Using the NATICH
Data Base
NATIONAL AIR TOXICS
INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE
*>EPA
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WHAT IS NATICH?
The National Air Toxics Information Clearinghouse
was established as a cooperative effort by the U.S. Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency and STAPPA/ALAPCO to
support State and local agency efforts to control non-
criteria air pollutants. The Clearinghouse is designed to
make it easier for Federal, State, and local agencies to
exchange information about air toxics and the develop-
ment of air toxics control programs.
WHAT IS IN THE NATICH DATA BASE?
The core of the Clearinghouse is a computerized
data base - NATICH - which contains all of the informa-
tion collected from Federal, State, and local agencies, as
well as research information from EPA and other
organizations. The information collected from State and
local air pollution control agencies is organized accord-
ing to agency, pollutant, and emission source, and
includes the following:
regulatory program descriptions
and contacts;
permitting data;
acceptable ambient concentrations;
ambient air monitoring information;
source test data;
emissions inventory data; and
research and methods development information.
In addition, selected preliminary EPA risk assess-
ment information is included in NATICH. Research in-
formation is presented in two categories: descriptions
of ongoing research and regulatory development proj-
ects, and bibliographic citations/abstracts for published
documents.
OBTAINING INFORMATION FROM NATICH
You can obtain information from NATICH in three
ways: 1) through direct computer access; 2) by
requesting information from EPA regional contacts; or
3) from hardcopy reports and newsletters.
The NATICH data base resides on EPA's IBM main-
frame computer and is designed to be easy to use Using
your agency's microcomputer or minicomputer, a
modem, and an emulator package, you can have interac-
tive viewing access to all data base information. Interac-
tive access means that you can ask questions of the data
base and receive answers via your computer terminal.
In addition, you may obtain access to NATICH data en-
try programs'in order to add-to or modify the data base
information for your agency.
If you donot'have access to a computer, you can call'
the EPA regional air toxics contacts listed on the back
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of this brochure and they can obtain data base informa-
tion for you. Regularly-isiued hardcopy reports of data
contained in the data base are available through the
Clearinghouse
USING THE COMPUTERIZED DATA BASE
To directly access the NATICH data base you will
need a computer, modem, and a VT 100 ANSI full-
screen emulator package such as Crosstalkฎ or
Smartermฎ.* The emulator package allows you to see
data as it appears in the data base.
Use the following general procedures for accessing
the NATICH data base. Keep in mind that some specific
procedures such as configuring your equipment to com-
municate with the data base will depend on your par-
ticular computer, modem, and emulator package.
Follow these steps to use the NATICH data base:
1. Set up an account with EPA. You will need to
obtain a user ID, an account name, a FIMAS ID, a
password, and your TYMNET telephone number,
lb set up your account, contact your regional EPA
air toxics coordinator listed on the back of this
brochure
2. If you have a full screen VT 100 emulation package,
set up the following communications parameters.
1200 baud rate, even parity,
full duplex, seven data bits, and
one stop bit, VT 100 emulation.
3. Contact the Clearinghouse staff (see names on
back of brochure) and request NATICH authoriza-
tion of your user ID.
Note that the NATICH data base is also available to
the public through the National Technical Information
Service at (703)487-4807.
Logging Onto The Data Base
To log onto the NATICH data base, use the follow-
ing procedure.
First, dial your TYMNET number.
After you see the message "Connected," you will see
a string of miscellaneous letters and symbols on the
screen. When these letters appear:
type the letter "A" to identify the terminal type
("A" stands for VT 100 emulation). You do not
need to strike the return key after entering "A."
Next you will see the prompt "Please Log in:"
type EPAl and strike the return key.
ฆ*Use of trade names does not,constitute an endorsement by
EPA or STAPPA/ALAPCO Numerous terminals also can be used
Call EPA Telecommunications at (B00| 334-0741 for details.
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When the port selector menu appears:
enter "TCP" and strike the return key.
Next you will see the prompt "Connected."
Rapidly type the key at least four or five
times; you do not need to strike the return key.
(You must begin typing "}"s within about 10
seconds after seeing the prompt or the computer
will halt the log on procedure.)
A "Telecommunication Network" banner will
appear.
Enter an "PCICS" and strike the return key
The next screen will ask you for your user ID, account
name, FIMAS ID, group, password, and initial
transaction
Move from one prompt line to the next by strik-
ing the TAB key The FIMAS ID is "SAROP"; the
group is the same as your account name. After
you've entered your password, TAB down to the
"INITIAL TRANSACTION" prompt and type
"NSSP." Then, TAB down and type an "x" in front
of the "NO NEWS" prompt, and strike the return
key.
Strike the return key when the next screen appears
to "INVOKE THE INITIAL TRANSACTION."
When the NATURAL log on screen appears, com-
plete the log on procedure by typing "ATCLO" in
the APPLICATION-ID field and striking the
return key.
The first'menu for the NATICH data base will
then appear. From that menu you may proceed to
view different reports organized in four categories.
These reports are listed in the box on the next page.
Logging off the NATICH data base
To exit from the NATICH data base-
choose selection "QU" on the main reports
menu and strike the return key, or
from the submenus, enter an "E" and strike the
return key.
Now you will see the cursor in the upper left corner
of your screen.
Type "CSSF LOGOFF" and strike the return key.
You are now logged off the computer, but are still on
the telephone line. To disconnect the line, follow the
instructions that apply to your modem. Be sure to
use this log off procedure rather than just walking
away from the computer; if you fail to log off, your
account will continue to be charged for access time.
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Reports Available from the NATICH Data Base
AGENCY INFORMATION
Agency Name, address, contacts
Air toxics programs
Acceptable ambient air concentrations
Pollutant research activities
Methods development activities
Non-health related impacts
Permits
Source tests
Ambient monitoring
Emissions inventory
EPA risk assessment information by State
POLLUTANT INFORMATION
Pollutant names, CAS numbers, and synonyms
Acceptable ambient air concentrations by pollutant
Agency research by pollutant
Permits by pollutant
Source tests by pollutant
Ambient monitoring by pollutant
EPA risk assessment information by pollutant
SOURCE INFORMATION
Source SIC codes and industry categories
Permits by SIC code
Source tests by SIC code
EPA risk assessment information by SIC code
OTHER
Permits by SIC Code, pollutant, and year
Bibliographic citations by keyword
Ongoing research and regulatory development
projects by keyword
If You Have a Problem
At times you may encounter difficulties logging onto
the computer or problems while in the data base itself.
Call the following numbers for assistance.
1. EPA Users' Support (800)334-2405
(If the computer will not accept your password or
user ID, or if you see on-screen messages such as
"Security Violation Detected.")
2. EPA Telecommunications at (800)334-0741
(If you are unable to connect with the EPA
computer or there is excess noise on the line.)
3. If you are generally having problems using the
data base itself, or wish to register your user ID
with the Clearinghouse, or obtain access to the
data entry programs, call the Clearinghouse staff
at the numbers listed on the back of this brochure.
NOTE: If you are viewing data in the NATICH data base
and suddenly see the NATURAL log on screen, you have
exited the data base and must reenter. To do this:
Enter "ATCLO" and strike the return key.
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For more information on- the Clearinghouse or
the NATICH data base, contact:
EPA Regional Office Air Toxics Contacts
Region
Contact
I Margaret McDonough
(617)565-3235
Sarah Levinson
(617)565-3232
II Bob Kelly
(212)264-2517
III Iz Milner
(215)597-9090
IV Melvin Russell
(404)881-2864
Sharon Porter
(404)881-2864
V Harriet Croke
(312)353-6009
VI Jill Lyons
(214)655-7208
VII Wayne Kaiser
(913)236-2893
VIII Dewitt Baulch
(303)293-1761
IX Kathy Diehl
(415)974-8381
X Dave Kircher
(206)442-4198
or the Clearinghouse staff:
FTS 835-3235
FTS 835-3232
FTS 264-2517
FTS 597-9090
FTS 257-2864
FTS 257-2864
FTS 353-6009
FTS 255-7208
FTS 757-2893
FTS 564-1761
FTS 454-8381
FTS 399-4198
John Vandenberg, Beth Flassett,
Nancy Riley, Karen Blanchard, or
Bob Schell,
Pollutant Assessment Branch, MD-12
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research TViangle Park, NC 27711
(919)541-0850 FTS 629-0850
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