United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
xvEPA
' Environmental Monitoring
Systems Laboratory
P.O. Box 15027
Las Vegas NV 89114-5027
Research and Development
The Environmental
Monitoring Systems
Laboratory
Las Vegas
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Mass Spectrometry. Advanced analytical techniques provide a
wide range of opportunities lor the chemist involved in environmental
monitoring. Mass spectrometry is the cornerstone lor many of the
Agency's analytical methods.
One of EPA's 14 national research
laboratories
Cover:
Top- The EMSL-L V Executive Center. The hub of a multi-building
complex located on the University of Nevada-Las Vegas campus
Center- Electromagnetic Induction Instrumentation. This equip-
ment measures the apparent electrical conductivity of the subsurface
These measurements have been used to locate buried metal drums,
transformers, and subsurface conductive contaminant plumes.
Bottom- Measuring for Possible Exposure to Radioactivity. In a
subterranean vault (designed to shield out natural background radia-
tionl the EMSL can measure total internal radiation contamination in
people
THE ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING SYSTEMS
LABORATORY - LAS VEGAS
The Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory is
one of the 14 national research laboratories of EPA's
Office of Research and Development. Over 200
employees and 300 on-site contractor employees work at
the Laboratory, which has an annual operating budget of
about $30 million. Its mission is to develop, evaluate,
and apply methods and strategies for monitoring the
environment. Major program areas include:
• Advanced Analytical Methods
• Advanced Monitoring Methods
• Monitoring Network Design
• Quality Assurance
• Exposure Assessment
• Radiation Monitoring
• Special Projects
(Technical Support and Emergency Response)
The Las Vegas Laboratory was established in 1955 as a
U.S. Public Health Service Laboratory with responsibilty
for radioactivity monitoring in public areas around the
Nevada Test Site and other nuclear test sites. Environ-
mental radiation monitoring, quality assurance, and
research activities to monitor the U.S. Atomic Energy
Commission's nuclear testing program were conducted
by the Public Health Service throughout the 1960's.
This activity included a large biological radiation research
program.
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Integrated exposure of man to pollutants
When the Environmental Protection Agency was created
in December 1970, the Laboratory became a part of the
new Agency with an expanded mission for developing
monitoring techniques for a variety of environmental pol-
lutants. A continuing theme for the Laboratory has
been the integrated exposure of man to chemical and
radiological pollutants through multiple environmental
pathways. In the 1970's, the application of airborne
remote sensing technologies for environmental assess-
ments became an important program. The Laboratory's
aerial photography interpretation facilities in Las Vegas
and its field station in Warrenton, Virginia, became the
EPA's centers for environmental monitoring using over-
head imagery from aircraft and satellites. In the 1 980's
the Laboratory assumed national leadership for the mon-
itoring and quality assurance aspects of the Agency's
hazardous waste and pesticides programs. Most re-
cently, the monitoring and characterization of ground-
water pollution has become a major focus of the Labora-
tory program.
Development and evaluation of innovative
techniques for sample extraction and analysis
ADVANCED ANALYTICAL METHODS
Measurement of an ever-increasing number of organic
and inorganic contaminants in complex environmental
matrices, at ever-decreasing levels of sensitivity, has
required the development and evaluation of innovative
techniques for sample extraction and analysis. Ad-
vanced techniques such as Liquid Chromatography,
Mass Spectrometry, Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spec-
troscopy, Gas Chromatography, and Inductively Coupled
Plasma Spectroscopy, one with the other, are developed
and evaluated. Biological procedures are also being
evaluated as analytical screening techniques. Among
the biological test methods of interest are the Ames test,
the Daphnia chronic toxicity test, phytotoxicity, and the
freshwater algal assay test.
Gas Chromatrography. The application of advanced chemistries
requires highly qualified professionals. New technologies create
new challenges for chemists involved in environmental analysis
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Monitoring methods that are more reliable,
more rapid or simpler to use
Overhead Remote Sensing. A train derailment in 1985 at East/and, Texas. An oil truck (far left center) collided with a 27-car train hauling 15to20
different chemicals. Aerial photo interpretation showed contamination of a nearby stream.
ADVANCED MONITORING METHODS
Laboratory research is directed at providing monitoring
methods that are more reliable, more rapid or simpler to
use than existing techniques.
For a number of years overhead remote sensing has
been used to detect waste discharges, to locate waste
disposal sites, to identify erosion and other types of sur-
face degradation, and to characterize environmental
impacts of land use. In addition to aerial photography,
multispectral scanning and laser fluorosensing technolo-
gies are used in assessing water quality problems.
Airborne laser systems are routinely applied to assess air
particulate problems, and research is in progress to apply
laser systems to measure concentrations of ozone and
other gaseous pollutants in air and indicators of acid
deposition in surface water.
In response to increased interest in ground-water con-
tamination, several projects are underway to improve the
Agency's ability to monitor pollutants in surface soils, in
the subsurface unsaturated zone, and in ground water.
Geophysical techniques to characterize site geohydrology
and to locate subsurface contamination are of particular
interest. Both surface and downhole geophysical
approaches such as electromagnetic induction, resistiv-
ity, and magnetometry are being investigated. Current
efforts include documenting the capabilities of the tech-
niques and ensuring their appropriate use in field opera-
tions of the Agency. Also, the coupling of lasers and
downhole fiber optics for direct measurement of ground-
water quality is being explored. Other classical ground-
water monitoring methods are also being evaluated.
Water monitoring methods development includes eva-
luating biological stream survey methods for determining
water quality criteria at specific sites. This program
involves characterizing the levels and distributuion of
stream pollutants and the condition of the stream biota
as a basis for determining acceptable pollution levels.
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Multimedia approach to environmental
monitoring
MONITORING NETWORK DESIGN
The Las Vegas Laboratory has been in the forefront of
monitoring design since the inception of the EPA.
The original concept of Integrated Exposure Assessment
Monitoring (IEAM) was pioneered at the Laboratory in
the 1970's. This concept advocates a multimedia
approach to environmental monitoring emphasizing
proper selection of critical receptors, optimum siting and
number of samples through proper planning, and an
understanding of how pollutants are transported from
the source through the environment to the receptor.
Well-defined objectives dictate the actual network sam-
pling design. For instance, if mere presence of a pollu-
tant in the environment or compliance type monitoring is
the objective, then a classical statistical network design
to detect a mean value may be all that is necessary.
If spatial considerations such as soil cleanup are in-
volved, then a design using geostatistics may be
necessary. Geostatistics permits one, by using data
from a preliminary sampling, to design a sampling net-
work which establishes the optimum distance between
sampling points.
The output of the data from the final sampling network
can be statistically analyzed to produce isopleths of con-
centration and standard error. If an action concentra-
tion level is given, then these isopleths represent a sta-
tistically defensible basis to define a cleanup area. This
approach was used in Dallas, Texas to define two clean-
up areas around two lead smelters.
Acid Rain Research. An EMSL -L V helicopter samp/ing crew taking
in-situ surface water measurements during the Western Lake Survey
in the fall of 1985.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
During the past several years, EPA das directed much
greater attention to quality assurance aspects of envir-
onmental sampling and analysis. Properly validated
analytical test methods are developed to support regula-
tory monitoring requirements. Standards and reference
Standards and reference materials are
distributed to laboratories throughout the
country
materials are distributed to laboratories throughout the
country. Studies are conducted to evaluate the perfor-
mance of these laboratories and to determine the preci-
sion, accuracy, and ruggedness of analytical protocols.
The Laboratory provides quality assurance support, as
well as data audits for the Superfund Contractor Labora-
tory Program.
Flame Sealing Radioactive Standards. Radioactive solutions are
diluted, calibrated and sealed in glass ampules for shipment to partici-
pating federal, state and private laboratories as part of EPA's quality
assurance program.
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In 1982, the Laboratory, in cooperation with the Univer-
sity of Nevada-Las Vegas, established a Quality Assu-
rance Laboratory to support EPA's Superfund program.
This facility, equipped with the most modern analytical
instrumentation, evaluates proposed analytical methods,
provides samples to evaluate performance of other ,
laboratories, and conducts referee analyses as needed.
Its hazardous materials containment facility provides a
capability to handle dioxin and other highly toxic
materials.
In the area of sampling quality assurance, the Laboratory
has developed guidance on sampling procedures and
sample handling for soil and sediment sampling. Cur-
rently, the Laboratory is initiating a sampling quality
assurance program for ground-water monitoring.
Risk estimates for environmental pollutants
EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT
Human exposure assessment provides critical informa-
tion required to make risk estimates for environmental
pollutants. A comprehensive approach is required to
develop simultaneous information on sources, exposure,
dose, effects, and control. An Exposure Monitoring Test
Site (Chattanooga, Tennessee) has been selected for
testing exposure monitoring methods and systems.
The Site will be characterized by collecting available data
into a comprehensive data base. Additional data will be
collected through monitoring activities. Collectively,
these data will be used for model validation and methods
evaluation. Another program is aimed at improving
techniques for validating mathematical models which
predict the fate of chemicals in specific environmental
systems. Initial emphasis has been on fate in soil,
streams and ponds. Current research is directed
towards indoor air pollution problems.
RADIATION MONITORING
i
Monitoring provides the framework for documenting
potential radiation exposures of populations living near
the Nevada Test Site (NTS) and other nuclear test sites.
Mobile monitoring teams are deployed around the NTS
during nuclear tests. In the unlikely event that radioac-
tivity is released, they are prepared to work with local
officials in directing protective actions, including evacua-
tion of residents if necessary. Throughout the year, air
and ground-water monitoring systems measure off-site
radiation levels, and programs for sampling milk, cattle,
and wildlife are operated to detect any inadvertent con-
tamination. Thermoluminescent dosimeters, in place at
130 fixed locations in addition to those worn every day
by 50 off-site residents, measure accumulated radiation
exposures. A whole-body counting facility is operated
in Las Vegas to measure radioactivity in body tissues.
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Laboratory scientists have modified commercial detec-
tion equipment for specialized field applications and have
designed and built very sensitive laboratory analytical
systems. The Laboratory has monitored for all types of
fission products, using specially equipped vehicles, and
aircraft when necessary, in different types of environ-
ments from Alaska to the Nevada desert.
The Laboratory has also developed special expertise in
communicating with a public which has become increas-
ingly concerned over low-level radiation exposure.
These capabilities were central to success in the Labora-
tory's monitoring following the Three Mile Island nuclear
power reactor incident. That activity included monitor-
ing air, water, and milk; establishment of an analytical
laboratory; and implementation of an extensive commun-
ity relations program. Following that experience, the
Laboratory, in cooperation with the Department of
Energy, established a network of Community Monitoring
Stations, under the supervision of local residents around
the Nevada Test Site. This local participation has
enhanced public confidence in the monitoring results.
Documenting potential radiation exposures
Radiation Monitoring. An EMSL-L V monitor checks equipment at
one of the community monitoring stations established at various loca-
tions surrounding the Nevada Test Site.
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Three Mile Island. During the emergency at Three Mile Island the
EMSL-LV was called upon to provide radiation monitoring support.
Broad monitoring capability
SPECIAL PROJECTS
The Laboratory has, over the years, undertaken a number
of special projects utilizing its broad monitoring capa-
bility. Perhaps most well-known was the emergency
radiation monitoring program deployed and operated
around Three Mile Island. Another example is a major
study of visibility impairment in the southwest in an
effort to define the nature of and causes for visibility deg- >
radation in that region. Recently, the Laboratory has
been responsible for a major effort in the National Sur-
face Water Survey (NSWS) and the Direct Delayed
Response Project as part of the Agency's responsibilities
under the Acid Precipation Act of 1980, more commonly
known as Acid Rain. The Laboratory is responsible for
providing logistical support, standardized methods, ana-
lytical support, and a comprehensive QA program for the
Survey. For the Direct Delayed Response Project, the
Laboratory is responsible for providing the analytical
methods, analytical support and quality assurance for the
soils portion of the effort. Another area of responsibility
is the evaluation of monitoring methods to be used in the
Acid Deposition Monitoring Program.
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