Environmental Protection
Agency
rnal ,
Region VII
324 East 11th Stree
Kansas City, Missou
Profile of
Environments
Quality
Kansas
H
;- :
-. ,v
I I
k
«•% *i
%i
-------
Preface
The Environmental Profile is a report
to the people of Kansas on the quali-
ty of their environment.
At one time natural cleansing pro-
cesses were adequate to maintain a
livable environment, but these pro-
cesses have not been able to keep
pace with rapidly evolving modern
society. Our aim for the future of Kan-
sas must be to reach a reasonable
balance between the benefits of
economic growth (with its attendant
increased energy demands) and the
need for healthful air, clean water,
and the aesthetic qualities of life that
characterize the State.
Toward this end, I invite all Kansans
to be involved in identifying and solv-
ing environmental problems.
The technical data on which this re-
port is based are available from the
Region VII office of the U.S. Environ-
mental Protection Agency (EPA). Any
persons interested in investigating a
particular topic in greater depth or
those needing additional detail for
planning or management purposes
should contact this office. Updated
reports will be issued as im-
provements and expansions to the in-
formation become available.
Your comments, questions, and sug-
gestions are welcome.
Kathleen Q. Camin, Ph.D.
Regional Administrator
Region VII, U.S. EPA
-------
Contents
Page Number
Water Resources 6
Air Quality 22
Solid Waste 28
Hazardous Materials 30
Pesticides 32
Radiation 34
Noise 36
EPA Mission 38
Further Information ....... 39
-------
Introduction
Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, and Neb-
raska, which make up EPA Region
VII, are among the leading corn and
wheat producing States in the Na-
tion. These States also produce a
significant share of the soybean,
grain sorghum, fat cattle, and fin-
ished hogs that are supplied to
American and foreign markets.
Although the States in Region VII can
best be characterized as rural, 65 per-
cent of their nearly 12 million people
live in urban areas. In Kansas,
metropolitan areas such as Kansas
City and Wichita have environmental
problems resulting from major in-
dustrial operations, municipal ser-
vices, transportation, and energy pro-
duction. Metropolitan areas, how-
ever, do not have a monopoly on en-
vironmental problems. Hundreds of
communities with populations of
less than 5000 have some of the
same problems, but suffer the disad-
vantage of having inadequate tax
bases to deal with them.
Few realize the extent and serious-
ness of the results of air pollution. It
not only harms public health, but also
corrodes physical structures of all
kinds and damages agricultural
crops.
Air quality varies widely throughout
the Region. Pollution in rural areas
may result from higher-than-recom-
mended background levels of sus-
pended particles, whereas pollution
in urban areas comes from industry
and transportation. The means of
controlling air pollution depends on
the meteorology, the sources, and
the background air characteristics,
which will differ from area to area.
Many of our streams, rivers, and
lakes are polluted. It would be dif-
ficult to find a body of water that
does not bear some mark of man's
activities. The pollution comes from
various sources: inadequately
treated sewage from some com-
munities; oil and chemical spills by
industry; and animal wastes, fer-
tilizer,- salts, and pesticides from
farms.
Solid waste (some of which is hazard-
ous) is a problem to everyone. Mil-
lions of tons are discarded in the
Region each year. This waste ranges
from common household trash to
complex materials in industrial
wastes, sewage sludge, agricultural
residues, mining refuse, and path-
ological wastes from institutions
such as hospitals and laboratories.
Many dangerous materials discarded
by society over the past few decades
have endured in the environment.
These materials may contribute to
the pollution of groundwater because
of improperly sited or operated land-
fills and surface waste disposal
ponds. This is particularly critical in
Region VII because nearly half of the
-------
population uses groundwater as a
source of drinking water. In addition,
improper handling or disposal of haz-
ardous waste can cause other kinds
of environmental damage, such as air
pollution, contamination of the food
chain, and poisoning by direct con-
tact.
The Environmental Protection Agen-
cy (EPA) is engaged in a massive ef-
fort to restore America's water qual-
ity, to reduce air pollution, and to find
a comprehensive approach to other
environmental problems associated
with pesticide use, radiation, solid
and hazardous waste disposal,
mechanically generated noise, and
toxic substances. The EPA is first
and foremost a regulatory agency
with responsibility for setting and en-
forcing standards. The agency also
offers technical and financial
assistance for environmental protec-
tion efforts at all levels of govern-
ment.
As a research body, the EPA monitors
and analyzes the environment and
conducts scientific studies. The
agency provides technical and scien-
tific information to the public and the
training necessary to develop the
skilled environmental capability that
the Nation needs.
The EPA, State and local govern-
ments, and private citizens must
work together to restore the quality of
our environment and protect the
Region's natural resources for future
generations.
-------
Water Resources
Sources of Water Pollution
Water plays a crucial role in the lives
of every person living in Kansas.
Good quality water for drinking, agri-
culture, and other daily needs is
essential. Water is also needed for
recreational activities such as swim-
ming, fishing, and boating. Cities and
towns that have grown along water-
ways frequently depend on these
waterways for waste disposal and in
some cases, for water supply. In-
dustries require fresh water to pro-
duce goods and to carry away treated
wastes. As a result of these
demands, Kansas waterways are
often contaminated.
Pollution sources can be categorized
as either point or nonpoint. A point
source is a polluting discharge with
an identifiable outlet, such as a pipe
to a lake or stream. Examples are in-
dustrial and municipal wastewater
treatment plants. A nonpoint source
has no particular outlet; rather, it
allows pollutants to enter the water-
ways at several different places and
often over broad areas. Examples of
contaminants from nonpoint sources
include fertilizers, pesticides, and
sediment from agricultural practices;
metals, salts, solids, and other con-
taminants in runoff from city streets;
and sulfates, metals, and solids from
mining activities.
Both point and nonpoint sources af-
fect the water quality of Kansas'
rivers. The lowered quality manifests
itself in such things as fish kills and
lake use impairment. These same
pollutant sources also affect Kansas'
groundwater, which is the principal
source of drinking water.
6
-------
Point Sources
Point source discharges into water
bodies are both municipal and non-
municipal in nature.
The people and industries served by
municipal sewerage generate more
than 25 billion gallons of sewage
every day in the United States. In the
past, some communities provided
only primary treatment of their waste;
that is, they screened floating solids
and allowed other solids to settle in
holding ponds. Present laws require
that wastewater be further treated by
a series of processes called "secon-
dary treatment," which is required of
all publicly owned sewage treatment
plants. In certain cases, treatment
beyond the secondary level may be
mandated to meet water quality stan-
dards in the receiving streams or
lakes.
Recognizing that many State and
local governments could not afford to
build needed treatment facilities
without financial assistance, Con-
gress developed a program of Fed-
eral aid, in which grants are offered
to cover 75 percent of the costs of
constructing publicly owned sewage
treatment works. The remaining 25
percent is paid by State and local
governments. The graph shows the
amount of Federal construction
grants provided in Kansas in recent
years. More than 17,000 such grant
projects are active nationwide.
Federal Support Obligated for Wastewater Treatment Facilities
in Kansas
o
T3
C
O
60
50
40
30
20
10
1971
1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
-------
Water Resources
Sources of Water Pollution (continued)
Point Sources (continued)
The EPA has established effluent
limits on the amount and kind of
pollutants that can be discharged
from various categories of non-
municipal sources such as chemical
plants, oil refineries, and meat pack-
ing plants. No point source, muni-
cipal or nonmunicipal, can discharge
wastes into a body of water unless it
first obtains a permit from the State.
The permit states what and how
much can be discharged and still
meet effluent limits and water quality
standards. The pie charts show com-
pliance with permit conditions.
Federal and state agencies also use
other means of controlling pollution
from point sources. These include
(1)a requirement that some very
strong or toxic industrial wastes be
"pretreated" before they are
discharged into public sewer sys-
tems, (2) a special program to
regulate toxic pollutants, and (3) the
issuance of permits for disposal and
use of dredged and fill material in or
near the water.
Percentage of Major Sources Meeting Permit
Requirements for Effluents in Kansas
(1979)
32
Municipal Sources
29
Nonmunicipal Sources
8
-------
Nonpoint Sources
Agricultural runoff is a major non-
point source of pollutants. Runoff
from farming and grazing land con-
tributes significant amounts of
suspended solids, nutrients, and
bacterial contamination to Kansas'
water.
Kansas has prepared a water quality
management plan to assess existing
and possible water quality problems
and is developing a strategy to deal
with these problems. A key element
of this planning has been the
designation of those areas most in
need of practical and effective
measures to curb runoff from
agricultural operations and thereby
minimize soil erosion and water con-
tamination. Known as Best Manage-
ment Practices, these measures in-
clude terraces, drainage tiles,
grassed waterways, schedules for ef-
ficient application of fertilizers and
pesticides, and other conservation
practices.
The water quality management plan
also deals with pollution from other
nonpoint sources, such as urban
stormwater runoff, septic tank
failures, roadside erosion, stream-
bank erosion, construction site
runoff, and leaching from landfills.
-------
Water Resources
Rivers
Stream Quality
The 1983 goal of the Clean Water Act
is to make our Nation's waters suit-
able for swimming and fishing
wherever that goal is attainable.
Many types of pollutants now affect
these and other uses. Important as-
pects of clean water are described
below.
•Water temperature is vital. Each
fish species has its own range
of water temperature tolerance.
When these tolerances are ex-
ceeded, aquatic life can be
harmed.
•Oxygen dissolved in water is as
important to aquatic life as ox-
ygen in air is to humans. Pol-
lutants such as improperly
treated sewage can deplete ox-
ygen and suffocate fish and
other aquatic life.
•The pH of water, which relates
to the acidity and alkalinity, is
measured on a scale from 0 to
14. The value of 7 is considered
neutral; anything over 7 is alka-
line; anything under 7 is acidic.
Either too high or too low a pH
adversely affects stream life. Ex-
treme values in either direction
can be harmful in themselves or
can increase the toxicity of
other substances in the water.
Changes in pH can affect fish
life by preventing fish eggs from
hatching and by destroying
floating plants and animals that
serve as food for the fish.
•The trophic state of a river refers
to the productivity of the water.
An overabundance of nutrients,
especially nitrogen and phos-
phorus, can create excessive
plant growth, which not only is
unsightly, but also affects
recreational and other uses of
the water.
•The toxicity of water refers to
the concentrations of toxic ma-
terials found in it. Pesticides,
polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs), heavy metals, cyanide,
and ammonia are examples of
toxic materials.
• Excessive levels of bacteria
cause streams to be unfit for ac-
tivities involving human contact,
such as water-skiing and swim-
ming. The amount of fecal col-
iform (bacteria that normally live
in the intestines of humans and
other warm-blooded animals) is
directly related to the amount
and kinds of pollution from sew-
age and animal waste sources
in the water. These bacteria are
used as indicator organisms to
alert the possible presence of
other, more harmful organisms
in the water.
•The total volume of solids refers
to the dissolved and suspended
material in the water. These
solids affect the clarity, hard-
ness, and corrosiveness of the
water.
•Aesthetic value refers to the
general beauty and quality of
the water and takes into con-
sideration the levels of oil and
grease, visual clarity, and taste-
tainting chemicals.
The information depicted in the
stream quality map is based on a
comparison of those physical, chem-
ical, and biological data with recom-
mended Federal Water Quality
Criteria.
10
-------
Stream Quality
(1972-1978)
Water Quality Problems
o Oxygen
a Bacteria
N Nutrients
s Solids
M Toxic metals
A Aesthetic deterioration
Note: Where no arrows are shown lor a stretch ol river.
either the water quality has been stable lor the past 7
years or data were insufficient to determine trends
— Meets Federal water quality goals
— Moderate water quality; provisionally
meets Federal water quality goals
— Does not meet Federal water quality goals
— Insufficient data to determine quality
^ Water quality improving
-$ Water quality deteriorating
11
-------
Water Resources
Lakes
Lakes are important water resources
for recreation, water supply, and
aesthetic appeal. Increases in pollu-
tion from nutrients such as nitrogen
and phosphorus can impair the value
of Kansas lakes. Although plant life
is an important part of a lake's eco-
system, an overabundance of
nutrients will cause excessive
growth of algae and larger plants.
Such overgrowth can choke the lake
of needed oxygen, decrease light
penetration, and be a nuisance to
those using the lake for recreational
or other purposes. Siltation and tur-
bidity from agricultural runoff, con-
struction activity, and other nonpoint
sources may also affect light
penetration and contribute to
premature filling of lakes by sedimen-
tation.
Publicly owned lakes with these and
other water quality problems may
receive help through the Clean Lakes
Program. This program provides
funds to assist the State of Kansas in
(1) ranking its public lakes, (2) con-
ducting lake studies, and (3) restor-
ing and protecting these lakes. The
following Kansas lakes have received
assistance under the program: Ford
County, Fraizer, Lone Star, Wa-
baunsee, and Wellington.
The table shows the level of impair-
ment to principal lakes resulting from
pollution. The map shows the prin-
cipal lakes in Kansas — those that
have a surface area greater than 6400
acres and some smaller lakes that
have significant recreational impor-
tance, are easily accessible to urban
areas, or are used extensively by the
public.
Principal Lakes
12
-------
Pollution-Related Use Impairment of Principal Kansas Lakes
(1980)
Surface Area,
Lake acres
Cedar Bluff 6,900
Cheney 9,550
Clinton 7,000
Council Grove 2,860
Crawford County State Lake 200
Elk City 3,500
Fall River 2,600
John Redmond 9,400
Kanopolis 3,500
Kirwin 5,080
Lake Shawnee 370
Lone Star 130
Lovewell 3.000
Marion 6,160
Meade County State Lake 100
Melvern 6,930
Milford 16,000
Montgomery County State Lake 100
Norton 2,200
Perry 12,200
Pomona 4,000
Scott County State Lake 100
Toronto 2,800
Tuttle Creek 15,800
Webster 3,740
Wilson 9,000
Swimming Fishing
Boating
Aesthetics
Low impairment
13
-------
Water Resources
Fish Kills
Reports indicate that approximately
52,000 fish were killed in 23 separate
incidents of water pollution in Kan-
sas in 1978. Feedlot runoff and other
farming activities accounted for 73
percent of the reported kills. About
two-thirds of the reports indicated
less than 1000 fish were killed per in-
cident. The largest reported kill in
Kansas in 1978 was caused by the
release of agricultural pollutants to
the Arkansas River at Coolidge.
Because reporting is entirely volun-
tary, the information shown probably
represents only a fraction of the kills
that occurred. Numerous small kills
go unnoticed or unreported, and
some significantly large kills are not
included because information is in-
sufficient to determine if the kills
resulted from pollutants in the water
or from natural causes.
Reported Pollution-Caused Fish Kills
(1978)
Percentage of Fish Killed
by Type of Operation
Agricultural
Industrial
Municipal
Undetermined
73%
10%
10%
7%
O 1-1,000 Fish
O 1,000-10,000 Fish
O 10,000-100,000 Fish
O Unknown
-------
Groundwater
Water held in underground gravel,
sand, and silt layers (aquifers) is
referred to as groundwater. Surface
water and precipitation trickle
through cracks and pores in the earth
to reach the aquifers. The quality of
groundwater is important because it
is the water source for a large seg-
ment of the State's population. The
contamination of groundwater sup-
plies by nitrates and toxic
substances is receiving increased at-
tention.
Nitrates are known to cause anemic
conditions in infants. Although
nature provides some of the nitrates
in groundwater (through decaying
organic material), the amount of
nitrates can be increased by modern
agricultural practices requiring irriga-
tion and the use of such fertilizers as
ammonia and liquid nitrogen. The ap-
plication of more fertilizer than the
plant roots can use allows the excess
to reach the groundwater, and porous
soils allow nitrates to enter the
groundwater rapidly, before the
plants can take them up. The ground-
water in certain areas in the State
has high nitrate levels, but concen-
trations tend to vary widely.
Uncontrolled toxic chemical disposal
sites are another possible source of
groundwater contamination. The Re-
source Conservation and Recovery
Act of 1976 addresses this problem. It
requires such sites to have an im-
permeable barrier to prevent ground-
water contamination from the buried
material.
Naturally occurring radiation,
selenium, and fluoride released from
underlying rocks have contaminated
groundwater in some areas. Concen-
trations of these contaminants vary
erratically and sometimes reach
levels of concern.
Once groundwater has become
contaminated, purifying it by natural
means is very slow at best. There;ore.
prevention of groundv/ater pollution
is critical. To this end. the EPA has in-
stituted the Underground lnjection
Program to limit the injection v
wastes underground. States ma/
assume responsibility for this pro-
gram.
Sources and Pathways of Nitrogen to the Aquifer
Precipitation
Root Zone
Soil Zone
Aquifer
Consolidated
Material
15
-------
Water Resources
Drinking Water
The average adult consumes from
one and a half to five quarts of water
a day. Most people assume the water
they drink is safe, and it usually is.
Sometimes, however, it can be con-
taminated by bacteria, metals, toxic
chemicals, or other pollutants.
At least 4000 documented cases of
waterborne illnesses occur each year
in the United States; the actual
number is probably much greater, as
many go unreported. In addition, the
health effects of long-term, low-level
exposure to contaminated water are
not well known. Nevertheless, these
also should be of concern to each of
us.
To help fight these health threats,
Congress (in the Safe Drinking Water
Act) directed EPA to establish drink-
ing water standards for all public
water supplies having 15 or more ser-
vice connections or regularly serving
25 or more persons. The pollutants
for which standards have been
established are briefly described
below.
Bacteria — Coliform bacteria from
human and other animal wastes can
be found in improperly treated drink-
ing water. These bacteria may in-
dicate the presence of other harmful
organisms. Waterborne diseases
such as typhoid, cholera, infectious
hepatitis, and dysentery have been
traced to improperly disinfected
drinking water.
Nitrate — Drinking water having
nitrate levels above the national stan-
dard poses an immediate threat to
children under three months of age.
In some infants, excessive levels of
nitrate have been known to react with
the hemoglobin in the blood to pro-
duce an anemic condition commonly
known as "blue baby."
Arsenic — This element occurs
naturally in the environment. It is also
found in insecticides, foods, tobac-
co, shellfish, drinking water, and air.
Consumption of water that con-
tinuously exceeds the national stan-
dard can cause fatigue and loss of
energy. High levels of arsenic intake
can be fatal.
Barium — This element also occurs
naturally in the environment in some
areas, but it is not as widespread as
arsenic. Barium can also enter water
supplies through industrial waste
discharges. Although small doses
are not harmful, consumption of
large quantities is quite dangerous
and can cause high blood pressure,
nerve damage, and even death.
Cadmium — Only minute amounts of
this element are found in natural
waters in the United States; however,
improperly treated waste discharges
from electroplating, photography, in-
secticide, and metallurgy industries
can increase cadmium levels. Al-
though most cadmium enters the
16
-------
body through cigarette smoking and
food intake, minute quantities have
also been found in water supplies
having galvanized pipes and fixtures.
Chromium — Cigarettes, foods, and
air are the most common sources of
chromium. High levels of chromium
in drinking water may cause skin and
respiratory ailments. Although some
studies suggest that minute amounts
of chromium may be essential to
humans, this theory has not yet been
proven.
Lead — This metal is found in the air,
in food, and in the pigment of some
older paints. The lead in drinking
water comes from plumbing, auto ex-
hausts, and other sources. When
standards are greatly exceeded,
humans may suffer from nervous
system disorders or from brain or
kidney damage.
Mercury — Mercury levels in water
can be raised above normal by in-
dustrial discharges and mercury-
based pesticides. A greater health
risk results from eating fish from
such waters than simply from water-
borne mercury itself, because the ele-
ment becomes concentrated in the
fish tissues. Ingested mercury can
cause liver, intestinal, circulatory,
kidney, and neurological ailments —
even death. Mercury poisoning can
be acute, as a result of large doses,
or chronic, as a result of smaller
doses received over an extended
time.
Selenium — This material occurs
naturally in soil and plants and is
found in meat and other foods.
Although selenium is believed to be
essential in the diet, indications are
that excessive amounts may be toxic.
Studies are under way to determine
the amount required for good nutri-
tion and that which may be harmful.
Silver — The need to set a drinking
water standard for silver arises from
its intentional addition as a disinfect-
ant in some water supplies. Overex-
posure to silver causes discoloration
of the skin and mucous membrane.
When absorbed through the skin or
consumed at high levels, silver can
cause kidney, liver, and spleen
damage.
Pesticides — Each year some of the
millions of pounds of pesticides used
on croplands, forests, lawns, and
gardens in the United States drain off
into surface waters or seep into
underground water supplies. If they
get into drinking water and the water
is not properly treated, many of them
may pose health problems. The
pesticides for which drinking water
standards have been established are
Endrin, Lindane, Methoxychlor, Tox-
aphene, 2,4-D, and 2,4,5-TP Silvex.
Radioactivity — Radiation, which
results from both natural and man-
made processes, is of concern be-
cause it is known to cause cancer
and genetic defects in humans.
Some water supplies within the State
have been found to contain radio-
activity above the concern level.
Radioactivity is discussed further in
the radiation section of this publica-
tion.
Turbidity — Turbidity (cloudiness
resulting from minute suspended par-
ticles) in drinking water interferes
with the aesthetic quality of the
water. Excessive turbidity can also
interfere with disinfection and allow
disease-causing organisms to sur-
vive. National standards have been
set to correct this problem.
17
-------
Water Resources
Drinking Water
The figure shows the percentage of
Kansas communities meeting drink-
ing water standards for each of these
contaminants.
Percentages out of compliance are
based on total number of violations
divided by the number of community
water supplies.
Compliance of Kansas Community Water Supplies
With Chemical Drinking Water Standards
(948 Supplies)
Arsenic
Barium
Cadmium
Chromium
Lead
Mercury
Nitrate
Selenium
Silver
Fluoride
All Organics
(Including
pesticides) 0
96%
99%
99%
—)
5 90
95
100
Percent in Compliance in 1979
18
-------
Fluoride is a naturally occurring ele-
ment that is commonly added to
water supplies to help prevent tooth
decay. The recommended concentra-
tion is 1 part per million (ppm).
Because too much fluoride can
cause mottling of teeth, concentra-
tions above 2 ppm are a cause for
concern. The map shows Kansas
counties that have adequate fluoride
in their drinking water.
Population Receiving Adequately Fluoridated Water
(1980)
Percentage of
Population
O 0-20%
• 21 • 40%
D 41 - 60%
D 61 • 80%
a si • 100%
O Natural Source
O Adjusted Source
(Souce in which some or all fluoride
added or some fluoride artificially
removed lo provide recommended
concentration.)
Total Population 2,248,000
Population With Fluoridated
Water Supplies
1,167,000 or 52%
19
-------
Water Resources
Wetland Areas
Wetlands are lowland areas, such as
marshes or swamps, that are
saturated with moisture all or part of
the year. These lands represent
unique ecosystems of major impor-
tance. Kansas' wetlands provide
unique recreational areas, which sup-
port hunting and fishing, are high in
aesthetic value, and contain
irreplaceable plant and animal life
that make them especially valuable
for educational and scientific
studies.
Some other roles and functions of
wetlands are often not appreciated.
For example, these areas can
recharge groundwater supplies and
help to maintain flow during dry
periods. The dense vegetation, acting
as a filter, traps pollutants and helps
to maintain water quality in nearby
streams and lakes. By storing flood-
waters and excess runoff, the wet-
lands can serve as buffer zones and
reduce erosion by dissipating the
energy of floodwaters. They also can
be a source of harvestable timber and
crops.
The two major classifications of
wetlands in Kansas are Inland Fresh
Areas and Inland Saline Areas. The
map on the opposite page shows the
zones where remaining wetlands are
located. A 1955 survey of existing
wetlands indicated that 10 to 15 per-
cent of a total of 204,000 acres then
existing were of the salt marsh type.
There is a lack of recent data, but
best estimates indicate that only
122,400 acres of wetlands remained
in 1978, which represents a loss of 40
percent in this 23-year period.
Wetland Acreage Remaining in Kansas
o
in
•o
c
10
(/>
3
O
-C
300
250
200
150
100
50
1955
1978
-------
Zones in Which Remaining Wetlands Are Located
General Areas Containing Important
Waterfowl Habitats
Sandhills
Impervious Soils (Hardlands)
Riverine Wetlands
21
-------
Air Quality
Air Pollutants and Standards
The objective of the EPA's air pollu-
tion control program is to meet the re-
quirements of the Federal Clean Air
Act by achieving and maintaining Na-
tional Ambient Air Quality Standards
(NAAQS) by 1983. Toward this goal,
the EPA provides research on health
effects, offers the State both
technical and financial assistance,
and sets standards for specific
sources.
The primary concern is the effect of
air quality on public health. Com-
monly known effects of air pollution
are respiratory aggravation and
cardiovascular stress. Air pollution
also threatens crops, forests, fish,
lake ecosystems, and property
values. These are referred to as
public welfare considerations.
The many sources of air pollution
range from natural sources, such as
dust, to the daily emission of
thousands of tons of pollutants from
industrial smokestacks and
automobile exhausts.
State Implementation Plans
The EPA required that all states have
an approved State Implementation
Plan (SIP) by 1972. The plans were to
detail the state's program for achiev-
ing and maintaining the National Am-
bient Air Quality Standards and the
regulatory mechanisms for accom-
plishing that goal. When monitoring
shows emissions of a particular
pollutant exceed standards, an in-
adequacy in the original SIP is in-
dicated. The area where this occurs
is declared a nonattainment area.
Revisions to the SIP must be sub-
mitted to EPA for the nonattainment
area and pollutant standard being
violated. The revised SIP must in-
dicate additional controls for ex-
isting and new sources and the sup-
porting regulatory mechanisms. As
part of the control program, all ex-
isting point sources must apply
Reasonably Available Control
Technology. All new point sources
must apply the more stringent
Lowest Achievable Emission Rate
control.
Further, in the interim period before
the SIP revision is approved by EPA,
no new point sources can be built
unless emissions from other sources
are correspondingly reduced. After
the SIP is approved, every new point
source must be evaluated to
demonstrate that its proposed emis-
sions will not cause a violation of the
applicable air quality standard.
Standards have been written for six
criteria pollutants: Total suspended
particulates (TSP), ozone, carbon
monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO,),
lead (Pb), and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
Primary standards are written to pro-
tect public health, whereas secon-
dary standards are written to protect
public welfare.
The State determines compliance
with National Ambient Air Quality
Standards (by monitoring air quality)
and acts as the primary enforcement
Population Exposure Where Ambient Air
Health Standards Are Exceeded In Kansas
Population
Exposed
Parttoulatos
794,000
Carbon Monoxide
17,000
IT
Total State Population
2,246,578
agent. The Kansas City-Wyandotte
County Health Department, the
Topeka-Shawnee County Health
Department, and the Wichita-
Sedgwick County Department of
Community Health assist the State in
these tasks.
In addition to emissions of the six
criteria pollutants for which ambient
standards have been established, the
EPA also regulates emissions of a
special group of hazardous air
pollutants — asbestos, vinyl
chloride, mercury, benzene,
beryllium, and radioactive particles.
All of these have been shown to
cause cancer in humans. The two
sludge incinerators and five asbestos
processors in Kansas are all in com-
pliance with the National Emission
Standards for Hazardous Air Pol-
lutants.
22
-------
Number of Days National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ,
Total Suspended Participates (TSP) Were Exceeded in Kansas in 1978
Goodland
Kansas City
Wichita
0123456789 10
Number of Days National Ambient Air Quality Standards for
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Were Exceeded in Kansas in 1978*
Kansas City
Wichita
01 2345 6789 10
I I Health standard exceeded
I I Alert level exceeded
•Note: Because consideration must be given to
natural meteorological events, ex-
ceeding Ambient Air Quality Standards
for one day during a single year does not
constitute a violation; the standard must
be exceeded at least two days in a single
year to be considered a violation.
23
-------
Air Quality
Air Pollutants and Standards (continued)
Nonattainment Areas for
Total Suspended Participates (TSP)
(1980)
A Part of county violates primary standards.
rt of county violates primary standards and
part violates secondary standard.
Nonattainment Areas for
Ozone
(1980)
| County violates standard.
Total Suspended
Particulates (TSP)
Parts of Kansas City and Topeka are
nonattainment areas for total
suspended particulates.
The term TSP refers to all the solid
material floating in the air, such as
dust, soot, and fly ash. Agricultural
activities, construction sites, un-
paved roads, grain handling,
automobile exhausts, and coal .com-
bustion are all sources of TSP. All
TSP affects the respiratory system,
but the smallest particles are the
24
most harmful. In addition, toxic
materials such as pesticides and
lead are sometimes carried by these
suspended particles.
Ozone
All of Douglas, Johnson, and Wyan-
dotte Counties are nonattainment
areas for ozone.
Ozone is a major component of
photochemical smog formed by a
series of chemical reactions that oc-
cur when hydrocarbons and nitrogen
oxides are exposed to sunlight.
Hydrocarbons include the fumes
from any of numerous oil-derived
liquids (for example, gasoline, kero-
sene, diesel fuels, lacquers, and thin-
ners). The most common sources of
airborne hydrocarbons are auto-
mobiles, refineries, fuel transfer
facilities, painting operations, fuel
combustion in stationary sources,
and nature itself. Ozone, which is a
severe irritant to mucous mem-
branes, aggravates respiratory dis-
orders, reduces lung function, and in-
creases susceptibility to bacterial in-
fection.
-------
Nonattainment Areas for
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
(1980)
Part of county violates standard.
emphysema, and asthma. Sulfur
dioxide also reacts with moisture to
produce acid rain, a problem affect-
ing the delicate ecosystems of lakes
and forests.
Lead (Pb)
The metal lead reaches the air
primarily through the use of leaded
gasoline. Other sources include lead
and zinc mining and processing
sites, lead recovery plants, battery
manufacturing facilities, and certain
industrial chemical processing fac-
tories. Lead is particularly harmful to
the soft tissues of the body, the
reproductive system, and the nervous
system. It also can cause anemia and
irreversible brain damage.
Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Downtown Wichita is a nonattain-
ment area for carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide, a toxic byproduct
of incomplete combustion (auto-
mobile exhausts are the major
source), reduces the amount of ox-
ygen available to lung tissues, im-
pairs visual perception, decreases
alertness, and in high concentra-
tions, can be fatal.
The entire State of Kansas meets the
national air standards for the three
remaining criteria pollutants, which
are described briefly here.
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
Sulfur dioxide results from the
combustion of sulfur-containing coal
and oil, the smelting of metal ores,
the refining of oil, and other in-
dustrial processes. This compound
reacts readily with other atmospheric
pollutants to form a group of
substances called sulfates, which
aggravate heart disease and such
respiratory ailments as bronchitis,
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)
Nitrogen oxides are produced by fuel
combustion and come from both sta-
tionary and mobile sources. Coal-and
oil-fired furnaces and automobiles
are major sources. These compounds
react with hydrocarbons in the
presence of sunlight and produce
ozone. They also cause acid rain.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a form of
NOx, can affect lung tissue, reduce
resistance to disease, contribute to
bronchitis and pneumonia, and ag-
gravate chronic lung disorders.
25
-------
Air Quality
Air Pollutants and Standards (continued)
Emissions
No SIP revisions are required in areas
where monitoring indicates com-
pliance with NAAQS. Existing
sources, however, must meet ap-
plicable State and local regulations,
and new sources may also be subject
to more stringent regulations. Some
new source categories must meet
New Source Performance Standards.
Major new sources must meet Pre-
vention of Significant Deterioration
regulations.
Of the 897 existing major point
sources in Kansas, 877 sources are in
compliance with applicable emission
regulations.
Ranges in color keys
indicate 1000's tons/yr.
Wtehiu
•
Participate Emissions
0«11 O11-20 021-50
-------
SO2 Emissions
D«10 010-50
Hydrocarbon Emissions
D «10 D10-20 D 21-50
CO Emissions
D«20 020-75 D 76-140 « »140
NO2 Emissions
5 D 5-40 D 41-60
27
-------
Solid Waste
Disposal and Recovery
Besides the well-known household
garbage, solid waste includes such
material as waste from agricultural,
industrial, and mining activities;
sludges from water and air pollution
control facilities; demolition
material; and abandoned cars. Na-
tional statistics show that 87 percent
of the solid waste in the United
States is produced by agricultural
and mining activities, 9 percent by in-
dustrial activities, and 4 percent by
residential and commercial ac-
tivities. The amount of solid waste
constantly increases, and its com-
position changes with the Nation's
population growth and technological
advancement.
Increases in solid waste result in the
littering of city streets, country road-
sides, and any available open
spaces. Such littering diminishes our
enjoyment of the environment and
creates an expensive cleanup prob-
lem.
The most fundamental ways to
lessen environmental damage from
solid waste are (1)to generate less
waste or (2) to recover and reuse
valuable resources from those
wastes. Both approaches would not
only reduce degradation, but save
energy and materials as well.
Generation of solid waste by
municipalities is high — about 1300
pounds per person per year, the rate
of resource recovery is low — about 7
percent. The rising cost of land
disposal, however, is likely to make
resource recovery and conservation
increasingly more attractive.
Passage of the Resource Conserva-
tion and Recovery Act (RCRA) in 1976
accelerated solid waste management
programs at all levels of government.
Uncontrolled open dumps and open
burning of solid waste will soon be a
thing of the past. Sanitary landfills
are the most common replacement
for open dumps in solid waste
management programs. The design
of these landfills is such that solid
waste can be buried in a manner effi-
cient enough to protect both ground-
water and surface water. The map in-
dicates the approved sanitary land-
fills in Kansas.
Proper operation of the landfills is
essential to adequate control of the
waste placed there. Also, every Kan-
sas citizen must recognize his or her
role in environmental protection by
assuring that any household waste,
dead animals, pesticide containers,
and the like are disposed of properly.
-------
Permitted Solid Waste Disposal Facilities
(1980)
29
-------
Hazardous Materials
Hazardous Waste
The use of large quantities of
chemicals has become a way of life
in our society. The list of more than
4,000,000 recognized chemical com-
pounds grows at the rate of 6,000 per
week. Many of these chemicals are
beneficial, but some are known to
produce adverse effects in our food,
water, and air; the effects of many
others are still unknown. The EPA
estimates that at least 57 million
metric tons of waste generated in the
United States in 1980 may be
classified as hazardous.
The hazardous waste problem was
brought close to home last year when
cattle on a Kansas farm became con-
taminated with PCBs because waste
oil containing these hazardous
chemicals was used in animal back-
rubbers. The waste oil (which came
from electrical transformers) had
been purchased from a salvage yard
in 1972, before the effects of PCBs
were widely known. Fifty-four head of
cattle died, and before the cause of
death was determined, hides, tallow,
and meat for dog food had been ship-
ped to several states and had to be
traced and properly disposed of.
Another 112 head had to be killed and
buried in an approved hazardous
waste disposal site. Portions of the
soil in the feedlot were also con-
taminated and had to be removed
and disposed of properly.
In the 40 years preceding the
passage of the Resource Conserva-
tion and Recovery Act (RCRA) in
1976, the disposal of hazardous
wastes was largely unregulated. The
act mandated a comprehensive
"cradle to grave" hazardous waste
management program. Such proper
environmental control will cost more,
but eliminate the astronomical costs
of correcting poor disposal practices.
For example, a 1979 EPA study
reported that cleaning up abandoned
and improperly operated hazardous
waste sites could cost as much as
$44 billion, of which only a portion
would likely be paid by the owners of
the sites.
The RCRA plan of attack consists of
two phases. The first provides a
system for following hazardous
waste from its point of origin to its
final disposal. This system includes:
• Identifying hazardous waste.
•Setting standards for producers
and shippers of hazardous
waste.
•Specifying performance, design,
and operating requirements for
facilities that treat, store, or
dispose of hazardous waste.
• Providing a system for issuing
permits to such facilities.
• Furnishing guidelines that
outline conditions under which
state governments can be
authorized to carry out their own
programs for hazardous waste
management.
The second phase of the program en-
tails a comprehensive effort to iden-
tify dangerous abandoned or uncon-
trolled dump sites. If danger to
human health and the environment is
deemed "imminent and substantial,"
the owner can be forced to clean up
the site. Unfortunately, many of the
owners cannot be found or are not
financially able to correct the prob-
lem.
Approved Hazardous Waste Disposal Facility
(1980)
30
-------
Hazardous Spills
Most environmental problems do not
require immediate action, but the ac-
cidental release of oil or some haz-
ardous material can constitute an
emergency condition. Such incidents
necessitate immediate action to pro-
tect public health and to minimize
damage to natural resources.
In the event of such emergencies, a
response team must be prepared to
travel to the area, identify the nature
and source of the substance spilled,
and take direct action to contain the
spill. Cleanup of the spilled material
can then begin, and if necessary, ap-
propriate legal action can be taken.
This type of response is complex and
expensive. The workers must wear
protective equipment and take the
necessary precautionary measures
until such time as the nature of the
chemical involved has been deter-
mined. Few safe sites are readily
available for disposal of hazardous
materials, and such materials often
must be transported a great distance
for proper long-term disposal.
The charts show the number of spills
by type of material and environment
affected for the two-year period from
October 1977 to September 1979.
Percent of Total Number of Spills by Type* in Kansas
Percent of Total Petroleum Spills
by Environment Affected*
Percent of Total Nonpetroleum Spills
by Environment Affected *
'Based on Spill Investigation Reports by EPA's
Surveillance and Analysis Division (October
1977-September 1979).
31
-------
Pesticides
Use and Misuse
The use of insecticides and her-
bicides is common and beneficial on
farms, in the home and garden, and in
commercial and institutional estab-
lishments. Besides the increased
crop production made possible by
the extensive agricultural use of pes-
ticides, another benefit derived from
the use of pesticides is the control of
such pests as rodents, flies, roaches,
and other insects.
Because of the manner in which they
provide these benefits, pesticides
must be considered poisons, and as
such, they can be dangerous not only
to the people who apply them, but
also to those who may be acciden-
tally exposed. Harm can result from
inhaling the pesticide or from absorb-
ing it through the skin. Pesticides
can also contaminate food crops and
harm the people who consume them.
Many pesticides kill plants, birds,
animals, and such beneficial insects
as honeybees, along with the in-
tended pests. They can also become
concentrated in fish and wildlife and
pose a threat to those who eat them.
For these reasons, the manufacture,
sale, and use of these compounds
are regulated by the government.
More than 1,400 chemicals are in-
cluded in the approximately 40,000
pesticide products registered with
the EPA. As of 1980, 49 of these
chemicals (involving about 1,700
products) have been restricted to cer-
tain uses, and the use of 44
pesticides has been limited,
suspended, or banned. Persons who
wish to apply restricted-use products
must become certified as applicators
and, in some cases, are required to
attend training courses prior to cer-
tification. The Kansas State Board of
Agriculture has certified 25,507
private and 3,036 commercial ap-
plicators.
The charts show the uses and types
of pesticides in Kansas, based on a
1974 survey.
-------
Pesticide Usage in Kansas
(1974)
Uses
1% Industry
1% Government
.2% Nematocides
0.01% Fungicides
Types
Total 1974 Pesticide Usage = 21,721,000 pounds
33
-------
Radiation
Environmental Exposure
Radiation results from the breakup of
an atomic nucleus. Two types are
emitted during the breakup: ionizing
radiation (a stream of nuclear
fragments) and nonionizing radiation
(a high-energy burst of X rays). When
radiation passes through living cells,
it disturbs essential chemical mole-
cules. Such disturbance can result in
death of the cell, cancer, or a genetic
defect. Scientists are currently un-
sure whether or not there is a safe
level of radiation — one at which
these effects are not produced.
Some radiation in the environment is
due to natural causes; some results
from human activities. Natural
radioactivity (known as cosmic rays)
continuously bombards Earth from
space, and the planet itself contains
radioactive uranium, thorium, and
potassium. Because this natural
radioactivity is in the air we breathe,
the water we drink, and the foods we
eat, we all have some amount of
radioactivity within us.
Man adds to this radiation exposure
in various ways: by medical and den-
tal X rays, by jet flights, by television
viewing, by mining natural deposits
of radioactive ore, by the production
of fallout through atmospheric tests
of nuclear weapons, by the combus-
tion of coal (which contains several
radioactive elements), and by the
creation of radioactive materials dur-
ing nuclear energy production.
34
Radiation Exposure From Environmental Sources
Internal to
Human Body
25%
-------
Combined Terrestrial and Cosmic Radiation Exposure by State
D 40-50 Millirems- D 61-70 Millirems
Per Year
D 51-60 Millirems
Per Year
Per Year
71-80 Millirems
Per Year
'Note: A millirem is one-thousandth of a rem, which is
a unit of radiation exposure to the human body.
For example, a chest Xray equals about 50 millirems
per hour, a dental Xray about 20 millirems per hour,
and viewing color television about 2 millirems per hour.
The lethal dosage is about 500,000 millirems.
81-90 Millirems
Per Year
35
-------
Noise
Effects and Controls
Everyone is exposed to noise of vary-
ing intensities and from many dif-
ferent sources every day. Constant
exposure to loud noise can be harm-
ful.
Noise-induced hearing loss is par-
ticularly recognized in employees of
highly mechanized industries and
other occupations involving ex-
posure to loud noise. Excessive
levels of noise appear to cause
stress, which may in turn increase
susceptibility to disease and infec-
tion, notably heart disease and
ulcers. An estimated 14.7 million
workers are exposed to an 8-hour
average sound level of 75 decibels, at
which there is risk of hearing
damage.
The EPA is in the process of estab-
lishing standards that require the
reduction of noise in new production
of portable air compressors, medium-
and heavy-duty trucks, earth-moving
machinery, buses, truck-mounted
solid waste compactors, motor-
cycles, jackhammers, and lawn-
mowers. As older equipment is
replaced with products conforming
with the standards, a gradual reduc-
tion in environmental noise levels
will occur. Other EPA activity centers
around the development of regula-
tions requiring equipment to be
labeled so that prospective buyers
are aware of the level of noise the
product emits.
Kansas Population Protected
by Enforceable Noise Ordinances
Total State Population:
2,246,576
-------
Typical Exposure Levels
(in decibels)
-140
130-
Jet Takeoff
(100 m away)
110-
90-
-100
Live Concert
Possibility of noise-induced
hearing damage
(after 8-hour exposure)
Woods
The measure of energy per area
is presented in decibels. An
increase from 20 to 30 or 90 to
100 represents a tenfold increase
in energy.
37
-------
The EPA Mission
The Environmental Protection Agen-
cy serves as the advocate for a liv-
able environment in a number of
ways. First and foremost, it is a
regulatory agency responsible for
setting and enforcing standards. The
EPA is currently engaged in a
massive effort to restore America's
waters, to reduce air pollution, and to
find a comprehensive approach to
other environmental problems asso-
ciated with pesticides use, radiation,
solid and hazardous waste disposal,
mechanically generated noise, and
toxic substances. As a research
body, the EPA monitors and analyzes
the environment and conducts scien-
tific studies. The agency furnishes
technical and scientific information
to the public, provides training to
develop the environmental skills that
the Nation needs, and offers
technical and financial assistance
for environmental protection efforts
at all levels of government.
Kansas Environmental
Agencies
The Kansas Department of Health
and Environment is comprised of a
Division of Health and a Division of
Environment. The latter is responsi-
ble for air quality; water quality and
supply; disposal of solid and hazard-
ous wastes; and radiation. The Kan-
sas State Board of Agriculture,
Pesticide Division, is responsible for
the registration of pesticides, the cer-
tification of applicators, and a
pesticides enforcement program.
-------
For Further Information
If you would like additional information about specific en-
vironmental programs in which EPA is involved, please con-
tact EPA Region VII, Public Affairs Office, 324 E. 11th St.,
Kansas City, MO 64106, or call (800) 821-3714. This office
maintains a supply of EPA publications that relate to the
various programs mentioned in this document, operates an
informal speaker's bureau, and coordinates distribution of
environmental films (all free of charge to the public). If you
encounter an environmental problem, report it first to your
local and then to your state pollution control agency.
EPA Region VII program numbers:
Action Line (800)821-3714
Air Pollution Programs (816) 374-3791
Hazardous Wastes Program (816)374-3307
Oil and Chemical Spills
Region VII Emergency Response Center .. .(816)374-3778
National Emergency Response Center ... .(800)424-8802
Pesticides Program (816) 374-3036
Pesticides Poisoning Emergency (800)424-9300
Radiation Program (816) 374-6621
Resource Recovery Program (816) 374-6532
Solid Wastes Program (816) 374-6532
Toxic Substances Program (816) 374-3036
Wastewater Treatment (816) 374-2725
Water Supply (816)374-5429
Wetlands (816)374-2921
In addition to the U.S. EPA, State agencies assist residents
with their environmental questions and problems. In
Kansas, these agencies are:
Department of Health and Environment
Division of Environment (913) 862-9360
Air Quality
Water Quality
Solid Wastes
Radiation
Water Supply
Board of Agriculture
Weed and Pesticide Division
Pesticides
(913)296-2263
39
------- |