NATIONAL AIR TOXICS INFORMATION
CLEARINGHOUSE NEWSLETTER
^ PpA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards	Volume 4 Number 3
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711	June 1987

State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators
Association of Local Air Pollution Control Officials
IN THIS ISSUE:
CLEARINGHOUSE DATA COLLECTION UNDERWAY -
REPORT PROGRAMS IMPROVED	1
STATE/LOCAL AGENCY SPOTLIGHT: SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT
DISTRICT FOCUSES ON URBAN POLLUTION	2
EPA'S CONTROL TECHNOLOGY CENTER IS ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECEIVED	4
EPA TACKLES PROBLEM OF RISK COMMUNICATION	5
STATE OF WASHINGTON PROPOSES WOODSMOKE LEGISLATION	6
MAINE STUDY REVEALS RADON GAS CONCENTRATIONS IN
AIR AND GROUNDWATER	7
NATIONAL AIR TOXICS WORKSHOPS ARE SUCCESSFUL	8
TAMS UPDATE: DATA THROUGH NOVEMBER 1986 NOW AVAILABLE	9
INTEGRATED AIR CANCER PROJECT STUDIES PAH RATIOS AS SOURCE TRACERS
FOR WOODSTOVE EMISSIONS	9
TOXICS EMISSIONS DATA BASE UNDER DEVELOPMENT	10
REPORT ON STATE/LOCAL AIR PERMIT AND EMISSIONS FEES NOW AVAILABLE	11
SUPERFUND AMENDMENTS - TITLE III WORKSHOPS PLANNED	11
CLEARINGHOUSE DATA COLLECTION UNDERWAY -
REPORT PROGRAMS IMPROVED
July 10 Deadline for Hardcopy Reports
The 1987 hardcopy issue of the information con-
tained in the National Air Toxics Information Clearing-
house data base (NATICH) will be published late this
summer reflecting data submitted through July 10,1987.
To submit data, State and local agencies may: (1) com-
plete and return the NATICH request forms that were
distributed in March, (2) revise and return the marked up
NATICH printouts of data previously submitted that also
were distributed in March, or (3) use the NATICH data
entry programs to directly update and/or add additional
information. As of this writing, 19 State or local agencies
are using these input programs, and other agencies are
encouraged to contact the Clearinghouse staff at (919)
541-5352 to receive authorization for access to the
NATICH data entry programs.
New NATICH Data Base Programs Running
Significant changes and improvements to the
NATICH data base report programs have now been
completed. These changes include the addition of a
much more powerful program to search the permitting
files using combinations of pollutant name or Chemical
Abstract Services (CAS) number, Standard Industrial
Classification code, and/or permit year. In addition, pro-
grams are up and running to enter and view more than
one averaging time for acceptable ambient concentra-
tions for a specific pollutant, and to view responses to
the new questions on the State/local data request forms.
NATICH Log On Procedures Modified
The National Computer Center is planning to imple-
ment the Natural Security System (NSS) in July 1987.

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This implementation will result in a minor change in the
NATICH log on procedures. Full screen NATICH access
through CICS is obtained as follows:
•	Dial your local TYMNET number to begin the log
on process.
•	After the string of miscellaneous characters and
letters appears, type the letter "A." You do not need
to strike the return key after entering "A."
Next, you will see the prompt "Please Log In."
•	Type "EPA1;NCC" and strike the return key.
•	When the port selector menu appears, enter the
selection "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 the "}" key within about 10
seconds after seeing the prompt or the computer
will halt the log on procedure. For some terminals,
you may substitute "M" or "5" for the "}" key.)
At this point, the screen will clear and a message such
as "Cx-80 VER 4.76" will appear on the screen, followed
by a screen of menu selections labeled A through J.
•	Enter an "A" for CICS production and strike the
return key.
The next screen will ask for your user ID, account name,
FIMAS ID, group, and password.
•	Move from one prompt line to the next by striking the
TAB key. The FIMAS ID is "SAROP"; the group is the
same as your account name. After you have entered
your password, hit the return key.
•	When the news alert screen appears, type "END"
at the "PREFIX" prompt and strike the return key.
A blank screen will appear.
•	Type "NSSP" and the return key.
•	When you see the prompt "NEXT," complete the log
on procedure by typing "ATCLO" and strike the
return key.
The menu for the NATICH data base will then
appear. New users will only be permitted access to the
NSS if they are registered with the Clearinghouse staff.
Current users (those accessing the data base between
April 1 and June 30, 1987) will automatically be
registered with the Clearinghouse. If error messages are
present after "NSSP" has been entered or if users need
help with the log on procedures, please contact the
Clearinghouse staff at (919) 541-5352 or (919) 541-5353
for assistance or to register with the Clearinghouse.
STATE/LOCAL AGENCY SPC
SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY
FOCUSES ON URBAN POLL
by Ditas Shikiya, South Coast Air Quality Manage
The South Coast Air Quality Management District
(SCAQMD) is a local agency charged with the air pollu-
tion control of stationary sources in the South Coast Air
Basin of California. The Basin consists of four
metropolitan Los Angeles counties, and has an area of
6,600 square miles and a population of about 11 million
people. Due mainly to meteorological conditions and
geographic location, the Basin is an area of high air
pollution potential. Many projects are underway to
evaluate and mitigate air pollution control problems in
the Basin. Current District activities on air toxics are
briefly described below.
Regulation
Two proposed rules related to permitting of new or
modified sources of air toxics are currently undergoing
public review. Proposed Rule 223, Air Quality Impact
Analysis, specifies methods to determine the impacts of
air toxics emissions from new, modified, or relocated per-
mit units. The provisions of this proposed rule apply to
pre-construction reviews of units that emit carcinogenic
air contaminants. Proposed Rule 1401, New Source
ITLIGHT:*
i MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
UTION
ment District
Review of Known and Suspected Carcinogenic Air Con-
taminants, specifies limits for individual cancer risk and
estimated excess cancer cases from new, modified, or
relocated permit units. The rule establishes allowable
emissions impacts for all such permit units. Toxics - Best
Available Control Technology (T-BACT) will be required
where a lifetime (70 years) maximum individual cancer
risk of one in one million (10"6) or greater is estimated to
occur. Both these rules are scheduled for adoption in Ju-
ly 1987.
Enforcement
• Technical Assistance/Emergency Response
The District has fielded a specially-trained
emergency response team which gives technical
assistance at the scene of airborne hazardous material
releases. This team is available on a 24-hour-a-day
basis, and is equipped to provide meteorological data
and site-specific forecasting, air monitoring, sampling,
contaminant identification, and dispersion modeling for
long-term incidents. These support services have been
developed to help identify the nature, concentration, and
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area affected by a release of toxic or hazardous materials
to the atmosphere.
•	Asbestos NESHAP Enforcement
The SCAQMD has been delegated the authority to
enforce the national emissions standards for hazardous
air pollutants (NESHAP) for asbestos, and has integrated
the requirements into District Regulation 10. Enforce-
ment staff inspect over 350 demolition and renovation
projects annually for proper asbestos removal and
disposal. The District has also pursued a number of
outreach projects, including the design and publication
of a guidance brochure highlighting asbestos NESHAP
compliance for the regulated community and the produc-
tion of an asbestos inspection training film, with the
assistance of an EPA grant.
•	Air Toxics Control at Hazardous Waste Sites
Extensive field enforcement efforts are directed to
ensuring compliance with new District regulations man-
dating emissions control at landfills and hazardous
waste site remediation activities. The latter projects
require a Permit to Excavate which contains site-specific
operations conditions geared to prevent the develop-
ment of public nuisances and deterioration of air quality
during remedial site activities.
Data Collection
•	Ambient Monitoring
The District and the California Air Resources Board
(ARB) have been conducting continuous long-term am-
bient air monitoring programs in the Basin since 1985
for several air toxics. Four District stations collect
samples for 11 organic compounds, and the ARB col-
lects 8 organic compounds and 6 trace metals at 5 sites.
Based on these measurements, ambient annual
average concentrations and population-weighted
individual risk have been estimated for 1985.
•	Emissions Inventory
The District's first toxic air pollutant emissions
inventory for existing stationary sources was compiled
for 30 toxic air pollutants for the year 1982. The data were
generated from emissions compiled from the District's
computer data bases, including the Automated Equip-
ment Information System (AEIS) and Emissions Inven-
tory System (EIS) files and 1982 Emission Fee Reports
for ten of the chemical species. For the remaining 20
pollutants, emissions data were obtained from a mail
survey of 1,606 companies in the Basin. Literature sear-
ches and letter and telephone inquiries were conducted
in cases of insufficient information.
For the modeling efforts required in the Multiple Air
Toxics Exposure Study (MATES) (see research projects
below), 20 of the pollutants in the stationary source emis-
sions inventory were updated in 1984. In addition, mobile
source emissions data, provided by ARB for 12 of the 20
toxics under study, were compiled as input data to the
modeling effort.
•	Source Testing
The District is currently conducting parallel testing
with the ARB on chrome-plating operations. Volatile and
semi-volatile toxic compounds are also being tested on
hospital waste incinerators, landfill gas operations, and
waste-to-energy facilities. In addition, landfill gas collec-
tion systems are tested periodically for volatile toxics.
Research Projects
EPA Region IX, through a 105 Supplemental Base
Grant, has partially funded two District studies on air
toxics.
•	Multiple Air Toxics Exposure Study (MATES)
This study quantifies the magnitude of population
exposure from stationary and mobile source emissions
on an annual-average basis in the Basin. Exposure and
carcinogenic health risks are estimated through the
measurement of ambient concentrations and the
development and application of an urban air toxics ex-
posure and risk model. The emissions inventory
methodologies, monitoring site selection algorithm, am-
bient sampling, lab analysis methodologies, and the
population exposure modeling package are designed for
application to other urbanized areas. This study is
scheduled for completion in August 1987.
•	In-Car Air Toxics Study
The relative contribution of in-car exposure to an
individual's total exposure to air toxics in an urbanized
area with a highly automobile-dependent population and
long average commuting distances will be studied. Two
hundred eighty participating cars, randomly selected
from a Los Angeles employment area, will be equipped
with battery-operated samplers designed to capture
either airborne particulates or gaseous pollutants. The
sampling period is for one year and sample collection
will be carried out during early morning and late after-
noon peak traffic hours on several major freeways in the
Los Angeles Basin and, to a lesser extent, on heavily
traveled surface streets leading to the freeways. This
study is scheduled for completion in June 1988.
The District has issued several publications regar-
ding some of these activities. For more information, con-
tact Ditas Shikiya, Program Manager/Air Toxics, Plan-
ning Division, SCAQMD at (818) 572-6419.
"This is the second in the Newsletter's new
State/Local Agency Spotlight Series.
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EPA'S CONTROL TECHNOLOGY CENTER
IS ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECEIVED
The December 1986 issue of the Clearinghouse
Newsletter announced the beginning of a new EPA pro-
gram called the Air Toxics Control Technology Center
(CTC). The CTC was developed by EPA to respond to re-
quests for technology assistance by State and local
governments. It is managed by EPA's Office of Research
and Development (ORD) and the Office of Air Quality
Planning and Standards (OAQPS). These two offices
have been developing and implementing air pollution
control technology since the Agency began. A large
volume of EPA's control technology expertise resides
within ORD and OAQPS, and because they work closely
with other EPA programs to accomplish their respective
missions, they have access to the control technology ex-
pertise in other parts of the Agency.
The CTC has been given extensive latitude in its
mission to provide control technology assistance. As
described below, the kinds of assistance available fall
into three general categories: CTC HOTLINE, engineer-
ing assistance, and technical guidance.
1.	CTC HOTLINE: By telephoning the CTC
HOTLINE, State and local staff are put in contact with
appropriate EPA personnel who are the most
knowledgeable about the requested topic. The primary
purpose of the HOTLINE is to provide an initial rapid
response based on whatever control technology exper-
tise or information is available from Agency staff or con-
tractors. So far, the CTC HOTLINE has responded to
about 30 HOTLINE requests from agencies located in
15 States. The HOTLINE number is (919) 541-0800 or
(FTS) 629-0800.
2.	ENGINEERING ASSISTANCE: In some cases, it
may be appropriate to go beyond the rapid response
level of support and provide more in-depth engineering
assistance. Assistance may be in the form of engineer-
ing analysis or, if necessary, on-site support. Contrac-
tors are available to enhance EPA's responsiveness
capability. Assistance can be provided on a range of
topics, as listed below:
-	Evaluation of source emissions, control technology
alternatives, and control costs;
-	Identification of impacts of control technology on
water, solid waste, or air effluents;
-	Evaluation of source testing methods and problems;
and
-	Expert testimony on control technology related
matters to support State and local regulatory
actions.
3.	TECHNICAL GUIDANCE: Guidance published
by the CTC will focus on topics of national interest that
have been identified by State and local agencies. Pro-
ducts will include:
-	Control technology documents which can address
add-on control devices, process modification, or
control of area (fugitive emission) sources;
-	Microcomputer software to help assess air toxics
control problems and evaluate potential alternative
solutions; and
-	Seminars and workshops on control technology
issues pertaining to air toxics.
Even though the CTC is in its infancy, it has been
received enthusiastically by State and local agencies.
The kinds of assistance rendered so far can best be
described by identifying some of the ongoing projects.
The projects vary considerably in the kinds of assistance
given by EPA and in the depth and breadth of assistance
provided.
Emissions Assessment Conducted at a
Waferboard Manufacturing Plant
This request for assistance was initially received by
telephone. The State agency was concerned about in-
termittent complaints of eye and respiratory tract irrita-
tion from people in a community near a plant which
manufactures waferboard. Waferboard is a product
similar to particle board except that larger wood chips
are used. Material sent to the CTC by the State (permit
applications, etc.) allowed the staff to get a better
perspective of the plant operation. The CTC then
engaged the services of an engineering contractor who
has extensive experience in emission source evalua-
tions, and the State made arrangements for the contrac-
tor and an EPA engineer to accompany the State
representatives on a tour and inspection of the plant.
Following the inspection, the contractor and EPA met
with CTC representatives and other EPA personnel at the
EPA offices in Durham, North Carolina, and discussed
the findings and potential sources of emissions. Disper-
sion modeling was performed on emission data col-
lected by the State prior to EPA involvement and the in-
formation is being assembled in a technical report which
will be submitted to the State agency.
Assessment Made of Potential for
Accidental Release of TDI
Another example of direct engineering assistance is the
CTC response to a request initiated by a local air pollu-
tion control agency for an industrialized county. The
county found that they have five industrial facilities which
store and use large quantities of toluene diisocyanate
(TDI). The county requested EPA's assistance in deter-
mining the potential ambient air impact from the sources,
the state-of-the-art technology for controlling TDI emis-
sions, and an evaluation of the potential for accidental
releases of the chemical. As with the waferboard project,
the CTC first determined the scope of the request
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through telephone conversations with local control
agency personnel. Once it was determined that CTC
could provide some meaningful assistance, a team of
experts (two EPA engineers and one contractor) was
dispatched to the county. Along with representatives
from the county agency, EPA inspected two sites
selected by the county. The inspection team found that
one of the sites was fairly well controlled and only minor
suggestions for improvement were offered. Several
hazards were identified at the other site and potential
remedies were discussed with the local agency person-
nel. A report of the CTC findings was transmitted to the
local control agency.
Report Published on Air Strippers
This CTC project was initiated as a result of contin-
uing requests for information from several States. The
requests generally have come from State concerns over
degradation of air quality due to the use of air strippers
to remove organic contaminants from groundwater (see
related article in the December 1985 Newsletter).
Because of the breadth of the problem and the poten-
tial for many new sources due to recent emphasis on
groundwater cleanup, the CTC decided to publish a
report on control technology for air strippers. The report
is now complete and is titled "Air Strippers - Air Emis-
sions and Controls." Copies can be obtained by calling
the CTC HOTLINE.
CTC/NESCAUM Developing Interim MINC
Test Protocol
This project is a cooperative effort between the CTC
and the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use
Management (NESCAUM). It resulted from a request
from NESCAUM for EPA to support them in a project to
develop a methodology for the sampling and reporting
of emissions from municipal waste combustors (MWC).
EPA is developing Federal reference methods for many
pollutants in MWC emissions, but because of the com-
plexity of the sampling and analytical methodology,
substantial research is needed and the methods will not
be finalized for at least another year. The problem that
the States have is that they are currently testing
municipal incinerators, but the methodology varies from
State to State. All of the States involved agree that there
needs to be more consistency in the methods that are
used. The CTC/NESCAUM project will attempt to
develop an interim testing protocol by convening a series
of meetings of interested States and discussing the pros
and cons of the various methods available. The interim
protocol will be selected by consensus of the States,
documented, and distributed to all interested parties.
The CTC has been funded as a pilot program in
1987. Its growth in the future depends on the level of de-
mand for services from State and local agencies and the
ability of the CTC to deliver quality service. Therefore, the
CTC is soliciting proposals from State and local agen-
cies for projects to satisfy their control technology needs.
Such proposals will establish that the service is needed
and will give CTC an opportunity to demonstrate its
capabilities. Written requests and suggestions should be
mailed to:
Control Technology Center
c/o Lee Beck (MD-13)
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
Requests needing immediate attention should be
directed through the CTC HOTLINE.
EPA TACKLES PROBLEM Ol
EPA is accelerating its efforts to learn how to com-
municate environmental health risks more effectively.
The Agency sees two compelling reasons for improving
its abilities to communicate about risks:
1.	The most serious remaining environmental
problems often are not the most obvious ones.
Because EPA's agenda ultimately serves the
public, the Agency needs to help people put risks
in context. This includes helping the public under-
stand the nature of the risks and trade-offs between
risks and costs so they can be informed parti-
cipants in decisions. It is also important that the
public comprehend the relative importance of
residual risks that remain after the decisions have
been implemented.
2.	There is a growing list of environmental hazards
that are largely beyond the reach of traditional
regulation and that require individuals to take
F RISK COMMUNICATION
action themselves. Woodburning by-products and
radon are examples. Better risk communication is
essential to help people understand the choices
they face.
The Risk Communication Program (RCP) has been
set up by EPA to respond to these problems. A first step
is to provide tools for EPA risk managers to use in
discussing risk assessments in meaningful, understan-
dable terms with the press and the ultimate target, the
public. Such tools also should help State and local risk
managers.
The RCP has three major types of activities: (1)
developing and implementing improved methods of
communicating risk, (2) training Agency communicators
to understand and use these methods, and (3) coor-
dinating the dissemination of information about risk
communication.
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Improved Risk Communication
Methods Under Development
The most important thing is to find out what works
(and what does not) when communicating with the public
about risks. In EPA's risk communication research pro-
gram, experts are exploring what strategies are most
effective for motivating audiences to learn about the risks
they are facing, modify their attitudes toward it, and
change their behavior when appropriate. How to explain
uncertainties in risk estimates and how to correct typical
misperceptions of low probabilities are among the ques-
tions being investigated.
One methods development study is examining how
people react to different ways of presenting information
about radon risk. Input has been provided by the Offices
of Radiation Programs, External Affairs, Research and
Development, and Policy, Planning and Evaluation; EPA
Region II; and the States of New York and New Jersey.
A preliminary report will be available this summer.
The RCP also is conducting hands-on work that pro-
vides technical assistance for and evaluation of risk com-
munication activities across the Agency. For example,
focus groups are being used to determine how to write
effective lay summaries for the toxicity profiles being
developed jointly by EPA and the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry.
Two Training Programs To Be Provided
What the RCP staff learns from the research and
hands-on projects will be used to update EPA's training
program in risk communication. Two types of training are
taking place. The first is part of a course in risk assess-
ment/risk management/risk communication that will be
offered widely throughout the Agency. The RCP staff is
beginning to prepare a more advanced follow-up course.
The second type of training is more specialized. Upcom-
ing pilot courses tailored to timely issues will show how
to make such training more effective. For example, the
Office of Drinking Water will have a pilot training course
this summer for its regional staff and representatives of
State and local public health departments and water
utilities. The course will be on communicating the risks
of drinking water contaminants and will use lead as a
case study.
RCP to Coordinate Dissemination of
Information about Communicating Risk
The RCP serves as a clearinghouse for information
on how to communicate risk. A library is being compiled
and a hotline has been set up [(202) 382-5606 or (FTS)
382-5606] to give program offices and regions quick
access to the results of earlier research and applications,
to provide the names of experts, and to provide timely
review of proposals and draft materials. The RCP
clearinghouse also is the umbrella for direct outreach
provided through speeches, workshops, and
publications.
RCP Emphasizes Agency-Wide Participation
The RCP is based in EPA's Office of Policy, Plan-
ning and Evaluation. However, it has an Agency-wide
focus. The program's structure is deliberately informal
to allow people from many offices and regions to become
involved. Participation from other offices maximizes the
likelihood that the results of risk communication studies
actually will be used across the Agency.
Risk communication is not new to EPA. The RCP
emphasizes the importance of risk communication for
conducting the Agency's mission of protecting public
health and the environment. The RCP will conduct much
more evaluation of how well Agency risk communication
efforts are achieving the desired changes in learning,
attitudes, and behavior. By providing a focus for risk
communication information and activities, the RCP is
designed to enhance the effectiveness of EPA's risk
communication efforts.
For more information, contact Ann Fisher, RCP
Coordinator, at (202) 382-5500 or (FTS) 382-5500.
STATE OF WASHINGTON PROPOSES
WOODSMOKE LEGISLATION
by Cathy Bens, Washington Department of Ecology
A woodstove control bill is among legislation
introduced in Washington State this year. The bill is a col-
lection of carefully chosen strategies designed to con-
trol and reduce air pollution from woodstoves. (See
related article in this issue on urban air toxics mitigation
study.) At present, the bill has passed both the House
and the Senate, has been signed by the Governor, and
will become effective on July 26, 1987.
The major components of the bill include:
• a public education program;
•	a woodstove education account and fee schedule;
•	emission performance standards based on the
Oregon 1988 emission standards and the EPA
Phase I and II of the new source performance
standard;
•	an opacity standard;
•	a mandatory curtailment program;
•	fuel prohibition for certain substances (e.g.,
plastics, garbage, treated woods, etc.); and
•	an advisory committee to develop the regulation,
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design the education program, and establish the
fee schedule.
The woodstove control bill is the result of discus-
sions and meetings between the Washington Depart-
ment of Ecology (WDOE), industry representatives,
environmental groups, concerned citizens, local air
pollution control agencies, the Washington Lung
Association, the Washington Energy Extension Service,
the Washington Environmental Council, and several
members of the legislature.
Under this law, the WDOE will be primarily respon-
sible for establishing an advisory committee to develop
rules regulating woodstoves and the design and imple-
mentation of the public education program. The Depart-
ment will also be the lead agency in the development of
Statewide-rules regulating woodstoves and in the imple-
mentation and enforcement of the woodstove certifica-
tion program.
Local air pollution control agencies within the State
of Washington will then have the options to:
•	call woodstove curtailment days in addition to
State episode days,
•	enforce opacity regulations,
•	provide additional public education, and
•	assist local governments in setting up woodsmoke
control programs which may include: enforcement
of mandatory curtailment, enforcement of nuisance
ordinances, limitation of number of woodstoves per
building, per development and/or per acre, and
prohibition of buildings with wood heat as sole
source of heat.
For further information about Washington's
woodstove legislation, call Michael Landon, WDOE, at
(206) 459-6247.
PUGET SOUND AIR POLLU1
CONDUCTS URBAN AIR TO
The Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Agency
(PSAPCA) is overseeing an urban air toxics mitigation
study. The project is designed to identify and apportion
the major sources of fine particulate in both a residen-
tial and a commercial/industrial site within the Seattle
metropolitan area. The identification of a representative
residential site has included mapping the impact on high
pollution days of large areas of the city using a portable
nephelometer. The project differs from previous projects
in that the organic fraction of the particulate including
products of incomplete combustion (PICs) will be iden-
tified and used in the apportionment. PICs have been
shown to be a major component of the aggregate cancer
DON CONTROL AGENCY
XICS MITIGATION STUDY
risk for some of the cities in EPA's five-city study.
Concurrent with the field study, mitigation strategies
for the reduction of wood smoke impact, including volun-
tary and mandatory curtailment during episodes and
public education, will be implemented. Evaluation of the
effectiveness of wood smoke mitigation and the results
of a nationwide survey of effective mitigation efforts for
urban toxics will be used to design toxics and PM10
strategies for PSAPCA's jurisdiction.
For further information on implementation and the
urban air toxics mitigation study, call Naydene Maykut,
PSAPCA, at (206) 344-7335.
MAINE STUDY REVEALS R/
CONCENTRATIONS IN AIR
by Gregory F. Bogdan, Maine Department of Humi
The potential for a radon-related health risk in Maine
was evaluated in a project conducted by the Maine
Department of Human Services, Environmental Unit; the
Maine Geological Survey; and the Research Depart-
ment of the University of Maine at Orono. The study,
which began in 1982, was conducted because geologic
and environmental survey data suggested that high
radon exposure may be widespread in the State. Further,
an evaluation of various areas of Maine found a positive
association between average county well water radon
levels and male and female average annual age-
adjusted mortality rates for lung cancer, and for all
\DON GAS
AND GROUNDWATER
in Servicee
cancer sites combined. The possibility that a radon-
induced lung cancer risk is present in Maine is also
illustrated by the fact that in 1983, female lung cancer
cases occurred at a rate 18 percent higher than was
expected based on national rates.
In order to evaluate the association of radon
exposure with cancer, data were collected by reviewing
existing information and conducting a case/control study
of cancer patients and a control group. The purpose of
this study was to determine if the radon levels found in
houses in Maine are associated with an increased
incidence of cancer, especially cancer of the lung. To
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accomplish this, data were collected on three groups of
patients: lung cancer patients, other cancer patients, and
a control group of patients free of cancer. To be selected
for the study, a patient had to have lived in a house sup-
plied by a privately-owned drilled well for at least 10
years.
Demographic information, including occupation,
history of smoking, and medical history, was gathered
through questionnaires. For deceased subjects, the next
of kin was contacted. The questionnaire included sec-
tions on house construction, water use, occupancy
habits, tobacco and occupational exposures, and
medical history. Each subject's present house, and
previous house if occupied within the last 10 years, was
visited by a technician who obtained duplicate water
samples at the faucet and, if possible, on the inflow side
of any installed filter. During the first year, household
samples were collected shortly after subjects entered the
study, but air radon results showed a seasonal influence,
thus necessitating that samples be collected only be-
tween October 1 and April 1.
At the Maine Geological Survey, study residences
were located on bedrock and surficial maps in order to
correlate air and water radon levels with geological
parameters, and thereby improve the capability to
predict where high radon levels might occur. Data on the
water supply were also requested in the questionnaire,
and geological information was taken from bedrock and
surficial maps in order to better predict where high radon
levels might occur.
The only bedrock parameter that correlated with
radon levels in well water was the metamorphic grade
(the degree to which heat and pressure reformed the
rock), with the mean radon level tripling from the low-
grade to highly altered rock, and doubling from high-
grade metamorphic rock to granite. High grade
metamorphic rock and granite had been to some degree
in a molten state, which concentrates uranium. This
could explain the observed increase in average water
radon levels with increasing metamorphic grade. The
granites that were studied had the highest average
radon levels, especially the "two-mica" granites.
The data collected suggested that up to 10 percent
of houses in Maine may have 5 pCi/L or more of radon
in their air environment during the heating season. Also,
several towns were identified in which houses were
served by groundwater supplies which have radon con-
centrations in excess of 20,000 pCi/L. However, 20 per-
cent of the houses with high air radon values had low
levels of radon in their water supplies, suggesting that
soil as well as water is an important source of radon in
the house environment. Because groundwater was the
concern at the time this study was initiated, admission
was limited to subjects (cases and controls) who lived
in Maine (excluding Aroostook County where water
radon levels are known to be low) and were served by
a privately-owned drilled well for at least 10 years. When
average airborne radon levels were calculated for each
general soil type (sand and gravel, till, and clay), radon
levels increased with the permeability of the soil on
which the house was built (lowest over dense clay and
highest over permeable sand and gravel).
To date, too few lung cancer cases have entered the
study for a reliable comparison of radon exposure
among the three patient groups. However, the study is
continuing and this analysis will be done when 100 lung
cancer patients have been entered into the study. For
additional information, contact Dr. Gregory Bogdan,
Maine Department of Human Services, at (207)
289-5378.
NATIONAL AIR TOXICS WO
ARE SUCCESSFUL
A recent series of four comprehensive air toxics
workshops jointly presented by EPA and STAPPA/
ALAPCO were well-attended by the State and local
agencies for which they were prepared, according to
EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards. The
workshops were designed to transfer a baseline of
understanding of how EPA and State and local agencies
make difficult choices concerning air toxics program
development (see article announcing workshops in
December 1986 Newsletter, page 2 for details).
The workshops employed a comparative approach
whereby various agencies presented differing solutions
to standardized hypothetical problems. Also, various
topics were the focus of discussion groups that provided
forums for sharing insights on resolving problems for
both new and mature programs alike. The presentation/
discussion group format yielded these conclusions:
RKSHOPS
•	interest in possible follow-up workshops on such
topics as health risk determinations and the
control aspects of permit decisions,
•	wish for further EPA guidance and sharing of ideas
to promote greater consistency among State and
local programs,
•	preference for additional program resources as
opposed to canceling resources devoted to current
activities, and
•	belief by some participants that Clean Air Act
amendments are necessary to address the problem
of program inconsistency among State and local
agencies.
For further information, contact David Painter, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, OAQPS, at (919)
541-5355 or (FTS) 629-5355.
8

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TAMS UPDATE:
DATA THROUGH NOVEMBE
The Toxic Air Monitoring System (TAMS)* is the
major monitoring effort conducted jointly by the Office
of Air and Radiation and the Office of Research and
Development. This small monitoring network provides
not only a mechanism for field evaluation of sampling
and analytical methods for volatile organic compounds
(VOCs), but also is used to gain quality assurance
experience, share technology, and characterize air
quality.
Operational since the spring of 1985, the TAMS at
present consists of six sites, two each in Houston,
Boston, and Chicago. A fourth TAMS city, Seattle, was
recently designated and sampling should begin there in
September.
Tenax GC was originally chosen as the sampling
medium, but because of problems associated with this
solid sorbent, other sampling techniques such as the
summa polished stainless steel canisters are being
explored. These weatherized, six-liter canisters have
been operating in parallel and side-by-side with the four
distributed air volume Tenax cartridges at one of the
Houston TAMS since August 1986. Initial results look as
though many VOCs which could not be collected on
Tenax due to high volatility, polarity, or reactivity can be
:R 1986 NOW AVAILABLE
efficiently collected and stored in the canisters. Because
the canisters appear to be a viable alternative, they are
scheduled to be tested further at additional TAMS sites.
Data are now available through November 1986.
The highest 24-hour concentrations (ppbv) in all three
cities were 12.3, 10.2, and 9.5 for toluene at Boston,
Houston, and Chicago, respectively. The three pollutants
with the highest concentrations at all three sites were
benzene, toluene, and meta/para xylene. Additional
TAMS data are available in the TAMS status reports and
in the Interim Air Toxics Data Base hard copy reports;
both of these reports are issued semi-annually.
Near-term plans for expansion of the TAMS call for
the establishment, by September, of one additional site
in each of the four cities. In FY88, the plans call for a total
of four sites in each of the four existing cities and one
site in a yet-to-be-selected fifth city.
For further information, contact Jane Leonard, EPA
Monitoring and Data Analysis Division at (919) 541-5653
or (FTS) 629-5653.
*See related articles in May 1985 and
March 1986 issues.
INTEGRATED AIR CANCER
STUDIES PAH RATIOS AS S
FOR WOODSTOVE EMISSIO
One difficulty with identifying woodsmoke tracers
has been the complex operating characteristics of
woodstoves. It has been difficult to identify the proper
cause and effect relationships between woodstove
operation (e.g., firing rate, wood type, stove design) and
the physical/chemical composition of woodsmoke.
Without knowledge of certain key or critical relationships
among compounds found in woodsmoke, tracer iden-
tification is difficult to accomplish.
Under the auspices of ORD's Woodstove Emissions
Program and the Integrated Air Cancer Project, EPA
investigators at Research Triangle Park, North Carolina,
have found that the ratio of the concentration of the com-
pounds in the class known as polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbon (PAH) generated during the combustion of
wood in residential woodstoves provides a useful tool for
woodsmoke tracer research. It appears that PAH com-
pounds are formed in ratios that are independent of
stove type, wood type, or burn rate. The ratios are being
investigated for use as one type of woodsmoke tracer.
The PAH ratios are developed by plotting the con-
centration of a PAH selected as the independent variable
PROJECT
OURCE TRACERS
NS
versus other PAHs as dependent variables. The data
over a wide range of test conditions are used in the
calculation. The slope of the linear regression lines
through the data points from these graphs is the concen-
tration ratio being investigated for source tracer work.
Ratios have been found for several pairs of compounds
investigated. Different ratios exist for different pairs of
PAHs from woodsmoke emissions, and it may be
possible to use several of these ratios as woodsmoke
source tracers.
These ratios are also observed for selected PAH
concentrations in ambient air samples taken in areas or
airsheds where residential wood combustion emissions
predominate. For example, benzo(a)pyrene concentra-
tions were plotted versus selected PAH data gathered
from night-time ambient air samples collected in
Raleigh, North Carolina. These PAH ratios were found
to be approximately equivalent to ratios obtained in
laboratory tests of woodstove emissions. If the PAH ratios
for woodsmoke are to be useful as source tracers, then
the ratios should be similar between source emissions
and heavily woodstove-affected ambient air samples.
9

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The Raleigh samples, which consisted of at least 90 per-
cent woodsmoke emissions, are in agreement with the
PAH ratios seen in laboratory source samples.
There are several important implications as a result
of these findings:
1.	Given data on only one of the PAH compounds in
the group studied, the concentration of many
others can be predicted for woodstove emissions.
The concentration of several carcinogenic PAHs
can be calculated based on the analysis of one
of the more easily analyzed class members.
2.	By using the ratio of one PAH to predict the
concentration of other potentially hazardous PAH
compounds in the class, risk estimates can be
refined for products of incomplete combustion
(PIC) from woodstove emissions.
3.	To evaluate the effectiveness of control technology
on the entire class of PAHs from woodstoves,
measurement of one or two pairs of compounds
may be all that is required.
4.	Perhaps most important is the possibility that
members of the PAH class of compounds are
formed in distinct and different ratios from other
emission sources. If these ratios result from some
fundamental parameter of combustion such as the
fuel (i.e., wood versus petroleum) or combustion
type (i.e., open combustion versus internal
combustion), then they could be used as a unique
tracer in source receptor modeling and source
apportionment. While mathematical techniques
already exist to perform such calculations,
experimental PAH data for a wide variety of sources
are limited. As the data base grows for each
source, the ratios can be determined and the
applicability of using PAH ratios as source tracers
can be validated and expanded.
Statistical analysis is currently underway to deter-
mine: (1) the confidence in these implications and (2) if
all woodstove emissions can be grouped regardless of
wood type, stove configuration, or burn rate. Early indica-
tions are that the PAH relationships developed in this
phase of the project are statistically sound.
If you would like additional information on this topic
or on the IACP, please call Barbara Andon at (919)
541-7532 or (FTS) 629-7532.
TOXICS EMISSIONS DATA Bi
by Ban Dutcher, Dayton Regional Air Pollution Coi
The Regional Air Pollution Control Agency (RAPCA)
in Dayton, Ohio, has written a public domain toxics emis-
sions data base program designed to store, retrieve, and
summarize toxics emissions data from a large number of
stationary emissions sources. The program was written
on an IBM-AT clone for the Winter-85 version of the Clip-
per compiler by Nantucket, Inc., and is relatively dBase
III compatible. Both source code and a compiled version
(neither Clipper nor dBase III required) are available, as
well as two utilities courtesy of Nantucket, Inc.
The program actually creates and uses six different
data bases, some of which may be used independently
or even left empty by the user. These six data bases con-
tain the following types of information:
1.	Chemical usage data at a particular source
(unique company/equipment combination).
A unique number is used to link each record in
this data base with others containing related
information.
2.	Facility (company) information such as name,
contact person, telephone number, etc. This
allows many sources at one company to be
listed without entry of a lot of redundant data.
3.	Status codes which can be designed and used
for almost any purpose.
4.	Chemical information (i.e., CAS number and
ASE UNDER DEVELOPMENT
itrol Agency
chemical name, synonyms, and description).
This might be a useful stand-alone data base.
5.	Stack (modeling) parameters for a specific
source. The data apply to all chemicals emitted
at that unique company/equipment combination.
6.	Computed risks, modeling results, etc., for any
specific entry in the primary data base
(No. 1 above).
Still under development, the reporting section is be-
ing designed for maximum flexibility. Of all the program
parts, this is the one most likely in need of customiza-
tion due to the unique needs of each user, so several op-
tions will be available.
Documentation is furnished on one of the two 51/4
inch 360K floppy disks required to hold the program. In
addition, there is an on-line help file available.
Please note that this program is under develop-
ment, has no warranty or guarantee, and cannot even
be officially supported by RAPCA. Nevertheless, RAPCA
welcomes inquiries, comments, suggestions, bug lists,
and improvements. Users will be participating in
RAPCA's development of the program, but, even if not
used as a data base program, it should have some value
as a learning tool for Clipper/dBase III programming.
For information/ordering details, please contact Ben
Dutcher at RAPCA, Dayton, Ohio, (513) 225-5946.
10

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REPORT ON STATE/LOCAL i
AND EMISSIONS FEES NOV
State and local governments are turning to the col-
lection of permit and emissions fees to supplement their
air pollution control budgets, according to a recent
survey of State and local air pollution control officials. The
report, Air Permit and Emissions Fees, was conducted
by the State and Territorial Air Pollution Program
Administrators (STAPPA) and the Association of Local
Air Pollution Control Officials (ALAPCO). Forty-two
States and a number of local agencies currently have the
authority to collect permit and emissions fees and addi-
tional agencies are now developing programs.
The report includes:
•	a general overview of State and local permit and
emissions fee programs;
•	agency-by-agency information on 50 State and
32 local fee programs;
•	specific budget information about each agency;
AIR PERMIT
M AVAILABLE
•	tables comparing agencies' fee programs; and
•	names of agency contacts.
The report indicated that, during the last two years,
at least ten State and local agencies have expanded their
fee programs by raising their rates or collecting fees for
additional activities. Fee revenues equal a significant
percentage of some air agencies' budgets, although the
funds are often retained by the State or local treasuries,
rather than returned to the agencies. According to the
reports, State air agencies collected amounts equaling
up to one-half of their budgets and the local agencies that
responded to the survey collected amounts equaling up
to over 80 percent.
Copies of Air Permit and Emissions Fees are
available from STAPPA/ALAPCO, 444 North Capitol
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., 20001, (202) 624-7864.
The price is $25.00 per copy.
SUPERFUND AMENDMEN1
TITLE III WORKSHOPS PLA
The Council of Chemical Association Executives is
coordinating a series of workshops to be held in late
July and August on Title III of the Superfund Amend-
ments and Reauthorization Act: The Emergency Plan-
ning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986. These
workshops, to be given in several locations around the
country, will cover such topics as:
•	State and local planning activities,
•	emergency notification requirements,
•	community right-to-know reporting requirements
(Sections 311 and 312),
•	information management,
•	toxic chemical release reporting (Section 313),
•	informing the community: opening the process, and
•	benefits of broad-based involvement.
Sessions are aimed at State and local officials as
rs-
NNED
well as industry and emergency responders. According
to the Council, the workshops will be a unique
opportunity for participants to become more familiar with
key elements of the law and to meet with public and
private sector representatives who will be working on
emergency planning in their areas. The workshops will
also supply suggestions and techniques to ease the
burden of Title III and increase the effectiveness of the
new regulations.
The Council of Chemical Association Executives
represents about 40 industry trade groups, the Environ-
mental Protection Agency, State and local organizations,
and other interested groups. For further information, call
the Chemical Emergency Preparedness Program
Hotline at (800) 535-0202; in Washington, D.C. or Alaska,
call (202) 479-2449.
RHODE ISLAND BY-LINE
OMITTED
In the previous issue of the Newsletter, we in-
advertently neglected to credit Barbara Morin, Senior
Engineer for the Division of Air and Hazardous Materials,
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Manage-
ment, for her article "Rhode Island Detecting High Am-
bient Levels of Solvents" (see page 5 of the March 1987
Newsletter). We apologize for the omission.
NEED HELP?
If your agency needs help in finding information on
a specific air toxics question, you can announce that
need in the National Air Toxics Information Clearing-
house Newsletter. Your colleagues from other State or
local agencies who have such information will be able
to contact you with assistance. In addition, the Clearing-
house staff would like to receive your ideas for future
Newsletter articles. To list an information need in the next
issues or to submit an article or a suggestion for a future
Newsletter article, please contact Alice Pelland, Radian
Corporation, (919) 541-9100.
11

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The National Air Toxics Information Clearinghouse Newsletter is published by the National Air Toxics Information Clearinghouse to assist
State and local air agencies making decisions on noncriteria air pollutant emissions. The Clearinghouse is being implemented by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Strategies and Air Standards Division, Pollutant Assessment Branch as part of a joint effort with the State and
Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators (STAPPA) and the Association of Local Air Pollution Control Officials (ALAPCO). The National
Air Toxics Information Clearinghouse Newsletter is prepared by Radian Corporation under EPA, Contract Number 68-02-4330, Work Assignment
27. The EPA Project Officer is Beth Hassett, EPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711,
Telephone: (919)541-5519 The Radian Project Director is Alice Pelland, P.O. Box 13000, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, (919)541-9100
The Newsletter is prepared primarily for State and local air pollution control agencies and is distributed free of charge Those wishing to
report address changes may do so by contacting Nancy Riley, EPA OAQPS (919)541-5519. Please contact either the Project Director or the
Project Officer with any comments you might have pertaining to this newsletter or with suggestions for future newsletters. Entries in the news-
letter are written by Radian Corporation or EPA staff unless otherwise indicated.
The views expressed in the National Air Toxics Information Clearinghouse Newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of
the Environmental Protection Agency. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation
for use by EPA
FIRST CLASS MAIL
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E.P.A.
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