904/R-93-004
THE CHATTANOOGA, TN/GA METROPOLITAN
STATISTICAL AREA (MSA) TOXIC RELEASE
INVENTORY - GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM
(TRI-GIS) COMPARATIVE RISK SCREENING ANALYSIS
J.R.Stockwell, M.D., M.P.H., J.W.Sorensen, B.S,
Address for correspondence:
John R. Stockwell, M.D., M.P.H.
Regional Human Health Effects Officer
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
345 Courtland Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30365-2401
(404) 347-1033
FAX (404) 347-1681
DECEMBER 1993
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Presentation Outline
Part One Highlights and Introduction
Part Two Concepts and Method
I. Toxic Release Inventory Background
Information
II. Toxicity Index Profiling and Calculation of
Risk Screening Vector Products (RSVPs)
III. Determination of Potential Exposure Zones
(PEZs)
IV. SHE(E) Analysis
V. Summary of Geographical Information
System (GIS) Methodology
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Part Three Results and GIS Findings
Part Four Discussion and Conclusions
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Part One
Highlights and Introduction
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Highlights
In the Chattanooga, TIM/GA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
geographic areas have been located which have a high percentage
of low income, less educated, minority populations which may be
exposed to disproportional amounts of toxic chemicals
IF plausible routes of exposure actually exist in these locations
within the Chattanooga, TN/GA area, the population with the
disproportionately higher exposure may exhibit an increased
likelihood of developing environmental diseases
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Highlights (continued)
Data reflecting these Sentinel Health Events (Environmental) have
now been compiled for the Chattanooga, TN/GA MSA
Given the POTENTIAL exposure above, further study is
recommended to determine whether this population is experiencing
any increased environmental health risk
Further studies should focus on whether exposure pathways are
actually present
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Introduction
This study characterizes the environmental releases of toxic chemicals of
the Toxic Chemical Release Inventory (TRI) in the Chattanooga, TN/GA
Metropolitan Statistical Area by using the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (U.S. EPA) Geographic Information System (GIS) to map them
This GIS mapping approach takes the first steps in defining those localities
in a larger area which may be potential exposure zones and which could
be strategic targets for future risk screening efforts in this geographic area
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TRI-GIS comparative risk screening analysis uses information specific to
the Chattanooga TN/GA Metropolitan Statistical Area obtained from the
1990 U.S. Bureau of the Census Summary Tape File 3 A (STF3A), the
Topologically Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing (TIGER)
digital map files
Additionally, the Toxic Release Inventory System (TRI System) data for
the Chattanooga TN/GA Metropolitan Statistical Area were utilized
The Public Data Branch (Information Management Division, EPA
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics) administers and
maintains the TR) System
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These U.S. EPA CIS maps convey the broad range of adverse human
health effects which these toxic chemicals may produce and their
geographic relationship to nearby populations
These generated maps provide visual focus to the relative magnitude of
these releases in relation to the human populations in individual localities
of the Chattanooga, TN/GA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
Taken together, the maps generated by this study can provide the risk
manager with information to consider when determining the type and
extent of risk management activities that may be required near a TRI
facility or locality within the Chattanooga, TN/GA MSA
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The TRI-GIS comparative risk screening analysis of the Chattanooga
TN/GA Metropolitan Statistical Area uses a computer-assisted system of
environmental disease and injury surveillance based on an analysis of the
Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) chemical releases
Local risk managers can use this analysis to view a broad picture of the
relative public health importance of the TRI releases in the area
This method can provide, in turn, a substantive risk management targeting
strategy and relative ranking of TRI facilities within selected locations of
the Chattanooga TN/GA Metropolitan Statistical Area
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This TRI-GIS Comparative Risk Screening approach can assist in taking
the first steps in defining the geographic distribution of environmental
releases of the TRI toxic chemicals in the Chattanooga TN/GA
Metropolitan Statistical Area and helps to lay the foundation for risk
screening efforts in this area by identifying potential exposure zones from
TRI releases
TRI-GIS analysis can allow the local risk manager to focus on the relative
magnitude of these releases and their potential human health significance
for selected locations in the Chattanooga TN/GA Metropolitan Statistical
Area
This method can provide the risk manager with information to consider
when determining the type and extent of risk management activities that
may be required at a TRI facility or geographic area within a selected
location of the area
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Four new concepts have been developed for use in future risk screening
efforts:
Toxicity Index Profiling (TIP)
Calculation of Risk Screening Vector Products (RSVPs)
Sentinel Health Event (Environmental) [SHE(E)]
Determination of Potential Exposure Zones (PEZs)
These four new concepts are used in the Chattanooga, TN/GA
Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) TRI-GIS Comparative Risk Screening
Analysis
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Part Two
Concepts and Method
I. Toxic Release Inventory Background
Information .
II. Toxicity Index Profiling and Calculation of Risk
Screening Vector Products (RSVPs)
III. Determination of Potential Exposure Zones
(PEZs)
IV. SHE(E) Analysis
V. Summary of Geographical Information System
(CIS) Methodology
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I. Toxic Release Inventory Background Information
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Background
Chemical release data used in this comparative risk analysis has been
provided through a new federal law, the Emergency Planning and
Community Right-to-Know Act1 (EPCRA) of the Superfund Amendments
and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-499)
Under Section 313 of EPCRA, certain industries must submit annual
reports to EPA and the state in which they operate for specified toxic
chemicals manufactured, processed, or used at the facility
The act is also known as Title D3 of SARA (the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act)
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Facilities must account for total aggregate releases to the environment for
each chemical listed under Section 313 for the preceding calendar year
This includes releases to each environmental media air,land and
water-annually
Aggregate data are referred to as the Toxic Chemical Release Inventory
(TRI). There are over 300 chemicals and 20 chemical categories on the
Section 313 list
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; Types of Plants, Factories, or Other Fac«tiea
Which Must Report Releases «# EPCRA Section 313 Chemicals
Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)
Codes 20 throuah 39
20 Food
21 Tobacco
22 Textiles
23 Apparel
24 Lumber and wood
25 Furniture
26 Paper
27 Printing and
publishing
28 Chemicals
29 Petroleum and
coal
30 Rubber and
Plastics
31 Leather
32 Stone, clay, and
glass
33 Primary metals
34 Fabricated metals
35 Machinery
(excluding
electrical)
36 Electrical and
electronic
equipment
37 Transportation
equipment
38 Instruments
39 Miscellaneous
manufacturing
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Information in the TRI Database
Name, location and type of business
Chemical name and Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS)
Registry Number
Whether the chemical is manufactured (including importation),
processed, or otherwise used and the general categories of use of
the chemical
Estimate (in ranges) of the maximum amounts of the toxic
chemical present at the facility at any time during the preceding
year
Quantity of the chemical entering each medium
(air, land and water) annually
Off-site locations to which the facility transfers
toxic chemicals in waste
Waste treatment/disposal methods and efficiency
of methods for each waste stream
Optional information on waste minimization
Certification by a senior facility official
that the report is complete and accurate
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II. Toxicity Index Profiling and Calculation of Risk
Screening Vector Products (RSVPs)
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The first key concept of this TRI-GIS Risk Screening (SEDIMIS) is
that of Toxicity Index Profiling (TIP)
This technique will assist in assigning priorities to limited
risk assessment resources and can promote the
establishment of health based compliance monitoring
Basically, TIP has been used to develop relative weights for
TRI releases according to the frequency of adverse human
health and ecological effects which are potentially
associated with those chemicals and the respective
volumes of those releases
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It is important to realize, however, that the TIP method sums toxic
effects; it does not provide relative toxicity or potency of chemicals
The TIP concept is based on an EPA toxicity data matrix which
provides a summary presentation of information publicly available
through a number of accessible databases:
HSDB (Hazardous Substance Data Bank)
RTECS (Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemicals)
GENETOX (Genetic Toxicology)
AQUIRE (EPA ERL-Duluth's Aquatic Information Retrieval
database)
ENVIROFATE (on-line database)
LOG P and related Parameters Database (numeric database)
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The specific constellation of possible human health and ecological
effects of each chemical within the toxicity data matrix is referred
to as its Toxicity Index Profile (TIP). There are seven adverse
human health and three ecological effects of concern defined as
follows:
Human Health
CARCINOGENICITY (C):
can cause cancer in humans and/or laboratory animals, e.g. benzene
which can cause leukemia
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Human Health (continued)
HERITABLE GENETIC AND CHROMOSOMAL MUTATION
(HGCM):
can cause mutations in genes and chromosomes which will be
passed to the next generation, e.g. hydrogen fluoride
DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY (DT):
can cause birth defects or miscarriage, e.g. 1,3-butadiene
REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY (RT):
can damage the ability of men or women to reproduce, e.g. lead
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Human Health (continued)
ACUTE TOXICITY (RT):
can cause damage to living tissue, impairment of the central
nervous system, severe illness or, in extreme cases, death from
even short term exposures, either through the lungs, the mouth, or
the skin, e.g. phosgene or mustard gas
CHRONIC TOXICITY (CT):
can cause long-term damage other than cancer, such as liver,
kidney, or lung damage, e.g. carbon tetrachloride
NEUROTOXICITY (N):
can harm the nervous system by affecting the brain, spinal cord, or
nerves, e.g. cadmium or aluminum
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Adverse Human Health Effects
Defined for EPCRA Section 313 Chemicals
CARCINOGENICITY (C):
can cause cancer in humans and/or laboratory animals, e.g. benzene which can cause
leukemia.
HERITABLE GENETIC AND CHROMOSOMAL MUTATION (HGCM):
can cause mutations in genes and chromosomes which will be passed to the next
generation, e.g. hydrogen fluoride.
DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY (DTJ:
can cause birth defects or miscarriage, e.g. 1,3-butadiene.
REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY (RT):
can damage the ability of men and women to reproduce, e.g. lead.
ACUTE TOXICITY (AT):
can cause damage to living tissue, impairment of the central nervous system, severe illness
or, in extreme cases, death from even short exposures, either through the lungs, the mouth,
or the skin, e.g. phosgene or mustard gas.
CHRONIC TOXICITY (CT):
can cause long-term damage other than cancer, such as liver, kidney, or lung damage, e.g.
carbon tetrachloride.
NEUROTOXICITY (N):
can harm the nervous system by affecting the brain, spinal cord, or nerves, e.g. cadmium or
aluminum.
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Ecological
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICITY 2 (ET):
can harm wildlife and vegetation when released to water, soil, or air, e.g.
cadmium or aluminum
PERSISTENCE (P):
does not break down easily, thus persisting and accumulating in portions of
the environment, such as soil, sediment, and groundwater, e.g. 1,1,1-
trichloroethane
BIOACCUMULATION (B):
can enter the bodies of plants and/or animals and is not easily expelled, thus
accumulating over time through repeated exposure, e.g. the pesticide
chlordane
Based on the criterion of the LCjo of the chemical being less than or equal to 100 ppxn
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Adverse Ecological Effects
Defined for EPCRA Section 313 Chemicals
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICITY (ET)*:
can harm wildlife and vegetation when released to water, soil, or air, e.g. cadmium
or aluminum .
PERSISTENCE (P):
does not break down easily, thus persisting and accumulating in portions of the
environment, such as soil, sediment, and groundwater, e.g. 1,1,1-trichloroethane.
BIOACCUMULATION (B):
can enter the bodies of plants and animals and is not easily expelled, thus
accumulating over time through repeated exposure, e.g. the pesticide chlordane.
Based on the criterion of the LCM of the chemical being less than or equal to 100 ppm
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For certain chemical agents, publicly available data suggests
sufficient evidence that exposure to the chemical agent potentially
results in one or more human health or ecological effects
The information about these adverse human health and ecological
effects were tabulated in the appropriate fields on a toxicological
matrix
This matrix was then compiled in a computer accessible format
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Within the TIP score there are seven adverse human health and
three ecological effects of concern.
Based on the matrix tabulation of these seven categories of adverse
human health and three categories of ecological effects of concern,
each TRI chemical was assigned a score of 1-10
Score is known as the chemical's Toxicity Index Profile or "TIP"
score. This TIP score represents the number of POTENTIAL
adverse human health and ecological effect categories into which a
chemical agent falls
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Those TRI chemicals which may have adverse human health effects
may also be persistent or bioaccumulate in the environment
This point may be important to the risk assessor because it is these
particular ecological features which may allow these toxic chemicals
to be reintroduced into the environment and thereby afford their
'receptors' additional opportunities for increased exposure
For instance, if these chemicals possess these important
environmental fate characteristics they can possibly be
either concentrated in the food chain (if they
bioaccumulate) or present themselves more often to the
receptors (if they are persistent)
Many of these toxic chemicals, in fact, have both of these
'ecological' characteristics as well
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EPCRA Section 313 Toxicity Index Profile (TIP)
Potential Adverse Effects*
Chemical Chemical
Abstract
Service
(CAS)
Registry
Number
50-00-0 FORMALDEHYDE
51-28-5 2,4-DINITRO-
PHENOL
51-75-2 NITROGEN
MUSTARD
51-79-6 URETHANE
(ETHYL
CARBAMATE)
52-68-6 TRICHLORFON
53-96-3 2-ACETYL-
AMINO-
FLUORENE
55-18-5 N-NITROSODI-
ETHYLAMINE
55-21-0 BENZAMIDE
Human Health
C
X
X
X
X
X
HG
C
M
X
X
X
X
DT
X
X
X
X
RT
X
X
X
X
X
AT
X
X
X
X
X
CT
X
X
X
N
X
Matrix
Ecological
ET
X
X
X
B
P
X
Toxicity
Index
Profile
(TIP)
Score
7
5
5
1
6
1
5
1
Abbreviations for these effects are the same as those previously defined.
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Toxicrty Index Prof Be (TIP) Scores
of the Highest Ranking
EPCRA Section 313 Chemicals in the Southeast
Chemical Abstract
Service
(CAS) Registry
Number
8001-35-2
75-56-9
118-74-1
7439-97-6
7439-92-1
77.47-4
87-68-3
76-44-8
106-89-8
117-81-7
106-93-4
57-74-9
63-25-2
133-06-2
309-00-2
75-01-4
127-18-4
50-00-0
151-56-4
77-78-1
96-12-8
67-66-3
56-23-5
7440-43-9
Chemical
Toxaphene
Propylene oxide
Hexachlorobenzene
Mercury
Lead
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene
Hexachloro-1 ,3-butadiene
Heptachlor
Epichlorohydrin
Di-(2-ethylhexyl)
phthalate (DEHP)
1 ,2-Dibromoethane
Chlordane
Carbaryl
Captan
Aldrin
Vinyl chloride
Tetrachloroethylene
Formaldehyde
Ethyleneimine (Aziridine)
Dimethyl sulfate
1 ,2-Dibromo-3-
chloropropane
Chloroform
Carbon tetrachloride
Cadmium
Toxicrty
Index
Profile
(TIP)
Score
9
9
9
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
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The TIP value is further used to weight the Toxic Release Inventory
(TRI) releases according to the adverse human health and
environmental effects associated with those chemicals and the
volume of the TRI releases
This technique is referred to as the development of Risk Screening
Vector Products (RSVPs)
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The second key concept used in SEDIMIS is the calculation of Risk
Screening Vector Products (RSVPs)
The TIP concept described above has been used to develop, in
turn, an additional technique which can provide risk screening
targets by allowing relative risk ranking of TRI facilities within
the Chattanooga TN/GA Metropolitan Statistical Area according
to greatest potential concern from a public health or
environmental standpoint
This technique has adapted basic concepts of the EPA Office of
Management Systems and Evaluation for the relative ranking of
major environmental problems
The risk screening targets provided by the calculation of RSVPs
may help produce the greatest environmental results
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A Risk Screening Vector Product (RSVP) is a relative quantity indicating the
POTENTIAL for environmental and human damage caused by the release of Toxic
Release Inventory (TRI) or other Sentinel Health Event (Environmental) [SHE(E)]
causing chemicals.
Broadly speaking, an RSVP is the arithmetic product of the quantity of a
chemical released times the Toxicity index Profile (TIP) score of that chemical
times the density of the potentially affected population:
RSVP = Released Quantity (in pounds) * TIP
* Population Density Order
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III. Determination of Potential Exposure
Zones (PEZs)
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This methodology can assist in the identification of those areas which are
potential exposure zones which could be suitable for subsequent risk
screening initiatives
The determination of Potential Exposure Zones (PEZs) in the U.S. EPA CIS
mapping process consisted of three major steps:
1. We used the TIP methodology to identify those adverse human and
ecological health effects that have been reported to be associated with
sufficient exposure to these TRI chemicals
The number of different human and ecological health effects were
then used to assign respective "TIP" scores to these toxic
chemicals
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2. We then used the 1990 TRI database to find the number of pounds of
those TRI chemicals which were released or transferred into all media (air,
land, and water) in each small subset of each census tract of the
Chattanooga, TN/GA Metropolitan Statistical Area
These numbers of pounds of releases were multiplied by the
respective TIP scores of those toxic chemicals and these resulting
arithmetic products were then sequentially ranked and mapped
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3. Next, we identified those "high ranking" TRI releases which are also near
more densely populated areas
Population data was obtained by accessing the computerized 1990
census information available in the U.S. EPA GIS system
We accessed this U.S. EPA GIS census information and cross
referenced it with the TRI chemical release data by finding a
common link between the U.S. EPA GIS and the TRI database
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IV. SHE(E) Analysis
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Environmental Epidemiology
The study of the causes and distribution patterns of diseases and injuries in human
and animal populations due to their contact with chemical or physical agents
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The Sentinel Health Event (Environmental)
A Sentinel Health Event (Environmental) [SHE(E)] is defined as a preventable
disease, disability, injury or untimely death which is environmentally related
and which may:
Provide the impetus for epidemiologic or environmental health
studies;
Serve as a warning signal that material substitution, engineering
control, public health intervention or medical care may be required;
Impact the general direction of risk management decision-making.
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U.S. EPA Region IV is currently testing the Sentinel Environmental Disease
and Injury Management Information System (SEDIMIS)
Aim of this project is to provide a computer-assisted system of
environmental disease and injury surveillance system based on
relative ranking of the Toxic Chemical Release Inventory (TRI)
chemical releases
SEDIMIS can be used to provide a broad picture of the relative toxicity of the
TRI releases into the environment
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The Sentinel Environmental Disease and Injury Management Information
System (SEDIMIS) extends EPA's continuing commitment to improved risk
communication and risk management
SEDIMIS can provide a substantive risk assessment targeting strategy and
relative risk ranking of facilities within each geographical area of an EPA
region
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The Sentinel Environmental Disease and Injury Management Information
System (SEDIMIS) provides rapid access to relevant environmental health
information and associated toxic chemical release information that can be
valuable in:
Public health research
Environmental decision making
Priority setting
Program evaluation
Resource allocation
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Specifically, the Sentinel Environmental Disease and Injury Management
Information System (S EDI MIS) can be a centralized database of a region's
population potentially at-risk from chemical releases.
Can be useful in the preparation of risk management reports and trend
analyses for populations and sensitive subgroups
SEDIMIS can utilize the TRI data and serve as a link between EPA and
other federal, state, and local agencies with public health concerns and
can help strengthen a community's public health system
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One of the essential components of Sentinel Environmental Disease and
Injury Management Information System (SEDIMIS) is the Sentinel Health
Event (Environmental) [SHE(E)] database
SHE(E) database contains the list of all Sentinel Health Events
(Environmental) [SHE(E)L as well as each SHE(E)'s Symptoms,
Physical Findings, Laboratory and Radiologic manifestations
SHE(E) database incorporates the contents of four Medical
databases (described later in this presentation)
SEDIMIS uses these Medical databases to describe unique, specific
SHE(E)s
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Sentinel Health Event (Environmental) [SHE(E)] Database contains the
following information:
Full name of each SHE(E)
Type of exposure causing the SHE(E) (acute and/or chronic)
Degree of exposure for the SHE(E) (severe and/or mild)
Unique SHE(E) Current Medical Information and Technology
[CMIT] code number
The first two digits of which reference which
of the body's eleven organ systems is
primarily involved in the pathophysiology of a
selected SHE(E)
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SHE(E) Database contains the following information continued:
Route of exposure causing the SHE(E) (contact/absorption,
ingestion, and/or inhalation)
International Classification of Disease: Volume 9 (ICD-9) code
number for each SHE(E)
Environmental Disease Category Classification of each SHE(E)
Medical Findings (with Qualifiers) for each SHE(E)
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Overall SEDIMIS Structure
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Summary of
Geographic Information System (GIS)
Methodology
The basic approach used to produce the GIS maps of this study was to
use the demographic information stored in the U.S. EPA GIS for all the
small subsets of each census tract in the Chattanooga, TN/GA
Metropolitan Statistical Area and then import data from the 1990 TRI
database
The Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) and the 1990 U.S. census data for the
Chattanooga, TN/GA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) were used to
calculate Risk Screening Vector Products (RSVPs) for the general area of
study
The calculated RSVPs were used to identify Potential Exposure Zones
(PEZs) with one mile buffer zones in the general area of study
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V. Summary of Geographical Information System (GIS)
Methodology
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Ninety-nine clinical profiles for Sentinel Health Events (Environmental)
[SHE(E)s], which may be associated with sufficient exposure to certain Toxic
Release Inventory (TRI) chemicals, have been identified
Each of these clinical profiles has an International Classification of Disease
(ICD) code number
As an elemental surveillance tool this SHE(E) list can serve as a screening
mechanism for disease which is potentially environmentally related and may
have applications in the early detection of potential exposure zones in the
Chattanooga Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) where studies can be
focused in order to prevent actual environmental disease
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This Toxic Release Inventory - Geographic Information System (TRI-GIS)
application is termed:
TOXICOLOGICAL PATHOGEOGRAPHY
... literally, the geographical distribution of POTENTIAL environmental
diseases which may be caused by poisons
TRI-GIS analyses of the TRI data may lead to improved environmental results
by identifying potential exposure zones in the region where risk managers
may choose to provide additional regulatory focus
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Summary of Geographic Information System (GIS)
Methodology (continued)
The "Bubble" concept (the coalescence of one mile buffer zones) was
used to identify and rank selected focused areas for further study
Analytical overlays are applied to the highest ranked "Bubble" PEZs:
Income Analysis
Education Analysis
Ethnicity Analysis
Potential Sentinel Health Event (Environmental)
[SHE(E)] Analysis
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Results
In summary, this U.S. EPA CIS mapping study shows that a large number
of chemicals, many with POTENTIAL long-term human health effects,
have been introduced into the environment of the Chattanooga, TN/GA
Metropolitan Statistical Area and into localities with significant population
density
These maps show that the largest quantities of TRI releases in the
Chattanooga, TN/GA Metropolitan Statistical Area are usually near
densely populated areas
These releases of toxic chemicals are predominantly in areas with a high
percentage of low income, less educated, nonwhite people
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Part Three
Results and GIS Findings
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If exposure to these specific toxic chemicals actually occurs in the
Chattanooga, TN/GA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) the numbers of
different types of Sentinel Health Events (Environmental) [SHE(E)] which
may be possible are as follows:
Number of Different Types Category of SHEfE)
of SHE(E)s
0 Dust Diseases of the Lung
47 Poisonings (Systemic Toxic
Reactions
2 Respiratory Conditions due
to Toxic Agents
9 Skin Diseases or Disorders
3 Environmental Cancers
0 Reproductive Disorders
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Part Four
Discussion and Conclusions
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Discussion
This U.S. EPA GIS mapping of the TRI data for the Chattanooga, TN/GA
Metropolitan Statistical Area demonstrates some practical applications
which may improve environmental decision making
By utilizing the U.S. EPA GIS, the TRI database, and the Toxicity Index
Profiling methodology, it may be possible to identify and manage
previously undetected potential exposure zones before they materialize as
areas with an excess of actual environmental diseases and injuries and
ecological damage
These GIS findings demonstrate the relative distribution of environmental
releases of the TRI chemicals in the Chattanooga, TN/GA Metropolitan
Statistical Area
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Collateral analyses in Region IV confirm that, overall, a large number of
chemicals, many with long-term potential effects, have been introduced
into the Chattanooga TN/GA Metropolitan Statistical Area and into areas
with significant population density within this area
However, it is not yet possible to determine if exposure to these toxic
chemicals actually exists
The environmental monitoring data that are needed are not now
available
In short, there presently is insufficient information to describe
these geographic patterns of toxic chemical releases as areas of
actual chemical exposure
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It is very important to realize, however, that the TRI database provides
information about releases to the environment and not actual human
exposures to these chemicals
o "
Many things can happen to a chemical once it is released into
the environment, and these processes make it difficult and
extremely complicated to calculate the extent to which people
are being exposed to chemicals as a result of any particular
release
The TRI data can best serve as an index to POTENTIAL problems,
rather than as a definitive indicator of public exposure to chemicals
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This study is only a preliminary effort to identify those areas in the
Chattanooga, TN/GA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) which have the
largest TRI toxic chemical releases and to map the POTENTIAL adverse
human and ecological health effects which may be caused by sufficient
exposure to these chemicals
These U.S. EPA GIS maps more clearly define the overall geographic
distribution of toxic sources in the Chattanooga,TN/G A MSA in relation to
surrounding population density
Clearly, a greater understanding is needed of the environmental fate of
these releases and transfers and their pathophysiologic mechanisms
following environmental exposure
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This additional information would allow us to better evaluate any possible
role that these toxic chemicals may actually play in the etiology of
environmental disease and injury and ecological damage in the
Chattanooga TN/GA Metropolitan Statistical Area
The next necessary and appropriate step in the comparative risk screening
process should be the selection of certain areas on these maps which
have large TRI releases and transfers for actual quantitative risk
assessments and follow-up health assessments
This selection should include those areas which are densely
populated, or which are located near identified sensitive
ecosystems
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Conclusions
In the Chattanooga, TN/GA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
geographic areas have been located which have a high percentage of low
income, less educated, minority populations which may be exposed to
disproportional amounts of toxic chemicals
If plausible routes of exposure actually exist in these locations within the
Chattanooga, TN/GA area, the population with the disproportionately
higher exposure may exhibit an increased likelihood of developing
environmental diseases
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Conclusions (continued)
Data reflecting these Sentinel Health Events (Environmental) have now
been compiled for the Chattanooga, TN/GA MSA
Given the POTENTIAL exposure above, further study is recommended to
determine whether this population is experiencing any increased
environmental health risk
Further studies should focus on whether exposure pathways are actually
present
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The Chattanooga, TN/GA Metropolitan Statistical Area
Toxic Release Inventory - Geographical Information System (TRI-GIS)
Comparative Risk Screening Analysis
John R. Stockweli, M.D., M.P.H. Jerome W. Sorensen, B.S.
Regional Human Health Effects Officer Environmental Scientist
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
345 Courtland Street, NE
Atlanta, GA 30365-2401
(404) 347-1033
FAX: (404)347-1681
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The Chattanooga, TM/GA MetropoiStam StaftisflScaB Area Toxoc Release
GeographicaB Information Sysftem (TRI/GIS) Comparative RBsCc Screeooinig AsuaBysis
John R. Sfockwell, M.D., Wl.P.H.
Regional Human Health Effects Officer
Jerome W. Sorensen, B.S.
Environmental Scientist
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
345 Courtland Street, N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30365-2401
(404)347-1033
FAX: (404)347-1681
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TOXICITY INDEX PROFILE
(TIP)
TIPSCORE =
Carcinogenicity (C)
+
Heritable Genetic and Chromosomal Mutation (HGCM)
+
Developmental Toxicity (DT)
+
Reproductive Toxicity (RT)
+
Acute Toxicity (AT)
+
Chronic Toxicity (CT)
+
Neurotoxiclty (N)
+
Environmental Toxicity (ET)
+
Bioaccumulation (B)
+
Persistence (P)
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RBVP (Risk Screening Vector Product) =
TIP SCORE X
Release Quantity
(In Pounds)
POPULATION
DENSITY
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PEZ
1 MILE RADII
..
I
SEQUATCHIE
MARION.
Chattanooga Study
Showing PEZs
(Potential Exposure Zones)
and TRI Sites
Toxic Release Inventory Sites)
DAOE
HAMILTON
CATOGSA
WALKER
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Population Scores
Score = 1 Density 1 to 10 Persons / Square Mile
Score = 2 Density 11 to 100 Persons / Square Mile
Score = 3 Density 101 to 1000 Persons / Square Mile
Score = 4 Density 1001 to 10000 Persons / Square Mile
Score = 5 Density Greater than 10000 Persons / Square Mile
FEZ Score is a Populations Density Score
for Each Individual PEZ (Potential Exposure Zone)
1 Mile Radius around TRI Site
Determines PEZ Area
PEZ Score = Sum of ( Area of Population Scores / Area of Individual PEZ ) * Population Score
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The Calculation of A Risk Screening Vector Product
RSVP = TIP score * FEZ Score ( Potential Exposure Zone Population Density Score
381566
145
253565
368
2250
. 500
87830
633406
69750
329820
FEZ Score = 3.2053
3250
1040630
TRI (Toxic Release Inventory) Sites wi
a Potential Exposure Zone (PEZ)
Total TIP Scores Shown near Site
1000
1500
1403459
TIP Scores are Summarized for Each PEZ
and then Multiplied by the PEZ Score
This Score is Assigned to Each PEZ
and then Sorted and Ranked
15017
2900289
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Prioritization of Potential Exposure Zones (PEZs)
Rank of Risk Screening Vector Products produce High Priority PEZs
These High Priority PEZs are then further analyzed tor Demographic
Characteristics and Environmental Disease Potential
N
;
'/SAY/),
₯
IT
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N
Prioritization of Potential Exposure Zones (PEZs)
Rank of Risk Screening Vector Products produce High Priority PEZs
These High Priority PEZs are then further analyzed lor Demographic
Characteristics and Environmental Disease Potential
'0 -
'11 -
'21 -
'41
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
Greater than 5
-------
N
Prioritization of Potential Exposure Zones (PEZs)
Rank ol Risk Screening Vector Products produce High Priority PEZs
These High Priority PEZs are then further analyzed for Demographic
Characteristics and Environmental Disease Potential
'0 -
11 -
'21 -
'31 -
'41 -
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
Greater than 5
-------
Prioritization of Potential Exposure Zones (PEZs) ^=^o . 10%
""n - 20%
A 0 Rank at Risk Screening Vector Products produce High Priority PEZs i^HHl 21 - 30%
N ^S! - 40%
41 - 50%
Greater than 5
These High Priority PEZs are then further analyzed tor Demographic
Characteristics and Environmental Disease Potential
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Percent Minority
HAMILTON
Area of Interest
Chattanooga Study
Showing PEZs
(Potential Exposure Zones)
and Percentage Minority
0 -
11 -
21 -
31 -
41 -
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
Greater than 50%
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Sentinel Health Event
(Environmental) [SHE(E)].
A SHE(E) is an unnecessary disease, disabil-
ity, or untimely death which is environmen-
tally related and whose occurrence may:
Provide the impetus for epidemiological or
environmental health studies;
Serve as a warning signal that material substi-
tution, engineering control, public health
intervention, or medical care may be required;
Impact the general direction of risk manage-
ment decision making.
Note: An "Identified" SHE(E) is probably just the "TIP" of the
Icberg
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Sentinel Health Events (Environmental) by Category of Environmental Disease
Category of Disease*
Overall # of SHEE(E)
Profiles Identified per
Category of Disease
Total # of SHE(E)
which can be caused by
by TRI Chemical per Category
of Disease
Dust Disease of the Lung 6
Poisoning (Systemic Toxic Reactions) 53
Respiratory Conditions Due to Toxic 12
Agents
Skin Diseases or Disorders 4
Environmental Cancers 22
Reproductive Disorders 1
Totals
2
51
8
4
13
1
98
79
Adapted from format for Categorization of Occupational Disease, U.S. Buereau of Labor Statistics
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Poisoninig 07-1780
05-2863 Agranulocytosis 03-1491
00-3087 Alkali Poisoning 05-2391
00-5589 Ammonia Poisoninig 05-1922
05-3222 Anemia, Aplastic 05-3351
00-2662 Aniline Poisoning 05-2363
00-2946 Arsenic Poisoning 05-3042
00-5897 Arsine Poisoninig 03-1647
03-4198 Asbetosis 03-5963
06-1081 Ascites, Chylous 09-5963
09-3287 Ataxia, Cerebellar, Acute 00-5512
00-1941 Benzene Poisoning 00-5749
03-2612 Beryllium Disease - Chronic 05-3295
07-1469 Bladder, Carcinoma 00-1097
03-4622 Bronchal Asthma 00-5404
03-2389 Bronchitis - Acute 00-3427
00-5768 Cadmium Poisoning 09-2307
03-5768 Cadmium Poisoning 00-1255
00-1042 Carbon Disulfide Poisoning 00-1416
00-3192 Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning 03-2650
00-3486 Chrorine Poisoning 09-4071
01 -1685 Contact Dermititis 08-4415
00-3541 Cyanide Poisoning 00-3105
01 -2124 Demititis, Atopic 00-2451
01-4298 Dermititis 00-2433
09-4982 Encephalitis, Hermorrahgic - Acute 05-4225
00-4521 Flourine Compounds Poisoning - Acute 03-3834
00-2119 Flourine Compounds Poisoning - Chronic 03-4190
06-2008 Hepatits, Chemically-Induced Toxicity 07-4761
06-3133 Hepatocarcinoma 00-2910
00-5607 Hydrofluoric Acid Poisoning 00-2770
00-4331 Hydrogen Sulfide Poisoninig 00-2098
07-1664 Kidey, Pelvis, Leukoplakia 00-1926
07-2229 Kidney Failure - Acute 07-2821
07-3028 Kidney Failure - Chronic 02-5437
07-3487 Kidney, Leiomyoma 06-5437
07-2506 Kidney, Leiomyosarcoma 00-3606
07-1084 Kidney, Pelvis, Carcinoma Transitional Cell
, Pelvis, Leukoplakia
Larynx, Carcinoma, Extrinsic
Leukemia, Lymphoblastic - Acute
Leukemia, Lymphoblastic - Acute
Leukemia, Lymphoblastic - Chronic
Leukemia, Myelocystic - Chronic
Leukemia, Stem Cell
Lung, Carcinoma, Broncogenic
Manganese Poisoninig
Manganese Poisoninig
Mercury Poisoning
Metal Fume Fever
Methemoglobinemia
Methyl Alchohol Poisoning
Methyl Bromide Poisoning
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Poisoninig
Neuropathy
Nitric Acid Poisoning
Nitrobenzene Poisoning
Nose Carcinoma
Parkinsonian Syndrome
Peritonitis
Phosgene Poisoning
Phosphate Ester Poisoning
Phosphine Poisoning
Physical Acquired Hemolytic Anemia - Chemical Agents
Pleura, Mesothelioma, Primary
Pulmonary, Edema
Sterility, Male
Thalium Poisoning
Toluene Diisocyanate Poisoning
Toluene Poisoning
Toxaphene Poisoning
Ureter, Carcinoma
Vinyl Chloride Poisoning
Vinyl Chloride Poisoning
Zinc Poisoning
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