"•'
t
nsu
dthe
Environment
mmimlftl
-------
Consumers and
the Environment
Pedestrians at a busy doivntoivn
thoroughfare. Polls consistently shoiv n
high degree of public concern about
environmental problems. Part of EPA's
job is to make sure the public has (he
information to make responsible
environmental decisions.
Once viewed largely as
conservation of natural
resources, environmental
protection has become a
"people" issue as well,
concerned with human
health and well being.
Reflecting the people-
orieuted dimension in
EPA's work, this issue of
EPA /otinici/ provides
information of potential use
to consumers in their
everyday lives.
In an interview, Jennifer
Joy Wilson answers questions
about EPA and consumers.
Wilson is EPA's Assistant
Administrator for External
Affairs. A Consumers' Hill of
Rights is explained by
Virginia II. Knauer, the
President's Special Adviser
for Consumer Affairs.
Guidance for the consumer
is provided in a series of
articles. Leading off, the first
article explains how to
reduce lead in drinking
water, and discusses EPA
actions to deal with it in air
and gasoline. Other articles
provide consumer
information on radon testing;
managing household
hazardous wastes; incentives
for recycling; using pesticides
more safely around the home?;
warranties for
environ mentally-safe
automobiles; and EPA
hotlines, as well as the latest
techniques for controlling
that ubiquitous pest, the
cockroach. Another article
reviews the pros and cons of
options to restrict gasoline
fumes during vehicle
refueling, a matter affecting
almost all consumers. And a
piece on Cleveland's
Cuyahoga River illustrates
the "people" benefits of
environmental cleanup.
On another subject, the
Journal reports on actions by
American Indians to protect
environmental quality at
reservations around the
country and explains EPA's
policy to support such steps.
The magazine concludes
with two regular
features—Update and
Appointments. D
-------
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of
Public Affairs (A-107)
Washington DC 20460
Volume 13
Number 3
April 1987
x>EPA JOURNAL
Lee M. Thomas, Administrator
Jennifer Joy Wilson, Assistant Administrator for External Affairs
Linda Wilson Reed, Director. Office of Public Affairs
John Heritage, Editor
Susan Tejada, Associate Editor
Jack Lewis, Assistant Editor
Margherita Pryor, Contributing Editor
EPA is charged by Congress to
protect the nation's land. air. and
water systems. Under a mandate of
national environmental laws, the
agency strives to formulate and
implement actions which lead to a
compatible balance between
human activities and the ability nl
natural systems to support and
nurture life.
The EPA ftiurntil is published by
the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency. The Administrator ul KI'A
has determined that the
publication of this periodical is
necessary in the transaction of the
public business required by law ot
this agency. Use of funds for
printing this periodical has been
approved by the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget.
Views expressed by authors do not
necessarily reflect KI'A policy.
Contributions and inquiries should
IK: addressed to the Editor (A-107),
Waterside Mall. 401 M St.. S.W..
Washington, DC 204GO. Xo
permission necessary to reproduce
contents except copyrighted photos
and other materials.
Consumers:
The EPA Role
An Interview with
Jennifer Joy Wilson 2
A Consumers'
Bill of Rights
by Virginia H. Knauer 5
Dealing with
the Dangers
of Lead
by Joel Schwartz
and Ronnie Levin (>
Buyer Beware:
Evaluating Radon
Tests
by Miles Kahn 9
Managing Household
Hazardous Wastes
by Marcia Williams
and Dana Duxbury 1 1
Recycling:
A Situation Report
by Anne Scheinberg
and Trisha Ferrand 14
Safer Use of
Pesticides
at Home
by Christine Gillis 15
Did You Know?
Warranties Available for
Good Car Maintenance
by Karl Hellman 17
Information, Please!
EPA's Hotlines
by Carol Panasewich 11)
One Way to Fight
the Cockroach
bv William E.
(Hill) Currie 22
Gasoline Vapor Controls:
Pros and Cons
by Richard D. Wilson 23
"People" Benefits
from a Cleaner
Cuyahoga
by Paul Svedersky 2ti
Indians Act
for a Cleaner
Environment
by Roy Popkin 2H
Update :t2
Appointments 32
Front Cover: Going shopping.
Photo bv Dick Luria for rojio, Inc.
Design Credits:
Donna WasyJJdwskyj
Ron Famih;
Jim Ingniin.
The annual rate for subscribers in
the U.S. for the EPA journal is
$11.00. The charge to subscribers
in foreign countries is $13.75 a
year. The price of a single copy of
the EPA journal is Si.75 in this
country and $2.19 if sent to a
foreign country. Prices include!
mail costs. Subscriptions to the
EPA Journal as well as to other
federal government maga/.ines are
handled only by the U.S.
Government Printing Office.
Anyone wishing to subscribe to the
EPA Journal should till in (he form
at right and enclose a check or
money order payable to the
Superintendent of Documents. The
requests should be mailed to:
Superintendent of Documents,
GPO. Washington, DC 20402.
EPA Journal Subscriptions
Name - First, Last
PLEASE PRINT
Company Name or Additional Address Line
Street Address
City
Zip
Code
| I Payment enclosed (Make checks payable to Superintendent of Documents)
I I Charge to my Deposit Account No
-------
Consumers:
The EPA Role
An Interview with
Jennifer Joy Wilson
What is h'PA's role regarding consumers
and their concerns? 1/oiv does l-'PA
provide in/ormation of use lo
consumers? What responsibilities do
consumers have to help ensure o clean,
safe environment7 To get the answers to
questions sudi as these, the KPA
Journal interviewed Jennifer Joy Wilson,
the Agency's Assistant Administrator
for External Affairs. Tin; intervieiv
follows:
Jennifer Joy U'ilson
v_J Most people see liPA's primary
mission us protecting the environment.
How did the Agency become so
identified with consumers?
/ V Although the emphasis varies
somewhat among the several laws KI'A
is responsible for, for the most part the
Agency's primary mission has always
been to protect human health, tinder
the r.leun Air Act, for example, the
primary air quality standards are set to
protect health; the secondary standards
are to protect welfare. In a very broad
sense, anybody who breathes the air and
drinks the water is a consumer ul those
resources. So it's our job to make sure:
those resources are both saved—in the
sense of preserved for the future—and
safe. In those terms, you could say that
all the laws we implement benefit the
consumer.
When we protect wetlands, for
example, we. also protect water quality,
help control floods, and filter and break
down pollutants. That's in addition to
providing habitat for fish and wildlife.
[) Could you cite examples of some
actions specifically directed at
consumers?
/\ I guess the example that springs to
mind first is our pesticides program. Wo
register them for use, which means that
we evaluate them for all sorts of
potential adverse effects on human
health before they are permitted to he
sold or used. We also ensure that they
are labeled properly. I think this is
particularly helpful to, say, the? average;
homeowner going out to buy weed
killers or bug sprays. Pesticides are
among the most toxic substances people
will ever come in contact with in their
everyday lives, and it's important that
we make that contact as safe as possible.
Other examples: EPA's drinking water
regulations protect the quality of your
tap water, and right now we're taking
special action against the problem oi
lead in drinking water. Alerting the
public: to the dangers of radon in homes
and reducing the amount of lead in
gasoline are other actions we've taken
that specifically affect the consumer.
2 You're the Assistant
ministrator for External Affairs.
What role does that office play in
serving the consumer?
/\ Well, we've got a practical side
and a more abstract side. On the:
"how-to" side, we provide practical
advice on problems that really hit home,
such as radon, asbestos, lead, and
pesticides.
More indirectly, the public has a
vested interest in what we do. We raise;
public awareness about various issues,
and we are trying harder to show people
how they can participate in our
decisionmaking.
We produce publications, slide
shows, films, videos, public service
announcements, etc. Right now, for
example, we're finishing a training
video that will be distributed to our
regional offices and be available to the
general public. Developed primarily for
contractors, inspectors, and state and
local officials, it explains how to test for
and abate radon pollution. It's a simple
way to reach thousands of people who
need to get some technical information.
Basically, we're the communications
conduit for the Agency. Our public, by
the way, includes not only the general
public, but also Congress and various
other constituencies. We work with
environmental groups, industry, labor,
and community organizations, as well
as with other government agencies at all
levels. So I think we have a pretty good
handle on a very broad and
representative range of concerns.
\) Do you think consumers are
generally aware of the ways in which
EPA can help them? Do they take
advantage of Agency expertise?
IV Let me say that 1 think EPA is
among the most famous, maybe
infamous, agencies in the federal
government. That's because we deal
with so many issues right in people's
backyards. By and large, however, I
think the American public does
understand EPA's overall mission.
Hut does that translate into an
awareness of our specific programs? In
some cases, yes. For example, the
publicity about radon last fall triggered
in one month alone over 11,000 citizen
inquiries to EPA's Public Information
Center. So when we've made a
particular effort to communicate an
issue, we have gotten very good results.
But I think there are a lot of other-
places where we need to do better. Our
actions affect people absolutely on a
direct basis. We promulgate somewhere
between 200 and 300 regulations a year,
almost all of which are published in the
Federal Hegister. Well, the average
citizen does not read the Federal
Register. We have a real challenge on
our hands to make sure that we actually
get the information out in a way that is
understandable by someone whose life's
work is not environmental protection.
For example, we run some 20 hotlines
that offer assistance on everything from
hazardous wastes to asbestos to small
business compliance. But how many
people know about them? Making those
hotlines better known to the public
would be; a tremendous step in the right
direction.
EPA JOURNAL
-------
What else do you feel the Agency
could do to make EPA's expertise more
generally available?
i\ Of course, our funds are not
limitless, so it's always a problem to
decide where our priorities should be.
We're trying more public service
announcements on radio and TV, and
we're also making sure that when issues
come up, our officials and experts are
available for interviews, talk shows, that
sort of thing.
Another thing we'd like to do more is
to use various organizations to help
spread our information to their members
and constituencies. Civic groups.
environmental groups, business ami
labor organizations — these can be
immensely helpful in passing on
information to and through their local
chapters.
American life — you don't use any
manufactured products or treated water
or buy agricultural products, for
example — you are a user and consumer.
We all are. We all share that
responsibility.
One topic that has started to
percolate into public debate is the issue
of the costs of environmental
protection, for example, in higher water
and sewer bills. In your view, how far
should consumers share in these costs?
/v. Well, 1 certainly think that users
and consumers of the environment have
a responsibility to pay for protecting
and cleaning it up. And unless you're
completely out of the mainstream of
But as far as consumers as a
specific group — as opposed, say. to
manufacturers — do you think they're
benefiting more from EPA's efforts than
they are paying for? Not only in dollars
but in terms of adjusted lifestyles and
so on?
/V That's a hard one. Take the issue
of the ozone standard. We have some 70
major metropolitan areas in the country
that are not going to attain that standard
by the deadline at the end of this year.
Some states and cities maybe, just
maybe, could meet the standard by
taking measures such as imposing
odd/even driving days, taxing second
vehicles at high enough rates to
discourage their purchase, or relocating
ozone-producing industries out of the
non-attainment area.
Taking away industries could have
major economic repercussions.
especially in terms of jobs. And many
driving restrictions enrage and
inconvenience a lot of Americans. On
top of that, we anticipate that even with
the most draconian measures, more than
20 of the non-attainment areas will
.Assnfrmzue fs/diid .Vud'oiui/ Srus/inn'. ci
ivt'tliinds area (jlo)ig the .Maryland
Virginm cons! popular ivttl) amoeists
and fm-divri/rhfTS. HcjiHiN oj irrfjonds
protection include improved recrwition
'."tumlics us urll (is improved ;vufrr
quality und flood control.
simply not be able to meet the standard
In- the end of 1987.
Where do you allocate the costs in
this issue? We all will benefit by getting
rid of the ozone, no question, but how
do you decide how to pay tor it?
Congress, EPA, the states, local
governments — they're all grappling with
this.
A problem like lead in drinking
water, on the other hand, does belong
more appropriately to the individual
consumer. If the city is providing safe.
clean water through safe pipes, and the
lead is coming from my solder, my lead
pipes, then I feel it's my problem.
When we require a power plant to
install a scrubber, or when we take lead
out of gasoline, you can argue that the
consumer is paying the bill through an
increase in his electric bill or an
increase in the price of gasoline. Hut the
costs, when measured against the
benefits, are insignificant, and according
to the polls I've seen, the American
public: is more than willing to share
them. Further, when you consider that
the gasoline buyer, or consumer, is not
only benefiting himself when he pays for
unleaded gasoline, hut is helping to
prevent lead poisoning in children, the
bargain becomes irresistible.
What about less specific benefits
that come to the public as a result of
EPA's efforts — the recreational
opportunities from protecting wetlands,
for example. What's EPA's role in
highlighting these?
l\ Well, we walk a fairly delicate line
there. Let me take the Chesapeake Hay.
for example. One reason the Chesapeake
Bay, which includes wetlands areas,
enjoys so much attention is because the
people around it can physically
experience the benefits it brings,
recreational and aesthetic as well as
economic and ecological. So even
though the Chesapeake Bay program
involves about 17 different federal
agencies and departments, three states
and the District of Columbia, and
dozens of local communities and citizen
groups, the final objective has always
been clear and unanimous — to clean up
and save the Bay. EPA didn't have to
APRIL 1987
-------
convince anyone that (ho Bay was a
valuable resource.
Now that situation is very rani. Kvcn
with the Bay program, then: wore and
are serious conflicts about proper uses
and measures to be taken. Normally, tin;
potential benefits vary with the eyes of
the beholders, be they developers or
birdwatchers.
KPA has to lie very careful not to use
its inlormation and education resources
in a way that enlists support for
particular appropriations or
authorizations. It's not our job to
persuade Americans to support our
stance on particular issues.
We need to be very clear about the
benefits that we think will result from
our decisions, but we can't got
emotional about them. We can point to
the benefits, but we can't persuade.
V£ The polls consistently show that
the public is highly concerned about
environmental problems, but has this
translated into individual
responsibility?
/\ No. 1 don't think we're there yet.
We're much more sensitive to
environmental issues than we wore
when HI 'A was established, and that's
good, but I believe most of us still think
of the polluters as "them." Well, to
quote Pogo's famous phrase, "We have
met the enemy and he is us." To a
distressing degree, some people tamper
with their catalytic converters, use
loaded fuel improperly, pour used
motor oil clown slorm sewers and
don't think they are harming the
environment.
Where the concept of individual
responsibility runs into trouble is when
tin; economic cost of voluntarily doing
the responsible thing seems too high.
Take a situation whore someone has to
drive li() miles and wait in line for two
hours to dispose conscientiously of
household hazardous waste. It's going to
be hard to gel people to go through that
time and trouble,
So part of our responsibility is to
make sure thai people have the
information to make proper decisions;
the oilier part is to make sun; that we
put in place or encourage
"user-friendly" systems so that people
can carry out those decisions.
/\ That's absolutely a major issue. We
have not yet developed a system that
balances the benefits to society of
disposing of ha/.ardous wastes properly
with the perceived risks to individuals
of being near disposal sites. Chris
Daggett, our Region 2 Administrator.
coined an interesting phrase for this. He
calls it environmental gridlock.
Generally, we want to dispose of
hazardous wastes properly, we realize
that as consumers we all contributed to
the creation of those wastes, and yet we
can't bring ourselves to allow a disposal
site anywhere near us. We come up
with hundreds of perfectly plausible
reasons, but the bottom line is always
the same — anywhere but here.
This is very understandable. We've
always had a throwaway mentality in
this country, so the idea that we're
running out of "aways" is hard for a lot
of us to grasp. But we have to accept
that a highly regulated incinerator is a
better risk than an old landfill or
improper disposal facility.
What about collective
responsibility as opposed to individual
responsibility — the problems in siting
hazardous waste disposal facilities, lor
example.
But is the public at a point where
it can balance risk, prioritize it?
/\ I think that low risks are very
difficult for the public to make sense of.
It's relatively easy for us to
communicate high risks or immediate
hazards. If you're talking about an
immediate health ha/.ard from
contaminated well water, you're going
to get an immediate response. Someone
who knows he's going to get hepatitis
from the water is going to stop drinking
it.
What about some contaminant found
in parts per quadrillion in a drinking
water source, though? That may be
below a drinking water standard, but
some people will be upset that you're
not taking action. There are a lot of
people who believe that involuntary risk
is simply not to be borne. Voluntary
risks — getting in our cars and driving
where and as we want — we can accept.
But justifying an involuntary exposure
to a substance (hat could possibly have
a negative impact over a lifetime is
much more difficult.
But everything about environmental
protection is much more difficult today.
The easy problems have already been
tackled, Prevention and cleanup are
much more expensive; the decisions are
much more difficult; explaining the
benefits of our decisions is much
tougher. That's another. impetus for us
to involve the public more extensively
in our decision-making process: So they
can see that we're not locked in an ivory
tower; so we can say. "Look. Here's
what our science tells us the benefits
are going to be. here's what our analysts
tell us the costs are, these are the
potential risks, this is what we propose
to do. What's your input?"
v^/ You mentioned earlier the need
for EPA to get its message across. Do
you think the public, the consumer,
understands and supports what EPA is
trying to do?
/\ Consumers certainly do when they
want EPA to take some sort of action for
them. Communities who find
themselves with an abandoned
hazardous waste site in their midst
certainly support EPA as a useful
agency,
EPA's regulations are pervasive; they
are truly pervasive. I can't think of any
area of the country, or any individuals
in the country, who aren't affected
directly or indirectly by this Agency. I'd
say we have a very large recognition
factor, but you know, that can work
both ways. We can be villains as well as
heroes. Polls show the majority of
people see EPA in a positive light, but
it's not a huge majority. Maybe (50
percent. We're a little better in the
public perception than the IRS, but not
a lot.
My feeling is that we've got
credibility as a regulatory agency. But
that doesti't mean we're liked.
Especially when we swoop into a
community and say, "No. you can't
build on this wetland, no matter what
you want to build and no matter that it
could provide 600 jobs." That's one
group of consumers that won't look on
us positively.
So what would you like to
accomplish with those consumers as
head of the Office of External Affairs?
What are your goals?
/\ As I stated during my Senate
confirmation hearing, my primary goal
is to increase public: involvement in
EPA's decision-making.
I'm tremendously pleased to be part
of a management team that practices the
"fishbowl" policy. That means that
we're opening our doors and our minds
to those who may not agree with us, but
who may have insights and perceptions
that will help us make better decisions.
We spend a great deal of time
debating — often through the court
system- the tightness or wrongness of
EPA JOURNAL
-------
our decisions. We probably won't ever
escape that, because our actions have
such a tremendous impact on people's
lives, on the environment, on the
economy, on industry. E3ut I think that
we will spend less time defending our
decisions if we've really had
representative input.
In fact, at a recent management
retreat, the senior managers themselves
identified communication and
consultation as among the most
important elements in achieving our
environmental mission.
I'd like to see us get beyond
notification only, and let people know
what's going on before a decision
becomes a I'd it accompli. I think that's a
realistic goal. We've already seen some
progress. The underground storage tank
program, for instance, has an exemplary
communications strategy that considers
whom the regulations will affect and
how to draw them into the regulation
development process. That gives us a
great foundation even as the regulations
are being proposed. The formal public
comment periods give us even broader
input.
When the regulation is finally
promulgated, that preconsultation will
make it possible for us to notify all the
interested parties and target relevant
information to them. The more
consultation we have up front, the less
litigation and challenge we'll have after.
We've got tremendously complex
programs, driven by a lot of deadlines.
But we need to do more, ami we can do
more, to develop broader and better
public participation in our major
decisions. D
A Consumers'
Bill of Rights
by Virginia H. Knauer
The American marketplace wears a
vastly different face today than the
one it wore 200 years ago. When the
U.S. Constitution was created, the
Founding Fathers could never have
imagined the many forces at work in
today's world market. Consumers and
businesses now face an incredible
assortment of products and services,
rights and responsibilities. And it is an
increasingly complex and global
assortment. Yet it is the Constitution.
for all its contrasting simplicity, which
forms the framework of our modern
marketplace.
Today's marketplace is complex and
varied, at least in part, because
consumer demands are complex and
varied. Few consumers settle for just a
cleaning solvent anymore. Some want
an effective cleaning solvent at a
reasonable price, in a child-proof
container, that won't damage their home
surfaces, and that is made by a company
that donates to charity, and uses safe
waste disposal methods. And they want
a refund if it doesn't work the way it's
supposed to.
These criteria can often represent the
design and objectives of a corporate
development and marketing plan, too.
How did we get from the Constitutional
framework to the modern marketplace?
First let'.s look at the marketplace
guidelines set forth in the Constitution.
(Mrs. Kmiuer is Spe.cidl Adviser to l/ie
J'n.'sidi.'nl fur Consumer Aljuirs.
Director, ['.S. Office of Consumer
Affairs.!
The United States Constitution
established our free enterprise system.
gave us a common currency, standard
weights and measures, reliable legal
procedures, and a framework for
interstate and international trade. It
provided incentives for invention
through trademarks and patents. And it
paved the way for a national postal
system. Every one of these provisions is
still working 200 years later.
This year, consumers focused on
these important provisions during
National Consumers Week, proclaimed
by President Reagan and celebrated
from April 19 through April 25. The
theme this year was "Consumers
Celebrate the Constitution," and many
businesses, educators, and media and
government officials marked the week
with events and activities noting the
important role of consumers in our
economic system.
Now let's look at how the consumer's
role has changed since the creation of
the Constitution. Most importantly,
consumers today arc lar more aware ot
the rights and responsibilities they have
in their purchasing decisions, rights that
were not so clearly defined in the
1950s, let alone the 1700s. In fact.
consumers have what has become
known as a "Consumers' Bill of Rights."
Included in the Consumers' Hill of
Rights are the right to CHOICE among
products and services, the right to
INFORMATION so we can make
intelligent choices, the right to expect
SAFETY in the things we purchase, the
right TO BE HEARD when we have a
question or complaint, and the right to
CONSUMER EDUCATION, a lifelong
process. President Reagan and each of
his five predecessors have endorsed
these rights.
The consumers' responsibility, on the
other hand, is to exercise these rights in
order to mold the marketplace to meet
their needs. Thus, when consumers
demand a safer, cleaner environment.
cheaper airfare, or a more powerful
computer, businesses will respond In-
competing to meet that demand. Let's
take an example.
In the mid-1970s, when the National
Academy of Sciences found a link
between chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
used in some aerosols and damage to
Earth's protective o/ono layer, many
consumers became concerned, S.C.
Johnson and Son. Inc.. then stopped
using CFCs in its aerosols. Johnson
challenged other companies to follow its
lead, but gained an edge over
competitors in being first to meet a
growing consumer environmental
concern. Two years later, when the EPA
banned them in most aerosols. CFC
propellents hail already dropped from
nearly half of the total aerosol market to
less than five percent.
Consumers exercised several ui their
rights in this example. They exercised
their right to choice by deciding not to
purchase an aerosol that used CFC
propellants. The right to information
was satisfied by the National Academy
of Sciences report as well as by media
coverage of its findings. And tiie right to
safety was represented by consumers
who used their marketplace dollars to
reward companies whose products wore
safe to the o/.one layer.
This market model has been so
successful in other consumer areas lh.it
it may well be the appropriate one for
implementing any marketplace changes
on which a majority consensus can he
reached.
In today's vast marketplace,
consumers and businesses are learning
they do not have to be adversaries.
Rather, they are learning from each
other, and continuously working
together toward a better, more
responsive marketplace. o
APRIL 1987
-------
Dealing with
the Dangers of Lead
by Joel Schwartz
and Ronnie Levin
it A II right, lead is bad for me, and
ilJ've hoard that many people have
high load levels in their homes. What
should I do about it?" This is a question
that more and more people are
asking along with, "What is EPA going
to do about it?"
To determine what you, the
consumer, should do about the potential
risk from high lead exposure in your
drinking water, you need to know what
those risks might be. Lead gets into
drinking water from two major sources:
lead pipes, usually connecting the main
water pipe to homes, and the lead
solder used to connect copper pipes
inside homes. Lead contamination can
result from (he corrosive action of \vater
upon the materials in the plumbing
system.
If your plumbing system has any lead
in it (pipes or solder or anything else)
the water can have lead in it. All water
is corrosive to some degree, but some
water is more corrosive. Typically, soft
water, acidic water, and water with low
calcium levels are the most corrosive
(these categories overlap, but are not
identical). The longer the water stays in
contact with the plumbing, the higher
its lead concentrations will become. So
first you need to find out which if any
of these risk factors you face.
Almost everyone today has copper
pipes with lead solder, so that risk
factor is common, and it is the newest
solder that contributes the highest lead
levels. After about five years, however, a
protective layer of calcium carbonate
usually builds up on the inside of
copper pipes, reducing the problem of
lead corrosion. Very new housing (built
within the past five years and especially
(Srluvorf/ is a Ijcnrfil ivniiomisl in
KJ'.A's Oflirr of I'o/icy Anulvsis. inid
J.rvin is
-------
Lead and Your Health
How bad is lead for you? Recent
research has shown Innnful effects
of lead at much lower levels
of exposure than previously
thought. Indeed, some sulitlr
biochemical and enxymatic
changes, and possibly some other
health consequences, have been
shown at levels as hnv as we can
measure them.
Blood lead levels as low as 15
ug/dl (micrograms of lead per
deciliter—or 100 cubic
centimeters—of blood), which was
the average blood lead level for
pre-school children in the late
1970s, have been shown to result
in reduced IQ, and poorer mental
development has been detected at
even lower lead levels in
prenatally exposed infants.
Lead has also been linked to
slower growth in children, to
lower birth weights of infants, to
minor hearing impairment, and to
reduced levels of vitamin I), all at
exposure levels that are about half
of the current definition of lead
toxicity. In adults, high levels of
lead can cause kidney disease, and
even minor lead exposure appears
to increase blood pressure.
EPA has set a maximum
acceptable blood lead level of 15
ug/dl as a goal for all of its
environmental protection efforts.
If your plumbing contains lend, your
u'ufrr muv conlm'n Irad also
• It is also a good idea to let the water
run a bit before drinking from fountains
and taps at work and in school. This
water sits unused overnight for even
more hours than household water, and
can have much higher lead levels.
If you do have your water tested, and
it is above the detection limit, but below
the proposed EPA goal of 20 parts per
billion (ppb) it is still a good idea to use
the above procedures, Your test results
may be in micrograms per liter (ug 1) or
thousandths of a milligram per liter
(.001 mg I), both measures equal to parts
per billion.
If your test results were above 20 ppb,
20 ug/1, or .02 mg/l, talk to the water
utility about instituting corrosion
control treatment. Meanwhile you need
to act immediately to reduce your own
exposure.
Boston, which had very high load
levels because of corrosive water and
lots of old lead pipes (as well as new
and old solder], substantially reduced
the lead levels in everyone's drinking
water by adopting corrosion control
measures that cost only about 50 cents
per person per year. Other cities have
had similar experiences. Such measures
cost you even less than using bottled
water, and save water companies money
by slowing down the rate of leaks and
breaks in their pipes caused by
corrosion. Also, loss corrosive water
results in longer life for your hot water
heater and water pipes in your house.
This benefit usually far exceeds the cost
of corrosion controls.
It it was only your first draw [or first
flush) sample that was high, and the test
on water run for perhaps for two to
three minutes was acceptable, then
running your water for that amount of
time before using it will lower your
exposure until your water is made less
corrosive.
(Continued on next
APRIL 1987
-------
EPA's Approach
EPA has proposed lowering the
health-based, nonenforceable goal for
lead in drinking water to 20 parts per
billion. The current enforceable
standard is 50 parts per billion, which
was sot by the U.S. Public Health
Service in 1962 and accepted by EPA in
1974. By mid-1988, EPA expects to have
in final form revised versions of both
the lead goal and the lead standard.
Consumers should be aware that the
technical name for a drinking water goal
is "Maximum Contaminant Level Goal
(MCLG)." A standard is called a
"Maximum Contaminant Level (MCI.]."
The major risk factors arc old,
or vary new housing, corrosive
water, and the length of time
the water sits in the pipes be-
fore you drink it.
Under the Safe Drinking Water Ar.t,
water utilities are responsible for
ensuring that the lead levels at
consumers' taps—-not just at the water
treatment plant -meet the current
enforceable standard of 50 ppb. That is
why they are responsible for corrosion
control measures to help prevent
contamination of the water after it
leaves the plant.
EPA is working with the water
utilities to educate them about the
problem, and to encourage them to
begin corrosion control efforts even
before the Agency's final revised
standard for lead becomes enforceable.
EPA is working with the states to
implement the Safe Drinking Water
Act's ban on the use of materials
containing lead in public water supplies
and in residences connected to them. As
these measures take effect, everyone's
risk will be reduced. -
Other Lead Problems
While high levels of lead have
long been known to cause mental
retardation and death (articles
were published about these effects
in the middle 1800s), recent
research has shown that significant
adverse effects also occur at low
blood lead levels.
EPA has taken steps to reduce
the pollution of our environment
by lead from many sources. EPA's
phaseout of lead in gasoline has
almost eliminated what was the
major source of lead in the
environment (over 170,000 tons
per year were emitted in the
1970s). This has reduced average
blood lead levels by about half
since the mid-1970s. EPA also
controls emissions from lead
smelter and battery plants.
Now that air levels of lead have
been reduced, the next largest
controllable source of lead
exposure is drinking water. EPA
has proposed reducing the
nonenforceable goal for lead in
drinking water to 20 parts per
billion (ppb). The current
enforceable standard is 50 ppb. By
mid-1988, EPA expects to have in
final form both a revised lead goal
and a revised lead standard.
The major remaining sources of
high lead exposure are lead paint
and high levels of lead in soils that
were contaminated by exterior lead
paint or by gasoline fallout. EPA is
investigating what to do about
lead-contaminated soils, but it has
no authority over the use of lead
paint, (The Consumer Products
Safety Commission banned use of
lead-based paints in housing in the
1970s.) Most housing built before
1960 contains some lead paint,
and residents should be careful
about their children's exposure to
lead in household dust. If you live;
in an older house, you should
certainly have your child's blood
lead level tested.
Editor's Note: Consumers worried about
(lie problem of Jead-contomJnated
drinking wafer will be interested in
rending a pamphlet KPA expects to
publish a( (he tnid of Muv: "Lend in
Drinking Water: Should Von Be
Concerned?" For your free copy, write
to h'PA's Public Informafion (-'enter,
Mail Code PM 21 IB. 401 M Street SW,
Washington, /J.C. 204HO.
EPA JOURNAL
-------
. ~c,-
&..
lii
—
ft
Buyer Beware:
Evaluating
Radon Tests
by Miles Kahn
As pe;ople have bee:ome inure; aware
of radon and its possible long-term
health effects, opportunists have sought
to cash in on public: anxieties. EPA
regional offices and state radiation
program officers around the country have
received numerous reports of radon
measurement scams. Consequently,
EPA's Radon Action Program, working
primarily through status, has begun a
major education campaign not only to
explain and put into perspective the
potential hazards of indoor radon, an
odorless, colorless, tasteless natural
phenomenon, but also to educate the
public regarding radon measurement
and mitigation.
(Kahn is a public affairs specialist in
(he KPA Office <>! Hmfmtion Programs.]
Because indoor radon occurs naturally
and its concentration depends on
unique conditions existing at Individual
residences, federal regulation does not
appear to be the most effective solution.
It's therefore up to individual
homeowners to select a company to
perform radon measurements and to
decide whether and how to act on the;
results. Fortunately, many indoor raelon
problems can be corrected relatively
inexpensively. "But the; key element,"
according to Richard Guimotid. Director
of the; KPA Radon Action Program, "is
an informed homeowner. There's a real
potential for rip-offs."
Homeowners should be; particularly
careful in selecting a firm to conduct
the initial radem measurements. The;
types of frauds reported in this area
have ranged from pseudo-scientific to
downright mystical. Some firms, after
drumming up business by placing
alarmist ads in local papers, have
responded to prospective; customers by
showing up prepared to conduct radon
measurements using a geiger counter.
While this instrument does measure
radiation, it cannot measure; the
radiation of concern in indoor radon.
The harmful effects of radon are
produced by alpha radiation, whereas a
geiger counter'measures only gamma
and beta radiation. In this case, the
Householders should beu'ure of I'jnits
promising (o measure indoor nu/nn ivilli
a Geiger counter, like, thai show,-] hi
Although the mstnmient run mcusurc
gemumi and helu rudiutmii. it is of no
use in nircisuriiig the tilplni rudidtion
produced by rudon.
person making the; measurement would
probably report thai there; was no
problem, collect his fee. say "thank
you." and disappear.
The; "Radon Pen" is another
interesting devie:e reportedly used by
bogus radon measure;nu;nt firms. This
amazing instrument consists eil an
ordinary fountain pen case filled with
activated charcoal. N'ot emly is the;
Radon Pen supposed to detect the
presence of radon, but its charcoal
innards purportedly will abseirh any
excess, thereby protecting you from the
harmful effects! \Yha1 more could a
homeowner ask for, except possibly tin;
police?
One of the; earliest reported
measurement scams involved the use of
mayonnaise jars. The; "technician"
would show up with his trusty jar.
collect an air sample, making sure; to
close the jar's lid tightly to pmtoct the
sample's integrity, ami then take the
sample back to his van for "analysis."
[Continued on next puge)
-------
The analysis would invariably show
that no problem existed. The con artist
would then collect his foe ami vanish.
Some; of the frauds don't even pretend
to be scientific. One enterprising
charlatan out West was reportedly using
a divining stick to detect the presence of
indoor radon. "The important thing to
note." einphasix.es (iuiin 1. "is lh.it
reports of these types of frauds are
becoming increasingly infrequent.
which means our informational program
is having an effect."
Another pitch to watch out for is the
offer of a free radon assessment. EPA's
Region 2 received reports of an upstate
New York radon reduction firm
advertising free measurements. While it
is possible thai the measurements could
follow established procedures and may
not he a come-on for some expensive
home repair work, as Larainne Koehler
of the Region 2 Radiation Staff says. "I'd
get a little nervous under those
Circumstances." Some (inns will offer
free radon detectors and charge Si 5 to
$50 for the analysis; the catch is that
most measurement firms include the
detector in their fees, which normally
range from $15 to $50 anyway.
Since KPA has no regulatory role in
this area, the Agency is working with
State radiation programs to help them
deal with their particular radon
problems. The KPA radon education
effort is structured to provide states
with the information needed to help
citi/.ens wisely choose radon
measurement and reduction firms.
To assure the availability of
competent firms to measure indoor
radon and radon decay products, the
Agency is implementing the
Radon Radon Progeny Measurement
Proiiciencv (KMP) Program.
This voluntary program offers
companies the opportunity to test their
measurement proficiency semiannual I v.
To participate in the program, a
company submits specific numbers and
types of radon detectors to KPA for
exposure to known radon or radon
progeny levels. This exposure
takes place at KPA's Eastern
Environmental Radiation Facility in
Montgomery, Alabama. KPA then
returns the detectors xvitlmnt disclosing
the exposure levels. The companies
have; two weeks to "read" the detectors
and report their results to the Agency
for comparison with the actual exposure
levels.
Companies meeting the program
requirements are listed both nationally
and by state in a'semiannual proficiency
report. The national listing of all
companies is sent to participants and
state officials: the state-specific listings
are distributed to interested citi/ens
through the state programs. The first
cumulative report, published in May
19H6, listed 35 companies, universities.
and government laboratories; the latest
report, issued on February 2, 1987. lists
143. Even though the RMP Program is
strictly voluntary and is not a federal
certification program, it is having a
profound effect on assuring the quality
and comparability of the data used by
homeowners to make decisions
concerning any potential indoor radon
problems.
Another pitch to watch out for
is the offer of a free radon
assessment.
New Jersey has taken this program
one step further. In the near future.
anyone seeking to conduct radon
measurements in New jersey will not
only be required to participate in the
RMP but will also have to pass a
state-administered exam and obtain
state certification. Pennsylvania is
considering legislating a similar
requirement. As RMP Project Officer
Mike Mardis says, "We've got the radon
measurement phase pretty well under
control from the viewpoint of protecting
the public. And we're making a lot of
progress in solving the problems
indicated by those measurements."
When it comes to solving radon
problems in individual homes, things
get a little more complicated.
Experienced do-it-yourselfers can
probably do many of the jobs, hut most
of us will have to rely on the services of
professional contractors. Also, what
works in our neighbor's house may not
work in ours.
The pitfalls of selecting competent,
reputable contractors for radon
mitigation work are no different from
those in any other home construction
project. You have to do your homework.
In one instance, a Pennsylvania
homeowner was charged around $3,000
for the installation of sub-slab
ventilation to reduce basement radon
levels. A New Jersey homeowner was
charged $400 for a similar job. To help
prevent such widely varying charge's for
similar work and to find out what really
works in controlling radon levels. FPA
is conducting a two-phased effort.
The first phase, the Development and
Demonstration Program, conducted by
the Office of Research and
Development, is designed to come up
with cost-effective construction and
repair techniques. So far 45 houses have
been modified in this phase. The next
phase, conducted by the House
Evaluation Program"(HEP) of EPA's
Office of Radiation Programs (ORP). will
test and evaluate those techniques. To
date, 80 houses have been included in
the HEP. Through these two programs.
the Agency is developing a data base of
effective reduction methods for specific
conditions and the range of costs to
implement them. In addition, several
states are considering requiring licenses
for radon reduction companies.
Consistent with the Agency goal of
working through the states to solve
radon problems, this information is
disseminated through ORP-conducted
training courses for state officials,
followed, when possible, by field
demonstrations. Thus, more is becoming
known and is being communicated to
the public about repairing existing
houses. To prevent radon problems in
new construction, the Agency is
working with the National Association
of Home Builders to make members
aware of what can be done during
construction. The Agency is also
seeking to "institutionalize" ration
prevention by working with the Council
of American Building Officials to
develop building codes that prevent
radon problems.
Overall, the Agency's Radon Action
Program is achieving its goals.
Nationally, most of the scare tactics of
opportunistic charlatans have been
pre-empted, and people can be
reasonably assured of the reputability of
firms making radon measurements. As
the Agency's home repair and
construction data base continues to
grow, the Radon Action Program will
continue to make progress.
(To heip cili/.ens get a better
understanding of radon. EPA and the
U.S. Centers /or Disease Control
published A Citizen's Guide to Radon:
What It Is and What to Ho About it.
EPA has also published Radon
Reduction Methods: A Homeowner's
Guide, which provides information on
methods which might be used to reduce
the level of radon in homes.
These publications should be
available through your state radiation
protection offices.}
10
EPA JOURNAL
-------
Managing
Household
Hazardous
Wastes
by Marcia Williams
and Dana Duxbury
With the proliferation of new
chemicals, particularly since
World War II. the types and number of
consumer products available in our
society have risen sharply. Today, every
American household uses products that
households didn't have 40 years ago.
These products, such as medicines,
insecticides, cleaners, paints, and
plastics, contain a variety of chemicals.
Once the useful life of these products is
over, they become wastes, some of
which are hazardous.
These chemicals must be used
properly as everyday household
products and managed effectively one:;;
disposed of as waste. Household
hazardous wastes, if stored in large
quantities in a garage or basement, can
pose serious fire, explosion, and
corrosion threats for the homeowner. In
addition, potential chemical reactions
between wastes can adversely affect the
environment if not properly disposed of.
Homeowners need to become familiar
with the types of hazardous wastes that
may exist in the home, how they can
minimize waste generation, and how to
safely manage these wastes. Grass roots
efforts increasingly have focused
attention on the household hazardous
waste issue, with most activities
occurring at the local and state levels.
Congress also addressed household
hazardous wastes with the passage of
legislation in late 1984. EPA also has
become involved by providing technical
assistance, through articles, reports and
conferences, to state and local agencies.
l\\'iHiums is the. Dirt'ctur tit EPA's Office
ni Solid U'usfc. Hcimi Diixlnuv is u
Senior Environmental lieseareh Amilvs!
with the Tiifls ('mVersjtv C'enler for
Environmental M< inurement.,1
What Is Household
Hazardous Waste?
Several states, communities, and private
organizations have attempted to define
household hazardous waste (HHW) by
listing household products with
hazardous components. But these lists
vary widely, often reflecting different
state definitions of hazardous \v,isles
and licensing restrictions tor
transporters involved in HHW collection
programs.
EPA has developed a working
definition of household hazardous waste
based upon EPA classifications of
hazardous waste under the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
A waste is generally considered
hazardous if it is corrosive, ignitable,
reactive, or toxic. From this definition,
EPA has developed a list of generic
types of household wastes that contain
hazardous components.
Los! ()< iof>er. residents oi Lexington,
MA. bronchi thfir household huztmloiis
ivusfe to a central rolierlion point. Here
Kdren (.'luile of N'orlhcusf Solvent
Services, Inc. /
-------
In the workshop:
• Paint thinners
• Paint strippers and removers
• Adhesives
For the lawn and garden:
• Herbicides
• Pesticides
• Fungicides and wood preservatives
Although this list is not
comprehensive, and not all products
within these broad categories exhibit
hazardous waste characteristics,
homeowners can use it as a starting
point for identifying hazardous wastes
that may exist in the home.
Why Is Household Hazardous
Waste a Problem?
Almost every one of the 82 million
households in this nation produces at
least some household lia/.ardous wastes.
The average individual alone produces
approximately one ton of waste a year
in the home, some of which is
hazardous. The residential waste stream
includes everything that is put out in
the trash can, wastes that are
accumulated and stored in garages or
basements, and wastes that are poured
down the drain or dumped on the
ground.
Because waste generation data are
scarce, no one really knows how much
of this waste is hazardous. Studies imve
not focused on the total amount of
waste stored in the home, disposed of
illegally or put out for collection. Since
these hazardous wastes from homes and
small commercial operations contribute
to hazardous wastes entering sanitary
landfills, KPA is concerned about these
wastes making their way into soil.
water, or air once they are disposed of.
Currently, household hazardous wastes
are exempt from KPA's ha/.ardous
waste regulations under RCRA, These
wastes are not exempt, however, from
the provisions of EPA's Superfund
program under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response. Compensation
and Liability Act (CKRCLA).
The overall impact of household
hazardous waste disposal is not fully
known, but potential concerns include:
• Health problems for homeowners,
children, and pets from improper
storage and disposal by the homeowner.
• Injuries to refuse collection personnel
while waste is being emptied,
compacted, or transported.
• Spills and fire ha/.ards at collection
and disposal sites.
• Pollution oi air. ground water, and
surface water resulting trom improper
disposal.
• Contamination of septic tanks and
wastewater treatment systems from
disposal of hazardous wastes down
drains.
How Can Homeowners Manage
Their Household Hazardous
Wastes?
All household hazardous wastes should
be handled so as to prevent them from
adversely affecting the environment or
our health. Homeowners have a variety
of options available to them tor
effectively and safely managing the
waste they produce.
Like garbage, sewage, or any other
type of waste, the less household
hazardous waste there is, the easier it is
to manage. I lomeowners first should
strive to reduce the amount of
hazardous waste they produce. One way
to reduce it is to avoid buying products
that have hazardous characteristics or
ingredients. Consumers should examine
product labels in the store and choose
products accordingly. Another waste
reduction technique is to buy only as
much as is needed at a particular time.
Over-buying means storing or disposing
of unwanted surpluses.
Recycling is an excellent way of
handling hazardous waste from the
home. Many homeowners already
recycle their newspapers and aluminum
cans, and some household hazardous
wastes can be recycled just as
effectively. For example, used motor oil
can be turned in at a collection center to
be burned as fuel or re-refined for use as
a lubricant. Another form of recycling is
the sharing of products with friends and
neighbors. A homeowner with leftover
paint can give it to someone who can
use it. A word of caution: such products
should change hands only in the
original containers with proper labels.
Products that cannot be used up by
the consumer or recycled must be
managed and disposed of properly. The
following rules should be followed by
all homeowners in handling their HHW:
• Read and follow label directions for
use and disposal. Label warnings such
as "Do not refill this container," "Do not
incinerate," or "Do not mix with
bleach" should be followed to ensure
protection of health and the
environment.
12
EPA JOURNAL
-------
Judy MtirshiiJI of the I.ro.mir ot Women
Voters in I.exniyloji. MA. surveys people
ivmfiri" in line to drop ol'l 1/ieiY
household hu/
-------
Recycling:
A Situation Report
by Anne Scheinberg
and Trisha Ferrand
{(Tpecyclo: To make; constructive use1
_L\ of materials ordinarily tlirown
away."
The definition of recycling has not
changed in many years, but the way it is
practiced has. U.S. industry is taking an
increasing interest in recycling as a
COSt-effective way of handling part of
the huge volume of waste it generates
every year. In addition, waste-disposal
experts in government and industry are
trying to make better use of consumer
recvclablos: recoverable items that
consumers are now simply throwing
away.
Today's older Americans had an
intensive; introduction to consumer
recycling during World War II. when
citizens avidly saved metals and paper
to ease wartime scarcity. Younger
people first heard about recycling in the
1970s when the energy crisis and Earth
Day created a new sense of the limits on
our resources. Volunteer drives were;
organized to gather materials that could
be sold, for a profit, by service
organizations.
!n 10H7, recycling is no longer a
matter of isolated volunteer drives.
Across the United States, towns, cities.
and counties are developing consumer
recycling programs that are far from
spur-of-the-moment. Today's recycling
efforts are permanent parts of carefully
planned and integrated waste
management systems. It is the kind of
recycling that will affect all but a few
Americans within the next five years.
Consumer cooperation is vital to the;
success of recycling programs.
Experience has shown one feature
which is key in securing that
cooperation: make it as easy to recycle
as it is to put out the trash. As a result.
I f-Vrnmd is (lie Kxeculivc .
o| flic Association ol .Yetv /rrsey
/{riTc'/fTs. Sclicinlicrg is u ivnslr
management cnid re<\ cling consuJtanl
based in (.'uncord. MA. Tlieir firm.
/•'errand and Seliemberg Associates,
provido cunsull/ng services.]
Shredded paper in (his collection
cenfer ivill be separatee] by grade and
shipped to a paper mill for recycling.
most current recycling systems are
similar in design, operation, and
management to those for trash
collection.
Consumer recycling programs are
usually designed by professional
recycling coordinators. These experts
are hired by a community's public:
works department or. in some; cases, by
private companies. Recycling
coordinators have to make arrangements
for materials collected from consumers
to be prepared for reuse, and then sold
to an appropriate industry or other
market. These markets must be
identified in advance in order to avoid
problems with storage of collected
recyclables.
But their greatest challenge comes
before, not after collection. Recycling
coordinators have to teach consumers
many different things. First, the average
consumer has to be able to identify
recyclable materials. These vary from
community to community, hut certain
rules apply. For example, it is good to
save single substances, such as paper,
but not combinations, such as envelopes
with plastic windows. In addition.
consumers have to learn how materials
for recycling should be separated and
stored prior to collection, and when
they should be put out for collection.
It takes more than an ordinance to
make recycling second nature;. Canada
decided to foster this socially desirable
behavior by giving every household
specially marked pails or boxes in
which to store their recyclables.
Canadians were encouraged to use these
as set-out containers to put at the curb
for collection.
In some places, materials are collected
by a recycling truck that stops at every
house, just like a garbage truck. Some
companies use trucks that have been
specially designed not just to collect
glass, newspaper, cans, and other
recyclables but to keep them clean and
separate from each other. If you live in a
community that has recycling, you may
have seen these specialized trucks
coming down your street.
Collected materials are then sold to
industry. Some industries will take
them just as they are, for a low price or
for free. Other industries will buy the
recyclables for a good price, but only if
they have been processed—that is,
cleaned, then crushed or baled.
Many community leaders hesitate to
get involved in recycling. They believe
it would save money in the long run,
but only if citizens were to participate
at levels they fear are unattainable.
These fears are unfounded. Experience
with actual programs indicates that
between 65 percent and 85 percent of a
residential population will follow
recycling rules, provided the program is
well designed and explained, has the
visible and explicit support of public:
officials, and includes either a recycling
ordinance or the distribution of a set-out
container to every household.
If your community does not have a
recycling program, you can help get one
started. Talk to your neighbors, family.
and friends. Express your support for
recycling to elected officials in your city
or county government. In doing so, you
could help your community solve waste
disposal problems that might otherwise
prove crippling in the years ahead. D
14
EPA JOURNAL
-------
Safer Use of
Pesticides at Home
by Christine Gillis
Although pesticides are very
beneficial to our society, they can
be dangerous if used indiscriminately or
carelessly. EPA has important regulatory
powers over pesticides, but it is still
crucial for individual consumers to take
precautions to protect themselves.
All pesticide products sold in the
United States must have prior approval
by EPA. The Agency has, to date.
registered approximately 15,000
pesticide products for household use; of
these, about 8.000 are designated for use
inside the home,
Before registering a pesticide lor use
in the United States. HPA reviews its
label to ensure that it has proper
directions for tin; consumer. These
directions must include health and
safety precautions for the individual
user, as well as information about any
restrictions designed to protect other
citizens, the environment, ami
non-target species from unnecessary
exposure.
Unfortunately, many pesticide users
have a tendency to ignore label
directions. Some people seem to feel
that the mere fact that a product is sold
in a store is proof positive of its salety.
They reason, "This must he absolutely
safe, or else it would he taken off the
shelf." Of course, nothing could be
further from the truth. These products
are safe to humans only if used
properly.
When the label says. "Use only this
much," it means no more tlicin (his
much. But all too many consumers,
eager for a quick and final solution to a
pest problem, apply far more of the
pesticide than the label specifies. Or
they ignore clearcut label instructions in
other ways.
This is not only foolish, but illegal.
Foolish, because the same chemicals
you are using to kill insects can, in large
enough quantities, harm your own
health. Illegal, because the
EPA-approved label for a pesticide
product has the force of law in the
United States. Any pesticide use not in
Kiillis is a ivrilrr ecfifur lor KPA's Office
n| I'i'sficide .Progrnms.j
accordance with label directions and
precautions can subject you to civil
and/or criminal penalties.
If you believe someone is misusing a
pesticide product, you should contact
the agency in your state that is
responsible for enforcing pesticide laws.
hi most states, this agency is part of the
state's Department of Agriculture. In
others, it can be found in the state's
Department of Natural Resources or
Environmental Protection. EPA retains
primary responsibility for pesticide
enforcement in Nebraska. Colorado, and
on certain Indian reservations.
If you are thinking of applying a
pesticide product either inside or
outside your home, be sure to take the
following precautions, regardless of
which pesticide you are using.
Indoor or Outdoor:
• Read the label first, from start to
finish, and follow the directions to the
letter, including all precautions and
restrictions. Use only the amount
specified, at the time and under the;
conditions specified, and for the
purpose listed.
• Look for one of the following signal
words on the front label:
DANGER-highly poisonous
WARNING-moderately poisonous
CAUTION-least harmful
These indicate how poisonous tin-
pesticide would be if swallowed,
inhaled, or absorbed through the skin.
• Also watch for the words
RESTRICTED USE on the front label. Do
not use any pesticides marked
RESTRICTED USE. In general, these
products may be sold only to people
who have been trained and certified by
the state.
• Take note ot what to do in case ot
accidental poisoning before you even
open the pesticide. The label's
statement of practical treatment will tell
you what to do in the immediate
aftermath of exposure. Remember, that
in all such cases, a doctor should be
consulted immediately.
• If the pesticide must be mixed or
diluted, do this outdoors or in a
well-ventilated area.
• Avoid prolonged inhalation of fumes
during mixing and application,
• Keep children and pets away from
areas where you are mixing or applying
pesticides.
• Think of pesticides as you would
drugs or any other substance that can be
harmful. Store them properly. Avoid
spilling them. And always, uliv
-------
pesticides: symptoms of pesticide
poisoning; emergency medical
treatment; pesticide product
information; information about disposal
and cleanup; pesticide regulatory laws;
referrals for applicator training and lab
analyses; and reports of illegal usage.
• Never .smoke while applying
pesli(.id(!,s. Some pesticides are
flammable. In addition, a cigarette could
carry pesticide traces from your hand to
your mouth.
• Dispose ol product and container as
directed by the label.
• Wash thoroughly with soap and water
after you use a pesticide product. Don't
wear your clothing again until it's been
washed. And don't wash it with the rest
ol your clothes.
• Do not re-enter or allow others to
enter an area where pesticides have
been applied until the amount ol time
specified on the label has elapsed.
Outdoors Only:
• Take the initiative to inform your
neighbors before you sprav your yard.
This way you, your family, and your
friends can avoid unintentional
exposure to pesticides. Kveryone,
including children and pets, should be
kept off the area until dry or as
recommended by the label.
It would also be a good idea to inlorm
your neighbors if you observe pesticide
spraying in any nearby area. You might
Spring is
-------
Did You Know?
Warranties Available for Good
Car Maintenance
by Karl Hellman
For decades. Americans have had a
passionate love affair with the
private automobile. There are so many
cars in the United States that all 240
million ol us could climb in. and we'd
Still have enough room to give everyone
in Europe a ride. too. Our total mileage
in one year equals two million round
trips to the moon!
One of EPA's major tasks is to see that
our obsession with cars does not inllict
too much damage on our environment.
How does EPA accomplish this? The
Agency monitors the ways U.S. cars are
designed, produced, used, and scrapped,
as well as the fuel we pump into them.
The future is likely to broaden KPA's
role even further. Recently, the .Agency
has proposed phasing out the use of
asbestos in brake and clutch friction
elements. And KPA is currently
considering controls on the handling ot
used motor oil and on gasoline vapors
that escape during refueling.
KPA relies heavily on individual car
owners to make America's automobiles
environmentally acceptable. The car
owner's main job is to ensure that his or
her car is properly maintained.
Misfueling or faulty maintenance can
impair or incapacitate a car's emission
control parts.
This problem is of particular concern
in major metropolitan areas where air
quality still falls short of federal
standards. In such communities. KPA
requires inspection and maintenance'
(I/M) programs for private automobiles.
Their purpose is to (insure that
emissions from cars meet stringent KPA
requirements. Some states license
(i Jell man is ChieJ ol the (,'onlro!
Technologj'and Applications Branch at
KPA's Motor Vehicle /•.'missions
Laboratory in Ann .Arbor, MI.
Substantial assistance in the
preparation of Ihis article ivns provided
by the technical support stuM in Ann
Arbor and the Field Operations and
Support Division al KPA in Washing!
D.C.J
private garages to conduct inspections:
some hire contractors to build and staff
centralized inspection lanes.
Full participation by car owners is
vital to the success of 1 M programs. To
this end, the average cost to consumers
has been kept low: an average of $10
(with one free re-test). Hut some
consumers still balk at inspections for
fear of expensive repair bills. To allay
such fears, Congress has devised two
special warranties to protect car owners
who have maintained their cars
properly.
The first of these is the Kmissiuns
Performance Warranty, which covers
repairs that are required because a
vehicle has failed an emissions test. It is
available to residents of an area with an
I/M program that meets federal
guidelines.
The Emissions Performance Warranty
applies:
• If a car or light truck fails an
approved emissions test: and
• State or local government requires the
vehicle's owner to repair |or attempt to
repair) the car: and
• The test failure did not result from
any misuse of the vehicle or failure to
follow the manufacturer's written
maintenance instructions: and
• The owner presents the vehicle to a
warranty-authorized manufacturer
representative, along with evidence of
the emission test failure during the
relevant period.
If all four of these conditions are met.
then:
• For the first two years or 24.01)0
miles, whichever comes first, the
manufacturer must pay tor all repairs
necessary to make a qualified car pass
an EPA-approved, locally required
emissions test.
• For the first five years or 50.000
miles, whichever conies first, the
manufacturer must pay tor any repair or
At a District of Columbia vehicle
emissions station, an inspector operates
equipment to unuly/e a cur's emissions.
FPA requires vehicle inspection and
maintenance in areas ivj'tii substandard
air quality.
adjustment to a primary emission
control part that is necessarv to make
the vehicle pass an emissions test (see
box). Such repairs must be complete
and effective even if they also entail the
repair or adjustment of non-primary
parts.
The Performance Warranty covers cars
and light-duty trucks beginning with the
1081 model year. For vehicles that are
specially equipped lor operation at high
altitudes (over 4,000 feel), coverage
begins with the 1!)H2 model year.
It does not matter it yon bought the
car new or used. Irom a dealer or
anyone else. As long as \our vehicle has
not exceeded the warranty time or
mileage limitations, and has been
properly maintained, the Performance
Warranty still applies.
If you meet the basic criteria,
protection under the Performance
Warranty can only be denied you if the
manufacturer has evidence indicating
your I/M test failure was the result of
any one of the following factors: vehicle
abuse, such as off-road driving or
overloading: tampering with emission
control parts: improper maintenance; or
APRIL 1987
1 /
-------
misfueling. If you've abused your car in
one or more of these ways, don't go to
your dealer expecting Performance
Warranty coverage.
Even if you don't qualify for the
Emissions Performance Warranty, you
may qualify for a second type known as
the "Design and Defect Warranty." The
Design and Defect Warranty, unlike the
Performance Warranty, is not tied to
failing an 1/M test or residing in an I/M
inspection area.
The Design and Defect Warranty is
available to owners of properly
maintained cars and trucks, regardless
of where the owner lived. It covers the
repair of emission control-related parts
that are found to be defective during the
first five years or first 50,000 miles of
vehicle use, whichever comes first.
Federal law requires auto manufacturers
to provide at least this much "Design
and Defect Warranty" coverage for
emission control-related parts.
Although regular maintenance may be
performed at any repair facility, or by
the vehicle owner, warranty repair
should be performed at a
warranty-authorized shop.
For both maintenance and repair
work, whoever does the work should
consult the owner's manual and use
only acceptable parts and procedures.
You should keep receipts for parts
purchased and work performed, as part
of a maintenance log you may need to
verify your car's condition.
EPA has two free booklets to help you
if you run into problems: What You
Should Know About your Auto
Emissions Warranty and If Your Car
Just Failed an Emission Test . . . You
May Be Entitled To Free Repairs. You
can obtain a copy of either by writing to
the Office of Mobile Sources, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
Washington, D.C. 20460.
You will probably also want another
valuable EPA publication: The Gas
Mileage Guide. You can get a copy from
any of your local car dealers. The
Guide, produced in conjunction with
the Department of Energy, comes out
once a year. It lists miles-per-gallon
information on all new cars and light
trucks that are on sale in the United
States.
You will find the same kind of
information on fuel economy labels.
These appear on all the cars in your
dealer's showroom. A quick glance at
the label will give you the
specific miles-per-gallon figure for each
individual type of car. With this data at
your fingertips, you can do intelligent
comparison shopping.
EPA hopes 3'our choice will be a
fuel-efficient car, but whatever car you
choose, it is imperative that you drive,
fuel, and maintain it properly.
Otherwise, its emission control
equipment can be incapacitated, and
you can wind up polluting the air you
breathe for reasons that are both
unnecessary and illegal, a
Primary Emission
Control Parts
This list will help you identify al!
the parts of your car, van, or light
truck whose main purpose is to
control emissions.
Exhaust Gas Conversion Systems:
• Oxygen sensor
• Catalytic converter
• Thermal reactor
• Dual-walled exhaust pipe
Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)
Systems:
• EGR valve
• EGR solenoid
• EGR backpressure transducer
• Thermal vacuum switch
• EGR spacer plate
• Sensors and switches used to
control EGR flow
Evaporative Emission Control
System:
• Purge valve
• Purge solenoid
• Fuel filler cap
• Vapor storage canister and filter
Positive Crankcase Ventilation
(PCV) System:
• PCV valve
• PCV solenoid
Air Injection System:
• Diverter, bypass, or gulp valve
• Reed valve
• Air pump
• Anti-backfire or deceleration
valve
Early Fuel Evaporative (EFE)
System
• EFE valve
• Thermal vacuum switch
Fuel Metering System:
• Electronic control module or
computer command module
• Deceleration controls
• Fuel injectors, fuel injection
units, and fuel injection bars
developed for feedback electronic
fuel injection (EFI) and throttle
body injection (TBI) systems
• EFI air flow meter, module, or
mixture control unit
• Mixture settings on sealed
carburetors
« Mixture control solenoid,
diaphragm or other fuel metering
components that achieve
closedloop operation
• Electronic choke
• Altitude compensator sensor
• Other feedback control sensors,
switches, and valves
• Thermostatic air cleaner
Ignition Systems:
• Electronic spark advance
• High-energy electronic ignition
• Timing advance/retard systems
Miscellaneous Parts:
• Hoses, gaskets, clamps, and
other accessories used in the above
systems
18
EPA JOURNAL
-------
Information, Please!
EPA's Hotlines
by Carol Panasewich
Hotlines, toll-free numbers, or
information lines—call them what
you will. By any title or description.
they offer the consumer a vital link \vitli
EPA's programs, technical capabilities.
and services.
The availability of toll-fret!.
long-distance telephone numbers.
accessed by dialing 800 plus a
seven-digit number, has mushroomed
during the past 20 years, according to
the Neiv York Times. Today, the 400.000
existing 800 numbers elicit billions of
dollars worth of sales, and provide the
public: a multitude of services and lines
of support.
EPA is among the many government
and nonprofit agencies currently using
HOO numbers to offer a broad range of
information and services to consumers,
free of charge. EPA's 800 numbers.
operating up to 24 hours a (.lay, seven
days a week, are ready to respond to
questions on topics ranging from
pesticide use to asbestos in homes; from
hazardous waste disposal to chemical
emergency preparedness; from waste,
fraud, and abuse to job vacancies.
Information on an even broader range
of environmental topics may be
obtained by calling EPA's commercially
accessible information numbers. For the
price of a telephone call, the interested
consumer can get a wealth of
information on toxic substances control,
air toxics, the status of regional
hazardous waste cleanup efforts, and
other concerns.
As a need for information on new
environmental laws and issues arises,
EPA tries to meet that demand with
up-to-date information sources. Often a
hotline is tin; most effective way to give
out information, as well as receive
public: viewpoints and hear citizens'
concerns. With this in mind, we present
{Panasewich, a public information
specialist fur h'PA's Oilier of Pesticide
Programs, Ims been on (eniporarv
ussigimienl u ifli flit; Agency's Office of
Pub/ic Af lairs.)
At (he of/ices of
the
hotline.
information
specialist Kirn
Cohan's (insurrs
-------
(SARA) IKIS increased the CFPP
Hotline's responsibilities, which now
also include Kmergency 1'hinning and
Community Kight-to-Know, SARA Title
111. questions and requests. Tlie CKPP
Hotline, which complements tin;
RCRA Superfund Hotline, is maintained
as an informational resource rattier than
an emergency number, Calls are
answered Monday through Friday from
8:30 a.in.-4:30 p.m. KST.
• National Pesticides
Telecommunications Network (NPTN)
National Toll-Free 800-858-7378
(858-P-E-S-T)
Texas HOfi-743-309 1
Operating 24 hours a day. seven days a
week, every (lay of the year, the N'PTN
provides information about pesticides to
the medical, veterinary, and
professional communities as well as to
the general public,. Originally a service
for physicians wanting information on
pesticide toxicology and oa recognition
and management of pesticide
poisonings, the XI'TN has expanded to
serve the public by providing impartial
information on pesticide products, basic
safety practices, health and
environmental effects, and cleanup and
disposal procedures. Stalled by
pesticide specialists al Texas Tech
University's Health Sciences (Center
School of Medicine. I his hotline handles
about IB.000 calls each year, Call any
ti me, day or night.
• Asbestos Hotline
National Toll-Free 800-334-8571,
extension fi74 1
Formerly the Asbestos Technical
Information Service, the Asbestos
Hotline at Research Triangle Institute,
NC. has evolved from an information
number lor laboratories doing asbestos
analyses lo a broader service, providing
technical information concerning
asbestos abatement problems. The
Asbestos Hotline now is available to
meet the asbestos information needs of
private individuals, government
agencies, and the regulated industry.
The hotline handles about 10,000 calls
each year, and operates Monday through
Friday from 8:15 a.m. -5:00 p.m. KST.
• Small Business Hotline
National Toll-Free 800-368-5888
Washington, D.C.. Metro 703-557-1938
Sponsored by the KPA Small Business
Ombudsman's Program, this hotline
assists small businesses in complying
with environments] laws and KPA
regulations. The Small Business Hotline
gives companies easy access to the
Agency, and investigates and resolves
problems and disputes with KPA.
Acting as a liaison with Agency
program offices, the hotline ensures that
KPA considers small business issues
during its normal regulatory activities.
The Small Business Hotline operates
Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.
-5:00 p.m. KST. handling over 7,000
inquiries each year.
• EPA National Recruitment Program
Number
National Toll-Free 800-338-1350
Washington, D.C.. Metro 202-382-3305
An integral part of KPA's National
Recruitment Program, this toll-free
service; enables potential hirees to
contact the Agency for employment
information, and assists KPA managers
in locating and hiring qualified
employees to fill vacant positions.
Recruitment for many Superfund
positions currently is a priority of this
service. Operating Monday through
Friday from 8:30 a.m. -4:30 p.m. KST,
the Recruitment Program Number
handles about 6,000 calls each year.
• Inspector General's Whistle Blower
Hotline
National Toll-Free 800-424-4000
Washington. D.C., Metro 202-382-4977
The KPA Inspector General's Office
maintains the Whistle-Blower Hotline to
receive reports of Agency-related waste,
fraud, abuse, or mismanagement from
the public and from KPA and other
government employees. KPA employees
may make complaints or give
information to the Inspector General's
office confidentially and without fear of
reprisal. The Whistle-Blower Hotline is
staffed to answer calls in person from
10:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. KST, Monday
through Friday; at other times, callers
may leave a message to be answered
during the next work day. This hotline
handles about 1.500 calls each vear.
Commercial Numbers Offered by
EPA Headquarters
• TSCA Assistance Information Service
202-554-1404
The TSGA Assistance Information
Service provides information
on TSCA regulations to the
chemical industry, labor and trade
organizations, environmental groups,
and the general public. Technical as
well as general information is available.
To help businesses comply with TSCA,
a variety of services are offered.
including regulatory advice and aid.
publications, and audiovisual materials.
The TSCA Assistance Information
Service now handles about 2,500 calls a
month, and can be reached from
8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. KST, Monday
through Friday.
• Control Technology Center Hotline
919-541-0800
A component of KPA's Air Toxics
Strategy, the newly established Control
Technology Gonter Hotline provides
information to state and local pollution
control agencies on sources of emissions
of air toxics. Sponsored by KPA's Office
of Air Quality Planning and Standards
in Research Triangle Park. NC, this
hotline takes about 100 calls a month,
and can be reached from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30
p.m. KST. Monday through Friday.
• Public Information Center (PIC)
202-829-3535
EPA's Public Information Center (PIC])
answers inquiries from the public about
KPA. its programs, and activities, and
offers a variety of general, nontechnical
information materials. The public is
encouraged to reach the PIC through its
commercial telephone line or by writing
to PIG (PM-211B). U.S KPA. 401 M
Street, SW, Washington, D.C. 20460.
20
EPA JOURNAL
-------
Toil-Free Numbers Offered by
EPA's Regional Offices
General Information Numbers
Four of EPA's 10 Regional Offices offer
toll-free numbers providing the public;
general information on Agency
programs, and making referrals as
needed; a fifth EPA region \vill lie
adding this service very soon. These
general information numbers are:
• EPA Region 3. Philadelphia. PA
800-438-2474 for all Region 3 states (DC
DE, MD, PA, VA, WV)
• EPA Region 4, Atlanta. GA
800-282-0239 in GA
800-241-1754 in other Region 4 states
(AL. FL, KY. MS, N'C, SC, T\|
• EPA Region 5, Chicago, II,
800-572-2515 in li,
800-621-8431 in other Region 5 states
(IN, MI. MN, OH. \V1)
• EPA Region 7, Kansas City. KS
(Will offer an 800 number by early June
1987, serving the states of I A. KS, MO,
and NE)
• EPA Region 8, Denver, CO
800-332-3321 in CO
800-525-3022 in other Region 8 states
(MT, ND, SD, UT, VVY)
Specialized Information Numbers
Several EPA Regional Offices sponsor
specialized, issue-specific toll-free
numbers, to meet the demands of
frequent regional inquiries.
Hotline;
Region 1
Unleaded
Fuel Hotline
Northeast
Industrial
Waste
Exchange
Region 2
Superfund
Hotline
Region 3
Waste
Minimisation
Hotline
Region 7
Iowa
RGRA
Hotline
Region 7
Missouri
Superfund/
Dioxin
Hotline
Toll-Fret; it Commercial #s Description
800-631-2700 (MA]
800-82 1-1237 (other
Region 1 states —
CT, ME, NH. RI, VT)
800-237-2481
(ME. VT, NH, MA. Kl.
CT, PA. NJ, DE. VA.
\V\r. OH, MD, MI.
Washington, D.C.)
31 5-422-6572 ( other states)
Enforcement-related line takes
calls about tampering with
vehicles, pumps, ami other
problems related to unleaded fuels.
Information on waste exchange
in the Northeast but with access
to other areas. Joins those who
generate waste with those who
desire waste.
800-346-500!) (\J|
800-722-1223 (NY)
BOO-334-2467 (PA)
800-820-5320 (other
Region 3 states)
800-223-0425
(Iowa only)
800-892-5009
(Missouri only]
Answers local lia/.ardous waste
questions.
Technical assistance and
education on waste
minimization.
Information on implementation
ot KCRA in Iowa
Information on dioxin and
related concerns for
contaminated areas in Missouri
Commercial Numbers Offered by
EPA's Regional Offices
Hotline
Region 1
(Maine)
McKin Site
Hotline
Commercial *'•'
207-657-2087
Description
Information on cleanup efforts
at Superfund site in Grey, Ml'".
Region 0
RCRA On-Scene
Coordinators'
Hotline
Region 9
RCRA Hotline
214-767-2666
(AK. LA, N'M,
OR, TX)
415-974-7473
(AZ, CA, HI. NV.
Guam. American
Samoa, Pacific Trust
Territories.)
Responds 24 hrs. a day to
questions and to reports ot
chemical spills, other
emergencies.
innation to Region 0 slates
•JCKA issues.
APRIL 1987
21
-------
One Way to Fight
the Cockroach
by William E. (Bill) Currie
COCKROACHES! Perhaps the
ultimate survivors! For UTiO million
years, cockroaches as a group have
diversified, reproduced, ami adapted to
many ecological niches throughout the
world. As many as ,'i.">()() .species may ho
identified worldwide, about 75 of them
in \orth America. Of these, only five or
six are considered to present sufficient
problems to be posts in the I'nited
States. Those are the (Ionium, Brown
Handful, American, Oriental. Smokey
Brown, and most recently, the Asian
cockroaches. (More research to
determine how important a pest the
Asian cockroach will become is
needed.]
The cockroach is considered a public
health concern because of its role as a
carrier and potential transmitter of
several diseases. Largo populations have
a distinctive odor which is somewhat
offensive, and they make their presence
known by droppings and stained
surfaces. Some people have phobic:
reactions to any insect, but cockroaches
seem to inspire universal loathing. No
doubt they have lived in close
proximity to humans lor thousands of
years, hut people just can't get used to
them crawling out of the drain, across
the counter, and onto the cream pie.
They have indeed earned their pest
status.
And a formidable .status that is.
Attempts to control the cockroach
consume fully a third of the post-control
budget for urban sites, and are; the
largest expenditure for a single post in
homos and other establishments in the
U.S. The nood to control this pest is the
foundation of a very largo industry;
even so. the cockroach has not been, nor
is it likelv to bo, eliminated from homes
or food preparation environments.
largely because of its growing resistance
to many pesticides.
((.'(iirie is (i JY.sl Mnndgemoiil Spociulisl
m (lie Integrated Fes! .Mdimgt'mrnt I'nil
in h'P.A's Office ol I'esd'cidc Prognims.l
In the past, the pest control industry
responded to this resistance by using
more powerful, yet more specific
pesticides applied more often or in
higher doses. Public pressure, however,
has led to the development of better,
more environmentally sound pest
management methods to cope with the
cockroach. The professional post
manager, as well as the layperson, can
win the war on cockroaches by using
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
principles and practices.
Attempts to control the
cockroach are the largest
expenditure for a single pest
in homes and other
establishments in the U.S.
IPM is a blend of old-fashioned
practices and new information and
technology. It fosters consideration of
all available control options to achieve
the greatest level of pest control by the
most economical means and with the
least possible ha/ard to people.
property, and the environment based on
the biology of the specific pest and its
interaction with the site environment.
The goal of IPM is to manage not
eliminate—pests.
Controlling cockroaches with IPM
involves establishing the extent of the
cockroach population, and
then—because xoro cockroach
population is not normally
obtainable—using a range of techniques
to achieve tolerable levels.
The sticky cockroach trap has made
monitoring cockroach infestations much
easier. Capturing more than five
cockroaches per trap in a 24-hour
period probably means a heavy
infestation; finding one or fewer
probably means the population isn't
expanding. Control techniques will
depend on the extent of the problem.
The most basic control measure is to
modify cockioach habitats by lowering
the temperature, removing food from
cockroach reach, eliminating water or
moisture sources, getting rid of clutter
and other harborage, and filling hiding
spaces such as cracks and crevices. If
these actions do not provide enough
control, then appropriate EPA-registered
pesticides may be used. It is a good
practice to use the lowest toxicity
product that will achieve long tasting
results, applying it in areas where
cockroaches are in contact with it most
of the time. Although some sites may
require stronger pesticide products.
recent studies have shown that the most
effective, least toxic, least expensive,
longest lasting, most easily applied
method for controlling cockroaches in
structures is a thorough crack and
crevice treatment of boric acid dust at
99 percent concentration. The
cockroaches ingest the powder while
grooming themselves, and death occurs
throe to ten days later. While it does not
produce instant results, this system has
been shown to be effective for six
months to two years, depending upon
the site.
This cockroach management system
has been successfully implemented for
homes, apartments, food handling
establishments, offices, and schools.
After a successful IPM demonstration at
several sites on the U.S. Army's
Aberdeen Proving Grounds, EPA has
begun using it at its Waterside Mall
offices in Washington. D.C. The
Waterside Mall pest management plan is
a successful cooperative effort involving
concerned employees, an employee
union, EPA's Facilities Operations
Branch, building management, a private
pest control firm, and the IPM Unit of
the Office of Pesticide Programs. Other
sites using the IPM approach are the
National Capitol Region Headquarters of
the National Park Service; Alexandria,
VA, Public Schools; and the U.S.
Capitol Building. Many pest control
firms are adopting the system as well, o
:v
EPA JOURNAL
-------
Gasoline Vapor Controls:
Pros and Cons
by Richard D. Wilson
The final decision may
ultimately affect most of the
nation's vehicle owners, so it
is certain to be controversial.
The next time you pull into a service
station to fill your car's gas tank.
consider this: even though your car's
engine is off, gasoline vapors are
escaping into the surrounding air as you
pump the liquid gasoline into the gas
tank.
These vapors, when mixed with other
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in
the ambient air. form smog. At elevated
concentrations, smog causes health
problems, particularly with the human
respiratory system. In addition, there is
evidence that direct exposure! to
gasoline vapors may also bo a health
hazard.
EPA is now trying to decide both
whether and how to control refueling
vapors. The final decision may
ultimately affect most of the nation's
vehicle owners, so it is certain to be
controversial.
The quantity of vapors released
during all vehicle refuelings is a
relatively small but nonetheless
significant portion of the total VOCs
emitted from all sources nationwide.
Other sources of VOCs are tailpipe
emissions from motor vehicles.
petroleum refining, and a large number
of widely used consumer products, such
as household paints and deodorants.
Once the VOCs are in the atmosphere.
they mix with other pollutants,
primarily oxides of nitrogen (NOx). In
the presence of sunlight, these
contaminants undergo a complex
chemical reaction that forms ozone,
commonly known as smog.
As with other air pollutants, KPA has
established a National Ambient Air
Quality Standard (N'AAQS) for ozone.
To measure ambient o/.one levels, the
Agency has. in cooperation with state
and local governments, se! up a
(Wilson is Director of EPA's Office of
Mobile Sources.j
monitoring system across the United
States. The results of that monitoring
are not encouraging.
At the present time, over 70 urban
areas are not in attainment with KPA's
o/.one standard. These include almost
all major U.S. cities: I.us Angeles.
Houston, New York City, and Chicago
are among the worst violators. Since
sunlight and warm temperatures play a
role in the formation of ozone, it is not
surprising that most violations of the
ozone standard occur during the
summer months.
Although ozone is our most pervasive
air pollution problem, we have made
substantial progress in controlling its
precursor emissions, VOCs and \"()\.
Requirements for controls on main-
categories of stationary pollution
sources, such as factories, as well as
stringent controls on vehicle emissions.
have been successful in preventing the
release of millions of tons of these
pollutants each year. Hut we still have a
long way to go.
The difficulty in controlling future
emissions of VOCs can be attributed to
two factors. One is the continued
growth in the total number of sources.
This, of course, is a result of population
growth, which leads to more cars and
trucks on the road, more industrial
facilities, and more consumer products.
The second factor is that we've been
very successful, for the most part, in
controlling major sources of YOC
emissions. As a result, future reductions
will come in much smaller increments
and at higher costs. And that brings us
back to tiie subject of this article.
Whereas, for the past 17 years, the
Federal Motor Vehicle Control Program
has focused on controlling VOCs thai
are emitted or evaporated from the
vehicle, we now are studying the
effectiveness of controlling lesser
sources, such as vehicle refueling.
To put matters into perspective, it is
interesting to note that YOC emissions
from all refuelings in the country
APRIL 1987
23
-------
account lor about two percent ol total
VOC; emissions from all sources. Yet
e;ven
-------
Sonic ot the advantages of Stage II
over onboard control art) that Stage II
can be selectively installed in
geographical areas that cannot attain the
ambient oy.one .standard. Also, under the
most favorable circumstances, Stage II
can be implemented more quickly than
onboard control, which would only lie
required on future ne\v cars and,
therefore, could not achieve full
effectiveness until tin; national fleet is
primarily comprised of cars with
onboard control. Supporters of Stage 11
also point out that it is a proven
technology, particularly given the
effectiveness of the California
experience.
On the other hand, Stage II has tin;
disadvantage of requiring a
comprehensive and costly enforcement
program to maintain its effectiveness.
Since parts of the Stage M hardware
must periodically be replaced.
particularly the flexible boot.
government officials would be required
to conduct frequent inspections and
tests of the hardware to assure- its
proper installation and operation.
Another disadvantage of Stage II control
is that its effectiveness depends to some
extent on the actions of the person
pumping the fuel. If sufficient pressure
is not exerted on the no/./h: boot to seal
it against the fill pipe, vapors will
escape, thus negating the purpose of the
controls.
The major advantage of onboard
control is that it is more effective than
Stage II in controlling refueling vapors
over the long run, While the benefits
from Stage II may exceed those from
onboard during the first few years, after
the majority of pre-onboard vehicles
have been scrapped and replaced by
those with onboard controls, the
percentage of refueling vapors
controlled would be significantly greater
U'dcn (i cur is refueled, \ cipurs
continuing volatile organic compounds
(VOCsJ are released into the air where
they mix with other pollutants to
smog.
than with Stage I!. Also, onboard is a
passive system in that a vehicle owner
would be unaware of its presence in the
car. It would require very little
maintenance over the life of the car.
Further advantages of onboard control
are that in addition to reducing YOC
emissions in ozone nonattainment areas,
it would provide VOC reductions in
attainment areas, and thus help to
maintain the standard. Finally, it would
provide nationwide benefits from
reduced exposure to known and
probable carcinogens in refueling
vapors.
On the negative side, space
requirements for onboard systems.
specifically a charcoal canister up to
one gallon in volume, might pose
difficulties for designers of small cars.
The issue of vehicle safety is also an
important consideration whenever
modifications are made in fuel systems.
In fact. Congress wrote a provision into
the Clean Air Act instructing LIP A to
consult with the Department of
Transportation on vehicle safety matters
before making a final determination to
require onboard systems on new cars or
trucks.
As the above discussion illustrates,
the controversial issues surrounding
control ot refueling omissions are many.
That, in large part, explains why the
matter has been studied, analy/.ed. and
debated within Hl'A. industry, and
environmental groups for more than a
decade. Now. however, it appears that a
decision is near. Lee M. Thomas, the
Administrator til KPA. slated in
February of this year in Congressional
testimony that tie will publicly propose
within several months whether refueling
emissions should be controlled by Stage
II systems on gas pumps or by systems
placed onboard new cars and trucks. -
APRIL 1987
25
-------
"People" Benefits
from a Cleaner Cuyahoga
by Paul Svedersky
It f~~**leveland: The Comeback City."
V_jThis slogan is being used by some
national media to describe the; upswing
in civic pride and accomplishment in
the Cleveland area, especially around its
waterfront. Clone art; the days when
knowledgeable people described the city
as the "mistake on the lake," where one
might be cautioned about the river that
didn't flow, but "oo/,ed."
News about Cleveland's comeback
might mention the downtown building
boom, the All-America City designation,
the theater restoration project at
Playhouse Square (largest of its kind in
the. United States), the resurgence of the
warehouse district, or perhaps the
rebirth of Cleveland's waterfront. Yes,
indeed, about the only thing that oo/es
along Cleveland's waterfront these days
are the crowds of people and their
enthusiasm for what's ahead.
The recovery of Cleveland's
waterfront is due in no small part to
years of environmental protection and
pollution control efforts directed at the
Cuyahoga River and near-shore Lake
Erie.
The saga of Cleveland's troubled
waters began in 1765 with Benjamin
Franklin's desire to build a fort where
the Cuyahoga River meets Lake Krie.
Cleveland's lake and riverfronts have
always been working waterways.
Overtaxed from the; very start, the
Cuyahoga River never seemed destined
to become a nature preserve or a San
Antonio River Walk.
From the early days of Moses
Cleveland and the settlers who followed
him to Connecticut's "Western Reserve."
the waterfront was hardly given a
moment's rest. By 1803, 20 oil refineries
were producing in Cleveland, making
the city the oil refining center of the
world at that time. John 1). Rockefeller
(Svedersky is I'Aemlive Dnrrlur o| (in
( .'leveldlid U (ilerlmnl (.'oulil inn. |
"fv'rci/v crafts" /nil touelli<.T mit <>l milk
cartons n;<:r on the (,'uy
-------
The notoriety of Cleveland's water
pollution problems was instrumental in
sparking environmental reform in the
late 1960s and early 1970s. The U.S.
Congress passed major clean water
legislation in 1972. Soon after,
American engineers developed
-------
Indians Act
for a Cleaner Environment
by Roy Popkin
This spring sawmill operators on the
Colville Tribes Inciiiin Reservation
\vilhin Washington Stale will he
visited by an environmental inspector
checking the impact of their operations
on water quality in nearby rivers. And
within North Dakota, another inspector
will he checking to see it pesticide
applicators are complying with
regulations on the Fort lierdiold
Reservation.
lioth inspectors arc agents of tribal
governments, carrying out
environmental regulations drawn up by
tile tribes. The \vord.s of the
Environmental I'rotection Agency's
Indian policy aie thus being translated
into real-world environmental protection.
These and other pilot projects have
moved out ol I he planning stage as
KI'A's regional and headquarters offices
begin to liring the I!t84 policy statement
to life on the nation's 278 Indian
reservations. Tile territory covered by
this policy is huge: equal to all of New
England, \ew York, New Jersey, and
Maryland. The amended Glean Water
Act ami Safe Drinking Water Act. as
well as the Snpeiinnd Amendments and
Reauthorixation Act. all direct EPA to
deal with the tribes as sovereign
governments,
EPA's headquarters offices, many of
them under Congressional deadlines, are
establishing a variety of work groups
and advisory committees to determine
what pollution-control activities are
feasible and what funding is available.
The Office of Federal Activities is
coordinating KIJA"s Indian program, hut
tiie KI'A regions actually carry it out in
the field in cooperation with the tribes.
(Popkin is (i writer/editor lor h'PA's
Office of PitMic Affairs.|
28
Policy implementation can he tricky
when it has to accommodate 278 trihal
entities, not to speak of 50 states.
Federal treaties establishing the
reservations vary—some deeded the
land to Native Americans outright:
others hold the land in trust. Moreover.
delegation of regulatory and
compliance authority to tribal
governments has also generated some
concern among non-Indians who live or
operate farms, sawmills, mines, and
other industries on the reservations.
Many people didn't believe
the tribal governments had the
capacity for environmental
self-regulation.
EPA regional attorneys have to make
certain that all interests are considered,
lest a backlash produce lawsuits and
long delays.
For example, difficulties emerged in
North Dakota, where considerable
public alarm was generated upon
publication of EPA's intent to delegate;
pesticide certification authority to the
Three Affiliated Tribes- Mandan.
Hidatsa, and Ankara—on the Fort
Herthold Reservation.
Recalls Region 8 pesticides chief Don
Rushton, "We went through every step
meticulously. The Attorney General and
the Governor objected to our plan:
century-old boundary questions we,e
argued all over again." Some 115 letters
of protest poured in from non-Indian
farmers working reservation land, but
none of the protesters ever sat down
with the tribal government to ask about
its intentions.
The I']PA position was that trihal
jurisdiction was a prerequisite for
approval—the Agency was merely
rocogni/ing that the tribe's program
fulfilled EPA requirements. In fact. EPA
would have had to set up a federal
certification program if the tribe hadn't
done so.
To respond to the concerns of
non-Indians, the tribes established an
administrative panel to hear appeals by
applicators. According to a recent
Region 8 report, the tribes have certified
95 pesticide applicators but have not
taken enforcement action, preferring to
give voluntary compliance a try. The
protest of the non-Indians has subsided.
but the tribal inspector has referred two
cases to EPA for review.
Meanwhile, the tribes have cleaned
up two illegal pesticide dump sites,
performed a ground-water survey for
pesticide contamination, drilled wells to
monitor subsurface waters where
pesticide containers have been dumped.
and monitored surface water in
agricultural areas.
The Fort Berthold pilot project is
becoming a classic example of how
Indian expertise in environmental
matters can be developed, just as it
evolved in each of the 50 state
governments. The Three Tribes are part
of a three-year EPA-funded national
demonstration project in which the
Agency is helping the tribes' joint
Natural Resources Department to
address current air, water, and waste
problems and keep the environment
from deteriorating further.
In addition, the tribes have been
working with the region on
development of a reservation-wide
environmental public awareness
campaign through their own
newspapers, radio station, and schools.
Region 8 has jurisdiction over a large;
number of tribes on 2<> reservations in
six states, covering almost a fourth ol
the nation's reservation population and
38 percent of the totai land area. In
fiscal year 1986, the Region provided
grants for air monitoring and program
EPA JOURNAL
-------
development to nine tribes to complete
emission inventories and climatology
studies as a basis for regulations and
ordinances on their reservations. Funds
for pesticide enforcement and training
were supplied to five tribes. The
Region also provided tribes with
technical assistance in locating new
landfill sites, controlling underground
storage tanks and fluid injection, and
upgrading drinking water.
We can see the same process at work
in Region 10. where a water quality
management plan is being implemented
by the 13 Confederated Colville Tribes
in mountainous, heavily-forested,
north-central Washington. Working with
EVA, the tribes are the first to move into
water quality management under
Section 2QH of the Clean Water Act.
According to Region 10 attorney
Deborah Gates, a significant early step
was tribal passage of the Colvilie
Administrative Procedures Act. which
spells out appeal and review procedures
The words of EPA's Indian
policy are being translated
into real-world environmental
protection.
to be invoked if tribal water quality
management decisions are challenged.
As in North Dakota, this met tin-
concerns of non-Indians about whether
environmental enforcement would be
fair to them. Ultimately, the tribal
clean-water ordinances will regulate all
mining, silviculture, and farming on the
reservation: logging will have priority.
Compliance targets will range from
Crown-Zellerbach to the mom-and-pop
mills.
Gary Passmore, the tribal hydrologist.
says Clean Water Act enforcement on
the reservation is three years behind
enforcement by the state of Washington
on non-Indian lands. He anticipates few
negative reactions.
Burgeoning Indian program activity is
also evident in Region 5. where the
focus is a pilot project on solid and
hazardous waste disposal lor the
Menominee Reservation in northern
Wisconsin. The reservation has a
Menominee population of (i,5()(). Its
rivers, streams, and lakes are heavily
exploited for recreation in all seasons.
and truckers daily negotiate north-south
routes through the reservation.
The Menominee project started with
an EPA grant and a Memorandum ol
Understanding between the tribe, the
Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources, and EPA back in I
-------
implementation schedule including a
user-fee system for hazardous materials
transporters, notification of shippers,
assisting generators to comply with
hazardous waste rules, and conducting
surface-water and ground-water
sampling.
The issue of tribal versus state control
over navigable waters and lakes within
the reservation—but bordered by
non-tribal lands—remains to be resolved
but is not believed to be a serious
impediment.
Last December, Region 5 and the
National Congress of American Indians
co-sponsored a two-day meeting at
which top Indian, state, and federal
officials reviewed every aspect of Indian
environmental policy. In January,
Region 5 and the Great Lakes Indian Fish
and Wildlife Commission conducted a
day-long "orientation to Indian country"
to acquaint EPA staff with the history,
culture, and capability of area tribes for
natural resource management in the
upper Midwest. In Region 5, "circuit
riders" visit all the reservations at least
annually to provide technical assistance,
mainly with drinking water. As a result
of such efforts, reservations in the
region have achieved 90 percent
compliance with EPA safe drinking
water standards.
Region 5's enthusiastic Indian
programs coordinator, Kestutis K.
(Casey) Ambutis, says many people
didn't believe the tribal governments
had the capacity for environmental
self-regulation. "Those people forget
there was a time when state and local
governments had little, if any,
capability," he recalls. "Now, more and
From the Heart...
On May 29,1985, Lawrence Wetsit,
director of the Assiniboine-Sioux
Tribes' Fort Peck Indian
Reservation Minerals Office,
testified at an EPA underground
injection permit hearing in Poplar,
Montana.
"I am very concerned with the
protection of our environment.
What I have been taught in my 32
years is that the most important
thing for the Indian people is their
land....We were pushed further
and further west until we finally
ended up here on the Fort Peck
Reservation. We have nowhere else
to go. If we find it unlivable here,
then we are finished.
"This is where my grandparents
and great grandparents are buried,
and where I will be buried. If my
generation does not do what has to
be done to protect what we have
left, then there will be nothing for
my children....Because of this
feeling our tribal council decided
that they needed to establish some
system where we could protect our
environment and save our land.
"The Fort Peck Tribes
established a minerals resource
office to monitor oil and gas
activities...At one point we had
coal speculators coming in and
asking for leases here on the
reservation. At that time the tribes
had no technical office to advise
them....We held those people off
until we could get an office
established that could allow these
coal and oil companies to come in
and develop...on terms the Fort
Peck Tribes can live with. We
must remember, if we make a bad
decision today, our children will
have to live with it over the next
30 or 40 years.
"Under the mineral resource
office, our role is to protect the
land surface and all of the trust
land here on the Fort Peck
Reservation. We also oversee...all
oil and gas leases....Even though
we do like the benefits of
development, we also have to look
at the other side of the coin....The
Fort Peck Tribes decided that the
future of Indian people is more
important than money.
"We have had our own gas and
oil development here since
1951....With each new well there is
more water to be disposed of....We
can go anywhere and look at the
agricultural land where there are
oil wells and there is nothing
growing....
"Along with protection of our
lands, the Fort Peck Tribes have
entered into a water compact with
the State of Montana. We let the
state know of our concern with the
ground water here. Without water,
the land has no value....If we inject
this salt water improperly, we will
destroy these fresh aquifers.
"It is my responsibility as the
director of the tribal mineral
resource program....to ensure that
industry and other federal agencies
are aware of the concerns of the
Fort Peck Tribes. We want to leave
something that our children can
live with and be proud of. We
hope our technical staff can
show—with scientific data—that
underground injection is causing
us problems, and that we need to
keep a good watch on it to protect
our future."
30
EPA JOURNAL
-------
more tribes are employing sanitarians,
attorneys, biologists, accountants,
resource managers, and hydrologists.
The infrastructure is being developed at
a pretty rapid rate."
At EPA headquarters, too, the pace of
Indian program activities is accelerating.
Agency experts are preparing
implementation strategies that will
include what Administrator Lee Thomas
calls "short- and long-term actions to
ensure that the environmental statutes
are actually implemented on Indian
reservation lands." That means more
grant funds, in-house personnel,
technical assistance, training, and
set-aside moneys. At the same time,
program offices have been reviewing
and funding requests for assistance.
The Indians' own priorities were
reflected in a "Survey of American
Indian Environmental Protection Needs
on Reservation Lands: 1986," conducted
by Americans for Indian Opportunity.
The survey analyzed reservations
ranging from 33 acres with a population
of 10 to the Navajo Nation of 149,000
living on 16 million acres, and
embracing 58 percent of the current
nationwide reservation population. Said
the survey, "...92 percent of reservations
reporting were participating in at least
one environmental activity...Most tribal
governments have recognized the need
to address one or more areas of
importance on their reservations and
have done so...but many environmental
problems still need to be addressed."
Certainly there is a manifest new
commitment and momentum; Native
Americans can expect a better
environment in the years ahead, an
outcome that will be shaped largely by
their own hands. Q
The EPA-lndian Partnership
Expansion of EPA's partnership
with Indian tribal governments can
be traced to two Indian Policy
statements, the first issued by
President Ronald Reagan in
January 1983,the second by
then-EPA Administrator William
Ruckelshaus in November 1984.
The President's policy extended
earlier actions—the Indian
Reorganization Act of 1934 and an
initiative by President Richard
Nixon in 1970—by explicitly
re-emphasizing the juridical
sovereignty of tribal governments.
The new federal approach called
for strengthening tribal
governments and helping them
achieve economic growth, social
stability, and managerial expertise.
EPA was the first federal agency
to follow up. La Donna Harris, in
her introduction to the ''Survey of
American Indian Environmental
Protection Needs on Reservation
Lands: 1986," undertaken by
Americans for Indian Opportunity
(AIO), said that EPA's Indian
policy statement of 1984
"represents a most positive
step...toward more cooperative,
productive relationships between
federal and tribal
governments...recognizing that the
partnership must steadily move
toward greater parity." The
response from tribal leaders was
overwhelmingly favorable.
EPA policy says the Agency
will:
• Work directly with tribes on a
government-to-government basis,
not as tributaries of other
governments.
• Recognize tribal authority to set
standards, make decisions, and
manage reservation programs,
consistent with EPA standards and
regulations.
• Assist tribes in assuming
regulatory and program
responsibilities.
• Remove legal and procedural
impediments to working directly
with the tribes.
• Consider tribal interests fully in
decisions impacting reservations.
• Encourage cooperation between
tribal and state governments.
• Enlist the support of other
federal agencies on Indian lands.
EPA and the tribes recognize
that what the AIO has termed the
"limited and sporadic"
relationship of the past will not
improve spontaneously.
Implementation will take careful,
conscientious work by EPA, the
tribes, and many other
parties—public and private—in
coining months and years.
APRIL 1987
31
-------
Update
A review of recent niiijur KPA activities and developments in
areas
he pollution control program
AIR
TOXICS
Mazda Recall
Mazda North America, Inc.,
has begun recalling nearly
140.000 of its GLC and KX-7
models because they exceed
the federal hydrocarbon and
carbon-monoxide exhaust
emission standards.
Nearly 47.WW 1982 CILC
cars equipped with 1.5-liter
piston engines will have
air-bleed assemblies installed
to increase the amount of air
mixed with fuel.
Mazda is also recalling
1)1.1 12 HW2 and 1983 KX-7
cars with 1.1 liter rotary
engines to replace the
ceramic pellets in the
catalytic converter and
modily the air-injection
system. In some cases, the
KX-7 cars may need choke
adjustments.
PESTICIDES
Toxicology Data
KPA is mailing notices to
approximately 2,075
pesticide registrants
requesting toxicology data on
304 active ingredient
chemicals used in
antimicrobial pesticide
formulations.
The Agency has
determined that more data
are needed to assess the
potential hazards associated
with the use of antimicrobial
pesticides. In the past. KPA
assumed that human
exposure to most
antimicrobial pesticides
involved oniy short-term
exposure to low
concentrations of active
ingrediants. Therefore, only
acute loxicity data were
required to register most
antimicrobial pesticide
products.
Antimicrobial pesticides
include products used as
disinfectants, saniti/ers.
sterilants, and commodity
preservatives in hospitals.
health-care facilities,
food-handling
establishments, swimming
pools, and metal-working
Fluids,
Asbestos Grants
EPA announced the
availability of funds for
1987 loans and grants under
the Asbestos School Hazard
Abatement Act of 1984
(ASHAA), and announced its
first round of awards.
The awards, which totaled
$34.2 million, will go to the
nation's most financially
needy schools to help abate
asbestos hazards. Awards
were offered to 366 schools
that applied for federal
funds. EPA based selection
upon the severity of the
schools' asbestos-related
problem and their financial
need.
This cycle of awards was
being offered, to schools
which submitted their
applications during 1!)8(>.
EPA was not able to fund all
the qualified projects
submitted in 1<)80 and
reconsidered the HJHfi
holdover applications for
1987 funding.
PCF? Cleanup Policy
KPA has announced a new
policy for nationwide
cleanup standards of
polychlorinated biphenyl
(PCB) spills.
The requirements and
standards in this policy are
based upon the Agency's
evaluation of the potential
routes of exposure and
potential risks associated
with the more common types
of PC'.H spills, as well as the
costs associated with cleanup
following such spills.
EPA Assistant
Administrator for Pesticides
and Toxic Substances. Dr.
John A. Moore, stated: "This
nationwide policy will
reduce the risks from PCB
spills to public health and
the environment by
encouraging rapid and
effective cleanup and
restoration of the site."
In the past, policies for the
cleanup of PCB spills have
been established separately by
each KPA regional office on a
case-hy-case basis, which
subsequently allowed for
varying standards from
region to region.
WATER
Drinking Water Awareness
Under a new EPA proposal
required by the Safe Drinking
Water Act, all drinking-water
supply operators in the
United States must notify
their customers ot potential
sources and adverse health
effects of lead. Operators are
responsible for doing this
even if they are not violating
lead standards.
The first public notice for
lead must by sent from
operators to customers by
June 1988, even if the water
system is not violating the
current federal standard of 50
parts per billion.
If a state fails to enforce
these special notification
requirements for lead. HP A is
authorized by the Safe
Drinking Water Act to
withhold up to five percent
of that state's federal grants
for operating public water
systems. LJ
Appointments
Martin D. Topper has been appointed to
the position of Indian Program
Coordinator within the Office of Federal
Activities, lie will be responsible for
coordinating the development and
implementation of the EPA policy for
Indian reservation lands in the United
States.
Dr. Topper has had experience in a
wide variety of fields. He has served as
Cultural Anthropologist Consultant and
as Assistant Director of the Mental
Health Branch of the Navajo Area of the
Indian Health Service (HIS). This
included serving in clinical positions
near the Navajo Reservation treating
mental health patients at various IMS
facilities. He was also an Assistant
Professor of Anthropology at Southern
Methodist University.
He received his Bachelor's Degree in
Anthropology from the University of
Illinois, and his Master's and Ph.D. from
Northwestern University, also in
Anthropology. He has also done
post-doctoral study at the University of
Chicago and the University of California
at San Diego, n
EPA JOURNAL
-------
Two deer pause for a moment cil sunset
on the f','
-------
------- |