United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
EPA/600/9-85/017
June 1985
Research and Development
£EPA
Research
Committee
Report
1984
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FOREWORD
With the establishment of five media-specific research committees
in 1983, EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) has endeavored
to Improve the process through which the Agency plans and budgets its
research program. Because the overall goal of EPA's research program is
to provide the scientific and technical information necessary to support
the Agency's regulatory and enforcement responsibilities, representatives
of ORD's client program offices serve as co-chairs, with senior ORD
managers, on each of our five research committees (Air and Radiation;
Water; Toxics and Pesticides; Hazardous Wastes and Superfund; and
Multimedia-Energy). The membership of each committee broadly represents
the Agency's program office and regional interests. We strongly believe
that the EPA research committee system has strengthened our ability to
plan and manage the essential scientific and technical work of the Agency.
Marking the completion of the first full year of operation of the
consolidated research committee process, each committee prepared an annual
report for FY-1984. These reports: (1) summarize major research Issues
as identified by each committee; (2) highlight FY-1984 accomplishments
that respond to those Issues; and (3) identify related research to be
performed in FY-1985. The major purpose of this document is to acquaint
the reader with the interests of each committee, and to highlight specific
research outputs. We hope that you find the reports enlightening and
useful.
Donald J. Ehreth
Deputy Assistant Administrator
for Research and Development
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CONTENTS
AIR AND RADIATION .
WATER
HAZARDOUS WASTE/SUPERFUND
PESTICIDES AND TOXICS
MULTIMEDIA-ENERGY . .
... 1
... 7
• • . 17
• • . 32
• 44
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AIR AND RADIATION RESEARCH COMMITTEE
FY 1984 ANNUAL REPORT
INTRODUCTION :
The Air research program provides OAR with the scientific data bases,
methodologies, assessments, models, emission reduction technologies and
corresponding quality assurance support to develop and implement air
quality standards and ensure compliance with them. The research program
focuses on the six “criteria” air pollutants (ozone, carbon monoxide,
particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and lead), and on
potentially hazardous air pollutants which are defined as pollutants which
cause irreversible or reversible incapacitating illness and have not already
been regulated as criteria pollutants.
In an effort to develop a more cohesive, responsive, long—range research
program, the Assistant Administrators for Research and Development and Air
and Radiation Identified the priority research issues for the Air and
Radiation research programs. These issues cut across scientific disciplines
(e.g., monitoring, health, engineering, environmental processes), and the
pollutant—specific structure of the research programs. The following
discussion of ORD’s major accomplishments in FY 1984 are organized by these
issues. A more detailed list of the research projects delivered to the
Office of Air and Radiation in FY 1984 Is attached.
ISSUE: WHAT RISK ASSESSMENT DOCUMENTS ARE NEEDED AND WHEN TO SUPPORT
NAAQS & NESHAPs?
The Office of Health and Environmental Assessment completed the second
external review draft of the criteria document for lead and the first
external review draft of the criteria document for ozone and other photo—
chemical oxidants. The addendum to the 1979 criteria document for carbon
monoxide (CO) was also published in 1984. Final health assessment documents
were completed for acrylonitrile, carbon tetrachloride, coke oven emissions,
chromium, inorganic arsenic, manganese, mercury, toluene and methyl chloroform.
External review drafts were completed for an additional thirteen chemicals.
ISSUE: WHAT DOSE—RESPONSE INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO REDUCE THE UNCERTAINTIES
ASSOCIATED WITH THE ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTANTS TO
SUPPORT NAAQS AND NESHAPs?
Three articles were published in refereed journals on research responding
to critical data gaps In the dose—response data base for sulfur dioxide (SO 2 )
and ozone (03). One article described the pulmonary responses of exercising
asthmatics exposed to SO 2 in controlled laboratory conditions. The other
two articles discussed In—vitro and in vivo animal tests which were conducted
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to measure changes in immune function, metabolism and other biological
parameters following acute exposures to SO 2 and 03.
The early phases of studies assessing the effects of low level CO on
patients with angina were completed to support the review of the CO NAAQS.
Reports have been written and prepared for publication.
Studies designed to determine whether diesel emissions are carcinogenic,
and if they are, how potent they are, have been completed to support the
program office in regulating mobile source emissions. A report on the use
of tier bioassays in evaluating unregulated motor vehicle emissions was
completed.
Several in—vivo and in vitro studies identifying the metabolites and
routes of metabolism and activation of 1—nitropyrene were completed. This
chemical, which has been identified as a mutagen and carcinogen, is a
common combustion product. The results of these studies will be used for
developing strategies to control combustion product emissions.
Neurotoxicity studies of toluene were completed. Based upon the results
of these studies and other data already gathered on toluene, OAR decided not
to list toluene as a hazardous air pollutant. An article on the reproductive
effects of exposure to manganese on the male rat was prepared to support
listing decisions.
A report, The Biological Effects of Radiofreguency Radiation was published
to provide the scientific basis for the program office to develop radiation
protection guidance.
ISSUE: WHAT MODELS ARE NEEDED TO EXTRAPOLATE FROM ANIMAL TO HUMAN RISKS,
FROM HIGH TO LOW DOSES AND FROM ACuTE TO CHRONIC EFFECTS?
In 1984, ORD initiated a multi—phase program to develop quantitative
models to extrapolate from acute human studies and acute and chronic animal
studies to long—term human health effects of air pollutants. A report
describing the sensitivity of several animal species, including humans, to
03 inhalation was produced.
ISSUE: WHAT RESEARCH IS NEEDED TO DETERMINE THE CONTRIBUTION OF AIR
POLLUTION TO THE INCIDENCE OF CANCER IN THE UNITED STATES?
Plans for a long—term, interdisciplinary integrated air cancer project
were developed during 1984. The purpose of the project is to provide an
improved capability for performing cancer risk assessments on airborne
pollutants. The goals of the program are to identify the principal airborne
carcinogens, determine which emission sources are major contributions of
carcinogens to the ambient air and improve the estimate of comparative
human cancer risk from specific air pollution emission sources.
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ISSUE: WHAT INFORMATION IS NEEDED ON THE WELFARE EFFECTS OF POLLUTANTS
TO SUPPORT SECONDARY STANDARDS?
Based upon data gathered through the National Crop Loss Assessment
Network (NCLAN), an economic assessment on the effects of 03 on agriculture
was produced. Reports of the economic methodology used to assess 03 damage
were also produced in 1984.
A comprehensive multi—year research plan was developed in 1984 to assess
the problem of visibility degradation. In addition to developing this plan,
a number of studies on the optical properties of ambient air aerosols and
plume visibility were completed.
ISSUE: WHAT INFORMATION IS NEEDED ON THE ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
OF AIR POLLUTANTS TO DEVELOP AND IMPROVE AMBIENT AIR QUALITY MODELS
IN SUPPORT OF SIPs?
To improve urban scale ambient air quality models, a protocol for
developing a reactivity classification system for VOCs was prepared. This
protocol will enable us to determine the extent that specific VOCs contribute
to the formation of 03. This information is needed to determine whether
certain VOCs emission need to be controlled to achieve 03 standards.
Field and laboratory studies were conducted to determine the life times,
spatial and temporal distributions and transformation products of selected
hazardous air pollutants. The roles of wet and dry deposition in removing
such pollutants from the atmosphere were determined.
An improved second generation regional 03 model was completed. This
model will be used to predict the air quality impact of long—range 03
transport to urban areas located downwind. Analysis of the results of the
Cross Appalachian Tracer Experiment was completed. This was a multi—agency
effort to quantify long—range gas and particulate matter transport processes.
An assessment document was prepared for OAR on the status of complex
terrain dispersion models. These models enable the program office to better
predict the impact of sources on ambient air quality in areas with complex
terrain. Also, fluid modeling studies were completed for a variety of
complex terrain effects.
Several user’s guides were developed to assist regional, state and local
air pollution officials in applying specific air quality models. In 1984,
user’s guides were completed for the Pollution Episodic Model, a Single
Source Gaussian Puff Dispersion Model (INPUFF), a Photocheniical Box Model,
and Mesopuf f—Il.
ISSUE: WHAT MOBILE SOURCE EMISSION CHARACTERIZATIONS ARE NEEDED TO EVALUATE
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTROL STRATEGIES?
Research characterizing gaseous and particulate mobile source emissions
from heavy—duty diesel and gasoline—powered trucks and buses was completed.
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The data will be used by the program office to assess the impacts of mobile
source emissions on ambient air quality. Real—time measurement procedures
were refined to more accurately analyze methanol and formaldehyde emissions
from vehicles fueled by pure methanol and methanol—gasoline blends.
ISSUE: WHAT MONITORING SYSTEMS AND METHODS ARE NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE
DEVELOPMENT AND ASSESSMENT OF NAAQS, NESHAPS AND SIPs?
Research to develop methods for monitoring criteria pollutants focused
on PM—b in accordance with the proposed change in the particulate standard
from total suspended particulates to PM—lO. Standard operating procedures
for sampling ambient particulate matter were developed, and a detailed
PM—1O inlet comparison study was conducted.
A study of methods available for source sampling of hazardous air
pollutants was conducted to determine where losses and transformations occur.
Stationary source emission test methods were developed and validated.
Source emission Continuous monitors were evaluated under field conditions
and the data Compared to compliance methods. Data on the ultraviolet and
infrared spectra, the distribution of organics between the gaseous and
solid phases, and the speciation of compounds was produced to develop
methods for measuring hazardous air Pollutants in the ambient air.
ISSUE: WHAT QUALITY ASSURANCE SUPPORT IS NEEDED?
To ensure that Agency decisions are backed by technical data that are
of known accuracy and precision, ORD provided quality assurance (QA) support
in accordance with Agency policy and QA requirem g contained in regulatiOflS
QA support for the State and Local Ambient Air Monitoring Stations and
National Source and Ambient Monitoring Programs was provided. QA support
was also provided to OAR, the Regions, the ORD laboratories, and international
monitoring programs. The repository for reference samples was maintained,
and standard reference materials were prepared and distributed. Two standard
ultraviolet Spectrophotometers were obtained from the National Bureau of
Standards and deployed to the EPA Regions to measure 03 levels. Monitoring
activities associated with the National Atmospheric Background Network,
which was designed to provide data on 03 concentrations in remote areas of
the country, were completed and the sites re8tored.
The annual reports on the laboratory radjonucilde intercomparison
studies and the off—site surveillance program around the Nevada Test Site
were published.
ISSUE: WHAT MONITORING SYSTEMS AND METHODS ARE NEEDED TO DEFINE TOTAL
HUMAN EXPOSURE (AMBIENT AND INDOOR) TO AIR POLLUTANTS, AND CHARAC-
TERIZE THE SOURCES, AND WHAT EMISSION REDUCTION TECHNOLOGIES ARE
NEEDED TO REDUCE EXPOSURES?
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Human exposure data collected during the winter of 1982—83 as part of
the Denver and Washington, D.C., CO studies was analyzed. Statistical
analyses of the exposure and activity patterns In these cities were conducted
and papers prepared summarizing these data. As part of the indoor air
research program, an air quality research strategy was developed.
ISSUE: WHAT STATIONARY SOURCE EMISSION CHARACTERIZATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY
EVALUATIONS ARE NEEDED TO SUPPORT SIPs AND NSPS?
Research to control particles focused on improving the performance,
reliability and cost—effectiveness of electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) and
fabric filters in collecting small particles which have become increasingly
important in meeting particle standards. The technical limits of applying
large diameter electrodes in new or existing ESPs were determined. These
studies indicated that particulate emissions can be reduced by as much as a
factor of four in some retrofit applications. ESPs, which combine the
features of large diameter electrodes and two stage ESPs into one multi—stage
unit, will be especially economical for power plants using low sulfur coal.
A two dimension computer model was developed to assess the electrical nature
of ESP designs. ESP vendors hope to utilize this model to improve their
ESP designs, while the Agency will use the model as a diagnostic aid for
compliance and permitting activities. Preliminary research on a multi—stage
ESP designed to control both SO 2 and particulates (E—SO ) produced results
of 40—90 percent SO 2 removal while still meeting particulate standards.
The performance of fabric filtration continues to be improved with
the application of electrostatically enhanced fabric filtration (ESFF).
In 1984, a test of commercialsized fabric filter bags was conducted at a
pilot baghouse. This test demonstrated that ESFF is operable at one—half
the pressure drop (energy loss) of the conventional bags in service.
Additional research indicates that one—fourth the pressure drop expected
in a spray dryer/baghouse combination can be achieved with ESFF. The
application of this technology could reduce capital costs by 50% and result
in lower maintenance costs for baghouse filters which are extensively used
for cleaning gases.
Wind tunnel experiments were conducted and were used to develop a
mathematical model to determine the optimal windbreak porosity, size and
location of fugitive emissions. This model will be used to control fugitive
emissions from storage piles.
In conjunction with The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the
Fifth Symposium for the Transfer and Utilization of Particulate Control
Technology was conducted to extend particulate control technology to designers,
users and educators.
Research to control SO 2 emissions resulted in a full—scale field
evaluation of a lime spray dryer method. Short—term test results showed
that the NSPS for SO 2 and particulate matter can be met at costs lower than
when conventional wet scrubbing systems are used. A full—scale evaluation
of a flue gas desulfurizatiOfl (FGD) method was conducted using a dibasic
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acid to enhance the performance of limestone scrubbing FGD systems. The
results of this test indicated that compliance SO 2 removal could be obtained
consistently with reduced operational and maintenance problems at an estimated
annual cost savings of $600,000 per year.
The Ninth FGD Technology Symposium was conducted in conjunction with
the EPRI to provide the utility industry, vendors and regulatory officials
with up—to--date guidance on technologies for SO 2 control and acid deposition
mitigation options.
Research to control NO emissions focused on low NO burners, in—furnace
NOx reduction, air staging/recirculation and catalytic reduction. In 1984,
a low NO burner was successfully evaluated on an oil field steamer with
75% reduction of NO emissions. Also, two demonstrations utilizing second
generation (recirculation) low NO burners were successfully completed.
One demonstration was on a 400MW tangentially—fired utility boiler, and the
other was on a 200MW wall—fired, industrial size utility boiler. In both
cases NO emissions of 0.4 lbs/l0 6 btu were achieved. These successful
demonstrations allowed OAR to use this technology in the development of a
NSPS for cement kilns during 1984.
Pilot— and commercial—scale destruction efficiency tests of VOCs were
conducted using industrial flares. The results of the VOC flare tests were
used by OAR to revise a number of industry specific NSPS. The results were
also instrumental in achieving a settlement with the Chemical Manufacturers
of America in their petition on industrial flare performance.
Research to control hazardous air pollutants focused on identifying
the major sources and evaluating applicable control technologies. In 1984,
source assessments for copper and butadiene emissions were made. Also, a
comprehensive literature review of control technologies for hazardous air
pollutants was conducted, and a method for ranking industrial sources of
hazardous air pollutants by process parameters was developed for OAR.
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WATER RESEARCH COMMITTEE
FY 1984 ANNUAL REPORT
This report highlights the major Office of Research and Development (ORD)
accomplishments in water research for FY—1984. A summary of activities Is
presented on the major research Issues which the Office of Water (OW) and the
ORD jointly identified. Appendices contain information on technical publi-
catIons and resources (dollars and people) as well as a summary of the issues.
The Committee identified groundwater, marine/estuarine systems, the
water quality based approach to toxics, and sludge as the research areas for
1984 emphasis.
The Committee issued guidelines for joint ORD—OW operating procedures
established technical Research Planning Groups (Water Quality, Wastewater,
Marine, Groundwater, and Drinking Water) that focus on identifying priority
research projects. Planning groups include ORD, OW and Regional technical
personnel. A systematic review of the current year (PY 85) research and
program operating plans was completed by these groups. This ensured coordin-
ation with the Program Office and Regions, not only on research plans, but
also on current activities. The final 1985 ORD plans and proposed 1986
budget were reviewed by these teams. A consensus was reached on all major
issues and problems.
Major projects In several fields have been essentially completed by ORD.
The8e include completion of the Chesapeake Bay research program; work in
support of effluent guidelines; research on land application of sludge and
wastewater.
The FY 1984 research accomplishments and major outputs are summarized
in the following pages. Appendix III contains the 1984 water research
publications. Many such products have completed peer review and are available
for Agency use In draft form pending final publication.
Water Quality Based Approach
ORD and OW affirmed their strategic commitment to biomonitoring as a key
tool in EPA’s regulatory approach for toxics control. The development of
field oriented short—term chronic toxicity tests by ORD’s Duluth laboratory
is providing the Agency and States with effective, low—cost methods to limit
the adverse effects of toxic pollutants In water. Through a series of work-
shops on these short—term chronic toxicity tests and on incorporating toxicity
limits Into permits, jointly sponsored with OW, the transfer of the overall
concept has been most effective. The methods and approach have been endorsed
by many states and foreign countries. OW and ORD have jointly conducted field
verification studies in Ohio, Connecticut, Alabama, Oklahoma and West Virginia
that have greatly aided the acceptance of the complex—effluent—toxicity approach.
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National site—specific criteria guidelines were updated and single—
chemical aquatic—life Criteria Documents were developed for nine compounds.
An article was published on the relationships among observed metal concentra-
tions, water quality criteria and biological integrity in 15 streams across
the United States.
Another approach developed by ORD at ERL—Corvallis is the ecoregion
concept for site—specific stream evaluations of water quality and biological
life. This method classifies streams according to similar physical charac-
teristics such as soil, natural vegetation, and topography. Maps have been
constructed for several areas (Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Arkansas, Ohio)
and a national ecoregions map will be completed in FY 1985. This approach
is being field—verified in Regions 5, 6, and 10.
In addition to providing research on aquatic effects and methods, ORD
supported OW in addressing human health effects related to water quality.
The main accomplishment in 1984 was the completion of the Freshwater
Recreational Water Quality Criteria Document. These criteria represent a
substantial improvement in the Agency’s ability to relate the level of
bacterial contamination of water to human health effects. ORD also drafted
the human health effects section of the Technical Support Document for Water
Quality Based Toxics Control; participated in the revision of several water
quality criteria for aquatic life for both fresh and marine waters.
Ocean Disposal
ORD consolidated most of its marine research activities under Its
Environmental Research Laboratory (ERL) at Narragansett, Rhode Island,
reducing overhead costs and consolidating technical resources. Researchers
participated in EPA’s decision—making under the 301(h) waiver program for
ocean outfalls. The “Bays Program” — a comprehensive national effort to
solve high priority problems on selected major estuaries such as Puget
Sound — was planned by a Regional/OW/ORD joint venture.
Research on the procedures to characterize sludge prior to ocean
dumping was completed In 1984. ERL—Narragansett, working through an
Interagency Agreement with the Corps of Engineers, produced two major
reports on the character and bioaccumulation of contaminants from dredged
materials that are dumped into the ocean. This lab also developed a research
strategy for disposal of radioactive soil through a joint research program
with the University of Rhode Island’s Marine Ecosystem Research Laboratory.
The ERL—Guif Breeze continues to work extensively with OW and the
Regional Offices in developing Best Available Technology (BAT) guidelines
for regulating discharges from offshore oil and gas platforms. A major 1984
output of this effort Is a report entitled “Results of the Drilling Fluid
Research Sponsored by Gulf Breeze (1976—1983) and Their Application to
Hazard Asses sment. •
Cooperative assistance across ORD occurred when scientists from several
ORD laboratories (ERL’s Narragansett, Gulf Breeze, Cincinnati and RTP)
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participated in the development of a Research Strategy for Incineration—at—
Sea in response to a request from the Office of Water.
Groundwater
EPA’s Ground—Water Protection Strategy recognizes that EPA and the States
have a number of mandates for protecting ground water. Almost every regulatory
and enforcement program in EPA has some interest in ground—water protection:
hazardous wastes; superfund; toxics; pesticides; radiation; and drinking water.
In response to these needs, ORD conducts research to provide a broad range of
data and information for use by decision—makers concerned with ground—water
protection.
In 1984, a number of important reports were published: (1) Methods for
Determining the Mechanical Integrity of Class II Injection Wells; (2) Methods
for Determining the Location of Abandoned Wells, (3) Evaluation of Septic Tank
System Effects on Ground—Water Quality; (4) Handbook of Mathematical Models
for Ground—Water Transport; and (5) A guide to the Selection of Materials
for Monitoring Well Construction and Ground—Water Sampling. A number of
technology transfer activities included conferences on Location of Abandoned
Wells, Ground—Water Quality Research, Aquifer Restoration and Ground—Water
Monitoring, and Surface and Borehole Geophysics in Ground—Water Investigations.
Four training courses were also provided to EPA regional personnel on Modeling
Subsurface Flow and Contaminant Transport.
Two other significant efforts in information transfer are the National
Ground—Water Information Center, through which access can be gained to the
world’s ground—water technical literature, and the International Ground—Water
Modeling Center, which provides information on available ground—water models
for specific needs.
Drinking Water Health Effects
Long—term studies were undertaken on the carcinogenic effects of corn
oil when used as the dosing vehicle for chlorinated hydrocarbons in mice.
The results raise questions about the validity of the results of studies
using corn oil as a carrier for chlorinated hydrocarbons in conducting
health risk assessments, since the water—vehicle control group did not
develop tumors. Further studies are planned to clarify the utility of data
collected from similar studies in human risk assessment.
A conference on cardiovascular disease and inorganic compounds in
drinking water was held to summarize the data available in this area. The
conclusions were: (1) there does not appear to be a relationship between
sodium in drinking water and cardiovascular disease and (2) there appears
to be a relationship between soft water, calcium deficient diet, drinking
water disinfectants, and cardiovascular disease. Studies indicate that both
chlorine and chlorine dioxide exposure could increase serum cholesterol
levels and atherosclerotic plaque formation when given to animals receiving
a calcium deficient diet and drinking water low in calcium. The exact
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mechanism of action is not known but could be related to the antithyroid
effect of disinfectants. Research will continue to investigate this problem.
HERL—Cincinnati provided considerable technical assistance to EPA
Region 3 and the State of Pennsylvania in investigating waterborne giardiosis
outbreaks involving several communities and 350,000 people. An immune—
fluorescent—antibody technique, developed in the laboratory, was used to
identify the presence of Giardia cysts in the water supplies verifying the
cause of the the outbreak. In addition, the scientists participated in a
training course to teach water suppliers how to use this technique.
A major advance was made in EPA’s capabilities to measure viru8es i
drinking water. A method was developed to concentrate, grow and quantify
hepatitis virus in culture from drinking water. The refinement of this method
will enable EPA to investigate the occurrence and effects of this agent.
A peer review panel recommended four areas where EPA should use epide-
miology as a tool for determining the health effects of drinking water
contaminants: 1) the relationship between drinking water disinfectants and
cancer; 2) the relationship between naturally occurring compounds (i.e.,
radon) and health effects; 3) the relationship between cardiovasuclar disease
and drinking water quality; and 4) the relationship between drinking water
contaminants and reproductive effects. Their report will be used to direct
epidemiology research to areas with significant impact on developing drinking
water standards.
Thirty—one criteria documents, ranging from pesticides to heavy metals,
were prepared by the Environmental Criteria and Asse8sment Office for the
Office of Drinking Water (ODW). These documents are used by ODW in
developing Health Advisories and adjusted Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
levels to estimate safe levels of contaminants in the Nation’s drinking
water. Drafts of the criteria documents were reviewed by both ODW and ORB
scientists; the next step involves solicitation of public comments and
finalization of the documents.
Drinking Water Technology
A serious problem of interference to coliform detection in some drinking
water supplies can now be resolved as a result of a recent protocol modification
funded by EPA at the University of Arizona. This simple technique involves
anaerobic rather than aerobic incubation of the standard membrane filters
used for coliforin tests. In another important development, amphipods passing
through water treatment have been demonstrated to provide a mechanism for
coliform survival and passage into the distribution system in the presence
of chlorine residuals.
Activities in engineering research continued to emphasize treatment
technology in support of drinking water regulation revisions and compliance.
Several project reports on adsorption of organic contaminants were integrated
into one summary statement on the operation and cost of granular—activa
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carbon treatment of drinking water. The cost of treating water by small
utilities varied significantly with different processes. In anticipation
of a possible regulation to filter all public surface supplies, a report on
filtration to control Giardia cysts was issued; a similar report was prepared
on aeration technology for reducing volatile organics in ground water.
Reports were also issued on treatments to control excess fluorides and lead.
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes research program continued to provide support to the
U.S./Canada Water Quality Agreement, the International Joint Commission (IJC),
and the Regions in developing methodologies for measurement, description,
predictions of sources and effects of toxic substances in the Great Lakes.
Major activities included: a surveillance plan for Lake Huron completed for
the IJC Surveillance Work Group; a Great Lakes—wide evaluation of sodium
loadings and projected concentrations near completion for the Great Lakes
National Program Office (GLNPO); analyses for PCBs for Region V’s
Westinghouse case; and the point—source file for Great Lakes Basin is near
completion for the IJC and GLNPO.
A general model for the fate of toxic substances in the Great Lakes
was completed, including estimates for system response times. Cerio daphnia
chronic—effluent—toxicity tests were conducted on 14 pulp and paper and
three municipal discharges. Four of the discharges were found to be toxic
using this screening bioassay.
Measurements in tributary rivers and streams indicated that the Fox
River contributes one—half of the aquatic input of PCBs to Lake Superior.
Mass—balance input calculations have been completed for all the major
streams entering the lake.
Methods to culture larval walleyes in the laboratory have been estab-
lished. Studies have indicated that among a sub—sample of younger female
walleyes, there appears to be no effect of xenobiotic chemicals upon survival
of their offspring from the lower Fox River and Sturgeon Bay, Lake Michigan,
Wisconsin.
Sludge
Criteria Profile Documents are being produced in support of new
technical regulations for sludge. The purpose of the documents are to
present information that can be used for the calculation of “hazard indices.”
Included were cancer data (potency estimates) and oral chronic toxicity data
used in the quantification of hazards in the food chain, and inhalation and
aquatic toxicity used in deriving hazard indices for the incineration and
ocean disposal of sludges. The use of mutagenicity data has not yet been
determined.
A major accomplishment for the Office of Health Research was the
Municipal Wastewater Sludge Health Effects Research Planning Workshop. The
implementation plan for the Sludge Health Effects Research Program was based
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on the recommendations of the Sludge Workshop. A journal article was published
entitled “Identification of a Mutagenic Compound in Municipal Sludge:
Benzothiozine.”
The engineering research program provided support to the development of
sludge regulations and conducted five Regional seminars on municipal sludge
composting and incineration.
A “Process Design Manual for Land Application of Muncipal Sludge”
developed by the engineering research program was published, encompassing
all aspects of land use and disposal including agricultural use and landfill.
The Manual, with a distribution in excess of 5,000, is expected to be the
definitive design reference for many years.
In order to provide accurate cost—benefit determinations for both land
and ocean disposal of sludge, a computer program was developed for estimating
costs of all reasonable disposal and utilization approaches. The program
adds to EPA ’s CAPDET system for determining wastewater treatment plant
capital and operating costs. A summary manual is being produced that will
make this information more generally useful by presenting it in the form of
charts and tables.
An EPA—funded engineering demonstration at Indianapolis showing the
advantages of carefully controlled operation of incineration produced dramatic
results. The method, which combines instruction with careful control of
excess air and temperatures, can reduce fuel consumption by 50% and also
reduce particulate discharges. Costs of the program are low, requiring
only some upgrading of the instrumentation and training for the operators.
This fuel—efficient operation is now in use at a dozen communities, with
an average annual savings of $500,000 per year each.
Wastewater Technology
The major support areas focused on innovative/alternative (I/A)
technology, engineering assistance, municipal compliance achievement and
treatment plant upgrading, and toxics reduction and treatability for both
municipal and industrial discharges. Policy and regulatory areas for which
technical support was provided included the National Municipal Policy,
Effluent Guidelines Promulgations, I/A Provisions of the 1981 Construction
Grant Amendments, and the Policy for the Development of Water Quality—Based
Permit Limitations for Toxic Pollutants.
Major accomplishments included eleven Regional seminars on “Innovative
and Alternative Technology” and three state seminars for Region 6 on ‘Low
Cost, Low Energy, and Low Operation of Municipal Treatment Facilities” in
support of the National Municipal Policy. A major technical assistance
effort was initiated with Region 3 and the states of Maryland and Virginia
on municipal and industrial toxicity reduction and innovative nutrient
control of point sources to support the implementation phase of the Chesapeake
Bay Program. A Toxic Pollutant Workshop involving OW and the ORD water
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laboratories developed an integrated ORD—wide research strategy on the
water quality—based approach to control toxic pollutants. A major field
study was completed involving COD removal in pharmaceutical wastewaters to
support Effluent Guideline Regulations. The CC/MS tape work was continued
to identify additional toxic pollutants that were not Included on the
initial list of the 129 “priorIty pollutants.” This information will help
identify industrial toxic pollutants of national concern.
Several health research publications have been completed: Health
Effects of Land Treatment: Toxicological has been sent to the printer,
and reports on aspects of the Lubbock and the Israeli wastewater
epidemiological studies were presented at the Reuse Symposium In San Diego.
Quality Assurance
ORD continued its quality assurance (QA) efforts in support of the
various parts of the water program.
Drinking Water . The Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory
(EMSL) in Cincinnati maintained and distributed 55,000 quality control and
performance evaluation samples (PE) and 5,000 calibration standards to
Regional Offices, States, and local and EPA contract laboratories for use
in their daily QA programs.
Inter—laboratory methods studies for trihalomethanes and purgeables
were completed, as were the testing of draft methods for chlorates and the
aggregate of chlorite, hypochiorite, chlorine and chlorine dioxide. These
studies validate the methods so they can be used as national standards in
drinking water treatment. Inter—laboratory studies also provide multi—
operator precision and accuracy estimates for draft methods.
Extensive revision of the section on “Methods for Metals Analyses” for
the course manual on “Drinking Water Chemical Laboratory Certification” was
completed. This course was offered to 25 State and Regional persons in
June. A companion course, “Drinking Water Microbiological Laboratory
Certification,” was developed and presented to 29 participants.
The repository of calibrated radlonuclide standards and reference
materials was maintained and upgraded by EMSL—Las Vegas. In excess of 600
of these standards and reference materials were distributed to federal, State,
and private laboratories Involved in monitoring drinking water supplies.
Also, Intercomparison studies involving the measurement of radionuclides
in water were conducted. Two performance evaluation studies, involving the
measurement of a complex mixture of alpha, beta, and photon emitters, were
also completed. Nineteen on—site laboratory evaluations were conducted in
response to regional requests.
Municipal and Industrial Wastewater . Two major QA efforts were provided
in 1984: the Quality Assurance Sample Repository was maintained to provide
reference samples to EPA and State laboratories and support was provided to
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the Office of Water Enforcement and the Regions in evaluating the quality
of the data provided in the self—monitoring Discharge Monitoring Reports of
the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System.
Water Quality . ORD completed a report on the quality control sample
program, repository standards and continued to provide performance evaluation
samples to support ambient monitoring and the permit program. A report was
published on “Methods for Measuring the Chronic Toxicity of Effluents and
Receiving Waters to Freshwater Organisms” and the U.S. EPA Manual of Methods
for Virology was completed. Work was also completed on methods for organic
analysis of municipal and industrial wastewater and interim methods for
sampling organic pollutants in sediments.
In November 1983, EPA issued a Dioxin Strategy. The Strategy provides
a framework for action that EPA, in coordination with other Federal and
State Agencies, will be taking in response the concerns about the health
risks from exposures from dioxin contamination in the United States. A
critical part of the survey was the urgent and paramount need by EPA for
chemical analysis for dioxin and furans in environmental samples at the
part per trillion (ppt) and part per quadrillion levels (ppq). This concern
was exemplified in that there are only a few contract laboratories in the
U.S.A. that are experienced at these low trace analysis levels of
environmental samples, and none of these laboratories had the capacity to
handle the large number of samples required by the National Dioxin Survey.
Moreover, validated methods for most of the sample matrice8 did not exist
for trace analysis at the ppt and ppq level.
Considering the urgent need, the Office of Research and Development
in concert with the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), proposed an approach
to the Office of Water, that would meet EPA’s short—term and long—term
analytical needs. The approach, first organized the existing dioxin analyses
expertise and state—of—the—art of equipment in a manner that would permit
EPA to be operational early in Fiscal Year 1984. In the longer term, ORD
would work with the contract laboratory certification program to bring the
contract laboratories on line as soon as possible.
Conclusion
In summary, 1984 was a productive year for water research. The support
base from this program reaches into all parts of the Agency as well as other
Federal and State organizations. The EPA report to Congress entitled “Long—
Range Research Agenda for 1986—1991” will provide additional information on
emerging issues and research plans affecting water research.
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1986 STRATEGIC WATER RESEARCH ISSUES
2. WQBA/Permitting
QUESTIONS
What information and methods should
be used to predict and evaluate the
impacts of ocean disposal practices?
What nformation and methods are
needed to assure that the permitting
process protects freshwater ecosystems
and human health and how can we
improve our fundamental under-
standing of the toxicity of man-made
chemicals on aquatic life?
RESEARCH PRIORITIES 86
inci-ease—Thru 1 987 with
emphasis on impact monitoring.
Level—Emphasis on controlling
complex effluents. Field testing is
needed to assess limits of permits.
LONG-TERM RESEARCH NEEDS
Level—Solid science base will support
regional decisions. Additional
increases may depend upon impact of
the interior MOU.
Level—A continuous program for a
long-term problem.
3. Great Lakes Research
What are the measures to understand
and eliminate contaminant problems
identified as areas of concern on the
Great Lakes?
Level—F ulfill current commitments Decrease—As Regional program
on toxics and modeling, solves high priority problems.
4. Health Effects of
Drinking Water
Contaminants
What health effects are caused by
chemical and microbiological
contaminants found in drinking water?
Level—A high priority program
which is adequately funded.
Leve/—This is a long-term priority
and a difficult problem.
5. Groundwater
What is needed to improve monitoring
and prediction of the nature and extent
of problems by groundwater
contamination including reclamation?
Increase—The extent of this
problem is just now being
documented. A major Agency
strategic priority.
Level—Clean up and restoration of
aquifers—currently at an embryonic
state of knowledge.
6. Drinking Water
Technology
What technology is needed to assure
the safety of drinking water?
Increase—Emphasis on
distribution problems and more
cost effective treatment for
toxic contaminants.
Leve/—Emphasis on assisting States
and municipalities with compliance
problems and evaluating treatment
technology for newly regulated
contaminants.
7. Sludge
What research information is needed
to develop and assist in the
implementation of sludge disposal
regulations?
Increase—This is a serious
national problem in need of
applied solutions.
Level—Sludge management
techniques are being developed in
support of regulations.
8. Wastewater
Treatment
Technology
What information and technologies
are needed to improve reliability and
cost-effective upgrading and
construction of municipal wastewater
facilities and assure industrial waste-
water treatment compliance?
Level—I/A technologies need to
be evaluated, existing facilities
upgraded and both industrial and
municipal plants brought into
compliance.
Leve/—Continue to evaluate
innovative technologies for energy
and cost efficiency.
9. Quality Assurance
To what extent can data collection and
reduction methods be standardized
to assure data reliability, repeatability,
intercomparability, and scientific
credibility?
Increase—The base QA program
must assure EPAs ability to
document data quality. Current
levels are inadequate to do this.
Emphasis will be on standardiza-
tion of procedures and maintenance
of QA repository.
Level—The QA effort will continue to
track scope of environmental
monitoring effort, both research and
operational.
ISSUES
1. Ocean Disposal
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MAJOR EPA WATER RESEARCH LABORATORIES
Laboratory
Envi ronmental Criteria
and Assessment Office
(Cm., OH)
Environmental Monitoring
and Support Laboratory
(Las Vegas, NV)
Health Effects
Research Laboi atory (RIP)
Toxicology and
Microbiology Division
(Cm., OH)
Municipal and Industrial
Envi ronmental Research
Laboratories
(Cm., OH)
FY-84 Resources
FTE R&D
$(000’s) Main Area
11.0 0.2 Risk Assessment
Support
1.33 QA and Analytic
Methods - Drinking
Water, Water
Quality, Industrial
Was tewater
12.8 0.8 Groundwater and
Water Quality
Monitoring Methods
87.3 6.6 Health Effects of
Contaminants in
Drinking Water and
Ambient Water,
Sludge Health
Effects
85.0 7.6 Treatment of
Drinking Water and
Municipal/Industrial
Wastewater
Laboratory
Robert S. Kerr
Envi ronmental
Research Laboratory
( Ada, OK )
24.5 3.5 Fate and Transport
—Contaminants in
Groundwater and
Land Application of
Municipal Wastes
Water Quality
Modeling and
Composition of
Complex Industrial
Wastes
Use Attainability
Sediments, Site-
Specific Criteria
Marine Resrarcn
Site-Specific WQ
Criteria, Complex
Mixtures,
Integrated Methods
for WQ Based
Permits
Environmental Monitoring 62.2
and Support Laboratory
(Cm., OH)
FY84 Resources
FTE R&D
S(000’ s)
0 ’
Main Area
Environmental Research 27.7 0.4
Laboratory ( Athens, GA )
Environmental Research 49.5 1.2
Laboratory ( Corvallis ,
OR)
Environmental Research 48.4 0.5
Laboratory
( Narragansett, RI )
Environmental Research 52.0 1.9
Laboratory ( Duluth, MN )
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HAZARDOUS WASTE/SIJPERFUND RESEARCH COMMITTEE
ANNUAL REPORT
In order to develop a cohesive and responsive research program that
satisfies the requirements of the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency
Response, the Assistant Administrator for Research and Development and Solid
Waste and Emergency Response identified the research issues being addressed
by the Hazardous Waste/Superfund research programs. What follows below is
a summary of the research efforts addressing these issues together with a
statement of the overall status of each. Specific research outputs supporting
each issue are contained in the appendix. These are organized for both the
completed year 1984 and projected for the current year 1985.
WASTE IDENTIFICATION : What new analytical methods are needed to identify
hazardous wastes and their chemical constituents?
Purpose
Analytical methods that are to be used to enforce Section 3001 of RCRA
must be standardized and tested to determine their validity and reliability.
New methods and procedures for detecting the presence of hazardous wastes
under field conditions are also required to satisfy Section 3013 of RCRA
which establishes facility monitoring requirements.
Projected Program
There are over 100 methods in SW #846. These methods require validation
before they can be used in implementing the RCRA Program. We expect to fully
validate ten methods by the end of 1986. Moreover, because of shortcomings
in existing methods, up to eight new analytical methods are being developed.
In order to accelerate both the methods validation process and the development
of new methods, an innovative “generic” approach to both is being explored.
Generic methods entail use of microprocessor controlled instrument systems
and data system combinations which have the capability of analyzing large
numbers of different samples and analytes rapidly.
State laboratories will play an increasing role in the analysis of
environmental samples in response to RCRA requirements. In order to improve
and upgrade their capabilities to conduct these types of analyses, and
improve the quality of their data, an improved technical assistance program
will be conducted.
Ground water contamination detection monitoring methods are being
developed. These include such techniques as compound—specific in—situ
sensors which use fiber optics technology; implanted water impermeable
tubes coupled to organic vapor sensors; unsaturated zone monitoring methods;
and indicator parameters of hazardous constituents. Viable techniques will
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be validated and monitoring networks will be designed for landfills and for
leaking underground storage tanks (LUST). Techniques recommended for use
will be cost—effective and will provide near real time data in the field.
This is a new effort and will probably require several years to produce
field useable equipment.
Because many of the 275,000 Subtitle D, non—hazardous landfills are
suspected of generating hazardous leachates which escape to contaminate
groundwater, there is significant concern regarding the quality of data
available for these facilities. Consequently, the monitoring data being
collected at Subtitle D facilities will be identified and its quality
evaluated. Information deficiencies will be identified and recommendations
for new data collection procedures will be developed.
HIGH—HAZARD WASTES : What new information is needed to evaluate and control
high—hazard wastes and to implement the National Dioxin strategy?
Purpose
The Agency’s National Dioxin Strategy, published in December 1983,
provides a framework for expansion of the information base required for a
detailed assessment of the extent of dioxin contamination, associated health
and environmental impacts, and recommends appropriate control actions that
entail control technology research and development. The document also make
reference to dioxin—like compounds. This program also addresses research
and evaluation of technologies to detoxify or decontaminate dioxins (TCDDs)
and dioxin—like materials, such as halogenated furans (PCDFs), ethylene
dibromide (EDB), penthachiorophenol (PCP), and the like. It also contains
research on analytical methods, quality assurance procedures and monitoring
strategies and research on dioxin’s environmental transport and fate.
Projected Program
Over the past three years research has focused on development of chemical
and biological methods for in—situ destruction of PCBs, PCDDs (dioxins) and
other representative halogenated toxic wastes. Methods are needed to cleanup
waste—contaminated soils where conventional methods cannot be used. Effective
dehalogenation reagents proposed from potassium and polyethylene glycols (KPEGs)
have been used to treat various wastes but only at lab scale. Future direction
of this research will be dependent on results of a peer review scheduled for
late June 1985. Successful laboratory studies on high hazard destruction
should be validated by small scale field verification studies. This phase is
long range and will be addressed in the next two to four years.
The following research efforts have been Initiated: Development of
tests to assess the health hazards associated with dioxins; research to
determine the rates of movement and transformation of dioxin in soil and
ground water, and; research defining the potential bioinagnification of
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dioxins in food chain systems. For the next one to two years emphasis will
be on assessing the health hazards of additional dioxin isomers other than
2,3,7,8—TCDD and further exploration of dioxins’s bloavailability. The
scope and length of these efforts will depend largely on the findings of
the National Study and the Agency’s subsequent position. Studies on 2,3,7,8 —
TCDD and other isomers will indicate mobility in soils, uptake in plants,
fish and large animals by 1987.
Waste Characterization : What health and risk assessment information procedures
are needed to characterize wastes and assess the hazards they represent?
Purpose
Waste characterization is the estimation of the hazards to public health
and the environment a waste and the management practices associated with It
represent. This information is needed for developing and revising regula-
tions, permitting and enforcement decision—making and regulatory policy—making.
Products of this research will provide more applicable, less expensive, simpler
and more accurate information and risk assessment methodologies.
Projected Program
The processes and effects research program is structured to address
problems associated with assessing the environmental toxicity of hazardous
wastes, and assessing land disposal sites. Specifically, methods such as
quantitative structure activity relationships (QSAR) will make possible the
prediction of toxicity and bloaccuinulation potential of wastes and leachates
proposed for listing under RCRA Section 3001 on the basis of chemical
molecular structure. Other studies are examining the use of microcosins
as screening methods for assessing the pollution potential of wastes
proposed for listing; developing and field evaluating mathematical models
to predict environmental concentrations of wastes; developing and field
evaluating a protocol to aid in identifying safe land disposal sites, based
on subsurface characteristics and potential for ground—water contamination,
and; testing and field evaluating a multimedia bioassessment protocol for
determining bioavailabillty and toxicity of hazardous materials.
From these efforts, a number of useful outputs are anticipated. A
model based on QSAR techniques is expected to be able to predict toxicity
of individual chemicals by the end of 1986 and of chemical mixtures by the
end of 1987. The technique for determining transport and fate parameters
of wastes proposed for listing should be available in late 1988. Evaluation
and additional development will result In a revised multiple bioassay
screening protocol for assessing hazardous waste sites by the end of 1986.
Scientific assessments research is preparing Health and Environmental
Assessment documents at varying levels of detail for specific chemicals
found at hazardous waste sites. Also, assessment methods are being revised
to reflect recent developments in toxicology and exposure evaluation. The
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information available in these documents is used by OSW in making listing
and other regulatory decisions and will therefore continue for several
years to come. Health effects research is developing short—term in—vivo
and in—vitro bioassays for evaluating waste streams to determine if they
are hazardous and should be listed under RCRA. Screens are being developed
to detect the following health effects: general toxicity; carcinogenicity;
mutagenicity; immunotoxicity; neurotoxicity; teratogenicity, and; reproductive
effects. Unlike the health effects documents mentioned above which rely on
existing health information, these bloassays will generate new health
information for specific waste streams and will offer an alternative means
of supporting listing and other regulatory decisions.
ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGY : What technical information is needed to develop,
evaluate, and permit alternatives to land disposal of waste?
Purpose
Provide support to OSW for implementing the new RCRA amendments for
banning wastes from land disposal by evaluating and developing alternative
technologies.
Projected Program
This is a relatively new program area for OSW and for ORD. Past research
emphasis was on developing innovative or emerging technologies for treating
wastes where currently available technology Is inadequate or not cost effective.
This innovative technology research focused on new thermal processes (e.g.,
plasma arc, wet oxidation), biological processes, and chemical treatment for
heavy metals removal. Although this earlier program is still underway, in
1984 a revised program was initiated to conduct performance evaluations of
existing treatment systems because of the RCRA amendments banning certain
wastes from landfills. In this program area, OSW’s needs are urgent. During
the next two to three years, processes will be identified, evaluated, and
directed toward specific waste streams. The ability of treatment systems to
handle priority wastes must be quickly assessed and all residuals characterized.
Mechanisms must be developed through which the widespread adoption of these
environmentally preferable processes can be encouraged. There will be great
emphasis on technology transfer activities in 1986 and beyond.
LAND DISPOSAL : What technical information is needed to support permitting
of land disposal facilities?
Purpose
This research program Is directed at developing better design and
operation technology for land disposal systems and the ability to optimize
designs, minimize maintenance and overall costs while maintaining a high
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degree of confidence that the waste management facility will operate as
designed. This research will provide guidance on design, permitting,
operation, maintenance, closure and regulation of hazardous waste treatment,
storage and disposal facilities.
Projected Program
Laboratory and pilot plant studies to date have resulted in technical
resource documents containing information regarding the design and permitting
of engineering components of landfills and surface impoundments. These include
cover systems, clay and synthetic—liners, leak detection devices and leachate
collection systems. Future research efforts will focus on field validation
of existing design data, special engineering requirements for surface impound-
ments, sophisticated design features such as double liner systems, land
disposal of “non—hazardous” (Subtitle D) municipal and industrial wastes, and
the management of high volume mining wastes. These additional efforts are
specifically mandated by the RCRA amendments of 1984 in an effort to improve
the safety and efficacy of existing and future land disposal facilities. It
is anticipated that a construction quality assurance manual incorporating
engineering data related to dike stability, double liners, and other updated
components will be available in approximately two years.
Research on land treatment of wastes is demonstrating the degradation,
transformation and immobilization of hazardous chemicals using natural
chemical and biological processes. Various aspects of land treatment, such
as effects of rate and frequency of loading on organics degradation, monitoring
for hazardous constituents in the unsaturated zone and land treatability of
listed wastes will be reported on In stages over the next three years.
CONTROL OF HAZARDOUS RELEASES : What techniques are needed to adequately
prevent, contain and clean up accidental discharges of hazardous materials?
Purpose
Accidental releases of oil and hazardous material to the land and water
occur frequently and constitute a significant environmental hazard. The
Clean Water Act and CERCLA mandate that EPA engage in such research studies,
experiments and demonstrations as appropriate to prevent, control and eliminate
pollution caused by the release of hazardous materials into the environment.
The object of this research program is to develop technical information and
guidance to be used by response teams in responding to, controlling and
abating emergency hazardous releases; concentration and separation of spilled
materials; and a limited effort on destruction and disposal of residuals from
cleanup operations. Current and future research will include a continuation
of ongoing activities with special emphasis on development of on—site
permanent disposal or destruction of the residuals collected from cleanup
operations and restoration of the impacted area to its pre—contaminated
condition. This aspect of the research program Is of major importance due
to the significant difficulties associated with transporting hazardous
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materials off—site and the problems associated with using landfill sites for
“final” disposal of the cleanup residuals. In approximately two years the
program will yield sufficient research results to allow for field use of
new physical and chemical methods of on—site destruction and detoxification
of released materials, including the application of dispersants for water
borne releases.
INCINERATION : What technical information is needed for permitting incinerators
and revising RCRA regulations?
Purpose
OEET is conducting research on thermal destruction technologies for
hazardous waste in order to provide the technical basis for establishing and
improving regulations for the thermal destruction of hazardous wastes. EPA,
Regional, State and local permitting officials also need the outputs from
this program to enhance their understanding of the criteria involved in
evaluating the acceptability of incinerating some wastes and in monitoring
operating combustion units for compliance with performance requirements.
The program continues to investigate laboratory, pilot and full scale
environmental performance Issues on a broad range of incineration and
other thermal treatment devices.
Projected Program
Research to date has concentrated on assessing the ability of existing
thermal destruction facilities (incinerators and high temperature industrial
processes) to meet RCRA performance standards for destruction and removal
efficiencies for hazardous materials. These studies have resulted in an
extensive performance data base which indicates that these facilities are
capable of meeting RCRA standards under ideal conditions. Future research
will concentrate on the development of engineering relationships for compliance
monitoring and performance assessment; incinerator failure mode analysis;
and development of simplified process measurement methodology. This method
of attack is significant because there is a need for an easily measured
engineering parameter to indicate adequate destruction of hazardous substances
and thermal destruction devices are not always operated under steady state
conditions. In approximately two years this research effort should result
in compliance monitoring methods for field applications.
QUALITY ASSURANCE : What measures are needed to assure the reliability and
consistency of techniques and data used in support of the hazardous waste
program?
Purpose
A comprehensive quality assurance program will assure that data of
known quality are being collected. This program is developing, evaluating,
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and distributing analytical standards and reference materials to all parti-
cipating laboratories. Quality control and performance evaluation samples
are also being developed and distributed to appropriate laboratories. With
the transfer transfer of permitting and enforcement from EPA to the States,
quality assurance procedures will enable the States to perform the required
measurements and monitoring functions. This will require some additional
support to the State laboratories for instrument calibration and reference
materials. The materials are replicates of RCRA Appendix VIII list of
compounds. Of the 372 Appendix VIII materials, 312 are currently available.
Over 200,000 quality control samples were distributed to State, local, Agency
and contract labs and approximately 42,000 calibration standard samples were
distributed to 1330 users in FY ‘84.
Yl 05
SITE ASSESSMENT : What technologies and Information are needed for the
effective management of uncontrolled waste sites?
Purpose
The success of removal and remedial actions depends on the accurate
definition of the nature and severity of the problem. This program is
designed to provide the necessary techniques and procedures to allow on—
scene coordinators to quickly and effectively assess the degree of hazard
posed at specific uncontrolled waste sites.
Projected Program
Support to date has concentrated on engineering technical reviews and
comments for assessing sites and situations. Future support will also
concentrate on the assessing hazardous waste site situations but include
additional considerations such as waste characteristics, hydrology, geology
and soil characteristics. The objective Is to assist Regional Office
Superfund staff, EPA Zone Contractors and State Superfund Offices in the
development of corrective measures which significantly improve the quality
of remedial work while reducing the cost of the Superfund program nationally.
We predict that in approximately three years these new assessment criteria
should have a beneficial impact on the remedial program.
Site specific risk assessments covering single chemicals and sample
mixtures have been provided to OERR and the regions for use in pre—remedial
decision making. The rapid response health assessment system has been
expanded and assessments using this system have been provided for use in
deciding appropriate response to emergency situations. Future responses
will require an increased number of site and chemical specific health
assessments for the program office and enforcement. Procedures for
estimating emissions of low vapor pressure compounds, such as dioxin, from
landfills are also being revised. These procedures will provide on—scene
coordinators with refined methods for assessing the degree of human hazard
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posed at or near specific uncontrolled waste sites contaminated with hazardous
substances. This effort will be ongoing for several years.
PERSONNEL PROTECTION : What technical information is needed to ensure the
health of waste site personnel?
Purpose
Information on personnel health and safety equipment and procedures is
being developed through evaluations and assessments of technical components
in order to ensure protection during removal and cleanup operations.
Projected Program
Research is currently addressing EPA needs relating to (1) the
acquisition and analysis of chemical protective clothing performance data,
(2) development and verification of protective test methods, (3) estimating
protective clothing performance, and (4) evaluation and improvement of self—
contained chemical protective ensembles. These investigations, which are
being conducted in support of TSCA—, FIFRA—, and CERCLA mandated programs
will result in data, methods, procedures, and equipment that will enhance
the safety, increase the range, improve the flexibility, and decrease the
cost of EPA or contractor operations at chemical spills and uncontrolled
hazardous waste sites.
Shakedown evaluation of the long—term, self contained chemical
protective emsemble (LSCPE) is scheduled for completion within the next two
years. Additionally, several workshops dealing with personnel protection
research needs will be implemented over the next two years. Moreover, as
protection technology continues to improve, there will be a continuing need
to assess personnel protective equipment and to develop potential remedies
for any deficiencies.
TECHNOLOGY EVALUATION : What technologies and information are needed for
effective management of uncontrolled waste sites?
Purpose
Technologies, techniques and construction materials are being evaluated
for cost effective control of uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. Reports,
manuals, and handbooks are being prepared to provide design and operational
data, and cost effectiveness information for decisions affecting removal and
remedial actions.
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Projected Program
Research needed to provide performance and cost data for remedial and
response technologies must continue to be provided by testing available and
approved technologies under controlled—conditions and at sites—of—opportunity.
Since funding levels for developing new EPA remedial and removal technology
have not kept pace with the current field needs, other means must be devised
by EPA to provide the user community with these much needed answers on a
timely basis. Government—sponsored evaluations of privately developed tech-
nologies undertaken with controlled, reproducible conditions, offer a strong
incentive toward commercial stimulation of new technology and a potential
solution to this problem. Future EPA research in technology development will
be directed toward objective evaluation of commercially available, innovative
technologies which can be applied to the Agency’s emergency response and
remedial activities. Moreover, we are also moving away from research on
containment technologies to areas which show promise for eliminating the
problem on—site. Since most of the currently available cleanup technologies
have been developed in other areas (e.g., construction and nuclear waste
disposal fields) and have not been field evaluated at uncontrolled hazardous
waste sites, evaluation of these technologies will require from three to
ten years to obtain verifiable results. Activities involving field
evaluations of EPA developed equipment, such as the mobile incineration
system and mobile soils washer will be completed and the equipment reduced
to practice within three years.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT : What technical support is required by Enforcement, the
iegions and the Program Office for effective implementation of the Superfund
program?
Purpose
The purpose of this effort is to provide Enforcement, Regional and
Program Office personnel with the expert advice and technical information
required to effectively implement the Superfund program.
Projected Program
As the number of Superfund field actions increases, so will the need
for scientific, state—of—the—art support. Support activities will Include:
site and chemical specific health risk assessments; expert witness testi—
many during legal actions; reviews of remedial action designs, and; reviews
of data submitted by liable parties.
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APPENDIX
Waste Identification
Projected 1985 Outputs
° Evaluation reports on four SW—846 analytical methods.
o Evaluation report on the Volatile Organic Stack Sampling Train.
o Report on selecting Indicator parameters for subsurface monitoring.
o Report on vadose zone monitoring of land treatment facilities.
Results of Previous Fiscal Year
o Interlaboratory evaluation of standardized Ames test procedures.
o Report on downhole geophysical monitoring of groundwater contamination.
o Workshop to determine the monitoring requirements for Subtitle D
landfills.
o Evaluation of several SW—846 analytical methods.
High Hazard Wastes
Projected 1985 Outputs
o Final report on in—situ stabilization of dioxin—contaminated soils.
o Final report on use of abandoned mines for ultimate disposition of
dioxin—contaminated soils.
o Interim report on field application/feasibility of APEG reagents for
dioxin—contaminated soils.
o Interim evaluation report of EPA mobile incinerator on southwestern
Missouri dioxin—contaminated wastes and soils.
o Standard analytical method and quality assurance reagents to support
routine analysis of trace quantities of 2,3,7,8—TCDD at hazardous waste
sites.
o Evaluation of the RCRA low resolution screening method for dioxin
determination in wastes.
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Results of Previous Fiscal Year
o Final peer—reviewed report, desorption characteristics of 2,3,7,8—
TCDD in contaminated soils.
° Final Internally peer—reviewed report, assessment of PCDDs and PCDFs
from PCB transformer and capacitor fires.
o Sampling and analysis guidance documents.
o Quality assurance reference standards for 22 tetra dioxin isomers.
0 Round robin survey of major trace analytical methods to detect dioxins
and related compound in adipose tissue.
o Standard high resolution analytical protocol for trace analyses of
2, 3, 7,8—TCDD were initiated.
o Study to determine the pharmacokinetics of dioxin in Rhesus monkeys,
including transfer to offspring through mother’s milk.
Waste Characterization
Projected 1985 Outputs
0 Health and environmental effects profile on up to 180 chemicals.
o Report on the hydrogeological classification protocol.
Results of Previous Fiscal Year
o Report on the joint action of multiple organic toxicants to freshwater
organisms.
o Report on the proposed in vivo/in vitro approach to toxicological
assessments of hazardous wastes.
o Short—term bioassays were shown to be useful in evaluating the
environmental impacts of land treatment of industrial wastes.
Alternative Technology
Projected 1985 Outputs
Results of Previous Fiscal Year
o Report on emerging thermal technologies.
o Report on recovery and recycling of metals from plating and chemical
wastes.
o Report on assessment of hazards from PCB transformer fires.
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Land Disposal
Projected 1985 Outputs
o Report on clay liner ability to retain/retard, organic and inorganic
landfill pollutants.
Report on organic wastes modification procedures for stability and
durability.
o Report on updated status of underground storage of hazardous waste.
o Report on VOC emissions from waste disposal facilities and applicable
control technologies.
o Interim report on effects and control of subsidence on landfills
covers.
Results of Previous Year
o Completion of the Hydrologic Evaluation of Landfill Performance (HELP)
Model for rapid estimation of amounts of leachate, drainage, runoff
and head buildup on liners and covers in landfills.
o Completion of a study of the relative effectiveness and durability of a
wide variety of synthetic liner materials under conditions simulating
those of actual waste storage and disposal.
o Completion of pilot tests of three innovative techniques designed to
detect and locate leaks in geomembrane liners used to line hazardous
waste units.
Hazardous Releases
Projected 1985 Outputs
o Report on the design of impoundment/waste lagoon leakage controls.
o Technical handbook on hazardous substances release prevention.
o Report on the evaluation of concentration techniques using sorbents
for control of hazardous materials.
o Analysis techniques for remote monitoring data for spiii and emergency
on—scene coordinators.
o Aerial photography collection and interpretation for the SPCC program.
o Chemical—specific health summaries.
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Results of Previous Year
o Preparation of EPA ’s mobile incineration system for field treatment of
dioxin contaminated soils and liquids.
o Field testing of EPA’s mobile carbon regeneration system.
o Preparation of a guidance manual for the control of lagoon overflows.
o 10 Regional SPCC studies.
o 25 emergency studies.
o Review of analytical techniques for color photography.
Incineration
Projected 1985 Outputs
o Interim report on incinerator operating parameters which correlate
with performance.
o Report on impact of transient feed and inadequate combustion chamber
mixing as causes of incinerator failure.
o Interim report on evaluation of transient nonsteady—state performance
of hazardous waste destruction in boilers.
FY 84 Results
0 Performance evaluation of full—scale hazardous waste incinerators.
° Report on waste oil combustion tests in support of the waste oil RIA.
0 Report on engineering assessment of hazardous waste destruction in
industrial boilers.
o Report on pilot—scale incineration of chlorinated benzenes at the
combustion research facility.
Site Assessment
Projected 1985 Ouputs
0 Survey and case studies to provide an understanding of remedial
options. These case studies analyze the remedial actions from the
perspective of technology costs, planning and management.
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o A geographic information system for NPL sites. This system will
centralize geographic source data and manipulate the information to
analyze and prioritize clean up operations.
o Guidelines for measuring pollution in sediment and ground water.
o Rapid response health assessments for use in deciding appropriate
response to emergency situations.
o NIOSH certification report on the EPA/Army lAG developed long—term self
contained chemical protection ensemble (LSCPE).
o Evaluation report the permeability of the chlorinated polyethylene
protective suit fabric.
o NIOSH testing of the breathing apparatus for the LSCPE.
Results of Previous Year
o Five LSCPE breathing apparatuses and the technical data package were
completed and submitted to NIOSH for review.
A Manual of Practice for Marine Safety Officers and on—Scene Coordinators
Involved in Chemically—and/or Biologically — Contaminated Underwater
Operations: Interim Protocol was completed and forwarded for EPA
administrative review.
o Guide for decontamination of buildings, structures and equipment at
Superfund sites.
o Handbook of leachate plume management, including factors which affect
migration and techniques for control.
o Technical handbook for stabilization and solidification alternatives
for remedial actions at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites.
o Evaluation of the mobile incinerator for burning dioxin—contaminated
liquid wastes and soils in Missouri.
o Shakedown evaluation report on an in—situ treatment system.
o A report on chemical countermeasures involving water flushing with
additives to decontaminate soils in—place.
o Handbook on slurry trench construction for pollution migration control.
o Technical document on in—place treatment techniques for contaminated
surface soils.
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o Numerous activities (e.g., obtaining necessary permits for Region VII
operation; development/testing of a solids feeding system; etc.) were
accomplished in order to prepare the Incinerator for field operations
with dioxin—contaminated liquid wastes and soils in Missouri.
o A multi—phase testing program was conducted to provide comprehensive
data on the performance capabilities of the mobile carbon regeneration
unit.
Results of Previous Fiscal Year
o A workshop to determine the requirements for monitoring and management
of hazardous waste at non—hazardous, Subtitle D facilities.
o Several monitoring techniques were evaluated, Including one for downhole
geophysical monitoring of groundwater contamination.
o Several SW—846 analytical methods were evaluated.
Projected 1985 Outputs
(Will be similar to those presented below)
Results of Previous Fiscal Year
Typical technical assistance activities during FY 84:
o Assistance to Region 6 in the development of an extinguishment plan
for subsurface fires at the Compass Industries Landfill.
o Assistance to Region 5 and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency on
the containment of organic contaminated groundwater by the peat bed
deposits underlying the Reilly Tar and Chemical Landfill Site.
o Expert witness testimony on the Vertac site in Jacksonville, Arkansas
related to appropriate cover systems for remedial action.
o Technical analysis and on—site Inspection of the Iron Mountain Superfund
site in California as part of the conduct of the remedial investigation
and feasibility study.
o Technical analysis of the feasibility study and remedial action plan for
the Petro—processors site in Scotlandville, Louisiana.
o Settlement agreement QA/QC support to Region 2 on the Occidental sites
in the Buffalo, NY. area.
o Data audits for String Fellow and Vertac programs.
o Sampling and monitoring support for Region 3,7,and 10.
° Three technology transfer seminars for field sampling.
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PESTICIDES AND TOXICS RESEARCH PROGRAM
THE 1984 ANNUAL REPORT
The purpose of this report is threefold: (i) to identify the major
purposes and thrusts of the research program, (ii) to Identify the research
results of use to OPTS available in the foreseeable future and (iii) to
identify the research results of use to OPTS made available in FY 1984.
This report is not intended to provide a comprehensive outlook or strategy
for pesticides and toxics research, but to provide a short, coherent and
cogent review.
Purposes and Thrust
The ORD research program in pesticides and toxic substances supports
OPTS in three ways:
1. ORD researches test methods that OPTS can then prescribe to
manufacturers and others for submission of data to EPA. Such data
results of tests include the areas of health effects, environmental
effects, exposure, transport and fate.
ii. ORD performs research so that OPTS can make more plausible
estimates of risk to both humans and the environment from the above
types of data, to ensure that OPTS regulatory and risk management
actions are appropriate. Such research improves estimates of actual
exposure and dose response curves.
iii. ORD provides a general support function for various OPTS needs.
Major activities in this area include quality assurance support and
support for the review and development of risk and exposure assessments.
The ORD resources devoted to these objectives were $28.3 million in
FY 84 and expected to $36.2 million in FY 85.
Nine specific issues were identified for research support. These
areas were chosen to meet three criteria: 1) The research, if successful,
would enable OPTS to regulate and enforce better; 2) The research would
address areas where regulation and enforcement are most effective in
environmental improvement; and 3) The research efforts would be in an area
with reasonable expectation of successful completion.
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The nine research areas are:
1. Test Development
This work concentrates on the development of tests for the generation
of prescribed data to be submitted by manufacturers, etc., to OPTS. This
includes toxicology data, ecologic effects, exposure, transport and fate.
2. Health: Markers, Dosimetry, Extrapolation
This research focuses on (1) development of biologic markers
for estimating exposure and for predicting chronic effects, (ii) techniques
to more plausibly extrapolate from effects at high doses to those at low
doses and to extrapolate data from non—human test systems to humans and
(iii) studies on metabolism to improve both dose estimates and extrapolation.
3. Special Human Data Needs
The research includes epidemiology and clinical studies to evaluate
the applicability of results obtained in animals from research on extrapolation,
dosimetry and biological markers to humans.
4. Ecology: Field Testing and Fate
Research in this area focuses on:
1. the development of models to predict the transport, trans-
formation and fate of chemicals (including pesticides) in
the environment.
ii. the field testing and validation of models and of the test
methods developed under other Issues.
5. Ecology: Ecotoxicity and Risk Assessment
The research focuses on the development of a theoretical framework
which can predict effects to an ecosystem (ecotoxicity) by Integrating data
on effects to organisms, the nature of the ecosystem, exposure, and transport
and fate.
6. Engineering
These efforts examine chemical manufacturing processes to determine
how and what amount of chemicals are released to the environment, as well as
worker exposure. Additionally, manufacturing processes are being examined to
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estimate the production and release of unwanted by—products and contaminants
as well as how and in what amount these are released to the environment.
Finally, research is being conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of
protective garments worn by pesticide manufacturers, formulators and
applicators.
7. Exposure Monitoring
This research focuses on the development of monitoring systems to
estimate human exposure to chemicals in. the environment. It includes the
determination of what kinds of measurements are necessary, how many
measurements, how they should be used to estimate exposure, and how the
different measurements relate to one another.
8. Structure Activity Relationships (SAR )
This research focuses on the relationships of similarities of
chemical structures to estimate toxicity (for both health and ecologic
purposes), bioaccumulation, and transportation and fate properties. This
research is in direct support of OTS preinanufacture notification efforts.
9. Biotechnology
Biotechnology has been identified as a separate research issue due
to the need for information on products being developed by this rapidly
growing industry. Research will aim at defining health and environmental
effects of concern, how to test for them, how to estimate risk, and methods
to contain and destroy genetically altered organisms.
SIGNIFICANT OUTPUTS FOR PESTICIDES AND TOXICS RESEARCH (NEAR-TERN)
Test Methods Development
Health
i. Report defining the multi—end point (gene mutation,
sister chromatid exchange, and chromosome aberration) of
mammalian cell mutation systems with emphasis on the mouse
fibroblast assay. (1985)
ii. Cytogenic methods for detecting chromosome damage in
somatic cells of exposed humous. (1986)
iii. Development of two animal immunotoxicity assays;
alveolar macrophage (AN) cytostasis and cytotoxicity;
AN antigen processing, AN lymphocyte interactions, and local
antibody production. (1986)
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iv. Protocol for a rapid assessment of reproductive
damage. (1986)
Environment
1. Report on critical responses of population of
crustaceans to toxicants. (1985)
ii. Methods manual for spawning, culturing and testing
antherinid fishes. (1986)
iii. Methods to assess effects of toxic chemicals on
estuarine larvae. (1985)
iv. Techniques to evaluate effects of uptake of toxic
chemicals from sediment by benthic organisms. (1986)
v. A low cost multiple species chemical screening test
for ecotoxicology. (1985)
vi. Protocol and support documents for characterizing
indirect photolysis of chemicals. (1986)
Monitoring Systems
i. Validation of supercritical fluid gas chromotography
procedures. (1986)
ii. Standard procedures for measuring azo dyes In the
environment. (1986)
Iii. Development of gas chromatograph — fourier transform
mass spectroscopy to detect toxic compounds in environmental
matrices. (1987)
iv. Development of Raman spectrographic procedures for
toxic compounds in environmental matrices. (1987)
v. Development of gas chromatograph—fast ion bombardment
procedures to detect toxic compounds in environmental
matrices. (1987)
vi. Development of monoclonal antibody procedures to
detect toxic compounds in environmental matrices.
Health: Markers, Dosimetry, Extrapolation
i. Report on the tumor Initiating, promoting and coini—
tiating activities of respiratory carcinogens. (1985)
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ii. Report of predisposing factors to cancers of the
respiratory tract. (1985)
iii. Report describing germ cell cytogenic test system
giving new methods for detecting genetic damage. (1986)
iv. Extrapolation models for neurotoxic effects in humans
using comparative neurotoxicologic data from a variety of species.
(1990)
v. Report on plausible conclusion to be drawn from the
large genetic toxic base. (1986)
vi. Report on reproductive hazards of pesticides. (1985)
vii. Report on the effects of toxic exposure during the
development of sexual dimorphism. (1986)
viii. Report of possible conclusions to be drawn from analysis
of the computerized genetic toxicology data base. (1986)
Special Human Data Needs
i. Proceedings of conferences on medical screening and
biological monitoring for effects of toxicant exposure in the
workplace. (1985)
ii. Evaluation of biomonitoring or screening methods for
neuro—behavioral effects of toxicant exposure. (1985)
iii. Report on feasibility of using available biomonitoring
and screening methods for estimating exposure and effects of
toxicants on DNA and mutagenesis. (1986)
iv . Report of epidemiology study on sulfuric acid exposure
and laryongeal cancer. (1989)
v. Report on epidemiology study with welder not exposed
and asbestos and lung cancer. (1989)
vi. Report of epidemiology study on bladder cancer and the
chemical MOCA.
Ecology: Field Testing and Fate
i. Report relating responses of single—species and benthic
communities to toxic chemicals. (1987)
ii. Report comparing single—species and microcosms lab tests
with pond studies using fluorene. (1986)
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iii. Report on pharmacokinetic model of fish as a surrogate
species for mammals in initial screening of PMN chemicals. (1985)
iv. Report on comparative sensitivity of larval stages of
pelagic spawning estuarine fishes to toxic substances. (1986)
v. Report on use of persistence limits as management
strategy for regulating toxic chemicals in marine ecosystems. (1985)
vi. Report on field validations of fate and effects of
selected toxic chemicals derived from lab mlcrocosms. (1985)
vii. Report on the applicability of terrestrial test methods
for avian species to field populations. (1986)
viii. Journal article on SAR at the ecosystem level: single
species relative tox. vs. ecosystem level tox. using microcosms.
(1986)
ix. Final report on biodegradation predictions from microcosm
fate, screening of eco—core system compared to field. (1985)
x. Report on mathematical models for transport and trans-
formation of toxic chemicals in subsurface environments. (1986)
xi. Users manual for prototype, screening—level, multi—media
environmental exposure model for organic chemicals. (1984)
xii. Users manual and support documents for EXAMS II. (1985)
xiii. Report on field evaluation of EPA reproductive test for
avian species using Endrin. (1985)
xiv. Report on biota recovery of a freshwater pond after the
application of Dursban (Pesticides). (1985?
xv. Final data report on field validation of freshwater
hazard assessment methodology. (1986)
xvi. Report on hazard evaluations and relate field to labora-
tory data with proposal on how to test limits of applicability. (1986)
xvii. Report on field validation for predicting effects of
Abate (Tempephos) on non—target organisms. (1986)
xviii. Dougherty Plain project report. (1985)
xix. Report on fate modeling and field applicability testing
with pentachlorophenol. (1985)
xx. Journal Article — Kinetic models describing abiotic
reaction of organic compounds in sediments. (1985).
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xxi. (Prototype) Manual—design requirements for conducting
field level pesticide runoff studies. (1985)
xxii. Draft users manual — simplified exposure procedures
(nomograph—tables) to OPP based on HSP—F production runs. (1985)
xxiii. Journal article on results of field testing of PRZM
and PESTANS—Leaching models for Coastal Plain soils. (1987)
Ecology: Ecotoxicity and Risk Assessment
1. In 1985 a research plan for this area will be made.
Engineering
1. A user manual on selecting protective clothing for
pesiticide’s applicators. (1986)
ii. Reports on IPPEU (Industrial Process Profiles for
Environmental Use) for polymer processing (1985) and for plastics
additives. (1986)
iii. Reports on preliminary assessment of and on sampling
of chemicals. (1985)
Engineering Monitoring
1. Conduct a pesticides exposure study using the total
exposure assessment methodology (TEAN). (1985)
ii. Validation of TEAN for organic compounds. (1985)
iii. Guidelines for validating multi—media exposure models.
(1986)
iv. Establishment of the exposure monitoring test site.
(1986)
v. Report of body burdens of organic based on DNA adducts.
(1986)
Structure Activity Relationship (SAR)
Health
i. Report on azoreductose studies for hazard potential of
azo compounds. (1985)
ii. Report on molecular electrostatic interactions and SAR
methods. (1986)
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Iii. Provide combined data management system for genotoxic
chemicals by matching activity profiles for short—term bioassays.
(1986)
Ecology
i. Report on SAR relationships to estimate reactivity and
product formation based on thermodynamic considerations. (1986)
ii. Journal article describing relationships between microbial
degradation rate constants and chemical properties. (1986)
iii. Protocol and support document for estimating photochemical
rate constants from chemical properties. (1987)
iv. Report describing SAR models for predicting the toxicity
and uptake to terrestrial plants and animals. (1987)
v. Report on a comprehensive structure—toxicity method to
estimate toxicity of chemicals to aquatic organisms. (1986)
vi. Report on SAR methods to predict mode of toxic action
for PNN chemicals. (1985)
vii. Report on evaluation of SAR method for estimating
physical/ chemical properties of industrial chemicals. (1985)
Biotechnology
Health
1. Report from a workshop on potential health hazards of
genetically altered yin that are capable of infecting mammalian
cells. (1985)
ii. Report of the recombination of DNA in plasmids and
genomes of bacilli, including the Bacillus thuningiensis. (1987)
iii. Report characterizing the cytolytic factor of
B. thuringiensis . (1986)
Environment
i. Report on data base for detecting, identifying and
enumerating novel organisms in terrestrial environments. (1985)
ii. Report on identification and enumeration techniques for
genetically altered microrganisms in complex environments. (1985)
iii. Report on genetic stability of altered genotype in
complex ecosystem. (1986)
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iv. Report on environmental factors which limit and control
survival and growth of new genotype. (1986)
v. Report on testing techniques for effects of Biological
control Agents on freshwater organisms. (1984)
vi. Progress report on pathologic, biochemical and genetic
probes developed to detect BCA’s in non—target hosts. (1984)
vii. Progress report on laboratory exposure on non—target
aquatic animals to insect viruses. (1984)
viii. Report on field validation of test techniques for
Biological control Agents of freshwater organisms. (1985)
ix. Report and laboratory testing and evaluation of selected
Microbial Pest Control Agents on non—target birds. (1987)
x. Report and laboratory testing evaluation of selected
Microbial Pest Control Agents on non—target Anthropods. (1987)
Significant Work Completed in FY 84
Test Methods Development
Health
1. A report reviewing the integrated use of various data
for assessing the mutagenic risk of pesticides.
ii. A simple validated procedure for estimating sperm
mobility.
iii. A report showing the importance of age in assessing
neurotoxic effects.
iv. Effects of benomyl on male rate reproductive development
for supplemental information for OPP testing guidelines.
v. Assessment of two methods for estimating dermal exposure
to pesticides.
vi. Report on the Neuropathology of Trimethyl Tin on Neonatal
Rat Hoppocampus.
vii. In Vitro Toxicity Screening Tests — A Comparison of
Metabolic Activation Systems and Treatment Protocols Among Different
Laboratories.
viii. Report on the Interaction Between Normal Human Diploid
Cells and Chemical Carcinogens/Mutagens In Vitro.
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ix. Report on Explant and Monolayer Culture of Human Broncial
Epithellum in a Serum—Free Medium.
x. Report on a Rat Tracheal Cell Culture Transformation
System for Assessment of Environmental Agents as Carcinogens
and Promoters.
xi. Report on Utilization of Mammalian Specific Locus
Studies In Hazard Evaluation and Estimation of Genetic Risk.
xii. Journal Article on Use of Human X Mouse Hybrid Cell
Line to Detect Aneuploidy Induced by Environmental Chemicals.
xiii. Report on Dermal Absorption and Disposition of
1, 3—Diphenylguanidine in Rats.
Environment
i. Reports on early life test methods for marine fishes.
ii. Toxicity test methods and support documents for OPTS
guidelines in several areas including seven—day life cycle cladoceran,
a standard test practice for the use of brine shrimp as food for
aquatic test animals, a root uptake test of phytotoxicity, etc.
iii. Interlaboratory evaluation of several tests completed
including a sheephead minnow early life state toxicity, a stress
ethylene bioassay for phytoroxicity, etc.
Monitoring
i. Development of luminescent method for measurement of
organic compounds In the air.
ii. Many improvements for use with CC/MS and organic
compounds.
Health: Markers, Dosimetry, Extrapolation
i. Report on 7, l2—Dimethylbenz (A) Antracene—DNA Adduct
Formation in Spague—Dawley and Long—Evans Female Rats — The
Relationship of DNA Adducts to Mammary Cancer.
ii. Report on Metabolism and DNA Adduct Formation of
2—Acetylaminofluorine by Bladder Explants from Human, Dog, Monkey,
Hamster, and Rat.
iii. Report on Cross—Species Extrapolation and Hazard
Identification in Neurotoxicology.
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iv. Report on the effects of toxic exposure during develop-
ment of sexual dimorphism — used to support OPP in its lAG with U.S.
Department of Labor.
v. Teratogenic evaluation of the pesticides baygon,
carbofuran, dimethoate and EPN. These data are used by OPP to
assist in the extrapolation of animal data to humans.
vi. Effects of two pyrethroid insecticides on motor activity
and the acoustic startle response in the rat 1, 2 — used to extrapolate
animal data to humans.
vii. Interaction between hexachiorocyclohexane and the
gastrointestinal microflora and their effect on the absorption,
biotransformation, and excretion of parathion by the rat — data to
be used to assist OPP in understanding the mechanisms of metabolism.
viii. Clastogenic and physiological response of chromosomes to
nine pesticides in the vicia faba in vivo root tip assay system—used
by OPP for assessing genotoxicity of pesticide chemicals.
ix. Chloridimeform produces profound, selected and transient
changes in visual evoked potentials of hood rats — used by OPP
toxicologists to evaluate data submitted by registrants to determine
risks.
x. A report on an analysis of the spectra of genetic activity
productive by known or suspected human carcinogens — used by OPP to
support efforts in evaluating genetic effects.
Special Human Data Needs
No output in 1984
Ecology: Field Testing and Fate
i. A report for the dynamics and pathways of exposure of fish
in the Hudson River to PCBs.
ii. A report on the exposure of fish, periphyton, and macrophytes
to fluoresce, pentachioropheno, and atrozine and the resulting effects.
iii. A model, called )IEXANS has been developed for predicting
exposure concentrations of metals in aquatic systems.
iv. A report on the effects of sediment micro—organisms on
estuarine pesticide biodegradation.
v. Report on a method for predicting pesticide effects on
non—target organisms in a freshwater pond.
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vi. Study on the feasibility of using population—ecosystem
models to evaluate chemical impacts in aquatic systems.
vii. Report of field study on aquatic animal pesticide accumulation.
viii. A manual for use of a model, called PRZM—l, to predict
pesticide leaching potential.
ix. An evaluation of the EXA MS—I l exposure model.
Ecology: Ecotoxicity and Risk Assessment
This is an FY 86 initiative and hence no outputs In FY 84.
Engineering
This is an FY 85 initiative and hence no outputs in FY 84.
Exposure Monitori g _
I. Provided the soil sampling strategy for the Dallas lead study.
ii. Provided a protocol for vegetation sampling.
iii. Provided guidelines for exposure monitoring of well water.
iv. Designed an optimized air monitoring network for exposure
assessnieflts
v. Performed a field assessment of lead contamination in Dallas.
Structure Activity Relationship (SAR )
I. In Vitro SCE and chromosome aberration Analyses in Mice
Exposed to Dichloromethane.
ii. An Analyses of the Spectra of Genetic Activity Produced by
known or Suspected Human Carcinogens.
iii. Journal Article on Pattern Recognition Analysis of a Set of
Mutagenic Aliphatic Ni—Nitrosoamines.
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MULTIMEDIA—ENERGY RESEARCH COMMITTEE
FY 1984 ANNUAL REPORT
Introduction
On behalf of the Multimedia—Energy Research Committee (MERC), this
report summarizes the major research issues, highlights FY 1984 accom-
plishments that respond to these issues, and identifies research to be
performed in FY 1985. The MERC is cochaired by Dr. Courtney Riordan (ORD)
and Charles Elkins (OAR) and broadly represents the Agency’s program and
regional offices.
The overall goal of the multimedia energy research and development
program is to provide the scientific and technical information necessary to
support the Agency’s permitting and standard—setting processes, and to allow
for the development and utilization of energy sources in an environmentally
acceptable manner. Research is conducted to better understand the phenomenon
of acid deposition and provide information upon which mitigation decisions
may be made; to expand EPA’s knowledge of the performance, reliability, and
cost of the limestone injection multistage burner (LIMB) control technology;
to characterize and evaluate synthetic fuels discharges; to evaluate the
impacts of energy development in cold climates.
Acid Deposition
Research on acid deposition is coordinated through the National Acid
Precipitation Assessment Program (NAPAP), which is administered by the
Interagency Task Force on Acid Precipitation. EPA is one of three joint—
chairs of the Interagency Task Force, and has the lead role in the aquatic
effects, control technology and assessment research areas. The term “acid
rain” means the atmospheric deposition of acidic or acid—forming compounds
in either dry or wet form. These compounds exist in the atmosphere as gases
or aerosol particles containing sulfur oxides (SOs), nitrogen oxides (NO ),
hydrogen chloride, sulfuric acid, nitric acid and certain sulfate and nitrate
compounds. While scientists generally agree that these compounds are respon-
sible for deposition of varying degrees of acidity, many questions still
remain about the causes, effects, and methods of mitigating or controlling
acid deposition. The objective of acid deposition research is to develop
the necessary data to fully understand the sources and characteristics of
acid deposition as well as the extent of damage or potential damage.
Major issues and associated outputs identified by the MERC for FY 1984—85
in the acid deposition research program are as follows:
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A. Dry Deposition Monitoring
What is the best method to obtain dry deposition monitoring data
comparable to that from the existing National Trends Network (NTN) which
concentrates on wet deposition?
The acid rain research program is compiling a large volume of deposition
data on wet precipitation. A growing body of evidence indicates that dry
deposition, in the form of gases and aerosols, significantly contributes to
total deposition. However, little data exists on dry deposition due to the
difficulty in developing and deploying accurate monitoring instrumentation.
Another problem is that the dry deposition rates vary with surface cover and
topography as well as with environmental variables such as wind speed and
humidity. As a result, the actual contribution of dry deposition, in most
areas, can only be estimated. In an effort to obtain dry deposition monitoring
data, ORD initiated field testing of the prototype dry deposition monitor in
FY 1984. In FY 1985, the evaluation will be completed and the design of the
dry deposition network finalized. A pilot network (6 stations) will be
established in FY 1985.
B. Aquatic Effects of Acid Deposition
What future changes in surface water chemistry will occur assuming
current levels of acid deposition remain constant, and what is the extent
and rate—of—change to aquatic resources resulting from acid depostion?
The effects of acidification are most pronounced in sensitive aquatic
systems. Acidic deposition is believed to be a major contributing factor
in episodic depressions of pH which may result in reduced fish populations.
The scientific uncertainties surrounding the aquatic effects of acidic
deposition can be divided into several major categories: the extent of
sensitive or acidic surface waters in the U.S.; the detection of long—term
trends in surface water chemistry; predicting changes in surface water
chemistry; the biological effects associated with surface—water acidification;
and research on mitigation techniques. These uncertainties can be translated
into questions of extent, rate, and magnitude of change attributable to
acidic deposition.
National Surface Water Survey : In order to decrease the uncertainties
related to the aquatic effects of acidic deposition, ORD initiated a National
Surface Water Survey (NSWS). The NSWS is a field project in three distinct
phases which documents the chemical and biological status of lakes and streams
In regions potentially sensitive to acidic deposition. The Survey also will
select regionally representative surface waters based on chemical, physical,
and biological parameters to quantify future changes in aquatic resources
through a long—term monitoring program.
The first phase of the NSWS is designed to quantify the chemistry of
lakes and streams in areas now believed to contain the majority of low—
alkalinity waters. This phase of the survey will determine what percentage
of lakes and streams in the susceptible regions are acidic or have low
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alkalinity. In FY 1984, the Eastern Lakes field survey was completed. In
FY 1985, ORD will publish reports on the primary analysis of data from the
eastern lakes survey and plans to complete the western lakes survey.
Phase II will quantify the biological components and the seasonal and
spatial variability of a regionally representative subset of lakes and streams.
These data should explain what percentage of lakes are devoid of fish, what
chemical characteristics of surface waters are associated with the presence
or absence of fish and what temporal variability can be expected in
representative surface waters.
Phase III will define those lakes and streams as regionally representative
sites for a long—term monitoring program to quantify future changes in the
chemistry and biology of aquatic ecosystems.
Direct/Delayed Response : One of the most important questions in the
aquatic effects research program is the extent of direct response and delayed
response systems in the U.S. The variation in response times is expected
to result from the differences in soil, bedrock, and hydrology. Therefore,
some watersheds will be in dynamic equilibrium with acidic inputs from the
atmosphere and will respond quickly, while others will exhibit significant
sulfur retention or contain appreciable neutralizing capacities and will
respond only after long delays. If direct response systems prevail in
sensitive areas of the country, then no additional changes in surface water
chemistry would be expected, given no change in present acidic loading
rates. However, if delayed response systems predominate, then more waters
may become acidic due to acidic deposition even if current loading rates do
not change. Results from research will influence decisions concerning the
immediacy of possible controls on sulfur emissions. In FY 1984, a research
plan to Investigate the direct/delayed response phenomenon was developed.
In F? 1985, the initial soil survey field work will be conducted.
C. Terrestrial Effects of Acid Deposition :
What is the extent, rate, magnitude and cause of effects on watersheds,
soils and forests as a result of acid deposition?
Terrestrial effects of acidic deposition falls into two major categories:
effects on watersheds and soils; and effects on forests. The major issues
have to do with whether effects can be shown or suspected, their extent,
their magnitude and the rate at which they occur.
Watersheds and Soil Processes : Many processes within watersheds affect
the rate and extent of the acidification of surface waters. Watershed bedrock
geology, system hydrology and biological processes are all important deter-
minants of the response of surface waters to acidic inputs from the atmosphere.
Acidification of surface water is a watershed—level phenomenon and a full
understanding of all the blogeochemical processes involved In watersheds is
not expected for some years. EPA expects to expand its knowledge of the
processes to the point of more accurately predicting the effects of changing
acidic inputs. In FY 1985, ORD will accelerate the process—level research
on the geochemical and physical characteristics of soils that are important
in the response of surface waters.
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Forests : Preliminary data on foliar damage and growth reductions in
several species of trees in different forest ecotypes suggest that environ-
mental pollution including acid deposition may be a major or contributing
cause.
In FY 1985, EPA, in co—operation with the U.S. Forest Service, will
initiate a survey of forests in the U.S. designed to measure the extent of
currently unexplained foliar damage. While this survey cannot determine
the causes, it should provide some estimates of the current and potential
impacts of this problem.
EPA will accelerate research designed to identify the cause—and—effect
mechanisms of forest changes and the interactive effects of air pollutants
associated with acidic deposition. This research will be conducted in close
cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service.
D. Assessment
What existing mechanism(s) would best integrate acid deposition research
information to provide policy—makers with the ability to formulate timely and
cost—effective decisions for dealing with the acid deposition issues?
The assessment research program performs two vital functions: (1) integrates
the various aspects of the acid deposition research program, and (2) provides
information to decision makers to formulate appropriate decisions that address
acid deposition issues. A major part of this effort is to developments assess-
ment tools and documents. In FY 1984, ORD published “The Acidic Deposition
Phenomenon and Its Effects — Critical Assessment Review Papers.”
Major acid deposition assessments are scheduled for 1985, and 1987 and
1989. The 1985 report will encompass an assessment of current damage,
uncertainties to policy alternatives, and a framework for the Integrated
assessment methodology to be used in the 1987 and 1989 assessments.
Limestone Injection Multistage Burner (LIMB )
Another major research issue is “How does EPA promote innovative
cost—effective energy—related pollution control technologies?” The most
promising area is the development of the “limestone injection multistage
burner” (LIMB) emission—reduction technology. The LIMB combines S0 control
with simultaneous N0 control by using a mixture of pulverized coal and S0
control by a factor of 3 to 4 and annual operating costs by 50 percent.
ORD continues to develop LIMB technology that is designed to reduce both
SO and N0 , the two major acid rain precursors. The LIMB technology is
designed to be retrofitable to large and small existing coal—fired boilers.
The LIMB performance goal Is to reduce S0, emissions by 50—70% and NO
emissions by 50—80%. During FY 1984, ORD developed high surface area
sorbents and sorbents treated with “promotors” such as sodium carbonate to
improve the sulfur capture ability of the LIMB technology. Beyond possible
acid rain retrofit, these developments may make the LIMB technology suitable
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for use as a low cost control alternative for meeting New Source Performance
Standards for boilers operating with low—sulfur coal. Laboratory tests are
continuing to define the optimum conditions for the injection of the sorbent.
During FY 1984, a cofunded tract for a full—scale demonstration of the LIMB
technology on a wall—fired utility boiler was awarded to the Babcock and
Wilcox Company. EPA is providing approximately 30% of the total funding
for this demonstration. Most of the remainder of the funding will be
provided by Babcock and Wilcox, the State of Ohio, and Ohio Edison. The
demonstration is scheduled for completion by mid 1988. In FY 1985, ORD will
prepare a report on bench scale evaluation of interactions of sorbent and
mineral matter for wall—fired boilers.
Synthetic Fuels
An additional research issue is “How EPA develops methods to evaluate
the health and environmental impacts of pollutants associated with synthetic
fuel processes, including the characterization of discharges, and the
assessment of emission—reduction technologies for mitigating these impacts?”
These efforts assist industry and permitting officials by identifying
problems which might impede the commercialization of the industry while
ensuring the quality of the environment.
Energy Engineering : Research conducted by ORD significantly contributes
to the advancement of an environmentally acceptable synthetic—fuels industry.
Section 131(e) of the 1980 Energy Security Act (PL 96—294) specifies that
any contract for financial assistance made with the U.S. Synthetic Fuels
Corporation (SFC) include an approved plan for monitoring environmental and
health—related discharges during the construction and operation of a synthetic
fuels facility. EPA, as one of the consulting agencies to the SFC, is
providing significant technical review and assistance to EPA regional and
State officials on industry prepared Environmental Monitoring Outlines and
Plans. In the absence of industry—specific regulations, regional and State
officials are relying heavily on ORD’s research results and professional
expertise to determine the applicability of existing permits to control
pollutants from proposed synthetic fuel facilities. Considerable technical
assistance and document review is provided to State and local authorities
receiving Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) and permit applications
for proposed controls on synthetic fuel facilities. In addition, ORD
technical reports were published that evaluated the effectiveness of control
technologies in the synthetic fuels industry. In FY 1984, ORD published an
assessment document entitled “Source Test and Evaluation Report — Rectisol
Acid Gas Removal.’
Energy Health : The primary purpose of this research was to provide
procedures for conducting health and environmental risk assessments in the
vicinity of proposed or actual synfuel production facilities. These procedures
are useful to EPA, other Federal agencies, State agencies, and the private
sector in assessing health and environmental risks that result from the
installation and operation of a synfuels facility at any given location.
In FY 1985, ORD will publish a Users Manual for estimating health risks
of chemicals from synfuels production to the general population in the
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vicinity of a proposed or actual facility and a Users Manual for estimating
environmental risks of chemicals from synfuels production beyond the boundaries
of a proposed or actual facility.
Cold Climate
The last research issue involves “How can EPA better define the impacts
of coal, oil and gas development and atmospheric pollution on Alaska’s unique
artic and sub—artic ecosystem?’
The Cold Climate Research Program addresses environmental and health
problems applicable to most cold weather regions, but primarily problems in
the State of Alaska where natural resource development, expanding population
and the extreme climate pose unique environmental and health problems. The
research program concentrates on those areas of highest concern to Region X
and the State. In FY 1984 a three—year program which had focused on the
carbon monoxide (CO) problem in urban Alaska was completed. A final report
on automobile emissions of CO in non—attainment areas of Alaska was published.
In FY 1985, the Cold Climate Program will shift its emphasis to resource
development and habitat modification issues, including the impacts of oil and
gas development, the environmental impacts of placer mining, the evaluation
of asbestos in drinking water, the toxicology and fate of petroleum hydrocarbons
in oiled waters, and the impact of particulates, particularly woodsmoke, on
human health in urban areas.
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rU. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE:1985/559 111/10854
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