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Vol. 6, No. 5
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
May 1977
EMSL On The Front Line:
The Catalyst Study
Five years ago most of us had never heard of the
catalytic converter. Now it's a household word.
Catalytic converter: it reduces emissions of car-
bon monoxide and hydrocarbons—cutting down on pollu-
tion from our automobile.
But shortly after adoption of the converter, con-
cern was expressed about sulfuric acid emissions from
catalyst equipped cars. Even though the catalyst re-
duced some harmful emissions, questions arose about
the public health impact of HpSO, emissions.
That's when the Environmental Monitoring and Sup-
port Laboratory (EMSL) began one of the most exten-
sive field studies ever undertaken—the monitoring of
auto emissions on the Los Angeles freeway.
Charles E. Rodes has been the project officer on
this 21/2 year study and EMSL recently arranged a
two-day symposium where scientists from all over the
country came to discuss the results.
Most importantly, data from the Los Angeles Cata-
lyst Study (LACS) indicate that sulfate contributions
from freeway traffic are substantially less than orig-
inally expected and do not appear to present a problem
at this time. Other results from the LACS study indi-
cate that emissions of carbon monoxide, lead, and par-
ticulates have decreased along the freeway by approx-
imately 25 percent from 1975 to 1976. Background
levels of these pollutants have remained essentially
constant, although the study has shown a significant
decrease in background levels of sulfates in the L.A.
area.
The resulting decrease of CO and particulates are
attributed to the catalyst, while the use of unleaded
gasoline has caused the reduction in ambient lead.
(continued on page 2)
The SASS Train
By Bill Kuykendal/Dorothy Rose
Jim McLean and Wayne Fowler
The SASS Train—does that conjure up visions of Xmas
and a model train running around the tree in between the
presents? Well, EPA's new SASS Train isn't a toy. It's
a primary component in EPA's environmental assessment
program.
In the next several years, a number of promising new
energy conversion techniques will be developed and
demonstrated. Many of these techniques will make use of
our abundant fossil fuel resources and hold great prom-
ise toward alleviating the nation's reliance on foreign
sources of energy. These same energy conversion tech-
niques, by virtue of the fact they are new, pose an un-
known potential environmental impact. Faced with the
task of determining the extent of this environmental
impact, the Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory
(IERL) currently has underway a number of environmental
assessment programs whose goals are to characterize the
total emissions from specific processes.
Because conventional sampling and analytical methods
were not suited for the comprehensive requirements of
(continued on page 2)
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(SASS TRAIN (continued from page 1)
environmental assessment studies, lERL's Process
Measurements Branch has developed a new approach.
The SASS Train has the primary function of sampling
stacks which are the major source of air emissions in
most processes. Since the idea behind the SASS Train
is to detect all emissions, the system was designed to
separate the sample into three basic fractions: par-
ticulates, organic vapors, and inorganic vapors.
The SASS Train extracts a sample using a conventional
sampling probe heated to 200°C to prevent condensation.
The particulate fraction of the sample is removed by
three cyclones and a filter. This approach gives four
particulate size fractions which is useful information in
evaluating particulate collection device efficiencies.
These four size fractions are selected in order to sepa-
rate the particulate into respirable and nonrespirable
size fractions which is also useful information from a
health effects standpoint.
After removing the particulate, the filtered sample
is cooled to 20°C and passes through an organic sorbent
trap. This sorbent material has a very high affinity
for organic vapors and effectively removes them from the
gas stream for later analysis. The final element in the
SASS Train is a series of four impingers placed in an ice
bath. These impingers remove acid gases, vapor phase
metals such as mercury, and water vapor.
A key element in the success of the SASS Train lies
in the large volume of samples processed through the
train. Since 30 cubic meters of sample are drawn through
the system, it is possible to detect very low concentra-
tions of any of the components of interest. Analysis is
performed on each of the three fractions of the sample
using techniques including spark source mass spectrom-
etry, gas chromotography, low resolution mass spectrom-
etry, atomic absorption, microscopy, and bioassay.
This approach is expected to yield the most compre-
hensive data to date to characterize the total emissions
from stationary sources.
The SASS Train is commercially available from
Aerotherm Division of Acurex Corporation and is built to
lERL's specifications. High collection efficiencies for
particulate, organic, and inorganic components have been
demonstrated which makes this a very valuable tool in
implementing a phased environmental assessment program.
Thank you Leona Colglazier for the following suggestion:
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Vandy Duffield, HERL, spoke to a 9th grade social
studies class at Githens Jr. High School May 10, on
EPA/RTP.
Robert KcCrillis, a mechanical engineer in the
Metallurgical Processes Branch, IERL/RTP, presented an
overview of EPA's program for research and development
of technology for controlling air and water pollution
from the iron and steel industry at the American Soci-
ety of Mechanical Engineers Fifth National Air Pollu-
tion Control Symposium held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
May 11-12.
Dr. Tom Wagner, HERL, will give a general overview
of EPA in North Carolina to the Chapel Hill Kiwanis
Club on May 31.
On October 17, Dennis Drehmel and James Abbott, IERL,
will attend an ECE Fine Particle Symposium in Austria.
They are co-authors of papers on Joint US/USSR tests of
a hot-side ESP at Duke Power Company's Allen Plant and
Joint US/USSR tests of a venturi scrubber at the Nikopol
ferroalloy plant.
'Tis a Hard Day's Night
Someone has figured out that we move in our sleep on
an average of once every 15 minutes. A person weighinq
100 pounds, changing position 4 times an hour, would
move 400 pounds an hour. If he spends 8 hours in bed,
he will move 3200 pounds every night.
X - RATED
Giving Blood is for the mature only.
17 and up admitted without parental permission.
Call Public Affairs, ext. 2952.
EMSL ON THE (continued from page 1)
By contrast, the background contribution of oxides of
nitrogen increased 50 percent, from 38 to 56 micro-
grams per cubic meter, in the same time period. How-
ever, the catalyst was not designed to control for
NO emissions.
Charles said that Southern California was chosen
for the study site because of the heavy traffic vol-
ume; total sulfur emissions from non-automotive
sources are relatively low compared to the rest of
the nation; and California's stricter standards for
automotive emissions have resulted in a larger per-
centage of catalyst equipped cars on the highway.
Dr. Thomas Mauser, Acting Director, EMSL, said,
"This study has provided the only EPA active inform-
ation base specifically designed to monitor the impact
of catalyst-equipped cars. The range of measurements
coupled with the extensive quality assurance programs
during the sampling and analysis processes will also
assist EPA in examining a variety of equally important
issues such as oxidant control strategy and establish-
ment of a lead standard."
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Operation Records
Disposition
Storage and Retrieval System
Are you being inundated with mounds of nemos,
letters, and reports that are literally pushing you out
of your office? Don't grieve—store and retrieve!
Are you aware that EPA has a comprehensive storage
and retrieval program administered by Stacy Blackman,
GSD/OA?
In a very simple manner you can make a cleansweep in
your office. David Westmoreland has boxes in the ware-
house. All you need is a standard supply requisition.
C. J, Snyder keeps a list of numbers for the boxes.
Once you have the boxes and a number, fill out a re-
quest for moving services and forward to John Bayer for
box pickup.
In a large room in the Beaunit R & D Annex, lined
with row upon row of shelves, your box of records will
find a home in its proper numerical sequence.
Under the Freedom of Information Act, this room must
be kept locked at all times. There is only one key
available which is kept by Stacy. Once your materials
are stored and you then find it necessary to retrieve
a report, Stacy is only a phone call away.
North Carolina Legislation:
m
Bottle Bill ^ /KV
Update
The Bottle Bill (H B #697, a bill to reduce litter
and solid waste attributable to beverage containers at
the source) was introduced April 1st by Rep. Charles
Webb and sent to the House Committee on Water and Air
Resources.
As we go to press, we find the bill has been killed.
Each year in North Carolina, over 75 million beer
and soft drink containers are littered on roadsides,
beaches, parks, shopping areas, and private property.
Laid end-to-end they would stretch from the Atlantic
coast to the Tennessee border and back again five
times.
These containers and their related materials com-
prise 20-60% of total litter depending on how it is
counted. Cans account for 77% of the container portion,
throwaway bottles 19%, and refillables only 4%.
In a recent speech EPA Administrator Costle said,
"EPA is concerned with the conservation of resources
essential to our well-being. Resources on which we
depend, such as essential minerals and metals and
energy from fossil fuels, are ultimately non-renewable,
yet we consume—and throw away--these materials as
though they were unlimited. In our hearts, we know
that our "throw away" habit is not sustainable."
For a status report on bills in the North Carolina
Legislature, call Raleigh, 733-7779, and ask for
legislative information.
SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE
The Shuttle Bus Service has been in existence for
approximately nine months and has been well received.
As many as 50 people have used the bus in one day.
Lewis Quinn, the driver, maintains a tight schedule and
gets people where they want to go, when they want to
get there. More people are encouraged to take
advantage of this excellent service.
C.J. Snyder (left) and Naomi Teasley (right)
The CLEANER TIMES is published monthly by Public Affairs,
Office of Administration, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Research Triangle Park, N. C. 27711
Liz Martin Editor
Dorothy Rose Assistant Editor
Elaine Hyman Reporter
Produced with the assistance of the Word Processing Center;
Graphics, Composition, Printing Sections, and Forms and Publica-
tions Center, GSD.
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Personnel Corner
Every employee should be sure that benefits under
retirement, Federal Employee's Group-Life Insurance,
and leave laws will be paid in accordance with his
wishes. From time to time, there may be changes in
employee's family status—marriage, death, births--
which might affect his or her preference as to who
should receive these benefits following his death.
If he has not already designated a beneficiary, the
following order of precedence will apply for the pay-
ment of lump-sum retirement benefits, group-life insur-
ance, unused annual leave, and unpaid salary:
1 . To your spouse;
2. If there is none, then to your child or
children in equal shares, with the share
of any deceased child distributed among
the descendants of that child;
3. If none of these, then to your parents in
equal shares, or the entire amount to the
surviving parent;
4. If none'of these, then to the executor or
administrator of your estate;
5. If none of these, then to the other next
of kin entitled under the laws of the State
in which you lived.
It is not necessary to designate a beneficiary
unless you wish payment to be made in a way other than
the order of precedence shown above. Make a review of
f
your situation now. If you want to make any changes in
designation of beneficiaries, contact the Processing
and Records Office, Personnel Management Division,
extension 1321.
Person-to-Person
The Sound of Carolina Chapter of Sweet Adelines,
Inc., Gary, North Carolina, won the small chorus award
and its director won the chorus director award. Com-
petition was held in Charlotte, April 15-16. There
were 21 choruses competing. Velma Gray, CMD/OA, sings
lead in the chorus. Anyone Interested in singing with
these gals can visit the Sound of Carolina Chapter on
Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m., at the First United Methodist
Church in Cary. It's a lot of fun and you can meet and
sing with a group of tenors, leads, baritones, and
basses in region 14 which encompasses North Carolina,
South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee and D.C.
Open House for prospective new members is being held
at the church May 24. So come on out and be heard!
Brain Teaser
By Frank Clay (Roving Reporter)
The last "Brain Teaser" in the Cleaner Times had a
typographical error in it which made the puzzle impos-
sible to solve. The last line of that puzzle referred
to Ms. Othamar having received a French oven as a
birthday present when it should have been Mr. Othamar
who received the French oven as a birthday present.
(I'm a victim of Womens' Lib.) At any rate, here is
a nearly identical puzzle.
Ms. Smith, Ms. Yancey, Ms. Baker, Ms. Idol, and
Ms. Lancer all went shopping at Macey's. They bought
a copy of Snoopy and the Red Baron, a pair of shoes,
Oriental cookware, a riding crop, and a pair of water
skis. Each lady bought only one item and went directly
to the floor that sold the item that she bought. Every-
one got on the elevator at the first floor except
Ms. Lancer. A lady who was returning to get the car
keys that she had left in the bathroom on the third
floor also got on the elevator as well as an attractive
young woman with long beautiful hair. The only married
lady in the group bought a riding crop on the fourth
floor while the lady who bought the Oriental cookware
got off the elevator with the lady who left her car
keys in the bathroom. Ms. Idol got off the elevator
with the attractive young woman with long beautiful
hair, while Ms. Smith was the last person to leave the
elevator. If books are sold on the first floor; shoes
are not sold on the fifth floor, and Mister Yancy
received the water skis as a birthday present, what did
each of these women buy?
To find the answer, simply list the names of the
women in a column in the order given in the problem.
Then list the items purchased in a columr beginning with
the last item first. The item each lady bought will
appear to the right of the lady's name.
Dana Lloyd, OA/CMD, and her husband, Ronnie, are the
proud parents of a little girl, Melissa Lee, born
April 14, weighing 9 Ibs. 13 ozs.
Speakers Bureau Kit
The Public Affairs Staff has prepared a Speakers
Kit to assist EPA employees who go out on speaking
assignments. The Kit contains a general speech about
EPA nation-wide and North Carolina 1n particular; a
list of quotations and suggested openings; a film bro-
chure and addendum; a "Request for Speaker" card and
brochure describing Speakers Bureau; an evaluation
form; a bibliography; and samples of selected handouts.
The Kit, designed as an aid to anyone making a pre-
sentation, is available to all EPA employees. Just
drop a line to the Public Affairs office, MD-31 , or
call ext. 2951.
Dr. Norbert Jaworski, IERL/RTP, was the first
speaker to use the kit and he said it was a big help.
He said the students at N. C. State University were
interested in the various publications; however, he
thought they were more Interested 1n careers at EPA.
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State-of-the-Art
John Silvasi of Control Programs Development Divi-
sion, OAQPS, has recently been elected secretary of the
Durham-based North Carolina Lyric Opera, Inc. (NCLO).
He and his wife, Kathy, have been actively associated
with the NCLO since its creation over a year ago. They
have served as advisors, photographers, writers, pub-
licity assistants, and warm bodies.
John became interested in NCLO through his former
violin instructor, Jerrold Posner, who is the general
manager and a co-founder of NCLO. Jerry's wife,
Katherine, is artistic director of the NCLO and a for-
mer national winner of the Metropolitan Opera auditions,
perhaps the highest award that can be bestowed on an
aspiring singer in the United States.
Opera is perhaps the most expensive and comprehensive
of the performing arts. It combines drama, music
singing, and even dancing in some cases, along with the
visual arts such as in costumes and sets, and poetry.
Will the fledgling opera company survive? So far, the
company has had very limited resources to pursue oper-
atic ventures, but NCLO is banking on the Increasing
popularity of opera. To quote from one of NCLO's pro-
posals:
"Opera is catching on in America. There are now
some 1400 locations in the United States where opera
is given regularly. There are college and university
productions, community and professional productions.
Thousands of people, including an increasing number
of young people, are fast becoming enthusiastic
opera-goers...In an era when people want a sense of
personal contact with the performing artist, it is
not surprising that opera has become increasingly
popular."
Last May, the NCLO staged its first production,
Puccini's "Sister Angelica," an opera about a nun who
has had an illegitimate child prior to entering the
convent. John recalled that the performances were very
moving. "My wife, who was taking photographs during
the rehearsal, cried at the end of the rehearsal and at
the end of each of the two performances," he reports.
Between 500 and 600 persons attended the two perform-
ances. The local newspapers gave very favorable re-
views and hailed the arrival of the new opera company.
Although the NCLO has not yet undertaken a second
production, a proposal for a mamnouth project is cur-
rently under consideration for funding—the establish-
ment of an annual summer festival of opera by 1978.
The festival would combine performances of several
operas accompanied by orchestra with an apprentice-
artist program. The program would afford young artists
an opportunity to study and perform in a highly pro-
fessional environment with performers and stage direc-
tors from leading opera houses throughout the United
States. The festival would employ the members of the
North Carolina Symphony who are otherwise unemployed
during the summer months.
The proposal has received enthusiastic endorsements
from Governor Hunt; Sara Hodgkins, Secretary for Cul-
tural Resources; John Gosling, Artistic Director and
Conductor of the North Carolina Symphony and others.
NCLO has received a small grant from the North
Carolina Arts Council to help defray costs while it
seeks funding for the proposal.
John Silvasi and his wife have drafted portions of
the proposal for the festival, which would have a first-
year budget of $500,000. "I have found that my writing
experience in EPA has been of tremendous help in draft-
ing material for the NCLO," John said. John's main
responsibilities at EPA include drafting of regulations
and guidelines concerning the state implementation plans
required under the Clean Air Act. John has been with
EPA since 1971, having spent his first year with EPA's
regional office in Philadelphia before relocating to
North Carolina.
Merit Promotion Announcements
In order to provide up-to-date information about
Merit Promotion Announcements, a special telephone
number has been set aside where employees can call for
information about the announcements that are open.
This service has been publicized by articles in the
Cleaner Times, news releases to the local newspapers,
publicized by an announcement EPA-Nationwide, and posted
on bulletin boards. Despite these efforts, we are in-
formed that not everyone is aware of the service. The
number to call for information is extension 1339. The
FTS number is 629-1339.
Although the service is intended to be supplementary
to official bulletin board postings, it has complete
and current listings. It's an easy way to be aware of
promotional opportunities.
THE FOLLOWING AWARDS WERE APPROVED DURING APRIL 1977:
QUALITY SALARY INCREASES:
William W. Rice - IERL
D. Bruce Henschel - IERL
Leslie E. Sparks - IERL
CONTINUED SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE:
Priscilla Smith - OAQPS/OAWM
Lillian A. Flanagan - HERL
Sara 0. Pierce - IERL
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PROFII
Conferences
Linda
Chaput
The old adage "You can't tell
a book by its cover" is cer-
tainly true about Linda Chaput.
Outwardly she is a very quiet,
reserved person but can become very intense when she
thinks injustices are being performed. She will put
as much effort into a program for Girl Scouts as
writing a detailed technical report for her supervisor.
Linda graduated from the University of Florida with
a B.S. in business education. Her first job was a
library technician at NIEHS. From there she transferred
to EPA as secretary to the Director, Office of Manpower
Development, then became an education specialist in the
Air Pollution Training Institute and presently is an
environmental protection specialist in the Standards
Development Branch (SDB), ESED/OAQPS.
Recently, Linda had an article published in the
Journal of the Air Pollution Control Association on
"Federal Standards of Performance for New Stationary
Sources of Air Pollution: A Summary of Regulations."
In SDB, she is currently working on a very interesting
project concerning asbestos insulation and fireproofing
which was used widely in the past on ceilings in schools
and other buildings. There is a problem now as a result
of deterioration of the sprayed-on material. Asbestos
fibers, which are carcinogenic, are released into the
air in buildings, creating a potential health hazard.
SDB is investigating the problem and possible solutions.
Linda resides in Chapel Hill with her husband and
two daughters, and is expecting another child sometime
in October. She is a member of the Air Pollution Con-
trol Association and the OAQPS/Federal Women's Program
Task Force. She was an alternate member of the FWP
Advisory Committee. She has held the offices of Vice-
President, Program Chairman, Legislative Chairman, and
Representative to "North Carolinians United for ERA" in
the Tar Heel Chapter of Federally Employed Women. In
her spare time, Linda enjoys reading, crocheting, and
knitting. She also serves on the Troop Committee of her
daughter's girl scout troop.
Linda is a very positive person and in her own quiet
way, she gets her point across and accomplishes her
objectives.
The National Conference and Exhibition on Technology
for Energy Conservation will be held June 8-10, at the
Sheraton Park Hotel, Washington, D. C. Papers will be
presented from people and organizations who have had
successes In conserving energy and can show significant
energy...and dollar savings. Reliable estimates indi-
cate that the country's energy needs could be reduced
by 20 to 40% In residences and by at least 1/3 in in-
dustry. The presentations show how...NOW! Not in 1985
or 1990 but 1977. The Federal agencies will present
their programs in energy conservation. They will dis-
cuss the internal measures as well as the millions of
dollars in contracts and grants to develop and demon-
strate techniques and systems to reduce energy consump-
tion. Attendees will include local, state and Federal
officials, manufacturers, architects, builders and
retrofitting companies. For further information, con-
tact the Public Affairs office, extension 2951.
JUUUUUUUULJJUUUL
An Urbanization and Pollution Seminar will be held
May 29-31, at St. Jovite, Quebec, Canada, sponsored by
the Quebec Section of the Air Pollution Control Associ-
ation. Contact: Mr. Michael Farvacque, Canada Ciment
Lafarge, 606 Cathcart Street, Montreal, Quebec, H3B 1K9,
Canada.
IJLSLJLIJULSJLJJUULS.
The Manpower Technical Information Branch, OAQPS, is
sponsoring two Fabric Filter Workshops, June 14-15 in
Atlanta and June 28-29 in Philadelphia. For further
information, contact the Registrar, Air Pollution
Training Institute, MD-20, Research Triangle Park,
North Carolina 27711.
JUJUUUUUUULJJUUJl
EPA is seeking papers on the status, uses, problems,
and needed improvements relating to emission factors
and emission inventories for presentation at an Emission
Inventory/Factor Workshop in Raleigh, North Carolina,
September 13-15. Topics to be discussed include emis-
sion inventory procedures; emission factor development
methodologies and applications; emission sources and
factors; temporal and spatial relationships required
for oxidant-related inventories and analyses or assess-
ments related to the role of emission inventory activi-
ties in meeting ambient air quality standards for oxi-
dants. Those wishing to prepare a paper should submit
an abstract by June 1 to Emission Inventory/Factor
Workshop, Air Pollution Training Institute, MD-20,
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711. Authors
will be notified by June 15 of acceptance.
(Continued on page 7)
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,€P
COUGH, COUGH: Federal Employees for Nonsmokers Rights
are planning a class action lawsuit to force Uncle Sam
to ban smoking in public areas of government buildings
and enforce it where already banned. This article
appeared recently in Mike Causey's column in the
Washington Post.
Since the matter of smoking or not smoking in various
areas is such a controversial one, the editors of the
"Cleaner Times" decided to query some of our EPA employ-
ees. Seventy-five names were picked at random from the
EPA telephone directory. We received 35 replies to the
following questions:
a. As a nonsmoker, how do you feel about people
smoking in your presence?
b. As a smoker, how do you feel about being restrict-
ed from smoking in certain areas, such as planes, ele-
vators, cafeterias, etc.?
Here are some answers we received which we thought
might interest our readers:
1. "I am against smoking. I consider it a filthy
habit that other people should not have to put up with
that do not smoke. Breathing someone else's smoke to
me is just as bad as smoking myself." anonymous
2. "As a former smoker, I respect the rights of
others to smoke if they so desire. However, I think
smokers should first ask if the smoke would bother those
present before lighting up. I do not feel smoking
should be allowed in certain areas such as planes,
hospitals, elevators, and cafeterias." Naomi Teasley, OA
3. "It is common knowledge that nonsmokers very often
smoke when in the immediate vicinity of those who are
smoking. It is my opinion that, as a matter of cour-
tesy, the nonsmoker should be given the option on the
health of his/her lungs, and when asked 'Do you mind
if I smoke?1 should reply, 'Do you mind if I don't?1
After all, the air belongs to everyone, and it hasn't
been proven that clean air is bad for the respiratory
system, or that cigarette smoke is good."
Barbara Quesnell, ESRL
4. "As a smoker, I can understand restricting smoking
in certain areas. What disturbs me is the attitude cer-
tain people take in asking (telling) you not to smoke.
If I'm around this type of person and not in a restrict-
ed area, I will light up just to Irritate the individ-
ual." Marian Watson, ESRL
5. "I do not consider smoking obscene and do not ob-
ject to anyone smoking in any place that does not have
a fire or an explosive danger. If in fact smoking is a
distinct danger to the health and well being of the
smoker and the nonsmoker, why doesn't the government
ban the sale of tobacco as it has DDT, Pot, etc. Over-
regulation is the first step to slavery!"
Frank Wilinski, HERL
6. "Smokers, while smoking, should be required to
run, under their own power, at a speed sufficient that
they meet the emission standards for automobiles."
Henry Fisher, HERL
7. "I respect anyone's right to suicide, I just wish
they didn't have to take me along for the ride."
John Bachman, OAQPS
8. "I smoke cheap (stinky) cigars and/or a pipe
twice a day at work and never at home. Does this make
me a smoker? Assuming so, I think smoking should be
banned from areas with high population densities and
poor-to-normal ventilation rates. This generally in-
cludes conference rooms, elevators, auditoriums, and
the like. Cafeterias are often not in this category,
but inhaling smoke, particularly cigar smoke, while
eating is unpleasant; smoking in cafeterias should
therefore be restricted or segregated."
Tom McCurdy, OAQPS
9. "In restricted places, such as elevators; small,
crowded, or poorly ventilated public rooms, I believe
it is fair to prohibit smoking. In larger areas, par-
ticularly areas which people occupy for extended periods
of time, I believe it is fair to reserve special areas
where smoking is prohibited for use by anyone who wants
to use the special areas (this is, by the way, a fairly
common practice). I do not believe it is fair (or wise)
to attempt to prohibit 'smokers' from smoking without
strong rationale. Most 'smokers' suffer discomfort if
prohibited from smoking. Some (many?) nonsmokers suffer
discomfort if exposed to smoke. In deciding which areas
to classify as 'no smoking,1 we must balance the rights
(and degree of discomfort) of both groups." anonymous
The overall score was:
For Against Neutral
3 18 14
CONFERENCES (cont'd from page 6)
The 23rd I.E.E.E. Pulp and Paper Industry Technical
Conference will be held June 14-17, at the Hyatt Regency
Hotel in San Francisco, California.
The University of Michigan, Col'lege of Engineering,
Ann Arbor, will be holding two summer conferences:
"Physiological Systems for Engineers," July 11-15, and
"Human Factors Engineering," August 1-12.
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Centrex is Coming
By now all of you may have heard about our new elec-
tronic, computerized telephone system soon to be in-
stalled for all EPA and other government employees in
the Research Triangle Park.
On June 9, EPA will convert from its present tele-
phone system to centrex service. The familiar clicks
of telephone switching equipment routing calls to their
destinations will be a thing of the past.
With the flick of one switch from General Telephone
Company's Parkwood offices, we will have the quietest,
fastest and most error-free mode of telephone communi-
cation available in the world today.
Called a #2 EAX (Electronic Automatic Exchange), the
$2 million switch is the first of its kind in the world
installed to provide centrex service.
Currently, businesses wanting direct call service
without going through their switchboard need switching
equipment located on their premises. The #2 EAX will
eliminate that need by providing centralized electronic
switching equipment which can be used by several cus-
tomers within General Telephone's Parkwood central of-
fice.
The major advantage of this new phone system to EPA
employees is that calls will come directly to an indi-
vidual's extension from outside sources. So watch it—
your voice will be showing! And, even more important,
what you say and how you say it will reflect on the
entire Agency and All employees. Other features of the
system include: three way calling, outward dialing,
and individual station billing. In order to acquaint
users with the new system, a series of courses have
been arranged at each major installation.
Most changes in service, which previously required
substantial rewiring and adding of equipment, can be
made by reprogramming the master control computer of
the 82 EAX. This might sound like something from the
space age, but this system can incorporate services like
centralized dictation, automatic answering and record-
ing, computer input, paging and public address—in as
little time as it takes to reprogram.
Consumer Protection "Hot Line" 800-638-2666
Worried about tris* in your child's sleepwear? Or
perhaps you're wondering about the safety of a particu-
lar toy or bike or even your lawn mower. The Consumer
Product Safety Commission has a toll free line to answer
these and other questions—and they'll also take com-
plaints along with any accolades you care to give them.
*Tris is used in clothing as a fire-retardant and may
be cancer-causing.
Approximately 10 days prior to the conversion,
General Services Division will issue a new telephone
directory containing new extension numbers, jt is
imperative that all employees notify the telephone
operators of any changes in location or telephone ex-
tension in order for the new telephone book to be accu-
rate.
It is "out with the old and in with the new" and our
telephone operators are very happy. Their present
facilities, which appear to be no larger than a walk-in
closet, are being expanded and individual consoles will
be utilized.
/
Research Triangle Institute, the first to switch
over to the new system on April 16, indicated that the
change was made without a single hitch.
U.S. SAVINGS BONDS are
INDESTRUCTIBLE
THIS BONDS MAT INK WORTHLESS.
BUI IHEI RE US GOOD AS GOLD'
THE TREASURY REPLACES IDEM FREE
IF VODR SIVINCS BONDS HIVE BEEN
LOSI. STOLEN 01 MUTILATED. SEE
VOOR LOCIl BANK-OB WtllE 10
0 S TREASURY DEPARTMENT
BUREAU OF IHE PDBLIC DEBT
536 S CLARK STREET
CHICAGO IlllNOIS
60605
U.S. SAVINGS BONDS . . .
NO SAFER INVEST/HINT!
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