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INDOOR AIR BRANCH
By Kelly W. Leovic
AEERL
The Indoor Air Branch (IAB) of the
Air and Energy Engineering Research
Laboratory (AEERL) is one of the re-
search groups that support the CTC. It
is responsible for research to character-
ize the emission sources of indoor air
pollution, and to quantify the emission
rates of vapor-phase organic materials.
The objectives of the IAB are to: a)
develop methods and tools for evaluat-
ing both the sources of indoor air pollut-
ants and indoor air quality (IAQ) control
options; b) provide guidance to inter-
ested parties (both public and private)
on evaluation methods, source emis-
sions, and IAQ control; and c) influence
the private sector by encouraging the
production and use of materials and
products with inherently low emission
characteristics.
IAB research emphasizes:
•	techniques for measuring emission
rates of organic vapors from indoor
sources and understanding the adsorp-
tive and desorptive behavior of indoor
objects (commonly referred to as
"sinks"), and
•	indoor air quality models predicting
indoor concentrations and inhalation
exposures based on source/sink be-
havior and building ventilation.
Research is being done in two
emerging areas: methods for evaluat-
ing and controlling microbial growths on
indoor surfaces and biologically based
methods for evaluating organic vapor
emissions. IAB researchers also inves-
tigate indoor air cleaning devices.
Source Characterization Ftasflarrh
Present research includes:
1) development of mass transfer
models for sources of indoor air pollu-
tion;
2)	evaluation of the sink behavior of
indoor materials and furnishings;
3)	development of emission rate
data for selected indoor sources; and
4)	continued development of emis-
sion test methods and protocols.
Source research experiments in the
laboratory use small environmental test
chambers with precise environmental
control. Full scale tests are carried out
in an unoccupied instrumented residen-
tial test house. lAB's source character-
ization research focuses on emissions
of vapor-phase organic compounds
from indoor materials and products in-
cluding:
•	Wet Sources: caulking, adhesives,
stains, varnishes, paints, polishes,
waxes, and spot removers.
•	Dry Sources: particleboard, carpet(s),
panels, floor tile, moth cakes, and dry
cleaned clothes.
•	Sinks: painted gypsum board, ceiling
tile, windowglass, duct liners, carpet(s),
and upholstery.
The work conducted by IAB is inter-
nationally recognized. In 1990 the test
methods developed by IAB were pub-
lished by ASTM as Standard D5116-90,
"Standard Guide for Small-Scale Envi-
ronmental Chamber Determinations of
Organic Emissions from Indoor Materi-
als/Products." Also the Commission of
European Communities adopted lAB's
methods in their guidance document for
testing indoor sources.
Exposure Modelinn
Source/sink models predict human
exposure in terms of the pollutant con-
centration profile versus time, and
these predictions are verified by com-
paring them with measurements in the
test house. These models have also
been used to predict individual expo-
sures based on activities.
Source/sink models have predicted
the reduction in concentration from vari-
ous control techniques. This showed
that sinks play a major role in determin-
ing the long-term exposure to indoor air
pollutants. Concentrations after about
50 hours are often the result of re-
emissions from sinks. Sinks can make
sources difficult to manage.
Analysis of the models has shown
that increased ventilation can reduce
the impact of sources when the duration
of ventilation outlasts the decay of the
source emission rate, and if the amount
of pollutant removed by ventilation is
much greater that the amount of pollut-
ant deposited in the sink.
These models have also been used
to show that in-room and in-duct air
cleaners can be very effective in reduc-
ing the impact of a source on the build-
ing which contains the room with the
source. Source modification is effective
in both the room where the source is
located, and the rest of the building.
The exposure model includes the
effect of sources, sinks, air movement,
ventilation, control measures, and ac-
tivities on individual exposure.
The most extensive use of the
model has been in relating emission
data from chamber studies to concen-
tration profiles measured in the test
house. The good agreement of these
predictions and measurements was
shown in the paper "Comparison of
Data from an IAQ Test House with
Predictions of an IAQ Computer
Model," by L.E. Sparks, B.A. Tichenor,
J.B. White, and M.D. Jackson, pub-
lished in the journal "Indoor Air," Vol. 4,
pp 577-592, 1991.
Efforts are now underway to im-
prove the predictions of the model by
incorporating better source and sink
models. Preliminary work in this area
indicates that the error in predictions of
test house experiments for wet prod-
ucts can be reduced from about 20% to
less than 10%. Also, the improved
models eliminate many of the scaling
problems between chamber emission
factors and building emission factors.
The model will also incorporate eco-
nomic analysis, using the cost of control
options and the benefits of improved
IAQ. The model will also be modified to
improve its usefulness as a design tool.
Planned future efforts include refine-
ments for predicting ventilation effec-
tiveness, and a data base of values for
important model parameters - to make
the model easier to use.
+A


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CTC News page 5

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BILL VATAVUK:
AN ENGINEER WHO
CAN WRITE
By Bob Blaszczak
CTC Co-Chair, OAQPS
Conventional wisdom has it that
engineers can't communicate well, es-
pecially on paper. Bill Vatavuk is an
exception to this rule. His many publica-
tions in both the technical and trade
literature are more than ample proof of
his writing ability. Unquestionably, he
deserves the title "author." First and
foremost, however, he is an engineer.
Bill graduated from Youngstown
State University (Youngstown, Ohio)
with a B.E. in chemical engineering in
1969. However, his career with EPA
began two years
before that. In
April 1967, he
was commis-
sioned a U.S.
Public Health Ser-
vice officer and,
during that sum-
mer and the next,
served as a
COSTEP (sum-
mer intern) with
EPA (then PHS)
in the air and solid
waste programs
in Cincinnati. Fol-
lowing gradua-
tion, Bill joined the
DuPont Company engineering depart-
ment, working in new product develop-
ment in Wilmington and Richmond. In
May 1970, he was called to active duty
with the PHS as a staff engineer in the
air program Office of Regional Activities
in Rockville, Maryland. Bill transferred
to the OAQPS National Air Data Branch
in September 1971. While there, he
wrote for the Compilation of Air Pollut-
ant Emission Factors (AP-42) and be-
gan developing a computer system for
storing stack test data.
In September 1974, he transferred
to the OAQPS Cost Analysis Branch,
the predecessor of today's Cost and
Economic Impact Section (CEIS) (in the
Standards Development Branch, Emis-
sion Standards Division), which has
supported OAQPS in the setting of na-
tional air quality and emission stan-
dards and also has assisted EPA re-
gional, State, and local air pollution pro-
grams. An international expert on air
pollution control cost estimating, Bill is
the cost consultant to OAQPS, and has
also helped other air program offices,
EPA regional offices, and many State
and local agencies in cost-related mat-
ters.
The most important tool in his cost
consultant's tool box is the OAQPS
Control Cost Manual and its supple-
ments, (EPA-450/3-90-006, -006a, and
-006b). Bill directed preparation of this
unique report which has been the stan-
dard reference for estimating air pollu-
tion control costs for more than 15
years. To supple-
ment the Manual,
he has begun is-
suing "Cost Guid-
ance Memos,"
mini-reports that
address cost top-
ics of general in-
terest. But Bill's
responsibilities
are not limited to
cost work alone.
He also as-
sembles the CEIS
monthly report, a
task that allows
him to wear two
hats (editor and
engineer) at once.
Bill has received two EPA Bronze
Medals during his career. The first, in
1987, recognized his cost analysis con-
tributions in developing the PM10 Na-
tional Ambient Air Quality Standard. His
second medal was for his 1988 work on
the UNIVAC-IBM conversion team. He
also received a plaque to recognize his
charter membership in the OAQPS Hu-
man Resources Mini-Council, for which
he co-founded and edited the Mini-
Council newsletter, Air Mail. An active
member of the U.S. PHS Commis-
sioned Officers Association, he has
twice served as president of the North
Carolina Branch.
In his spare time, Bill is a prolific
free-lance writer. He has written two
books. The first, Dawn of Peace (1989),
is an account of the Civil War surrender
at the Bennett Place near Durham, NC.
In May 1990, he appeared on the state-
wide television program, "North Caro-
lina People," to discuss this book which
was also nominated for the 1990
Pulitzer Prize and the North Carolina
Mayflower Award. His second book,
Marketing Yourself With Technical
Writing: A Guide for Today's Profes-
sionals (1992), is a primer for anyone
interested in advancing his/her career
via technical publication. An excerpt
from the book was published in Chemi-
cal Engineering magazine. Bill also has
published hundreds of articles and re-
views for a variety of national trade
magazines, from Catholic Digest to
Writer's Digest, as well as for several
technical journals.
Bill has also been active in his com-
munity. He is a director of the North
Carolina 4-H Development Fund and
was the publicity chairman of the His-
toric Preservation Society of Durham.
As chairman of the Bennett Place Advi-
sory Committee, he helps promote and
preserve the site where the Civil War
really ended.
Last, but certainly not least, he is a
fifth-grade CCD (Sunday school)
teacher at his parish.
In recognition of his accomplish-
ments Bill has been listed in Marquis'
Who's Who in the South and Southwest
(1993-94 edition) and the 1992-93
Who's Who Environmental Registry.
He also has been nominated for Mar-
quis' Who's Who in Science and Engi-
neering.
With his wife, Betsy, a former De-
partment of Health and Human Ser-
vices executive secretary and two-time
4-H national winner, Bill sells crafts and
baked goods at a local farmers' market
every Saturday. Occasionally assisting
them is their 11 -year-old son, Chandler,
an avid reader, sports card collector,
and straight-A student. Chandler also
just earned his first publication, a poem
in the 1992 Anthology of Poetry
by Young Americans. (A chip off I
the old block?)
CTC News page 6

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CONTROL OF VOC'S
By Bob Blaszczak
CTC Co-chair, OAQPS
The Chemicals and Petroleum
Branch, Emissions Standards Division,
OAQPS recently completed "Control
Techniques of Volatile Organic Com-
pound Emissions from Stationary
Sources" (EPA-453/R-92-018). This
document is the third edition of a report
originally published by the Department
of Health, Education and Welfare
(HEW) titled, "Control Techniques for
Hydrocarbon and Organic Solvent
Emissions from Stationary Sources
(AP-68)." The first edition was pub-
lished in March of 1970 by the National
Air Pollution Control Administration, a
part of HEW. The second edition was
published by EPA in May of 1978. It
contained numerous changes from the
original and was retitled "Control Tech-
niques for Volatile Organic Emissions
from Stationary Sources" (EPA-450/2-
78- 022) to better express the EPA's
concern with pollutants other than hy-
drocarbons. This third edition incorpo-
rates the knowledge gained by the EPA
during the years subsequent to 1978
and condenses it for easy reference.
This document is intended to be a
general reference to State and local
agency pollution control engineers, but
will serve a much broader clientele. It
can be used to provide:
1)	summary information and refer-
ence material on sources of oxidant
precursors and control of these
sources,
2)	estimates of control costs, and
3)	estimates of emission reductions
achievable through control.
F G°P'es are available through the
A s Environmental Research Center
th m at (919) 541 "2777, or through
N®l!°nal Technical Information Ser-
ce (NTIS) at (800) 553-6847. When
ering through NTIS refer to NTIS
°cument No. PB93-150258.
BB
TECH NOTEBOOK
DO YOU HAVE
PROBLEMS
DOWNLOADING FROM
RBLC?
By Lyndon S. Cox
Senior Environmental Employee
Many CTC Hotline callers are unfa-
miliarwith electronicbulletin boards and
have little or no experience in download-
ing files. The problems they experience
are compounded by some of the com-
mands used in the BUS section of the
Bulletin Board System (BBS). The in-
formation given here should clarify
some of the more common problems.
First, the person downloading a file
should give the DOS filename when
asked which file is to be downloaded.
You can recognize the DOS filename by
the fact that it contains up to eight
alphanumeric characters followed (op-
tionally) by a period and an extension of
up to three characters. The limit to eight
characters in the filename usually pro-
duces interesting abbreviations of de-
scriptive English filenames. (Examples
from MS-DOS are SMARTDRV for
"smart drive" and CHKDSK for "check
disk.") Notethat once the period and the
extension have been used in the
filename they are no longer optional but
must be included thereafter for satisfac-
tory file transfers.
BUS assigns an eight character
nonsense word as the filename for each
downloadable file but does not assign
an extension until you have selected the
form (appendix, ASCII, or database)
and the file transfer protocol.
For communications packages
such as CROSSTALK, XMODEM is the
protocol of choice and you should select
it. However, if you are familiar with
another transfer protocol (such as
Kermit, Vmodem, or Zmodem) and your
software is able to employ it, BLIS will
allow you to select and use it.
When you have defined the form of
the file, BLIS gives the filename a period
and an extension (for example,
BLDF0005.DBF for a dBASE format).
You may either use the BLIS-assigned
filename or assign the file a DOS-com-
patible name of your choosing. You
must then return to your communica-
tions software to indicate that you are
ready to receive this file, using the se-
lected protocol and the assigned
filename.
Communications software (such as
CROSSTALK) has two operating
modes: i.e., command morie and termi-
nal mode. In command mode, your
keyboard "talks" to the software in your
own computer. In terminal mode, your
keyboard 'talks" to the software in the
remote computer. CROSSTALK, when
new, comes with ESCAPE being set as
the kev that switches between these
modes. Unfortunately, BLIS uses ES-
CAPE to go to the preceding screen.
When both of these happen together,
the result is an impasse. Therefore,
CROSSTALK users must select an al-
ternative to ESCAPE as the key that
switches between modes. The combi-
nation of the Alt key and the 'A' key
(ALT+A) is a good choice. Youcantell
when you reach command mode in
CROSSTALK because a bright strip
appears across the bottom of the
screen, and "COMMAND ?" appears in
dark letters on the strip. In command
mode, you can query your communica-
tions software as to how to initiate the
file transfer and then key in the neces-
sary commands.
Your software will determine how
soon the download must begin. If it
does not occur within that time limit,
then the BLIS download process must
be repeated to make the file available
once again. Note the filename that is
assigned by BLIS and use it in the
download to reduce the time you require
to start the download process at your
computer. The name of the file can be
changed later, using either the "re-
name" or "save as" capability of a word
processor or the REN command of
DOS to make it meaningful.
Note that, in the language of com-
puter users, downloading alludes to re-
ceiving a file from the telephone lines
that are "up on the poles," while upload-
ing alludes to sending a file "up to the
telephone line" for transmission to an-
other computer.	___
CTC News page 7

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CTC ASSISTANCE
No cost assistance to staff of State and Local agencies
and EPA Regional Offices on air pollution control technology
issues.
CTC HOTLINE: CALL (919) 541-0800 to access EPA expert
staff for consultations, references to pertinent literature, or
access to EPA technical data and analyses. No question is
too simple!
ENGINEERING ASSISTANCE PROJECTS: If you need in-
depth assistance concerning a specific control technology
problem, call the HOTLINE or write the CTC. EPA staff and
contractors are available for short-term projects such as
review of proposed or existing control technology applica-
tions. Projects are subject to CTC Steering Committee
approval.
TECHNICAL GUIDANCE PROJECTS: If the CTC receives
a number of similar HOTLINE calls or a joint request from a
group of agencies, the CTC Steering Committee may under-
take broad, long-term projects of national or regional interest.
The result may be a control technology document for a
particular type of source, microcomputer software, or semi-
nars and workshops.
V
CTC BBS:Call (919) 541-5742 for 1200/2400/9600 baud
modem to access the CTC Bulletin Board. Set communica-
tions parameters to 8 data bits, N parity, and 1 stop bit, and
use aterminal emulation of VT100, VTt02,or ANSI. You may
leave HOTLINE requests, order documents, suggest
projects, and download software. The BBS Is part of the
OAQPS Technology Transfer Network.
FEDERAL SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
(FSBAP): Call the CTC HOTLINE to access the FSBAP. The
CTC is the focal point for coordination of efforts among the
four EPA centers participating in the program. The Federal
program is intended to support State Small Business Assis-
tance Programs, as required by the Clean Air Act
RACT/BACT/LAER CLEARINGHOUSE (RBLC): The BUS
database is available on the OAQPS TTN B BS. (For informa-
tion on connecting see the CTC BBS above.} The Clearing-
house provides summary information for control technology
determinations made by permitting agencies.
GLOBAL GREENHOUSE GASES TECHNOLOGY
TRANSFER CENTER (GGGTTC): Call the CTC HOTLINE
to access GGGTTC information on greenhouse gas emis-
sions, prevention, mitigation, and control strategies.
							J
FIRST CLASS MAIL
U.S.Postage Paid
EPA.
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CTC.ESD (MD-13)
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RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA 27711
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