&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
The EMPACT Collection
Planning and Implementing
a Real-time Air Pollution
Monitoring and Outreach
Program for Your Communi
Delivering Timely Air Qi
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Community
Environmental Monitoring for Public Access
& Community Tracking
Technology Transfer / Risk Communication Products Supporting EPA's Real-Time Environmental
Monitoring, Data Delivery, and Public Outreach Program
The Technology Transfer and Support Division (TTSD) of U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development's National Risk
Management Research Laboratory has completed a series of technology transfer and risk communication handbooks, case stud-
ies, and summary reports for community-based environmental monitoring projects developed under U.S. EPA's Environmental
Monitoring for Public Access and Community Tracking (EMPACT) Program.
The EMPACT Program takes advantage of new technologies to provide communities with timely, accurate and understand-
able environmental information they can use to make informed day-to-day decisions about their lives. EMPACT publications
prepared by TTSD cover a wide range of environmental issues, including air and water quality, residential lead contamination,
beach and recreational water contamination, ultraviolet radiation, bird migration, and overall ecosystem quality. Publications
have also been prepared that highlight environmental school curriculums and risk communication tools used in the EMPACT
Program.
The publications provide case studies and contains suggestions and recommendations that can be used to design, employ and
maintain comparable environmental monitoring, data management/delivery, and communication/outreach programs.
Electronic versions of each publication (in pdf format) are available for viewing or downloading from EPA ORD's Technology
Transfer Web site - http://www.epa.gov/ttbnrmrl. In addition, print and CD ROM versions are or will be available for order-
ing (free-of-charge) from this Web site.
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The following provides a complete description of each transfer and risk communication product developed for the Environmental
Monitoring Program.
Environmental Monitoring Program Compilation CD
The EMPACT Collection, Technology Transfer I Risk Communication Products Supporting EPA's Real- Time
Environmental Monitoring, Data Delivery, and Public Outreach Program. EPA/625/C-03/007 (CD ROM)
An EMPACT publications CD has been prepared containing a compilation of handbooks, case studies and
summary reports prepared under the EMPACT program. Individual projects cover a wide range of
environmental issues, including air and water quality, residential lead contamination, beach and recreational
water contamination, ultraviolet radiation, bird migration and overall ecosystem quality.
Air Quality Monitoring Handbooks and Reports
Ozone Monitoring, Mapping and Public Outreach / Delivering Real-Time Ozone Information to Your
Community, EPA/625/R-99/007 (print version), EPA/625/C-99/002 (CD ROM)
The handbook provides step-by-step instructions on how to: 1) design, site, operate, and maintain an ozone
monitoring network; 2) install, configure, and operate the automatic data transfer system; 3) use MapGen
software to create still-frame and animated ozone maps; and 4) develop an outreach plan to communicate
information about real-time ozone levels and health effects to the public.
Planning and Implementing a Real- Time Air Pollution Monitoring and Outreach Program for Your
Community I TheAirBeat Project ofRoxbury, Massachusetts, EPA/625/R-02/012 (print version),
EPA/625/C-02/012 (CD ROM)
The purpose of AirBeat is to make real-time air quality monitoring information (for ozone, black carbon, and
fine particulate) available to the Boston community ofRoxbury. This handbook provides a case study of the
AirBeat project (with lessons-learned and success stories) and contains suggestions and recommendations that
can be used to design, employ and maintain air quality monitoring, data management and delivery, and
communication and outreach systems comparable to that employed for the AirBeat Project.
Delivering Timely Air Quality, Traffic and Weather Information to Your Community I The Paso del Norte
Environmental Monitoring Project, EPA/625/R-02/013 (print version), EPA/625/C-02/013 (CD ROM)
The handbook outlines the steps needed for communities to adapt/adopt projects similar to the Paso del Norte
Environmental Monitoring Project. The Paso del Norte Project is a mobile vehicle emissions project that
involves the international community of El Paso, Texas, Sundland Park, New Mexico, and Juarez, Mexico. The
Project is building a regional clearinghouse for real-time air quality (O3, CO, SO2, PM10, PM2.5), traffic and
transit data. Air quality data is being combined with live-action traffic on the TX freeways and four
international bridges to create a predictive model for air quality based on traffic volume. A communication and
outreach program has also be implemented, including a K through 12 educational campaign and the use of
radio and TV news stations (in Mexico as well) to inform the public.
Urban Sprawl Modeling, Air Quality Monitoring, and Risk Communication I The Northeast Ohio Project,
EPA/625/R-02/016 (print version), EPA/625/C-02/016 (CD ROM)
The Northeast Ohio Urban Sprawl, Air Quality Monitoring, and Communications Project provides local
officials, community planners, and other groups in Northeast Ohio with environmental impact information
posed by urban sprawl; provides near real-time data on air quality related to individual and public health; and
conducts an extensive community outreach program on sprawl and air quality issues. A handbook has been
prepared for this Project highlighting its principal components and providing successes and lessons-learned to
other communities who are interested in developing comparable or refining existing projects.
Report of the Decetnber 15, 1999 EPA Satellite Forum on Ozone Monitoring, Mapping and Public Outreach.
EPA/625/R-00/003 (print version)
This report summarizes a satellite forum on technology transfer tools developed for ozone monitoring,
mapping, and public outreach. This forum highlighted EPA's Ozone Mapping (AirNow) Project that provides
the public with real-time information about ozone pollution in an easy-to-understand pictorial format. AirNow
is a collaborative effort among EPA, state and local air quality agencies, and regional organizations to collect,
quality assure and transfer real-time air quality information to the public. Participants in the satellite forum
included representatives of EPA and state and local air agencies.
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Estuary, Lake and River Water Quality Monitoring Handbooks
Delivering Timely Water Quality Information to Your Community I The Miami River Index Project.
EPA/625/R-03/002 (print version), EPA/625/C-03/002 (CD ROM)
The Miami River Index Project disseminates timely information to the public about the quality of the waters in
the Lower Great Miami River Watershed. The Project includes systems to collect, retrieve, manage, and analyze
real-time water quality data and develop water quality and river indices. This handbook presents a case study of the
River Index Project, describing how real-time water quality data are collected, processed and communicated to the
public. The handbook also provides readers with information on how to develop similar water quality monitoring,
data processing, and outreach programs for their community.
Facilitating Public Access to Government Environmental Monitoring Data I The Living Everglades Web Site,
EPA/625/R-02/020 (print version), EPA1625IC 02/020 (CD ROM)
A handbook has been prepared to document The Living Everglades Project. The Project makes information on
the health of the Florida Everglades ecosystem more accessible and understandable to the residents, scientists,
teachers, and government agencies of South Florida by disseminating public information materials and
establishing an Internet site called The Living Everglades. These tools serve as a public information and
communication network for the ecosystem.
Time-Relevant Beach and Recreational Water Quality Monitoring and Reporting, EPA/625/R-02/017 (print
version), EPA/625/C-02/017 (CD ROM)
The handbook provides guidance for planning and implementing a beach and recreational water quality
monitoring, data management/delivery, and public outreach program. It is based on case studies of three water
quality projects — the Lower Charles River/Boston Harbor Water Quality Monitoring and Reporting Project, the
Narrangatt Bay Beach Monitoring and Notification Project, and the Milwaukee Recreational Water Quality
MetroGrant Project. These projects address water quality concerns associated with recreational boating and swim-
ming principally through water-borne pathogen monitoring, issuing water quality advisories, developing and using
predictive beach closure water quality models, and developing effective beach closure and re-opening policies.
Developing and Implementing an Estuarine Water Quality Monitoring, Assessment, and Outreach Program I The
MYSoundProject, EPA/625/R-02/010 (print version), EPA/625/C-02/010 (CD ROM)
The handbook highlights water quality monitoring technologies used by the Long Island Sound Marine Monitor-
ing (MYSound) Project. MYSound uses telemetering data buoys equipped widi sensors to collect real-time
temperature, conductivity/salinity, and dissolved oxygen data in the Sound. Four monitoring stations currently
form the basic network. The monitoring data also support re-calibration and verification of water quality
predictive models under different water quality and circulation conditions. Data is posted on a website and
advertised through a variety of outreach efforts.
Delivering Timely Water Quality Information to Your Community I The Chesapeake Bay and National Aquarium
in Baltimore EMPACT Projects, EPAJ625IR 02/018 (print version), EPAI625IC-02I018 (CD ROM)
The handbook provides state/local governments and other groups with recommendations on how to design,
employ, and maintain water quality monitoring, data management/delivery, and communications systems. The
handbook is based on case studies of the Chesapeake Bay and Fort McHenry Tidal Wetland Restoration Projects.
Project components include: 1) collecting and disseminating chemical and physical data that contribute to the
development of harmful algal blooms and low dissolved oxygen in the Chesapeake and other coastal bays, 2)
providing timely in-situ data supplementing Pfiesteria surveillance monitoring and Submerged Aquatic Vegetation
(SAV) restoration efforts by the State of Maryland, and 3) providing comprehensive assessments of factors
contributing to outbreaks of Pfiesteria and Pfiesteria-like organisms, fish kills, low dissolved oxygen and the loss of
SAV habitat.
Delivering Timely Water Quality Information to Your Community / Lake Access, Minneapolis Project,
EPA/625/R-00/013 (print version), EPA/625/C-00/013 (CD ROM version)
The handbook showcases the Lake Access, Minneapolis Project. The Project provides lake water quality data,
interpretation and assistance in the application of low-cost intervention and risk reduction measures. It is
an educational and intervention effort to reduce the risk of further eutrophication in suburban lakes. The
handbook provides guidance on 1) designing and operating water quality monitoring systems, 2) collecting,
transferring, managing and depicting time-relevant water quality data, and 4) communicating time-relevant
water quality information to the public.
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Delivering Timely Water Quality Information to Your Community I The Jefferson Parish Louisiana Project. EPAI
625/R-01/005 (print version), EPA/625/C 01/005, (CD ROM)
The Jefferson Parish Louisiana Project takes advantage of both remote sampling and remote sensing (satellite)
data to provide water quality information to the Jefferson Parish, Louisiana community in near real time. The
handbook provides a project case study and recommendations on how to: 1) design, install, operate, and
maintain a remote water sample collection unit; 2) obtain, process, interpret, and manage satellite data; 3) use
satellite imagery for monitoring water quality; 4) and develop an outreach plan to communicate information
about real time water quality to die public.
Drinking/Storm Water Quality Handbooks
Providing Timely Drinking Water and Source Water Quality Information to Your Community I The Des Moines
Water Works Project, EPAJ625/R-01/006 (print version), EPA/625/C-01/006 (CD ROM)
The handbook addresses the planning and implementation steps that were needed to develop, operate and
maintain the time-relevant drinking water quality monitoring and data delivery/management systems of Des
Moines Water Works (DMWW). The handbook highlights:!) how DMWW disseminates time-relevant drinking
water (including source and treated water) quality data to the public, 2) how the existing urban watershed impacts
the drinking water supply, and 3) how DMWW established and maintains an education and outreach program
through their website and other educational/outreach materials.
Delivering Timely Environmental Information to Your Community I The Boulder Area Sustainability
Information Network (BASIN) Project, EPA/625/R-01/010 (print version), EPA/625/C-01/010 (CD ROM)
The handbook provides a case study on how the Boulder Area Sustainability Information Network (BASIN): 1)
collects and analyzes water samples within the Boulder Co. area watershed, 2) presents timely and spatial
environmental data on a Web site using (Practical Extraction Report Language) PERL programming, 3) developed
an outreach plan to communicate timely environmental information to the public, and 4) established partnerships
with potential data providers.
Residential Lead Contamination Handbooks
Lead Safe Yards I Developing and Implementing a Monitoring, Assessment and Outreach Program for Your
Community, EPA/625/R-00/012 (print version), EPA/625/C-00/012 (CD ROM)
The handbook presents a case study showing how one community in Boston is using a variety of low-cost
techniques, such as landscaping and yard treatments, to reduce children's exposure to elevated levels of lead in
residential soil. The handbook provides step-by-step guidance for developing a similar program to address the
problem of lead in soil in other communities. Much of the information will also be useful to individual
homeowners interested in finding low-cost ways to reduce children's exposure to lead in soil.
Developing and Implementing a Lead Dust Outreach, Monitoring, and Education Program in Your Community I
The Syracuse Lead Dust Project, EPA/625/R 02/014 (print version), EPA/625/C-02/014 (CD ROM)
The Lead Dust Project measures the lead dust content in homes within the City of Syracuse, NY. The project
contains an educational component which targets families and landlords to inform them about lead dust hazards
and appropriate control measures. Aided by community-based organization partners, HEPA vacuums are made
available for loan to families to reduce lead dust level in their homes. This Lead Dust Project case-study highlights
how the Project was designed and implemented. Emphasis has been placed on providing success stories and
lessons-learned from diis and other lead dust projects in an effort to assist new communities who are interested in
adopting comparable programs.
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Ultraviolet Radiation Handbook
Community-Based UVRisk Education I The SunWise Program Handbook, EPA/625/R-02/008,
EPA/625/C-02/008 (CD ROM published)
This handbook highlights how one project, the Sunwise UV Risk Education Project: 1) increases the public's
understanding of the importance of ultraviolet (UV) light as a carcinogenic and skin aging agent, 2)
disseminates time-relevant information on when UV exposure should be minimized, 3) uses the UV Index as a
risk communication tool, and 4) provides the general public and specific target audiences with
information about the human health risks from exposure to UV light. The handbook also contains descriptions
of the Project's outreach efforts to raise the community awareness to these risks.
Environmental School Curriculum Handbook
Environmental Curricula Handbook: Tools in Your Schools, EPA/625/R-02/009 (print version),
EPA/625/C-02/009 (CD ROM)
This handbook provides teachers and other educators with guidance on how to teach students about
environmental issues related to air, water, and soil quality; and assists educators in designing lesson plans and
activities. It highlights a host of real-time environmental monitoring projects that have developed or are
developing curricula and other classroom materials to foster student learning. The handbook can be used by
any teacher, from kindergarten through Grade 12. College-level materials have also been developed for some
projects.
Risk Communication Handbook
Risk Communication in Action, Environmental Case Studies Handbook, EPA/625/R-02/011 (print version),
EPA/625/C-02/011 (CD ROM)
The, handbook discusses data visualization and data interpretation tools diat municipal, state, and federal
government agencies and community groups can use to effectively communicate environmental data and issues
to the public. The tools described include maps, color-coding, icons, graphs, simulations, indexes, and
publications. The handbook also provides guidance for using these tools and presents detailed case studies. Each
case study includes a project history, effective methods used, and lessons learned.
Bird Migration Monitoring Handbook
Developing and Implementing a Bird Migration Monitoring, Assessment, and Public Outreach Program for
Your Community I The BirdCast Project, EPA/625/R 01/007 (print version), EPA/625/C-01/007 (CD ROM)
The handbook presents a case study showing how the BirdCast Project, covering the mid-Atlantic coast of the
United States, provides information that allows property managers and the general public to assist migratory
birds. It also provides guidance on how to: 1) identify target communities that would be interested in reporting
on and following the progress of bird migration, 2) record and present real-time information about bird
migration using radar, weather information, and acoustic monitoring, 3) collect groundtruthing information
from volunteer birders and present it to the public, and 4) provide education and outreach to members of the
public about what to do when migratory birds pass through their area.
Web-Based Risk Communication Tool
A Web-based risk communication tool has been developed for an air toxic monitoring program at a petroleum
refinery in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Web site provides real-time air toxic data as well as a discussion of
the associated public health risks to surrounding communities. The Web site is currently maintained by Contra
Costa county.
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United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
National Risk Management
Research Laboratory
Cincinnati, OH 45268
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