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NITIOHtL ENVIROHMENIIL RESEIICH CENTER LIS VEGAS:
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LABORATORY OPERATIONS DIVISION
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND MONITODING
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NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER-LAS VEGAS:
A STAFF STUDY
JANUARY 1973
Prepared by :
Laboratory Operations Division
Office of Research and Monitoring
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PREFACE
The present study was commissioned by the Assistant Administrator for Research and
Monitoring, EPA. Proceeding from a set of assumptions supplied by the Assistant Adminis-
trator, the study originally was to develop a master plan for NERC-Las Vegas and to outline
specific projects that should be undertaken at the NERC through the period FY 1974 to FY
1980. However, extensive comments were received from Headquarters and from the
National Environmental Research Centers on the first draft of this study, necessitating new
guidelines and a redefinition of the scope of the study. There was evidence that the re-
viewers differed substantially as to the meaning of a NERC's research theme. Some of the
NERC's clearly viewed certain areas of research as their exclusive domain, even though
efforts in these same areas were already underway at other NERC's. The many vested inter-
ests of these reviewers, and the lack of a uniform philosophy underlying the NERC theme
concept, resulted in major conflicts with the study's original guidelines and assumptions.
Consequently, the purpose of the study was shifted to lay out the ORM managerial philos-
ophy for evolution of NERC-Las Vegas into a center emphasizing research and monitoring
approaches that go beyond the narrow confines of a single medium.
This study represents a "first step" in the short- and long-range planning of the future
of NERC-Las Vegas. Many additional steps must be taken—as outlined in the report—if the
Las Vegas laboratory is to evolve into a National Environmental Research Center having a
fully integrated, balanced, and effective research program.
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CONTENTS
Page
Preface iii
List of Illustrations and Tables vi
Study Committee vii
Summary ix
I. Introduction 1
A. Goal and Scope of Study 1
B. Concept of NERC's 1
C. Approach of Study Committee 2
D. Organization of Report 5
II. Background of NERC-Las Vegas 7
A. History 7
B. Organization 8
C. Administrative Functions 10
D. Research Capabilities 13
E. Programs 17
III. ORM Environmental Monitoring-Oriented Programs 21
A. Definition of Monitoring 21
B. Primary Areas of Monitoring Study (PAMS) within NERC's 22
IV. Recommendations for Programs, Organization, and Facilities 35
A. Project Areas for NERC-Las Vegas 35
B. Transfer of Functions 45
C. Organization 49
D. Administrative Services 50
E. Future Facility Requirements at NERC-Las Vegas 52
Appendix A—Buildings and Equipment at NERC-Las Vegas A-l
A. Las Vegas Area A-l
B. Buildings A-5
C. Equipment A-5
Appendix B-Detailed Summary of ORM Monitoring-Oriented Elements B-l
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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure Title Page
1 Flow Chart Showing General Approach of the Study 4
2 Present Organization of the National Environmental Research Center —
Las Vegas 9
A-l Highway Miles and Airline Flight Times From Las Vegas to Major Cities
in the United States A-2
A-2 NERC-Las Vegas on the Campus of the University of Nevada at Las Vegas . . A-3
A-3 Map of Las Vegas Showing the Location of the NERC-Las Vegas A-4
A-4 Plot Plan of the EPA Farm at the Nevada Test Site A-9
A-5 Laboratory Complex of the EPA Farm at the NTS A-10
A-6 Environmental Application of Specialized Instruments at NERC-Las Vegas. . A-14
LIST OF TABLES
Table Title Page
1 Positions Currently Authorized at NERC-Las Vegas by ORM, ORP, OPM,
and AEC 8
2 Staffing of Administrative Services by Supporting Organization 11
3 Disciplines and Academic Degrees of the NERC-Las Vegas Staff 14
4 Monitoring-Oriented Programs at the NERC-Research Triangle Park .... 23
5 Monitoring-Oriented Programs at the NERC-Cincinnati 25
6 Monitoring-Oriented Programs at the NERC-Corvallis 26
7 Monitoring-Oriented Programs at the NERC-Las Vegas 27
8 Delegations of Authority for NERC-Las Vegas 51
A-l Space Summary of NERC-Las Vegas Facilities A-5
A-2 Location of Equipment and Installations at NERC-Las Vegas A-6
A-3 Specifications of the NERC-Las Vegas Computer System A-13
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STUDY COMMITTEE*
Headquarters
Dr. Ronald Engel, Laboratory Operations Division (Chairman)
Dr. Wayne Ott, Laboratory Operations Division (Programs)
Mr. Charles Frank, Laboratory Operations Division (Administration)
Mr. Victor Randecker, Laboratory Operations Division (Facilities)
Ms. Jeanie Parrish, Laboratory Operations Division
Ms. Meg Gemson, Laboratory Operations Division
Mr. E. P. Floyd, Laboratory Operations Division
Ms. Irene Kiefer, Editorial Consultant
Mr. William Sayers, Office of Monitoring
Mr. Stanley Blacker, Office of Monitoring
Dr. Harry Landon, Office of Research
Dr. Allen Lefohn, Office of Research
NERC's
Mr. Dwight Ballinger, NERC-Cincinnati
Mr. Robert Clark, NERC-Cincinnati
Mr. James McCarty, NERC-Corvallis
Dr. Thomas Hauser, NERC-Research Triangle Park
Dr. Paul Kenline, NERC-Research Triangle Park
Ms. Norma Cox, NERC-Las Vegas
Mr. Richard Jacquish, NERC-Las Vegas
Dr. Alan Moghissi, NERC-Las Vegas
Mr. Walter Petrie, NERC-Las Vegas
*The Director, Laboratory Operations Division, takes full responsibility for the content and recommendations presented in
this report. They reflect the Director's opinions, based on his review of the material assembled by the study committee.
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SUMMARY
This staff study undertakes a comprehensive examination of the future of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency's Office of Research and Monitoring (ORM) Laboratory at Las
Vegas, previously known as the Western Environmental Research Laboratory. This labora-
tory was officially designated a National Environmental Research Center (NERC) by the
Administrator, EPA, on July 13, 1972.
Like the other three NERC's, NERC-Las Vegas has been assigned a research theme on
which to build its capabilities and expertise. Its theme is "environmental monitoring".
Unlike the other three NERC's, NERC-Las Vegas has an extremely small, narrowly-defined
research program. Research activity at Las Vegas has been limited primarily to radiation
areas, with the National Eutrophication Survey being the only program at the NERC outside
traditional fields of radiological research.
This study is intended to lay the groundwork for the evolution of NERC-Las Vegas
into a Center emphasizing approaches that go beyond a particular aspect of environmental
pollution-be it water, air, or land—and viewing the environment as an integrated unit. First,
an extensive review was made of the programs, facilities, resources, and research capability
at Las Vegas. ORM monitoring-related programs at all four NERC's were then examined
with emphasis on identifying unfulfilled research needs. In order to meet these needs and at
the same time exploit the research capability of NERC-Las Vegas, a series of recommenda-
tions was developed based on the following rationale:
• The NERC Project Areas (NPA's) introduced in this report provide for unique
functional areas of activity to be concentrated at a particular National Environ-
mental Research Center.
• The operational base of ORM programs resides in the NERC's; responsibility for
goal setting and policy planning resides in ORM Headquarters; responsibility for
long-range planning and resource allocations rests with Headquarters in conjunc-
tion with the NERC Directors.
• No functions should be transferred from one NERC to another solely for the
purpose of achieving alignment with a particular NERC's research theme.
• Any transfer of function must first be thoroughly considered on an individual
programmatic basis-i.e., in the light of its program improvement, contribution to
establishment of a critical mass of expertise, and improvement of operational
efficiency.
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A number of the recommendations in this study pertain to the NPA's. NPA's define,
intrinsically, the meaning of the research theme for a given NERC, since they spell out the
areas of specialization centered at that NERC. NPA's could be identified for all four
NERC's, but that was beyond the scope of this study. The following seven NPA's were iden-
tified for assignment to NERC-Las Vegas, however, and should be established there to
provide a solid base for the NERC's research and monitoring program:
NPA 1. Special Staff Studies — These studies review the state-of-the-art of our know-
ledge in key monitoring-oriented areas for the purpose of focusing research questions
clearly, of determining in detail the nature of existing unfulfilled needs, and of providing a
direction for satisfying these needs.
NPA 2. Aerial Surveillance Support — The aerial support project area at NERC-Las
Vegas provides needed assistance to on-going monitoring programs within the Agency as
well as support to monitoring activities during environmental emergencies.
NPA 3. Development and Field Testing Of Aerial Remote Sensing - Research in this
area emphasizes the design, development, testing, and evaluation of remote sensing instru-
ments and methodology utilizing fixed or rotary winged aircraft.
NPA 4. Biological Monitors of the Environment — This research concentrates on the
detection and measurement of selected pollutants in the biosphere using animal and plant
systems as monitoring devices.
NPA 5. Development and Field Testing of Noise Monitoring Instrumentation — This
project area focuses on the development of techniques, including associated standardization
and quality control procedures, for routinely monitoring noise in urban areas.
NPA 6. Development and Demonstration of Monitoring Networks — Studies of this
nature are aimed at developing optimal networks for measurement of long-term environ-
mental trends, for setting standards as well as assessing compliance progress, and for
determining the true exposure of the population and other elements of the environment to
various pollutants.
NPA 7. Development of Data Interpretation Techniques — Projects in this area are
directed at investigation of quantitative and analytical techniques within the context of
monitoring problems as well as development of refined and improved mathematical and
statistical methods for interpreting and evaluating environmental quality data.
NERC-Las Vegas has the capability to carry out effective programs within each of the
recommended NPA's. However, with the limited resources available to the NERC, this capa-
bility is not at present being fully utilized, and the possibilities for obtaining additional
resources appear to be slim. EPA's budget request for FY 1974 shows no substantial in-
creases in research funds; if allowance is made for increased research costs due to inflation,
the net effect will be, it appears, a decrease in EPA's annual research budget. Further, the
prospects for research funding over the next two or three fiscal years will probably present a
similarly dismal picture.
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In this time lean budgets, therefore, ORM must make every effort to secure more
output for its research investment. ORM should take all possible steps to reduce excessive
administrative costs, nonessential activities and any other operations which while useful in
themselves are not crucial to the research product. As a result, operational functions which
exist within Headquarters should be transferred to the field along with their associated
resources to obtain the greatest possible program improvement and efficiency. Accordingly,
the report makes the following additional recommendations to obtain such program
improvement at NERC-Las Vegas and to provide guidelines for developing the NERC's
capability:
• Operational functions of the Advanced Techniques Division, Office of Moni-
toring, should be transferred from Headquarters to NERC-Las Vegas.
• Operational functions of the Data Audit Branch, Office of Monitoring, should be
transferred from Headquarters to NERC-Las Vegas.
• Operational functions of the Quality Assurance Division, Office of Monitoring,
should be transferred from Headquarters to NERC-Las Vegas.
• All intramural and extramural funds as well as positions associated with these
functions should also be transferred to NERC-Las Vegas.
• NERC-Las Vegas should undertake a planning study to develop particular research
projects and resource needs within each of the seven NPA's assigned to the NERC.
The study should be consistent with the ORM planning system.
• An independent review should be undertaken to identify additional operational
program activities in Headquarters that relate to the NPA's assigned to NERC-Las
Vegas; as these are identified, they should be transferred to NERC-Las Vegas.
• NERC-Las Vegas should develop a new organizational structure to enable it to
carry out its expanded role.
• Administrative services for NERC-Las Vegas should be provided by the Office of
Planning and Management through a Director of Administration.
• EPA should enter into negotiations with the University of Nevada-Las Vegas to
expand facilities on the University's campus in order to meet future facility
requirements of NERC-Las Vegas.
In summary, NERC-Las Vegas has the potential—the nucleus of people, the facilities,
and equipment—needed to carry out a balanced, effective research and monitoring effort
that is consistent with the NERC concept. But NERC-Las Vegas lacks the funds and posi-
tions to fulfill its potential. Only 55 positions, for example, are directly funded by ORM at
Las Vegas, while NERC-Research Triangle Park and associated laboratories has an ORM
commitment of approximately 630 positions; NERC-Cincinnati has 361; and NERC-
Corvallis has 412. The tremendous research and monitoring capability at NERC-Las Vegas
is, at present, severely under-utilized and will continue to be so unless strong and immediate
action is taken.
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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Goal and Scope of Study
The goal of this staff study is to undertake a comprehensive examination of the future
of the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Research and Monitoring (ORM)
laboratory at Las Vegas, previously known as the Western Environmental Research Labora-
tory (WERL). This laboratory was officially designated a National Environmental Research
Center (NERC) in a memorandum from the Administrator, EPA, dated July 13, 1972.
The present study was commissioned by the Assistant Administrator for Research and
Monitoring, EPA. Its purpose is to lay the groundwork for evolution of this laboratory into
a center emphasizing research and monitoring approaches that go beyond the narrow con-
fines of a single medium. This study is intended to provide guidelines for future programs,
organization and utilization of facilities, at Las Vegas, consistent with the NERC concept
and within realistic resource levels.
B. Concept of NERC's
To develop an organization capable of efficiently integrating EPA's research and moni-
toring activities, the Assistant Administrator for Research and Monitoring established three
National Environmental Research Centers in August 1971 (confirmed by EPA Order
1110.22). Many of EPA's research laboratories had been in existence for some time prior to
that. However, the NERC concept, which fully integrates the technological expertise of
laboratories formerly focusing only on a particular aspect of environmental pollution-be it
water, air, or land—was developed by ORM, Each NERC consists of a critical mass of dem-
onstrated experience and professional skills, suitable diversity of facilities, and program
responsibilities related to its new and broadened mission.
Centers were established in Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina; Cincinnati,
Ohio; and Corvallis, Oregon. Each was assigned other existing laboratories-according to
facilities, personnel, and programs-directly related to its mission. The programs at each
NERC (consisting of a "center" and a system of associated laboratories) were developed
along a "thematic basis", consistent with the role that the Center must play in the overall
mission of the Agency. In developing the thematic bases, four criteria were considered:
• Existing research programs at the laboratory
• The research capability of the laboratory (staff expertise, facilities, and geographi-
cal location)
• The relationship of the programs to other existing programs
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• The extent to which the program adds to the balance of research among land,
water, and air areas.
The theme for NERC-RTP is health effects research; for NERC-Cincinnati, pollution
abatement technology and engineering research; and for NERC-Corvallis, ecological effects
research. Although each Center serves as a nucleus for an effective research effort, programs
are not strictly limited to its specific theme. Rather, the sole purpose of the theme is to give
to each NERC a foundation on which to build its capabilities and expertise in the assigned
area. The NERC's can effectively plan to attack environmental problems on a highly sophis-
ticated and integrated basis, covering all aspects of research with minimal fragmentation to
determine source-exposure-dose-control relationships.
With successful development of the first three NERC's, it soon became evident that a
major component of the environmental problem—environmental monitoring—was frag-
mented and uncoordinated and was not receiving the full efforts necessary to meet the legis-
lative mandates. There was no ORM laboratory which could conveniently build an effective
program around monitoring as a theme, meeting unfulfilled research needs and conducting
the necessary research on how to integrate monitoring of the environment properly and
effectively. This need was met with the designation of a fourth center, NERC-Las Vegas,
with a theme of environmental monitoring.
In examining the significance of research themes, it should be noted that many re-
search functions exist which are not the sole domain of any one NERC. Such research func-
tions are pursued not as ends in themselves but as component parts of other research
endeavors. Mathematical modeling, like statistics, cannot be restricted to any one NERC or
to any one research sphere. Research in ecological areas, for example, may require construc-
tion of mathematical models or investigation of transport processes. Likewise, development
of suitable knowledge in the area of monitoring may require data on the movement of
pollutants through various points in the environment to determine what should be moni-
tored and at what point. Tracing the movement of certain toxic materials through the food
chain, for example, may be necessary to develop truly effective monitoring strategies for
these pollutants. Such research, of course, would not be initiated at one NERC if others
were already engaged in identical work; in each case, there must be extensive communi-
cation between the NERC's.
Many monitoring-oriented projects within ORM are .intimately tied to programs which
already exist at a NERC or provide a necessary balance to research activities at the NERC;
where this is the case, more harm than good would result if the program were transferred
solely for the purpose of achieving alignment with a particular research theme. Conse-
quently, any transfer of function must first be thoroughly considered on an individual pro-
grammatic basis. The primary concern should be for program improvement, establishment
of a critical mass of expertise, and improvement of operational efficiency.
C. Approach of Study Committee
To plan the future role of NERC-Las Vegas, the Assistant Administrator for Research
and Monitoring convened a small study Committee, with representatives from the Office of
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Research, Office of Monitoring, and the Las Vegas laboratory. Dr. Ronald Engel, Director of
the Laboratory Operations Division, Headquarters ORM, acted as Chairman, with this Divi-
sion carrying the lead role in developing the study and assembling this report. In the review
stages of the report, the study committee was expanded to include representatives from
each of the three other NERC's, and their comments were carefully considered in develop-
ing the final document.
Figure 1 provides a flow chart of the general procedure followed in this study. The
boxes at the left indicate the basic information the study committee used in developing this
report. For the sake of simplicity, only the pertinent steps are included.
As a first step, the study committee examined what is meant by environmental moni-
toring, with particular emphasis on the implications of this theme for NERC-Las Vegas.
Next, a major effort was made to identify overall research needs in the area of monitoring,
irrespective of whether these needs are to be met at Las Vegas or at the other NERC's. This
review examined (1) all monitoring-oriented research programs within the four NERC's,
(2) current monitoring research literature, (3) monitoring research needs of the Regions and
other program offices, (4) monitoring aspects of existing legislation, and (5) data contained
in the ORM planning system. This review was directed toward identifying the highest prior-
ity unfulfilled research needs in the area of monitoring which are not currently addressed at
any of the NERC's but which ultimately should be addressed by the NERC's.
Existing research capabilities at NERC-Las Vegas were surveyed in relation to environ-
mental monitoring. This survey examined the professional skills and backgrounds of the
research staff—their areas of special expertise, their previous research work, and the manner
in which this competence can best be applied to environmental monitoring. Also examined
as part of this review were the facilities and geographic features of NERC-Las Vegas, with
particular attention to any unique installations and equipment which would be of benefit in
conducting environmental monitoring research.
From this body of data, an attempt was made to identify research and monitoring pro-
gram areas which could meet highest priority unfulfilled research needs at the same time
that they exploited the existing research capability of NERC-Las Vegas (professional
competence, facilities, equipment, and geographical location).
Once formulated, these program areas were used as the basis of a suitable organiza-
tional structure for NERC-Las Vegas, for examination of the NERC project areas and
resources that would be needed to implement a viable program, and for determination of
any modifications to existing facilities that might be necessary.
The study culminates in a series of recommendations pertaining to programs which
should be assigned to NERC-Las Vegas as well as recommendations on the resources, organi-
zation, and facilities needed to carry out these programs.
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FIGURE 1
FLOW CHART SHOWING GENERAL APPROACH OF THE STUDY
Bifiunn IF
NEK-Ltt VBtt WITH
UllllltllE HEME
iHTinumi if
MIIITIIINGOIIEITEO
PllfiUM MEIS Fll
IEIC LIS VEGAS
T
IDENTIFY MONITORING
RESEARCH NEEDS
ANALYSIS OF MONITORING-
RELATED ORM PROGRAMS
EXAMINATION OF CURRENT
RESEARCH LITERATURE
EXAMINATION OF
"NEED STATEMENTS
REVIEW OF EXISTING
LEGISLATION
INPUT FROM REGIONS
AND EPA PROGRAM
OFFICES
DESCRIBE EXISTING
RESEARCH CAPABILITY AT
LAS VE6AS IN RELATION
TO MONITORING
EXISTING PERSONNEL
AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
PRESENT LAS VEGAS
PROGRAMS
| GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES
EXISTING LABORATORY
FACILITIES
EXISTING EQUIPMENT
AND ITS ADVANTAGES
DEVELOP NERC STRUCTURE CAPABLE OF CARRYING OUT
PROPOSED PROGRAM
INDICATE POSITIONS
REQUIRED BEYOND
FY 1974
INDICATE OVERALL
ORGANIZATIONAL PLAN
INDICATE THE USE OF
EXISTING FACILITIES IN
THEfROPOSED PROGRAM
INDICATE FUNCTIONAL
STATEMENTS FOR EACH
ORGANIZATIONAL ENTITY
INDICATE SOURCE
OF POSITIONS
FOR FY 1974
INDICATE FUNDS
REQUIRED FOR
INDICATE THE NEED FOR
ANY ADDITIONAL FACILITIES
DESCRIBE ORGANIZATIONAL
STRUCTURE REQUIRED TO
IMPLEMENT PROGRAM
IDENTIFY FACILITIES
REQUIRED TO
IMPLEMENT PROGRAM
IDENTIFY RESOURCES
REQUIRED TO
IMPLEMENT PROGRAM
KCIMMEHMTIINSII
IE IMPLEMENTED
Tl CARRY NT PLAN
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D. Organization of Report
Chapter I of this report, which serves as an introduction, outlines the goal of this
study, the concept of National Environmental Research Centers, the research theme
assigned to NERC-Las Vegas, the approach of the study committee in developing this
report, and the overall organization of the report.
Chapter II discusses the history of the Las Vegas laboratory, its existing organization,
the administrative services available at the NERC, the capabilities of its facilities and staff to
undertake particular kinds of research, and the programs currently underway at the
laboratory.
Chapter III outlines the monitoring programs within ORM; it discusses the nature of
environmental monitoring, with emphasis on monitoring research, and it presents the results
of an analysis of monitoring-related programs as they exist throughout the NERC's, paying
attention to unfulfilled research needs which exist in our knowledge of how to monitor the
environment effectively.
Chapter IV presents recommendations for the areas of work which should be assigned
to NERC-Las Vegas, for the organizational arrangement of the NERC, for future facilities,
and for the resources needed.
Appendix A describes in depth the existing facilities at NERC-Las Vegas, with empha-
sis on the unique capabilities of the equipment and installations.
Appendix B presents a review of current monitoring programs and activities in the
Agency in greater detail than is possible in the body of the report.
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CHAPTER II
BACKGROUND OF NERC-LAS VEGAS
This chapter provides general background information on the Las Vegas laboratory,
with particular emphasis on its capability to perform particular kinds of research and moni-
toring. It discusses the history of the laboratory's development, the nature of its organiza-
tion, and the arrangment of its support services. It then concentrates on the research
capability of the laboratory, including a description of current programs at Las Vegas.
A. History
The Las Vegas laboratory had its beginning in 1954, when the Atomic Energy Commis-
sion (AEC) requested the Public Health Service (PHS) to provide effective monitoring of
radioactivity in the area surrounding the Nevada Test Site. This request resulted from the
public's concern about the periodic release of radioactivity from nuclear weapons testing at
the Nevada Test Site. In response to the request, the "Off-Site Radiological Safety Program"
was created, funded by the AEC. Initially, an old warehouse at Mercury, Nevada, housed the
program.
With the growth of the permanent staff from one in 1954, to two in 1955, and to
about eight in early 1959, the laboratory moved to a larger building at Mercury and to the
AEC's offices in Las Vegas. In 1958, when PHS's newly created Division of Radiological
Health established its first radiological health facility in Las Vegas, the Off-Site Radiological
Safety Program served as its nucleus. In December 1959, the laboratory moved to a larger
building in Las Vegas to accommodate its staff of about 30.
By 1962, the staff had grown to over 100; and the State of Nevada offered the labora-
tory a permanent home on the campus of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. The first
building provided by the State housed a staff of about 50 people on the campus; the remain-
der were scattered throughout Las Vegas.
Ground was broken in 1965 for a new complex with 80,000 square feet of floor space
on the University of Nevada-Las Vegas campus, and in 1966 this laboratory transferred 219
more people to the Campus. At its peak in 1968, the laboratory had a staff of 300 and an
annual budget of $4 million. In 1970, staffing began to decrease because of reductions in
the Plowshare program (peaceful applications of nuclear energy) and the AEC weapons
testing activities.
Over the years, the Las Vegas laboratory's monitoring efforts in the radiation field
expanded steadily and now include comprehensive sampling and monitoring in 21 Western
States and other test areas such as Alaska and the South Pacific. The laboratory also con-
ducts monitoring activities that originally were supported by PHS and are now supported by
EPA's Office of Radiation Programs (ORP). ORP programs deal with the radiation hazards
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in and around nuclear power reactors, radiation exposure of the general population resulting
from uranium mill tailings, and operation of five environmental radiation surveillance
networks.
A research program was initiated at the laboratory in 1963 when AEC requested an
investigation of the movement and transport of radioiodine through the environment.
Radioiodine is one of the pollutants released from nuclear detonations and is readily con-
sumed by dairy cows, leading to contamination of milk.
In its 19-year history, the Las Vegas laboratory has built up a skilled and experienced
staff. Its facilities are extensive and highly sophisticated. Much of its equipment is not dupli-
cated anywhere in EPA—indeed, in some cases, anywhere in the world.
B. Organization
Now that the Las Vegas laboratory has been designated a NERC, ORM assumes the
role of landlord, with ORP becoming a tenant. The Office of Planning and Management
(OPM) has personnel and financial responsibilities for the center. Positions at NERC-Las
Vegas which are currently funded by ORM, ORP, OPM, and AEC are shown in Table 1,
while the present organization of the NERC may be broken down into three major line
functions and associated staff functions as shown in Figure 2.
Table 1.—Positions Currently Authorized at NERC-Las Vegas by
ORM, ORP, OPM, and AEC
Permanent
Temporary
EPA Funded:
Office of Research and Monitoring (ORM)
55
5
Office of Radiation Programs (ORP)
35
0
Office of Planning and Management (OPM)
11
3
Subtotal EPA Funded
101
8
AEC Funded:
Off-Site Program
108
0
Radiation Effects
28
0
Animal Investigation
4
0
Subtotal AEC Funded
140
0
Total Center Staffing
241
8
(=249)
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FIGURE 2
PRESENT ORGANIZATION OF THE
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER-LAS VEGAS
ENVIRONMENTAL
SURVEILLANCE
PROGRAM
TECHNICAL
SERVICES
PROGRAM
RADIOLOGICAL
RESEARCH
PROGRAM
OFFICE OF
TECHNICAL REPORTS
OFFICE OF
DOSE ASSESSMENT &
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
OFFICE OF
RADIATION SAFETY
OFFICE OF
QUALITY CONTROL SERVICES
OFFICE OF
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
OFFICE OF
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
SECURITY & MEDICAL OFFICERS
STAFF ASSISTANTS
TO THE DIRECTOR
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
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The specific programs carried out in each of the line functions are as follows:
Environmental Surveillance Program. This organizational component is responsible
for: operation of all monitoring networks at NERC-Las Vegas; aircraft operations; the
National Eutrophication Survey; support to the Office of Air and Water Programs in the
case of oil and hazardous material spills; and projects assigned by ORP, such as the Uranium
Mill Tailings Survey.
Technical Services Program. The Technical Services Program provides technical
support service to all NERC operating programs. This support includes sample control,
chemical and instrumental analysis, central data processing and computer programming
operations, central electronic services, engineering services, and data analysis.
Radiological Research Program. The primary mission of the Radiological Research
Program is the investigation of environmental transport processes with emphasis on fission
products, although the program has broadened to include other environmental pollutants as
well. Some of the major projects underway are: inhalation studies on the carcinogenic
effects of specific types of small radioactive particulates; investigations on the uptake, distri-
bution, and effects of radionuclides in cattle and wild animals; and studies of the environ-
mental impact of plutonium.
Under the present organizational structure, personnel assigned to each of the four
entities at NERC-Las Vegas (ORM, ORP, OPM, AEC) are intermixed in the above functions.
Two major agreements affect the operations of NERC-Las Vegas. The first is an Inter-
agency Agreement between the Director, NERC-Las Vegas and the AEC's Nevada Opera-
tions Office. Overall direction for the AEC Interagency Agreement is the responsibility of
the Director, NERC-Las Vegas, with the concurrence of the Assistant Administrator for
Research and Monitoring. The level and scope of the work required by the AEC are trans-
mitted annually by memorandum to the Director, NERC-Las Vegas. Details of the funding
for the approximately 140 reimbursable positions are agreed upon each year. Specific
responsibility for the day-to-day operation always resides with the Director, NERC.
The second major agreement is between ORM and ORP and defines the tenant relation-
ship for the ORP programs and ORP positions assigned to NERC-Las Vegas. This agreement
set up the position of Assistant Director for Radiation Operations at Las Vegas. He is re-
sponsible to the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Radiation Programs for coordination of
the tenant ORP programs. Normal administrative services are provided by the Director,
NERC-Las Vegas.
C. Administrative Functions
Operations at NERC-Las Vegas differ from those at other NERC's in that some admin-
istrative functions are supported by OPM, some by ORM, and some by AEC, as shown in
Table 2. This creates some confusion in management control of the position assignments.
10
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Table 2.—Staffing of Administrative Services by Supporting Organization*
Function
Total
ORM
OPM
AEC
reimbursable
Full Time-
Permanent
Other
Full Time-
Permanent
Other
Full Time-
Permanent
Other
Full Time-
Permanent
Other
Administrative Office
Personnel Management
Financial Management
Procurement
Personal Property Management
Facilities Management
General Services
3
4
6
3
1
1
13
2
4
1
3
2
2
1
1
1
4
4
I I I I u ro 1
1
2
1
1
1
12
1
2
Total
31
10
5
2
8
5
18
3
*ORP does not provide any administrative support positions except through the AEC reimbursable mechanism and
therefore is not included in this table.
Personnel Management. Personnel management at Las Vegas consists of those activities
which must be performed on a day-to-day basis to keep the Center operating. It includes
functions such as recruiting and interviewing job applicants; initiating and processing neces-
sary documents (DIPS input sheets, payroll changes, and insurance changes, etc.); answering
employee questions on attendance, leave, and benefits; dealing with the local Civil Service
Commission offices; assisting program personnel in preparation of job descriptions; formu-
lating and carrying out employee-related programs, such as equal opportunity employment,
career development, employee training, and incentive awards; coordinating and preparing
necessary personnel reports to EPA Headquarters and Civil Service Commission; and provid-
ing appropriate management review and approval of personnel actions, including
classification and appointment through Grade 15.
At present, most of these activities are carried out at Las Vegas under general policy
guidance received from the Director of Personnel, Headquarters, in Washington. The person-
nel office at Las Vegas is comprised of four full-time, permanent employees and two tempo-
rary employees; they service approximately 250 employees assigned to NERC-Las Vegas and
550 assigned to NERC-Corvallis and its associated laboratories.
Financial Management. The Financial Management Office at Las Vegas is a field opera-
tion of the Division of Financial Management, Office of Administration, Office of Planning
and Management, Washington, D.C. It receives accounting documents, reviews and certifies
them as correct, provides payment as required, and enters accounting data into a central
computer system. The accounting office provides periodic reports of expenditures to the
various Center program directors. These reports constitute the official accounting records of
the Agency and are compared with informal records kept by the various program directors.
Presently, this operation consists of six full-time, permanent positions and four temporary
positions. Control of the positions is provided by the Division of Financial Management in
Washington.
Procurement. The procurement activities can be divided into two categories:
(1) general, those requests which can be directly procured up to a limit of $2,500 and,
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(2) advertised/negotiated, those requests (usually above $2,500) that are handled on a nego-
tiated or advertised basis. Presently, NERC-Las Vegas has authority to undertake direct pur-
chases up to $2,500 and to issue GSA contract procurements. Procurements in excess of
$2,500, negotiated R&D contracts, and advertised procurements are initiated locally but are
then forwarded to the Washington procurement office for processing. Presently, the Center
has a relatively small number of contracts—either advertised or negotiated—which exceed
the $2,500 limitation. The staffing level for this activity presently consists of three full-time,
permanent employees and one temporary employee. Total procurements for both categories
are expected to be approximately $1.0 million in FY 1973.
Personal Property Management. Personal property management at NERC-Las Vegas
consists of maintaining property records on all capitalized equipment within the Center.
This includes designating custodial areas, reporting of property records and sending them to
Washington, and maintaining a Board of Survey. The Board reviews actions resulting from
requests for disposal and equipment lost or stolen and makes appropriate recommendations
regarding the disposition of such requests. Part of this job is to maintain necessary contacts
with GSA regarding acquisition and disposal of Federal excess property. Presently, there is
one full-time, permanent position for this function. EPA Order 1000.5A centralizes the
personal property management function in three locations: Cincinnati, Research Triangle
Park, and Washington.
Facilities Management. The role of facilities management staff at NERC-Las Vegas is to
assure that the necessary repairs and improvements are made on the facility in order to pro-
vide adequate space and accommodations for the research program. Activities include prep-
aration of plans for modification of facilities, request for new leases when necessary, and
development of plans for construction of new facilities. All requests for new construction or
major modifications are reviewed in the context of the overall plan for the Center.
Presently, one full-time, permanent position is assigned this responsibility.
ADP Services. Presently, Automatic Data Processing services are provided from a cen-
tralized staff within the Center. The Center has a CDC 1700 computer system with direct
access to the CDC 6400 of AEC's Nevada Operations Office. The Las Vegas computer opera-
tion supports both the administrative and scientific activities of the Center. Administrative
support includes personal property management, personnel, and accounting. Scientific
support includes computer systems analysis, statistical analysis, report generation, and data
reduction services. Presently, this operation consists of nine full-time, permanent positions.
The computer system has extensive capabilities, and it is possible to interface with other
large scale computer facilities at other locations with little change in the present configura-
tion. (This function is being transferred from Administrative Services to the Technical
Services Program and is therefore not listed in Table 2.)
General Services. General services at NERC-Las Vegas consist of such functions as rec-
ords management; storage and distribution of supplies; warehousing; generation of forms
and publications; stenographic and typing support, telephone, facsimile, and other telecom-
munications services; motor vehicle control; mail and messenger service; scheduling use of
facilities; issuing passes; maintaining bulletin boards; graphic support such as printing, repro-
duction services, and distribution; library services; custodial services and all other required
office services which support the programs assigned to the Center. Presently, 13 full-time,
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permanent positions and three temporary positions are assigned to carry out these
functions.
D. Research Capabilities
NERC-Las Vegas has earned its reputation over many years in the field of environ-
mental radiation and radiological health. In the past, the emphasis has been on monitoring
environmental radiation and studying the transport of radionuclides through the environ-
ment. This emphasis has resulted in establishment of many varied and well-equipped
facilities, along with a diverse staff of professional and technical personnel. The professional
expertise and research capability at the NERC cover the following areas:
• Staffing and personnel skills
• Electronics and shop facilities
• Aircraft fleet
• Collection of field data
• Analytical capability
• Mathematical and systems modeling
• Experimental farm
• Geographic location
In recent years, programs supported at Las Vegas by AEC have declined in size and
emphasis, and the laboratory has experienced an overall staffing reduction from 300 at its
peak in 1968 to approximately 250 at present, even though some EPA programs at the
NERC have increased during the period. These reductions make available to EPA a number
of unique, specialized facilities which offer the potential for carrying out environmental
research in many key areas besides environmental radiation, and radiological health. Because
of its varied experience in the radiation areas, the present staff at the NERC offers a diver-
sity of skills and disciplines which can be effectively applied directly to other fields of
environmental research. Such applications serve to use EPA's existing expertise at Las Vegas
in the most efficient and productive way possible, at the same time that they serve to
broaden the scope of the NERC so that it can address environmental research problems on a
fully-integrated basis, covering land, water, and air problems in a balanced fashion.
Present staffing at the NERC includes physicists, engineers, chemists, biologists, limnol-
ogists, physicians, veterinarians, mathematicians, soil scientists, and ecologists, as well as
aircraft pilots, computer technicians, electronics technicians, physical science aids, livestock
research helpers, and laboratory equipment fabricators. Table 3 provides a detailed listing of
the disciplines of the NERC staff, along with the highest academic degree obtained in their
respective fields. This Table includes positions funded by AEC, ORP, and ORM. As is
evident from the Table, the Las Vegas staff is particularly strong in engineering, biology,
analytical chemistry, physics, and health sciences. It is clear that this capability is well suited
to a large variety of monitoring research programs.
The technical and support personnel at the NERC represent over 45 different special-
ties, including machinists, sheetmetal workers, electronics designers, and photographic spe-
cialists. A unique feature of the NERC is its extensive electronics and shop facilities, where
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Table 3.—Disciplines and Academic Degrees of the NERC-Las Vegas Staff
Discipline
BS
BA
MS
DVM
MD
PhD
Total
Biological and Agricultural Sciences
Agricultural Science
1
1
2
Biological Science
4
1
5
Botany
1
1
Game Management
1
1
Marine Science
1
1
Physiology
1
1
2
Radiation Biology
3
1
4
Soil Microbiology
1
1
Zoology
1
1
Engineering
Civil
3
3
6
Electrical
5
3
8
Nuclear
3
3
Sanitary
3
3
Health Fields
Environmental Health
1
1
2
Medicine
1
1
Public Health
1
1
Radiation Health
3
3
Veterinary Medicine
2
2
Mathematical Sciences
2
1
1
4
Physical Sciences
Biophysics
1
2
3
Chemistry
Analytical
14
1
1
16
Organic
1
1
Physical
1
1
Geology
1
1
Meteorology
1
1
Oceanography
1
1
Physics
2
2
4
Other
7
2
2
11
Total
42
3
32
2
1
10
90
14
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personnel develop, modify, or design special purpose equipment to meet program objectives.
These facilities include electronics testing, woodworking, plastic, sheetmetal, steel, and
welding capabilities. This capability would be extremely useful in the design of monitoring
instruments, in the testing of new state-of-the-art monitoring systems, and in the field
evaluation of advanced monitoring techniques.
In addition to the extensive shop facilities, NERC-Las Vegas is unique among EPA
laboratories for its fleet of 10 aircraft housed at a nearby aircraft hangar. These planes are
utilized in monitoring AEC nuclear tests as well as in the National Eutrophication Survey,
where they fly to various lakes in the U.S. and gather data on the biophysical state of these
lakes. In addition, these aircraft are used to provide an emergency environmental monitoring
capability to other parts of the Agency, such as the Office of Air and Water Programs, in
response to leaks of hazardous materials and oil spills. These planes, because of resource
limitations and current focus of the programs, are used only about 20 percent of the time.
They could be used twice as much without interfering with existing projects. For example,
the aircraft could test new and improved remote sensing systems.
Perhaps the strongest single capability of NERC-Las Vegas lies in its extensive exper-
ience in field data collection. In addition to its fleet of aircraft, the NERC has designed and
outfitted over 20 fully-equipped (portable generators, sampling equipment, 2-way radios,
etc.) 2- and 4-wheel drive vehicles as well as a number of trailers which are designed to sup-
port studies conducted at remote sites. These units can be moved to various locations to
collect monitoring data on a continuous, self-supporting basis. Data handling problems
remain to be solved in the mobile sampling field. Also, vibration in mobile units can inter-
fere severely with proper operation of instruments, and requires study. The background and
experience of NERC-Las Vegas in designing, building, and operating fully-outfitted trailers
and monitoring vehicles is a potential capability which should not be overlooked in any
monitoring research programs which evolve in these areas. With such remote monitoring
vehicles, it should be possible to collect environmental field data from a large number of
monitoring stations and to move these stations in different configurations, comparing the
values at each site. Such comparisons offer a potentially useful way to measure the spatial
variation of pollutants in air or soil and to gather needed data to determine better ways to
locate environmental monitoring sites and carry out sampling procedures. A detailed
description of equipment and facilities at NERC-Las Vegas is included in Appendix A.
NERC-Las Vegas, like the other NERC's, possesses an extensive analytical capability,
and Las Vegas has some analytical capabilities that are found at none or only a few of EPA's
laboratories. In the area of trace metals analysis, for example, the laboratory has expertise in
operating X-ray fluorescence and atomic absorption spectrometers. Another unique capa-
bility is the operation of automated Technicon-like equipment for chemical analyses. Also,
the Las Vegas laboratory's electron microscope and electron microprobe have been used
extensively as qualitative tools for identifying constituents of collected aerosol samples. In
areas where solid and liquid pollutants must be concentrated to determine low level quan-
tities, the lab has developed expertise in ion exchange and solvent extraction procedures.
Las Vegas has also done considerable work in extracting specific gases from air using molec-
ular sieve and vacuum system techniques. Finally, the laboratory has, over many years,
developed the capability to isolate very low concentrations of pollutants from air, water,
soil, food, vegetation, and tissues. This ability to isolate the pollutants from the remaining
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portion of the sample or from common interfering substances in all media cannot be dupli-
cated at many other laboratories.
As a result of these varied techniques, NERC-Las Vegas can undertake almost any type
of environmental research monitoring program and be assured of all necessary analytical
support.
The field of environmental radiation is rigorous, requiring considerable capability in
statistics, physics, mathematics, and the quantitative sciences. As a result, there is consider-
able potential in Las Vegas to expand into other environmental areas that require mathemat-
ical analysis and the processing of large quantities of data. In addition, the Las Vegas NERC
possesses a complete computer terminal center with access to a relatively large AEC compu-
ter (CDC-6400) at a nearby site. NERC-Las Vegas' competence in statistics and mathematical
analysis, combined with the availability of a large computer, makes it well-suited to develop
and evaluate mathematical techniques for treating environmental monitoring data in radia-
tion, where considerable emphasis has been placed on development of exposure-dose effects
relationships, and in air and water quality as well.
Another unique capability at NERC-Las Vegas is its experimental farm. This facility,
which cost more than $2 million to construct, has 20 acres of sprinkler-irrigated cropland,
necessary farm machinery for planting and harvesting crops, a 30-cow dairy herd, and over
100 head of beef cattle which graze on surrounding range. The entire farm is in an isolated
and highly controlled area where environmental tracer studies can be carried out using toxic
materials without fear of harm to local populations. There are few private contractors,
universities, or other Federal agencies that have access to an experimental farm that is as
extensive and well-equipped. It is an ideal facility for studying the transport and movement
of pollutants in the Southwest desert environment from air, water, and soil to plants; from
plants to dairy animals; from animals to man. In the past, research at this farm has concen-
trated on determining the transport of radioiodines from the air to forage crops, to the cows
eating these crops, to their milk, and, finally to man. Work has been undertaken recently at
the farm on the movement of mercury through the food chain; this research could be ex-
panded to cover other toxic materials without interfering with current activities. The flexi-
bility of this farm permits research in the influence of particle size, type of forage feeding
practices, and other parameters on man's ultimate dosage. Such data can be used to develop
quantitative models which predict the exposure of man and his environment to various
pollutants.
Another feature of importance at NERC-Las Vegas is its geographical location. In its
desert setting, the NERC has access to many areas of the Southwest where population is
sparse and environmental quality is very high. As a contrast, the NERC also is close to Los
Angeles, the Nation's second largest city, which is associated with the Nation's most severe
photochemical air pollution problem. Its location close to the Four Corners' Power Plants
presents an opportunity for studying the impact of major stationary sources on a relatively
pure environment. Thus, in the case of air pollution, the laboratory has ready access to areas
having low background pollutant concentrations as well as areas with high man-made
pollutant concentrations.
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In the case of water pollution, the laboratory has easy access to the waters of pristine
quality in the high Sierras, waters of moderately high quality in man-made controlled
environments such as Lake Mead (17 miles from the laboratory), and highly polluted waters
of California, including the high-salinity waters associated with agricultural runoff of the
Imperial Valley. Thus it is easy to collect data in areas that are highly contrasted in terms of
environmental quality.
The unique climatic conditions and availability of open land permit field studies under
a variety of conditions. Monitoring instruments can be field tested under extreme tempera-
ture and operating conditions—ranging from the cold, rarefied air of the mountains to the
hot, dry air of the desert-and experiments can be conducted that require large government-
reserved land areas. About 1500 square miles of the Nevada Test Site can be made available
for carrying out experiments. For example, in this "outdoor laboratory," tracer sub-
stances—even if hazardous in nature—can be released under almost any climatic condition,
and the ability of new and advanced monitoring systems to measure them can be evaluated.
In addition, meteorological diffusion models can be validated under more controlled envi-
ronmental conditions than normally are possible by making precise tracer measurements of
air pollutants. The availability of open area in the desert also makes it readily possible to
carry out noise experiments, obtaining good background values free of man-made noise
sources and then introducing noises of almost any variety and amplitude. The ability of
outdoor materials such as highway walls to absorb sound could easily be tested.
E. Programs
Monitoring programs presently being carried out at NERC-Las Vegas include: (1) the
sampling and monitoring activities conducted for the AEC as part of the Off-Site Radiologi-
cal Safety Program; (2) aerial surveillance performed in support of operating programs of
the Office of Air and Water Programs, the Office of Categorical Programs, the Office of
Enforcement and General Counsel, and the Regional Offices; (3) aerial remote sensing and
in situ monitoring performed in conjunction with the National Eutrophication Survey; and
(4) projects carried out in support of the Office of Radiation Programs. Research programs
presently underway at the NERC include investigations on the transport and bioeffects of
radionuclides as well as studies on the environmental kinetics of nonradioactive pollutants
such as mercury and hazardous chemicals such as pesticides.
The program with the longest history at NERC-Las Vegas and one that has provided
many significant achievements in environmental monitoring is the Off-Site Radiological
Safety Program funded on a reimbursable basis by the AEC. A wide scale environmental
sampling program is carried out which includes collecting and analyzing air samples from
approximately 100 locations in the U.S. Additionally, water, milk, vegetation, soil, and
atmospheric moisture and gas samples are collected and analyzed as necessary to fully docu-
ment the radiological situation surrounding the Nevada Test Site and other locations where
nuclear devices or engines are tested. As part of this program, aerial monitoring and
sampling are carried out utilizing specially equipped aircraft.
The knowledge gained by the NERC-Las Vegas staff in utilizing aircraft to follow and
sample radioactive effluent released as the result of nuclear testing has been useful in estab-
lishing a remote sensing and aerial monitoring capability which is unique in EPA. The
17
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aircraft have been equipped with remote sensing and in situ detection or sampling instru-
ments which permit rapid assessment of a pollution problem. The equipment has application
in air, water, and terrestrial pollution surveillance. Aerial surveillance is performed in
support of operating programs of EPA. Aerial photography, infrared scanning, and airborne
pollutant tracking and sampling are typical monitoring techniques applied. Sources of river
and harbor pollution are identified, oil spills are mapped, atmospheric pollutants are meas-
ured, and other environmental parameters are monitored.
The aerial support capability developed at the Center has been utilized in conducting
one of EPA's highest priority programs. This program, the National Eutrophication Survey,
was initiated by the President in 1972. In cooperation with NERC-Corvallis, NERC-Las
Vegas is to identify U.S. lakes with potential or actual eutrophication problems created by
excessive inputs of nutrients, especially phosphates. NERC-Las Vegas aircraft fly over the
lakes and use remote sensors to measure chlorophyll-A, temperature, and other parameters.
The aircraft then land on the lakes where a variety of in situ measurements are taken at var-
ious depths in the lakes using contact sensors. Water samples are also collected and analyzed
to determine physical and chemical parameters and to determine the extent of eutrophica-
tion. The survey will provide information needed to identify lakes which can be improved
by reducing nutrient input from waste treatment plants. This information can be considered
in awarding grants for construction or improvement of treatment plants.
A number of projects are being carried out at the Center in support of objectives
established by ORP:
Nuclear Facility Study. This project is designed to determine radiation hazards around
nuclear power reactors. Pilot studies have been conducted at the Humboldt Bay plant in
California and the Oyster Creek plant in New Jersey. As a part of this project, a special capa-
bility is maintained to respond to nuclear emergencies.
Uranium Mill Tailings. This project began in 1968 and seeks to correlate population
exposure problems associated with the distribution of uranium ore processing sands in the
environment. A second part of this study is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of control
techniques used to stabilize tailings piles and to reduce radon gas seepage into indoor areas
in buildings constructed upon tailings pile material.
ORP Monitoring Networks. A number of environmental radiation surveillance net-
works were established in the early 1960's when the Center was part of the Public Health
Service. These networks include the Pasteurized Milk Network, Institutional Total Diet Sam-
pling Network, Tritium Sampling Network, and Interstate Carrier Water Sampling Network.
In addition to these routine networks, a special study, the "Eskimo Surveillance Project,"
has been conducted by NERC-Las Vegas.
ORP recently terminated the Technical Training Program which has been carried out at
the Center for almost a decade. Basic and more complex courses in radiological health have
provided training not available outside of EPA (and PHS) to many representatives of State
and local health organizations, private industry, and other Federal agencies. Approximately
13 courses per year have been offered at the Center training facilities in Las Vegas.
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NERC-Las Vegas is also carrying out AEC-funded research which has added signifi-
cantly to understanding the mechanisms involved in the transport of radionuclides through
the food chain—through soil to plant to animal to man. Major emphasis in AEC's Radiation
Effects Program has been on studying radionuclide metabolism in beef and dairy animals
and in plants, and studying soil-plant relationships and transport and deposition parameters.
Radionuclides of special concern are plutonium, tritium, and radioiodine.
In conjunction with the AEC's testing program, another study is being carried out
which is known as the Animal Investigation Program. Bone and other tissue samples from
domestic and wild animals in the area surrounding the Nevada Test Site are collected and
analyzed. Specific objectives of this work include determination of tissue concentrations of
fresh and aged fission and activation products in the animals sampled, evaluation of grazing
and migration patterns of wildlife, and evaluation of radioactive effluents on a herd of beef
cattle grazing on the Nevada Test Site.
Health effects research is also being funded at the Center by EPA, and two such proj-
ects have been in progress for a number of years. One project has sought to determine the
combined effect of tobacco smoke and alpha radiation on rat lungs. The second project is
directed to the determination of the effect of a single uranium particulate (neutron irradi-
ated) on the rat lung. It will have a significant bearing on the knowledge of the effects of
nonuniform exposure to radioactive particulates.
Another EPA-funded research project has been designed to define the precise hazard of
tritium. To accomplish this, rabbits are being raised for several generations in a tritiated
environment to determine whether concentration or magnification mechanisms occur.
Work has been initiated to study environmental transport of nonradioactive pollutants
such as mercury and other heavy metals in a Southwest environment. In attempting to
define the rate and character of pollutant transport through various types of soils, the mech-
anisms involved in the absorption and translocation of the pollutant in soils are being
studied. Also under investigation is the role of microorganisms in converting the pollutant
into forms which can move readily from the soil to the plant.
A study which has been recently initiated is directed to determining the periods of
time a pollutant remains in the environment. This information is particularly important for
hazardous chemicals such as pesticides. In order to evaluate short- and long-term hazards,
information is needed on the kinetics of environmental pollutants as well as the rates at
which such chemicals are degraded or dissipated. This study will also provide information on
the toxicity and durability of byproducts resulting from the degradation process.
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CHAPTER III
ORM ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING-ORIENTED PROGRAMS
This chapter discusses the nature of ORM monitoring-related programs, with emphasis
on unfulfilled research needs in the area of monitoring. To facilitate this discussion, a
scheme is introduced to classify ORM monitoring programs within six different areas of
activity. Research problems requiring further attention are identified within each of these
areas.
A. Definition of Monitoring
Monitoring is the systematic collection and evaluation of physical, chemical, biological,
and related data for the purpose of acquiring knowledge about the state of the environment.
This knowledge is used to determine the extent to which man, animals, vegetation, and all
other elements of the environment are affected by present and potential pollutants. This
knowledge is also used to assess the degree of compliance with promulgated pollutant stand-
ards and to define the long- and short-term trends in environmental quality. The data re-
quired are obtained from the ambient environment and from point sources.
Monitoring-oriented, monitoring-related, and monitoring-associated are used inter-
changeably in this report to identify all ORM programs that involve, to any significant
degree, the collection, analysis, and interpretation of pollution data, and development of
techniques to support Agency monitoring activities.
Monitoring-oriented activities in ORM have been subdivided for this report into six
Primary Areas of Monitoring Study (PAMS). These subdivisions, originally defined in the
document, "An Integrated Nationwide Environmental Monitoring System," prepared by the
Office of Monitoring in January 1972, are presented here only to facilitate the detailed
analysis of programs within the general areas of monitoring responsibilities assigned to
ORM. The six PAMS are:
• Collection of Data in Support of Research Programs
• Development and Evaluation of Monitoring Instrumentation and Methodology
• Development and Demonstration of Criteria for Design of Monitoring Networks
• Development of Techniques for Analysis of Monitoring Data
• Standardization of Sampling Procedures and Analytical Methods
• Development and Implementation of Quality Control Programs for Monitoring
Data in support of research programs are collected to identify the causes, movement,
and effects of pollution in the environment. The last five PAMS can be grouped under the
general term, "research on monitoring," which is directed toward improvement of sampling
and analytical instruments and techniques for monitoring, development of methods to
collect representative samples and to ensure their accuracy, and development of better
methods to analyze, interpret, and display environmental quality data.
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B. Primary Areas of Monitoring Study (PAMS) within NERC's
To develop a comprehensive program at NERC-Las Vegas with minimum duplication
and overlap, it was necessary to review thoroughly the program content of existing ORM
monitoring programs. In this review, major emphasis was directed toward identification of
ultimate objectives of on-going research programs and the nature of the research needs
which are being met. Thus, the emphasis was on the identification, where possible, of any
unfulfilled research needs.
As a beginning step in this review, all monitoring-oriented programs at each NERC
were identified. Tables 4, 5, 6, and 7 were constructed which list the on-going, monitoring-
oriented program elements performed at each NERC and the PAMS associated with each.
Appendix B contains a detailed listing, in alpha-numeric order according to program element
number, of the identified ORM monitoring-oriented programs.
The identification of monitoring-oriented program elements was followed by a compre-
hensive review of the objectives and present and anticipated results of each significant pro-
gram element associated with each PAMS classification. This review, coupled with examina-
tion of current legislation, technical literature, and priority Agency monitoring
requirements, identified the most important unfulfilled research needs in each PAMS. These
results are summarized by PAMS in the following pages.
PAMS 1: Collection of Data in Support of Research Programs
Although many research programs use field monitoring activities to collect informa-
tion, only a few include any large (greater than 25% of total resources) monitoring effort.
These are: the Regional Air Pollution Study (RAPS); the Community Health Effects Surveil-
lance Studies (CHESS); fate of pollutant studies on fresh surface waters, ground waters,
marine waters, and large lakes; the National Eutrophication Survey; and the special air
monitoring networks.
The Regional Air Pollution Study, recently initiated, involves the detailed analysis of
the meteorology, air quality, and sources and transport of pollution in the St. Louis region.
Data to be used in this assessment will be collected in a coordinated effort utilizing aircraft,
mobile laboratories, remote sensing techniques, and an extensive network of stationary air
quality and meteorological monitoring stations. Some of the data collection sites will use
totally new monitoring concepts, while others will employ routine monitoring methodol-
ogy. This will permit comparing new and standard methods of sampling and analysis. Paral-
lel studies will collect epidemiological and ecological data for use in relating human health
and ecological effects to the documented pollution levels. The physical and chemical pollut-
ant interactions in the atmosphere, the actual pollution levels, and other appropriate physi-
cal characteristics of the St. Louis region will be analyzed to develop possible mathematical
relationships which will predict pollution concentration distributions over distances on the
order of 30 miles.
The results of this study will include: (1) field evaluations of new pollutant sampling
techniques, (2) development of criteria for locating sample sites, identification of the proper
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Table 4.—Monitoring-Oriented Programs at the NERC-Research Triangle Park
Program Element No.
and Title*
Description of Program Element Activity
Primary Areas of
Monitoring Study
(PAMS)
1A1002 and 1H1325
Fuel and Fuel Additive
Registration
Registration and analysis of all fuels or fuel
additives to be used in assessing the effects
of fuel emissions on atmospheric pollution
and human health
1
1A1003
Regional Air Pollution
Study
Comprehensive evaluation of air pollution,
its causes and effects; development of
methods for predicting air pollution levels in
metropolitan areas
1,2, 3,4
1A1005
Community Health Effects
Surveillance Studies
Determination of the relationships between
human health and continuous exposure to
air pollution in selected neighborhoods of
metropolitan areas
1,2, 3,4
1A1009
Meteorological Research
Development of analytical models to predict
air quality from emissions, to evaluate
meteorological-air quality relations for en-
forcement actions, and to evaluate pollution
effects on weather, climate, etc.
1
1A1010
Instrumentation and
Analytical Methods Development
Development of methods for measuring am-
bient air quality and source emissions, in-
cluding some standardization of these tech-
niques
2,5
1E1079
Pesticides Identification
Methodology
(Perrine)
Development of monitoring methods for
determining the extent of human and animal
exposure to persistent and biodegradable
pesticides, including some methods standard-
ization
2,5
1H1326 (110501 & 502)
Advanced Monitoring Techniques
Operation of special air monitoring networks
to characterize air pollutants and their levels;
laboratory and field evaluation of new and
improved commercial ambient air monitor-
ing instruments
1,2
1H1327
Monitoring Quality Assurance-
Air
Standardization of methods for collecting
samples and for operating laboratory and
field air monitoring instrumentation; devel-
opment and implementation of quality con-
trol program for air monitoring
5,6
•See footnote at end of table.
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Table 4.—Continued.
Program Element No.
and Title*
Description of Program Element Activity
Primary Areas of
Monitoring Study
(PAMS)
1H1327
Monitoring Quality Assurance-
Pesticides (Perrine)
Standardization of analytical methods and
measurement techniques for pesticides and
implementation of a quality control pro-
gram; determination of pesticide concen-
trations and degrees of human exposure
5,6
Radiation (Montgomery)
Development and standardization of
methods for detection and identification of
radionuclides around nuclear power and
allied industries; establishment of monitor-
ing networks around these facilities for
water, food, milk and air
2, 5
"Some of these program elements are not exclusively devoted to monitoring.
pollutants to measure, and examination of the frequency of pollutant measurement,
(3) relationships between human health and pollution levels, (4) effects of pollution on the
ecology, (5) an understanding of atmospheric reactions associated with S02, NOx, hydro-
carbons, ozone, organic nitrates, particulates, and aldehydes, and (6) development of
mathematical models which assist in predicting pollution concentrations and in developing
control strategies.
The Community Health Effects Surveillance Studies program is designed to measure
the effects of pollution on selected human populations living within inner-city and other
specified neighborhoods. A complex of sampling sites is placed in each neighborhood to
accurately measure air and water pollutants, noise, odor, and solid wastes. In many cases,
new continuous monitoring instrumentation is used to collect the pollution data. The results
of these studies will provide accurate data to develop dose-response relationships for setting
environmental pollution standards.
The four different studies on the fate of pollutants in fresh surface waters, ground
waters, marine waters, and large lakes involve the identification of sources of pollution in
these bodies; the types of pollutants present; the movement, interaction, and modification
of pollutants; and the final sinks for the pollutants. This information is obtained from
special monitoring programs. Although the monitoring effort may be large in some special
cases, most of the program effort deals with the critical analysis of the data collected. The
data collected are also used (I) to develop mathematical models which predict pollution
concentrations and effects on the aquatic systems, (2) to establish scientific criteria for
selection of waste disposal sites, and (3) to develop water quality monitoring and manage-
ment methods.
The National Eutrophication Survey, underway at NERC-Corvallis and NERC-Las
Vegas, involves the collection of baseline information on the eutrophic conditions of lakes
and impounded rivers which are affected by effluents from sewage treatment plants. The
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Table 5.-Monitoring-Oriented Programs at the NERC-Cincinnati
Program Element No.
and Title*
Description of Program Element Activity
Primary Areas of
Monitoring Study
(PAMS)
1B1027
Methods Development for
Identification of Pollutants
Development of methods for detecting,
identifying, and measuring water pollutants,
including some methodology standardization
2, 5
IB 1030
Water Quality Implementation
Research
Development of new methods and manage-
ment approaches for collection and trans-
mission of water quality data
3
1B2034
Combined Sewer Overflows and
Stormwater Discharges
Development of new measurement methods
on combined sewer overflows
2
1B2040
Mining Sources
Development of methods to prevent water
pollution caused by mineral extraction and
mining activities, including some measure-
ment methods development
2
1B2041
Oil & Hazardous Material
Spills
(Edison)
Development and standardization of instru-
mentation and methodology to detect oil
and hazardous material spills; establishment
of aerial surveillance and interpretation
system to find spill threats
2, 3,5
1B2043
Treatment Process Development
and Optimization
Selection and field evaluation of instru-
mentation employed in monitoring sewage
systems and treatment plants
2
1C1046
Water Quality Health
Effects Research
Development of valid criteria for setting
water quality standards for municipal and
recreational uses
1,2
1C2047
Water Supply Research
Development and evaluation of methods and
management practices for the prevention,
abatement, and control of pollution in water
supplies
2, 5,6
1H1327
Monitoring Quality Assurance-
Water
Development of standard methods for de-
tecting, identifying, and measuring water
pollutants, including the quality control
program for water
5,6
Radiation
Development, field evaluation, and standard-
ization of methods for determination of radio-
nuclides in liquid and airborne effluents from
nuclear power stations and allied facilities
2,5
1R1103
Program Management—Research
and Monitoring
Development and implementation of a qual-
ity control program for potable water
supplies
6
•Some of these program elements are not exclusively devoted to monitoring.
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Table 6.—Monitoring-Oriented Programs at the NERC-Corvallis
Program Element No.
and Title*
Description of Program Element Activity
Primary Areas of
Monitoring Study
(PAMS)
1B1023
Fate of Pollutants in Fresh
Surface Waters
Development of a basis, by monitoring and
other methods, for predicting and assessing
the fate of pollutants entering fresh waters
and exposure of humans and aquatic life to
these pollutants
1
1B1024
Fate of Pollutants in Ground
Waters
Determination and quantification of, by
monitoring and other methods, the fate of
pollutants entering and traversing a ground
water resource domain
1
1B1025
Fate of Pollutants in Marine
Waters
Determination and quantification of, by
monitoring and other methods, the fate of
pollutants discharged directly or indirectly
into marine waters, including the evaluation
of existing field instruments and procedures
1
1B1026
Fate of Pollutants in Large
Lakes
Development of a basis, by monitoring and
other methods, for predicting and assessing
the fate of pollutants in large lakes
2
1B1027
Methods Development for
Identification of Pollutants
Development of methods for detecting,
identifying, and measuring water pollutants,
including some methodology standardization
2,5
1B1029
National Eutrophication Survey
Quantification of the degree of eutrophica-
tion in lakes and impounded bodies of water
which receive effluent discharges from
municipal sewage treatment plants
1.2, 3
1B1031
Eutrophication and Lake
Restoration
Development of eutrophication controls and
restoration procedures for lakes and ponds,
including monitoring guidelines
1
1B2044
Cold Climate Waste Treatment
Development of cold waste treatment sys-
tems, including monitoring and other
methods to investigate the tolerances of
Arctic aquatic species to various levels of
pollution
1
"Some of these program elements are not exclusively devoted to monitoring.
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Table 7.-Monitoring-Oriented Programs at the NERC-Las Vegas
Program Element No.
and Title*
Description of Program Element Activity
Primary Areas of
Monitoring Study
(PAMS)
1B1029
National Eutrophication Survey
Quantification of the degree of eutrophica-
tion in lakes and impounded bodies of water
which receive effluent discharges from
municipal sewage treatment plants
1,2,3
1F1083
Radiation Pathways Research
Development of information, by monitoring
and other methods, on the behavior, move-
ment, and fate of radionuclides throughout
the environment
1
2F2191
Radiation Monitoring
Collection and analysis of radiation pollu-
tion samples from all media, including the
development and implementation of the
quality control program
5,6
XF2196
AEC Off-Site Radiological
Safety Program
Monitoring, in all media, of radiation pollu-
tion caused by nuclear explosions
1
*Some of these program elements are not exclusively devoted to monitoring.
field program includes: (1) accumulating and analyzing all available data on the state of
eutrophication of the lakes and impounded rivers in the United States, (2) selecting those
bodies requiring more data and collecting field samples; and (3) sampling tributaries feeding
these water bodies and the effluents from municipal treatment plants along these bodies to
assess the total phosphorus input to the lakes and impounded rivers. The sampling program
consists of the collection of water samples to be returned to the laboratory for analyses, and
physical and chemical measurements at the sampling sites using contact and remote sensors.
The results will define the eutrophic levels of lakes and impounded rivers. If a problem
exists, the level of phosphorus that can be permitted to enter the lakes and impounded
rivers will be defined, and the ability of present control techniques to reduce the phos-
phorus to the required concentrations will be determined.
Special air monitoring networks are operated throughout the Nation to collect air
quality data on those pollutants for which National Air Quality Standards have not been
established. Instrumentation at those field sites can range from manual equipment to highly
sophisticated continuous air monitoring equipment. The data from these networks are used
to assess the atmospheric concentrations of these potentially hazardous pollutants in pop-
ulated areas. This information forms the basis for establishing air quality standards, for
developing control strategies for reducing the pollutant levels entering the atmosphere, and
for determining long-term trends in air quality.
Like the general air monitoring networks operated throughout the U.S., many diffi-
culties exist in the special air monitoring networks program. For example, most sampling
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stations are located in such a manner that it is impossible to compare pollutant data
between sites. In fact, the few sampling sites that are present in a specific metropolitan area
are generally so arbitrarily located that measurements obtained are not necessarily represent-
ative of the entire area. In addition, the necessary sampling and analytical methodologies
have not been developed to sample for pollutants which may be hazardous, such as asbestos.
In summary, these special purpose monitoring efforts support either specific research
or field evaluation programs. Except in the case of special purpose air monitoring networks,
no gaps can be clearly singled out because of the high concentration of sampling locations
and the singular purposes in establishing these networks or sampling locations. The emphasis
should be on those new research projects that evaluate monitoring equipment systems or
quantify pollution concentrations in the environment.
PAMS 2: Development and Evaluation of Monitoring
Instrumentation and Methodology
Programs to develop, field test, and evaluate uniform EPA methods and instrumenta-
tion for monitoring ambient and source pollutant levels, as well as for enforcement pur-
poses, are currently being carried out in the air, water, pesticides, radiation, and oil and
hazardous materials areas. To date, the bulk of this effort has been in air and water instru-
mentation, with the primary research emphasis on development of automated, unattended,
in-situ instruments and associated laboratory methodology. A lower level of effort has been
underway in the other areas. In all media, the field testing and evaluation of automated,
remote (i.e., indirect) sensors have not been pursued to any great extent.
The following section reviews ORM programs designed to develop and test monitoring
instrumentation in key areas.
Air. The development of air-oriented sensors is concentrated in two programs: Pro-
gram Element No. 1A1010, Instrumentation and Analytical Methods Development; and
Program Element No. 1 HI 326 (110501), Advanced Monitoring Techniques. Both are being
carried out at NERC-Research Triangle Park.
Work thus far has produced advances in the detection of particulates, the development
of in-stack beta monitors, and the development of mercury and beryllium detection sensors.
Programs to validate methods of testing emissions have resulted in effective methods for the
testing of light-duty vehicles and some diesel engines.
A major effort is underway in development and field testing of air sensors to monitor
ambient levels of S02, NO, N02, Os, CO, CH4, and total hydrocarbons. In addition, pro-
grams at NERC-RTP have surveyed lead in air, have developed methods for measurement of
asbestos and mercury, and have established a calibration program for Continuous Air Moni-
toring Project (CAMP) stations.
Water. Programs for development of water sensors and associated methodology are
located at NERC-Corvallis and NERC-Cincinnati. Through the efforts of these programs,
laboratory analysis equipment has been automated. In addition, there has been significant
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work in development of a computer program for mass spectral matching and an ion ex-
change liquid chromatograph for automated analysis of pollutants.
There has been some progress in development and testing of automated contact sen-
sors. A modest effort at Cincinnati has led to a remote data collection platform with a tie to
the Nimbus satellite. This program provides for automatic sensing, recording, and trans-
mittal of five to eight parameters from the sampling site to the satellite, where it is in turn
transmitted via NASA/Lewis to NERC-Cincinnati for analysis. The use of aerial surveillance
for detection of oil spills was demonstrated in FY 1972. The program included the use of
photography, spectral imagery, and first-generation IR and UV remote sensing systems.
Pesticides. A small program of sensor development is currently being carried out at the
Primate and Pesticides Effects Laboratory at Perrine. The major effort has been to improve
analytical techniques. A parallel effort has provided for the modification and adaptation of
manual methods to automated gas chromatographic-mass spectometric methods. Noncon-
tact and contact sensor systems that will reduce the degree of manual sampling required for
pesticides will be developed in future programs.
Radiation. A modest budget has restricted the development of new and improved
sensor systems for radiation. Work to date has concentrated on development and evaluation
of methodology to measure radionuclides. It is anticipated that future sensor efforts will be
aimed at increasing sensitivity and establishing sensor networks.
In this review of sensor development, it is evident that only a few automated contact
and noncontact sensors have been field tested. The primary effort has been to advance the
state-of-the-art of laboratory testing procedures rather than to investigate the automation of
field sampling procedures.
PAMS 3: Development and Demonstration of Criteria for Design of
Monitoring Networks
The description of programs associated with special purpose monitoring activities in
support of research (PAMS-1) includes a discussion of the Regional Air Pollution Study
(RAPS). RAPS is the only program where any large-scale effort has been directed toward
development of criteria for the design of air monitoring networks that can accurately define
existing pollution levels. Some of the criteria to be developed include: (1) location and
density of sampling sites to collect representative samples; (2) types of pollutants on which
data must be collected and analyzed to assess the pollution burden of the region; (3) the
frequency of pollution measurements required; and (4) the physical characteristics of the
environment which must be monitored, to more accurately quantify health and ecological
pollution effects, standards compliance, and baseline trends and conditions.
A real and widening gap exists between the quality of information available from
monitoring networks and the complex and costly control decisions EPA must make based
on that information. In the air monitoring program, for example, it is impossible to compare
the air quality of two cities using existing data because there are no standardized criteria for
selection of sampling sites. There are not enough stations within a given region or nation-
wide to supply statistically accurate data on air and water quality.
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Another important gap is that all monitoring networks now operating collect samples
only within their own medium or else look narrowly at only specific pollutants in the total
environment. No program currently is directed at looking at total environmental exposure
to all pollutants, regardless of the medium in which they occur.
PAMS 4: Development of Techniques for Analysis of Monitoring Data
Except in isolated portions of ORM programs, little effort has been made to advance
data handling methodology much further than the basic concepts embodied in the STORET
and NADIS programs. Their main purpose is to store and retrieve monitoring data. For the
most part, they conduct relatively low-level, routine statistical analyses that are not rigorous
from a mathematical standpoint. There is little emphasis within ORM on development of
statistical models which comprehensively utilize environmental pollution data, physical
characteristics of the environment such as meteorology and topography, population densi-
ties, human health patterns, transportation patterns, or raw materials usage to quantitatively
assess pollution in the environment. Research is now underway to develop meteorological
diffusion models for air and models for water basin planning, but these efforts are limbed to
the physical aspects of the problem, such as the transport of pollutants from sources to
receptors.
Presently, environmental pollution assessments are done on a pollutant-by-pollutant or
single medium basis, instead of determining the combined, or synergistic, effects of pollut-
ants in all media on man. Even when an effort is being made to combine actual, measured
pollution levels with physical characteristics of the environment, the effort is not extensive
and does not draw from the data all possible comparisons and underlying relationships. In
developing control strategies for eliminating or reducing environmental pollution, only a
qualitative approach has thus far been emphasized in relating current and future pollution
levels to parameters such as transportation patterns, human health patterns, and raw
material usage.
PAMS 5: Standardization of Sampling Procedures and Analytical Methods
Standardization programs are currently in NERC-Research Triangle Park (air), NERC-
Cincinnati (water, radiation, and solid waste), the Primate and Pesticides Effects Laboratory
at Perrine (pesticides), the Eastern Environmental Research Laboratory (radiation), and
NERC-Las Vegas (radiation). At present, no work is underway in noise. Most of the
Agency's standardization programs have been centralized under Program Element No.
1H1327. There are several other program elements which contain some peripheral standard-
ization activities.
Air. In air, EPA reference methods have been promulgated in conjunction with nine
source and environmental standards. Testing to validate the methods is currently going on at
NERC-RTP and by contract. Work thus far has verified four pollutant measurement
methods as reliable; one method is still being tested and one is deficient in its present form.
Testing of nysasurement methods is beginning for another three pollutants. However, an
additional 25 pollutants found in a wide range of locations, sources, and concentrations
30
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have been identified as potential pollutants for ambient and source standard-setting
activities, and this will require standardization of sampling and analytical methodology.
Water. Water monitoring methods can be divided into physical-chemical, biological,
microbiological, and sedimentary measurement methods. In 1971, 68 physical-chemical
procedures, which for the most part have been thoroughly evaluated and collaboratively
tested, were published by NERC-Cincinnati. In mid-1973, 50 biological methods will be
published by NERC-Cincinnati as tentative methods. Approximately 20 analytical methods
for sediments have been proposed as candidate methods; microbiological methods have been
developed but require further standardization.
The new water legislation specifically identifies new monitoring requirements, so
future work on the standardization of sampling procedures and analytical methods must be
undertaken, especially in the sediment, biological, and microbiological areas.
Pesticides. A pesticide manual containing 44 tentative standard analytical methods was
developed in January 1971; it is being updated and revised for issuance shortly. Since the
gas chromatograph is the primary analytical tool, efforts in standardization have focused on
developing standard analytical procedures for sample extraction, preparation, and cleanup
processes. Using silica gel as column packing instead of Florisil may broaden the range of
pesticides detectable with the overall gas chromatographic process, but routine use of silica
gel is a few years off. The Primate and Pesticides Effect Laboratory in Perrine is evaluating
and testing procedures for determining PCB in human tissue, standardizing the analytical
procedures for pesticides in air, and controlling the quality of certain analytical materials
used in laboratories. Perrine has also begun developing computer controlled techniques for
sample injection and data analysis. Standardization procedures are being developed for the
operation of computer-assisted gas chromatographs and mass spectrometers.
Radiation. Twenty radiation monitoring methods were published in 1967. Some have
been collaboratively tested, five have been published in Standard Methods, and three more
are being evaluated now. Most of the present standardization effort is carried out at NERC-
Cincinnati, the Eastern Environmental Radiation Laboratory, and NERC-Las Vegas and
is closely associated with instrumentation development and quality control efforts.
Solid Waste. Air and water sampling and analysis methods cannot be employed
directly in monitoring solid wastes because of unique interferences caused by certain sub-
stances in the refuse, residue, or effluents. Major procedural modifications are required if
measurements are to be accurate. Eighteen candidate methods have been proposed, mainly
for analyzing refuse and residues. Most of the effort in FY 1972 was spent on methods for
analyzing leachates and effluents.
Noise. With enactment of new legislation, noise emission standards and the associated
measurement methods are required.
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In this review of the standardization activity it is evident that too little development
and testing of standard sampling procedures is occurring because of resource restrictions.
With the limited resources available, each activity has been able to develop some tentative
standard methods but has not been able to fully evaluate the methods and collaboratively
test them.
PAMS 6: Development and Implementation of Quality Control Programs
for Monitoring
Quality control programs are currently operating in air, water, pesticides, and radia-
tion. Solid waste and noise lack fully operational programs. The level of effort varies within
and among these programs. The effort in air is centralized at NERC-RTP; water at NERC-
Cincinnati; pesticides at the Primate and Pesticides Effects Laboratory at Perrine; and radia-
tion at NERC-Las Vegas. Most of the Agency's quality control activity has been centralized
under Program Element No. 1H1327. However, quality control procedures are also being
developed in certain other program elements.
Air. The air program at NERC-RTP began in January 1972. Currently, it is developing
standard reference materials for gases and delivery systems designed to generate standard
reference samples. The program is preparing to issue quality control manuals for field and
laboratory operations and an inter-intra-laboratory quality control program.
Water. The quality control activities in water have been developed mainly by three
groups. The Analytical Quality Control Laboratory at NERC-Cincinnati has been preparing
and providing standard reference samples to water laboratories throughout the country. In
1971 it prepared an intralaboratory quality control manual. The laboratory also evaluates
the quality of analyses among the field labs and provides technical assistance to field water
labs when requested. The Water Supply Programs Laboratory at NERC-Cincinnati supplies
standard reference samples to State laboratories performing analyses on drinking water; it
also participates in a certification program for State bacteriological and chemistry labora-
tories. The third group, the Consolidated Laboratory Services at NERC-Corvallis, has devel-
oped a model intralaboratory quality control program, including a system for verifying
laboratory data and managing the flow of samples through the laboratory.
Pesticides. The pesticides quality control program, centered at the Primate and Pesti-
cides Effects Laboratory, has developed inter- and intra-laboratory quality control proce-
dures, continually prepares and distributes standard reference samples to State laboratories
and other EPA labs, and has developed a repository of standard reference samples for other
Government agencies to use. Because of limited resources, quality control manuals have not
been prepared, and the quantity of standard reference samples is inadequate to meet
Regional needs.
Radiation. The radiation quality control program is located primarily at the NERC-Las
Vegas. This program provides EPA and other laboratories with standard reference samples,
carries out "cross-check" sample studies between labs, and provides technical assistance in
developing quality control programs in EPA laboratories. In addition, NERC-Las Vegas has
developed a model intralaboratory quality control program which includes a data handling
system that minimizes laboratory errors.
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Although each program has its own priorities, more interaction could be developed
among the groups. There are presently not enough resources (1) to produce and distribute
standard reference materials and samples to meet the Regional requirements, (2) to establish
and maintain a certification program for EPA-associated laboratories, and (3) to provide
technical assistance in developing intralaboratory quality control programs. Because of
limited resources, the radiation program has not prepared any quality control manuals; nor
can the program now provide adequate technical assistance to the Regions.
In the quality control programs described, little effort has been made to develop
quality control procedures for field sample collection. There is no quality control program
in solid waste monitoring. As noise monitoring becomes operational, a quality control pro-
gram must be concurrently established. Only a few EPA laboratories have a strong intra-
laboratory quality control program.
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CHAPTER IV
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROGRAMS, ORGANIZATION, AND FACILITIES
This chapter presents recommendations for the programs, resources, organization, and
facilities at NERC-Las Vegas. It first identifies seven key research and monitoring program
areas that can be established at NERC-Las Vegas to provide a solid base for the NERC's
research program, consistent with its theme. It then describes the transfers of function and
positions that would be necessary to make initial progress in achieving an FY 1974 adequate
program. It discusses the general organizational structure and administrative service arrange-
ment which should evolve at the NERC, and finally, it outlines various alternatives to meet
the need for future facilities at Las Vegas.
A. Project Areas for NERC-Las Vegas
In the previous chapter, monitoring-oriented programs underway at the NERC's were
classified, according to the nature of their activities, into six Primary Areas of Monitoring
Study (PAMS). These programs then were critically reviewed in an effort to identify highest
priority unfulfilled research needs in the monitoring area.
In this chapter, an effort is made to respond to these needs—within the context of the
professional expertise, geographical features, unique facilities, and specialized equipment at
NERC-Las Vegas-and to identify specific NERC Project Areas (NPA's) which could best be
performed at NERC-Las Vegas. NPA's, in this report, represent unique functional areas of
activity concentrated at a particular National Environmental Research Center. Classifying
NERC projects by NPA's was found necessary because ORM now has no convenient classifi-
cation scheme for uniquely identifying project areas with a particular NERC. Because PAMS
are general program categories, useful only for classification purposes, the NPA's frequently
can be grouped under more than one PAMS, depending on the breadth of the latter.
The seven NPA's identified in this chapter are intended to provide a firm research and
monitoring base consistent with the environmental monitoring theme of NERC-Las Vegas.
These may be viewed as general areas of activity within which specific projects at the NERC
can evolve. It is the role of the Program Coordination Office of NERC-Las Vegas, in con-
junction with Headquarters, to establish projects within NPA's which fully and effectively
utilize available resources at the laboratory. It should be noted that the following NPA's are
not presented in any particular order, and the question of the priority of each NPA is a pro-
gram planning decision. One of these areas, NPA No. 2 (Aerial Surveillance Support), is an
operational monitoring activity in which data are collected for technical assistance and en-
forcement purposes. This is the only NPA which does not have a major research component.
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The seven NPA's identified as appropriate for assignment to NERC-Las Vegas are as
follows:
1. Special Staff Studies
2. Aerial Surveillance Support
3. Development and Field Testing of Aerial Remote Sensing
4. Biological Monitors of the Environment
5. Development and Field Testing of Noise Monitoring Instrumentation
6. Development and Demonstration of Monitoring Networks
7. Development of Data Interpretation Techniques
The following sections describe each of these NPA's at greater length, indicating selected
examples of possible projects which could be undertaken within each area.
NPA 1. Special Staff Studies
Special staff studies should consist of detailed reviews, in publishable report form, of
the state-of-the-art of our knowledge in key monitoring-oriented areas. These reviews may
be derived from in-house literature searches, or they may be developed from extensive use
of task forces, committees, and contractors. Their chief purpose is to focus research ques-
tions more clearly. Reviews may be undertaken on a pollutant-by-pollutant basis—for exam-
ple, a staff study may examine the state-of-the-art of monitoring of environmental lead—or
they may focus on specific monitoring problems of a broader nature.
These reviews will examine and bring together pertinent reports dealing with essential
aspects of monitoring prepared by the operating program offices (OCP, OAWP, OEGC, The
Regions) and will evaluate the outputs from ongoing research programs related to moni-
toring. Selection of priorities for special staff studies will be coordinated with the Office of
Monitoring and the Office of Research. These reviews should summarize existing knowledge
and determine, in detail, the nature of any needs and gaps. A major part of this effort
should be completed within the first 2 years of its initiation (FY 1974-75). Since these
studies should be long-range in nature, they should emphasize the Agency's research moni-
toring needs on a 5- to 10-year basis, requiring only minor "updating" thereafter.
The following project is an example of a possible special staff study:
PROJECT EXAMPLE
Purpose:
The purpose of this work is to bring together basic information on monitoring network activi-
ties in the United States to assist in development of criteria for Agency monitoring strategies.
The result will be a detailed data base that gives an overview of the national environmental
monitoring effort.
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Discussion:
An initial review of EPA's monitoring network activities reveals considerable lack of consist-
ency in various urban areas. In some cities, for example, drinking water is monitored routinely
but milk is not; in others, milk is monitored but food is not; in still others, air quality is moni-
tored but radiation is not. By extending this analysis further, showing the individual pollutants
monitored and the sampling techniques employed, it should be possible to gain needed insight
into the problems of developing a coordinated national surveillance strategy.
Description:
A complete assessment will be made of national monitoring networks operated by EPA, other
Federal agencies, and State and local agencies. This assessment will examine data collection
networks in all media and "routes of exposure," including air pollution, radiation, pesticides,
drinking water, recreational water, food, and milk. Tables will be prepared showing the individ-
ual pollutants which are monitored in all locations of the United States, and statistical sum-
maries will be compiled giving the distribution of sampling activities throughout the Eastern
and Western States, the degree to which monitoring activities are coordinated in individual loca-
tions, the consistency of sampling methodology, and costs associated with various network
monitoring approaches throughout the Nation.
Recommendation: The research program at NERC-Las Vegas must be both substantive
and well balanced, covering the areas of land, water, and air in an integrated fashion. To
move toward this goal, it is recommended that NERC-Las Vegas be given the responsibility
to develop special staff studies. Some can be carried out by contracts and grants. These
studies also can be carried out as joint projects with other NERC's, other Federal agencies
(the AECand National Academy of Sciences, for example), EPA committees, and university
consultants.
NPA 2. Aerial Surveillance Support
In the past, the aerial surveillance capability of NERC-Las Vegas has been made avail-
able to other parts of EPA. The Oil and Hazardous Materials Division of OAWP uses this
aerial capability to assist in monitoring activities during environmental emergencies such as
oil spills or leaks of hazardous materials. The National Eutrophication Survey complements
its ground-based data with contact and remote sensing monitoring data from Las Vegas heli-
copters. In radiation monitoring, fixed-wing aircraft are equipped with radiation counters
and sample collection devices for use in variable altitude monitoring.
High priority monitoring projects which can effectively be carried out by aerial surveil-
lance and which directly support the EPA monitoring operating programs include;
• Reconnaissance surveillance to locate all waste sources contributing to pollution
in the monitored area and to identify where to collect the most representative
samples and how to gain access to these locations. Most of this would involve
aerial photography and aerial observation.
• Collection of water samples for a variety of monitoring purposes in large bodies of
water where routine methods (boats) are unfeasible or in any water body difficult
to get to by land (as in the National Eutrophication Survey).
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While the NERC's aircraft can easily reach most destinations in the West within a rela-
tively short time, the flight time to locations in the East—particularly New England—is
usually too great for most emergency applications, and there appears to be a real need for a
similar aerial surveillance capability in the eastern part of the United States near major
bodies of water.
The following project is an example of possible work in the area of aerial surveillance
support:
PROJECT EXAMPLE
Purpose:
The purpose of this project is to enhance the emergency response capability of NERC-Las Vegas by
assuring that the laboratory is equipped to provide extensive environmental monitoring services
on a quick response basis, including the use of airplanes, helicopters, tractors, vans, and other
mobile monitoring equipment. The intent is to give needed support to other parts of EPA
(OAWP, The Regions, etc.) during events such as accidents involving hazardous air or water
pollutants, and to carry out short-term monitoring during air pollution episodes, data collection
and monitoring of oil spills, measurement of environmental effects during natural disasters, and
any other short-term monitoring projects requiring unique or specialized equipment not
available elsewhere in the Agency.
Discussion:
EPA has a significant role to play in environmental emergencies, as exemplified by the activities
carried out by the Oil and Hazardous Materials Division of OAWP. EPA's data collection efforts
during such emergencies can be seriously impeded if the equipment does not arrive promptly,
and, in some cases, data collection cannot proceed at all without the use of airplanes and other
special vehicles. It is unreasonable for each EPA Regional Office to equip, maintain, and oper-
ate its own fleet of aircraft, and thus there is considerable advantage to using and enhancing the
services provided by aircraft and other unique facilities EPA already owns in Las Vegas.
Description:
A review currently is being compiled by EPA of the major environmental emergencies to which
government agencies have had to respond in the last 5 years. All equipment, instruments, and
staff needed to cope with such emergencies will be made ready at NERC-Las Vegas. The goal
will be to respond to emergencies anywhere within the western United States within 2 to 7
hours. Communication links with each Region will be established, and the Regions will be made
fully aware of the Center's complete capabilities by means of special manuals, brochures, and
technical demonstrations. There will be coordination with the EPA Emergency Coordinator,
Office of Planning and Management, and the Emergency Response Team Leader on all phases
of this work.
Recommendation: The aircraft fleet of NERC-Las Vegas is unique within the Agency
and serves an important EPA support function. It should be maintained, and, where neces-
sary, expanded to meet the needs of the emergency and surveillance activities of EPA, in-
cluding the development of a possible "satellite base" in the Great Lakes area or the North-
east. Candidate locations to be considered might include the EPA-owned Grosse lie
Laboratory in Michigan or EPA's Edison Laboratory in New Jersey. It is recommended that
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a study be undertaken of possible locations and costs and that a program element be desig-
nated for use of aircraft and associated personnel as part of the emergency response
capability of EPA.
NPA 3. Development and Field Testing of Aerial Remote Sensing
Aerial remote sensing concentrates on the design, development, testing, and evaluation
of remote instruments and techniques mounted on aircraft, including spectrometers, radi-
ometers, lasers, interferometers, conventional continuous sampling instruments, advanced
photographic techniques, and other state-of-the-art devices. Research on aerial remote
sensing techniques would take advantage of the fleet of aircraft at NERC-Las Vegas, as well
as the capabilities of the staff and support personnel, including the workshop and elec-
tronics staff.
Many remote sensing instruments have already been developed as laboratory tools or as
field measurement devices for nonpollution applications. The main thrust of the laboratory
and field evaluation program at NERC-Las Vegas should be to take promising prototypes
and modify them for specific pollution monitoring needs. These techniques may include, for
example:
• lasers (Raman scattering) (for measurement of S02, N02, and particulates)
• microwave radiometers (for measurement of oil at sea and temperature of the sea
surface)
• laser fluorometers (for measurement of oil, chlorophyll, and algae)
• nondispersive infrared spectrometers (for measurement of CO and C02)
• differential radiometers (for measurement of chlorophyll and algae)
• derivative spectrometer techniques (for measurement of N02 and S02)
• Frauhofer line discrimination techniques (for measurement of oil and the
dispersion characteristics of effluents)
Since much information can be obtained from sophisticated monitoring instru-
mentation, interpretative techniques such as color enhancement and computer processing of
incoming data signals should be developed to identify less pronounced readings. Because of
the savings in cost, unattended automatic in situ sensor monitoring packages also should be
developed, and NERC-Las Vegas should develop data relay systems for these unattended
sensors.
As more remote sensing instruments are developed inside and outside EPA, it will be
necessary to define which combinations of remote instruments should be used to measure
pollutants more accurately. Such "packages" of instruments should be designed for use in
fixed and rotary winged craft.
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The following project provides an example of research studies that could be carried out
using the NERC's remote sensing field capabilities:
PROJECT EXAMPLE
Purpose:
The purpose of this work is to compare indirect, remote instrumentation with fixed-point
sampling and with mobile sampling. From this work, it will be possible to determine how the
remote sensors now available can be effectively utilized to monitor environmental pollution.
Discussion:
Much progress has been made in perfecting remote instrumentation techniques, such as the
Barringer correlation spectrometer designed to measure S02, N02, and oxidant over finite
path-lengths. A major problem in the utilization of these approaches, however, is the need to
establish their compatibility with conventional techniques and the need to show how they can
provide useful measures of environmental quality not available by ordinary means.
Description:
Detailed studies will be made of various remote instruments, such as the Barringer spectrom-
eter, to establish the validity of their data in relation to conventional ambient point sampling
techniques. Primary emphasis will be upon establishing how such remote instruments can be
used in the field-separately or in conjunction with conventional instruments-to implement air
quality standards and, where applicable, water quality standards. Data will be generated to
establish the comparability and validity of the two approaches-remote sampling and point
sampling-and demonstration programs will be undertaken, in an actual urban area, to deter-
mine the effectiveness, applicability, costs and benefits, and practicability of remote sensing in
the field. Results will be compared with those obtained from mobile platform sampling.
Recommendation: At present, Las Vegas aircraft are underutilized, and it is estimated
that their utilization could double without interfering with other programs whicn now mane
use of the aircraft. Because of the uniqueness of these facilities at Las Vegas—the aircraft
fleet and its support facilities-as well as the previous experience of the staff in aerial data
collection activities and the availability of instrument fabrication support, it is recom-
mended that aU EPA research on remote sensing by means of aircraft be concentrated at
NERC-Las Vegas. Feasibility studies involving remote sensing from other mobile platforms
such as satellites also should be concentrated in Las Vegas.
NPA 4. Biological Monitors of the Environment
Research on biological monitors of the environment concentrates on the detection and
measurement of pollutants in the biosphere using biological systems as monitoring devices.
By drawing upon data which appear in the literature as well as the research findings from
other NERC's, this research area will identify elements of biological systems which have
appropriate "response" characteristics to serve as biological monitors of selected environ-
mental pollutants. The investigations employ both field and laboratory studies to examine
the specificity, accuracy, precision, interferences, and kinetics of uptake and excretion in
these biological systems. The use of radioactive tracer materials is a valuable adjunct in
determining the responsiveness of the systems to low concentrations of environmental
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pollutants. Also, tracers afford a powerful means of determining exposure-dose-effect
relationships.
The following project is a sample of possible work in this program area:
PROJECT EXAMPLE
Purpose:
The purpose of this research is to develop routine methods for using biological monitors to
assess the exposure and accumulation of toxic materials in the biota.
Discussion:
Despite the known hazards associated with various toxic substances—mercury, arsenic, lead,
beryllium-little is known about the levels of these substances in plants and animals or the
extent to which current levels differ from levels existing many decades ago. This research is
responsive to the overall charge given to the Agency to measure and assess the true exposure of
man and the environment to pollution. It draws heavily on the Las Vegas capability to accurate-
ly measure and detect extremely low concentrations of pollutants utilizing plants and animals
as monitors of these pollutants.
Description:
Methodologies will be developed for collecting routine data on the accumulation of pollutants
by plant and animal systems. This information will be used to determine the increases or
decreases of toxic materials-for example, lead, mercury, arsenic-in the tissue of various plant
and animal species. Sources of the data include tissue samples, blood sampling surveys, and
analyses of excreta; data collection should cover livestock, wildlife, and plants.
Recommendation: Because of the substantial experience of NERC-Las Vegas with
radioactive tracers, and because of the highly controlled conditions available at the experi-
mental farm, it is recommended that development, testing, and evaluation of new biological
monitoring techniques and methodology form a substantial part of the NERC research
program.
NPA 5. Development and Field Testing of Noise Monitoring Instrumentation
Research at NERC-Las Vegas on noise monitoring techniques would deal with the
development and standardization of new methods for routinely monitoring noise in urban
areas. This includes evaluation and refinement of noise-sensing devices and procedures,
development of methodology for conducting noise surveys in cities, and publication of
guidelines on various ways to monitor environmental noise in cities. The first step in this
work would be to assess the noise monitoring devices available and to determine what
research and development is required. If existing noise monitoring instrumentation is satis-
factory, then standard measurement methodologies should be developed to ensure accurate
and reproducible test results. This would include techniques for weighing and averaging
noise measurements with respect to their occurrence, duration, intensity, and pitch. Re-
search on the health effects of noise would, of course, be carried out at NERC-Research
Triangle Park. Likewise, research on control technology for noise would be conducted at
NERC-Cincinnati.
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The following provides an example of a possible project in this area:
PROJECT EXAMPLE
Purpose:
The purpose of this research is to develop monitoring techniques and methodology that will
allow judgments to be made as to the magnitude and nature of urban noise levels, typical noise
exposures in urban areas, and the factors which most seriously influence noise levels.
Discussion:
The major goal of this effort is both to fulfill a research need and to provide EPA with consider-
able technical expertise in the area of noise measurement and monitoring. This project will be
closely coordinated with work underway at the National Bureau of Standards.
Description:
Research will be undertaken, in conjunction with the Office of Noise Abatement, to develop
techniques for the proper surveillance of noise in urban areas. Field studies will concentrate on
development of the proper methodology by which to use noise instrumentation to measure
urban sound levels, random sampling with portable instrumentation, mobile sampling in traffic,
and measurement of excessive exposure by selected members of the urban population.
Recommendation: Because of the monitoring theme at NERC-Las Vegas, the consider-
able expertise of the staff in making field measurements, and the broad capabilities in instru-
ment fabrication, electronics, and shop work, it is recommended that noise monitoring
projects be concentrated in NERC-Las Vegas.
NPA 6. Development and Demonstration of Monitoring Networks
Research on the development and demonstration of monitoring networks refers to
studies directed toward the development of networks for the measurement of long-term
environmental trends, standard setting and compliance progress, and the true exposure of
humans and other elements of the environment to various pollutants. It includes the plan-
ning and implementation of advanced networks to measure, in a comprehensive fashion, the
true exposure of members of the population to specialized pollutants such as lead. It also
includes the development and demonstration of new methods of collecting monitoring data,
such as the use of aircraft in conjunction with mobile sampling units, the use of remote
sensing instruments in conjunction with ground-based stations, and the use of personal en-
vironmental monitors of exposure. The work concentrates on the development, demonstra-
tion, and advancement of any and all data collection methods which can be used to better
quantify the exposure of man, plants, and animals to environmental pollution. It develops
improved ways to determine the manner in which various pollutants reach populations at
risk, develops methods to assess the costs and effectiveness of existing monitoring
approaches, and develops techniques for evaluating optimal monitoring strategies for the
Nation. Research in this project area covers the planning of monitoring data collection, the
demonstration of monitoring methodology, and ultimately, the development of criteria for
monitoring network design. The goal is to determine how to efficiently, effectively, and
representatively monitor a particular pollutant throughout the environment, or a series of
pollutants within a medium, to accurately quantify environmental quality.
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The following is an example of one possible project in this area:
PROJECT EXAMPLE
Purpose:
The purpose of this work is to develop better ways to monitor the environmental quality of
large physical areas, such as cities, with greater efficiency and effectiveness and with a possible
savings in cost.
Discussion:
Although some studies have been done using vans and airplanes to collect air quality data, these
have been piecemeal efforts, and there never has been a concerted effort to perfect these tech-
niques or to demonstrate their capabilities in routine environmental monitoring. It is possible
that, if perfected, new and more useful environmental assessments could be made at less cost
than with existing methods. This work will be coordinated with the RAPS study in St. Louis
and with field efforts underway in other parts of the country.
Description:
Specialized studies are to be undertaken to determine the feasibility and capability of using
mobile platforms to gather comprehensive data for assessing environmental quality. Research
will include the development, testing, and evaluation of vans and motor vehicles equipped with
shock-mounted instruments for measuring air quality (CO, NOx, oxidant, hydrocarbons, S02)
while-driving on selected routes through urban areas. Special data systems will be developed to
integrate monitoring data with information on the vehicle's coordinates and position to pro-
duce maps showing pollutant concentration along the route and pollutant contours over the
area. Allied studies will be conducted using advanced instruments in airplanes to measure con-
centration profiles at different heights. Special-purpose instruments will be developed and
tested for use in these aircraft. Resulting data will be compared with remote sampling results,
and detailed information will be developed on the costs, effectiveness, and advantages of
sampling by mobile versus fixed stations.
Recommendation: Because this work is not receiving emphasis on a multimedia basis,
because of the NERC-Las Vegas experience in collecting large quantities of field data, be-
cause of its computational capability, and because of its monitoring theme, it is recom-
mended that development and demonstration of monitoring networks receive considerable
emphasis in the expansion of the NERC-Las Vegas programs.
NPA 7. Development of Data Interpretation Techniques
Development of data interpretation techniques includes application of analytical
approaches such as decision analysis, time series analysis, linear programming, dynamic pro-
gramming, and stochastic modeling in the context of monitoring problems. Particular
emphasis would be placed on multimedia approaches in the development of improved math-
ematical and statistical techniques for the analysis, interpretation, and display of environ-
mental quality data; development of improved exposure-dose-effects models, urban pollut-
ant projection techniques, averaging-time-concentration-response models; refinement and
promulgation of confidence interval estimation techniques; development of computer
graphics packages; application of optimization techniques to key components of monitoring
problems; and the development and refinement of other numerical methods that can be of
assistance in evaluating and interpreting environmental quality data. Particular projects
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might, for example, involve development of a system of equations for the optimal place-
ment of monitoring stations on a spatial plane with known concentration gradients (to be
coordinated with RAPS) and application of time series analysis to the problem of forecast-
ing diurnal pollutant concentrations. This work is intended to be rigorous and to establish a
firm base of quantitative techniques development, applied to monitoring problems, within
EPA. It will result in the publication of analytical manuals indicating how to apply these
approaches, as well as technical articles, computer packages, and users' manuals. This work
will be closely coordinated with other modeling efforts underway elsewhere in the Agency.
An example of one possible research project in this area is as follows:
PROJECT EXAMPLE
Purpose:
The purpose of this research is to develop better methodologies to project the magnitude,
extent, and geographical distribution of environmental pollution problems into future years.
Availability of natural resources will be examined in relation to projected problems.
Discussion:
Although there has been considerable discussion about the need for improved projection
methodologies, EPA's present efforts are piecemeal and are not sufficiently rigorous to promise
to advance the state-of-the-art. This program would consolidate, in one effort, an in-depth treat-
ment of environmental data, with particular emphasis on mapping and projection methodology.
This project will be coordinated with the network design and demonstration effort (NPA #6).
Description:
New and improved approaches will be examined for the computer collection, processing, and
display of environmental pollution data. These will include development of methodologies to
facilitate analysis of air pollutant emissions and concentrations in relation to urban growth,
water resources, and energy reserves. Pollutant emission data will be analyzed and processed, and
various maps will be generated and compared, by computer, with population density maps, re-
source maps, and geophysical boundary maps. Spatial area correlations will be examined, and
new and advanced quantitative methodologies will be developed to project future increases or
decreases in environmental problems. Base data will include population, economics, and indus-
trial composition.
Recommendation: Because of the need for multimedia monitoring analyses and
because of the mathematical skills developed in the radiation area at Las Vegas, it is recom-
mended that development of data interpretation techniques become an important com-
ponent of the monitoring research program at NERC-Las Vegas.
It should be noted that NPA's 3, 4, 5, and 6 include a substantial quality assurance
function. This function performs an essential role for users of instruments and measurement
techniques by developing quality control procedures for sampling and analytical methods.
Quality assurance would be provided as an ancillary support function within each of these
NPA's. Quality assurance in the radiation area is included but is not identified as a separate
NPA because of its relatively small size.
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B. Transfer of Functions
There are strong indications that EPA's prospects for additional resources for environ-
mental research—over the immediate future, at least—are very bleak. There is a great possi-
bility, in fact, that there will be virtually no increases in environmental research budgets
over the next two or three fiscal years. EPA's budget request for FY-1974 shows no substan-
tial increases in research funds. Increases in specific areas call for corresponding decreases in
lower priority areas. The net result is no change. If allowance is made for increased research
costs due to inflation, the net effect will be, it appears, a decrease in EPA's annual research
budget. It also appears unlikely that there will be any significant increase in positions in the
EPA research program.
Recent passage of the water bill will create a big demand for monitoring data if time-
tables for implementation of water pollution standards are similar to those for air pollution
standards. The need for consolidating and optimizing research monitoring activities will,
therefore, be more pressing. Given a limited resource picture, every effort must be made to
secure more output for our investment. Cost/benefit studies establish that fragmented
efforts or duplication do not produce desired results. As a result of this dismal resource
picture, it becomes increasingly essential that EPA utilize its limited research resources in
the most efficient and effective way possible to obtain the greatest research product per
research dollar invested. It is therefore necessary to take all possible steps to reduce excess
administrative costs, non-essential activities, and any other operations which, while useful in
themselves, are not absolutely essential to the research product.
As a general guideline, it would appear particularly constructive to take all steps that
can reasonably be taken to strengthen EPA's field research activities, for it is here—in the
NERC programs-that EPA's research product is created. Major emphasis should be placed
on program improvement, establishment of a critical mass of expertise, and organizational
efficiency. In some instances, this may be accomplished by consolidating research activities
similar in nature but geographically fragmented. An example of a step already taken is the
move of the air ecology program from NERC-RTP to NERC-Corvallis. In this case, one of
the overriding considerations was the need to establish a critical base of skills in order to
attack the problem on an integrated basis considering all media—air, water, and land. The
purpose of such consolidations, therefore, would be to build a solid research base at each
NERC which provides all of the necessary skills and expertise to carry out research programs
with the greatest possible efficiency.
In the case of Las Vegas, the most serious obstacle to the development of a truly inte-
grated research base is the small size of the existing research activities-that is, no specific
critical mass of expertise. At present, the total research activity at NERC-Las Vegas, includ-
ing the AEC research programs, consists of 87 positions and only $ 1.85 million in research
funds. Of these 87 research positions, 16 are engaged in managing the NERC programs and
32 are funded by the AEC and are engaged in research on the effects of radioactive sub-
stances on man and animals, leaving only 39 positions devoted to research activities under
direct ORM control. Of these 39, 23 positions are involved in the National Eutrophication
Survey, making it the largest single ORM program at the NERC. Furthermore, NERC-Las
Vegas has no associated laboratories. With no current research in air pollution and only a
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relatively small effort in water pollution research projects (principally, the National Eutro-
phication Survey), it is difficult to see how the NERC-Las Vegas can be considered an "inte-
grated" or "balanced" program. The research component is, at present, so small that it does
not possess sufficient mass to constitute an effective research effort.
Comparing NERC-Las Vegas with the other three NERC's, one can readily see that
unless resources are committed to expand the programs and make them encompass all
media, the idea of a NERC at Las Vegas will never get off the ground. For example, NERC-
Research Triangle Park, including its associated laboratories, has an ORM commitment of
approximately 630 positions and $61 million annually—12 times larger than NERC-Las
Vegas in positions and 30 times larger in budget. The other two NERC's are also much
larger than NERC-Las Vegas, with 361 ORM positions at NERC-Cincinnati, and 412 ORM
positions at NERC-Corvallis.
In view of the need to obtain additional resources for NERC-Las Vegas to assure that
an adequate research program begins to evolve there, and in view of the advantages of con-
solidating certain monitoring research activities in one location, ORM should work toward
establishing a critical mass of expertise. To implement this approach, it is necessary to con-
sider transferring some functions to NERC-Las Vegas from other locations.
Monitoring-oriented programs in ORM appear to be very fragmented. Perhaps this is
most noticeable where programs of a purely operational nature are being carried out in
Headquarters. Based in Washington, these functions, lacking access to laboratory facilities,
must try to provide direct day-to-day communication to program chiefs in the NERC's.
Given these factors, the operational aspects of the Washington-based programs must be con-
sidered as prime candidates for relocation.
The Laboratory Operations Division has attempted to identify those monitoring func-
tions located in Headquarters which are definitely of an operational nature and which could
best be carried out in a laboratory setting where specialized facilities, equipment, and data
are available to meet the research and monitoring objectives.
The Advanced Techniques Division in the Office of Monitoring is responsible for test-
ing and evaluating techniques and analytical methodology for advanced remote and in situ
sensing of environmental parameters. It also develops and evaluates advanced interpretive
techniques to ensure that acquired sensor data are of suitable quality for analyses. In addi-
tion, the Division operates monitoring networks, as directed, to support research programs,
which is clearly operational in nature.
At present, the Advanced Techniques Division is establishing a helicopter monitoring
program using contact and remote sensing equipment. These helicopters will carry out moni-
toring operations to support the Regions. In another project, the Division is assisting
NERC-Las Vegas in the further development of an aerial monitoring program which utilizes
the NERC's aircraft. The Division also is engaged in the field testing and evaluation of
remote sensing instrumentation for future replacement of existing monitoring equipment. In
addition, the Division provides technical assistance to Region II, which is establishing an air
monitoring function, and to the Regional Air Pollution Study in St. Louis.
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Recommendation: Since some of the programs of the Advanced Techniques Division
are operational in nature, and most of the effort involves the capabilities and expertise of
NERC-Las Vegas, it is highly desirable that the operating function and positions associated
with this function be transferred from Headquarters to NERC-Las Vegas. At Las Vegas, the
Division's staff can be integrated with the existing staff and thereby provide the NERCwith
additional, critically needed expertise to support its aerial and remote monitoring programs.
This transfer will ultimately permit development of a substantial ORM research capability in
the remote sensing area.
Another research area which appears to have an operational function is the develop-
ment of guidelines for the treatment of environmental quality data on a multimedia basis.
Since each monitoring network in the Agency is collecting data in a specific medium or for a
specific pollutant, the Data Audit Branch of the Planning and Review Division, Office of
Monitoring, develops methods for interpreting environmental quality data using multimedia
approaches. These methods are intended to result in data, statistics, and indices which have
multiple analytical uses and adequately reflect the total environment.
As a first step in carrying out its responsibilities, the Data Audit Branch, with con-
tractor assistance, is determining who uses environmental quality data both inside and out-
side EPA, as well as how they use it. With this information, the Branch will begin auditing
the quality of existing environmental data and can initiate development of guidelines for the
collection and analysis of these data, ensuring that future environmental quality data can be
analyzed along multimedia lines.
Recommendation: Because of its interrelationship with the operational programs and
its need for data analytical capabilities, the operational function of the Data Audit Branch
should be transferred to NERC-Las Vegas to provide the expertise needed to assist in the
research and development activity as it relates to multimedia environmental monitoring
techniques and procedures.
The Quality Assurance Division, Office of Monitoring, directs the development and
implementation of a total quality control program for all EPA environmental monitoring
activities. Included in the programs are: (a) the development and continuous updating of the
Agency's quality control strategy to reflect changing monitoring requirements; (b) the issu-
ance of quality control procedures and guidelines; (c) the establishment and operation of a
system for transferring the latest quality control practices to the operating monitoring pro-
grams; (d) the evaluation of the quality and availability of standard reference materials and
samples; and (e) the supervision of periodic spot checks on the accuracy of calibration and
adequacy of quality control practices in field and laboratory monitoring programs. The Divi-
sion is also responsible for coordinating the Agency's sampling and analytical methodology
standardization program, which ensures that reference methodology is available throughout
the Agency for assuring the comparability of pollutant data. This role involves the following
areas: (a) development of specifications for the design of monitoring instruments systems,
(b) establishment of criteria for determining the equivalency of the many available sampling
and analytical methods; (c) collaborative testing of proposed reference methods and proce-
dures, and (d) establishment of guidelines for evaluating reference methods and procedures.
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Recommendation: Among the Quality Assurance Division's responsibilities is the coor-
dination of Agency-wide quality control activities. This obviously is a Headquarters func-
tion. However, other major functions are operational in nature, among which are issuing
technical guidelines, procedures, and manuals, and examining and evaluating field and
laboratory practices as well as analytical methodology. Such operational activities of the
Quality Assurance Division should be transferred to NERC-Las Vegas. Goal setting and
long-range planning functions are the responsibility of the Office of Monitoring at Head-
quarters and should remain at Headquarters.
The recommended transfers of functions clearly will not solve the problem of provid-
ing the necessary research funding for NERC programs, nor will they provide all of the
staffing necessary to establish an initial base of NERC programs for FY 1974. Other sources
of funding should be sought.
Recommendation: As an initial step toward acquiring additional funds, all intramural
and extramural funding as well as positions associated with these functions should also be
transferred from Headquarters to NERC-Las Vegas.
If these recommendations are implemented and all positions are transferred by spring
1973, this would greatly assist in beginning the process of evolution of the laboratory
toward the NERC concept, but it will do little more. The resources are not sufficient to
provide the momentum and diversity that are required. These transfers will not, for
example, provide sufficient funds and staffing to achieve full development of some of the
NPA's, and they certainly will not solve the more complex problem of obtaining additional
resources beyond FY 1974.
Recommendation: These transfers must be regarded as only a "first step " or an
"interim" measure to provide partial resources for FY 1974. For this reason, it is recom-
mended that a staff study be undertaken to establish a full set of specific projects and
resource needs within each NPA for the period FY 1974 to FY 1979. It is recommended
that the Office of Program Coordination, NERC-Las Vegas, take the lead role in developing
this study and that the effort be coordinated with Headquarters, ORM, consistent with the
ORM planning system.
Many other functions may exist in Headquarters—besides those within the Office of
Monitoring—which are operational in nature. For example, the Implementation Research
Division of the Office of Research is initiating a contract to define the status, nature, and
extent of air quality monitoring networks throughout the United States. This study exam-
ines the location of stations (fixed and mobile), pollutants sampled, frequency of measure-
ment, method of sampling, seasonal and diurnal variations, and inside-outside variations in
pollutant concentrations. The goal of the study is to facilitate "a comprehensive appraisal of
the adequacy of ambient air quality sampling networks for defining the air quality to
which the population are exposed." An examination of this endeavor indicates that it lacks
adequate information on laboratory research already done in these areas. This work is opera-
tional and belongs at a research center; because the work is of direct significance to monitor-
ing research, it should be transferred from Headquarters to NERC-Las Vegas. Transfer of the
function and resources to NERC-Las Vegas would not only give a more well-defined opera-
tional focus to the effort, it would also provide the NERC with useful information for
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designing monitoring studies (NPA 6 and NPA 7). Other similar projects probably exist in
ORM Headquarters which also should be transferred, but an extensive review of these
projects is beyond the scope of the report.
Recommendation: Because of the existence within Headquarters of research compo-
nents which are operational in nature and which are related to monitoring—besides those
within the Office of Monitoring itself—it is recommended that an independent review be
carried out of all functions within Headquarters, ORM, to identify those which are opera-
tional in nature. As additional functions are identified that are related to the NPA's assigned
to NERC-Las Vegas, they should also be transferred to the NERC.
C. Organization
The present organizational structure at Las Vegas cannot effectively carry out an
expanded research program. To establish a structure that can be effective will require a new
organization. In developing this new organization, the following functions should be con-
sidered, but they do not necessarily include all functions which could be assigned.
Office of Director
• This office should be responsible for overall operational direction for programs
assigned to the NERC. In addition to operational direction and policy, certain
staff functions should be established as part of, or reporting to, the Director.
These functions are Public Affairs along with Civil Rights and Urban Affairs.
Staff Functions
• Program Coordination. This staff should be responsible for functions such as
program planning, program evaluation, technical information, and Regional
liaison.
• Special Studies Staff. Although a special staff, this group has a quasi-operational
responsibility to carry out special studies on activities such as integrated network
design, evaluation of monitoring systems, and predictive modeling.
• Radiation Operations. This function should be established in accordance with a
memorandum of agreement between ORP and ORM and should be made respon-
sible for the ORP tenant programs assigned to Las Vegas. The Assistant Director
of Radiation Operations should receive his program guidance from the Director,
NERC, for the Off-Site Radiological Safety Program. For the ORP Special Studies
Program, he should receive guidance from the Office of Radiation Programs.
• Administration. This office should report to the NERC Director and be respon-
sible for providing administrative services to all operating programs. It should
include the functions of personnel management, financial management, facilities
management, general services, safety, procurement, and personal property
management.
49
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Line Functions
• Research and Development. This function should be developed in accordance
with the NERC's overall NPA strategy. It should include laboratories and/or divi-
sions developed along program lines in order to enhance the Center's capability of
meeting its overall mission.
• Operations. This function should include all other activities of the NERC not
defined as R&D. It should contain such functions as quality assurance, aircraft
operations, field testing programs, laboratory services, and ADP.
AEC-reimbursable positions should continue to be mixed in the various components of
the proposed organization. This is believed to be the most efficient method for meeting the
AEC program objectives. However, in the best interest of the Center, the organization
should be changed so as to make the best use of available personnel resources.
D. Administrative Services
To provide administrative support to the Center as it achieves full status as a NERC
will require expansion in the administrative authorities presently delegated to Las Vegas.
Present authorities, plus those required in the future, are shown in Table 8. The growth in
administrative programs at Las Vegas depends on future growth in ORM programs as well as
on growth in the tenant programs.
Given the circumstances that now exist in Las Vegas, where three different organiza-
tions provide the personnel resources to staff the administrative operations, it is difficult to
plan for growth. To assure that future requirements for administrative support are given
appropriate consideration, commensurate with program expansion, several options for main-
taining an effective and responsive administrative support activity are possible:
Option 1: Maintain the status quo.
This option has no real advantages other than it perpetuates the existing situation. It
has the serious disadvantage that no single source of direction or resources is available to the
Center Director. Detailed justification for additional staff must be prepared for each organi-
zation providing resources and, consequently, each request is considered in terms of that
organization's priorities. This does not provide the necessary assurances that adequate re-
sources will be available when needed, and it places the NERC in a situation of not being
able to meet the demands for administrative support. Furthermore, this option leads to
organizational "layering," which tends to decrease rather than increase overall efficiency.
Option 2: ORM will provide services and staff, and a Director of Administration will
be established.
This option has the advantage that it provides for a single source of resources and a
single point of direction of all administrative support services. In addition, it should assure
that an adequate level of support is maintained for all programs. The most significant
50
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Table 8.—Delegations of Authority for NERC-Las Vegas
Authorities Delegated
Authorities Not
Delegated
1. Accounting point
Full
2. Personnel management
Appointment to GS-15,
Classification Actions
to GS-15
3. Procurement
Open market to $2,500
and unlimited for
government source pro-
curement
Contracting, formal bid
and negotiated
4. Training
Short term training at
120 days
5. Incentive awards
To $500
6. Travel
Domestic and permanent
change of station
7. Agent cashier
$10,000 cash advanced
8. Attendance at nongovernment
sponsored meetings
Full
9. Acquisition of duplication
equipment & MTST machines
Non-JCP controlled
equipment to $1,000
and renewal of MTST
machines
10. 1 nteragency Agreements
To $25,000
11. Approval of research grant
awards or negotiation of
research contracts
To $100,000
12. Clearance of papers, speeches, etc.
Scientific and technical
materials which do not
relate to policy or other
sensitive issues
13. Motor vehicle
Use of government vehicle
between home and duty
station
14. Two-color printing
For informational material
15. Paid advertisement
For contracting and
personnel recruitment
51
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disadvantage is that ORM must justify the required administrative resources, as well as its
research programs. Since ORM's function is primarily research, it isn't prudent or reasonable
for precious resources to be diverted into OPM functions and responsibilities.
Option 3: OPM will provide administrative services through a Director of Administra-
tion. The director will receive administrative policy guidance and resources from OPM
and day-to-day supervision from the Center Director.
This option has several major advantages. It would establish a system, like that in
NERC-Cincinnati, of administrative support for the NERC under the Deputy Assistant
Administrator for Administration; it would relieve the NERC Director of using research
positions for administration; and it would effectively reduce ORM's administrative "over-
head" burden. The only real disadvantage is that initially all administrative positions would
have to be transferred to OPM to provide the staff for the Director of Administration.
Recommendation: Because of the need to provide the most effective and responsive
administrative support possible, commensurate with program expansion at NERC-Las Vegas,
it is recommended that Option 3 be adopted: the Office of Planning and Management should
provide administrative services for the NERC through a Director of Administration.
E. Future Facility Requirements at NERC-Las Vegas
The NERC-Las Vegas headquarters are presently located in a six-building laboratory
complex on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), near the Las Vegas
"Strip" and McCarran International Airport. The NERC rents hangar and maintenance space
for its 10 specialized aircraft at the McCarran Airport and also operates an experimental
farm in the northern part of the AEC's Nevada Test Site, about 120 miles north of Las
Vegas.
Five buildings at NERC headquarters are leased from UNLV. Four buildings have leases
to 1976, with EPA having an option to extend the leases for another 10 years. The fifth
building, Laboratory 2, is leased to June, 1973; no option exists, however, to extend the
lease for this building. It is expected that th,is laboratory will have to be vacated by June,
1973. The sixth building, the Greenhouse, is owned by EPA but is situated on land leased
from the University.
The facilities are currently inadequate at NERC-Las Vegas. There is a shortage of stor-
age and general laboratory space. The leasing of additional storage and general laboratory
space (initiated in Fall 1972) will temporarily solve this problem.
In dealing with future facility requirements at Las Vegas, two factors must be con-
sidered—the location of the NERC headquarters now on the UNLV campus and the location
of the aircraft support facility now at McCarran International Airport. Three options exist
for the future location of the NERC headquarters:
52
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Option 1: Expand the present facilities.
It appears desirable from a research standpoint to be located as near as possible to the
University. The UNLV campus is an ideal location for the NERC. The buildings are new and
well maintained. The cost of the lease is reasonably low. The drawbacks to this location are
that land is limited and expensive. Furthermore, expanding the existing buildings would be
expensive. Also, the lease expires on this complex in 1986. At that time, there is a strong
possibility that the University will not renegotiate this lease for an additional period of
occupancy. However, if EPA could obtain a favorable renegotiation from the University in
the near future, with a commitment to expand the present site to meet the NERC's future
needs, this option becomes a viable approach.
Option 2: Vacate present facilities and relocate close to UNLV in a leased facility built
to government specifications.
Relocating NERC headquarters close to the University could be accomplished by
having a privately-owned building constructed to EPA specifications. Advantages to this
option include the fact that it could be done quickly because EPA has the authority to enter
into such a contract. Additionally, this would provide room to expand as well as to build
the buildings to EPA specifications. Disadvantages include the fact that this lease would be
more expensive, relocation of the present facility would be necessary, the complex would
not be directly on campus, and, finally, the land would still be limited because of price. If
enough land were available, as well as a lease of at least 20 years with options to extend it
longer, this could be a more attractive approach than the first. However, it would require
relocation and disruption of the program.
Option 3: Vacate present facilities and construct the Center facility in the Las Vegas
area on a large tract of government-owned land.
Land is available and could be obtained for a new facility, which could be constructed
by the government or by a contractor under a build-lease-purchase agreement. Advantages
of this option include lower operating cost for a facility of this type and the fact that it can
be modified to enhance the operation of the program. Also, the large tract of land would
allow additional field facilities around the complex. Disadvantages include the slowness of
this process and the fact that this facility would be off the University.
The most desirable location of the NERC headquarters depends somewhat upon loca-
tion of the aircraft hangar facilities. The present location at McCarran Airport, the best air-
port in the Vegas Valley, is ideal. Other possible locations close to the airport include the
North Las Vegas Airport and the Boulder City Airport. However, these airports are not as
well instrumented as the McCarran airport and, from the standpoint of pilot preference and
safety, would not be as adequate unless they were upgraded. The present lease for the EPA
hangar facility at McCarran will expire in 3 years. In considering Option 3, it may be
desirable to locate the aircraft support activities close to NERC headquarters.
53
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Recommendation: Because of the need to expand the facilities at NERC-Las Vegas
and because of the desirability of remaining close to the University of Nevada-Las Vegas
(UNLV), it is recommended that Option 1, expanding the present facilities on the UNLV
campus, be adopted. It is recommended that the Agency start now to negotiate build-lease
arrangements with the University to obtain a commitment for meeting the future facilities
requirements at NERC-Las Vegas.
The third component of the NERC-Las Vegas facility is the Experimental Farm on the
Nevada Test Site. EPA has a permit from AEC to operate this facility, which was built by
EPA with AEC money. The farm appears quite adequate for present programs. Because the
area is restricted and a large buffer zone exists around the farm, there are minimal problems
associated with possible contamination of adjacent land. The disadvantage of the farm is the
distance from NERC headquarters—approximately 120 miles or a 2-hour drive. It may be
desirable to locate an auxiliary farm site in Las Vegas Valley on land obtained from the U.S.
Bureau of Land Management. Such a farm site with water and utilities would provide an
auxiliary test facility which could be used in connection with the present farm. There is,
however, no strong programmatic justification to place a high priority on a farm in the Las
Vegas Valley.
54
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APPENDIX A
BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT AT NERC-LAS VEGAS
This Appendix describes the facilities of the NERC-Las Vegas, including statistics on
the presently occupied buildings and the surrounding area, and outlines the unique capa-
bility of the equipment and installations.
A. Las Vegas Area
Las Vegas, located in the extreme southern part of Nevada, is one of the fastest grow-
ing metropolitan areas in the United States. During the 1960-1970 decade, the Las Vegas
Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) increased 115 percent to a population of
273,000. It is served by excellent air, highway, and rail transportation. Seven major airlines
provide more than 250 flights per day to all major communities in the United States. Direct
flights are available to the 10 EPA Regional Offices and Washington, D.C. Interstate High-
way 15 connects Las Vegas with Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. Los Angeles is only 45
minutes by air or 290 miles by highway, making communication with research centers at the
several major universities in southern California relatively simple. Figure A-l indicates
approximate travel times to locations in the United States.
1. NERCSite
Since July 1966, the NERC central headquarters has been in a $6 million, six-building
laboratory complex at 944 East Harmon Avenue on the campus of the University of
Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV). (See Figure A-2.) Located in the Vegas Valley south of the City
of Las Vegas, the campus is near the famous Las Vegas "Strip", McCarran International
Airport, and the Las Vegas Convention Center. (See Figure A-3.) This complex, built to
government specifications, is owned by the University and leased by EPA. The Center also
rents hangar and maintenance space for its 10 specialized aircraft at the McCarran Inter-
national Airport a mile from headquarters. The Center also operates an experimental farm
on a 32-acre site in the northern part of the AEC's Nevada Test Site, about 120 miles north
of Las Vegas.
2. Adjacent Institutions
While the original reason for locating the facility in Las Vegas was proximity to the
Nevada Test Site, other factors contribute to the present desirability of the location. The
NERC enjoys a close association with the University, which has approximately 6,000
students and a modern 300-acre campus; four-year and graduate degrees are available in
more than 50 major fields. A cooperative relationship has been established between the
libraries in the Las Vegas area, which include a large library at UNLV and technical libraries
at the AEC, and at EG&G, an AEC contractor.
A-l
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FIGURE A-1
HIGHWAY MILES AND AIRLINE
FLIGHT TIMES FROM LAS VEGAS TO MAJOR
[CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES
SEATTLE
SPOKANE
GREAT FALLS
DENVER
RENO
SAN FRANCISCO
ALBUQUERQUE
LOS ANGELES
PHOENIX
A-2
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FIGURE A-2
NERC- LAS VEGAS
ON THE CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA AT LAS VEGAS
LIBRARY
NERC-LAS VEGAS BUILDINGS
1. GREENHOUSE
2. BIOLOGY
3. ENGINEERING
4. ADMINISTRATION
5. LABORATORY 1
6. LABORATORY 2
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FIGURE A-3
MAP OF LAS VEGAS SHOWING THE LOCATION OF NERC-LAS VEGAS
TO NELUS, VALLEY OF FltE, SALT LAKE CITY
AND ZION-BRYCI
NATIONA( PARKS
VEGAS D« 5
OWtNS AVI
TO MT CHARLESTON
DEATH VALLEY, RENO
AND SAN FRANCISCO
BONANZARD
BONANZA >0
CASINO CENTER
CHARLESTON BLVD
CHARLESTON BLVD
OAKEY SLVD
EAST WYOMING AVE
OAKEY BLVD
SAHARA AVE
KAttN AVi
riLAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER
LANDMARK
DESER! INN RD
DESERT INN RD.
SPRING MTN. RD
FLAMINGO RD. *
FLAMINGO RD
TROrlCANA AVE
TROrlCANA AVE
o o o o
GOG
PATRICK LN
SUNSET RD
IT
HAfiMoN AVC
TO LOS ANGELES (290 MILES)
WARM SPRINGS RD
1 GREENHOUSE 4. ADMINISTRATION
2. BIOLOGY 5. LABORATORY 1
3. ENGINEERING 6. LABORATORY 7
A-4
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B. Buildings
Table A-l, "Space Summary of NERC-Las Vegas Facilities," presents the locations of
the various buildings used by the NERC. Additional information is provided on the occu-
pancy basis and the type and amount of usable space in each of these buildings.
C. Equipment
Table A-2 summarizes the more important and useful equipment and installations
which NERC-Las Vegas has procured or developed over the past several years. The following
sections describe, in detail, the characteristics and potential total environmental uses of
these items. The NERC Experimental Farm on the Nevada Test Site is also described. This
facility was designed to accommodate experiments directed toward defining exposure-dose-
effects relationships from a variety of simulated environmental sources.
1. Aircraft
The NERC has a unique aerial surveillance capability. Its ten specialized aircraft have
been used for aerial photography and infrared scanning, airborne pollution detection, aerial
Table A-1.—Space Summary of NERC-Las Vegas Facilities
Net Usable Space* ft2
Location
Building
Basis
Office
General
Special
Total
Laboratory
Purpose
UNLV Campus
Greenhouse
EPA Owned
106
348
2,823
3,277
UNLV Campus
Biology
EPA Leased
1,585
2,462
5,518
9,565
UNLV Campus
Engineering
EPA Leased
2,899
-
13,657
16,556
UNLV Campus
Administration
EPA Leased
7,849
-
8,020
15,869
UNLV Campus
Laboratory I
EPA Leased
3,433
4,275
9,191
16,899
UNLV Campus
Laboratory II
GSA Leased
2,541
2,239
1,726
6,506
Airport
Hangar
EPA Leased
600
-
11,865
12,465
Test Site
Farm
AEC Permit
153
-
5,195
5,348
Test Site
Well 3
AEC Permit
72
—
1,848
1,920
Total
19,238
9,324
59,843
88,405
'Office — Space which is used for employees whose primary duties are working at desks.
General Laboratories — Space which has built-in items such as benches, sinks, hoods, and cabinetry and which is used
for such activities as chemistry, physics, and biology.
Special Purpose —a. Space which is used for a unique program activity. Examples include animal facilities,
greenhouses, environmental chambers, wind tunnels, etc., or b. Space which is used for activities that support or
service the total Center. Examples of such activities include reproduction, mail, storage, conference rooms,
auditoriums, cafeterias, model shops, health units, telephones, switchboards, computers, employee lounges, etc.
A-5
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Table A-2.—Location of Equipment and Installations at NERC-Las Vegas
Equipment and Installations
Building
Greenhouse
Biology Building
Engineering Building
Administrative
r
j Laboratory 1
Laboratory II
Hangar
Farm
i
Field Locations
i
Aircraft
X
X
Monitoring Vehicles
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Mobile Laboratories
X
X
Spirometer
X
Environmental Chambers
X
Glasshouse
X
Animal Holding Facilities
X
Animal Surgical Suite
X
Shop and Calibration Facilities
X
Whole Body Counting Facilities
X
Computer
X
Radio
X
Training Facilities
X
X
Neutron Generators
X
Laboratory Instrumentation
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
sampling and tracking, real-time data analysis and reduction, environmental crisis response,
and aircraft maintenance and repair. They are extensively instrumented for tracking and
sampling of plumes or clouds of gaseous and particulate contaminants, both radioactive and
nonradioactive. By the use of the appropriate detection systems, airborne masses of radio-
active materials, condensation nuclei, particulates, or specific gases can be located, meas-
ured, and sampled. Sampling equipment in use can collect gross and size-fractionated partic-
ulate samples and reactive and inert gas samples. The variety of samplers makes it possible to
collect these samples on various media for any desired laboratory analysis.
These aircraft are housed a mile from the NERC at an aircraft hangar at McCarran
International Airport. There are approximately 12,465 square feet of aircraft hangar space,
including aircraft maintenance shop areas together with approximately 41,419 square feet
of paved contiguous ramp, taxiway, and aircraft parking area. The NERC airfleet includes:
One twin-engine Turbo-Beech aircraft, used primarily in cloud-tracking and sampling in
support of AEC's nuclear testing programs. This plane is also used for rapid transpor-
tation of personnel and equipment and timely pickup and delivery of samples for analysis.
A-6
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One twin-engine C-45H, used for aerial photography and special missions not related to
AEC nuclear testing.
One C-l 23B, a twin-engine cargo plane with a much larger capacity and range than the
C-45H; capable of transporting vehicles, trailers, and portable laboratory equipment to
distant locations for rapid survey and assessment of environmental insults. The plane is
currently being used for aerial detection and sampling of air pollutants in the Los
Angeles smog study.
One OV-1B Mohawk and one OV-1C Mohawk, especially good for aerial photography
and multispectral scanning. Used extensively by the U.S. Army in reconnaissance, the
planes are particularly well suited to remote sensing of environmental pollutants.
Two U-l A Otters, used for operations involving short airstrip takeoffs and landings or
requiring slow air speeds. These planes are primarily used in the National Eutrophication
Survey.
Two UH-1H helicopters, used for sampling as part of the National Eutrophication Survey.
On-board instrumentation is capable of determining surface temperature, dissolved
oxygen, pH, transmissitivity, turbidity, and conductivity.
One TH-55 helicopter, used to provide pilot proficiency training and for developing
special monitoring techniques for application in heavier-duty UH-1H helicopters.
2. Monitoring Vehicles
NERC-Las Vegas has 20 2- and 4-wheel drive vehicles which are used around the
Nevada Test Site and at other locations where the NERC is involved in research and moni-
toring activities. These vehicles can spend up to two weeks in the field on sampling missions
before stock must be replenished. They are normally equipped with such items as portable
survey instruments, portable radiation recorders, personnel dosimeters, portable particulate
and gaseous air samplers, and containers for environmental samples (e.g., water, soil, milk,
feed, and vegetation); some vehicles are equipped for special purposes—such as winch and
probe systems for deep well sampling.
3. Mobile Laboratories
The NERC-Las Vegas has six small-to-large mobile laboratories in trucks or trailers
which are equipped to support studies conducted at field sites. These laboratories are used
for radiation counting, radiochemistry, and water chemistry, and can be readily modified
for other monitoring projects where wet chemistry is required.
4. Experimental Farm
The experimental farm in Area 15 of the Nevada Test Site (NTS) was constructed in
1964 to further define the air-forage-cow-milk relationships for the radioiodines.
Presently, studies on the environmental impact of plutonium are being conducted at
the experimental farm for the AEC. Specific areas being investigated include: plutonium
uptake, tissue distribution, and metabolism in cattle and dairy cows; soil-to-plant-to-animal
transfer ; and physical characterization of resuspended plutonium aerosols.
A-7
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Facilities located at the farm are diagrammed in Figures A-4 and A-5 and include:
a. 20 acres of sprinkler-irrigated cropland with deep well pump and reservoir
b. necessary farm machinery for planting and harvesting crops
c. 2960-square-foot laboratory building consisting of:
(1) 1040-square-foot dairy cow metabolism room with stalls
(2) 130-square-foot sample control room with perchloric fume hood
(3) 90-square-foot sample preparation area
(4) 180-square-foot office and storage room
(5) 96-square-foot anti-contamination clothing change room with shower
(6) 240-square-foot utility room
(7) 216-square-foot milk room
(8) 968-square-foot milking area with vacuum milking system
d. 960-square-foot storage Quonset
e. 960-square-foot farm machinery shop Quonset
f. 33,600-square-foot corral area with hay storage shed, grain bin, feed bunks, and
squeeze chute
g. 80-square-foot greenhouse
h. 210-square-foot oven building with two muffle ovens
i. two 320-square-foot laboratory trailers
j. 30-cow dairy herd
k. 100-animal beef herd which grazes the NTS ranges
5. Spirometer
A 500-cubic-foot spirometer, one of the largest in the United States, is capable of ±2%
calibration accuracy. It is used to calibrate air flow and air volume measuring devices at flow
rates up to 200 cubic feet per minute or total volumes up to 500 cubic feet. The control
console provides for automatically filling the spirometer tank with air. The spirometer
operates throughout its entire range with a pressure differential of less than 1 millimeter of
water. Pressure transducers and thermocouples monitor air pressure and temperature in the
tank.
The spirometer is routinely used to calibrate air samples, aircraft sampling systems, and
secondary standards for field calibration of air samplers. The tank is also used as a mixing
chamber to prepare known concentrations of gases in air. These mixtures are used to eval-
uate collection efficiencies of various types of air samplers.
A-8
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FIGURE A-4
PLOT PLAN OF THE EPA FARM AT THE NEVADA TEST SITE
*
¦o
LABORATORY
COMPLEX
HAY SHED \
LABORATORY-
GREENHOUSE
IRRIGATION RESERVOIR
CORRALS
~~P
PENS RSS
OVEN BUILDING
RAD/
SAFETY
MICROPLOTS
SUN SHADES
30-METER INSTRUMENTATION TOWER
CORRAL
GREENHOUSE
IRRIGATED CROP LAND
KMAETER INSTRUMENTATION TOWER
IRRIGATION >
LINES J
RAD/WASTE
SUMP
FENCE X -X
IRRIGATION LINE-
CORRAL t\VxVI
BUILDING ¦|H|
LAS VEGAS
FARM
¦<=200
-------
FIGURE A-5
LABORATORY COMPLEX OF THE EPA FARM AT THE NTS
£
o
8'x40' LABORATORY
TRAILERS
WALK - IN
COOLER
PLATFORM AND STAIRS
SAMPLE
CONTROL
ROOM
UTILITY ROOM
MILK ROOM
METABOLISM
STALL ROOM
SHOWER
CHANGE
fA"00" —^
SAMPLE
PREP
AREA
OFFICE
AND
..STORAGE
\ ROOM
MILKING AREA
1U
-------
6. Environmental Chambers
There are two large and two small environmental growth chambers in the greenhouse.
All are self-contained units with the following capabilities:
Light range — 0 to 5,000 foot-candles
Temperature range — 40 to 95°F
Relative humidity range — 30 to 90%
Air movement — 0 to 2 miles per hour
Carbon dioxide monitor
Photoperiod - day and night light timer
Radiation detection — sequential sampler for measuring air concentration of
radionuclides
The larger chambers each have a floor area of 11.5 square feet and a volume of 51.5
cubic feet. The small chambers each have a floor area of 5.6 square feet and a volume of
11.5 cubic feet.
The two large growth chambers were designed to permit handling both radioactive
gases and stable air pollutants. It is possible to study such processes as photosynthesis, trans-
piration, and respiration under varying conditions of temperature, humidity, light intensity,
day length, wind speed, and level of pollutant.
There is one environmental chamber in the Engineering Building which is designed for
testing instrumentation under various environmental conditions. Temperature, humidity,
and pressure can be varied either manually or in automatic cycles.
7. Glasshouse
The glasshouse is used for germination and growth of plants. Capabilities include light
banks to provide varying periods of light and air and nutrient solution outlets. The size of
the glasshouse prevents large scale agricultural testing, but there is ample room to produce
plant material needed for physiological studies. Germination trials are done, as well as some
tests on the effects of air pollutants and radiation.
8. Animal Holding Facilities
Medium- and large-sized laboratory animals can be housed in a 560-square-foot, semi-
enclosed facility. It is partitioned into roomy stalls to permit the confin.ed animals a limited
amount of exercise. The design is flexible enough to provide, with inexpensive modifica-
tions, adequate housing for a variety of animals. For example, goats, swine, cattle, dogs,
cats, and rabbits have been housed in this facility at various times.
Three rooms with a total floor space of about 2100 square feet are designed to provide
adequate housing facilities for small- and medium-sized laboratory animals (mice to swine).
Depending on housing requirements (group or individual), the total capacity would range
A-ll
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from about 6500 mice down to 60 miniature swine. These rooms are environmentally con-
trolled for temperature, humidity, and light (periodicity, intensity, and duration).
9. Animal Surgical Suite
The surgical suite consists of a 310-square-foot room equipped with diagnostic, surgi-
cal, and physiological monitoring equipment for support of biological studies. Equipment
includes a diagnostic x-ray unit, a small animal spirometer, a multiparameter physiograph,
an animal surgery table with a track-mounted surgical light, and a magnascanner to map
deposited radioactive material and inhalation anesthesia apparatus.
10. Shop and Calibration Facilities
The NERC and its operating programs are supported by an engineering group which
provides professional engineering services in the realms of electronic, mechanical, electrical,
civil, and systems development engineering. In addition to equipment maintenance and
repair, systems design and fabrication and prototype construction services are provided. A
well staffed and equipped craft section provides machining, metal working, welding, and
carpentry services for the repair, modification, development, and production of laboratory
apparatus. Past examples include the design and fabrication of a data acquisitions system for
use in the aircraft and a natural gas burner which was designed and constructed for collection
of water vapor for tritium analysis.
11. Whole Body Counting Facility
The Whole Body Counting Facility consists of a large room 25 feet below ground con-
taining two heavily shielded chambers—one for a whole body counter and the other for a
whole body scanner—and the associated electronic system. In addition to the 160 tons of
steel plating which form the two chambers, shielding is provided by a 2-foot layer of con-
crete and a 4-foot earth layer above the room. The chambers are ventilated with a filtered
forced-air system.
The facility is used to determine the location, identity, and quantity of radionuclides
which may have entered the body through ingestion or inhalation or which have been
deposited internally by other means. Currently, it is being Used to monitor families living in
the off-site area surrounding the Nevada Test Site to determine their body burdens of radio-
nuclides several years after the Limited Test Ban Treaty went into effect. The facility is a
medical tool for diagnosing certain illnesses and diseases a fid a research tool for determining
the behavior in the body of radionuclides or materials tagged with radionuclides.
12. Computer
The NERC-Las Vegas Computer System consists of a Control Data Corporation (CDC)
1700 terminal computer which provides communications interface for remote job entry to a
central CDC 6400 computer at the AEC's Nevada Operations Office in Las Vegas. At
present, the computer is used primarily for scientific and data management applications in
support of surveillance activities. The computer facility is also used for a number of admin-
istrative applications such as the laboratory's financial management and property accounta-
bility records system. Specifications of the computer system are listed in Table A-3.
A-12
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Table A-3.—Specifications of the NERC-Las Vegas Computer System
Central Computer
NERC Terminal
Storage
Main core
65,536 words (60 bits/word)
16,000 words (18 bits/word)
Peripheral core
4,096 words (18 bits/word)
—
Main disc
131 million words (6 bits/word)
—
Peripheral disk
8.2 million words (6 bits/word)
—
Tape drives
9-track (2), 7-track (5)
7-track (2)
Input/Output
Card reader
1200 cards/minute
500 cards/minute
Card punch
—
100-476 cards/minute
Printer
1200 lines/minute
400 lines/minute
Paper tape
—
Reader
Plotter
30-inch calcomp
Calcomp
Microfilm
Recorder (30 frames/second)
—
13. Radio
A standby radio station, call letters WA7AEL, is maintained to provide immediate
communications support for environmental emergencies. Radio communications services are
provided in time of disaster or other emergency, including the coordination of emergency
information and news exchange, relay of messages, arrangement for supplies, authorizations
in and out of disaster areas, and operation of a radio net control service. This facility also
serves in the DHEW Emergency Communications System.
14. Training Facilities
The NERC complex includes a 300-seat auditorium. National and international sym-
posia, conferences, and meetings have been held in this facility. In addition, there are well-
equipped classroom, laboratory, and field facilities used for training activities.
15. Neutron Generator
The Cockroft-Walton neutron generator has been used for activation analysis of trace
quantities of some elements in environmental samples and to evaluate the hazards involved
in use of such machines. As a routine service tool, it has been used to produce short-lived
radionuclides for analysis of stable pollutants.
16. Laboratory Instrumentation
All the NERC-Las Vegas laboratories are well suited for performing conventional chem-
ical, as well as radiological, analyses. Figure A-6 shows the major equipment items other than
radiation detection instrumentation of the lab and a brief summary of the types of pollut-
ants for which the instruments have been or can be used.
The labs have ample bench space, fumehoods, and power. They are all well equipped
with minor equipment (such as hot plates, centrifuges, chemicals, glassware, pH meters, and
A-13
-------
FIGURE A-6
ENVIRONMENTAL APPLICATION OF SPECIALIZED INSTRUMENTS AT NERC-LAS VEGAS
INSTRUMENT
ATOMIC ABSORPTION
SPECTROMETER (3)
FLAME PHOTOMETER
SPECTROPHOTOMETER (3)
INFRA-RED SPECTROMETER
FLUORIMETER
COLORIMETER
GAS CHROMATOSRAPH
X-RAY SPECTROGRAPH
X-RAY DIFFRACTOMETER
MASS SPECTROMETER
ELECTRON MICROPROBE
ELECTRON MICROSCOPE
OPTICAL MICROSCOPE (6)
COULTER COUNTER
NEUTRON GENERATOR
ENVIRONMENTAL MEDIUM
AIR
particulates
gases
o
0
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<
<
o
0
£
It
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drinking
waste
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sludge
O
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soil and
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O O
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A-14
-------
analytical balances) necessary for radiological analyses. With a minimum of effort, most
conventional wet chemical procedures could be performed.
As a former radiological health laboratory, NERC-Las Vegas is well equipped with
radiation detection instrumentation for routine analytical use. Included in the inventory of
instruments are:
Pulse Height Analyzer Systems-
Gamma — 11 with Nal(Tl) crystals
1 with solid state detector
Alpha — 10 solid state detectors
Charged Particle Systems-
Beta - 10 low background
10 proportional (alpha also)
7 liquid scintillation
These systems are used for determining the radioactivity of a variety of environmental
samples such as air, water, food, milk, and vegetation.
A-15
-------
APPENDIX B
DETAILED SUMMARY OF ORM MONITOR ING-ORIENTED ELEMENTS
This appendix lists, in alpha-numeric order, all the current programs in ORM which
include monitoring-oriented portions. There is an entry for each identified Program Element
(PE), with the PE number appearing in the left margin, the Responsible Program Implemen-
tation Office (RPIO) next, followed by the PE title. The four entries to the right are fund
allotments in thousands of dollars (K) and man-years (MY) required for each PE from FY
1973 through FY 1976. Beneath each PE is a description of the specific tasks associated
with the PE, followed by the Research Objectives to which these tasks are addressed. These
objectives are coded by Research Objectives Achievement Plan (ROAP) numbers. The loca-
tions where specific ROAP's are performed are presented along with the program element
manager (PEM) and program element director (PED).
The FY 1973 resources presented for each program element and ROAP are based on
July 25, 1972, figures. Future resource projections are made only where the data exist. In
some cases, projected resources appear to decrease; this may be due to incomplete data,
however. In many cases, total ROAP resources may not agree with the program element
resources, primarily because management resources have been included in the total program
element resources but not in the individual ROAP funding.
B-l
-------
NO.
1A1002
03
I
to
BPIO TITLE
0H6H Fuel and Fuel Additive
Registration
Begistration of all fuels and fuel additives.
-Provide standardized test procedures needed
for emission characterization
.Provide an independently derived information base
on the types and amounts of metals, non-metals,
and organics present in fuels and fuel additives
.Assess the effects of fuel and related exhaust
emissions on human health and public iielfare,
emission control devices, and visibility
•Determine fuel emission contributions to total
atmospheric pollutant loading
.Recommend, as warranted, candidates for regulation
26AAB~Develop necessary scientific information
to analyze fuel and fuel additives, their
combustion emission products, and their health and
ecological effects.
FY 73
k ar
942 8
FT 74
K MX
920 16
FY 75
s ar
1030 16
FX 76
k Br
855 16
PEH- E. Schuck PED- 0. Stopinski (RTP)
8B1 6.4
BTP, Sorth Carolina
HO.
1A1003
1.
FT 73
K HI
4994 13.3
BPIO TITLE
OB&H Regional Air Pollution
Study
Analysis of the transport and dispersion processes PBH- H. Hiser
over a large geographical region associated Kith
stable and reactive air pollutants emanating from
a multitude and variety of sources.
.Obtain an improved understanding of the
atmospheric reactions associated with S02, NOx,
hydrocarbons, ozone, organic nitrates, and aldehydes
.Define an optimum meteorological measurements network
for a Region
.Evaluate the representatives of meteorological measure-
ments reguired for diffusion modeling and control
strategies
.Test independently developed air quality and
environmental models
26AAI-Development of a pollution prediction model 3140 3.0
based on an analysis of the transport and
dispersion processes of both stable and
reactive air pollutants.
56AAI(3)-Instrument development and field testing, 950 2.0
and evaluation of photochemical diffusion
models.
56AAI(4)-Heasurement of CO, S02, HO, H02, Hydrocarbons 710 3.0
Peroxy acetyl nitrate. Ozone, and particle
sizes for sample site determination, pollutant
and area-vide source identification, meteorological
and photochemical modelling effort
56AAI(6)-Beports or recommendations on: 50.0 0
1. A prototype environmental effects
monitoring package
2. Pollutant effects on receptors and
components of the natural ecosystem.
3. Correlation of air pollution vith
measurable ecological impact indicators
56AAI(7)-Development of a linear programming model 100.0 0
capable of yielding a least cost solution
from alternative air pollution control
approaches by balancing health and ecological
FY 74
K HI
10009 24.
FY 75
K HI
6630 27.7
FY 76
K HI
5498 26.4
PED- P. Allen (£TP)
BTP,Horth Carolina; Hashington, DC
BTP, North Carolina
BTP, North Carolina
BTP, North Carolina
BTP, North Carolina
-------
BO.
1*1005
05
i
U>
HO.
1A1009
1.
2*
effects against pollution levels and control
costs.
HPIO TITLE
OBSM Community Health Effects
Surveillance Studies
(CHESS)
Quantification of the health effects of human exposure
to air pollutants, and documentation of the health
benefits of environmental control.
.Develop additional, more sensitive health indicators
•Survey human populations to detect health effects
resulting from pollutant exposure
•Expand the number of pollutants to be studied,
including sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, particulates,
photochemical oxidants, trace metals, and synthetic
organic toxic sabstances such as pesticides
21AFS-Comparison of environmental pollution on
inner city residents vs. middle class urban
dwellers.
21AFI-QuantifIcation of the impact of community
exposure to HO2, S02, oxidants and
particulates. Use of new health indicators
and development of national tissue bank.
HPIO TITLE
OBSM Meteorological Besearch
Evaluation of the environmental quality and
meteorological-climatological information needed
for abatement and control actions.
Development of analytical models to estimate the
relationship between arbitrary distributions of
pollution sources and the resultant air quality
Evaluation of the impact of air pollutants on
visibility, weather, and climate, at scales
ranging from local to global dimensions
06&JB-Development of measurement methods to define
dispersion and physiochemical changes of effluents
from large single air pollution sources. Models
be developed to characterize pollutant levels avay
from large sources.
21ADN-Provision of technical assistance In air
pollution meteorology and climatology to EPA, State
and local agencies, and assist in episodes.
21 ADO-Development and evaluation of environmental
simulation models for describing the temporal and
spatial variation in air quality as a function
of the emissions distribution and the local
meteorolgy.
26AAS-0sing models predict the airborne concentrations,
the factors affecting concentrations, the effect
on weather and climate, and the global atmospheric
distribution of pollutants from man-made and
natural air emissions.
FY
K
6717.0
73
HI
82.0
FY
K
27550
74
MY
432
FY
K
26636
75
MY
415
FY 76
K MY
24436 398
PEM- V. Nevill PED- C. Shy(BTP)
6320.7 73.0
RTP, North Carolina
FY
K
3100
73
MY
13
£EM- E. SchucJc
FY 74
K MY
6307 12
PED-
B.
FY 75
K MY
5553 16
McCormick(BTP)
FY 76
K MY
5599 17.5
285 1.0
545 1.0
1555 3.0
300 2.0
BTP, North Carolina
RTP, Horth Carolina
BTP, Horth Carolina
BTP, North Carolinaa
HO.
U1010
BPIO
0R6M
TITLE
Instrumentation and
Analytical Methods
Development
FY 73
K MI
4387.0 67
FY 74
K MI
6752 73.8
FY 75
K MY
9699 95.2
FY 76
K MY
9825 101.1
-------
a
1. Development of measurement methods, both manual and
instrumental, required to support Federal, state,
and local programs for ambient air quality and source
emission measurements.
.Develop and recommend methods to the standardization
program for ultimate adoption and promulgation
as EPA approved methods
.Develop measurement methodology of the air
pollution control programs including measurement
techniques for all classes of pollutants and
pollution sources, mobile and stationary
26AAH-Development and field testing of measure-
ment methods and monitoring systems for
particulate pollutants emitted from stationary
sources.
26AAN-Development of measuring methods and monitoring
systems for hazardous substances emitted
from stationary sources.
26AAP-Development of measurement methods and
monitoring systems for gaseous pollutants
emitted from stationary sources.
26ACV-Development of measurement and instrumentation
methods for pollutants emitted from mobile
sources, used in vehicle certification processes.
26KCX-Development of instrumentation for measure-
ment on-site and in the laboratory of gaseous
pollutants in ambient air
26AEK-Development of instrumentation to collect, size,
and analyze particulate in the ambient air.
measurement and analysis of ambient air
particulates
HO. BPIO TITX.E
1H1327 0BS5 Standardization of
1A1011 Instrumentation and
Analytical Methods - Air
1. Development of standardized manual methods,
standardized instrumental methods, and calibration
standards for the qualitative and quantitative measure-
ment of air pollutants.
2. Development of a quality control system involving the
use of calibration standards for insuring
appropriate and effective utilization of these
measurement methods by affected parties.
26AAF-Evaluation and standardization of analytical
methods for measuring air pollutants, as given
in lational Ambient Air Quality Standards.
26AAS-Evaluation of stationary source emission measure-
ment methods at field sites and laboratory for
precision, accuracy, sample representativeness,
method write-up, potential interferences, and
suitability for intended purposes
26ADE-Evaluation and standardization of test methods
given in Exhaust Emission Standards and Test
Procedures.
26ADZ-Development of standard reference materials
(SBH's) to be used in standardizing analytical
methods.
PEH- A. Forziati PED- P. Altshuller (HTP)
939 8.8
237.3 2.5
955.8 8.6
714.0 13.2
726.0 9.7
621 9.2
RIP, North Carolina
STP, North Carolina
BTP, north Carolina
RTP, North Carolina
BTP, North Carolina
BTP, North Carolina
FY
K
73
BY
1156. 0 8.0
FY
K
2036.4
74
By
11
Ft
K
3132
75
sy
14.
FY
K
3155
76
HI
17.3
PEH- 3. Horgan PED-
290.5 2.8
474.2 2.4
166.8 0.6
204.3 1.7
BTP, North Carolina
BTP, North Carolina
BTP, North Carolina
HTP, North Carolina
10.
BPIO
TITLE
FY 73
K MY
FY 74
K BY
PX 75
K MY
FY 76
K HY
-------
1H1326 0B6H Fuel and Fuel Additive 233.8 1.0
1A1108 Surveillance
1. Development of data required for the registration and PEH-
regulation of fuels and fuel additives.
¦ Establish a national surveillance network and standard
analytical methodology foe the purpose of analyzing
fuels and fuel additives for trace and macro components
•Support combustion research, biomedical research, and
fuels emission research - leading to more comprehensive
standards and stronger enforcement
26ACP-inalysis of fuels and fuel additives and 233.8 1.0
development of methods for such analysis
510
536
562
Holmes
EED-
BTP, north Carolina
10.
1B1023
1.
W
i
l/i
10.
1B1024
FY
K
954.0
73
HI
21.0
HPIO TITLE
OBSB Fate of Pollutants in
Fresh Surface Haters
Development of the scientific basis for predicting and
assessing the fate of pollutants (municipal, industrial,
agricultural, etc.) which enter fresh surface waters
and the potential exposure of human and aguatic life to
these pollutants.
.Examine the distribution, the pathways, and the rates
of movement, accumulation and degradation of pollutants
in fresh surface water systems, including the chemical,
physical, and biological factors vhich influence these
phenomena
.Develop mathematical models which interrelate compo-
nents and processes of aguatic ecosystems
.Provide data to support the formulation of rational
water quality standards
21111-Development and field evaluations of mathematical 288.9 8.0
models to quantitatively describe biological and
chemical components, and their reactions and
interactions, within distinct freshwater habitats.
21AlB-Development of predictive models for the fate and 494.0 5.4
ecological impact of specific pollutants on fresh-
water ecosystems.
21All-Determination of rates of significant physio- 0 0
chemical processes and biological processes involved
in the fate of oil on marine environments especially
in arctic environments.
FY 74
K HI
2545.4 44
FY 75
K MY
6995.3 79
FY 76
K HY
8282.5 132.5
PEB- A. Joseph PED- ti. Sanders (Co)
Athens
Athens
FY
K
57 5.0
SPIO TITLE
OBSB Fate of Pollutants in
Sround Raters
Determination and quantification of the fate of pollutants
entering and traversing a ground water resource domain.
.Determine the national scope and nature of ground water
pollution problems
.Establish scientific criteria for waste disposal site
selection
.Determine the effects of surface pollution on ground
water quality
.Develop watec guality monitoring and management methods
for ground water environments
.Develop sub-surface waste disposal using deep well injection
waste treatment lagoons, or solid waste landfills
73
HI
13.
FY
K
1665
74
BY
6 25
FY 75
K HY
2001.9 33
FY 76
K BY
PEH- 1. Joseph PED- J. Keeley(Co)
16AEL-Determination of the impact of deep well waste
38.0 0.1
-------
injection on ground waters by conducting research
on-site selection, well design, construction, and
monitoring.
21AIO-Determination of ground water quality problems in 160 0.5
various regions of U.S.
21AKQ-Development of predictive models to describe the 242.0 7.4
fate of pollutants in ground water sources,
physical, chemical, and biological interactions of
ground water sources studied.
HO.
1B1025
1.
2.
fiPIO TITLE
OBftfl Fate of Pollutants in
Marine Baters
Development of the scientific basis for predicting and
assessing the fate of pollutants discharged directly or
indirectly into marine waters.
Development of techniques for marine environmental quality
enhancement.
.Determine distribution, pathways, and rates of movement,
accumulation and degradation of pollutants in oceanic
waters
.Establish scientific criteria for marine disposal site
selection and optimum disposal methods
•Characterize pollutional nature of wastes, sludges and
debris discharged in the sea
•Develop monitoring methods for vaste disposal operations
FY
K
1327.0
73
HI
19.5
Ada
FY 74
K HY
4314.0 62.5
FY 75
K HY
4396.0 61.7
FX
K
76
HI
PEN- A. Joseph FED- D. Baumgartner(Co)
60
i
On
HO.
1B1026
1.
2.
588.0 7.7
and
01ACG-Determination of methods foe utilization of waste 3.0 0.1
resources entering the marine environment.
21AIS-Determination of fate of pollutants in marine
environment through laboratory and field monitoring
programs. Results Mill recommend marine Hater
guality criteria, maximum effluent concentrations,
monitoring technigues.
21AIT-Development of predictive models to describe the 265.5 0.7
fate of pollutants in the marine environment.
Results used to establish water quality standards, design
and implement pollution control procedures, etc.
21AIV-Determination of the chemical behavior, biological 9.0 0.3
interaction, and physical modeling needed to guantify
fate of oils discharged into the marine environment.
21&IH-Evaluation of existing marine methods of field 3.0 0.1
sampling by in situ sensors, remote sensing and
standardization of sampling procedures for estuaries
and coastal waters.
21AKE-Development of predictive models to quantitatively 138.0 1.6
describe fate of pollutants in estuaries. Besults
used to establish water guality standards,
design and implement pollution control procedures,
etc.
BPIO TITLE
OESH Fate of Pollutants in
large lakes
Development of the scientific basis for predicting and
assessing the fate of pollutants in large lakes.
Development of methodology and information for lake water
guality enhancement.
.Study the effects of nutrient enrichment and eutro-
phication, aquatic weed control, bank erosion and
sedimentation, dredge spoils disposal, and industrial
FY
K
1163.0
73
HY
6.0
Corvallis
Corvallis
Corvallis
Corvallis, Cincinnati
Corvallis
Corvallis
FY 74
K HI
2242.0 17.5
FY
K
2177.0
75
HI
25.5
FY 76
K HY
2075.0 22.0
PEH- A. Joseph PED- N. Jaworski(Co)
-------
wastes
• Develop and improve mathematical models for laJce water
quality management
CD
<
21AKP-Development of predictive models to quantitatively 700.0 1.7
describe fate of pollutants in large lakes.
21AKB-Deterninaticn of the amount and ecological impact 34.0 0
of oil discharges to large lakes other than the
Szeat Lakes, emphasizing Arctic lakes.
25&DB-Developnent of guidelines for nutrient control 107.0 1.0
in large lakes, by field and laboratory
monitoring studies relating ijnpact of nutrients
on water quality, transport mechanisms, factors
controlling algai populations.
25ADS-Deternination of the significance of thermal dis- 77.0 1.0
charges to large lakes by field and laboratory
monitoring studies of Haste heat. Guidelines
developed from this knowledge.
2S»DX-Determination of the magnitude of dredging and 112. 1.0
disposal of dredging spoils, the problems, and
impact on the ecosystem for large lakes.
Srosse lie
Grosse lie
Srosse lie
Srosse lie
Grosse lie
10.
1B1027
1.
fiPIO TITLE
OBSB Methods Development for
Identification of Pollutants
Development of physical, chemical, and biological methods
for detection, identification, and measurement of water
pollutants.
.Develop sensors and methods that will indicate the
presence of pollutants and measure their quantity down to
reguired levels, rapidly and continuously
.Develop the necessary instrumentation to utilize these
sensors and methods to identify, measure, and trace pol-
lutants automatically, and economically, both in-situ and
by remote sensing
.Develop statistical testing plans to enable rapid screen-
ing of water for pollutants with a minimum number of samples
.Develop mathematical models that predict the sources of a
pollutant from the information obtained in downstream
testing
FY 73
K HI
3214.0 77.0
FY 74
k hi
3560.0 69.1
FY 75
K HI
3607.0 79.4
PES- 4. Forziati
PBD- D.
R.
FY 76
K HI
3521.0 84.3
Ballinger(Ci>
Donaldson(Co)
05AED-Development of methods for rapid detection of 86.0 2.3 Cincinnati
disease-causing bacteria in natural and waste
waters, and related environmental materials.
Evaluate measurement methods for sensitivity,
selectivity, and accuracy.
OSAEF-Developmeiit of measurement methods for field 208. 7.0 Cincinnati
collection and processing of biological samples,
organism identification, biomass and rates of
biological processes, biomonitoring and bioassays,
bioaccumalation; and biological data processing
and interpretation.
07AAT'Derelopment of improved methodology (standard 78. 1.7 Cincinnati
sampling procedures, quality control, etc.)
for the detection, identification, and enumer-
ation of pollution indicator organisms in waters.
07ABI-Identific&tion of organic and inorganic 99.4 2.6 Athens
pollutants in industrial wastewaters both before
and after state-of-the-art waste treatment.
07ADJ-Identification of taste and odor-causing compounds, 67.0 1.9
their threshold concentrations, and their sources.
-------
03
i
oo
09ABZ-Development, modification, and evaluation of 455. 17.5 Cincinnati
analytical methods for quantitative measurement
of organic and inorganic constituents of Hater
and wastes.
09A£C-Develo{iment of methods for identifying and measur- 0 0
ing pesticides in air and Hater using gas
chromatography and mass spectrometer techiques.
16ACG-Separation and identification of all pollutants in 126.1 2.5 Athens
municipal wastewaters both before and after treatment
and chlorination. Quantitatively analyze the
important pollutants.
16ADH-Development of systems to identify organic 601. 8. Athens
chemicals and elemental pollutants, and needed
methods for separation and concentration, and
computerized interpretive techniques.
16AJA-0evelopment and testing of new chemical and 50. 2.0 Cincinnati
instrumental methods for laboratory and field
for identifying and quantifying oils, seeps,
spills, and discharges in surface Haters.
24AAC-Development of a catalog of elemental fingerprints 109.0 2.0 Athens
for residual oils, using neutron activation and
spark source mass spectrometry.
Q7AlP-Developinent of methods for detecting, recovering, 450.0 7.0 Cincinnati
and identifying viruses in water.
21A8I-Application of developed analytical techniques 79. 2.0 Athens
for applicability to selected field problems.
¦0.
1B1029
1.
10.
1B1030
1.
fiPIO IIILS
0BSH Lake Survey
Identification of those lakes and other impounded bodies
of water which receive effluent discharges from muni-
cipal sewage treatment plants.
.collect samples from selected lakes for an evaluation
of the response of the receiving water to reductions
in phosphorus discharge from treatment plants
21ABK-Development of methods to identify which water
bodies would respond to phosphorus control
measures.
BP10 TITLE
OSS a Rater Quality Implemen-
tation Besearch
Development of effective planning and optimization
techniques for water quality management.
.Develop new or improved methods of data acquisition,
transmission, processing and application
.Develop innovative institutional arrangements for
water guality management
.Develop techniques for evaluating the air pollution
and solid waste effects of water pollution control
.Develop reports, recommendations, demonstrations of
practicality, and design criteria
PI
K
2100.0
73
HI
48.0
FY 74
K HY
1251.5 48.0
FY
K
75
MY
FY
K
76
MY
PEB-B. Payne PSD- Dr. Jack Gaicstatter (CO)
1836.0 48.0 1251.5 48.0 Las Vegas, Corvallis,
Rashington, DC
FY
K
1096.0
73
BY
4.0
FY 74
K HY
1485.0 2.7
FY
K
1155.0
75
BY
2.7
FY
K
550.0
76
MY
EBB- L. Huff PED- L. Buff(HQ)
06AFD-Development and evaluation of systems for water
reuse and conservation.
16AC8-Development of methods for improved water guality
planning methodology.
16AFH-Evaluation of alternative approaches for control-
ling agricultural pollution.
21AQJ-Development of techniques for analyzing costs and
benefits of alternative water pollution control
45.0
0.2
Hashington.
DC
145. 0
0.2
Rashington,
DC
o
o
GO
0.2
Rashington,
DC
200. 0
0
Rashington,
DC
-------
HO.
1B1031
1.
CO
f
vO
NO.
1H1327
(101109)
programs.
21AQT-Analysis of present water quality and effluent
standards for applicability, reliability,
enforceability and recommendations for
modification of the standards.
2IAEA-Comparison of social and economic benefits from
vater resource development projects with their
predicted benefits.
51AQH-Evaluation of legal and administrative institu-
tions affecting vater quality management
planning programs in selected basins.
51AQK-Development of economic incentives for vater
guality control (sulfur tax in air) •
250.0 0
86.5
125.0 0.2
120.0 0.2
FY 73
K HI
2147.0 45.0
Washington, DC
Hashington, DC
Hashington, DC
Hashington, DC
B£XO TITLE
OB&H Eutrophication and Lake
Bestoration
Development of eutrophication control and restoration
procedures for the lakes and ponds of North America.
.Develop an understanding of the eutrophication processs
vith emphasis on the role of plant nutrients in aquatic
systems, nutrient cycling among vater, sediments and
biota, and nutrient effects on plant grovth
•Develop and demonstrate technology to control and
reverse eutrophication processes
•Develop methods for monitoring eutrophication conditions
and for predicting impact of nutrient sources on the
eutrophication of natural waters
21AIY-Evaluation of various lake restoration procedures 914.4 10.0
such as advanced vaste treatment, dredging,
phosphorus precipitation, nutrient exclusion,
aeration, sediment drying and flushing on a large
scale.
2lAIZ-Development of methods to inhibit the grovth of 212.3 0.9
algae and higher aquatic plants.
2lAJA-Development of predictive models vhich quanti- 274.3 0.3
tatively describe and define ecological pheno-
mena vhich relate to the eutrophication of lakes
and estuaries.
21-AJE-Evaluatiori of sediment-vater nutrient exchange under
aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Start of field
and laboratory studies on surface vater enrich-
ment (eutrophication) from septic tanks. Deter-
mination of other nutrient inputs from surface vaters
in the Northwest region.
21AJF-Development of methods and conducting field and
laboratory bioassays to define responses of aguatic
organisms (fresh and estuarine) to concentrations of
nutrients. Define the critical nutrient levels and
establish system to quantitatively assess the degree
of eutrophication in lakes.
21AJG-Development and evaluation of remote sensing
technigues for eutrophication studies.
FT 74
K MY
2405.6 60.4
FY
K
75
HY
2629.4 66.1
FY 76
K HY
1272.4 21.4
PEH- A. Joseph PED- T. Haloney (Co)
Corvallis;Ely, Hinn.
Corvallis
Corvallis
01. 0.5
233. 2.7
78.0 0.2
fiPIO TITLE
OBSH Standardization of
Hethods for Identifi-
cation of Pollutants -
Hater
Development of standardized physical, chemical and bio-
FY 73
K HI
258.0 11.0
527
Corvallis
Corvallis
Corvallis
i 74
HY
3 15.
FY 75
755.o"l8.0
St 76
K HI
586.0 22.3
PEH- S. Horgan PED-
-------
05
I
O
61.7 2.8
15. 0.5
50. 1.8
.0 2.5
logical methods for detection, identification, and
measurement of water pollutants.
2. Development of a quality control system involving the
use of calibration standards to insure the reliability
of all data provided by or for the Office of Bater
Programs.
01AAD-Laboratory and field evaluation of commericially-
available or prototype instrumentation for
continuous or intermittent measurement of water
quality parameters
09AD0-Development of water monitoring system specific-
ations for remote sensing,telemetry, and
centralized data handling instrumentation used
in collecting real-time data for municipality
effluents and water basins.
244CX-Development and distribution of standard reference
samples for quality control of chemical, biological
and microbiological monitoring(field and laboratory)
measurement methods.
24AEI-Validation of methods for chemical, biological, 50
and microbiological analyses by designing and
conducting interlaboratory analytical verification
programs.
2U&LE~Development of field methods to ensure collection 20.
of representative samples, optimal temporary
storage conditions, and sample treatment and transport
methods to obtain most accurate monitoring data.
FY 73
NO. BPIO TITLE K HY
1B2034 OBSH Combined Sewer Overflows 2557.0 9.0 10415.0 14.1
and Storm IJater Discharges
1. Development of new or improved methods of abating pollution
caused by discharge of untreated or inadeguately treated
waters from sewers which carry either storm water or both
storm water and sewage, and urban runoff not collected
and carried in sewers to a point-discharge.
.Characterize the guality and pollution impact of these
wastewaters
.Develop methods (processes, hardware, and techniques)
for their control and treatment
.Demonstrate advanced technology full-scale plant systems
1.4
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
FY 74
K HY
FY 75
K 117
21310.0 18.0
FY 76
K HY
22383,0 17.
PEH- B. fiosenkranz PED- P. Lederman (Ci)
21AAF-Development of methods such as storage, flow 575. 1.0 Cincinnati
regulation and routing, improved sewer construction
methods and material, increased efficiency of
existing systems for improved storm and combined
sewer flow control.
21&AS~Development of computer based mathematical models 225.0 1.0 Cincinnati
to simulate urban runoff and combined sewer
overflow, impacts on environment, help in setting
water guality and effluent standards for assessing
the pollution contribution from storm and combined
sewer overflow.
21AAH-Development of new physical, chemical, biological 927.5 1.5 Cincinnati
methods and upgrade existing methods for treating
combined sewer overflows. Identify methods to
handle sludges and treatment chemicals. Collect
basic data on combined sewer overflow characteristics
by developing monitoring equipment and making
measurements.
21Ill-Development of methods for the treatment of storm 545.0 1.0
-------
03
¦o.
1B2041
1.
Hater discharges including new processes and
monitoring instrumentation.
21A&J-Development of treatment methods to reduce 162.5
remove sediments and sediment transported pollutants
from urban non-severed runoff, including new
processes and monitoring instrumentation.
0.5
Cincinnati
NO.
1B2040
1.
FY
K
2971.0
73
HY
30.
FY
K
6646.0
71
HI
27.
BPI0 TITLE
OE&M Oil and Hazardous
Materials Spills
Development of technology for the prevention of oil and
hazardous material spills and the detection, control,
and restoration of the Hater environment following
accidental spills.
.Develop spill prevention and control methods at
industrial complexes, storage terminals, and major
transportation sources
.Develop methods for remote and congested areas,
¦arm and cold climates, and fresh and marine waters
FY 73
K MY
3639.0 20.0
FY
K
7706.0
BPIO TITLE
OBSH Dining Sources
Development of methods and management programs for the FED- V. Lacy EED-
prevention, alleviation, and abatement of water pol-
lution caused by mineral extraction and mining
activities.
.Develop criteria for the establishment of water
quality standards
.Determine by means of demonstration projects, the
engineering feasibility and the economic vectors
associated with large scale abatement and control
measures
21AFY-Development of methods for the treatment of 441.5 4.0 Cincinnati
acid mine drainage.
21AFZ-Development of methods for preventing and 30.0 1.2 Cincinnati
reducing pollution discharges from surface
mines, refuse piles, slurry areas, and other
surface properties.
21AGA-Development of methods for the control and 13.0 0.5 Cincinnati
prevention of the discharge of waterborne
pollutants from active or abandoned mines.
21AGB-Development of new mining methods to prevent -285.4 0.2
pollution.
21AGC-lssistance to States in demonstration programs 1812. 4.0
and monitoring methods for control of small
drainage basin mine water pollution.
21AGD-Description of handling and disposal of well 0 0
service chemicals and muds, use remote sensing
to monitor oil-field brine pollution.
21ASE-Developaent of methods for phosphate mining 25.0 1.0 Athens
slime control by accelerating aging (flocculants,
filtration), dewatering aged slimes, utilize
slimes in new products.
21AGF-Identification of environmental pollution 70. 2.8 Ada
problems resulting from milling and mining of
metallic ions, conducting national waste
characterization survey of discharges to
provide solutions to the problems.
21AGG-Development of methods for the treatment of 30.0 1.2 Ada
wash waters from aggregate producing
industries (sand,gravel).
75
MY
37.3
FY
K
8340.0
76
HY
33.9
Convery (Ci)
Cincinnati; Bashington,DC
Cincinnati
FY 74
K HY
4340.0 22.4
FY
K
1009,0
75
HY
7.4
FY 76
K MY
957.0 2.7
PEH- »- Lacy PED- P. Lederman (Ci)
-------
CO
I
to
.Demonstrate rapid detection and countermeasure
techniques
.Develop and demonstrate methods for the ultimate
disposal or recycling of oil and hazardous materials
removed from spill sites
21AH0-Development of aerial surveillance and inter-
pretation systems for location of oil spill
threats; monitor by remote sensing waterways
and sewers for oil spills.
21ANP-0se of emergency oil spills to test and
demonstrate new technology; provide technical
assistance to Segions and Office of Oil and
Hazardous Materials.
21AHC-Identification and gaantification of flow
conditions and effluent characteristics from
offshore oil platforms; development of effluent
treatment methods.
21ARB-Organization of a national Conference on the
prevention and control of spills of
hazardous materials.
21AN5-Evaluation of methods for physical removal of
settled hazardous materials in watercourses.
21ABX-Evaluation of available equipment for
physically removing oil from water surfaces.
21AH0-Development of acoustical methods for monitoring
stability of earthen dikes holding
hazardous materials.
21AHV-Development and demonstration of foamed barriers
and holding bags for containing and collecting
spilled hazardous materials.
21118-Dnder controlled field conditions and actual
spill conditions, evaluate methods to control
spills of hazardous materials on land; detect and
monitor spills; detoxify, destroy, recycle
recovered spilled hazardous materials; control
spills in watercourses; accelerate restoration of
watercourses contaminated by spills.
21AHX-Development of physical-chemical portable treat-
ment system for hazardous material spills.
21AHI-Development of instream treatment of
hazardous material spills utilizing mass
transfer media.
21AHZ-Developaient of foamed-in-place systems for
plugging leaks in damaged hazardous material
containers.
21A0A-Development of devices and methods for pre-
venting hazardous material spills in opera-
tions most spill prone and for
preventing these spills from reaching
watercourses.
21A0C-Development of methods for treatment of oil
spills on land, to prevent runoff waters and
removal of spilled oil.
21A0D-Development of methods for detecting and
monitoring oil pipeline leaks.
21A0E-Development and standardization of analytical
methods for the identification and
quantification of crude oils, waste oils, and
refined products in water, sediments, and
biological tissues.
21A0F-Development and field evaluation of oil/water
53.0 0.3
282.0 0.5
200.0 0.4
0 0
71.0 0.1
383.0 1.4
141.0 0.5
0 0
65.0 0.3
100.0 0.8
197.0 0.4
170.0 2.1
244.0 0.6
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
-------
HO.
1B2043
1.
CO
I
UJ
725-0 2.0
212.0 0.1
0.6
73
BY
99.0
separation systems.
21AOG-Construction of Oil and Hazardous Materials
Simulated Environmental lest lank (OHBSETI)
and data aquisition system foe carrying oat
research and monitoring experiments.
21AOH-Development of methods and monitoring instruments 246.0 0.4
for and define physical parameters affecting
containment of oil slicks.
21A0I-Development and demonstration of improved Haste
oil management techniques, including alternate
Haste oils and methods for reclaiming Haste oil.
21AOJ-Development of methods for the microbe degradation 0
of spilled oil.
21AOK-Development of methods for restoration of oil 0
contaminated shorelines.
21APU-Determination of monitoring and/or other methods 295.0
necessary for assessment of damage(physical-
chemical , ecological, and economic) to marine
environment due to spilled oil.
FY
fiPIO TITLE K
OS&a Treatment Process 4237.0
Development and Optimization
Development of process information for use in design of PEH-
municipal and municipal-industrial wastewater treatment
plants.
.Develop nev or improved technology for removal of
pollutants
¦Develop charts and computer systems to facilitate
design simulation and evaluation of individual
treatment processes and systems of processes
•Develop process control and instrumentation
technology
.Develop nen or improved methods for non-pollutional
disposal of sludges and concentrated pollutants
resulting from treatment processes
.Demonstrate advanced technology full-scale plant
systems
21AAL-Development and demonstration of technology for 122.5
the utilization of granular activated carbon for
removal of organics from uastenater.
21AAH-Development and demonstration of technology for the 5.0
utilization of activated povdered carbon for
removal of organics from wastewater
organics from uastenater.
21AAB-Development and evaluation of Ioh cost absorbents
(emphasis on povdered form) for the removal of
organics from vastevater.
211AO-Development of processes using chemical oxidants
for the removal of organics from wastewater.
21AAP-Development of membrane processes for the re-
moval of organics and/or inorganics from vastevater.
21AAQ-Development of ion exchange processes for the 0
removal of dissolved inorganics(demineralization)
from vastewater, evaluate methods for recovery and/
or disposal of regenerant brines.
21AlS-Development and demonstration of new physical and
chemical processes for removal of dissolved
inorganics from uastenater.
21AAT-Development of processes for the removal or 269
control of nitrogenous compounds from net or
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
FT
K
13505.0
74
HI
86. 9
FY 75
K BY
14189. 0 72.
FY 76
K HY
10785.0 60.2
8. Hosenkranz PED- j. Convery(Ci)
3.1
0.2
70.0 0.8
12.5 0.5
35.0 0.8
Cincinnati; Pomona Pilot Plant,
l.A. Sanitary District
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
4.4
Cincinnati; Blue Plains,Hd
-------
ttfl
I
existing treatment plants.
211AU-Development of processes foe the removal or
control of sulfate in wastewater, by initially
studying the basic biochemistry of sulfur cycle.
21AAV-Development of physical or chemical processes
for the removal or control of nitrogenous
compounds from new or existing treatment plants
and be compatable Kith existing processes for
solids and BOD removal.
21AAB-Development of improved biological or chemical
processes for the removal of phosphorus from
wastewater.
21AAI—Development and demonstration of processes for
the removal of phosphorus from wastewater by the
addition of minerals to an oxygen aeration system
21AAY-Determination of effects of phosphate sub-
stitutes on metal distribution through treat-
ment plants and development of improved
processes for treatment of such substitutes.
Honitor wastewater and treatment process
effluents for phosphate substitutes.
21AAZ-Design, development, and demonstration of
filtration processes for removal of suspended
and colloidal solids from wastewater including
oxidation pond effluents and industrial wastes.
2IAEA-Development and demonstration of improved
sedimentation processes for the removal of
suspended and colloidal solids from waste-
water, with emphasis on mixing and high rate
settlers.
21ABB-Development and demonstration of air flotation
with chemical coagulation-flocculation for the
removal of suspended and colloidal solids from
wastewater.
21ABC-Development and evaluation of new suspended and
colloidal solids removal processes such as
hydrocyclones and magnetic clarification
for wastewater.
21ABB-Development of pure oxygen aeration processes
including sizing reactors, clarifiers, and solids
handling units for the removal of dissolved
biodegradable organics from wastewater.
21ABF-Evaluation of rotating biological contactor
processes for removal of dissolved bio-
degradable organics from wastewater.
21ABG-Development of improved air activated sludge
processes for removal of dissolved bio-
degradable organics from wastewater.
21 ABB-Development of improved trickling filter
processes for removal of dissolved bio-
degradable organics from wastewater.
21ABI-Development of improved oxidation and
stabilization ponds for removal of dis-
solved biodegradable organics from
wastewater(control algae and other suspended
solids in pond and lagoon effluents).
2lABK-D1termination of the capability of biological
and physical-chemical processes to remove
organic compounds from wastewater.
21ABL-Development and demonstration of physical methods
for disinfection and removal of microorganisms
142.2 1.6
132.5 3.7
115.0 0.6
2.5 0.1
27.5 1.1
12.5 0.5
157.5 3.4
7.5 0.3
47.5 1.9
67.5 0.3
107.5 0.3
195.0 7.3
2.5 0.1
Cincinnati
Cincinnati; Blue Plains,ad
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati; Hashington, DC
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
-------
CO
I
t/1
from wastewaters.
21ABH-Development of chemical methods for dis-
infection and removal of microorganisms from
wastewater.
214B0-Determination of heavy metals concentrations
in feed to and product from new wastewater
treatment methods and develop processes to
remove metals not removed by treatment process
21ABP-Determination of the ability of microorganisms
in disinfected wastewater to reproduce when
subjected to varying degrees of dilution by
receiving waters even though the microorganisms
fail to reproduce in good nutrient media.
21ACG-Development and demonstration of processes for
the handling and disposal of sludge from
municipal waste treatment plants.
21ACH-Development of processes and conditioning agents
for thickening and dewatering chemical and
organic sludge from primary, secondary, and
tertiary waste treatment plants.
21ACI-Development and demonstration of processes for
stabilization of sludge from municipal wastewater
treatment plant sludge.
21ACJ-Development of technology for disposal of
liguid sludge on land, including environmental
impact.
214CK-Development of processes for treatment of
supernatants from sludge conditioning.
21&CL-Eralaation of the feasibility of extracting a
nutritionally significant organic feed
concentrate (animal feed) from heat treatment
process of sewage sludge.
21ACH-Application of conventional and newly developed
processes for disposal of brines generated
by advanced waste treatment processes.
21ACS-Development and demonstration of processes
for handling and disposal of water treatment
plant sludges.
21ACP-Development and demonstration of processes for
renovation of wastewater for potable reuse.
21ACQ-Development of processes for renovation of
wastewater for non-potable reuse
(agricultural, recreational, industrial).
21ACS-Determination of socio-political impact of
wastewater reuse for potable water supply.
21ACT-Development and provision of data on the
optimization of wastewater treatment processes,
treatment trains, and sewage for municipal
treatment plant designers and operators.
21AC0-ldentification of key variables for monitoring
and controlling of sewage systems and treatment
plants. Evaluate instruments, control devices
and control strategies by laboratory and field
stadies.
180.0 2.4
17.5 0.7
236. 0 3.2
382. 5 5.1
97.5 0.9
<45.0 1.6
15.0
12.5
0.6
D.5
170.0 6.7
102.5 0.5
92.5 3.7
489.0 5.8
HO. BPIO TITLE
1B2044 OB&B Cold Climate laste
Treatment
1. Development of cold climate waste treatment systems.
.Develop processes and systems which will provide
any level of treatment, up to and including.
FI
K
73
HI
421. 0 16,
PBH-
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Blue Plains, HD
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati; Blue Plains, Hd
FY 74
K HI
FT 75
K HI
FI 76
K HI
944.0 26.7 1930.0 23.4 1635.0 17.4
Bosenkranz PED- 0. Hitchell (Co)
-------
HO.
1C1046
1.
w
I
On
complete treatment
Establish criteria for treatment processes
development by investigating the tolerances of
Arctic aquatic species to various concentrations
and forms of man-induced pollution.
21ABB-Provision of drinking water, bathing and
laundry facilities, and waste treatment to
certain native alaskan villages.
21ABS-Application of conventional wastewater
treatment processes to Arctic regions and
development of new economical waste treatment
processes for these regions.
21ABI-Onderstanding of the present Arctic aquatic
ecosystem and evaluation of the man-included
disturbances of it by on-site field investigations.
21ABU-Identification of life cycle requirements of key
indigenous vertebrate and invertebrate aquatic
species in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic stream
which may be disturbed by various.land management
practices.
21ABtr-Development of methods for the treatment of
industrial wastes (seafood processing, pulp and
paper, and petrochemical) in the Arctic.
194.1 4-8
106.4 0.2
College, Alaska
College, Alaska
FX 73
K HI
BPIO TITIE
OR6H later Quality Health 1531.0 58.0
Effects Besearch
Development of valid criteria for setting water
guality standards for municipal (drinking) and
recreational (freshwater and marine) uses:
•Study biological effects resulting from the
presence of potentially toxic contaminants in
the water environment.
21AP7-Establishment of health criteria for unknown 93.0 2.0
organic contaminants of drinking water by
identifying the toxic substances and performing
epidemiological studies of exposed populations.
21iPH-Developoient of methods for the screening of 310.6 8.9
known chemicals for specific toxic effects
on drinking water by establishing effect
parameters which correlate with more easily
measured biochemical indicators of effects.
21API-Determination and investigation of waterborne 430.0 15.4
disease by monitoring water supplies for
occurences of pathogens, virus, bacteria,
higher parasitic forms and by determining
conditions in water supplies that allow disease
transmission.
21API-rChemically and toxicologically testing of water 60.0 2.1
treatment chemicals, develop methods for the
evaluation, review compiled data for safety/
hazard to population, define maximum safe use
levels.
21APZ-Development of health effects criteria for 260.2 11.4
recreational waters by conducting epidemiologic
and microbiological monitoring studies to relate
health effects to some pollution measure
(bacterial and chemical indicators of fecal
contamination, pathogens which multiply in eutrophic
waters). Bonitoring methods developed and adapted
FX 74
K 1)1
FY 75
K HX
FX 76
K at
PES- H. Gorchev PED- G. Hobeck(Ci)
Cincinnati; Dauphin Isle, Ala.
Karragansett, HI
Cincinnati, Harragansett
Cincinnati; Dauphin Isle;
Harragansett; Purdy, Bash.
Cincinnati, Narragansett
Cincinnati; Harragansett;
Gig Harbor, Hash
-------
to identify and quantify significant health effects
indicators.
w
I
PI 73
704-0 30.0
PEH-
10. fiPIO TITLE
1C2047 OBSB Hater Supply Eesearch
1. Development of methods and management practices for
the prevention, abatement, and control of pollution
in eater supplies.
.Develop technical and administrative water manage-
ment practices and techniques so as to maintain and
protect the sanitary quality of water impoundments
destined to he used as drinking water supply sources
.Develop treatment processes for the removal of organic
and inorganic contaminants from drinking water
.Develop assay methods for the determination of the
toxicity of contaminants found in drinking water
•Design, develop and evaluate innovations in water
treatment processes that will be effective in
converting treated waste to water suitable foe
human consumption
.Haintain data file systems on toxicity data and on
the epidemiology of water-borne diseases, and the
health effects evaluation of long-term, low-level
concentrations of contaminants in drinking water
21AQB-Evaluation by field studies and improvement of 93.0 2.0
treatment processes for the removal of trace
organics, tastes, and odors from water supplies,
using activated carbon. Laboratory studies on
alternate adsorbants and oxidants(ozone).
21AQC-Evaluation and improvement of treatment pro- 16.0 0.4
cesses for the removal of turbidity and
specific particles from water supplies
(coagulants, filter aids, and different granular
media). Hater treatment plant sludge will be
tested for disposal methods.
21AQD-Evaluation and improvement of treatment 82.0 3.8
processes for the removal of trace metals
and nitrates from water supplies.
21AQE-Evaluation and improvement of methods for 86.0 3.8
elimination of microorganisms in drinking
water by studying naturally occuring pathogens
(viral and bacterial) influenced by environmental
conditions (turbidity, disinfection).
21AQF-Evaluation and prevention of chemical quality 98.0 4.4
deterioration during distribution of drinking
water by monitoring for pollutants at selected
consumer taps, and using IS? water quality
monitor to relate water type, system materials,
and treatment practices to quality deterioration
during distribution.
21AQG-Study of the behavior and control of con- 65.0 2.7
taminants and additives in drinking water
sources during storage by mainly field
monitoring studies.
21AQH-Evaluation and control of bacterial quality 115.5 5.0
(pipe and bottled) by field monitoring for
bacteriological populations, suppression
of coliform detection control methods, and
establish continuous rapid monitoring
techniques for bacterial quality.
FY 73
PI 74 PI 75 PI 76
K HI K HI K HI
694.0 28.8 532.0 23.2 274.0 11.2
B. Sorchev FED— S. Bobeck(Ci)
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Narragansett
Cincinnati; Narragansett;
Dauphin Isl., Ala.
Cincinnati, Dauphin Isl.
Cincinnati; 3ig Hargor, Hash
PI 74 PI 75
PI 76
-------
BO.
1E1079
w
¦
oo
3.
5.
¦0.
1F1083
1.
K HI K BY
260.2 14.0 260.2 14.
BPIO TITLE K BY K BY
0B6B Pesticides Identification 204.0 12.0 216.8 13.0
Bethodology
Development of multi-residue methods for determining the PEM- A. Forziati PEC- ». Durham (BTP)
extent of human and animal exposure to persistent and
biodegradable pesticides.
.Develop information on the action mechanisms of
pesticides and their metabolic products
.Develop methodology for the isolation, detection,
identification, confirmation and quantification of
pesticide residues, metabolites, and other chemical
contaminants
.Support administrative decisions concerning the
registration of pesticides
26AEO-Application of existing laboratory methods for 180.7 9.0 Perrine
and guantification of pesticides, chemical
residues, their metabolites, degradation products
found in environmental substrates, especially
human and animal tissues.
10.
1H1327
(1E1110)
1.
2.
BPIO TITLE
OBSB Pesticide Exposure
Surveillance
Determination of the levels of selected pesticides in
human tissues and in environmental media such as food.
Hater, air and soil.
Evaluation of the long-term effects of pesticides on
human health through the continuing surveillance of
approximately 1,500 volunteer study subjects who are
known to have freguent contact Kith specific
pesticides.
Determination of the pesticide use patterns within the
defined study area of each of the community study
projects so as to study the association of certain
disease conditions with the use of pesticides.
Support studies as may be necessary to provide specific
information on individual chemicals or attendant
problems.
Standardization of analytical methods and measurement
techniques for the determination of pesticide
concentrations and degrees of exposure.
26ADT-Provision for analytical quality control
service for pesticides to all Regional and
other EPS-supported laboratories.
26AEI-Evaluation of new instrumentation and
methods for pesticide monitoring.
BPIO TITLE
OBSB Badiation Pathways
Besearch
Development of information on the behavior, movement,
and fate of radionuclides in the aquatic, terrestrial,
and air environments.
•Assess radiation dose to man resulting through these
multiple pathways
.Support setting of radiation protection guides and
standards, particularly for nuclear power facilities
21ADI-Determination of transport processes of
selected radionuclides released to the
environment by nuclear reactions.
FY 73
K BY
257.0 12.0
FY 74
K BY
404.9 16.6
FY 75
K BY
483.0 19.6
FY 76
K BY
531.3 19.6
PEB- S. Borgan PED-
167.6 6.5
50.0 1.5
FY
K
292.0
73
BY
11.5
Perrxne
FY 74
K BY
397.0 13.0
FY 75
K BY
FY 76
K BY
PEB- H. Biser PED- J. Sarner (BTP)
A. Boghissi (L¥)
242.0 11.0
FY 73
Las Vegas
FY 74
FY 75
FY 76
-------
BO.
111080
1.
CO
%
v©
>o.
1H1095
1.
HI
9.2
BPIO TITLE K
0B6H Radiation Methods and 245.4
and Measurements
Development of new or improved methods, instrumentation
and theoretical models required to determine the con-
centrations of radioactive materials and the intensity
of electromagnetic radiation in various media. Kith
emphasis on biological materials.
.Develop laboratory exposure calibration facilities
.Develop field measurements systems
21ALB-Development of laboratory exposure and measure- 195.4 9.0
¦ent systems.
K HI
393.0 11.9
PEH- i. Forziati PED- J. Sarner (HTP)
BTP-Horth Carolina
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1H1327
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1.
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73
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24.0
BPIO TITLE
OBSH Badiochemical Measure-
ments
Assessment of the character and concentration of radio-
active substances discharged from nuclear facilities,
especially nuclear power plants.
.Evaluate types and concentrations of radiochemical
discharges and estimate the relative con-
centrations of radionuclides in the various carrier
media in the environs of nuclear facilities.
.Standardize instruments and analytical methods necessary
for the detection and measurements of radio-chemical
exposure
.Beport recommendations for conducting effective
environmental surveillance
17liB-Development of methods for radionuclide
detection and identification around nuclear
pover and allied industries. Establishment
of monitoring networks for water, food, milk,
air, around these facilities.
24>1E-Development and field evaluation of methods for 103.7 4.9
radionuclide determination of liquid and airborne
effluents from nuclear pover stations and
allied facilities.
FY 74
K HI
360.0 16.3
FY 75
K HI
390.0 17.2
FY 76
K HI
430.0 18.Q
PEH- G. Morgan PED-
100.0 6.2
Sontqomery, 11 a
Cincinnati
BPIO TITLE
OBSH Ecological Impact
Evaluation of the broader guestions of environmental
impact without regard to medium or category.
.Carry oat research that Mill help EP1 to make
comments on environmental impact statements pre-
pared by other Federal agencies
.Investigate aspects of environmental quality not
adeguately considered in present environmental
impact analyses
.Develop measures of these and other, aspects of
environmental quality so as to determine change
over time
.Investigate underlying causes of environmental
problems
21AQZ-Implementation and evaluation of survey of
urban resident attitudes toward
environmental guality.
21hQB-Development of methods leading to rational
environmental planning process for human
settlement.
211QX-Development of models to describe environ-
mental impact from gas-fired pover plants and
FY
It
620.5
73
HI
10.7
Ff 7t
K HI
FY 75
K BY
FY 76
K HY
PEH- E. Boyce PED- E. Boyce(BQ)
90.0 2.0
184.0 2.0
190.0 2.0
Bashington, DC
Bashington, DC
Bashington, DC
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CO
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O
Pi
K
860.2
73
HI
2.U
PEH- P.
2.4
from long-term radioactive waste disposal,
ttulti-media transport models and evaluations
of human health and biota will be made.
21AQI-Identification and measurement (monitoring) of 70.0 2.0
elements of environmental quality.
HO. EPIC TITLE
1H1096 OBSH Ecosystem Besearch
1*. Development of an improved understanding of the
relationship between environmental problems and
the totality of society, including its environ-
mental, social, economic, and institutional systems.
2. Development of the means by which environmental
policy and technology can be designed to conform
with and effectively utilize these systems*
•Identify basic forms of growth and change in
urban and regional systems
.Develop and evaluate comprehensive models for the
assessment of the impact of environmental policy
decisions
.Identify institutional forms which might be
channeled to achieve environmental quality goals
2lALV-Development of predictive and decision- 860.2
making models dealing with the inter-
action between pollution and land use,
transportation patterns, migration, public
finance, demography to determine the most
cost/effective approaches to environmental
management.
HO, BPIO TITLE
1B1326 OBSfl Advanced Monitoring
Techniques
1. Development of advanced techniques in support of
monitoring operations.
•Develop and operate research monitoring networks
•Test and evaluate new monitoring sensors (remote
and in-situ)
•Provide laboratory support for sample analysis
•Establish operational aerial environmental
monitoring capability
22AAI-Development and operation of research 0 0
monitoring networks to test and evaluate sensors
and monitoring systems.
22AAJ-Provision of aerial monitoring and 0 0
surveillance for episodes for Regional Offices
and the VBSC'S
22AAK-Testing and evaluation of sensors for 0 0
identifying, monitoring, and
quantifying pollutants.
22AAL-Testing and evaluation of monitoring techniques 0 0
and instrumentation for more effectively
providing environmental data to the Begional
Offices and the SEBC's .
22AA£-Procurement of monitoring support from 0* 0
other government agencies where the expertise
has already been developed.
22AAH-Transfer of funds to other agencies for 0* 0
the testing and evaluation of new
technology which could be used in
monitoring.
Washington, DC
FY 7U
K BY
FY 75
K HI
FY 76
K HI
Bouse PED- P. House (HQ)
Washington, DC
FX 73
K MY
0 0
FY 74
K BY
FY
K
75
MX
FY 76
K Hi
P£K- D. Holmes PED-
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HO.
1H1327
1.
C8
i
K>
SO.
1R1103
22AA0-Development and maintenance of statistical 0* 0
and data handling support for analyzing collected
air pollution samples, assisting in quality control
and methods standardization procedures.
22AAP~Provision of special laboratory services
for monitoring sample analysis
22AAG-Provision of support for analysis of
hazardous pollutants in source samples.
22AAR-Provision of routine analytical laboratory
support for air pollution samples collected in field
monitoring sites.
22AAS-Provision of analytical support for air pollutant 0*
source samples collected fo^, Jtex Source Performance
Standards and for industry studies.
22AAT~Field evaluation of commercially available
air monitoring techniques.
22&&0-Provision of specialized field monitoring
support and assistance for pollutants for uhich
no ambient air quality standards exist.
22AA¥-Development and implementation of methods for
analysis of fuels and fuel additive samples
collected on a nationwide basis.
~funding for these J20AP
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2F2191 OCP Eadiation Honitoring
ifEEL
1. Development and operation of the National Environmental
Eadiation Honitoring Program including collection and
laboratory analysis of data; guality control; develop-
ment of monitoring analytical procedures; and analysis,
interpretation, and publication of surveillance data.
OCP-Overall design and management of tie system;
development of arrangements Kith States for
the acquisition of data; quality control; and
analysis and publication of data.
HEEL -Collection and analysis of samples; development of
and analytical methods; assistance to the
EEB1 States.
2. Conduct on-site inspections of installations using
radioactive materials or non-ionizing radiation
sourpes to determine if discharges of radioactive
materials or radiation levels are vithin prescribed
standards.
OCP-Hanages overall program including development
of inspection procedures and schedules; conducts
inspections, analyzes data, and prepares reports;
reviews and transmits inspection reports to
Federal and State agencies.
SEEL -Conducts inspections; analyzes inspection data,
and and prepares inspection reports for Headquarters
EBEL review.
3. Conduct surveillance services for State, local
and Federal agencies to assist in the resolution
of specific radiological health problems.
OCP-Determines the need for specific projects;
carries on negotiation with other Agencies; and
m provides direction to laboratories regarding the
> conduct of projects.
SSBL -Conduct of assigned projects,
and
SBBL
FT 73:
.conduct ambient monitoring program on environmental
radiation levels in air, milk. Hater, food
.phase out laboratory analysis of network samples
.provide analytical guality control service to Begional
laboratories. States, utility companies, other
licenses to assure accuracy of environmental radiation
measurements
-direct and conduct an in-depth evaluation of radio-
logical aspects of ABC's Hanford operations
.develop and test national environmental radiation
analysis and data system for processing, storing, and
retrieving environmental surveillance and radiation
source data.
•perform field monitoring studies on an operating
pressurized Hater reactor to test developed monitoring
methodology.
.prepare contract for development of specific source
models for determining population dose for geographical
regions and total D.S.
.obtain by contract environmental radiation surveillance
data from operating nuclear facilities and other
selected radiation sources
-------
•revise national inventory of microwave high power
sources having potential public or environmental risk
.complete evaluation of aerial radiological surveys as
pie an s for estimating man's exposure from terrestrial
radiation.
.maintain aerial radiation surveillance capability to
respond to monitoring requirements
.provide automatic data processing facilities to support
indoor radon project
.complete aerial survey of Salt lake City for high
radiation levels from uranium mill tailings used in
construction
.complete field monitoring program to determine' where
uranium mill tailings may have been used in construction
•report on results of pilot study using Track Etch
technique as a passive dosimeter for radon measurement
FX. 73 FY 74 FY 75 FY 76
NO. RPIO TITLE K HI K MY K MY K MY
XF1106 OB6M AEC Eadiation
Effects Program
1. Identify the potential hazards to humans and the
environment resulting from nuclear testing activities
by field monitoring and laboratory experimenting.
.provide environmental data to establish nuclear
testing criteria and radiation protection standards
.perform field monitoring and laboratory experiments
on the metabolism of radionuclides in beef, dairy
animals, and plants
.perform field monitoring and laboratory experiments
on the effects of radiation on soil and plants
.study by field monitoring the transport, distribution
gg and exchange of radionuclides within and between
' these components
*1 73-74:
.determine the transport of plutonium in man's food
chain.
FY 73 FX 714 FY 75 FY 76
NO. BPIO TITLE K HY K MY K MY K MY
XF2196 OCP- AEC Off-Site 2184.0 120.0 2230.0 120.0 2381.0 120.0 2532.0 120.0
KEEL Radiation
Carry out field monitoring studies in the environs of the
Nevada Test Site. Air, water, and soil samples are routinely
collected around the NTS and are analyzed for xenon, krypton
and tritium as methane, hydrogen gas, and water vapor. Hater
samples are analyzed for gross alpha and beta, gamma emitters
and tritium. Soil, air filters, urine, vegetation, and animal
tissues are collected and analyzed for plutonium.
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