants that describe atmospheric effects on
pollutant dispersion and composition. This database was then used to evaluate air quality
simulation models. Because of the availability of extensive monitoring data associated with RAPS,
additional independent research projects were conducted by various groups in the same
geographical area during the same time period.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Air
Classes of compounds: Criteria pollutants (sulfur dioxide, particulates, carbon monoxide, nitrogen
•oxides, ozone), total hydrocarbons, methane, index of fine particles (scattering coefficient)
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
RAPS was designed to quantify the effects of air emissions on air quality at the level of an
Air Quality Control Region (AQCR). Criteria for selection of a specific AQCR included: a
geographic area isolated enough so that inflows of emissions into the area were not a confounding
factor; an area with heterogeneous types of emissions; an area in which existing pollution control
programs were in place to meet air quality standards; and an area in which climatic conditions were
relatively stable (e.g., free of the effects of sea breeze, no severe terrain). The St. Louis,
Missouri/Illinois area was selected for RAPS from a group of 33 Standard Metropolitan Statistical
Areas with populations greater than 400,000.
The RAPS field measurement program consisted of: continuous measurements from 25
stations in a Regional Air Monitoring System (RAMS), which provided an extensive database for
model evaluation and development; an emissions data inventory (which included both point and
area source emissions); and meteorological measurements (radiosondes and pibals). RAMS was
designed to provide continuous, surface-based aerometric measurements; stations were located in
concentric circles with average radii from a central urban station of 5, 11, 20, and 44 kilometers.
Stations were concentrated at the center of the network because a criterion for site locations
required minimum spacing where concentrations and gradients were highest. Four rural sites were
spaced approximately 90' azimuth and were located to provide background measurements regardless
of wind direction. Concentrations of gaseous pollutants are available as minute average values and
as hourly average values. Hourly emissions data combined several .categories of point and area
source emissions: river vessels, fugitive dust, highways, railroads, stationary residential and
commercial sources, off-highway mobile sources, stationary industrial sources, and airports.
Instrumentation used included: real-time pollutant analyzers to measure ozone, nitrogen oxides,
sulfur gases, and carbon compounds; meteorological sensors; high volume samplers for particulates;
nephelometer and dichotonious samplers; and test/control systems.
RAPS data were collected prior to issuance of EPA monitoring guidelines for State and
Local Air Monitoring Stations (SLAMS) (see separate entry), but many of the concepts in SLAMS
guidelines were tested in RAPS.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: Region of two states (St. Louis, Missouri and St. Louis, Illinois - St. Louis Air
Quality Control Region)
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude of the monitor site; universal transmercator coordinates of
the point source and monitor site; street address; zip code; city, municipality, or
township; county/parish; state
Time Coverage: 1974-1977
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Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Mixed frequency: continuous (24 hours a day) for RAMS
data (average minute values, based on 120 1/2-second data readings); daily for
particulates; emissions data collected on an hourly basis; 6-hour intervals for
meteorological radiosondes; 1-hour intervals for meteorological pibals
Regularity of sample collection: Regular
Source information: Data were collected at the sources and surrounding areas; the purpose
of the study was to collect necessary information to evaluate air quality models
which relate data to sources
Dispersion information: Local and regional meteorological and air quality monitoring data
were collected to predict the transport and dispersion of pollutants from the source
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: Both routine and new methods were employed; few procedures
were standardized as EPA methods at the time of this study (1974-1977); state-of-
the-art instrumentation was used; National Aerosol Sampling Network (NASN)
protocols were used for high volume filter samples
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Immediate for the majority of
data — collection was real-time (continuous); one week for canister and grab samples
for hydrocarbons
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 1 week to 1 month
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Daily span and drift checks were performed on
gaseous analyzers, and additional visual and algorithmic checks were also made
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR
Outdoor Urban and Rural: Criteria pollutants (sulfur dioxide, particulates, carbon
monoxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone), total hydrocarbons, methane
Stack Emissions: Criteria pollutants (sulfur dioxide, particulates, carbon monoxide,
nitrogen oxides) total hydrocarbons
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FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: EPA's National Emissions Data System (NEDS) codes
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries are available on specific agents; sumnfary
statistics as hourly averages are available for each parameter at each site
Availability: Any requester can obtain data
Form: Hard copy — Agency reports
Machine-readable — Tape (IBM Binary; ASCII for radiosonde and pibal data only)
Reports: Regional Air Pollution Study (RAPS) Emission Inventory Summarization (NTIS No. PB-293
107/OBE); Documentation of the Regional Air Pollution Study (RAPS) and Related
Investigations in the St. Louis Air Quality Control Region (NTIS No. PB80-138241); Regional
Air Pollution Study (RAPS) Final Report
Reference Documents: Evaluation of Emission Inventory Methodologies for the RAPS Program;
History, Implementation and Operation of the Regional Air Monitoring System: St. Louis,
, Missouri 1974-1977; Regional Air Pollution Study (RAPS) Emission Inventory Handbook
Data/Reports Available From: National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal
Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650; Joan Novak, U.S. EPA, AREAL, MD-80,
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, (919) 541-4545
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RESOURCE CONSERVATION RECOVERY INFORMATION SYSTEM
Acronym: RCRIS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Solid Waste and
Emergency Response
Contact Person: Kevin Phelps, U.S. EPA, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, 401 M
Street SW, Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-4697
Objectives and Coverage:
Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), generators, transporters,
treaters, storers, and disposers of hazardous waste, as defined by the federally recognized hazardous
waste codes, are required to provide information concerning their activities to state environmental
agencies, who in turn provide the information to regional and national U.S. EPA offices. The
information is used to ensure compliance with federal regulations under RCRA. The primary
objectives of RCRIS (formerly the Hazardous Waste Data Management System — HWDMS) are
to monitor and regulate notification, permit, compliance, and corrective action activities conducted
by hazardous waste facilities across the nation. HWDMS provided this information on a facility
level; by January 1,1992, all states will shift over to the RCRIS program, which provides unit level
data and integrated corrective action information. At that time, HWDMS, for which facility data
only was available, will be archived and will become obsolete; the data will be incorporated into
RCRIS in a new format. The database was not designed to provide exposure information;
quantitative monitoring data are not included. RCRIS provides qualitative information on
hazardous waste facilities that have applied for permits.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Water, soil, bulk chemicals
Classes of compounds: Hazardous waste codes as defined in 40 CFR, Part 261, subpart D,
including inorganic compounds; pesticides; VOCs; semi-VOCs; ignitable,
corrosive, and reactive wastes
Type of data available: Both individual data entries and statistical summaries are available;
information is provided for specific sites and types of facilities
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
A hazardous waste facility applies for a permit to store, treat, generate, transport, or dispose
of hazardous waste by notifying the environmental agency in that state. The state receives and
reviews the permit applications (including conducting on-site inspections), enters the data into the
RCRIS system, and transfers the information to the regional U.S. EPA office. The regional office
conducts its own on-site inspections, compares information with state-supplied data, and resolves
any discrepancies in information. The data are then transferred to U.S. EPA's Office of Solid
Waste and Emergency Response, which integrates the data into the RCRIS system. After a permit
for a hazardous waste handler has been approved, the U.S. EPA Office of Solid Waste and
Emergency Response verifies and updates permit application information by reviewing biannual
reports submitted by facilities and possibly through on-site inspections of selected facilities,
particularly if information has changed for a permit.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude (of hazardous waste facilities); street address; zip code; city,
municipality, or township; county/parish; state; congressional district; river basin
code (U.S. Geological Survey); EPA regional codes
Time Coverage: 1980-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Data are collected through permit applications; additional
information is collected by the RCRA program staff through inspections and/or
other actions at a facility; monitoring data are not included in the database
Regularity of sample collection: Not applicable
Source information: Source is always known as part of the permitting process
v
Dispersion information: If a release occurs, a facility may be subject to corrective action,
and therefore information on the "spread" may be found in the corrective action
descriptive information in RCRIS
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: None
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Not applicable
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Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Not applicable
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Data entry audits; regional EPA offices and states
crosscheck information and resolve discrepancies before sending information to the EPA
Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Surface water and ground water: Some information on discharged wastes to surface
water, groundwater, and leachate
SOIL
Sediment: Some information on hazardous waste industrial sediments and sludge
discharges
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS
. Lab packs
Conventions Used to Identity Agents: Federally recognized hazardous waste codes as identified in
40 CFR Part 261, subpart D
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Permit information is provided by specific sites/facilities; individual site
information and statistical summaries by types of facilities are available
Availability: Any requester can obtain data; requester must fill out a Freedom of Information Act
application
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts
Machine readable — Tape (ASCII) available at National Technical Information Service
(NTTS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650
Reports: Biennial reports that follow up on original permit application information; sometimes
monitoring data in water, air, or soil are included
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Reference Documents: None
Data/Reports Available From: Liza Hearns, U.S. EPA, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency
Response, 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-4697
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SAMPLE TRACKING AND DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Acronym: STDMS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Nuclear Radiation Assessment
Division
Contact Person: Charles Costa, U.S. EPA, Nuclear Radiation Assessment Division, P.O. Box
93478, Las Vegas, Nevada 89193-3478, (702) 798-2305
Objectives and Coverage:
STDMS contains noble gas or radionuclide measurements in air, water, animal tissue, and
plants in areas surrounding the Nevada test site (Nevada, Utah, and California locations).
Measurements include gamma spectrometry, tritium, strontium, and plutonium in surface and
ground water; gross beta, tritium, noble gases (krypton, and xenon), and gamma emitters in outdoor
air; and cesium, strontium, and plutonium in blood, bone, and tissue of animals. Sampling of plants
for radionuclides is occasionally done. These data are used as supporting data for the Internal
Radiation Dosimetry System (see separate entry in this Inventory) which documents human
radionuclide exposure of families residing in this area. Results from both databases are used to
evaluate the total radiological dose to the region from the Nevada test site.
Detailed information was not available at the time of publication.
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STATE AND LOCAL AIR MONITORING STATIONS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air Quality Planning
and Standards (OAQPS); U.S. EPA Regions; states
Contact Person: David Lute, U.S. EPA, OAQPS, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, (919) 541-
5476 ' • ___
Objectives and Coverage:
SLAMS were established to meet the Clean Air Act requirement that every state create a
network of air monitoring stations for criteria pollutants, using criteria set by OAQPS for their
location and operation. States are required to provide OAQPS with annual summaries of
monitoring results at SLAMS sites, although most states supply this information more frequently
(monthly or quarterly). National Air Monitoring (NAMS) sites, part of the SLAMS network, are
located in areas of high population and high pollution concentration; other SLAMS sites may be
located in other areas. Also, NAMS sites remain at the same location over time; this may not be
true for other SLAMS sites. All SLAMS monitoring sites meet uniform criteria and follow standard
procedures established by OAQPS for analytical methodology and quality assurance. SLAMS data
comprise most of the data found in the Air Quality Subsystem (AQS) of the Aerometnc
Information Retrieval System (AIRS) (see separate entries for AQS in Part I and AIRS in Part II
for further information).
Detailed information was not available at the time of publication.
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STATE/EPA RESIDENTIAL RADON SURVEY
Acronym: None
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Radiation Programs
Contact Person: Jeffrey Phillips, U.S. EPA, Office of Radiation Programs, 401 M Street SW,
Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-4114
Objectives and Coverage:
The State/EPA Residential Radon Survey is a cooperative effort between regional U.S. EPA
offices and state health departments in an attempt to characterize the extent and magnitude of the
indoor radon (222Rn) problem. The U.S. EPA provides assistance to the 34 currently participating
states in the selection and testing of a probability-based sample of houses. Short-term radon
measurements are taken in the lowest liveable area during the heating season for all participating
homes, and during the other three seasons in ten percent of the sample homes for long-term
monitoring. Through the program, individual states are able to characterize the radon distribution
on a statewide basis and for regions within their state. Consequently, states are able to prioritize
the allocation of resources toward radon programs based on a sound assessment of the radon
problem in the state. Individual homeowners are also provided a basis for determining whether
additional measurements are needed for making mitigation decisions. U.S. EPA recommends that
homeowners perform different types of follow-up measurements for screening readings between 4
pCi/l .(picocuries per liter) and 20 pCi/1 and for readings above 20 pCi/1.
The state radon surveys provide direct estimates of how many houses in the target
population are affected by these action levels. States not included as of 1991: Arkansas, Delaware,
Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, South
Dakota, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. Currently, there is no relationship
between this survey and EPA's National Residential Radon Survey (NRRS) (see separate entry).
The database results should not be used directly to assess annual averages or health risks because
they represent screening measurements and may overstate annual average concentrations in living
areas.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Indoor air
Classes of compounds: Radon
.Type of data available: Radon concentration distributions for a given state
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Estimation versus observational data: Observational data from actual samples
Sample Design and Analysis:
The survey utilizes short-term, charcoal canister measurement devices that are analyzec
the U.S. EPA laboratory in Montgomery, Alabama. In addition, long-term screening devi
designed to measure annual average indoor radon concentrations are placed in a 10% subsamj.
of houses. Screening measurements have been made in over 46,000 randomly selected hous
representing a population of more than 25 million houses. Measurements are made in the lowest
livable area during the heating season in closed-house conditions. For the long-term screening
subsamples, measurements are also taken in the other three seasons. The target population consists
of owner-occupied, private or main residences with: a) a listed telephone number, b) a permanent
foundation, and c) at least one floor at or below grade level. This target population excludes most
mobile homes, high rise apartments, renters, businesses, and seasonal homes.
For each state, a probability sample of listed residential telephone numbers was selected
from a sampling frame constructed from telephone directories for all communities in the state.
Counties suspected of having elevated indoor radon levels and/or having low population density
were sampled more heavily to ensure good coverage of all geographic areas in the state and to
enhance the chance of finding areas with elevated radon concentrations. Statistical analyses of the
measurements provide statistically valid results and projections for states and regions within states.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: 34 states
Identifiers: Zip code; county; state
Time Coverage: 1986-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Each year, different states are sampled; each home is
sampled only once
Regularity of sample collection: Short-term sample taken during the heating season; 10
percent subsample of homes also have year-long detectors
Source information: Measurements taken at lower levels close to radon source from soil
Dispersion information: Not available
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
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Standard procedures used: U.S. EPA Radon Measurement Protocol
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: 1 week for initial raw data; 2-5
months for data to be weighted (statistical adjustment carried out by the contractor)
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 5 months
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks, field blanks, duplicates, spikes
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
*
SOIL Not applicable
AIR
Indoor Homes: Radon
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Radon identified as radon 222Rn
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Availability: Any requester can obtain short-term radon measurement data; long-term
measurement data are provided to states only; data available on-line (direct VAX access
through EPA's Office of Radiation Programs) by contacting Jeffrey Phillips, (202) 260-4114
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts, Agency reports, journal publications
Machine readable — Tape, diskette, on-line (direct VAX access)
Reports: Press release kit in October of every year, distributed by U.S. EPA External Affairs Office
Reference Documents: A Cumulative Examination of the State/EPA Radon Survey
Data/Reports Available From: Jeffrey Phillips, U.S. EPA, Office of Radiation Programs,
(202) 260-4114
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STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL OF WATER QUALITY DATA
Acronym: STORET
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Water
Contact Person: Thomas Pandolfi, U.S. EPA, (PM-218-B), 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC
20460, (202) 260-7030
Objectives and Coverage:
STORET was developed as a uniform data collection and reporting system for chemical,
physical, and biological water quality data in the United States, U.S. Territories, and parts of
Canada. STORET can be used to store, retrieve, and analyze data (including trends) for both
surface water (including effluent) and ground water, and is particularly useful for areas near
discharge sources. Used in conjunction with the Reach Pollutant Assessment file (see separate
entry), STORET forms the basis for many other water information systems. The majority of the
data in STORET is from non-EPA sources, including states and other federal agencies (e.g., U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of
Reclamation, and the Tennessee Valley Authority). EPA maintains the database for its users.
STORET is accessible to anyone who wishes to obtain information. In addition to its monitoring
objectives, STORET is used for regulatory purposes; for example, EPA uses STORET for its
national water quality analysis program. The primary component systems within STORET include
the Water Quality System, the Biological System, the Daily Flow System, and the Fish Kill File.
The Water Quality System (WQS) is composed of physical and chemical data obtained during
monitoring of waterways. WQS contains data on sampling collection sites (stations) and on the
samples collected, including information on where, when, and how samples were collected; the
aquifer in which or above which the site is located; parameters tested for; and test results. Ambient
water quality and effluent chemistry information is included. Some data on fish tissue and sediment
are also included. WQS can be linked to other water databases, such as BIOS and the Permit
Compliance System (see separate entry).
The Biological System (BIOS) contains biological data on aquatic organisms, including
distribution, abundance, physical condition, and habitat descriptions. BIOS can incorporate
statistical methodologies for biological analysis. Information in BIOS includes site (station)
collection data (including location identifiers, hydrology, site description, and time of sample
collection); a complete record of observed biota (e.g., taxonomic identity, species counts); and
possibly sampling environment data (e.g., meteorology, physical and chemical water conditions).
BIOS can be linked to STORET's Water Quality File and to EPA's Permit Compliance System
(PCS).
STORET's Daify Flow System contains daily observations at U.S. Geological Survey gaging
stations, primarily of stream flow. It also includes some water quality parameters, such as
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temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, and chloride. This information can be used for analyzing waste
load allocations and for other regulatory analyses.
The Fish Kill File, for which data collection began in 1960 and was discontinued in 1990,
tracks fish kills in the United States caused by pollution resulting from a variety of human activities
(i.e., industrial, municipal, agricultural, transportation). The purpose of this File is to obtain
information on the effects on fish of pollutants discharged to surface waters, and to allow EPA and
states to determine causes of fish kills. Data in the File include location, circumstances, total
number of fish killed, and number of each species killed. Other information in the File includes
primary land use surrounding the kill site, causes of the kill, pollutants identified at the site, and
sources of pollutants. Reporting is voluntary, and therefore it is probable that numerous fish kills
go unreported.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Water (surface water, ground water); soil (sediment); food sources (fish)
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, trihalomethanes, serni-VOCs, pesticides,
PCBs, dioxins/furans, radionuclides, ions (including fluoride), physical and chemical
indicators of water quality
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
Sample Design and Analysis:
STORET includes 150 million water sample observations from 800,000 sampling sites in all
50 states from virtually all rivers and waters contiguous to the United States and in U.S. Territories
(Guam and Puerto Rico) and portions of Canada. Because the data are collected from different
organizations, STORET does not have an overall sampling strategy. The primary source of data
is monitoring information provided by states; the largest single contributor of data is the U.S.
Geological Survey, which transfers data from its WATSTORE system to STORET (USGS water
quality data are transferred monthly; daily values data are transferred every six months; see separate
entry for WATSTORE). Monitoring strategies (e.g., sampling frequency, constituents sampled) are
established by the collecting agency. General EPA guidelines for water quality monitoring exist and
may be followed by some of the states and other agencies submitting data to STORET, but
information on individual agency monitoring practices is not readily available. (Examples of some
EPA monitoring guidelines include: Technical Guidance Manual for Performing Waste Load
Allocations; Technical Support Document for Water Quality-Based Toxics Control; Guidelines for the
Preparation of State Water Quality Assessment (305 (b)) Reports; and Assessing Biological Integrity in
Running Waters: A Method and Its Rationale.) Participating groups are identified with unique codes,
and some information regarding individual sampling strategy for specified locations can be retrieved
upon request. New information is submitted daily by users; updates of data files are conducted
weekly. Information is checked for reasonableness (e.g., that results for tests fall within the possible
range) when added to the system, but users are largely free to define the information they submit.
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EPA guidelines exist for data definition and quality; these are optional but strongly encouraged by
EPA for STORET users. .
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National; U.S. Territories; portions of Canada
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude of the point source and monitor site; state; hydrologic unit
code; river reach number; county; basin; (some data may also be identified by street
address; zip codes; census tract; name of city, municipality, or township; and/or
county/parish)
Time Coverage: 1950s (some data from 1910s)-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Varies by organization
Regularity of sample collection: Depends on organization and purpose
Source information: Not available, but the Industrial Facilities Discharge File and the
Environmental Display Manager (see separate entries) may be useful in identifying
sources in the vicinity
Dispersion information: None available
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Varies by organization
Standard procedures used: Usually, EPA or state methods; EPA guidelines exist for data
definition and quality; these are optional but strongly encouraged by EPA for
STORET users
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Varies by organization
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Varies; STORET's
Water Quality System and Biological System are updated weekly; the Daily Flow
System is updated twice each year
Qualify Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks; field blanks; duplicates; spikes;
data entry audits; QA/QC procedures for states as specified in Section 106 of the Clean
Water Act
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ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Surface water and ground water: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, trihalomethanes,
semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs, dioxins/furans, radionuclides, microorganisms,
ions (including fluoride), physical and chemical indicators of water quality,
asbestos
SOIL
Sediment: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs,
dioxins/furans, radionuclides, asbestos
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES
Fish: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, pesticides, PCBs
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CASRN);
database-specific codes ("parameter" codes which identify the constituent, media, and unit);
cross-referenced to Chemical Abstracts Service Registry (CASRN) numbers if possible
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries or summary statistics; the database can also plot
the data on 3-D graphs and maps by ranges of values and can perform any statistics
available through SAS, to which the system is linked
Availability: Any requester can obtain data
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts
Machine readable ~ Tape, diskette (ASCII, SAS)
Reports: Generally, users retrieve own data and can generate reports (text and graphics)
Reference Documents: STORET User Handbook; (also training seminars and conferences and
regional contact people)
Data/Reports Available From: Data may be obtained either by direct access through the EPA
National Computer Center IBM-3090 computer (can be accessed through most personal
computers with modems), or by requesting data of interest; states or Regional EPA offices
have direct access to STORET and can use it free of charge; private groups can access
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r
STORET for a fee through National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port
Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650; anyone can call their EPA Regional
Office and receive information (hard copy or on-line) on parameters (constituents) ~ a fee
may be charged, depending on the individual request; for the Fish Kill File, data collected
since 1986 is available in hard copy only
To set up a STORET account: Call (800) 424-9067 or (703) 883-8861
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SYNTHETIC ORGANIC CHEMICALS, UNITED STATES PRODUCTION AND SALES
Acronym: Annual SOC Report
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. International Trade Commission
Contact Person: James A. Emanuel, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW
Washington, DC 20436, (202) 252-1367
Objectives and Coverage:
The Synthetic Organic Chemicals, United States Production and Sales database consists of
information collected annually by the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) on the
production and sales of each synthetic organic chemical produced in the United States. Originally
requested by the House Ways and Means Committee in 1916, this information is a legal
requirement of companies and is compiled into annual ITC reports that list summary statistics
within 15 specified groups of organic chemicals. Statistical comparisons with previous years are
included. These published reports are provided to various federal agencies and are available to the
general public upon request.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Bulk chemicals
Classes of compounds: Synthetic organic chemicals (including VOCs, semi-VOCs, pesticides,
PCBs, dioxins/furans, acids, bases)
Type of data available: Summary statistics are available on a large number of organic chemicals
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
An annual questionnaire, of total output is sent to all known producers of approximately
6000 synthetic organic chemicals in the United States by the International Trade Commission.
Producers are legally required (under the Tariff Act of 1930) to complete the questionnaire and
return it to the Commission. The questionnaire separates organic chemicals into 15 classifications:
coal tar tar crudes and pitches; primary products from petroleum and natural gas for chemical
conversion; cyclic intermediates; dyes; organic pigments; medicinal chemicals; flavor and perfume
materials^ plastics and resin materials; rubber-processing chemicals; elastomers; plasticizers; surface-
active agents; pesticides and related products; miscellaneous end-use chemicals and chemical
products; and miscellaneous cyclic and acyclic chemicals.
Within each classification, the ITC specifies a minimum reportable quantity based on the
volume of production or sales or value of sales. Data are published so as not to reveal individual
company operations. A disclosure of confidentiality can also be requested by companies so that
company names will not be identified.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: No geographic indicators used
Time Coverage: 1916-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Not applicable - no samples collected; data on total
output submitted annually by companies who fill out a questionnaire
Regularity of sample collection: Not applicable - no samples collected
Source information: All data collected at the source
Dispersion information: None
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Chemical specific production and sales are aggregated using data supplied from
approximately 700 primary manufacturers of chemicals
Standard procedures used: Not applicable - no samples analyzed
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Not applicable - no samples
collected or analyzed
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Approximate time between receipt of questionnaire and data entry to database: 1 month
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Data entry audits; comparison of current data to
previous years and to data supplied by other domestic producers; phone calls to reporting
companies by agency staff; no independent verification of original data used by the manufacturers
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS
Synthetic organic chemicals (including VOCs, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs,
dioxins/furans, acids and bases)
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name or mixture; Chemical Abstracts Service Registry
Number (CASRN) (the CASRN for most chemicals is shown in the questionnaire but not in the
report)
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Summary statistics are available on specific agents by manufacturer
Availability: Any requester can obtain summary data; summary data are available in an annual published
report which is provided to various federal agencies and available to other federal, state, or local
government agencies, as well as to the general public
Form: Hard copy — Agency reports
Machine readable — Bulletin board (quarterly reports only)
Reports: Annual reports: Synthetic Organic Chemicals United States Production and Sales, provides
the following data within each of the 15 groups of organic chemicals: a summary of statistical
data; statistics on products in as great detail as is possible without revealing the operations of
individual producers; data identifiable by manufacturers' codes; and a directory of manufacturers.
Appendices include corporate telephone numbers and office addresses of manufacturers;
synonymous names for cyclic intermediates; data aggregated in the format of the Harmonized
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System (for comparability with Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) format); and an
alphabetical index of all the products within the edition of the report
Quarterly Reports: Preliminary Report on Production of Selected Synthetic Organic Chemicals
fincluding synthetic plastics and resin materials)
Reference Documents: Colour Index, published jointly by the Society of Dyes and Colourists and the
American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists; Chemical Abstract Service Registry
Numbers and SOCMA Handbook: Commercial Organic Chemical Names, published by the
Chemical Abstracts Service of the American Chemical Society
Data/Reports Available From: Office of the Secretary, ITC, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436,
(202) 205-1807 (for copies of Agency reports) or call (202) 205-1809 and leave a recorded
request; requests may also be faxed to (202) 252-2186; quarterly reports on electronic bulletin
board may be accessed by calling (202) 205-1948 (a password will be given; the I.D. will be the
requester's name)
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TOTAL DIET STUDY
Acronym: TDS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA), Division of Contaminants Chemistry
Contact Person: Ellis L. Gunderson, U.S. FDA, 200 C Street SW, (HFF-420), Washington DC
20204, (202) 245-1152 * '
»
Objectives and Coverage:
Since 1961, the Total Diet Study (TDS), also known as the Market Basket Study, provides
yearly estimates of dietary intakes of selected pesticides, industrial chemicals, radidnuclides, and
elements or nutrients for the U.S. population. These intakes are then compared with established
safe or recommended dietary intake levels. TDS also allows FDA to: identify dietary trends over
time; observe potential public health problems; follow up on isolated contamination incidents; check
the effectiveness of U.S. regulations regarding chemical levels in foods; and guide other FDA food
monitoring programs.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Drinking water, human food sources
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs, radionuclides
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Estimation versus observational data: Estimates based on observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
In the Total Diet Study, typically consumed foods are purchased at the retail level, prepared
for consumption, and analyzed for residue and dietary intake levels. The TDS was established in
1961 to determine dietary intake of radionuclides resulting from atmospheric testing of nuclear
weapons; analyses for selected nutrients and pesticides were also performed. Over the years,
additional analytes have been added (currently, testing is done for over 200 analytes, of which
approximately 51 are usually detected annually). From 1961 to 1982, the number and types of
foods, population groups, collection sites, and analytical methods varied. Food was collected at one
location before 1982 (Washington DC) four times a year, and a "composite sample approach" was
used -- individually prepared food group items were composited by weight. Prior to 1982, food
items and diets were based on the 1955 and 1965 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Household Food Consumption Surveys.
The TDS was redesigned in 1982, based on updated analysis of individual foods and new
dietary information from two surveys (the USDA 1977-1978 Nationwide Food Consumption Survey
(NFCS see entry in Appendix D) and the National Center for Health Statistics Second National
Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) of 1976-1980) (see separate entry for this
database), allowing for assessment of dietary intakes for a greater number of population (age-sex)
groups. Since 1982, food collections (known as "market baskets") have been performed by FDA
district office inspectors four times each year, once from each of four geographical regions of the
United States (East, West, South, and Central), representing the total diet of the U.S. population.
Each market basket has consisted of 234 identical foods purchased in grocery stores in three cities
within each geographical area; after food preparation according to specific instructions, the three
subsamples of each food are combined to form a sample for analysis. Individual analyses of 234
food items depicting eight population groups (ranging from infants to elderly adults) have been
performed for over 200 analytes annually. Most of the analyses use multiresidue analytical methods.
Separate analyses are performed for radionuclides (for which monitoring was discontinued from
1967-1972, and resumed in 1973).
Total Diet Study analyses are performed for prepared, rather than raw, foods; therefore,
because food preparation may reduce levels of chemical residues, analytical procedures in the TDS
are modified from those used in other FDA regulatory programs to permit measurement at levels
5 to 10 times lower than measurements used in those programs; generally, residues present at or
above 1 ppb can be measured in the TDS.
Results prior to and after 1982 are not directly comparable because of the substantial
redesign of the Total Diet Study in'l982 (e.g., design of diets, analysis of individual foods versus
composites, expanded coverage of population (age-sex) groups, and use of different or additional
analytical methods). Beginning in the fall of 1991, the Total Diet Study has expanded its food
collection and analysis to 265 food items, and will be expanding the number of age-sex population
groups.
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DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: City, municipality, or township; Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area
(SMSA); state
Time Coverage: 1961-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Quarterly
Regularity of sample collection: Variable collections; quarterly on average; collections are
spread over a 4-5 week period so laboratory can accommodate sample preparation
workload
Source information: None
Dispersion information: Qualitative information through regional estimates of dietary
uptake of residues from food
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Each collection consists of the purchase of identical foods from grocery
stores in 3 cities within a geographical area; the 3 subsamples of each food (from
the 3 cities) are combined to form a sample for analysis; these samples are then
analyzed individually
Standard procedures used: FDA Pesticide Analytical Manual (1968 and revisions) and
numerous other analytical methodologies for elements, dioxins, pesticides, PCBs,
etc.); Association of Official Analytical Chemists' Official Methods of Analysis;
American Public Health Association Standard Methods for the Examination of
Water and Wastewater
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Several weeks
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 3 months
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks, duplicates, spikes, data entry
audits
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ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Municipal: Inorganic compounds, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs, radionuclides
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES
Domesticated mammals (daily products and meat); plants (vegetables and fruit);
fish/shellfish: Inorganic compounds, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs,
radionuclides
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name or mixture; database-specific codes
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Availability: Any requester can obtain data; computerized database is available from 1982-present;
hard copies of articles summarizing data are available for 1961-1981
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts, Agency reports, journal publications
Reports: History of the Food and Drug Administration's Total Diet Study -1961 to 1987; FDA Total
Diet Study, April 1982-April 1984, Dietary Intakes of Pesticides, Selected Elements, and Other
Chemicals; Residues in Foods 1990; numerous other reports and journal articles
Reference Documents: Documentation for the revised Total Diet Study: Food List and diets;
numerous methods for analysis of specific chemicals
Data/Reports Available From: State Departments of Food and Agriculture and Departments of
Health; FDA District Offices; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; USDA; National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; limited reference documents available through
National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA
22161 (703) 487-4650; Ellis L. Gunderson, FDA, (202) 245-1152
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TOXIC RELEASE INVENTORY
Acronym: TRI
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Toxic Substances
Contact Person: Steve Newburg-Rinn, U.S. EPA, Office of Toxic Substances, 401 M Street SW
Washington, DC 20460, (202) 382-3757
Objectives and Coverage:
TRI contains data on annual estimated releases of over 300 toxic chemicals to air, water, and
land by the manufacturing industry. (Releases to land include: landfills; land treatment/application
farming; and surface impoundments, such as topographic depressions, man-made excavations, or diked
areas.) Industrial facilities provide the information, which includes: the location of the facility where
chemicals are manufactured, processed, or otherwise used; amounts of chemicals stored on-site;
estimated quantities of chemicals released; on-site source reduction and recycling1 practices; and
estimated amounts of chemicals transferred to treatment, recycling, or waste facilities. The Emergency
Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 and the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990
mandated that EPA collect this information and make it available to the public in a computerized
database.
Communities use TRI to obtain information about chemical releases in their area and for
emergency response planning for chemical accidents. TRI data are also used by government agencies
for regulatory purposes, such as permitting, inspection, and compliance reviews of facilities. TRI is
often used in conjunction with other EPA databases to provide support for major environmental laws
such as the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response'
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) the
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and the Safe Drinking Water Act. In addition, TRI data are
used for research purposes by federal, state, and local governments and private groups to study human
health problems, particularly as a tool for risk screening to assess potential environmental and health
risks. More recently, TRI has been used to encourage and assist in implementation of pollution
prevention (including source reduction) programs at industrial facilities.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Air (point and non-point source emissions), water, soil or sediment, bulk chemicals, ions
(including fluoride), underground injection, off-site transfers (including transfers to publicly
owned treatment works, or POTWs)
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs, asbestos, acids/acid
aerosols, bases
Types of data available: Individual entries and summary statistics are available on specific agents
Estimation versus observational data: Most data are estimated; observational data are used if available;
methods of estimation may change from year to year, causing apparent changes in values
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Sample Design and Analysis:
Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 requires facilities in
the manufacturing sector (Standard Industrial Classification codes 20-39) to report releases of over 300
specified chemicals in over 20 chemical categories to local and federal agencies. Only those facilities
that have 10 or more full-time employees and either manufacture or process more than 25,000 Ibs. or
use more than 10,000 Ibs. of chemicals per year must comply. These facilities must report annual
releases to their state and to EPA on July 1 following each calendar year of coverage.
The TRI data for chemical releases to land are limited to releases within the boundary of a
facility Releases to land include: landfills; land treatment/application farming; and surface
impoundments, such as topographic depressions, man-made excavations, or diked areas. Air releases
areidentified as either point source releases or as non-point (i.e., fugitive) releases, such as those
occurring from vents, ducts, pipes, or any confined air stream. Surface water releases include
discharges to rivers, lakes, streams, and other bodies of water. In addition, the database covers releases
to underground injection wells (where chemicals are injected into the groundwater) and offsite transfers
of chemicals to either publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) or any other disposal, treatment,
storage, or recycling facility.
Release quantities are expressed as total annual amount, and the database does not indicate
whether peak releases or accidents occurred during the year. In addition, accuracy of data can vary
ereatly Estimates based on amount of chemical used during a year or on weight of drums can be fairly
accurate. Where monitoring of waste streams has not been done, release estimates may be within 20
percent of the actual amount released, although infrequent nonrepresentative sampling may lead to
much less accuracy. Estimates of fugitive air emissions and complex wastewaters for which monitoring
data are not available may be off by one or even two orders of magnitude. Overall, 1987 total annual
releases appear to have been underestimated by 2 percent. For non-zero release estimates, more than
three-quarters were within a factor of 2 of EPA's best estimate. About 15 percent were in error by an
order of magnitude or more. Finally, estimating exposure based on release quantities requires an
analysis of chemical and site-specific characteristics; there is no simple conversion of release quantity
to concentration in the environment or dose received by individuals.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: LatitudeAongirude of the zip code centroid and of the facility; street address; zip
code; name of city, municipality, or township; county/parish; state
Time Coverage: 1987-present
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Annual
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Regularity of sample collection: Regular (for 1987, approximately 66 percent of facilities were
in compliance with reporting requirements)
Source information: Data are collected at the source, by the industrial facilities themselves
*
Dispersion information: Generally not available, but off-site transfers are included
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: Vary by facility; EPA analytical methods are available for 146 of the
308 chemicals in TRI (available from EPA's Office of Water Regulations and
Standards, Office of Solid Waste, and Office of Research and Development);
development of standardized methods for the other 162 chemicals is being considered,
to be based on determinations of which chemicals should be regulated next; a Guidance
Manual for facility inspectors is available to determine whether facilities have identified
all reportable chemicals and have calculated thresholds properly
Approximate time between sample collection and data entry to database: 9 months
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Data entry audits; Toxic Release Inventory Data
Quality Program, which includes detailed reporting instructions, 18 industry-specific guidance
documents, and accuracy evaluations; site visits
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Surface: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, pesticides, PCBs, asbestos, ions (including
fluoride)
Grotmdwaten Inorganic compounds, VOCs, ions (including fluoride)
SOIL
Industrial: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs, asbestos
AIR
Outdoor urban and rural: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs,
asbestos, acids/acid aerosols
Aggregate stack emissions: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs,
asbestos, acids/acid aerosols
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS
Inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs, asbestos, acids, bases
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OTHER
Also includes underground injection wells and off-site transfers to POTWs, recycling
facilities, treatment facilities, etc.
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CASRN); chemical
or mixture name
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents for each reporting facility
Availability: Any requester can obtain data; on-line if registered to use the National Library of
Medicine's (NLM) Toxicology Data Network (TOXNET) computer services, 24 hours/day by
direct dialing or through TELENET, TYMNET, or COMPUSERVE; NLM is also available
at over 4,000 libraries nationwide
Form: Hard copy - Computer printouts; Agency reports; Microfilm
Machine readable - On-line (ASCII); tape; diskette; CD-ROM
Reports: Routinely available annually; distributed through the National Technical Information Service
(NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650, state offices, federal
offices, and regional libraries of the National Library of Medicine; special reports can be
developed through appropriate software; examples of reports include: The Toxic Release
Inventory: National Report for 1989 Data; Chemicals in Your Community: A Guide to the
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act; Risk Screening Guide
Reference Documents: User manuals for various systems (e.g., EPA IBM system; public access through
TOXNET)
Data/Reports Available From: National Library of Medicine's TOXNET system, (301) 496-6531;
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Hotline (to develop reports), (800) 535-
0202- Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Reporting Center (for hard copy),
(202) 488-1501; National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road,
Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650, or Government Printing Office (for magnetic tapes),
(202) 783-3238; TRI US, (for on-line user support and search assistance), (202) 382-3531
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TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT TEST SUBMISSIONS
Acronym: TSCATS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Toxic Substances
Contact Person: Geraldine D. Nowak, U.S. EPA, Office of Toxic Substances, 401 M Street SW
Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-2320
Objectives and Coverage:
TSCATS is an index of unpublished, nonconfidential studies covering chemical testing
results and adverse effects of chemicals on health and ecological systems. The studies are submitted
by United States industry to the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The
majority of these studies include laboratory studies conducted on chemicals. There are few
epidemiological studies and chemical spill studies included in the database, however, the emphasis
is on laboratory studies. Documents in the database include: TSCA chemical test results; health
and safety studies; notices of substantial risk of injury to health or the environment; and
informational submissions that contain data on exposure, epidemiology, environmental fate, and
monitoring.
A TSCATS record includes the chemical name, Chemical Abstracts Service Registry
Number (CASRN), TSCA section, title, public file document number, microfiche number,
submitting organization, performing organization, study purpose, chemical effect, organism tested,
route of administration, and keywords and abstracts for a select number of studies. Submitted
documents are available on microfiche within the TSCATS system.
TSCATS contains information that is pertinent to the risk assessment and hazard evaluation
processes. The information can be used in conjunction with published material and is a valuable
source in the absence of published data. The data are used by federal and state agencies,
researchers, toxicologists, risk assessors, and trade and professional associations.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Bulk chemicals
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs, dioxins/furans,
radionuclides, asbestos, acids, bases, all other substances covered under TSCA
Types of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Estimation versus observational data: Mostly observational data; some estimated data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
Each study within TSCATS contains its own sample design and analysis. The submitted data
are reviewed by EPA representatives to determine: if additional information is needed, the safety
and use of the chemical, and if the data was submitted under the right section of TSCA. Data are
used for chemical regulation and are made available to the public under Section 10 of TSCA: The
Research, Development, Collection, Dissemination, and Utilization of Data. New documents are added
to the database quarterly.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: Name of submitting organization and contractor (laboratory where research was
done)
Time Coverage: 1985-present
Sample Characteristics: Each study within TSCATS contains its own sampling protocols
Frequency of sample collection: Not applicable (see above)
Regularity of sample collection: Not applicable (see above)
Source information: None
Dispersion information: Most studies do not contain dispersion information, except for
some ecological studies submitted under Section 4: Testing of TSCA
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Not applicable (see above)
Standard procedures used: Procedures for compiling and submitting information depend
upon the applicable section cif TSCA; most documents are submitted under Section
4: Testing', Section 6: Regulation of Hazardous Chemical Substances; or Section 8:
Health and Safety Studies; also, Section 10: The Research, Development, Collection,
Dissemination, and Utilization of Data, specifies procedures for making the studies
available to the public
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Not applicable; no samples
analyzed
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Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Not applicable; no
samples analyzed; approximate time between information received by EPA and data
entered into the database is 3 to 6 months
Quality Assurance/Qualify Control Procedures: Each study has its own quality assurance/quality
control procedures; none required under TSCA
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER Not applicable
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS
Inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs, dioxins/furans,
radionuclides, asbestos, acids, bases, any other substance covered under
TSCA
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: CASRN; chemical name or mixture
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents for each reporting facility
Availability: Any requester can obtain data; on-line from the National Library of Medicine (NLM)
(TSCATS are also contained in the TSCATS, TOXLINE, TOXLIST, HSDB, and RTECS
files); compact disc (CD-ROM) from Silver-Platter Information, Inc., Wellesley, MA; once
references of the document or submission are found on-line or on CD-ROM, the complete
submission or document can be obtained on microfiche through Chemical Information
Systems, Inc., or the National Technical Information Service (NTIS); hard copies of
TSCATS Source Documents may be reviewed and copied at the EPA, Office of Toxic
Substances, Public Docket Room, and the Office of Toxic Substances Chemical Library
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts; microfiche (of the submitted documents)
Machine readable ~ On-line; diskette (CD-ROM); magnetic tape
Reports: Health and safety studies and studies of substantial risk submitted under Section 8 of
TSCA are irregularly distributed in report form to the National Technical Information
Service (NTIS) and the TSCA Hotline Office, (202) 554-1404
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Reference Documents: Each study contains its own reference documents; the Toxic Substances
Control Act is used as a reference document for the database
Data/Reports Available From: National Library of Medicine, On-line Access, 8600 Rockville Pike,
Bethesda, MD 20894, (301) 496-6193 (for a password and user code); SilverPlatter
Information, Inc., 37 Walnut Street, Wellesley Hills, MA 02181, (617) 235-1715 (for compact
disc in CD-ROM); Chemical Information Systems, Inc., 7215 York Road, Baltimore, MD
21212, (301) 321-8440 or 1-800-CIS-USER or the National Technical Information Service
(NTIS) 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650 (for documents on
microfiche; orders must include the microfiche number); NTIS or the TSCA Hotline Office,
1-800-424-9065 or (202) 554-1404 (for reports); U.S. EPA, Office of Toxic Substances Public
Docket Room, 401 M Street SW, Room G-004 Northeast Mall, Washington, DC 20460,
(202) 260-7099, or U.S. EPA, Office of Toxic Substances Chemical Library, 401 M Street
SW, Room B-002 Northeast Mall, Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-3944 (to review and
copy hard copies of TSCATS Source Documents)
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VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUND TOTAL EXPOSURE
ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY STUDY
Acronym: VOC TEAM
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Acid Deposition,
Environmental Monitoring and Quality Assurance
Contact Person: Lance A. Wallace, U.S. EPA, EPIC Building, 166 Bicher Road, Vint Hill Farms
Station, Warrenton, VA 22186-5129, (703) 341-7509
Objectives and Coverage:
The Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) was designed by the EPA to develop
and demonstrate methods to measure human exposure to toxic substances in air and drinking water.
(See also the Nonoccupational Pesticide Exposure Study (NOPES), the Carbon Monoxide TEAM
Study (CO TEAM), and the Particle TEAM Study (PTEAM) in this Inventory.) The goals of VOC
TEAM were to develop methods to measure individual total exposure (from air, food, and water)
and the resulting body burden of toxic and carcinogenic chemicals, and to apply these methods
within a probability-based sampling framework to estimate exposures and body burdens of urban
populations in several U.S. cities. To achieve these goals, air sampling was conducted to measure
personal exposure to airborne toxic chemicals and a specially-designed spirometer was developed
and used to measure the same chemicals in exhaled breath. The survey design consisted of a three-
stage stratified probability selection approach to ensure inclusion of potentially highly exposed
groups. Related objectives of the VOC .TEAM studies were to: determine the relationships
between personal, indoor, outdoor, and blood, urine, and exhaled breath concentrations; determine
the variability of VOC concentrations within a home; and determine seasonal and multi-year
variability. The Study was conducted in three phases.
A field test of the methodology (Phase I) was carried out between July and December 1980
in Bayonne, and Elizabeth, New Jersey and Research Triangle Park, NC. The objective of Phase
II, carried out between September 1981 and February 1983, was to estimate the distribution of
exposures to target substances for a target population in an industrial/chemical manufacturing area
(Bayonne, and Elizabeth, New Jersey) and to compare these estimated exposures to those estimated
for populations in nonchemical manufacturing areas (Greensboro, NC and Devils Lake, ND). In
Phase IE, carried out between February and June 1984, the methodology refined during Phase II
was applied to target populations in California. After completion of these three phases, a separate
VOC TEAM study was carried out in Baltimore, MD during 1987 because Baltimore lacks the
petroleum and chemical manufacturing plants present in most of the previous TEAM study sites
and may therefore be more representative of many U.S. cities. Focused studies were also
conducted in New Jersey and Los Angeles during 1987 to further explore the sources and factors
contributing to personal VOC exposures identified in the earlier TEAM studies.
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Summary of Environmental Data
Media: Air, water, human samples (exhaled breath)
Classes of compounds: VOCs
"types of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics on specific agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
Sample Design and Analysis:
Major studies were conducted in two areas: Elizabeth, and Bayonne, New Jersey; and Los
Angeles, Antioch, and Pittsburgh, CA. In addition, two smaller comparison studies were conducted
in Greensboro, NC and Devils Lake, ND. In New Jersey, an initial probability sample of 11,400
residents (5,550 households) located in 108 areas in Elizabeth and Bayonne were polled to collect
data on age, sex, occupation, and smoking status. A stratified probability sample of these
individuals yielded 355 participants. The probability-based survey design provided a basis for robust
inferences to the approximately 128,000 members of the target population, which included
individuals who were over 6 years of age and were residents of the target cities when the study was
conducted in the fall of 1981. A return visit was made to 157 of the original participants in the
summer of 1982, and a final visit was made to 49 of these 157 persons during January and February
of 1983. The individuals contacted on each return visit were a probability sample of the participants
from the previous visit. All participants also completed questionnaires about their age, sex,
occupation, and activities during the sampling period. An extensive quality assurance program was
implemented for all sampling and analysis activities.
Two comparison studies were conducted. A small comparison study was undertaken in
Greensboro, NC in May 1982. Greensboro was selected because its population is similar in size to
the Bayonne-Elizabeth area and it has similar small industries, but no chemical manufacturing or
petroleum refining operations. The target sample size was set at 25 for a 3-stage sample survey
designed to represent 131,000 Greensboro residents. The location of the second comparison study,
Devils Lake, ND, was selected to investigate whether the population of a small, rural, agricultural
town far from any industry would exhibit personal exposures different from those of the northern
New Jersey population. The target sample size was set at 25 subjects to represent approximately
7,000 residents.
Between February and March of 1984, 117 residents selected from 1,063 households
representing 360,000 residents in the South Bay section of Los Angeles participated in the study.
Between May and June of 1984, a second study included 52 of these participants. During June
1984, residents of Antioch, and Pittsburgh, CA were selected for participation from 502 households
representing a population of 91,000. The overall response rates in the TEAM studies ranged from
44 percent in New Jersey to 76 percent in North Carolina. Los Angeles and Antioch/Pittsburgh
overall response rates were about 57 percent while the overall response rate in North Dakota was
64 percent.
Personal and outdoor air samples were collected in glass cartridges containing solid granular
sorbent Tenax-GC using DuPont sampling pumps for 12 hours at approximately 30 mL/minute
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(target volume of 20L). Breath samples were collected using a specially-designed spirometer
mounted in a van. The subjects provided breath samples at the end of the 24-hour sampling period.
Water samples were collected from the tap at each participant's home after a 20-second flushing
period. Samples were collected in 2-ounce glass jars containing sodium thiosulfate to quench
residual chlorine reactions.
Air and breath samples were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography mass spectrometry
(GC-MS) techniques followed by a combination of manual and automated analyses of spectra.
Water samples were analyzed by a purge and trap GC utilizing a Hall electroconductivity detector
for halogenated compounds and a flame ionization detector for aromatics.
A total of nearly 5,000 air, breath, and drinking water samples were collected for 400
respondents (600 person-days) in the New Jersey, North Carolina, and North Dakota sites. This
represented about 95 percent of all samples originally scheduled. During the California phase,
about 1,800 air, breath, and drinking water samples were collected from 188 respondents (240
person-days). This represented about 98 percent of all samples originally scheduled.
In 1985, Congress appropriated resources for further studies of exposure to VOCs. In
response, three studies were carried out in 1987 in Los Angeles, CA; Baltimore, MD; and New
Jersey. The major goal of the February 1987 Los Angeles VOC TEAM Study was to determine
the personal, indoor, and outdoor air concentrations of 25 VOCs for a subset of Los Angeles
residents. The major goals of the later study in July 1987 (cosponsored by the EPA and the
California Air Resources Board) were to measure VOC concentrations in personal/indoor, and
outdoor air in the exhaled breath of persons living in households that had previously been measured
in 1984; to determine room-to-room variability within homes; to determine source emission rates
by measuring air exchange rates in each home; and to extend the coverage of chemicals sampled
and analyzed by employing additional sampling and analysis methods. The samples were collected
primarily using Tenax cartridges.
The primary goal of the Baltimore study was to determine the frequency distribution of the
VOC exposures of a subgroup of Baltimore residents. About 150 residents drawn from two areas
representing different socioeconomic groups participated in the study; As in the Los Angeles study,
personal, indoor and outdoor air concentrations were measured over two consecutive 12-hour
periods, and breath samples were collected at the beginning and end of each period. Most of the
indoor and outdoor air samples were collected using evacuated cylinders, rather than Tenax
cartridges. Air exchange measurements were again taken for all homes.
In 1987, the TEAM study in New Jersey focused on several sources of exposure in 11 homes
for the purpose of testing hypotheses formed as a result of earlier TEAM studies. Hypotheses
regarding major sources of exposure to several chemicals included: 1) exposures to
tetrachloroethylene are mainly due to storing dry-cleaned clothes in the home or wearing them; 2)
exposures to aromatic compounds may be partially due to storing cars, lawn mowers, gasoline,
kerosene, etc. in attached garages or other areas in the home; and 3) hardware stores may be
important sources of exposure to many toxic organic chemicals. Personal, indoor, and outdoor air
samples, and breath samples were collected for each participant over a 3-day or 5-day monitoring
period. Air exchange rates were also measured to allow the calculation of source emission rates.
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DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: City or municipality (Elizabeth-Bayonne, NJ; Los Angeles, CA; Baltimore, MD;
Antioch-Pittsburgh, CA; Greensboro, NC; Research Triangle Park, NC; Chapel Hill,
NC; and Devils Lake, ND)
Identifiers: City, state; latitude/longitude of the city
Time Coverage: 1980-1987
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Daily during different seasons (two 12-hour samples per
person and household)
Regularity of sample collection: 12-hour sample collections were initiated between 6-9 am
and 4-9 pm
Source and dispersion information: Not directly measured; questionnaire data isolates
activities as potential VOC sources
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: Air and breath samples were analyzed by capillary gas
chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques followed by a combination
of manual and automated analyses of spectra; water samples were analyzed by a
purge and trap GC with a Hall electroconductivity detector for halogenated
compounds and a flame ionization detector for aromatics; sampling and analytical
protocols and standard operating procedures can be found in Volumes II, III, and
IV of The Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) Study (see "Reports" for
citations)
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: 1-3 months
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Approximately 1
year
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks, field blanks, duplicates, spikes,
external laboratory analysis, data entry audits, and field performance audits
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ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Drinking water: VOCs
SOIL Not Applicable
AIR
Indoor homes and public buildings; outdoor urban and rural; personal monitor:
VOCs
FOOD SOURCES
VOCs (limited market basket analysis in early studies)
HUMAN SAMPLES
Exhaled breath: VOCs (Some blood and urine samples were collected in early
studies but they were not helpful, so their collection was discontinued)
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable.
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name or mixture
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries are available on specific agents
Availability: Any requestor can obtain data
Form: Hard copy - Agency reports, journal publications
Machine readable - Tape (ASCII, SAS), diskette (ASCII, SAS)
Reports: The Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) Study, a report of four volumes, is
distributed to the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) (Set Pub. No. PB 88-100
052); Volume I, Summary and Analysis, (Pub. No. PB 88-100 060); Volume II, Elizabeth and
Bayonne, N.J., Devils Lake, North Dakota and Greensboro, North Carolina, (Pub. No. PB 88-
100 078); Volume III, Selected Communities in Northern and Southern California, (Pub. No.
PB 88-100 086); Volume IV, Standard Operating Procedures Employed in Support of an
Exposure Assessment Study, (Pub. No. PB 88-100-094)
Reference Documents:
Pellizzari, E.D. et al. 1989. Baltimore Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM)
- Study, Final Report, EPA Contract #68-02-4406, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC.
To obtain a copy, contact Eto Pellizzari at Research Triangle Institute, (919) 541-6579.
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Pellizzari, E.D. et al. 1989. Comparison of Indoor and Outdoor Toxic Air Pollutant Levels
in Several Southern California Communities, Final Report, Contract #68-02-4544, U.S. EPA,
Research Triangle Park, NC.
Wallace, L.A. et al. 1988. The California TEAM study: breath concentrations and
personal exposures to 26 volatile compounds in air and drinking water of 188 residents of
Los Angeles, Antioch, and Pittsburgh, California. Atmos. Environ. 22:2141-2163.
Wallace, L.A. et al. 1989. The influence of personal activities on exposure to volatile
organic compounds. Environ. Res. 50:37-55.
Wallace, L.A. et al. 1991. The Los Angeles TEAM study: personal exposures, indoor-
outdoor air concentrations, and breath concentrations of 25 volatile organic compounds.
J. of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology. 12:157-192.
Data/Reports Available From: National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road.,
Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650; Lance A. Wallace, U.S. EPA, EPIC Building, 166
Bicher Road, Vint Hill Farms Station, Warrenton, VA 22186-5129, (703) 341-7509
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WATER DATA STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM
Acronym: WATSTORE
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Water
Resources Division
Contact Person: John Briggs, USGS, National Center, MS-437, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 22092, (703) 648-5624
Objectives and Coverage:
The USGS, through its Water Resources Division, investigates the occurrence, quantity,
quality, distribution, and movement of surface water and groundwater in the United States.
WATSTORE is the USGS's repository for all of its water data, grouped into seven files stored by
common characteristics. The Water Quality File contains analytical results of water samples that
describe the chemical, physical, biological, and radiochemical characteristics of both surface and
ground waters. The Groundwater Site Inventory File contains inventory data on wells, springs, and
other sources of groundwater, and includes site location and identification, geohydrologic
characteristics, well construction history, and one-time field measurements (such as water
temperature). The Daily Values File includes parameters measured or observed on a daily or a
continuous basis, such as streamflow, river stages, reservoir contents, water temperatures, specific
conductance, sediment concentrations and discharges, and groundwater levels. The Unit Values File
contains information on water parameters measured on a schedule more frequent than daily such
as rainfall, stream discharge, and temperature data. The Peak Flow File contains peak observations
for annual maximum streamflow and gage height values at surface water sites. The Water Use File
contains summary data on water use throughout the United States. The Station Header File is an
index of sites from three other WATSTORE files (the Daily Values, Peak Flow, and Water Quality
files), and includes information such as identification, location, and physical description of sites.
The hydrologic data contained in WATSTORE are used by government agencies and private
organizations to determine the adequacy of water supplies; design dams, bridges, and flood control
projects; allocate irrigation waters; locate sources of pollution; plan for energy development; and
predict the potential effect of radioactive waste disposal on water supplies. In addition to its data
processing, storage, and retrieval capabilities, WATSTORE can provide a variety of products,
ranging from simple data tables to complex statistical analyses.
The USGS is presently in the process of designing a new system which will replace
WATSTORE. This new system will be called the National Water Information System II and will
include a broader range of environmental data than the current WATSTORE database (e.g., when
and where samples were collected). Although the design of the program will change, all of the
information from the current WATSTORE database will be transferred to the new system and will
be available to users. The new system will be phased in during 1993 and 1994.
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Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Surface water; ground water; leachate; municipal and private water; precipitation; soil and
sediment
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds; VOCs; trihalomethanes; semi-VOCs; pesticides;
PCBs; dioxins/furans; radionuclides; asbestos; microorganisms; physical and chemical
indicators of water quality; ions (including fluoride and chloride)
Types of data available: Individual data entries on specific agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
Sample Design and Analysis:
The USGS collects data at stream gaging stations, lakes, reservoirs, surface water quality
stations, sediment stations, water level observation wells, and ground water quality wells.
Monitoring sites are selected based on the specific purpose of the individual project (e.g., long term
trend analysis; determination of the general characteristics of an area; a specific, identified
problem). Each year many water data collection sites are added and others are discontinued.
As of 1981, the Station Header File included information on nearly 263,000 sites; the Groundwater
Site Inventory File contained data for nearly 700,000 sties; the Water Quality File had results of
more than 1.8 million analyses for 185 different constituents; and the Daily Values file contained
' more than 200 million daily values.
Digital recorders are used at many field locations to record values for parameters such as
river stages, conductivity, water temperature, turbidity, wind direction, fluorides, and chlorides.
Data are recorded and transmitted to the central computer facilities of the USGS at its National
Center. Samples requiring laboratory analysis are analyzed at one of two laboratories of the Water
Resources Division and results are transmitted to the central computer facilities.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: National
Identifiers: LatitudeAongitude of the county, point source, and monitor site; name of county
and state; USGS hydrologic unit codes
Time Coverage: 1880-present
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Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Varies by parameter; Daify Values File: daily or continuous
measurements, including daily mean values and daily maximum and minimum values;
Unit Values File: more frequent than daily (e.g., observations every 5, 15 minutes,
etc.); Peak Flow File; annually; Ground-Water Site-Inventory File: one-time basis for
field measurements (e.g., water temperature); Water Quality File: weekly, monthly,
and quarterly
Regularity of sample collection: Depends upon measurement (see sample frequency above)
Source information: None
Dispersion information: None
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: USGS procedures listed in Regional Analyses of Streamflow
Characteristics; Methods for Collection and Analysis of Aquatic Biological and
Microbiological Samples; and Methods of Measuring Water Levels in Deep Wells;
EPA and USGS procedures listed in Methods for Determination of Inorganic
Substances in Water and Fluvial Sediments; Methods for the Determination of
Organic Substances in Water and Fluvial Sediments; and Methods for
Determination of Radioactive Substances in Water and Fluvial Sediments
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: Immediate for continuous
measurements; varies according to constituent for other measurements (hours to
several months)
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Less than 1 week
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks; field blanks; duplicates; spikes;
external laboratory analysis
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Surface water; ground water; leachate; municipal; private; precipitation: Inorganic
compounds; VOCs; trihalomethanes; semi-VOCs; pesticides; PCBs;
dioxins/furans; radionuclides; asbestos; microorganisms; physical andchemical
indicators of water quality; ions (including fluoride and chloride)
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SOIL
Sediment; Superfund sites: Inorganic compounds; VOCs; semi-VOCs; pesticides;
PCBs; dioxins/furans; radionuclides; asbestos; microorganisms
AIR Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: EPA Storage and Retrieval of Water Quality Data
(STORET) codes
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries on specific agents
Availability: Any requester can obtain data; a variety of formats is available; users most often
request data in the form of tables that contain lists of data, or condensed indexes that
indicate the availability of data stored in the files; computer-printed graphs (bar graphs, line
graphs and plots, frequency distribution curves, X-Y point plots, site-location map plots,
hydrographs, contour plots, and three-dimensional plots) are also available; WATSTORE
interfaces with the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) to provide extensive analyses of data
such as variance; transformations, and correlations
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts; Agency reports
Machine readable - Magnetic tape; diskette (ASCII; other data formats are available; the
format is dependent upon the report); CD-ROM
Reports: Annual reports, Water Resources Data for (state and year), generated for each state, and
reports generated by ad-hoc request are distributed to the National Technical Information
Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Rd., Springfield, VA 22161 (703) 487-4650, EPA, all state
environmental protection offices, Army Corp of Engineers, regional libraries of the National
Libraries of Medicine and other libraries that have requested copies, and local government
offices; examples of reports generated by ad-hoc request include Guidelines for Collection
and Field Analysis of Groundwater Samples for Selected Unstable Constituents; Application of
Surface Geophysics to Groundwater Investigations
Reference Documents: Several; primary documents used include: National Handbook of
Recommended Methods for Water Data Acquisition; American Standards for Testing and
Materials; Techniques of Water Resources Investigations of the USGS
Data/Reports Available From: National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road,
Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650 (for reports); National Water Data Exchange
(NAWDEX), USGS, 421 National Center, Reston, VA 22092, (703) 648-5676 (for on-line
data retrieval)
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WESTERN LAKE SURVEY
Acronym: WLS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and
Development; National Acid Precipitation Program (NAPAP) (multiagency, including U.S.
EPA)
Contact Person: Alan Herlihy, U.S. EPA, Environmental Research Laboratory, 200 WE 35th
Street, Corvallis, OR 97333, (503) 757-4442 .
Objectives and Coverage:
The Western Lake Survey, Phase I, was conducted in 1985 as part of the National Surface
Water Survey, which also included the Eastern Lake Survey and the National Stream Survey (see
entries on these databases elsewhere in this Inventory). The purpose of the National Surface Water
Survey was to assess through monitoring the effects of acidic deposition on surface waters. The
primary objectives of the WLS were to determine in potentially sensitive areas of the western
United States 1) the percentage and location of lakes that were acidic; 2) the percentage and
location of lakes that had low acid neutralizing capacity (ANC); and 3) the chemical characteristics
of lakes, providing a database for selecting lakes for future studies.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Surface water (lakes)
»
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds; ions (including fluoride); physical and chemical
indicators of water quality
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
A statistical procedure was applied in selecting a subset of lakes in the.western United
States as a probability sample to estimate the physical and chemical characteristics of a target
population of lakes from the results of the chosen sample with a known degree of confidence. A
total of 719 lakes were sampled, representing an estimated 10,393 lakes in the target lake
population. In addition, 32 special interest lakes were sampled. A majority of the lakes sampled
were expected to exhibit low alkalinity. A single sample was collected from each lake in the fall;
thus, results are applicable to the fall season only; representation of other periods during the year
(e.g., levels in the spring of 1985) in western lakes is unknown.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: Regional (mountainous western United States)
Identifiers: Latitude/Longitude of the monitor site; name of county/parish; state
Time Coverage: 1985
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: One time only
Regularity of sample collection: Regular
Source and dispersion information: Acidic deposition typically originates from nonpoint
source pollution and impacts of various pollutants; specific sources are not
determined in this database
Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: No
Standard procedures used: EPA Methods for Chemical Analyses for Water and Wastes
(modified for acidic deposition); Handbook of Methods for Acid Deposition Studies,
Laboratory Analysis for Surface Water Chemistry; Handbook of Methods for Acid
Deposition Studies, Field Operations for Surface Water Chemistry (all published by
the EPA Office of Research and Development)
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: 1-28 days, varies by analyte
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: 3-6 months
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Quality Assurance/Qualify Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks, field blanks, duplicates, spikes,
external laboratory analyses, data entry audits, field and laboratory audits, methods
comparability study
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Surface: Inorganic compounds; ions (including fluoride); physical and chemical
indicators of water quality
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name or mixture
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries are available on specific agents. Summary
statistics are also available on specific agents, as cumulative distribution functions of
regional lake acid-base status.
Availability: Any requester can obtain data
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts, Agency reports, journal publications
Machine readable - Tape, diskette (ASCII, SAS)
Reports: National Surface Water Survey, Western Lake Survey, Phase I—Field Operations Report
Quality Assurance Plan; Quality Assurance Report
Reference Documents: National Surface Water Survey: Western Lake Survey—Phase I, Database
Dictionary; Analytical Methods Manual
Data/Reports Available From: National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal
Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650 (for data or report copies); Susan Christie,
(503) 757-4645 (for information on reports available)
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WISCONSIN FISHERIES DATABASE
Acronym: FISH.WIS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and
Development (ORD)
Contact Person: Kenneth E.F. Hokanson, Ph.D., U.S. EPA, ORD, Environmental Research
Laboratory, 6201 Congdon Boulevard, Duluth, MN 55804, (218) 720-5757
Objectives and Coverage:
The Wisconsin Fisheries Database (FISH.WIS), a merger of a biological and a chemical
database, covers over 400 lakes in northern Wisconsin. FISH.WIS was originally created to assess
acid rain impacts on lake biota (e.g., fish health in relation to water quality) by adding fisheries
records to chemical data about the lakes studied. Information on the presence of metals in lakes
was also included. Data in FISH.WIS include lake chemistry and composition, drainage (e.g.,
agricultural or natural areas), inlet and outlet information, water source, flow information, a
pollution index (indicating absence or presence of pollution), and information on the presence of
fish species with codes of relative abundance. FISH.WIS is designed to assess rural areas having
minimal human disturbance. Completed in 1984, this database is currently not funded. It has not
been used to examine the effects of water quality on fish or to study ecological relationships.
Summary of Environmental Data:
Media: Surface water
Classes of compounds: Inorganic compounds, ions (including nitrate, sulfate, phosphorous,
ammonia, magnesium, calcium, iron), physical and chemical indicators of water quality
Type of data available: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Estimation versus observational data: All observational data
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Sample Design and Analysis:
For chemical analysis, lakes representative of the aquatic (recreational) resources in the
region were sampled to assess factors that might make the lakes susceptible to acidification. The
study area encompassed lakes within the Upper Wisconsin River Basin, bounded by the coordinates
46°07'N, 89°09'W to the north and 45°11'N, 89°41'W to the south. Approximately 90% of the land
was forested, with a relatively low population density (9.3 persons/km2). Lake selection was
intentionally biased to include most lakes in the study area with surface area greater than 100
hectares (ranging to as small as 3.9 hectares) for which no recent water quality data were available.
Direct sampling was done for physical and chemical characteristics. Both in-lake and watershed
measures were obtained. In addition, a cluster analysis was performed using alkalinity, color, and
chlorophyll a data, which resulted in three clusters of lake types: lakes dominated by surface runoff;
lakes dominated by groundwater; and those dominated by precipitation. Further analysis of factors
that may contribute to lake susceptibility to acid precipitation was conducted through discrimination
analysis of 18 watershed characteristics across the three lake clusters. Records obtained from the
Wisconsin Fisheries Department indicating the presence of fish species were then added to the
chemical database. The measurements showed that the potentially sensitive low alkalinity lakes in
northcentral Wisconsin lack surface inlets or outlets, and that their chemistry is associated with
precipitation chemistry.
DATABASE CHARACTERISTICS
Geographic Characteristics:
Coverage: Region of state (northern Wisconsin lakes)
Identifiers: Latitude/longitude of the monitor site; name of city, municipality, or township;
state; hydrologic unit codes
Time Coverage: 1979-1983 (biological data on fish are available from 1940-present)
Sample Characteristics:
Frequency of sample collection: Usually in early spring and late fall; occasionally in summer
and winter
Regularity of sample collection: Regular
Source information: None
Dispersion information: None
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Methods of Sample Analysis:
Samples pooled: Data are available individually or by category (e.g., fish, metals, field
measurements)
Standard procedures used: American Public Health Association Standard methods for the
examination of water andwastewater (1975); EPA methods for chemical analysis of
water and wastes (1979)
Approximate time between sample collection and analysis: 24-48 hours
Approximate time between sample analysis and data entry to database: Immediate-2
months
Quality Assurance/Quality Control Procedures: Laboratory blanks, field blanks, duplicates
(laboratory and field), spikes, external laboratory analyses, data entry audits
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Classes of Compounds Analyzed by Media:
WATER
Surface water (lakes): Inorganic compounds, ions (including nitrate, sulfate, phosphorous,
ammonia, magnesium, calcium, iron), physical and chemical indicators of water
quality
SOIL Not applicable
AIR Not applicable
FOOD SOURCES Not applicable
HUMAN SAMPLES Not applicable
BULK CHEMICALS Not applicable
Conventions Used to Identify Agents: Chemical name or mixture
DATABASE AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents
Availability: Database is currently unfunded; however, data files are available to requesters
Form: Machine readable - Tape (ASCII)
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Reports: Eilers, J.M. et al., "Hydrologic Control of Lake Susceptibility to Acidification," Canadian
Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Vol. 40, 1983
Reference Documents: None
Data/Reports Available From: Gary Glass, U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development,
Environmental Research Laboratory, 6201 Congdon Boulevard, Duluth, MN 55804
720-5526 '
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PART II: DATA HANDLING SYSTEMS
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ACID DEPOSITION DATA NETWORK
Acronym: ADDNET
Sponsoring Agency: Multiagency under the National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program
(NAPAP)(includes U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
Contact Person: Richard J. Olson, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831,
(615) 574-7819
For descriptions of the data included in this data handling system, see also in Part I of this
Inventory:
Acid Deposition System (ADS)
Acidification Chemistry Information Database (ACID)
Alkalinity, Lake Area, and Deposition for New England States
Ambient Ozone Concentrations
Fish Information Network (FIN)
Monthly Emissions Inventory for Sulfur Dioxide
National Acid Precipitation Program (NAPAP)
Description
I
The Acid Deposition Data Network was established in 1978 to provide reliable data to
support assessments and policy analysis for the National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program
(NAPAP) and to facilitate timely exchange of accurate, usable data among NAPAP and other data
sources. This database provides national geographic coverage from 1970 through 1988. ADDNET
lost funding in 1988, but the information is archived. The.component databases were divided into
various subject areas: agriculture, geographic base data (e.g., U.S. Census county codes), climate,
vegetation, forestry, air quality, land use/land cover, population, water quality, and terrain.
Pollutant source information is available, and dispersion information is available for air but not for
water. When the program was fully funded, researchers from state and federal agencies could
request specific reports and data link-ups.
DATA SOURCES
ADDNET contains 55 data sets that have been certified to ensure consistency across all
. areas of assessment. The objective was to link approximately 50 independent state and federal
agency databases (over 30 additional data sets were being edited for addition to ADDNET when
the program lost funding; these additional data sets were never included). Each component data
set was responsible for designing and implementing its own sampling strategy and collection. Ten
of the 55 integrated databases are related to atmospheric and water chemistry. These databases
contain measurements in each of the media for criteria pollutants, VOCs, particulates, and physical
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ADDNET, QA/QC spot-checks were conducted to verify information, but, in general, QA/QC
procedures were prepared by each of the individual data sources. ADDNET spot-checked
individual values and traced the values back to the data entry of the component database.
DATA PRESENTATION
The ADDNET program put the individual databases into a common format, converted all
units to metric units, and established consistent codes for missing fields and values. Individual
entries, summary statistics, and cross-referenced data are available. Observational data provide the
basis for county-level estimates. ADDNET data can be identified by latitude/longitude of the
county centroid, point source and monitor site, and physical description of the point source, monitor
site, county, and state. Samples were collected monthly or annually (when aggregated).
DATA AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual samples are entered into the database
Availability: May be available to government agencies if funding provided; data not routinely
available
Form: Machine readable — Tape (SAS)
Reports: No
Reference Documents: ADDNET Notebook: Documentation of the Acid Deposition Data Network
(ADDNET) Database Supporting the National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program
(1987)
Data Reports Available From: Richard J. Olson, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge,
Tennessee 37831, (615) 574-7819
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ACIDIFICATION CHEMISTRY INFORMATION DATABASE
Acronym: ACID
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Brookhaven National Laboratory
Contact Person: George R. Hendrey, U.S. DOE, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Terrestrial and
Aquatic Ecology Division, Building 318, Upton, NY 11973, (516) 282-3262
Description
ACID was established to analyze the effect of acid deposition on surface waters of the
United States by examining historical trends at regional and national scales. ACID is a
comprehensive database that combines data from existing computerized databases (e.g., Storage and
Retrieval of Water Quality Data (STORET)) with other data sets from a variety of sources (e.g.,
state agencies). Approximately 75 percent of the sampling stations come from STORET. ACID
currently contains data for the 48 contiguous United States from 48,692 water quality sampling
stations and 819,002 sampling dates. Data in ACID include hydrology, acidity, water chemistry,
limited lake and stream morphometry, and station information divided into 10 regions: Northeast,
South, Maryland, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Midwest, Northwest, and West.
See also the separate entry for the Acid Deposition Data Network (ADDNET).
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AEROMETRIC INFORMATION RETRIEVAL SYSTEM
Acronym: AIRS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air Quality Planning
and Standards
Contact Person: John Bosch, Chief, National Air Data Branch, U.S. EPA, MD-14, Research
Triangle Park, NC 27711, (919) 541-5583
For descriptions of the data included in this data handling system, see also in Part I of this
Inventory:
National Emissions Data System (NEDS)
Compliance Data System (CDS)
National Park Service Environmental Database Management System (NPSEDMS)
Air Quality Subsystem (AQS) of AIRS
Air Facility Subsystem (AFS) of AIRS
National Air Monitoring Stations (NAMS)
State and Local Air Monitoring Stations (SLAMS)
Description
AIRS is a national repository for data on airborne pollution in the United States. AIRS
includes compliance data for airborne criteria pollutants—lead, CO, SO2, NO^ ozone, reactive
volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter (either total suspended particulates
(TSP) or particulate matter less than 10 microns in size (PM10))—for which National Ambient Air
Quality Standards (NAAQS) have been set. In addition, AIRS contains information on air quality,
point source emissions, and area/mobile source data on a wide variety of other pollutants. AIRS
can be used to generate reports on air quality and emissions for various pollutants for specific time
periods and geographic areas. Maps showing the monitoring sites can also be generated.
AIRS was established in 1987 and replaced the Storage and Retrieval of Aerometric Data
(SAROAD), National Emissions Data System (NEDS), Compliance Data System (CDS), National
Air Monitoring Stations (NAMS) Management Information Systems, Comprehensive Data Handling
System (CDHS), Air Quality Data Handling System (AQDHS-II), and the Emission Inventory
System/Point Source and Area Source (EIS/PS and EIS/AS). AIRS also contains summary data,
but not raw data, from the National Park Service Environmental Database Management System
(NPSEDMS) and from the Precision and Accuracy Reporting System (PARS), which includes data
on instrumentation, measurements, and calibration. AIRS contains some, but not extensive,
meteorological data from some air quality monitoring sites.
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AIRS does not include information on toxic waste sites (CERCLIS), or information from
the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) or the National Air Toxics Information Clearinghouse
(NATICH), among other data systems.
EPA uses AIRS data for regulatory, monitoring, and research purposes, such as assessing
the nation's air quality, setting national ambient air quality regulations, identifying localities where
improvements in air quality are needed, estimating national air emissions and trends, and preparing
reports mandated by the Clean Air Act. States use AIRS information to develop State
Implementation Plans. In addition, many states store a wide variety of data on other pollutants and
variables in AIRS (e.g., through the State and Local Air Monitoring Stations (SLAMS) system).
AIRS data have been used for exposure, assessment and in the development of EPA Criteria
Pollutant Documents.
DATA SOURCES
As of 1989, AIRS contained approximately 500 million air pollution measurements, primarily
in heavily populated, urban areas. AIRS consists of four subsystems: air quality subsystem, facility
subsystem, area/mobile source subsystem, andgeo-common subsystem. The geo-common subsystem
contains reference information on codes and code descriptions to identify places, pollutants,
processes, geo-political entities, numerical values, etc. The other three systems contain data
contributed by states under several federal regulations, as well as additional data that states may
choose to store in this system.
Air Quality Subsystem
The Air Quality Subsystem (see database description in Part I of this Inventory) contains
measurements of ambient concentrations of air pollutants and associated meteorological data. The
data are reported by states under U.S. EPA regulations on a quarterly basis.
Air Facility Subsystem
The Air Facility Subsystem (see the description of this database in Part I of this Inventory)
contains aerometric emissions and regulatory compliance data on air pollution point sources tracked
by the U.S. EPA, state, and local air regulatory agencies. Data from states are reported on a yearly
basis.- J J
Area/Mobile Source Subsystem
The Area and Mobile Source Subsystem is scheduled for production in mid-1992. This
subsystem will contain emission inventories from small stationary and mobile sources, forest fires,
fugitive transport, and natural sources of air pollution. Data will be stored for all counties
nationwide beginning with data from 1990; for nonattainment areas, data will be available on the
county, city, or zone level.
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DATA PRESENTATION
AIRS uses the Adaptable Database (ADABAS) database management system. NATURAL
and VS-COBOL are used to update and access data from AIRS.
AIRS provides the user with a variety of standardized report formats. These include
quarterly or yearly maximum values or averages for individual monitors by pollutant; the 10 highest
values recorded at a monitor presented by quarter or year with time/date notation; all raw data
values for a specific time period; box plots for individual monitors by pollutants; and monitor and
monitor site characteristics. Data can be selected for analysis based on measurement frequency or
other air quality parameters, such as maximum daily temperature. Data can be averaged over
monitors (e.g., over geographic areas), and over time periods. The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI)
can be presented for urban area trends.
In addition, the user can use NATURAL to write new formats for reports. Alternatively,
work files can be created from AIRS that can then be accessed by other software packages (e.g.,
FORTRAN, COBOL, BMDP, IMSL, SAS, or DISPLAA), to generate new reports.
DATA AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents; summary statistics are computed for calendar quarter and year for individual
monitor parameters
Availability: Any requester can obtain data through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA);
some data are confidential, but most are public information; federal, state, or local
governmental agencies may obtain data directly on-line; federal offices and contractors may
receive data free of charge through interagency agreements and computer accounts or by
calling the EPA National Air Data Branch (NADB); all others must submit FOIA requests
in writing and pay search costs
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts; Agency reports; microfilm (some data)
Machine readable - On-line tape, diskette (ASCII, EBCDIC)
Reports: Approximately 25 on-line routine reports available; -- users may select variables such as
geographic region, measurement frequency, pollutant, industrial process, stack emissions,
etc.; on-line users can generate their own reports using ADABAS (NATURAL),
FORTRAN or COBOL, or analytical and/or graphics packages (e.g., BMDP, IMSL, SAS,
DISPLAA).
AIRS reports present results of direct air pollution measurements at air monitoring sites
nationwide or estimates for point source emissions but do not offer analyses of conclusions.
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Reference Documents: Other reports are on-line only, and include: AIRS Quick Look (quarterly
or yearly maximum values for individual monitors by pollutant; AIRS Standards Report
(presents raw data values and flags values exceeding regulatory standards); Emissions by
SIC; Distribution of Emissions; Plant Emission Inventory; AIRS Ad Hoc (can create custom
reports)
Data/Reports Available From:
To retrieve AIRS data directly: Users must be registered to access the IBM 3090S
computer system at the EPA National Computer Center; have an IBM 3270 computer
terminal or equivalent and a PC with a serial port or at least a 1,200-baud modem (or
preferably a 2,400- or 9,600-baud modem, a PC with an IRMA board, or a PC compatible
with a 9,600-baud controller); must use CICS and AD ABAS; onsite training available
Nondirect users may request AIRS data through FOIA from NADB staff
To register or for information, contact the appropriate AIRS administrator:
AIR Quality Subsystem: Jacob Summers (919) 541-5695
AIRS Facility Subsystem: Chuck Isbell (919) 541-5448
Area/Mobile Source Subsystem: Andrea Kelsey (919) 541-5549
Data Retrieval requests: Tom Link (919) 541-5456
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COAL TECHNOLOGY DATA SYSTEM
Acronym: None
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center
(PETC)
Contact Person: Richard DeSantis, U.S. DOE, PETC, Box 10940, Pittsburgh, PA 15236, (412) 892-
4761
Description
PETC, which specializes in coal research, collects data from approximately 100 sources and
includes it in the Coal Technology Data System, a data handling system on energy information from
U.S. power plants. The Coal Technology Data System includes information on emissions sources;
utilization of coal, with limited information on oil, gas, and nuclear energy; trace element toxicity;
raw coal characteristics; coal shipment data; boiler characteristics (size, manufacturer, firing type,
etc.); washability (potential for cleaning coals); and the relationship between certain emissions (e.g.,
oxides of nitrogen) and boiler characteristics. Data are organized into approximately 100 databases,
four of which are available in the personal computer (PC) version; these four include: Reserves,
Shipment, USGS, and Washability. Other databases in this system include: Advanced Combustion
Technology, Alternative Fuels, Clean Coal Technology, Coal Preparation, Flue Gas Clean-up,
Liquefaction, and a bibliographic database, which catalogues nearly 1000,000 DOE/PETC-sponsored
research reports and items of historical significance in the field of coal utilization technology. Users
of the system can calculate air emissions (oxides of nitrogen and sulfur, carbon monoxide,
particulates, and trace elements) from given data on feed and burn stock and clean-up equipment,
using models provided in the system. The Coal Technology Data System is used for a variety of
purposes specific to individual needs, e.g., to determine engineering and administrative controls for
the purpose of reducing pollution and energy costs.
DATA SOURCES
The Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center obtains, processes, and updates existing data from
other sources for the Coal Technology Data System. Coal shipment data are obtained from the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Form 423: Monthly Report of Cost and Quality, of
Fuels for Electric Plants (data on monthly deliveries of fuels to plants and on fuel quality); other
information on coal is obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Boiler characteristics
are obtained from the Energy Information Agency (EIA) Form 767: Steam-Electric Plant Operation
and Design Report (fuel consumption data for individual boilers) and from commercial sources.
Data used to calculate emissions are also obtained from EIA Form 767. The relationship between
oxides of nitrogen and boiler characteristics are obtained from research literature.
The Reserves Database includes the results of fifteen parameters measured in 1,431 samples
of U.S. coal. The measured parameters include: percentages of moisture, dry volatile matter, fixed
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dry carbon, dry ash, dry sulfur, dry hydrogen, dry carbon, dry nitrogen and dry oxygen; dry heating
value; ash-softening temperature; free-swelling index; hardgrove grindability index; underground
tons; and strip tons. These data were primarily obtained from state agencies which participated in
a 1974 survey of U.S. coal mines.
The Shipment Database includes five parameters in yearly averages describing coal
shipments from approximately 2,000 mines to 405 power plants. Parameters include: quantity
shipped from mines or received by power plants; heating value (BTU/lb); percentages of sulfur and
ash; and cost/million BTU. Megawatts are included for all types of power plants.
The USGS Database includes the results of 4,043 coal samples covering 92 parameters,
including major, minor, and trace element analyses. These samples were collected by USGS from
approximately 100 points in the United States, and results were forwarded to PETC. This
information is occasionally updated. Also included is geological information on U.S. coal seams,
including items such as coal seam thickness and depth.
The Washability Database, which describes the potential for cleaning coals, is determined
by PETC. This database includes 312 parameters describing 975 samples of U.S. coals.
DATA PRESENTATION
PETC staff can manipulate each of these databases to present pertinent information in a
variety of formats, e.g., a U.S. map of fixed carbon in coal or a sulfur dioxide emissions profile of
pre-1980 electric utility boilers.
DATA AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics (yearly averages) are
available for data in the four PC version databases (Reserves, Shipment, USGS,
Washability); individual data entries are available for all other databases
Availability: Any requester can obtain hard copy data; customized reports are obtained by sending
a letter (see address below) listing the requester's name, affiliation, return address, the
requested information, the intended use of the information, the desired completion date of
the information request, and the requester's telephone number; on-line access of the four
PC version databases is limited to authorized individuals only
Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts
Machine-readable - On-line (limited to authorized individuals)
Reports: PETC staff customizes databases on needs of the requester, e.g., NOx Emissions; Mercury
Concentrations in Coal
Reference Documents: Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center Technology Database:
Capabilities and Development Activities, Volume 1
General
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Data/Reports Available From: National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal
Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650; James Lacey, U.S. DOE, PETC, P.O. Box
10940, MS 58-M217, Pittsburgh, PA 15236, (412) 892-6144 (letters of request for customized
data); Sun W. Chun, U.S. DOE, PETC, P.O. Box 10940, Building 58, Room 225, Pittsburgh,
PA 15236, (412) 892-6122 (to request on-line access)
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COMPREHENSIVE EPIDEMIOLOGIC DATA RESOURCE
Acronym: CEDR
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Epidemiology and Health
Surveillance (OEHS)
Contact Person: Barbara Brooks, U.S. DOE, OEHS, EH-42, Germantown (GTN), Washington DC
20585, (903) 353-5926
Description
CEDR is being developed as one of the components of the Department of Energy's (DOE)
Epidemiology and Health Surveillance Program. The objective of CEDR is to collect and organize
data arising from epidemiologic studies of DOE workers and other populations, such as those living
in the vicinity of DOE facilities. These studies will include DOE-sponsored research as well as
other data made available to DOE for inclusion in the data system. The purpose of this data
system is to encourage research that evaluates health effects of exposure to low levels of radiation
in these populations. The data will be organized so that a wide range of users will have access to
the data for further analyses or meta-analyses. (During the development of,the system, however,
access to the data is limited.) Broad scientific use of these data and the associated diversity of
analyses and conclusions should provide support to improve methods of data collection and
analyses.
DATA SOURCES
CEDR is compiling data from existing studies, and is not designing these studies. The data
that will be included are largely DOE-supported studies to assess the health and mortality
experience of DOE contractor employees and to evaluate the health effects of exposure to low
levels of radiation in these employees. Other types of data being considered for inclusion are
ecologic and community studies.
Data elements included in the system include unique ID numbers, demographic and socio-
economic information, employment and work history, exposure, and health data. Exposure data
are based on both observational measurements, (e.g., personal monitors), and estimated exposures.
The extent of information and method of exposure determination vary between studies.
The initial studies included over approximately 110,000 workers at various DOE sites,
including Hanford, Oak Ridge, and Rocky Flats. The extent of studies included in CEDR may
change as the system evolves. Other types of data, such as employment in non-energy-related
occupations in which radiation exposure is possible, have also been discussed.
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DATA PRESENTATION
The CEDR data management system is being developed at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories.
The capabilities include storage, documentation, retrieval of descriptive information, and specially
developed browsing capabilities. Using a specially developed X-windows-based browsing/query
system, the browsing capabilities allow the user to examine and explore the contents of all databases
in the system, mark desired data for selection, and extract that data into a new data set.
DATA AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries
Availability: Any requester can obtain data after submitting confidentiality statements and
completing procedures to establish an account at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory; the
data may be accessed through various computer networks, such as Internet or TYMNET
Form: Machine readable — Tape, diskette, on-line
Reports: Not yet available
Reference Documents: Not yet available
Data/Reports Available From: General information about CEDR is available from Barbara Brooks,
U.S. DOE, OEHS, EH-42, GTN, Washington DC 20585, (903) 353-5926 or FAX # (301)
233-5926
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ENVIRONMENTAL DISPLAY MANAGER
Acronym: EDM
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Water
Contact Person: Thomas Pandolfi, U.S. EPA, Office of Water, Assessment and Watershed
Protection Division, WH553, 401 M Street SW, Washington DC 20460, (202) 260-7030
For descriptions of the data included in this data handling system, see also in Part I of this
Inventory:
Storage and Retrieval of Water Quality File (STORET)
Permit Compliance System (PCS)
Description
EDM ties together national on-line databases that contain spatial and attribute information
on industrial and municipal dischargers, drinking water supplies, stream flow, water quality
monitoring stations, discharge permit compliance reports, and hydrologic maps. EDM provides easy
access to these data; automated environmental analyses, reports, and data; graphics; images; text;
and documents that can be used by numerous output devices, software packages, and computers.
EDM can be used to generate reports on multiple individual pollutant and water quality
measurements at specific locations. With maps, the user can look at the rivers in any state, can
zoom in on a small pond, and can overlay and identify particular features. Maps showing locations
of discharge permitted facilities, surface water supplies (including utilities, intakes, and sources),
and population centers can also be generated. Maps also display roads, rivers, and lakes. The
detail of the map is flexible.
EPA uses EDM for regulatory, monitoring, and research purposes such as assessment of the
nation's water quality, environmental planning, developing and promoting environmental laws, and
environmental enforcement. Reports from EDM can be used for education and public awareness.
DATA SOURCES
The mapping component of EDM works with an electronic version of the 54,000 base maps
of the U.S. Geological Survey, also known as the 7.5-minute quadrangle maps. These maps portray
features at the 1:100,000 scale. The hydrologic data from these maps are stored separately as the
River Reach file. This file includes over 100 million records containing the latitude and longitude
coordinates of streams, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, and shorelines in the United States. Also
included in the mapping component of EDM are the latitude/longitude, stream reach cross
references, and population of cities in the United States.
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Information on water comes from two sources: the Storage and Retrieval of Water Quality
File (STORET) and the Permit Compliance System (PCS). Detailed information about these data
systems can be found in Part I of this Inventory.
STORET contains geographic and other descriptive data about the sites where water quality
data have been collected. Data include physical characteristics and chemical constituents of the
water, fish tissue, or sediment sampled. This file contains over 200 million water sampling
observations. (Information about the flow in the stream is stored in the Stream Gage File.)
The PCS database is the national inventory for EPA permit issuance and
compliance/enforcement data. The database consists of more than 5 million records on over 75,000
active water discharge permits. (Information about the facilities is stored in the Industrial Facilities
Discharge File. This file does not contain measurements but does contain information as to
indirect dischargers to sewage treatment plants, standard industrial classification codes, receiving
stream, and categorization of industrial process.)
DATA PRESENTATION
EDM provides the user with a variety of report, graph, and map formats. EDM can access
data for any geographic region in the continental United States. Data can be accessed either
through EPA discharge permit numbers, latitude/longitude, water body, city, county or state name,
river reach or water quality station, or pointing to states on a U.S. map and then successively
narrowing down the regions. Report formats include data inventories for selected sampling sites;
lists of facilities, cities, and water quality stations within a designated area; data summaries for
specific parameters and time periods at selected sampling sites; and water supplies downstream of
designated facilities (size of population served is also included). Graph formats include line graphs
and histogram presentations of specific measurements or summary measurements of one or multiple
parameters. Maps can be generated at a variety of levels of detail and the overlay information is
user specified. Further, routing of the streams can be displayed.
EDM is available through the EPA National Computer Center and communications
network. EDM uses IBM's Graphics and Data Management System and UNIRAS graphics. The
user interface is interactive with the menu specifying the functions that can be selected at each step.
Lists are also available for many of the more detailed and numerous data. For instance, if the user
is unfamiliar with the 7.5-minute quadrangle maps in the area of interest, a list of maps for the area
can be displayed.
DATA AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents at specific sites; summary statistics are computed for time periods designated by the
user
Availability: Any EPA National Computer Center user (EDM can be accessed through federal,
state, academic, and private communications networks, including SNA Backbone, X.25
Backbone, and Tymnet)
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Form: . Depends on the graphical and data production capabilities of the user's facility
Reports: On-line users can generate own reports
Reference Documents: The Environmental Display Manager (presents overview of the data system)
Data/Reports Available From: To retrieve EDM data directly: Users must be registered to access
the IBM 3090S computer system at the EPA National Computer Center, and have an IBM
3270 computer terminal or equivalent and a PC with a serial port or at least a 1,200-baud
modem (or preferably a 2,400- or 9,600-baud modem, a PC with an IRMA board, or a PC
compatible with a 9,600-baud controller)
To register or for information, contact Thomas Pandolfi, U.S. EPA, Office of Water,
Assessment and Watershed Protection Division, WH553, 401 M Street SW, Washington DC
20460,(202) 260-7030
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GRAPHICAL EXPOSURE MODELING SYSTEM
Acronym: GEMS ;
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Toxic Substances
Contact Person: Cathy Turner or Sondra Hollister, U.S. EPA, Office of Prevention and Toxic
Substances, Mailstop TS-798, 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-3929 or
(202) 260-3390
For descriptions of the data included in this data handling system, see also in Part I of this
Inventory:
National Emissions Data System (NEDS)
Permit Compliance System (PCS)
Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)
Description
GEMS is an interactive information management system designed to allow the rapid analysis
of environmental problems. The system allows the user to estimate chemical properties of
pollutants, assess the fate of chemicals in theoretical and in geographically specific environments,
model the resulting chemical concentrations, determine the number of people potentially exposed,
and estimate the resultant human exposure and risk. GEMS has modeling capabilities for the
atmosphere, surface water, unsaturated land (soil), saturated zones (ground water), and multimedia.
GEMS contains a variety of models for each media.
GEMS contains a range of data sets that help the user determine the environmental
characteristics of the specific area. These include data on the population (including demographic
characteristics as well as location of cities), atmospheric, water, and soil characteristics (e.g.,
climatic, soil property, and stream flow data), ecosyste'm characteristics, and water supply
information. GEMS also includes data sets that identify and characterize potential chemical release
sites as well as monitoring stations. These data sets include information on publicly owned
wastewater treatment works (POTWs), and industrial facilities, identified through the Permit
Compliance System (PCS), the National Emissions Data System (NEDS), and the National
Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). In general, the user provides information on
the pollutant discharged such as amount, concentration, or source. However, data are also directly
accessible from the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI). Data sets are also available that provide
information on chemicals and their properties.
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GEMS was originally designed in 1981 for EPA scientists and modelers who needed a tool
to provide comprehensive policy planning support to EPA administrators. The system facilitates
both exposure and risk assessments. GEMS is now available to any requester through the EPA
VAX cluster or by purchase of the PC version.
DATA SOURCES
GEMS has a flexible geodata handling system. The user may specify the location using the
zip code, universal transverse mercator coordinates, latitude and longitude, or Federal Information
Processing Standard (FTPS) codes for a state or county. Locations of water systems can be
identified through hydrologic unit codes or river reach numbers. Then, using a cross-referencing
program, the system can access any of the data sets through the geographic codes of the data set.
Information on potential chemical release sites comes from several sources. Sites include
POTWs, industrial sites, and underground storage tanks.
POTWs are identified in the NEEDS86 file, the 1986 Needs Survey Report to Congress,
Assessment of Needed Publicly Owned Wastewater Treatment Facilities in the United States. This
provides information on the location, unit treatment process, influent and effluent descriptors, flow
rates, and population served. The file does not contain measurements of pollutants in influent or
effluent.
Industrial facilities are listed in the Industrial Facilities Discharge File. This file was
assembled from three databases that contain information on direct and indirect dischargers (from
the Permit Compliance System (PCS)). The PCS database is the national inventory for EPA permit
issuance and compliance/enforcement data. GEMS includes information on over 28,000 permits
for dischargers. Detailed information on PCS can be found in the first section of this Inventory.
GEMS also includes information on over 12,000 industrial facilities that discharge waste through
other facilities, usually POTWs. The Industrial Facilities Discharge File of GEMS does not include
measurements, but it does contain Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes, categorization of
the industrial process, receiving water systems, and other pipe-related data.
The Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) survey is used to provide information on
underground tanks. The file includes site location, climate, soil, ground water, and geologic data.
No measurements are available on the amount and type of pollutant that might be leaking from the
tanks.
Information on estimated industrial facilities discharges comes from the Toxic Release
Inventory (TRI). TRI contains data on annual estimated releases of over 300 toxic chemicals to
air, water, and land by manufacturing industries. Information includes amounts of chemicals stored
on site, estimated quantities of chemicals released, onsite source reduction and recycling practices,
and estimated amounts of chemicals transferred to treatment, recycling, or waste facilities. Detailed
information about this data system can be found in the first section of this Inventory.
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The amount of information available on potential polluters and environmental characteristics
varies with geographic location. For instance, although TRI is available for -all 3,078 counties in
the United States, the soils data set is available for only 2,571 counties, the climatic data comes
from 3,225 stations throughout the United States, and ground-water data come from 14 cities in the
contiguous United States.
DATA PRESENTATION
GEMS provides the user with a variety of graphical displays. • Statistical analyses on the
numeric variables are generated using library routines from the International Mathematical and
Statistical Library (IMSL) and the Statistical Analysis System (SAS). The results can be presented
through line graphs, histograms, scattergrams, 3-dimensional isopleth graphs, and circular graphic
representation (Rose procedure).
GEMS also has mapping capabilities that allow the user to specify the area to be mapped
either by listing the block group (or census enumeration district), county or state, or hydrologic
units, or by specifying the radium of a circle centered on a location identified by the user. Maps
can be produced that display the location of important sites such as industrial sites or monitoring
sites, that use dot-density to display geographic distribution of data, or that use shading to indicate
various levels of estimated values.
GEMS is available through the EPA National Computer Center and the communications
network. A PC version of GEMS (PCGEMS) is also available with air, surface water, and ground-
water models and associated environmental and 1980 population data for most of the United States.
The user interface is interactive with a question/response format. The User's Guide lists the
modules available. Additional detailed information on the models used in the system is also
available.
DATA AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries are available on specific sites; summary statistics
are computed for geographic areas designated by the user
Availability: Any EPA National Computer Center user (GEMS can be accessed through federal,
state, academic, and private communications networks, including Tymnet); the PC version
requires an IBM AT or compatible, math coprocessor, 640K RAM, 20 Mb dedicated disk
space orbernoulli cartridge (available through General Sciences Corporation, John Thomas,
(301) 953-2700)
Form: Depends on the graphical and data production capabilities of the user's facility
Reports: On-line users can generate own reports
Reference Documents: Graphical Exposure Modeling System: GEMS User's Guide presents overview
and detailed instructions on the use of the system; separate reference .documents containing
details of the models used to calculate the fate of chemicals are available
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Data/Reports Available From: To retrieve GEMS data directly: Users must be registered to access
the VAX cluster at the EPA National Computer Center. To register or for information,
contact Cathy Turner, U.S. EPA, Office of Prevention and Toxic Substances, Mailstop TS-
798, 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-3929. For questions about
modeling in specific media, contact Annett Nold, U.S. EPA, Office of Prevention and Toxic
Substances, (202) 260-3930 (atmosphere, soil, groundwater), and Sondra Holister, U.S. EPA,
Office of Prevention and Toxic Substances, (202) 260-3390 (surface water)
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INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES DISCHARGE FILE
Acronym: None
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Water
Contact Person: Thomas Pandolfi, U.S. EPA, Office of Water, Assessment and Watershed
Protection Division, 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-7030
Description
The Industrial Facilities Discharge File is assembled from files that contain information on
permits to industrial facilities (e.g., the Permit Compliance System described in Part I of this
Inventory). The file contains information on facilities' industrial processes and receiving water
systems. It is only accessible as part of the Graphic Exposure Modeling System (GEMS) or the
Reach Pollutant Assessment (see separate entries in Part II for details on these systems).
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NATIONAL BIOMONITORING SPECIMEN BANK
Acronym: NBSB
Sponsoring Agencies: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); U.S.
Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service; U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), Office of Health Effects Research
Contact Person: Stephen A. Wise, U.S. Department of Commerce, NIST, Building 222, Room B-
158, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, (301) 975-3112
For descriptions of the data included in this data handling system, see also in Part I of this
Inventory:
National Environmental Specimen Bank
National Status and Trends for Marine Environmental Quality'(NS&T)
The Alaskan Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project
The National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank
Description
The National Institute of Standards and Technology began its specimen banking activities
in 1979 as a pilot program to investigate the feasibility of long-term storage of environmental
samples. Specimens are collected and archived to provide well preserved and documented samples
for retrospective analysis as analytical techniques improve or as concerns about previously
unidentified pollutants arise. Since storage space in a long-term archive is limited, tissues that tend
to concentrate the analytes of interest are selected. Therefore, human liver specimens were selected
as the first sample type to be included. Environmental specimen bank activities at NIST have
expanded beyond the pilot program to include samples from the marine environment (sediments,
oysters, mussels, and fish tissue) and marine mammal tissues. Each of these banking projects are
supported by various government agencies in conjunction with NIST. Over 10 years of practical
experience in specimen banking within the NBSB has demonstrated that the concept of long-term
storage of environmental specimens is feasible. Although the total scientific value of the banked
samples is not fully known at this time, the current uses of the banked samples and the
implementation of the concept has already contributed to major monitoring programs in the U.S.
and abroad. Even through the types of specimens and the number of samples collected are limited,
the NBSB can serve as a valuable resource for the assessment of long-term trends of pollutants
affecting human and environmental health.
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DATA SOURCES
In conjunction with other government agencies, NIST maintains four specimen bank
projects: the National Environmental Specimen Bank, the National Status and Trends Specimen
Bank, the Alaskan Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project, and the National Marine Mammal
Tissue Bank.
The National Environmental Specimen Bank is supported by the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) in conjunction with NIST. Human livers are archived in this bank at NIST of which
approximately twenty percent are analyzed for selected organic and inorganic constituents.
Approximately 600 liver specimens have been collected since 1980. Research related to specimen
banking is also done. See the database description in Part I of this Inventory for a full description
of the program.
The National Status and Trends (NS&T) for Marine Environmental Quality is a monitoring
program sponsored by NOAA designed to determine the environmental quality of U.S. estuarine
and coastal waters. In this program, sediment, fish tissues (muscle and liver), and bivalve molluscs
(muscles and oysters) are collected from 50-150 U.S. coastal sites. In 1985, NOAA, in conjunction
with NIST, incorporated specimen banking into their NS&T program. Approximately 10 percent
of these marine samples are stored at NIST for specimen banking purposes. See the database
description in Part I of this Inventory for a full description of the program.
The Alaskan Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project was initiated in 1987 by NOAA; the
U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service; and NIST to establish a
representative collection of tissues from Alaskan marine mammals for future contaminant analyses
and documentation of long-term trends in environmental quality. See the database description in
Part I of this Inventory for a full description of the program.
The National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank was initiated in 1990 by NOAA, in conjunction
with NIST. This program is similar to the Alaskan Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project except
that it focuses on the 48 contiguous states of the U.S. See the database description in Part I of this
Inventory for a full description of the program.
DATA PRESENTATION
Activities of the National Environmental Specimen Bank component of NBSB to date are
described in four journal publications (see separate entry for National Environmental Specimen
Bank; Reports section). Data presented include sampling and storage protocols developed by NIST
for archived specimens, effects of various storage conditions, analytical procedures used to detect
selected contaminants, and analytical results. Bar and line graphs are used to illustrate sampling,
analytical, and storage parameters. Tables are used to present analytical results.
NS&T data are contained in over .200 publications, reports, presentations, and technical
memoranda; at least one of which describes the NS&T specimen banking activities.
Analytical results of the Alaskan Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project are included in
two NIST protocol documents which are presently in press and will be included in Science of the
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Total Environment. Tables and graphs are used to illustrate analytical results in these documents.
Specimen bank activities of the National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank are described in a
publication which is presently in press and will be included in Science of the Total Environment.
DATA AVAILABILITY
See entries for the National Environmental Specimen Bank and the National Status and
Trends for Marine Environmental Quality in Part I of this Inventory. For information on the data
availability of the Alaskan Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project and the National Marine
Mammal Tissue Bank, contact Steven Wise.
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NATIONAL ESTUARINE INVENTORY
Acronym: NEI
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA)
Contact Person: John Klein, NOAA, Office of Ocean Resources Conservation and Assessment
(ORCA), Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) Division, Physical Environments
Characterization Branch, 6001 Executive Blvd., Room 220, Rockville, MD 20852, (301) 443-
8843 ' .
For descriptions of the data included in this data handling system, see also in Part I of this
Inventory:
National Coastal Pollutant Discharge Inventory (NCPDI)
National Status and Trends for Marine Environmental Quality (NS&T)
National Shellfish Register of Classified Estuarine Waters (Register)
Description
The NEI was initiated in 1983 to develop a national estuarine database as part of NOAA's
program of strategic assessments of the Nation's coastal and oceanic resources. A spatial
framework was created for NEI so the database could be used in several related NOAA projects.
The estuarine drainage area (EDA), defined by NOAA as that portion of a watershed that most
directly affects an estuary and is delineated by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) cataloging units and
by the head of the tide, is the spatial unit used in all NEI projects. NOAA's NCPDI, NS&T, and
Register programs use the NEI framework, as do other NOAA projects on eutrophication, marine
organisms, and wetlands. Together, these data provide NOAA with a national estuarine assessment
capability.
NEI includes physical and hydrologic characteristics (estuarine and fluvial drainage areas,
water surface area, volume, tidal range, salinity regime, and freshwater inflow) and land use and
population growth data for each EDA. The physical and hydrologic characteristics help define the
ecological processes and habitats within an estuary and determine how human activities affect an
estuary's overall condition. The type and extent of certain land uses and the pattern of population
growth are partial indicators of the pollutants entering estuarine waters and the extent to which the
environment of the surrounding drainage basin is altered.
The physical and hydrologic characteristics of each estuary were used by NOAA to develop
a classification index to approximate the ability of an estuary to retain pollutants. The index has
been used with estimates of nitrogen and phosphorus loadings from the NCPDI to identify estuaries
that may be most sensitive to changes in nutrient inputs.
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DATA SOURCES
In most cases, EDAs coincide with hydrologic cataloging units of the USGS. An EDA
includes all or part of the cataloging unit containing the most upstream extent of tidal influence.
Depending on the complexity of coastal drainage patterns, certain cataloging units were modified
to eliminate the portion of the drainage area not draining directly to estuarine waters. Fluvial
drainage areas (PDAs), the land and freshwater portions of watersheds upstream of EDAs, always
coincide with hydrologic cataloging units of the USGS. Estuarine water surface area is
approximated at mean tide level; this information is needed to estimate an estuary's volume,
flushing rate, and pollutant susceptibility. The volume of an estuary and freshwater inflow help
determine its ability to dilute pollutants. Freshwater inflow statistics were estimated for gaged and
ungaged areas of an estuary's watershed. For gaged areas, data were compiled from USGS
streamflow gage records and from records of significant flow diversions not accounted for in USGS
data. For ungaged areas, NOAA precipitation data were used to estimate freshwater runoff and
direct precipitation to an estuary. Population growth data was obtained from the USGS (USGS
obtains population data from the U.S. Census Bureau). .Land use data was primarily obtained from
the Land Use Data Analysis (LUDA) program of the USGS (see entry for NCPDI), which compiles
data for 40 different types of land use in the United States. Other sources, such as the National
Resources Inventory of the U.S. Soil Conservation Service; the Bureau of the Census; the Census
of Agriculture; and state, regional, and city planning agencies were also used. The result was a set
of consistent land use estimates in acres that are used in NEI and other NOAA databases.
DATA PRESENTATION
The cornerstone of the NEI is the National Estuarine Inventory Data Atlas, Volume 1, which
identifies 92 of the most important estuaries and subestuaries of the contiguous United States and
presents the physical and hydrologic characteristics of each estuary through maps and tables.
Volume 2 presents area estimates for seven categories and 24 subcategories of land use as well as
1970 and 1980 population estimates in tables. Land use data are compiled for three spatial units:
the EDA, USGS hydrologic catalog units, and counties that intersect EDAs. Population estimates
are compiled for EDAs only. Other volumes in the atlas series include information on wetlands
and outdoor public recreation facilities in EDAs.
Numerous technical reports about the Nation's estuaries have been produced. These include
a Supplement Series, which identify estuaries in addition to those in Volume I of the Atlas Series
and indicate the methodology used to further refine salinity zones. Tables, graphs, and maps are
used to present some of the data in these reports.
DATA AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
estuaries; NEI data aggregation is consistent with other NOAA databases which use the
NEI framework
Availability: Information not available at time of publication; contact John Klein for further
information
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Form: Hard copy — Computer printouts
Machine readable — Information not available at time of publication; contact John Klein
for further information
Reports: National Estuarine Inventory: Data Atlas, Volume 1: Physical and Hydrologic
Characteristics; Volume 2: Land Use Characteristics; Volume 3: Coastal Wetlands-New
England Region; Volume 4: Public Recreation Facilities in Coastal Areas; numerous technical
reports, e.g., Estuaries of the United States, Vital Statistics of a National Resource Base, and
the Supplement Series
Reference Documents: None
Data/Reports Available From: John Klein, NOAA, ORCA, SEA Division, Physical Environments
Characterization Branch, 6001 Executive Blvd., Room 220, Rockville, MD 20852, (301) 443-
8843
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REACH POLLUTANT ASSESSMENT
Acronym: RPA
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Water
Contact Person: Thomas Pandolfi, U.S. EPA, Office of Water, Assessment and Watershed
Protection Division, 401 M Street SW, Washington DC 20460, (202) 260-7030
For descriptions of the data included in this data handling system, see also in Part I of this
Inventory:
Permit Compliance System (PCS)
Storage and Retrieval of Water Quality Data (STORET)
Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)
Description
RPA software links the following national data files: the file of Section 304(1) short list
information, the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), the Storage and Retrieval of Water Quality Data
(STORET), the River Reach File, and the Industrial Facilities Discharge File. RPA allows the user
to readily access these multiple data systems and produce a variety of reports and listings comparing
facility discharges, water quality stations, and regulatory criteria. No effort is made to calculate in-
stream concentrations or to determine whether violations of state/EPA criteria have occurred.
listings allow the user to determine the geographic relationship of discharge facilities and water
quality stations.
RPA is designed to address the requirements under Criteria 7 of Section 304(1) of the Clean
Water Act: identification of the state's waters with likely presence of 307(a) priority toxic
pollutants. This data system allows users to generate reports needed for the triennial review
requirements associated with standards setting. RPA may help to establish a permanent link
between the monitoring and standards programs and enable state toxics control programs to build
upon new monitoring information and new EPA criteria recommendations as they become
available.
DATA SOURCES
Information on the geographic relationship of the various components of RPA are based
on an electronic version of the 54,000 base maps of the U.S. Geological Survey, also known as the
7.5-minute quadrangle maps. These maps portray features at the 1:100,000 scale. The hydrologic
data from these maps are stored separately as the River Reach File. This file includes over 100
million records containing the latitude and longitude coordinates of streams, lakes, reservoirs,
estuaries, and shorelines in the United States. The latitude/longitude, stream reach cross
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references, and population of cities in the United States, are also included in the mapping
component of RPA.
Information on water comes from two sources: the Storage and Retrieval of Water Quality
File (STORET) and the Permit Compliance System (PCS). Detailed information about these data
systems can be found in the first section of this Inventory.
STORET contains geographic and other descriptive data about the sites where water quality
data have been collected. Data include physical characteristics and chemical constituents of the
water, fish tissue, or sediment sampled. This file contains over 200 million water sampling
observations. (Information about the flow in the stream is stored in the Stream Gage File.)
The PCS database is the national inventory for EPA permit issuance and compliance/
enforcement data. The database consists of more than 5 million records on over 75,000 active water
discharge permits. Information about the facilities is stored in the Industrial Facilities Discharge
File. This file does not contain measurements, but it does contain information on indirect
dischargers to sewage treatment plants, standard industrial classification codes, receiving stream,
and categorization of industrial process.
Information on estimated industrial facility discharges to water comes from the Toxic
Release Inventory (TRI). TRI contains data on annual estimated releases of over 300 toxic
chemicals to air, water, and land by the manufacturing industry. Information includes amounts of
chemicals stored on site, estimated quantities of chemicals released, onsite source reduction and
recycling practices, and estimated amounts of chemicals transferred to treatment, recycling, or waste
facilities. Detailed information about this data system can be found in Part I of this Inventory.
DATA PRESENTATION
RPA provides the user with a variety of listings and reports. RPA can be used to identify
the number of water quality stations, industrial facilities, and publicly owned treatment facilities in
an area, as well as the probable chemicals of concern for this area based on the TRI estimated
discharge data. Further, it can be noted whether the EPA and the state have existing criteria to
cover the potential pollutants. Based on the TRI and on the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) permits issued to facilities in the area, a list of predicted pollutants
by river segment can be generated. No effort is made, however, to calculate in-stream
concentrations or to determine whether violations of state/EPA criteria have occurred. Detailed
reports of measurements by pollutant by water quality site for given periods of time, sediment
analyses, and fish tissue samples can be generated.
RPA can also be used to produce a map of the locations of water quality stations, direct
industrial dischargers, and municipal sewage treatment plants in a given area.
RPA is available through the EPA National Computer Center and communications network.
The user interface is interactive with a question/response format. The User's Guide lists example
programs used to generate a variety of output formats.
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DATA AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available on specific
agents at specific sites or by specific facility; summary statistics are computed for time
periods designated by the user
Availability: Any EPA National Computer Center user (RPA can be accessed through federal,
state, academic, and private communications networks, including SNA Backbone, X.25
Backbone, and Tymnet)
Form: Depends on the graphical and data production capabilities of the user's facility
Reports: On-line users can generate their own reports
Reference Documents: The Reach Pollutant Assessment User's Guide (presents overview of the
data system)
Data/Reports Available From: To retrieve RPA data directly: Users must be registered to access
the IBM 3090S computer system at the EPA National Computer Center and have an IBM
3270 computer terminal or equivalent and a PC with a serial port or at least a 1,200-baud
modem (or preferably a 2,400- or 9,600-baud modem, a PC with an IRMA board, or a PC
compatible with a 9,600-baud controller)
To register or for information, contact Thomas Pandolfi, U.S. EPA, Office of Water,
Assessment and Watershed Protection Division, 401 M Street SW, Washington DC 2046o'
(202)260-7030
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SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL, DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM
Acronym: SEEDIS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
Contact Person: Deane W. Merrill, Computer Science and Mathematics Department,
Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, (415) 486-
5063
For descriptions of the data included in this data handling system, see also:
Aerometric Information Retrieval System (AIRS) (in Part II of this Inventory)
National Air Monitoring Stations (NAMS) (in Part I of this Inventory)
Description
SEEDIS is a research and development project at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory,
supported by DOE, DOL, and others. Policy formulation, implementation, and management
depend on accurate, timely information. The SEEDIS Project addresses these information needs
by providing a unified framework for data management, information retrieval, statistical analysis,
and graphic display of data from a collection of databases for various geographic levels and time
periods, drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. SEEDIS contains information on census,
energy, environment, geography, health, population characteristics, and socio-economic status.
SEEDIS allows the user to produce graphical and map presentations of analyses of combinations
of these data for a variety of geographic levels and scope.
SEEDIS was initiated in 1972 by DOL as a demonstration project to link data from multiple
sources. Since that time, the project has been expanded. DOL, DOE, EPA, and the Army Corps
of Engineers have used the system for a variety of needs. SEEDIS is currently available through
computer systems of DOL, DOE, and EPA.
DATA SOURCES
SEEDIS contains information from a wide range of data systems - over 200 systems with
over 7 billion data values. The amount of information differs between geographic levels due to the
characteristics of the source data system. In general, data are available at the county level as well
as state and national levels. Some data are available at the level of Census tracts and Standard
Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSAs). The list that follows contains only some of the values
available through SEEDIS. (The environmental exposure information is derived from air
monitoring station data available through AIRS.)
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CENSUS INFORMATION
i non JLEEDIS includes data on population size by major racial and ethnic groupings for 1970 and
1980. These data are variously available at the national, state, county, city, and census tract level.
ENERGY INFORMATION
SEEDIS contains information on electrical generating capacity for 1960 through 1995
CA^r T6^1? 1C at thC nati°na1' °°Unty' and standardized metropolitan statistical area
(5>MbA) level. The data system also contains 1970 residential housing data, and heating energy
requirements in 1970, and biomass resources for 1976 and 2025 at the county geographic level
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION
Data on air quality measurements for criteria pollutants are available for 1974 through 1976
at the census tract level. The data are derived from the AIRS data system (formerly SAROAD}
Assessments include total suspended particulates (TSP), sulfur and nitrogen dioxides, photochemical
oxidants, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfates, and total and nonmethane hydrocarbons For each
pollutant, county estimates of pollutant concentration (at the position of the county population
centroid) were calculated as the weighted geometric means of measurements from nearby stations
including stations in nearby counties. The location of the air quality monitoring stations is also
available from the National Air Monitoring Stations (NAMS) data system.
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
Data on the centroids of the 1970 household populations are available for a variety of
geographic levels. The areas, centroids, and boundaries of census tracts and counties are also
included.
HEALTH INFORMATION
Data on age-, sex-, and race-specific total mortality are available for geographic levels as
sma 1 as counties for the years 1969 through 1984. In addition, total annual leukemia mortality is
available Cancer incidence for 1973 through 1981 from the Surveillance, Epidemiologic, and End
Results (SEER) registers is included for the states that participate in the program.
POPULATION INFORMATION
*t, nn no sex-sPecific population counts (from the 1980 Census) and estimates for
the years 1950 to 1987 are available for varying geographic levels. Estimates are available from a
variety of sources.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC INFORMATION
Labor force, employment by industry, income, education, fertility, and the Census of
Agriculture are a few of the many county- and state-specific data available through SEEDIS.
11-31
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DATA PRESENTATION
SEEDIS is available through several computer systems at DOE, DOL, and EPA. It uses
an interactive, user-friendly format to guide the user through selecting geographic level and scope,
extracting or transforming data, and displaying the results. Users can extract data and export these
data to other computers, or load data from external sources.
Numerous mapping and other display options are available. Maps can display one or two
variables and be generated at all geographic levels. In addition, special symbol maps can be
generated where symbols of varying size indicate the information specific to given locations. Charts
include bar, pie, and line charts. Some special charts available include fuzzy bar charts (that use
fuzzy set theory to combine several imprecisely specified parameters), overlaid line charts, two-
dimensional bar charts, and tables with variable sized symbols to impart relative value information.
The ability to print these displays depends on the equipment available at the user's computer
facility.
DATA AVAILABILITY
Level of Data Aggregation: Individual data entries and summary statistics are available
Availability: Data are available to individuals and institutions upon request; also available through
several data networks (call for general information, listed below)
Form: Hard copy - Specialized data extraction services at cost
Machine readable - Tape copies of selected data files (DEC VAX compatible)
Reference Documents: SEEDIS: The Socio-Economic-Environmental Demographic Information
System
Data/Reports Available From: (for reports and computer files) National Technical Information
Service (NTTS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161 (703) 487-4650; (for
computer files) National Energy Software Center, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South
Cass Avenue, Argonne, IL 60439 (312) 972-7250; (for specialized reports) Data Librarian,
SDP/SRC 2538 Charming Way, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720 (415) 642-
6571- (for general information) SEEDIS Project, Computer Science and Mathematics
Department, Building 50B, Room 3288, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of
California, Berkeley, CA 94720 (415) 486-5181
11-32
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APPENDIX A
Listing of Data Systems by Name and Acronym
-------
-------
DATABASES AND THEIR ACRONYMS
DATABASE
Acid Deposition Data Network
Acid Deposition System
Acidification Chemistry Information Data Base
Aerometric Information Retrieval System
Agricultural Chemical Usage
Air Facility Subsystem (AFS) of the Aerometric Information Retrieval
Subsystem
Air Quality Subsystem of the (AQS) of the Aerometric Information
Retrieval Subsystem
Alaskan Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project
Alkalinity, Lake Area, and Deposition for New England States
Ambient Ozone Concentrations
Anticipated Residues in Food
Aquatic Toxicity Information Retrieval
Biennial Reporting System
Carbon Monoxide Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) Study
Chemical Screening Branch (CSB) Existing Chemicals Assessment
Tracking System
Coal Technology Data System
Community Health Air Monitoring Program
Compliance Data System
Comprehensive Epidemiologic Data Resource
Distribution Register of Organic Pollutants in Water
Eastern Lake Survey
Emergency Response Notification System
Effects of Sulfur Dioxide and Respirable Particles on
Human Health
Emissions Certification Database
Environmental Display Manager
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program
Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System
Federal Reporting Database System
Fish Information Network
Fluoridation Census
Global Environmental Monitoring System
Graphical Exposure Modeling System
Great Lakes Fish Monitoring Program
Hazardous Substance Release/Health Effects Database
Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Industrial Facilities Discharge File
Integrated Data Base
ACRONYM
ADDNET
ADS
ACID
AIRS
AIRS
AIRS
OPPE
Pesticide Food
Residue
AQUIRE
CO TEAM
CECATS
CHAMP
CDS
CEDR
ELS
ERNS
Six Cities
Study
EDM
EMAP
ERAMS
FRDS
FIN
GEMS
GEMS
HAZDAT
HHANES
IFD
IDE
A-l
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DATABASES AND THEIR ACRONYMS
DATABASE
ACRONYM
Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments
Internal Radiation Dosimetry System
Lake Analysis Management System
Lockheed-EPA, EMSL-LV
Long-term Monitoring Program
Marine Pollution Retrieval System
Microbiology and Residue Computer Information System
Month and State Current Emissions Trends
Monthly Emissions Inventory for Sulfur Dioxide
National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program
National Air Monitoring Stations
National Air Toxics Information Clearinghouse
National Biomonitoring Specimens Bank
National Coastal Pollutant Discharge Inventory
National Contaminant Biomonitoring Program
National Emissions Data System
National Environmental Specimen Bank
National Estuarine Inventory
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
National Herbicide Use Database
National Human Adipose Tissue Survey
National Human Milk Monitoring Program
National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank
National Park Service Environmental Database Management System
National Pesticide Survey
National Residential Radon Survey
National Shellfish Register of Classified Estuarine Waters
National Status and Trends for Marine Environmental Quality
National Stream Survey
National Uranium Resource Evaluation
National VOC Data Base
National Water Information System
National Water Quality Networks Program
Nonoccupational Pesticide Exposure Study
Northeast Regional Qxidant Study
Ocean Data Evaluation System
Particle Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) Study
Permit Compliance System
Pesticide Information Network
Radioactive Materials Released from Nuclear Power Plants
Reach Pollutant Assessment
IMPROVE
OHSP
LAMS
LESC-EPA,
EMSL-LV
LTM
MPRS
MARCIS
MSCET
NAPAP
NAMS
NATICH
NBSB
NCPDI
NCBP
NEDS
NEI
NHANES
NHATS
NPSEDMS
NFS
NRRS
Register
NS&T
NSS
NURE
NOPES
NEROS
ODES
PTEAM
PCS
PIN
RPA
A-2
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DATABASES AND THEIR ACRONYMS
DATABASE
ACRONYM
Recall Database
Records of Decisions
Regional Air Pollution Study
Resource Conservation Recovery Information System
Six Cities Study (See Effects of Sulfur Dioxide and Respirable
Particles on Human Health)
Sample Tracking and Data Management System
Social, Economic, Environmental, Demographic Information System
State and Local Air Monitoring Stations
State/EPA Residential Radon Survey
Storage and Retrieval of Water Quality Data
Synthetic Organic Chemicals, U.S. Production and Sales
Report
Total Diet Study
Toxic Release Inventory
Toxic Substances Control Act Test Submissions
Volatile Organic Compound Total Exposure Assessment Methodology
(TEAM) Study
Water Data Storage and Retrieval System
Western Lake Survey
Wisconsin Fisheries
RODs
RAPS
RCRIS
STDMS
SEEDIS
SLAMS
STORET
Annual SOC
TDS
TRI
TSCATS
TEAM VOC
WATSTORE
WLS
FISH.WIS
A-3
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ACRONYMS AND THEIR DATABASES
ACRONYM
ACID
ADDNET
ADS
AIRS
AFS
AQS
Annual SOC
AQUXRE
CDS
CECATS
CEDR
CHAMP
CO TEAM
EDM
ELS
EMAP
ERAMS
ERNS
FIN
FISH.WIS
FRDS
GEMS
GEMS
HAZDAT
HHANES
IDB
IFD
IMPROVE
LAMS
LESC-EPA,
EMSL-LV
LTM
MARCIS
MPRS
MSCET
NAMS
NAPAP
NATICH
NBSB
NCBP
DATABASE
Acidification Chemistry Information Data Base
Acid Deposition Data Network
Acid Deposition System
Aerometric Information Retrieval System
Air Facility Subsystem (AFS) of the Aerometric Information Retrieval
Subsystem
Air Quality Subsystem (AQS) of the Aerometric Information Retrieval
Subsystem
Synthetic Organic Chemicals, U.S. Production and Sales Report
Aquatic Toxicity Information Retrieval
Compliance Data System
Chemical Screening Branch (CSB) Existing Chemicals Assessment Tracking
System
Comprehensive Epidemiologic Data Resource
Community Health Air Monitoring Program
Carbon Monoxide Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) Study
Environmental Display Manager
Eastern Lake Survey
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program
Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System
Emergency Response Notification System
Fish Information Network
Wisconsin Fisheries
Federal Reporting Database System
Global Environmental Monitoring System
Graphical Exposure Modeling System
Hazardous Substance Release/Health Effects Database
Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Integrated Data Base
Industrial Facilities Discharge File
Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments
Lake Analysis Management System
Lockheed-EPA, EMSL-LV
Long-term Monitoring Program
Microbiology and Residue Computer Information System
Marine Pollution Retrieval System
Month and State Current Emissions Trends
National Air Monitoring Stations
National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program
National Air Toxics Information Clearinghouse
National Biomonitoring Specimens Bank
National Contaminant Biomonitoring Program
A-4
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ACRONYMS AND THEIR DATABASES
ACRONYM
DATABASE
NCPDI
NEDS
NEI
NEROS
NHANES
NHATS
NOPES
NFS
NPSEDMS
NRRS
NS&T
NSS
NURE
ODES
OHSP
OPPE Pesticide
Food Residue
PCS
PIN
PTEAM
RAPS
RCRIS
Register
RODs
RPA
SEEDIS
SLAMS
STDMS
STORET
TDS
TEAM
TRI
TSCATS
VOCTEAM
WATSTORE
WLS
National Coastal Pollutant Discharge Inventory
National Emissions Data System
National Estuarine Inventory ,?
Northeast Regional Oxidant Study
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
National Human Adipose Tissue Survey
Nonoccupational Pesticide Exposure Study
National Pesticide Survey
National Park Service Environmental Database Management System
National Residential Radon Survey
National Status and Trends for Marine Environmental Quality
National Stream Survey
National Uranium Resource Evaluation
Ocean Data Evaluation System
Internal Radiation Dosimetry System
Anticipated Residues in Food
Permit Compliance System
Pesticide Information Network
Particle Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) Study
Regional Air Pollution Study
Resource Conservation Recovery Information System
National Shellfish Register of Classified Estuarine Waters
Records of Decisions
Reach Pollutant Assessment
Social, Economic, Environmental, Demographic Information System
State and Local Air Monitoring Stations
Sample Tracking and Data Management System
Storage and Retrieval of Water Quality Data •
Total Diet Study
See CO TEAM, NOPES, PTEAM, and VOC TEAM
Toxic Release Inventory
Toxic Substances Control Act Test Submissions
Volatile Organic Compound Total Exposure Assessment Methodology
(TEAM) Study
Water Data Storage and Retrieval System
Western Lake Survey
The remaining databases do not have acronyms:
Agricultural Chemical Usage
Alaskan Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project
A-5
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ACRONYMS AND THEIR DATABASES
ACRONYM
DATABASE
Alkalinity, Lake Area, and Deposition for New England States
Ambient Ozone Concentrations
Biennial Reporting System
Coal Technology Data System
Distribution Register of Organic Pollutants in Water
Effects of Sulfur Dioxide and Respirable Particles on Human Health (Six
Cities Study)
Emissions Certification Database
Fluoridation Census
Great Lakes Fish Monitoring Program
Monthly Emissions Inventory for Sulfur Dioxide
National Environmental Specimen Bank
National Herbicide Use Database
National Human Milk Monitoring Program
National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank
National VOC Data Base
National Water Information System
National Water Quality Networks Program
Radioactive Materials Released from Nuclear Power Plants
Recall Database
Six Cities Study (See Effects of Sulfur Dioxide and Respirable Particles on
Human Health)
State/EPA Residential Radon Survey
A-6
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APPENDIX B
Listing of Data Systems by Department or Agency
-------
-------
APPENDIX B
Listing of Data Systems by Sponsoring Departments and/or Agencies
California Air Resources Board
Particle Total Exposure Assessment Methodology Study
Volatile Organic Compound Total Exposure Assessment Methodology Study
Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Chemical Usage
Microbiology and Residue Computer Information System
National Herbicide Use Database
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Alaskan Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project
National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank
National Coastal Pollutant Discharge Inventory
National Estuarine Inventory
National Herbicide Use Database
National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank ,
National Shellfish Register of Classified Estuarine Waters
National Status and Trends for Marine Environmental Quality
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Alaskan Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project
National Environmental Specimen Bank
National Marine Mammal Tissue Bank
National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank
Department of Defense
Marine Pollution Retrieval System
Month and State Current Emission Trends
Department of Energy
Acid Deposition Data Network
Acidification Chemistry Information Data Base
Alkalinity, Lake Area, and Deposition for New England States
Ambient Ozone Concentrations
Coal Technology Data System
Comprehensive Epidemiologic Data Resource
Integrated Data Base
Internal Radiation Dosimetry System
Month and State Current Emission Trends ,
B-l
-------
Listing of Data Systems by Department or Agency (cont.)
Department of Energy (cont.)
Monthly Emissions Inventory for Sulfur Dioxide
National Uranium Resource Evaluation
Social, Economic, Environmental, Demographic Information System
Department of Health and Human Services/Public Health Service
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
Hazardous Substance Release/Health Effects Database
National Center for Prevention Services, Centers for Disease Control
Fluoridation Census
National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control
Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Food and Drug Administration
Total Diet Study
Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services
National Contaminant Biomonitoring Program
National Shellfish Register of Classified Estuarine Waters
National Park Service
Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments
National Park Service Environmental Database Management System
U.S. Geological Survey
Water Data Storage and Retrieval System
National Water Information System II
National Water Quality Networks Program
National Uranium Resource Evaluation
Minerals Management Service
Alaskan Marine Mammal Tissue Archival Project
National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank
Department of Labor
Social, Economic, Environmental, Demographic Information System
Department of Transportation
Emergency Response Notification System
Marine Pollution Retrieval System
B-2
-------
Listing of Data Systems by Department or Agency (cont.)
Environmental Protection Agency
Acid Deposition Data Network
Acid Deposition System
Aerometric Information Retrieval System (AIRS)
Air Facility Subsystem (AFS) of the Aerometric Information Retrieval System
Air Quality Subsystem (AQS) of the Aerometric Information Retrieval System
Ambient Ozone Concentrations
Anticipated Residues in Food
Aquatic Toxicity Information Retrieval
Biennial Reporting System
Carbon Monoxide Total Exposure Assessment Methodology Study
Chemical Screening Branch (CSB) Existing Chemicals Assessment Tracking System
Community Health Air Monitoring Program
Compliance Data System
Distribution Registry of Organic Pollutants in Water
Eastern Lake Survey
Effects of Sulfur Dioxide and Respirable Particles, on Human Health (Six Cities Study)
Emergency Response Notification System
Emissions Certification Database
Environmental Display Manager
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program
Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System
Federal Reporting Database System
Fish Information Network
Graphical Exposure Modeling System
Great Lakes Fish Monitoring Program
Industrial Facilities Discharge File
Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments
Internal Radiation Dosimetry System
Lake Analysis Management System
Lockheed - EPA, EMSL-LV
Long-Term Monitoring Project
National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program
National Air Monitoring Stations
National Air Toxics Information Clearinghouse
National Biomonitoring Specimen Bank
National Emissions Data System
National Environmental Specimen Bank
National Herbicide Use Database
National Human Adipose Tissue Survey
National Human Milk Monitoring Program
National Pesticide Survey
National Residential Radon Survey
National Shellfish Register of Classified Estuarine Waters
National Stream Survey
B-3
-------
Listing of Data Systems by Department or Agency (cont.)
Environmental Protection Agency (cont.)
National VOC Data Base
Nonoccupational Pesticide Exposure Study
Northeast Regional Oxidant Study
Ocean Data Evaluation System
Particle Total Exposure Assessment Methodology Study
Permit Compliance System
Pesticide Information Network
Reach Pollutant Assessment
Recall Database
Records of Decision System
Regional Air Pollution Study
Resource Conservation Recovery Information System
Sample Tracking and Data Management System
State and Local Air Monitoring Stations
State/EPA Residential Radon Survey
Storage and Retrieval of Water Quality Data
Toxic Release Inventory
Toxic Substances Control Act Test Submissions
Volatile Organic Compound Total Exposure Assessment Methodology Study
Western Lake Survey
Wisconsin Fisheries Database
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Global Environment Monitoring System
Food and Drug Administration
National Shellfish Register of Classified Estuarine Waters
International Trade Commission
Synthetic Organic Chemicals, United States Production and Sales
National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program
Acid Deposition Data Network
Eastern Lake Survey
National Stream Survey
Western Lake Survey
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Effects of Sulfur Dioxide and Respirable Particles on Human Health (Six Cities Study)
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Radioactive Materials Released from Nuclear Power Plants
B-4
-------
Listing of Data Systems by Department or Agency (cont.)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Alkalinity, Lake Area, and Deposition for New England States
United Nations Environment Programme
Global Environment Monitoring System
World Health Organization
Global Environmental Monitoring System
B-5
-------
-------
APPENDIX C
Questionnaire
-------
-------
Section I: Identification of Exposure Databases
Please fill in the answers to the following questions. Use a separate questionnaire for each
database. This questionnaire may be photocopied. Thank you.
1-1. Name of exposure database:
A. Complete name
B. Acronym or unique ID's.
1-2. Lead sponsoring agency and office:
A. Agency and office name:
B. Address:
C. Contact person (i.e., database administrator or manager):
D. Phone:
E. Governmental association (please mark the most relevant organization):
D (1) State
n (2) County
CH (3) City or Municipality
D (4) Federal
D (5) Other (specify) ,
1-3. Other sponsoring organization, if any:
A. Organization name:
B. Address:
C. Contact person:
D. Phone:
E. Governmental association (please mark the most relevant organization):
D (1) State
D (2) County
CH (3) City or Municipality
D (4) Federal
D (5) Other (specify)
Please attach pages if there are additional sponsoring organizations.
C-l
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Section II: Description of Exposure Databases
Please fill in answers and mark the appropriate box or boxes. Please attach any information
that clarifies a response or write in the text boxes provided.
n-1. What are current objectives of the exposure database? Mark all that apply and describe
your answer in the text box below.
A. Regulatory
B. Legally required
but not for regulatory
purposes
C. Monitoring
D. Research
E. Other (specify)
Primary
Objective
D
D
D
D
Secondary
Objective
D
n
n
n
n
Being
Yes
n
°
n
n
n
Met
No
D
D
n
n
n
Please describe or attach a copy of the. objectives of the exposure database and identify it as
the answer to question n-1. Please number each objective.
C-2
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n-2. What geographic area does this database cover? Mark the first box that applies.
[H A. National
D B. Regional (see box)
D C. State (see box)
D D. Region of State (see box)
D E. County (see box)
D R City or Municipality (see box)
EH G. Other (see box)
Please describe the geographic area:
n-3.
Please describe the sampling strategy or plan initially implemented (e.g., site selection
based upon possible compliance violation, probability versus non-probability sampling,
geographic representativeness) and any changes in the strategy or plan that may have
occurred over time. If a description of the sampling strategy is available, please attach it and
identify it as the answer to question n-3.
C-3
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H-4. Is the present sampling strategy subject to change based on analytical results? For
example, if the concentration of a substance is above a specified level, does this finding
cause changes in the sampling protocol? Mark one box only.
D A. No
D B. Yes If yes, please describe conditions that would cause the sampling strategy to change.
H-5. If the database includes data that were not collected at the source of the pollutant, is
there information that can be used to relate the data to sources?
D A. Not Applicable - all data collected at the source.
D B. No.
n C. Yes If yes, please describe below.
H-6. If the database includes data that were collected at the source of the pollutant, is there
information that can describe the spread of the pollutant away from the source?
n A. Not Applicable - no data collected at the source.
D B. No
n C. Yes If yes, please describe below.
C-4
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n-7. What location (geographic) identifiers are used in the database?
Mark all appropriate boxes.
Yes No
D D A. Latitude/Longitude. If yes, please indicate identifier:
D D (1) Zip code (i.e., zip code centroid)
D D (2) City (i.e., city centroid)
D D (3) County (i.e., county centroid)
D D (4) Point source
D D (5) Monitor site
D D B. Universal transmercator coordinates. If yes, please indicate identifier:
D D (1) Zip code (i.e., zip code centroid)
D D (2) City (i.e., city centroid)
D D (3) County (i.e., county centroid)
D D (4) Point source
CD D (5) Monitor site
D D C. Street address
D D D. Zip codes
DDE. Census tract
DDE City, municipality, or township
D D G. County/Parish
D D
D D
D D
D D
D D
H.
Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA). If yes, please indicate identifier:
(1) MSA
(2) PMSA (Primary MS A)
(3) CMS A (Consolidated MSA)
(4) SMS A (Standard MS A)
D D I. State
D D J. Hydrologic unit codes
DDK. River reach number (i.e., stream number)
DDL. Congressional district
D D M. Other (specify) '
C-5
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n-8. What conventions are used in the database to identify agents (i.e., chemicals)?
Mark all appropriate boxes.
Yes No
D D A. Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number (CASRN)
C3 CH B. Chemical name or mixture (e.g., CAS Collective Index Name, Synonym,
Generic, Trade)
d D C. Database-specific codes or identifiers, or other codes.
If yes, describe in box.
Please describe specific codes or identifiers:
n«9. Was the database designed to specifically assess exposure in the following?
Mark appropriate boxes.
Yes No
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
R
Urban area
Suburban area
Rural area
Populations at special risk
(1) Minority Populations
(2) Low-income populations
(3) Other populations (i.e., special age or sex subpopulations)
If yes, please describe
Discharge sources
Other (specify)
C-6
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11-10. What time period does the database cover?
A. Year data collection started: 19
B. Are data still being collected?
D (1) Yes
D (2) No If no, what year did data collection end? 19
n-11. What is the frequency of sample collection? Mark one box only.
D A. Yearly
D B. Quarterly
D C. Monthly
D D. Weekly
D E. Daily
D F. Irregular (describe in text box below)
D. G. Mixed frequency, varies by chemical (describe in text box below)
D H. Mixed frequency, varies by facility (i.e., source) (describe in text box below)
D I. Other (describe in text box below)
Please describe irregular or mixed sample collection frequency here.
n-12. Are samples collected at the same time in each sampling period (e.g., beginning, middle,
or end)? For example, if samples are collected on a monthly basis, are they always
collected on the same day of the month.
A. Yes
D B. No If no, please describe the degree and reason for interval variability of sampling.
C-7
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H-13. On average, how long is the time between sample collection and sample analysis?
EH4. Are samples pooled before analysis? If so, please describe pooling.
D A. No
D B. Yes If yes, please describe the pooling procedure.
n-15. Do you follow any recommended standard procedures for collecting, storing,
preserving, or analyzing collected samples for pollutants or toxicants?
D A. No
D B. Yes If yes, please name and provide source of method(s) used for specific media
(e.g., NIOSH Physical and Chemical Analytical Method numbers(s) for air and
biological samples; EPA Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, SW 846;
40 CFR 136.3 for water, IARC-, CDC-, or FDA-recommended methodology;
standard state procedures)
C-8
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H-16. On average, how long is the time from sample analysis to data entry into the database?
n-17. Are individual sample results entered into the database or are they grouped in some
way prior to being entered into the database? If they are grouped, please describe.
D A. Yes
D B. No If no, please describe the level of aggregation of sample results in the database.
n-is. A.
Please indicate the Quality Assurance/Quality Control procedures used in the
database. Mark the appropriate boxes.
Yes
No
n
n
n
n
n
n
u
n
n
n
n
n
n
u
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
Laboratory blanks
Field blanks
Duplicates
Spikes
External laboratory analysis
Data entry audits
Other (please describe)
B. Please describe how and by whom QA/QC procedures are monitored.
C-9
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n-19. In what form, or level of aggregation, are data from the database available?
Mark the appropriate boxes.
Yes No
D
D
n
D
D
n
A. Individual data entries on specific agents.
B. Summary statistics on specific agents. If yes, decribe in box below.
C. Other. If yes, describe in box below.
Describe specific summary statistics and whether the statistics describe a single monitoring
location at a single point in time, or whether the statistics describe multiple monitoring
locations over a period of time.
11-20. To whom are individual data or summary statistics in the database available?
Mark all that apply.
Yes No
D D
n n
n n
n n
n n
A. Any requestor can obtain data
B. Requestor must be approved
C. Federal, state, or local governmental agencies may obtain data
D. Restricted to data collection agency
E. Other (specify)
C-10
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11-21. In what form are data available? Mark all that apply.
B.
A.
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
Hard copy
(1)
(2)
(3).
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
Computer printouts
Files or log books
Agency reports
Journal publications
Microfilm
Not available
Other (specify)
Machine readable form
D
D
D
D
D
n
n
(i)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
Tape
Diskette
Bulletin board
On-line
CD-ROM
Not available
Other (specify)
n-22. If data are available in machine readable form, what is the data format?
Mark the appropriate boxes.
Yes No
n n
n n
A. ASCII
B. Other (specify).
n-23. Are reports generated from the database? Mark the appropriate box.
D A. No If no, skip to question n-25.
D B. Yes
C-ll
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n-24. If reports on pollutants or toxicants are generated,
A. How often are reports routinely available? Mark the appropriate box.
D 1. Yearly
d 2. Quarterly .
D 3. Monthly
D 4. Weekly
D 5. Daily
D 6. Ad-hoc request
C3 7. Irregularly (specify)
C3 8. Mixed frequency, varies by agent (specify)
9. Other (specify)
B. To which of the following are reports distributed? Mark the appropriate boxes.
CD 1. National Technical Information Service (NTIS). Please attach a list of publications.
C3 2. State Offices (specify) ;
D 3. Federal Offices (specify)
4. Regional Libraries of the National Libraries of Medicine (specify)
5. Schools of Public Health (specify)
C3 6. Other (specify)
C. Please provide the name and phone number of someone in your organization who can
provide information on reports.
C-12
-------
n-25. Has this database been utilized in the study of human health problems?
EH A. Yes If yes, please attach a list of some of the relevant publications or provide
in the box below, the name and phone number of a person who can provide
such information.
EH B. No If no, please state reasons in box below.
D C. Don't know.
n-26. Does the database contain any estimated information derived from environmental
media sample results?
D A. No
ED B. Yes If yes, please attach the variables used and identify as the answer to question 11-26.
11-27. What environmental media are covered by the exposure database? Mark the
appropriate boxes.
Yes No
D D A. Water
IH C3 B. Soil or sediment
D D C. Air
ED ED D. Human food sources (e.g., PCBs in fish)
ED ED E. Human samples
ED ED R Bulk (i.e., pure) chemicals
D D G. Other
C-13
-------
The remaining five questions collect information on these media as follows:
Question 28 Water
Question 29 Soil
Question 30 Air
Question 31 Food sources and human samples
Question 32 Bulk chemicals
Please answer the questions applicable to the media covered by the exposure database.
C-14
-------
WATER DATABASES
n-28. If the exposure database contains environmental measurements on water, please mark
each box in the matrix below for which information is available. Please attach a list of the
specific agents and if applicable, their Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number
(CASRN). Identify the list as relevant to Question n-28. If needed, please specify other
categories that better describe your particular database in the text box on the following page.
Surface
A.
B.
C
D.
E.
R
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
Aesthetic*
Fluoride
Inorganic
Compounds*
Organic Metals
VOCs*
Trihalomethanes
Semi-VOCs*
Pesticides*
PCBs*
Dioxins/Furans
Radionuclides*
Asbestos
Microorganisms
n
n
D
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
Other (describe in H3
box on the following page)
Ground
water
D
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
Leachate
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
Municipal
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
Private
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
Other
n
n
°
n
n
n
n
n
n.
n
n
n
n
D
*See Appendix A for examples
C-15
-------
Text box for Question n-28, page 15.
Please describe or attach descriptive material for other categories or characteristics that
describe your water data, or use this space to further clarify any responses.
C-16
-------
SOIL DATABASES
n-29. If the exposure database contains environmental measurements on soil, please mark
each box in the matrix below for which information is available. Please attach a list of the
specific agents and if applicable, their Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number
(CASRN). Specify the list as relevant to Question n-29. If needed please specify other
categories that better describe your particular database in the text box below.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
*See
Residential
Inorganic CU
Compounds*
Organic Metals C3
VOCs* D
Semi-VOCs* D
Pesticides* D
PCBs* D
Dioxins/Furans CU
Radionuclides* CU
Asbestos CU
Microorganisms CI]
Other D
(describe in box below)
Appendix A for examples
Industrial
D
D
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
Please describe or attach descriptive material
describe your soil data, or use this
Sediment
n
n
D
n •
n
n
n
n
n
n .
n
for other categories
Superfund
Site Dust
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
or characteristics
D
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
that
Other
n
n
D
n
n
.rj
n
n
n
n
Q
space to further clarify any responses.
C-17
-------
AIR DATABASES
n-30. If the exposure database contains environmental measurements on air, please mark
each box in the matrix below for which information is available. Please attach
a list of the specific agents and if applicable, their Chemical Abstracts Service Registry
Number (CASRN). Specify the list as relevant to Question n-30. If needed, specify other
categories that better describe your particular database in the text box on the following page.
Indoor Indoor
Homes Public
Outdoor Outdoor Personal
Urban Rural Emissions Monitor
Other
A.
B.
C
D.
E.
R
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
O.
P.
Particulates
Criteria Pollutants
(NO2,S02,CO,03)
Cigarette Smoke
Inorganic
Compounds*
Organic Metals
VOCs*
Semi-VOCs*
Pesticides*
PCBs*
Dioxins/Furans
Radionuclides*
Asbestos
Microorganisms
Acids/Acid Aerosols
Aeroallergens
Other
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
D
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
D
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
D
n
n
n
n
n
n
•<*.D
n
n
n
Q
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
, n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
box on the following page)
*See Appendix A for examples. Additional examples include the hazardous air pollutants from the
Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.
C-18
-------
Text box for Question n-30, page 18.
Please describe or attach descriptive material for other categories or characteristics that
describe your air data, or use this space to further clarify any responses.
C-19
-------
FOOD SOURCES AND HUMAN SAMPLES DATABASES
[-31. If the exposure database contains environmental measurements on food or human
samples, please mark each box in the matrix below for which information is available.
Please attach a list of the specific agents and if applicable, their Chemical Abstracts
Service Registry Number (CASRN). Specify the list as relevant to Question n-31.
If needed, please specify other categories that better describe your particular database
in the text box below.
Gamebirds
Mammals
(non-human)
Non-
Domes- Domes-
ticated ticated
Non-
Domes- Domes-
ticated ticated
Plants
Fish/
Shell- Human
Fish Samples Other
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
R
G.
H.
I.
J.
Inorganic
Compounds*
Organic
Metals
VOCs*
Semi-VOCs*
Pesticides*
PCBs*
Dioxins/
Furans
Radionuclides*
Asbestos
Other
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n .
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n n
n n
n n
n n
n n
n n
n n
n n
n n
n n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
. n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
n
(describe in box below)
*See Appendix A for examples.
Please describe or attach descriptive material for other categories or characteristics that
describe your food or human sample data. If the database contains data on human samples,
please list the type of samples (e.g., blood, urine, etc.). You may also use this .space to
further clarify any response.
C-20
-------
BULK CHEMICAL DATABASES
n-32. If the exposure database contains environmental measurements on bulk chemicals, please
mark each box in the matrix below for which information is available. Please attach
a list of the specific agents and if applicable, their Chemical Abstracts Service Registry
Number (CASRN). Specify the list as relevant to Question n-32. If needed, please specify
other categories that better describe your particular database in the text box below.
A. Inorganic Compounds*
B. Organic Metals
C. VOCs*
D. Semi-VOCs*
Bulk
Chemical
D
n
n
Other
D
D
n
n
E. Pesticides*
F. PCBs*
G. Dioxins/Furans
H. Radionuclides*
n
n
n
n
n
n
G
n
I. Asbestos
J. Acids
K. Bases
L. Other
(describe in box below)
*See Appendix A for examples.
D
n
n
n
Please describe or attach descriptive material for other categories or characteristics that
describe your bulk chemical data, or use this space to further clarify any responses:
C-21
-------
APPENDIX A
The following compounds are examples of chemicals or agents that are found in the specific
category listed. This list is provided to help you classify agents; it is not intended to limit your
responses to these chemicals. If you have questions about categorizing a chemical that is not listed
here, please call Leslie Beyer at 617-641-5327.
EXAMPLES OF VOLATILE COMPOUNDS
Acetone
Benzene
Bromodichloromethane
Bromoform
Bromomethane
2-Butanone
Carbon Disulfide
Carbon Tetrachloride
Chlorobenzene
Chloroethane
Chloroform
2-Chloroethyl Vinyl Ether
Chloromethane
Dibromochloromethane
1,1-Dichloroethane
1,2-Dichloroethane
l,l-Dichloroethene(Dichloroethylene)
1,2-Dichloropropane
cis-l,3-Dichloropropene
trans-1,3-Dichloropropene
Ethyl Benzene
Formaldehyde
Fluoride
2-Hexanone
Methylene Chloride
2-Methyl-2-pentanone
Pentachlorobenzene
Styrene
Tetrachlorobenzene
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
Tetrachloroethene (Tetrachloroethylene)
Toluene
trans-1,2-Dichloroethene
Trichlorobenzene
1,1,1 -Trichloroethane
1,1,2-Trichloroethane
Trichlorotrifluoromethane
Trihalomethanes
Trichloroethene
Total Xylenes
Vinyl Acetate
Vinyl Chloride
G-22
-------
EXAMPLES OF SEMI-VOLATILE COMPOUNDS
Acenaphthene
Acenaphythylene
Anthracene
Benzo(a)anthracene
Benzo(b)fluoranthene
Benzo(g,h,i)perylene
Benzole Acid
Benzyl Alcohol
bis (2-Chloroethoxy)methane
bis(2-Chloroisopropyl)ether
bis (2-ethylhexyl)phthalate
4-Bromophenyl Phenyl Ether
Butyl Benzyl Phthalate
4-Chloro-3-methylphenol
4-Chloraniline
2-Chloronaphthalene
2-Chlorophenol
4-Chlorophenyl Phenyl Ether
Chrysene
Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene
Dibenzofuran
1,2-Dichlorobenzene
1,3-Dichlorobenzene
1,4-Dichlorobenzidene
3,3'-Dichlorobenzidene
2,4-Dichlorophenol
Diethylphthalate
2,4-Dimethylphenol
Dimethylphthalate
Di-n-butylphthalate
4,6-Dinitro-2-methylphenol
Fluoranthene
Fluorene
Hexachlorobenzene
Hexachlorobutadiene
Hexachlorocylopentadiene
Hexachloroethane
Indeno(l ,2,3-c,d)pyrene
Isophorone
2-Methylnaphthalene
2-Methylphenol
4-Methylphenol
Naphthalene
2-Nitroaniline
3-Nitroaniline
4-Nitroaniline
Nitrobenzene
2-Nitrophenol
4-Nitrophenol
Nitrosodiphenylamine
N-Nitrosodipropylamine
Pentachlorophenol
Phenanthrene
Phenol
Pyrene
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
2,4,5-Trichlorophenol
C-23
-------
PCBs
Aroclor 1016
Aroclor 1221
Aroclor 1232
Aroclor 1242
Aroclor 1248
Aroclor 1254
Aroclor 1260
INORGANIC COMPOUNDS
Arsenic
Barium
Cadmium
Chromium
Copper
Cyanides
Lead
Mercury
Nickel
Nitrates/Nitrites
Selenium
Silver
Sulfur
PESTICIDES
Bipyridyl Compounds
Carbamates
Chlorophenoxy Compounds
Dinitrophenols
Inorganics
Organochlorines
Organophosphates
Pyrethrum
Substituted Ureas
Triazines
RADIONUCLIDES
Barium
Cadmium
Carbon
Cerium
Cesium
Chromium
Copper
Iodine
Phosphorus
Plutonium
Radium
Radon
Radon Daughters
Strontium
Sulfur
Tritium
Uranium
Zinc
AESTHETIC WATER QUALITY
Chloride
Color
Hardness
pH
Total Dissolved Solids
Sulfate
Turbidity
Dissolved Oxygen (BOD)
Temperature
Total Organic Carbon
Total Organic Chlorine
Total Organic Sulfur
Total Organic Phosphorus
Foaming Agents
Corrosivity
C-24
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APPENDIX D
Related Data Systems
-------
-------
APPENDIX D
Related Data Systems that Support and Quantify
Environmental Exposure Assessment
In the course of identifying databases that contain measurements of toxicants in the
environment, several data systems were identified in which information not directly based on
analytical measurements of toxicant concentrations is provided to assist the user in further assessing
exposure. Examples of such information include fate and transport models, emission factors, and
surveys of consumer use of products or consumption of food. For example, emission factors based
on source categories such as those provided in the Crosswalk/Air Toxics Emissions Factor Database
Management System can be used to estimate ambient levels bf pollutants in the vicinity of a known
industrial point source. Similarly, information from the Nationwide Food Consumption Survey can
be coupled with the analytical information in the Total Diet Survey (described in Part I of this
Inventory) to estimate exposure to food contaminants. In some instances, the data in these systems
are derived from measured observations; in other instances, the data are derived from models. This
Appendix lists these data systems and summarizes the information provided by the data system
managers. (This Appendix, however, is not a comprehensive or systematic survey of this type of
data system.)
The following databases are included in this Appendix on the pages shown:
Air Clearinghouse for Inventories and Emission Factors
ADL Migration Estimation Model
Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations
Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals
Crosswalk/Air Toxics Emissions Factor Database Management System . . .
Dermal Exposure Model
Dietary Risk Evaluation System
Endangered Species Database/Reachscan Link
Environmental Fate Database
FLUSH
Household Solvent Products: National Usage Survey
Multi-Chamber Concentration and Exposure Model
Nationwide Food Consumption Survey
Probabilistic Dilution Model
Screening Consumer Inhalation Exposure Software
U.S. Food Supply Series
VOC/PM Speciation Data Base Management System
. D-2
. D-3
. D-4
, D-6
, D-7
D-9
D-10
D-ll
D-12
D-14
D-15
D-16
D-17
D-18
D-19
D-21
D-22
D-l
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AIR CLEARINGHOUSE FOR INVENTORIES AND EMISSION FACTORS
Acronym: Air CHIEF
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air Quality Planning
and Standards (OAQPS)
Contact Person: Anne A. Pope, U.S. EPA, OAQPS, MD-14, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711,
(919) 541-5373
Description:
The Air CHIEF CD (Compact Disk version with Read Only Memory) provides information
on estimating air emissions of criteria and toxic pollutants from selected sources. The system is
designed for easy access and retrieval of emission estimation data by pollutant or source description.
The CD is designed to facilitate the rapid identification and cross-referencing of air pollutants and
emission source categories and to provide corresponding emission factors for these associations as
available. Air CHIEF provides information on air emissions and emission factors collated from the
VOC/PM Speciation Data Base (SPECIATE) (see description in this Appendix) and the
Crosswalk/Air Toxic Emission Factor Data Base (XATEF) (see description in this Appendix). Air
CHIEF also contains information from over 25 reports in the Locating and Estimating series and
in AP-42, a compilation of air pollutant emission factors and inventories.
Summary of Environmental-related Information:
Media: Air
Classes of compounds: Criteria pollutants, inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs, pesticides,
PCBs, dioxins/furans, radionuclides, asbestos, particulates, acids/acid aerosols
Relevant variables: Emission factors by pollutant or by source
Database 'Availability:
Availability: Any requestor can purchase the CD (with User's Manual) from the Government
Printing Office; non-profit agencies should contact OAQPS
Form: CD-ROM, requires an IBM (TM) compatible PC with EGA or VGA monitor, MS-DOS
memory, a CD-ROM drive, interface card, and Microsoft DOS CD-ROM Extensions
(MSCDEX); the CD is regularly updated
Reports: Air CHIEF CD-ROM Version 1.0 Beta User's Manual
D-2
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ADL MIGRATION ESTIMATION MODEL
Acronym: AMEM
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Prevention, Pesticides
and Toxic Substances, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT)
Contact Person: Christina Cinalli, U.S. EPA, OPPT, TS-798, 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC
20460, (202) 260-3913
Description:
AMEM is used to estimate the weight fraction of a chemical that will migrate from a
polymeric material. The chemical may be an additive (e.g., a plasticizer) or unreacted monomer
(e.g., styrene). The program estimates the migration of chemicals based on mathematical equations
derived using diffusion and mass transfer theories.
The user provides chemical-specific data such as molecular weight and vapor pressure. The
user may enter the diffusion coefficient for the polymer or may use one of the default values
provided for six generic types of polymers with a wide range of diffusion coefficients.
Summary of Environmental-related Information:
Media: Air
Classes of compounds: Polymeric material
Relevant variables: Weight fraction that migrates from material
Process evaluated: Volatilization of chemical from polymer
Database Availability:
Availability: Any requestor can obtain database, report, and user's guide from OPPT
Form: Diskette for IBM compatible PC
Reports: Methods for Assessing Exposure to Chemical Substances, Volume 11-Methodology for
Estimating the Migration of Additives and Impurities from Polymeric Materials
D-3
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COMPUTER-AIDED MANAGEMENT OF EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
Acronym: CAMEO .
Sponsoring Agencies: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA); U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Solid
Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER)
Contact Person: National Safety Council, CAMEO Order Department, 444 N. Michigan Avenue,
Chicago, IL 60611, (800) 621-7619 extension 6900; or Kathleen Bishop, U.S. EPA, OSWER,
401 M Street SW, Washington, DC 20460, (202) 382-7912
Description:
The CAMEO program is designed to provide state and local emergency responders and
planners with.a tool to manage information about hazardous substances in or near their
communities and to help plan for the safe handling of chemical accidents. CAMEO contains a
chemical identification file (Codebreaker) which includes information on over 3,000 common
chemicals indexed by over 50,000 synonyms and tradenames; the Chemical Response Information
Database file (also referred to as the RIDS file), which includes information on the management
of chemical releases; information from the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) (described in Part I of
this Inventory), which identifies the location of industrial facilities and provides estimates of yearly
chemical releases; information on weather; the locations of populations (including special
populations such as school or nursing homes); and information on shippers and the transport of
chemicals.
CAMEO has mapping features that allow the user to input detailed local or facility maps
in addition to the maps provided by the data system. CAMEO's air dispersion model, known as
ALOHA, provides estimates of chemical cloud concentrations downwind from a release. ALOHA
has a database of over 700 chemicals that can create scenarios for over 300 U.S. locations.
Summary of Environmental-related Information:
Media: Air, bulk chemicals
Classes of compounds: Over 3,000 chemicals
Relevant variables: Location of chemicals and population, estimates of ambient concentrations
Process evaluated: Dispersion in air
D-4
-------
Database Availability:
Availability: Any requestor can obtain database
Form: Diskettes available for either Macintosh Plus (System 6.0.5 or later, 14 MB free hard drive
space, 1 MB RAM, HyperCard 2.0 or later) or IBM-AT compatible (MS-DOS 3.3 or later,
30 MB free hard drive space, 640 KB RAM, EGA or VGA display monitor)
D-5
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CONTINUING SURVEY OF FOOD INTAKES BY INDIVIDUALS
Acronym: CSFH
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Human Nutrition Information
Service (HNIS)
Contact Person: Ellen Harris, USDA, HNIS, 6505 Belcrest Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782, (301)
436-7725 . :
Description:
The CSFII is conducted to provide timely information on U.S. diets and the diets of
population groups of concern. Another purpose is to provide the basis for assessment of "usual"
diets as measured through collection of dietary intake data for several days spread out over a year
and to study how diets vary over time for individuals and groups of individuals. The Survey is
conducted between the larger Nationwide Food Consumption Surveys (MFCS, also described in this
Appendix), which are conducted every 10 years.
The CSFII obtains information on food intake from six 24-hour recall periods collected by
an interviewer at approximately 2-month intervals during the year. Persons are selected based on
a multistage stratified area probability sample to represent the sex and age distribution of persons
residing in private households in the 48 contiguous United States. An additional sample is selected
to provide data representative of persons in private households with incomes at or below 130
percent of the poverty guidelines. Special surveys have been conducted that focus on women of
reproductive age, children, and adult men.
Summary of Environmental-related Information:
Media: Human food
Relevant variables: Food consumption by type of food
Process evaluated: Consumption
Database Availability:
Availability: Any requestor can obtain reports from HNIS and tapes from the National Technical
Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650
Form: Tape (ASCII)
Reports: Nutrition Monitoring in the United States-A Progress Report from the Joint Nutrition
Monitoring Evaluation Committee (PHS 86-1255); a series of reports focusing on specific
subpopulations have also been produced; reports are available from HNIS
D-6
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CROSSWALK/AIR TOXICS EMISSIONS FACTOR
DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Acronym: XATEF
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air Quality Planning
and Standards (OAQPS)
Contact Person: Anne A. Pope, U.S. EPA, OAQPS, MD-14, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711,
(919) 541-5373
Description:
The XATEF Database Management System, written by Radian Corporation for the
Emissions Inventory Branch of the EPA, allows users to estimate the magnitude of potential air
toxic emissions from source categories. The system is designed to facilitate the rapid identification
and cross-referencing of toxic air pollutants and emission source categories and to provide
corresponding emission factors for these associations as available. Approximately 7,600 emission
factors for 400 compounds and 450 source categories, as well as a listing of approximately 15,000
pollutant/source associations, are included in XATEF to date.
Emissions factor information in XATEF is based on the literature and expands the air toxic
emission factor collection found in Toxic Air Pollutant Emission Factors-A Compilation for Selected
Air Toxic Compounds and Sources, Second Edition, Pollutant/source category associations or
"crosswalk data" are based on the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)/Source Category Code
(SCC)/pollutant cross-references found in the above mentioned report. Source category information
is obtained from the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) (described in Part I of this Inventory) and the
National Air Toxics Information Clearinghouse (NATICH) (described in the Overview section of
this Inventory). Data in XATEF are updated annually.
Summary of Environmental-related Information:
Media: Air
Classes of compounds: (Emissions) particulates, inorganic compounds, VOCs, semi-VOCs,
pesticides, PCBs, dioxin/furans, radionuclides, asbestos, acids/acid aerosols, criteria pollutants
Relevant variables: Emission factors by source and by pollutant
D-7
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Database Availability:
Availability: Any requestor can obtain data by purchasing the diskette from the National Technical
Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650;
nonprofit agencies may obtain the diskette from OAQPS; use of the XATEF Database
Management System requires an IBM AT PC or compatible machine that runs MS-DOS
or PC-DOS version 3.0 or later, and that has at least 640 K of free RAM, a fixed disk with
at least 20 MB of storage, and a high density 5.25" external disk drive; also available through
OAQPS Technology Transfer Network (CHIEF)
Form: Diskette (compiled set of menu driven dBase files; however, the system does not require
dBase to operate; reports may be output to disk as an ASCII, dBase, or Lotus file); CHIEF
bulletin boards; CD-ROM
Reports: Crosswalk/Air Toxic Emission Factor Database Management System User's Manual; Toxic
Air Pollutant/Source Crosswalk-A Screening Tool for Locating Possible Sources Emitting Toxic
Air Substances, Second Edition (EPA-450/2-89-017); Toxic Air Pollutant Emission Factors-A
Compilation for Selected Air Toxic Compounds and Sources, Second Edition. (EPA 450/2-90-
011)
D-8
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DERMAL EXPQSURE MODEL
Acronym: DERMAL
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Prevention, Pesticides
and Toxic Substances, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT)
Contact Person: Pat Jennings, U.S. EPA, OPPT, TS-798, 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC
20460, (202) 260-5588
Description:
The DERMAL Exposure Model was developed to assist the Exposure Evaluation Division
of the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics in performing screening-level assessments of
potential dose rates from dermal contact with 14 consumer products. An additional option allows
users to develop their own scenarios for estimating potential dose rates from deposition of a film
or liquid onto skin and from contact with solid surfaces. The model does not include estimation
based on absorption. The user provides the weight-fraction of the chemical of interest in the
consumer product and the program calculates potential dose rate. The data system also provides
default values for chemicals in common consumer products.
Summary of Environmental-related Information:
Media: Water, soil
Classes of compounds: User provides weight-fraction of the chemical in the product
Relevant variables: Concentration of chemical in liquid or solid
Process evaluated: Dermal contact with consumer products
Database Availability:
Availability: Any requestor can obtain diskettes and user guides
Form: The software was designed to be user friendly and to require a minimum number of user
inputs so that screening-level estimates of potential dose rates from dermal contact can be
generated rapidly. DERMAL is programmed in Turbo C++ and is designed to run on a
personal computer using a PC-DOS/MS-DOS version 3.0 or later equipped with 80 K of
available system memory.
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DIETARY RISK EVALUATION SYSTEM
Acronym: DRES . „ . ..
Sponsoring Agency. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Prevention, Pesticides
and Toxic Substances, Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP)
Contact Person: James Kariya, U.S. EPA, OPP, Dietary Exposure Section, H7509C, 401 M Street
SW, Washington, DC 20460, (703) 305-6028
Description:
DRES is a tool for estimating dietary exposure to a pesticide and comparing that estimate
to a previously determined Reference Dose. The exposure estimates are derived from food
consumption of "raw agricultural commodities." These estimates are made by translating
information from the Nationwide Food Consumption Survey (MFCS) conducted by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (see description in this Appendix). The translation is performed using
"recipes." The program can multiply the exposure by an estimate of the upper bound of
carcinogenic potency to provide an estimate of upper bound carcinogenic risk over a lifetime.
DRES is composed of three major files containing information on food consumption
estimates, toxicology summaries for each chemical, and residue concentrations for each chemical
in specific foods.
DRES is routinely used to estimate dietary exposure for the U.S. population and for 22
subgroups of the population. Dietary exposure is expressed as mg/kg body weight/day and as a
percentage of the Reference Dose, where applicable.
Summary of Environmental-related Information
Media: Human food
Classes of compounds: Pesticides
Relevant Variables: Dose and percent of Reference Dose
Process evaluated: Consumption of foods
v
Database Availability:
Availability: Any requestor can obtain the PC database, which provides the user with estimates of
chronic exposure, from James Kariya, U.S. EPA, OPP. Data tapes containing consumption
information are also available from the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port
Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650
Form: Diskettes (IBM-compatible, dBase III), Magnetic tapes (SAS data sets)
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ENDANGERED SPECIES DATABASE/REACHSCAN LINK
Acronym: ESDB
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Prevention, Pesticides
and Toxic Substances, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT)
Contact Person: Sidney Abel, U.S. EPA, OPPT, Exposure Evaluation Division, TS-798, 401 M
Street SW, Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-3917
Description:
The ESDB contains an all-inclusive listing developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
of the threatened and endangered species in the U.S. The database identifies the location of a
species at the county level, the date listed, and the scientific name, in addition to other information
related to the listing criteria. This file has been linked to the ReachScan database, which identifies
the location of industrial discharges to surface water. The link allows an assessor to identify
endangered species in the same county as the industry discharging to a water body. At present, the
database will not verify the presence of a species in contact with a specific aquatic environment such
as a river or lake.
Summary of Environmental-related Information:
Media: Water (through link with ReachScan)
Relevant Variables: Presence of animal populations
Database Availability:
Availability: Any requestor can obtain the database
Form: Diskette (IBM-compatible, DOS 2.2 or later version, Turbo Pascal)
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ENVIRONMENTAL FATE DATABASE
Acronym: EFDB
Sponsoring Agency; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Prevention, Pesticides
and Toxic Substances, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT)
Contact Person: Nestor F. Tirado, U.S. EPA, OPPT, TS-798, 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC
20460, (202) 260-3919; or Philip H. Howard, Syracuse Research Corporation, Merrill Lane,
Syracuse, NY. 13210-4080, (315) 426-3350 .
Description:
The EFDB contains files of physical/chemical properties and data on the environmental fate
of chemicals, including data on biodegradation. The EFDB allows rapid access to all available fate
data on a given chemical without having to search the primary literature. The database provides
data for constructing structure-activity correlations for degradability and transport of chemicals in
the environment. These correlations help identify persistent chemical classes as well as physical or
chemical properties that may correlate to particular behavior in the environment. ,
Information is ordered by Chemical Abstract Services Registry Number (CASRN).
Approximately 17,000 references were used as the source for the information in the database. (Full
citations are given in the XREF file, a bibliographical listing of references.) The database consists
of four major files: DATALOG, CHEMFATE, BIOLOG, and BIODEG.
DATALOG contains approximately 160,000 records ;on approximately 12,000 chemicals.
The file indicates where environmental fate and exposure data can be found, using 18 different
indexing terms (e.g., water solubility, Henry's Law constant, and ambient monitoring).
CHEMFATE contains actual physical property values, rate constants, and monitoring
concentrations for approximately 900 commercially significant chemicals. Recommended physical
property values were collected for the SARA Section 313 Toxic Release Inventory chemicals and
the chemicals included in the Superfund Health Evaluation Manual.
BIOLOG indicates sources of microbial toxicity and biodegradation data on approximately
6,000 chemicals. Indexing and searching are allowed on toxicity or biodegradation data; aerobic or
anaerobic conditions; pure enzyme, cell free extract, pure culture, or mixed culture conditions;
source of microorganisms (e.g., soil, sewage, etc.); and whether the metabolism pathway has been
studied.
BIODEG contains experimental results on biodegradation studies for approximately 600
chemicals. Experimental details, such as chemical concentration and rate of degradation, are
included.
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Summary of Environmental Factors:
Media: Air, soil, water, human food, human samples
Classes of compounds: Organic metals, VOCs, semi-VOCs, pesticides, PCBs, dioxins/furans,
acids/acid aerosols
Relevant variables: Environmental transport and degradation of chemicals, physical property
values, rate constants
Process evaluated: Transport and degradation of chemicals
Database Availability:
Availability: Any requestor can receive the database
Form: Diskettes (IBM-compatible version) or access to VAX mainframe version at Syracuse
Research Corporation (Contact Philip H. Howard, Syracuse Research Corporation, Merrill
Lane, Syracuse, NY 13210-4080, (315) 426-3350 regarding user accounts)
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FLUSH
Acronym: FLUSH
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Prevention, Pesticides
and Toxic Substances, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT)
Contact Person: Pat Jennings, U.S. EPA, OPPT, TS-798, 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC
20460, (202) 260-5588 ^__
Description:
FLUSH is a software program developed for estimating surface water concentrations of
chemicals that come from consumer products which were disposed of in household wastewater.
This household wastewater is assumed to undergo treatment at a local wastewater treatment facility
that subsequently discharges its treated effluent into surface waters. FLUSH also provides
estimates of potential dose rates for humans from ingestion of drinking water and for fish that may
become contaminated by these household wastewater releases. The model does not use absorption
parameters for the estimation. The results of the model can be compared with concentrations of
concern for aquatic organisms so that the potential effects of household wastewater releases on
aquatic life can be predicted.
Summary of Environmental Factors:
Media: Water
Classes of compounds: Program requires weight-fraction of chemical in product; default values are
provided for a number of chemicals
Relevant variables: Concentration of chemical in water
Process evaluated: Discharge of chemicals into water system and into drinking water from
household usage
Database Availability:
Availability: Any requestor can obtain diskette and user guide
Form: The software was designed to be user friendly and to require a minimum number of user
inputs. FLUSH is programmed in Turbo C++ and is designed to run on a PC using PC-
DOS/MS-DOS 3.0 or later version equipped with 80 D or available system memory
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HOUSEHOLD SOLVENT PRODUCTS:
NATIONAL USAGE SURVEY
Acronym: None
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Prevention, Pesticides
and Toxic Substances, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT)
Contact Person: Patrick Kennedy, U.S. EPA, OPPT, TS-798, 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC
20460, (202) 260-3916
Description:
The purpose of this one-time survey was to provide information that would be useful for
estimating the magnitude of exposure to chemicals in 32 different product categories ranging from
paint strippers to automotive cleaners. The Survey was a nationwide consumer survey to determine
pertinent characteristics of consumer use of these products. The Survey was conducted in 1985 and
1986.
Summary of Environmental-related Information:
Media: Bulk chemicals
Relevant variables: Quantity and use of chemicals by consumers
Database Availability:
Availability: Any requestor can purchase report from the National Technical Information Service
(NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650
Report: Household Solvent Products: A National Survey
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MULTI-CHAMBER CONCENTRATION AND EXPOSURE MODEL
Acronym: MCCEM
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Prevention, Pesticides
and Toxic Substances, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT)
Contact Person: Patrick Kennedy, U.S. EPA, OPPT, TS-798, 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC
20460, (202) 260-3916
Description:
MCCEM is an indoor air quality model that is designed to be flexible yet user friendly. It
contains a database of house data that are needed to run an indoor air model, such as air exchange
rates, interzonal air flows, and house and room volumes. Source emission rates of pollutants are
entered into the model either as numbers or formulas. MCCEM accounts for chemical decay and
changing outdoor concentrations over time. It is capable of performing sensitivity analyses and
Monte Carlo analyses.
Summary of Environmental-related Information:
Media: Air
Classes of compounds: User provides source emission rates and other characteristics
Relevant variables: Concentrations of pollutant in indoor air
Process evaluated: Transport in an indoor environment
Database Availability:
Availability: Any requestor can obtain diskettes, user guide, and model documentation
Form: Diskettes (IBM-compatible; program written in Quick Basic; input of source emission rates
through Lotus spreadsheet)
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NATIONWIDE FOOD CONSUMPTION SURVEY
Acronym: MFCS
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Human Nutrition Information
Service (HNIS)
Contact Person: Ellen Harris, USDA, HNIS, 6505 Belcrest Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782, (301)
436-7725 '
Description:
The NCFS is conducted every 10 years to determine home food usage and food ingestion
by household members both at and away from home. The Survey is conducted as a household
survey using approximately 15,000 households identified from a complex multistage stratified sample
to represent private households in the 48 contiguous United States. In addition, special surveys are
targeted for populations in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico; low-income households; and
households with elderly persons.
The Survey uses a questionnaire format to obtain information on the home food supplies
and food used from those supplies. A 3-day diary of consumption is requested of household
members. The information from these questionnaires is compared to the Current Population
Survey of the U.S. Census to determine the degree to which the respondents are representative of
the national population.
Summary of Environmental-related Information:
Media: Human food
Relevant variables: Type and amount of food consumed
Process evaluated: Consumption
Database Availability:
Availability: Any requestor can obtain reports from HNIS and tapes from the National Technical
Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650
Form: Tapes (ASCII)
Reports: Nutrition Monitoring in the United States-A Progress Report from the Joint Nutrition
Monitoring Evaluation Committee (PHS 86-1255); a series of reports are produced by and
available from HNIS
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PROBABILISTIC DILUTION MODEL
Acronym: PDM
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Prevention, Pesticides
and Toxic Substances, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT)
Contact Person: Sidney Abel, U.S. EPA, OPPT, Exposure Evaluation Division, TS-798, 401 M
Street SW, Washington, DC 20460, (202) 260-3917
Description:
PDM is an aquatic exposure assessment tool used to predict the number of days per year
a chemical concentration of concern will be exceeded in a water body after the chemical has been
discharged from an industrial facility. The user provides the program with the level of concern and
the release amount of the chemical. The PDM then provides the user with two options. Option
1 performs an analysis of a specific river reach and Option 2 perform an analysis of receiving
streams in an industrial category. Option 2 can be used for reasonable worst-case or average-case
analyses.
Summary of Environmental-related Information:
Media: Water
Classes of compounds: User provides level of concern and release amount
Relevant variables: Number of days exceeding concern level for concentration of chemical in water
Process evaluated: Diffusion in water
Database Availability:
Availability: Any requestor can obtain the diskettes
Form: Diskette (IBM-compatible, DOS 2.2 or later version, Turbo Pascal)
D-18
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SCREENING CONSUMER INHALATION
EXPOSURE SOFTWARE
Acronym: SCIES
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Prevention, Pesticides
and Toxic Substances, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT)
Contact Person: Pat Jennings, U.S. EPA, OPPT, TS-798, 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC
20460, (202) 260-5588
Description:
The SCIES model has been developed to assist the Exposure Evaluation Division of the
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics in performing screening-level assessments of potential
dose rates from inhalation of new and existing chemicals in consumer products. The model
classifies consumer products in 10 categories and estimates potential average individual dose rates
from inhaling each component of a consumer product based on the product category in which it
has been placed. The model estimates potential dose rates for both the user of the product and
passively exposed nonusers (i.e., individuals present in the residence who are not actively using the
products). Default values are provided for each parameter required to run the model for each of
the product categories. The assessor has the option of changing selected default values. An
additional'option allows assessors to create their own scenarios.
The SCIES model combines the results of a recently completed effort to measure ventilation
flows within residences using a perfluorocarbon tracer (PFT) with a two-zone mass balance model
to allow estimation of potential dose rates to both users and nonusers. Scenarios are provided that
depict product uses expected to result in reasonable worst-case estimates of potential dose rates.
These worst-case scenarios form the basis for the default values used.
Summary of Environmental-related Information:
Media: Air
Classes of compounds: VOCs, semi-VOCs
Relevant variables: Concentration of chemical in air, potential dose rates
Process evaluated: Volatilization during consumer product use
D-19
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Database Availability:
Availability: Any requestor can obtain diskette and user guide
Form: This model is programmed in Turbo Pascal and is designed to run on a personal computer
using a PC-DOS/MS-DOS environment equipped with at least 54 K of memory and a color
monitor
Reports: Screening-Level Consumer Inhalation Exposure Software Background Document
D-20
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U.S. FOOD SUPPLY SERIES
Acronym: None
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Economic Research Service (ERS)
Contact Person: Judith Putnam, USDA, ERS, Room 1137,1301 New York Ave. NW, Washington,
DC 20005, (202) 219-0870
Description:
The Economic Research Service provides annual estimates of the amounts of approximately
350 foods that are available for civilian food consumption at or before the retail level of
distribution. The estimates are derived from data on production, imports and exports, military use,
and beginning and year-end inventories. This historical series began in 1909.
The data are generated for economic analyses purposes. The data include estimates of the
quantities of food available for consumption per capita per year. Estimates of the per capita
consumption are derived by dividing the weight of food (by type of food) available for use during
the year by the population of the 50 states and the District of Columbia,
Summary of Environmental-related Information:
Media: Human food
Relevant variables: Type and amount of food consumed nationally
Process evaluated: Consumption
Database Availability:
Availability: Any requestor can obtain bulletins and diskette from ERS; reports are available from
the U.S. Government Printing Office
Form: Diskettes (contain information in tabular form)
Reports: Agricultural Statistics (annual); U.S. Food Consumption (Statistical Bulletin No. 364,1965,
describes methods); reports can be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents of the
Government Printing Office
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VOC/PM SPECIATION DATA BASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Acronym: SPECIATE
Sponsoring Agency: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air Quality Planning
and Standards (OAQPS)
Contact Person: Anne A. Pope, EPA, OAQPS, MD-14, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, (919)
541-5373
Description:
SPECIATE contains 700 species profiles for both volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and
particulate matter (PM). By applying the species profiles to either total VOC or PM emission
estimates, the weight percentage of specific VOCs or the elemental composition of PM can be
• estimated for the source categories covered in the data system. SPECIATE presents data by
compound and by source category. The system is designed for easy access and retrieval of emission
estimation data by pollutant or source description.
Speciation profiles are searched by pollutant name (Chemical Abstract Services Registry
Number (CASRN) or Source Classification Code (SCC)). Information is provided on the test and
analytical methods, use of control equipment, and profile assignment. The information is updated
annually.
Summary of Environmental-related Information:
Media: Air
Classes of compounds: Criteria pollutants, inorganic compounds, VOCs, particulates
Relevant variables: Weight percentage and elemental composition are given by source category
Process evaluated: Speciation of compounds in air
Database Availability:
Availability: Any requestor can purchase SPECIATE from the National Technical Information
Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650; nonprofit
agencies should contact OAQPS
Form: Diskettes (containing a compiled set of menu-driven dBase files) which require an IBM
compatible PC with MS-DOS (TM) version 3.0 or higher, 640 KB free RAM, a fixed disk
• with at least 8 MB of storage, and a high density 5.25" external disk drive; available on
CHIEF bulletin board system; CD-ROM
Reports: Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)/Paniculate Matter (PM) Speciation Data System User's
Manual, Version 1.4
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APPENDIX E
Listing of Chemicals By Data Collection-System and Media
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APPENDIX E
Listing of Chemicals by Data Collection System and Media
This Appendix lists the chemicals for which information is available in the database
collection systems described in Part I of this Inventory. For each chemical, the list indicates
which database(s) contain information and for what media. It should be noted that the
chemical names were entered as they were provided; they were not edited for consistency of
nomenclature or format.
Lists were obtained for all but two of the data collection systems: Lake Analysis
Management System (LAMS), and the Pesticide Information Network (PIN). In addition, it
should be noted that the lists for both the Air Facility Subsystem (AFS) of the Aerometric
Information Retrieval System (AIRS) and the Air Quality Subsystem (AQS) of the Aerometric
Information Retrieval System (AIRS) are both listed under the Aerometric Information
Retrieval System (AIRS).
The media categories are air, water, soil, food, bulk chemicals, human samples, and
other. As indicated in the questionnaire, these categories include the following subcategories:
» Air: indoor homes, indoor public, outdoor urban, outdoor rural, emissions,
personal monitor, other;
• Water: surface, ground water, leachate, municipal, private, other;
• Soil: residential, industrial, sediment, Superfund Site, dust, other;
• Food sources: nondomesticated gamebirds and mammals, domesticated
gamebirds and mammals, plants, and other;
• Bulk chemicals: bulk chemicals, other;
• Human samples: human samples (e.g., blood, urine).
Respondents used the "other" category to include such media as mixed hazardous waste,
materials injected into underground wells, materials discharged to Publicly Owned Treatment
E-l
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Works (POTWs), wastes at recycling and treatment facilities, and wildlife that does not
constitute a food source for humans (e.g., starlings).
For the most part, the names of the data collection systems are provided in full in the
chemical list. However, some of the database names were so long that including the entire
name enlarged the-size of the database unnecessarily. Therefore, for a select number of
databases, the acronym was used instead of the full name. Table E-l on the next page lists
the data collection systems for which chemical names are listed and indicates which databases
are listed by their acronym. The list itself is on a diskette accompanying this document.
Access to nheminfll List; The enclosed diskette contains a dBASE HI PLUS® file
containing the chemical listing from Appendix E. The file contained on the diskette is
compressed so that it can fit onto one diskette. To access the list requires a hard disk with
at least 1Q megabytes of free space. The data base can be installed on any drive and in any
directory; however, the file will be loaded into the current directory in use once your activate
the software enclosed. We recommend that it be installed on the your dBASE directory for
ease of access from that software. The following procedure can be used to install this file
within the dBASE directory and it assumes you are installing the database on the C drive.
1. ' Place the database disk in your computer's A drive.
2. At the C: prompt change your directory to that in which your dBASE III
PLUS software is contained.
3. At the dBASE prompt type AiCHEMICAL and press the ENTER key.
4. A dBase ffl PLUS® file (CHEMICAL.DBF)-will be copied from the floppy disk
to the hard disk.
5. Remove the floppy disk from the A drive.
6. Once.the data file has been copiedj the data base may be accessed using the
dBase HI PLUS software program.
E-2
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TABLE E-l
DATA COLLECTION SYSTEMS FOR WHICH CHEMICAL NAMES ARE LISTED
Acid Deposition System (ADS)
Agricultural Chemical Usage
Air Facility Subsystem (AFS) of the Aerometric Information Retrieval System (AIRS)
(Listed under AIRS in this appendix)
Air Quality Subsystem (AQS) of the Aerometric Information Retrieval System (AIRS)
(Listed under AIRS in this appendix)
Anticipated Residues in Food (OPPE Pesticide Food Residue)
Aquatic Toxicity Information Retrieval (AQUIRE)
Biennial Reporting System
Carbon Monoxide Total Exposure Assessment Methodology Study (CO TEAM)
Chemical Screening Branch (CSB) Existing Chemicals Assessment Tracking System
(CECATS) (Listed as CECATS in this appendix)
Community Health Air Monitoring Program (CHAMP)
Eastern Lake Survey (ELS)
Effects of Sulfur Dioxide and Respirable Particles on Human Health (Six Cities Study)
Emergency Response Notification System (ERNS)
Emissions Certification Database
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP)
Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System (ERAMS)
Federal Reporting Data System (FRDS)
Fluoridation Census
Global Environmental Monitoring System (GEMS)
Hazardous Substance Release/Health Effects Database (HAZDAT)
E-3
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DATA COLLECTION SYSTEMS FOR WHICH CHEMICAL NAMES ARE LISTED (cont.)
Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES)
Integrated Data Base (IDB)
Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE)
Internal Radiation Dosimetry System (OHSP)
Lockheed-EPA, EMSL-LV
Long-Term Monitoring Program (LTM)
Marine Pollution Retrieval System (MPRS)
Microbiology and Residue Computer Information System (MARCIS)
Month and State Current Emissions Trends (MSCET)
National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program (NAPAP Version 2)
National Air Toxics Information Clearinghouse (NATICH)
National Coastal Pollutant Discharge Inventory (NCPDI)
National Contaminant Biomonitoring Program (NCBP)
National Environmental Specimen Bank
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
National Herbicide Use Database
National Human Adipose Tissue Survey (NHATS)
National Human Milk Monitoring Program
National Park Service 'Environmental Database Management System (NPSEDMS)
National Pesticide Survey (NPS)
National Residential Radon Survey (NRRS)
National Shellfish Register of Classified Estuarine Waters
E-4
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DATA COLLECTION SYSTEMS FOR WHICH CHEMICAL NAMES ARE LISTED (cont.)
National Status and Trends (NS&T) for Marine Environmental Quality
National Stream Survey (NSS)
National VOC Data Base
National Water Quality Networks Program
Nonoccupational Pesticide Exposure Study (NOPES)
Northeast Regional Oxidant Study (NEROS)
Ocean Data Evaluation System (ODES)
Particle Total Exposure Assessment Methodology Study (PTEAM)
Permit Compliance System (PCS)
Radioactive Materials Released from Nuclear Power Plants
Recall Database
Regional Air Pollution Study (RAPS)
Resource Conservation Recovery Information System (RCRIS)
(Listed as RCRIS in this appendix)
State/EPA Residential Radon Survey
Storage and Retrieval of Water Quality Data (STORET)
(Listed as STORET in this appendix)
Synthetic Organic Chemicals (SOC), U.S. Productions and Sales (Annual SOC Reports)
(Listed as SOC in this appendix)
Total Diet Study (TDS)
Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)
Toxic Substances Control Act Test Submissions (TSCATS)
Volatile Organic Compound Total Exposure Assessment Methodology Study (VOC TEAM)
Water Data Storage and Retrieval System (WATSTORE)
E-5
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DATA COLLECTION SYSTEMS FOR WHICH CHEMICAL NAMES ARE LISTED (cont.)
Western Lake Survey (WLS)
Wisconsin Fisheries (FISH.WIS)
E-6
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