go,
JC
 Vol.6, No. 10
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
October 1977
Open  Space  -
the  Lungs of  a  City

        Scanning electron micrograph of ragweed
        pollen and collapsed fungus spore and
        fungal mycelium on the surface of a  15-
        week-old London Planetree  leaf. Roughly
        15 million persons in the  U.S. are
        effected by hay fever or asthma, largely
        caused by pollen and fungal spores,  and
        spend more than $70 million annually on
        prescription medications.
   A recent  study contracted by  the Land Use  Planning
Office of the Strategies and Air Standards  Division of
OAQPS was entitled, "Open Space  as an Air Resource
Management Measure." Tom McCurdy was the project
officer.   The purpose of the study was to assess the
effectiveness of open space in filtering various air-
  4
borne pollutants.  The  findings  suggest that  in a
proper management and landscape  design plan,  green
belts, highway right-of-ways and urban parks  can effec-
tively reduce the spread of air  pollution from both
stationary and mobile sources.  In some instances,
reductions can be more  cost-effective than  traditional
control methods. (Continued on page 2)
               EMSL/RTP
               Gets  New  Director
                                                      Dr.  Thomas R.  Mauser
                  Dr.  Thomas R.  Hauser is the new Director of the
               Environmental and Support Laboratory (EMSL) in Research
               Triangle  Park. Dr.  Hauser's appointment was recently
               announced by Albert Trakowski, Deputy Assistant Admin-
               istrator  for Monitoring and Technical Support, Office
               of Research and Development, EPA, Washington, D.C.
               Hauser  succeeds Dr. S. David Shearer who has moved to
               EPA Headquarters.
                  A long time career official, Dr. Hauser has held the
               position  of Deputy Director of EMSL/RTP since October
               1971.   For the past 22 years Dr. Hauser has been em-
               ployed  in various chemical research and supervisory
               capacities in the federal air pollution control program.
                  Dr.  Hauser, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, received
               his bachelors and masters degrees in chemistry from
               Xavier  University and his doctorate from the University
               of Cincinnati.  A former instructor of chemistry at
               Xavier, he currently holds an adjunct professorship
               at North  Carolina State University.
                  Dr.  Hauser resides in Raleigh with his wife, Jean,
               and their four children.

-------
Scanning electron micrograph of
an aggregate particle completely
blocking a stomate on surface of a
3-week-old London Planetree leaf.
Scanning electron micrograph of a leaf
hair on the surface of a 17-week-old
London Planetree leaf. The leaf hair
has accumulated numerous particles.
Scanning electron micrograph  of
aggregate particles  probably  of
soil origin, on the  surface of a
7-week-old London Planetree leaf.
OPEN SPACE...(cont'd from paqe 1)
   This study was reported in Conservation News
(Vol. 42, No. 16), published by the National Wildlife
Federation.  Excerpts from the article are printed
below.
   "According to the researchers involved in the study,
open spaces, with their associated vegetation and soil
mixes, act as natural 'sinks' for air pollutants through
several mechanisms.  Through such processes as absorp-
tion, adsorption, impingement and deposition, open
spaces can entrap pollutants generated by urban land
uses.  For example, leaf hairs (trichomes) on decidous
trees act as a natural catch for particulates.  Soil
microorganisms metabolize carbon monoxide gases, pro-
viding an ideal sink for one of the most insidious
automobile emissions.  Similarly, sulfur dioxide (S02,
a by-product of the combustion of fossil fuels) passes
into plants through leaf stomata, where it is then con-
verted into organic sulfur and assimilated by the plant.
One researcher, in a study of the atmospheric concentra-
tion of sulfur dioxide in mid-Manhattan, found a signif-
icant drop in the S02 level created by the presence of
Central Park.  And, depending upon such environmental
conditions as temperature, humidity, wind velocity,
light intensity and soil conditions, a variety of other
'sinks' exist.  In short, the study concludes that,
'Open Space,  in its natural state or manipulated state,
can have a varied and far reaching effect on  regional
air quality... The use and design of open space areas
on a micro-scale can mitigate pollution transport
characteristics.'  The report further  notes  that  'The
knowledge obtained from  the  investigation of  open space
as an air quality maintenance strategy should be used
                     to re-evaluate the concept of the atmosphere as  a  sink.
                     Historically, our view has been to dilute the pollutants
                     with the atmosphere.  However, vegetation and open
                     space can be utilized as a sink or filtering device1."
                        "Pollutant removal is maximized when a forest buffer
                     is moderately permeable; one which is well  stratified
                     by the presence of ground cover, an understory,  and an
                     upper tree level.  However, a forest buffer that con-
                     tains a dense 'wall' or overlapping of layers can
                     actually hinder the passage of wind through the  forest,
                     thereby reducing the exposure of air pollutants  to the
                     vegetation.  Similarly, the report notes, that in  at
                     least one study it was concluded that the initial  65
                     to 85 feet of the forest edge can reduce the concentra-
                     tion of particulates by as much as 50 percent.  Such
                     removal, the report determines, can be enhanced  by
                     increasing the diversity of the plant species located
                     within the first 65 to 85 feet of a greenbelt.  Using
                     such design criteria as briefly highlighted above, the
                     study then devised various hypothetical models in which
                     open space management practices were introduced. Speci-
                     fically, the study used St. Louis, MO, as a test city."
                        "Open space is not, however, a single panacea to
                     air pollution.  As the report notes, such plans  are not
                     feasible for the removal of all pollutants.  Based
                     on the demonstration study and comparative cost  analy-
                     sis conducted in St. Louis, researchers concluded that
                     while space plantings were feasible for removing sulfur
                     dioxide (actually 3-^ times less expensive than  scrub-
                     bers for the same degree of effectiveness), it was
                     economically infeasible to rely on such practices for
                     the removal of particulates like lead.  Rather,  their
                     (Continued on page 6)

-------
Sawicki,  O'Keefe  Receive  Bronze  Medal
                  Dr.  Eugene Sawicki

   Dr.  Eugene Sawicki, Chief, Sampling and Analysis
Methods Branch, and Andrew E. O'Keefe, Technical  Advi-
sor, ESRL/RTP, recently received  the Bronze Medal  for
Commendable  Service, the Agency's  third highest honor
award.   The  awards v.-ere presented  to Dr. Sawicki  and
Mr. O'Keefe  by Dr. Thomas Murphy,  Deputy Assistant Ad-
ministrator, Air, Land and Water  Use, EPA, Washington.
   Dr.  Sawicki 's citation read,  "In  recognition of his
outstanding  service to environmental protection.   His
foresight and dedication have significantly contributed
                   Andrew  E. O'Keefe

to the scientific knowledge necessary to combat the
concern posed by carcinogenic chemical pollutants  in
the environment."
   Mr. O'Keefe was recognized for his distinguished
service in  the Federal Air  Pollution Control Program
where he has been an innovative  technical leader respon-
sible in large measure for  expansion and improvement  of
the Agency's ability to characterize and measure air
pollutants.
Share  and be Recognized
for  your  Creativity
   The Recreation Association of the U.S. EPA announces
an amateur ?.rt, photography and  poetry contest.   The
theme:  "Nature."
   All EPA employees are eligible to enter one entry
per category;  employees who are  association members may
submit an additional entry in each category.
   Each entry  must be validated  as personal creation
during 1977.   Entries will be accepted until
November 18, at the  ERA Office,  Room 3132, Waterside
Mall, Washington, D. C. 20460.   Winning entries and
awards will  be announced before  Christmas.
   The categories for entries and prizes are as follows:
   Photography:  Category 1.  Black and White; Category
2.  Color.  Entries  should be 8  by 10 prints.  Negatives
or slides may  be requested from  winning employees.
   Art:  Category 1.  Oil; Category 2.  Water color,
pastels, charcoal or acrylic.
   Poetry:  Entries  are limited  to 250 words and must
be typed on one side of 8-1/2 by 11-inch paper.
   For additional information, contact the Public
Affairs Office, Ext. 2956, MD-31.
Houston  Blair Joins  PMD

   The Cleaner Times spotlights an addition to the staff
of the Personnel Management Division, Mr. Houston V.
Blair.  Mr.  Blair was recently selected  through nation-
wide merit  promotion competition  for the position of
Labor Relations Specialist.
   Mr. Gerald H. Groon, Personnel Director, observed
that few people in government can match  the wealth of
valuable experience accumulated by Mr. Blair in the
Federal  sector labor relations field.    He noted that
Mr. Blair has served in several labor relations capa-
cities since the program was officially  recognized in
(Continued  on page 8)
 The CLEANER TIMES is published monthly by Public Affairs,
 Office of Administration, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
 Research Triangle Park, N. C. 27711
 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.

-------
New  Federal  Pay Scale

GS-l
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18

$6
7
7
8
9
11
12
13
15
16
18
21
26
30
36
42
49
58
1
,219
.035
.930
.902
.959
.101
,336
.662
.090
,618
,258
.883
.022
.750
.171
.423
.696*
,245*
*The rate
Executive
2
$6.426
7,270
8.194
9,199
10.291
11.471
12.747
14,117
15.593
17,172
18.867
22.612
26.889
31,775
37,377
43,837
51,353*

3
$6.633
7.505
8.458
9.496
10.623
11.841
13.158
14,572
16.096
17.726
19.476
23.341
27.756
32.800
38,583
45,251
53,010*

4
$6 .840
7.740
8.722
9,793
10.955
12,211
13.569
15.027
16.599
18,280
20.085
24.070
28.623
33.825
39,789
46,665
54,667*

for employees at these levels
Schedule, $47.500.
5
$7,047
7,975
8.986
10,090
11,287
12.581
13.980
15,482
17,102
18,834
20.694
24,799
29.490
34.850
40.955
48,079*
56,324*

would be
vi^rw^r'irtrtr
6
$7,254
8.210
9.250
10,387
11.619
12.951
14.391
15.937
17.605
19.388
21 .303
25.528
30,357
35.875
42.201
49,493*


limited to
^^»^»^f»"Tr^nr^^rti
7
$7.461
8,445
9,514
10,684
11.951
13,321
14,802
16.392
18.108
19.942
21.912
26.257
31 .224
36,900
43,407
50,907*


the rate
nrtrTf^rwM'^f*
8
$7.668
8.680
9,778
10.981
12,283
13,691
15.213
16,847
18.611
20.496
22.521
26.986
32.091
37,925
44,613
52.321*


for level
m^rTfinrfint
9
$7,875
8.915
10.042
11.278
12.615
14.061
15.624
17,302
19,114
21 .050
23,130
27,715
32 ,958
38.950
45,819
53,735*


V of the
Torw^or'irw^
10
$8,082
9,150
10,306
11,575
12,947
14,431
16,035
17,757
19,617
21 .604
23.739
28.444
33,825
39,975
47,025



rwvwvwsofv
EPA/RTP Learning Center  Calendar
FY-78 Training Courses
    Introduction to ADP
    November  9-11, 1977;  $175

    Decision  Making
    December  7-8, 1977;  $150

    Creative  Problem Solving
    January 11-12, 1977;   $150

    Breaking  Barriers
    January 11-13, 1977;   $200

    Listening and Memory  Development
    January 24-25, 1978;   $200

    Listening and Memory  Development
    January 26-27, 1978;   5200

    Time Management
    February  2-3, 1978;  $295

    Basic Management Functions
    February  6-10, 1978;   $200

    Decision  Making for Secretaries
    February  21-23, 1978;  $200

    Introduction to Mini  Computers
    March 1-2,  1978;  $225

    Middle Management Institute
    March 13-17, 1978;  $225

    Accelerated Reading
    April 10-14, 1978;  $200
Pre-Retirement
April  4-6, 1978;  $25

Technical Communication
April  4-6, 1978;  $185

Supervision and Group Performance
May 8-12, 1978;  $215

Effective Letter Writing
May 16-18, 1978;  $150

Additional courses will be added and announced as the
training year progresses.
    The following awards were approved during the
    month of August  1977:


             QUALITY SALARY INCREASE

             Jean Ewing - OA/PMD
             Tena L. Pipkin - OA/WPC
             Michael A.  Trutna - OAQPS/CPDD
             Patricia N. Wanzenried - OA/WPC.

           September 1977:

             QUALITY SALARY INCREASE

             Robert M. Schell - OAQPS
             Richard L.  Ogan - IERL
             Janice C. Phillips - EMSL
             Richard B.  Perry - IERL
             Wade H. Ponder - IERL

-------
 Personnel Corner

Performance  Evaluation
Guidelines
   The U.S.  Civil Service Commission recently issued
revised performance evaluation instructions designed
to Improve communications between supervisors and  their
employees.   In  addition to a completely refurbished
Federal Personnel Manual, Chapter 430, "Performance
Evaluation and  Rating," the new material  includes  an
Appendix A,  a  "Guide for Improved Performance Evalua-
tion."  While  use of this section is discretionary, the
"extensive guidance" provided can help supervisors and
employees "achieve the mutually valuable goals of  per-
formance evaluation."  These documents stress that
performance evaluation is not "an end in itself."
Rather, it serves as a "tool," which, when properly
applied, produces "needed information about employee
performance."

   Effective performance evaluations can:

   -Stimulate  employees to Improved work performances
and commitment  to organizational goals.

   -Help supervisors to assign work more efficiently and
make better employee-job matches.

   -Keep employees advised of what is expected and how
well they are  meeting those expectations,

   -Meet employees' needs for growth and development and
provide assistance in setting career goals.
   -Make management aware of employees' potential  for
development for higher level positions.

   The Commission recognizes that few employees and
supervisors enjoy discussing problems and shortcomings,
but such sessions are essential to improving job per-
formance.  "It  is also important to see that employees
receive appropriate recognition for very high-quality
performance,"  according to the Commission report.

   In order to  reduce "bias and unfairness" and increase
the "objectivity" of evaluations, performance-appraisers
should avoid:

   -Rating everyone as average, which is unfair both to
those who excel and to those who need help,

   -Summing up the "whole employee" in a few all-purpose
words,

   -Assigning  "halo effect" ratings, in which one  strong
factor or one  vivid event overshadows or obscures  the
rest of the evaluation,

   -Ignoring the coaching and counseling side of the
evaluation,

   -Confusing  performance with personality when the
latter has no  direct relationship to job requirements.

   Among the benefits emerging from effective per-
formance evaluation procedures, CSC concludes, are:

   -A strengthening and improving of communication
lines between  supervisors and their subordinates,

   -Clarification of job requirements and performance
expectations,

   -Better coordination of workplace tasks and programs,
   -A heightened commitment to meeting workplace goals.
Ike Catling Appointed

EPA/RTP  EEO Officer

   Isiah (Ike) 0. Gat ling was recently  selected to
serve as Equal Employment Opportunity Officer for EPA's
Research Triangle Park operation.   In announcing the
appointment, Edward Jenkins, Acting  Director, EPA
Office of Civil Rights, praised Catling's outstanding
experience and exposure in the area  of  Equal Employment
Opportunity in the Federal Government.
   Prior to joining EPA, Mr. Catling served eight years
with the U.S.  Coast Guard as Civil  Rights Officer,
Federal Women's Program Coordinator and Military Equal
Opportunity Advisor.  Earlier in his career, he held a
similar position with the U.S. Army  Headquarters Train-
ing and Doctrine Command in Fort Monroe, Virginia,
where he was also in charge of the program for Spanish-
speaking minority employees.
   Mr. Gatling received his BS degree in health educa-
tion from North Carolina Central University and an MA
in education and psychological counseling from Hampton
Institute.   He has also done work toward a doctorate
in the field of human relations at George Washington
University, Golden Gate University,  College of William
and Mary, and the University of Rhode Island.
   In accepting the appointment, Mr. Gatling said that
he intends to have equal employment  opportunity in EPA
become an integral part of the overall  Agency mission.
EPA Scholarships  Awarded

   In a brief ceremony recently, George Robert Gill is,
Jr., and his sister, Janie Elizabeth Gill is, were
awarded EPA scholarships by E. L. Plyler,  IERL/RTP.
   George, a junior at High Point College,  is majoring
in human relations.  Janie attends Methodist College
and is majoring in  religion.  She plans to  go into
the ministry.
   George Gillis, Sr., father of the two students, is
a mechanical engineering technician in the  Combustion
Research Branch of  IERL.
  The staff of the  Cleaner Times, along jmith  friends
  and co-workers, extend their heartfelt  sympathy to
  the family of the late Karl R. Kurfis.   Karl, 43,
  died of a heart attack September 24 at  his  home in
  Longmont, Colorado.  He had recently transferred
  from the Meteorology and Assessment Division of
  ESRL to ERDA. Survivors are his wife Sylvia and
  two sons, Robert  and Kenneth.  Karl was buried
  near Warren, Ohio.

-------
Thanks to you,
CFCis
Working!
   Last year, because of the generosity of EPA and other
Federal employees,  the Combined Federal Campaign was
successful in raising funds for many humanitarian needs
in our area.  As Federal employees, we have an oppor-
tunity once again to share our abundance with people in
need through the Combined Federal Campaign.  This cam-
paign, the only major fund-raising drive conducted in
the Research Triangle area, provides funds for three
service agencies: The United Fund, the National Health
Agencies and The International Service Agency.
   When you make a  contribution, your have the option of
designating the charitable organization that you want to
receive your gift,  and you may have your contribution
directed to the community in which you reside. Payroll
deductions may be made for as little as 50 cents per pay
period.
OPEN SPACE... (cont'd  from page 2)

studies demonstrated  that the use of mechanical devices,
at the source, provided a far more cost effective con-
trol technology for particulate  removal.  More impor-
tantly, the  report strongly cautioned that the dearth
of quantitative information on the subject severely
limited the  reliability of the sink and emission fac-
tors derived in the study.  Questions regarding the
impact of the accumulation of pollutants  (including
such toxic substances as lead and flourine in soils and
vegetation)  on soil fertility, groundwater quality and
food chains, were left unanswered.  And the study noted
that the use of open  space without a close evaluation
of the entire community infrastructure could have an
actual negative impact on air quality.  If, for example,
the isolation of  large tracts of open space resulted
in an increase in vehicular travel, total levels of
emissions from mobile sources could increase."
   "Perhaps  the most  encouraging aspect of the open
space management plan is the multiple benefits it
directly and indirectly generates.  By maintaining
stretches of open space, prime urban recreation and
refuge areas are created, noise  levels are muffled, and
visual blight often associated with high  density develop-
ment is soothed by the presence  of green  vegetation."
toRsax.    Ipuisiana
               ^Territory.
            Good farmland,
          rivers, etc. Ripe for
             development.
            4*PERACRE
          contact: N.Bonaparte
                  PARIS, FRANCE
              Napoleon must hive
           needed the money. Bad.
              Because a mere $15
           million bought us
           Louisiana. Arkansas.
           Missouri, Iowa. North
           and South Dakota.
           Nebraska. Kansas. Okla-
           homa. Montana, most of
           Minnesota and parts of
           Wyoming and Colorado.
              And Americans
           pitched in to buy it all.
           Through the purchase of
           a United States issue of
           6% certificates.
              So you see. taking
           stock in America paid
           off back then. As it can
           for you now.
              Just join the Payroll
           Savings Plan where you
           work. There's no easier.
           safer way to automatically
           build your savings.
              Or buy Bonds where
           you bank.
              U.S. Savings Bonds.
              They'll help you avoid
           any Waterloos.
           Now E Bond* pay 6%intcrcil when held to
           nutoniyot S yean H'/i9t the lint «ar)
           I oil itolca 01 destroyed Bondicaa be replaced
           if rccorduic piovidcd When needed Boodi
           can be tithed it yoar baak  Interest it aol
           tabiecl to »Ute or local income taici and
           Icderal tai nav be deferred oalil redemption
                       enca.
           20O years at the sane location.

-------
 Person-to-Person
   The Source Receptor Analysis Branch (MDAD/OAQPS) re-
cently welcomed two new employees,  Nancy  A.  Mayer and
Tom Braver-man.  Nancy is a graduate of the College of
Engineering, Cornell University, and Tom  is  a graduate
of the School of Civil Engineering  from Duke University.
This Branch also has a new I PA employee.   He is Dr.
Hank Cole from the University of Wisconsin at Parkside,
where he was assigned as Associate  Professor of Earth
Science.
   George Schewe and his wife Mary  are  the  proud parents
of a 7-lb, 3-oz baby boy named George Jeremiah, born
July 29 at 1:45 p.m.  George, Sr. is in MDAD/OAQPS.
   Dan deRoeck, CPDD/OAQPS,  and  Kathy, HERL/RTP, ushered
Allison Neill deRoeck into the world August  16 at Durham
County General.  Allison weighed in at 8-1bs, 8-ozs.
   George Schewe along with other members  of St.
Michael's in Cary recycled over 14,000  beer cans this
past summer.  The 550 pounds of aluminum from their
recent activity plus 200 pounds collected  earlier have
netted more than $125.00 for church  work in addition to
helping with an environmental problem.


   IERL/RTP hosted a picnic at the ERC  picnic area
September 29.  Employees and their families shared a
real southern meal with their guests the Soviet delega-
tion who were here to participate in the 2nd U.S./
U.S.S.R. Symposium on Particulate Control.  Everyone
had a good time.

   Martha Daniel, IERL/RTP, while on a  trip to Los
Angeles, had the pleasure of meeting and talking with
Liza Minnelli, a motion picture star.   Martha was very
excited about the meeting and so were her  co-workers
when she told them about it.
Conferences
   The Sixth National Congress  on  Waste Management
Technology and Resource and Energy Recovery will be
held November 13-16, at the Washington Hilton Hotel,
Washington, D. C.  There will be workshops on resource
recovery, sanitary landfill, hazardous waste management
and a critical assessment of the 1976 Resource Conser-
vation and Recovery Act's (RCRA) first year.
   The Association for the Advancement of Medical
Instrumentation has issued a  "Call for Papers and Films"
for the 13th Annual Meeting and  Exhibit Program, March
28-April 1, 1978, at the Washington Hilton, Washington,
D.C.
   The Association of Official  Analytical Chemists
(AOAC) will hold its 91st annual  meeting October 17-20,
at the Marriott Hotel, Twin Bridges, Washington, D.C.
Scientists and researchers from government, industry
and academia in North America  and Europe are expected
to attend.  Three symposia are scheduled to take place:
Drug Residues in Animal Tissues;  High Pressure Liquid
Chromatography; and Environmental  Pollutants.  The
AOAC will also sponsor a spring training conference
and exhibition May 1-3, 1978,  at the Marriott Hotel
in Atlanta, Georgia.  This conference 1s designed to
provide state-of-the-art presentations  in selected
analytical subject areas.
 Speaking  Engagements

    Bill Hunt, MDAD/OAQPS,  presented a talk on "Trends
 in Air Pollution" for the  Research Triangle Park
 Jaycees.  He was also interviewed by WUNC radio on "The
 Pollutant Standard Index."

    B. Harris, Sanitary Engineer,  IERL/RTP, participated
 in the US/USSR Symposium on  Particulate Control,
 September 25-October 2, at Research Triangle Park.   His
 subject was "Sizing Techniques  for Submicron Particles."

    L. Johnson, Analytical  Chemist, IERL/RTP, was a
 panelist at the ASTM Conference, October 3-6 in San
 Francisco.  The topic was  "Organic Environmental
 Analysis."

    Dr. Tom Wagner, Clinical  Studies Lab, HERL/RTP,  gave
 an overview of EPA in North  Carolina, at a meeting of
 the Chapel Hill Civitan Club, at the Country Squire
 Restaurant, October 4.

    Joe Bumgarner, EMSL/RTP,  gave a general talk on en-
 vironmental control to students at Guy B. Phillips Jr.
 High School, October 5.

    Carole Sawicki, ESRL/RTP, spoke to the Calvander
 Home Extension Club on "Effects of Pollution on Health"
 at the Homestead Community Center, October 12.

    John Robson, SASD/OAQPS,  addressed the West  Durham
 Exchange Club, at the Acorn  Restaurant on the subject
 of "Land Use and Pollution," October 26.

    J. Wasser, Research  Chemical Engineer, IERL/RTP,
 attended the National Oil  Jobbers' Council, November 1.
 He discussed "Environmental  Considerations for  Residen-
 tial Equipment.''  The meeting was in Houston, Texas.

   J.  Kilgroe,  IERL/RTP, attended the New York  Public
 Service Commission meeting in New York,  N.  Y.,
 November 1 to discuss "Testimony on Coal  Cleaning."

   S.  Rakes, Chemical Engineer,  IERL/RTP, will attend
the Royal  Dutch  Engineers Conference  on  Fluid Bed Com-
bustion  and Gasification, Utrecht,  the Netherlands,
November  22.  He will discuss "Fluid  Bed  Combustion and
Gasification."
   J. Dorsey, Chief,  Process Measurements Branch,
 IERL/RTP, will  be the General Chairman at the  Process
 Measurements Programs for Environmental Assessments
 Symposium, February 13-15, 1978, in Atlanta, Georgia.
                                                          EPA Hosts Meeting
   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will  host
a conference entitled  "Conference on Data Validation,"
November 4, 1977.   The conference is sponsored  by the
ERC/RTP Interlaboratory Quality Assurance Coordinating
Committee, and will  be held at the Research Center's
Auditorium, Research Triangle Park.

   The meeting will  open with Dr. John Burchard,  Senior
ORD Official welcoming the guests.

   The various sessions will include speakers from ERC
laboratories, OAQPS, EPA Contractors and other  Federal
agencies.

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 Facts Worth Printing
                By Betty G. Abramson

   Several benefits can be yours by volunteering to
 serve as a member of Merit Promotion Panel.  You gain
 valuable knowledge of what comprises an effective
 SF 171; you can learn first hand the processes that
 make the merit promotion system function and you can
 feel satisfied that you contributed your services to
 the Agency.  Brenda Riley and Diann Westmoreland
 (extension 3014) will welcome your inquiries about
 serving on a panel.
   The Second Annual Meeting of the RTP FWPC's was held
 at ERC on September 12, 1977.  There were sixteen parti-
 cipants representing six Federal agencies.  The follow-
 ing topics were discussed;  Sponsoring a Federally-
 Funded Day Care Center; Job Sharing; EEO Training for
 Supervisors, Counsellors, and FWPC's; Expansion of Night
 Courses; Job Information Network for Women and Lack
 of Advanced Job Opportunity for Government Employees at
 RTP.  Five Task Force Committees were set up to study
 these projects; Training, Job Restructuring, Communica-
 tions, FWP Women's Fair and a National Secretaries' Week
 Program.  Copies of the minutes are available to anyone,
 upon request, by calling Betty Abramson on extent ion
 5395.  The next meeting 1s scheduled to November 4, at
 NCHS.
   Various books and pamphlets of subject of particular
 interest to women have been ordered for circulation.
 As we receive them, the titles and locations of these
 publications will be announced in this column.
HOUSTON BLAIR... (continued from page 3)
government in January 1962, including service as  the
first president of AFGE Local 3347 and most recently as
the Local's Chief Steward.
   Commenting on  his new assignment, Mr.  Blair pointed
out that one of his primary responsibilities will  be to
work closely with EPA-RTP management and  AFGE Local
3347 in order to  foster the development and maintenance
of a constructive and cooperative labor-management re-
lationship.  He expressed the belief that this kind of
relationship will benefit both the well-being of  employ-
ees and the efficient administration of EPA by providing
employees appropriate opportunities to participate in
the formulation and implementation of personnel policies
and practices affecting conditions of their employment.
Journalism  Class  Focuses
Attention  on  Coal  Cleaning

   With the energy  crunch and increasing use of coal,
lERL/RTP's Fuel  Process Branch is leading an EPA re-
search effort to find  economically attractive cleaning
processes to remove sulfur, a major pollutant of con-
cern, from coal. Recently, Dr. David Kirchgessner,
geologist in the Branch, met with a group of students
for a mock press conference at UNC - Chapel  Hill's
School of Journalism.
   Dr. Kirchgessner explained to the class that physical
cleaning, which  has been used for many years to remove
rock and other substances from coal after it is mined,
is now being used to remove sulfur.  Kirchgessner also
covered the principle  entailed in chemical processing
of coal to separate sulfur   He emphasized to the
students that both  of  these cleaning processes produce
concentrated residues, which in themselves constitute
a disposal problem  - another environmental challenge
faced by our Agency. A question-and-answer period con-
cluded the session.
   The journalism students, armed with the information
gained in the interview, then set out to write their
stories.  The completed pieces were forwarded to Dr.
Kirchgessner; he reviewed the articles and noted the
errors and misunderstandings that had crept  into the
reporting.
   In the subsequent meeting with the students, Dr.
Kirchgessner held a  critique on the work that he had
reviewed.   "Without  exception, the articles  had errors.
The students were surprised at their inaccurate report-
ing, and the participants took on a new appreciation
for their roles  as  reporters," according to  Dr.
Kirchgessner.  He said that part of the exercise was to
show students the difficulties encountered in reporting
on technical material.  Kirchgessner feels that this
was an extremely worthwhile effort.  He said, "This
project was successful in elevating the students'
awareness of the voids in their knowledge and should
exhort them to delve deeper into subject matter, es-
pecially when they  are writing stories about scientific
research."

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