453N89002 NATIONAL AIR TOXICS INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE NEWSLETTER oEPA Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards March 1989 Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711 State and Tei Association of Local Air Pollution Control Officials U /A (1 /A State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators IN THIS ISSUE NATICH DATA BASE UPDATE UNDERWAY USING NEW, EASY FORM 1 STATE/LOCAL AGENCY SPOTLIGHTS MAINE ACTIVELY PURSUES RADON RISK 2 DAYTON, OHIO, AGENCY TESTS FOR RADON IN SCHOOLS 3 AIR RISC PRESENTS WORKSHOP IN RISK ASSESSMENT AND RISK COMMUNICATION 5 SCAQMD PROPOSES AIR TOXICS RULES FOR CARCINOGENS TO AID PERMITTING DECISION MAKERS 5 NEW EMISSION MEASUREMENT TECHNICAL INFORMATION CENTER INTRODUCED 7 ERA'S ROLE IN INDOOR AIR POLLUTION DESCRIBED 8 FIRST URBAN AIR TOXICS WORKSHOP HELD IN ANAHEIM 9 REGION V RELEASES SOUTHEAST CHICAGO CANCER RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS 10 NATICH DATA BASE UPDATE UNDERWAY USING NEW, EASY FORM This year's NATICH data request form was mailed on February 17 to officials of State and local air pollution control agencies. For the first time, sample data forms and a summary of modifications to the data reporting procedure have been included in the mailing. These sample data forms will show examples of the most ap- propriate types of answers expected for questions con- cerning the status of data entry programs. Unlike pre- vious years, a data entry manual will not accompany this year's request. Instead, those who complete the status reports should keep last year's manual and add the mod- ification summary to it. A new form has also been included that allows agency officials to request a complete printout of all data their agencies have supplied to NATICH, including this year's update. This feature should help the agency check the accuracy and completeness of NATICH files. Modifications to the data entry programs allowing State and local agencies to enter data directly into the data base reflect the changes in the data entry forms. Most of these modifications are to the format of the data fields. For example, the value field for acceptable am- bient concentrations, guidelines, or standards now ap- pears in scientific notation format. Some of these modifications were not complete as of the date the forms were mailed out; however, final changes were completed by March 13, 1989. State and local agencies may now ¦ continue to enter data directly as of this date. Clearinghouse Staff Duties Clarified Readers should note that although Tim Mohin oversees the maintenance, development and data col- lection aspects of the NATICH data base, he should not receive the STAPPA/ALAPCO surveys, as was stated in the January issue of the Newsletter. Please send them to Sandy Smith, Radian Corporation, Post Office Box 201088, Austin, Texas 78720-1088. Users Denied Data Base Access Should Contact User Support Directly User ID problems have prompted a number of re- cent telephone calls to the NATICH staff. Here are a few tips: in the process of logging on to the NATICH system, users have three opportunities to enter valid passwords corresponding to their three-letter user IDs. Should the third attempt fail, the user should call user support direct- ly before attempting to access the data base again. The reason for this is that the data base cannot be accessed again in such cases until the user has been reauthorized by the National Computer Center. This must be ac- complished by the user; no one else is authorized to re- quest reactivation of a password. Finally, unlike account numbers, user IDs and passwords are assigned to individuals and are to be uS^ib by those individuals only. ! L mm t \j ------- STATE/LOCAL AGENCY SPOTLIGHT! MAINE ACTIVELY PURSUES RADON RISKS by Eugene Moreau and Steve Zayszly, State of Maine Department of Human Services The State of Maine Department of Human Services has begun participation in a joint State/EPA random Statewide radon survey. Random sample locations were identified by geological conditions, using Maine's bedrock and surficial geology map. A preliminary study designed to provide the survey data base has already been completed. Approximately 950 carbon canisters have been distributed. An additional 100 participants have been selected to receive long-term alpha track detectors as well as carbon canisters. Distribution of devices is ex- pected shortly pending arrival from the supplier. Concurrent with the survey, Maine is also partici- pating in an EPA-sponsored Home Evaluation Program designed to better train radon mitigation professionals. The program teaches state-of-the-art mitigation techni- ques such as preparing and caulking cracks, replacing floor drains with appropriate equipment, and covering and sealing sump pump pits to subslab ventilation. Past Radon Water Activities Outlined The two programs described above are examples of Maine's longtime commitment to radon mitigation. Highlights of that commitment, focusing on radon con- centrations in water, follow. Maine became aware of significant water radon pro- blems about 1957. A U.S. Public Health Service- sponsored study began that year. A study conducted in the early 1980s showed that 99.2 percent of the drilled wells tested contained more than 2,000 pCi/L of radon and radon daughters. The radon activity was assumed to be one-fifth of this or approximately 400 pCi/L. Extensive analyses for water radon between 1984 and 1987 suggest that Maine possesses two of the highest water radon concentrations reported in the world (in excess of 1.2 to 1.8 million pCi/L). It appears the highest, which exceeds 2 million pCi/L, was recently con- firmed (1989) by a sister State. A recent assessment of a municipal or public water supply survey conducted in 1980 and a private water supplies data base indicate that a significant percentage of water supplies exceeds the 200 or 500 pCi/L currently being considered as a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for public water supplies. The financial implica- tions for private home owners to comply with the established MCL are staggering. Based on available data, it appears that approx- imately 93 and 82% of private water supplies exceed the radon concentrations of 500 and 1000 pCi/L, respect- ively. Furthermore, adoption of a 500 pCi/L MCL by EPA would most likely negate the possibility of granular ac- tivated carbon (G AC) as a reasonable cost effective alter- native for water radon mitigation. Approximately 88 and 64% of public water supplies exceed the respective 500 and 1000 pCi/L concentrations. Drinking water standards set in the early 1980s for community and noncommunity water supplies limit Radium-226 concentrations to 5 pCi/L. No standard was established for uranium. However, both radium and ura- nium are subject to revision by the present ongoing con- siderations by EPA. Several private water supplies have been documented to have radium or uranium at values between 500 and 1000 pCi/L. The identification and mitigation of radium or uranium as performed by an initial Gross Alpha screening test is a major concern. Prelimi- nary plans are being prepared for an appropriate training workshop for water treatment specialists in the near future. Department Initiated Program to Focus on Radon in Indoor Air The Occupational and Residential Health Program (Indoor Air) was formed in 1985 to assist the public with general indoor air contaminant concerns. Of late, the program emphasis has shifted to radon-related pro- blems due to the serious nature of radon and radon's high priority in the State. Program activities have included: — responding to the public's letters and telephone calls (averaging 1,000 to 1,500 calls per month); — providing a variety of written information in- cluding both U.S. EPA publications and depart- mental reports and brochures; — speaking to public groups; — maintaining and reporting statistics; and — making technical presentations, with occasional assistance from Maine Extension Service Community Action Programs, and others. The Department has also assisted a vocational technical school in preparing and presenting a three-day diagnostics/mitigation workshop in April 1988 and February 1989. More are anticipated in the future. These cover the general subjects of health risk, diagnostics and mitigation, whereas the Home Evaluation Program men- tioned earlier emphasizes hands-on mitigation ex- perience. Maine usually explains the difference this way: the three-day workshop is equivalent to a Bachelor's degree, but the five-day program provides a Master's degree in air radon diagnostics/mitigation. For further information on Maine's radon activities, call Eugene Moreau, Manager, Occupational and Residential Health Program, Division of Health Engineering at (207) 289-3826. 2 ------- DAYTON, OHIO, AGENCY TESTS FOR RADON IN SCHOOLS The Regional Air Pollution Control Agency (RAPCA) conducted a radon testing program at the Northridge Public School district in Dayton, Ohio, on December 2-5, 1988* All ground contact and first floor rooms with signifi- cant occupancy in each of the district's five schools were tested (N = 137). Sampling was conducted by RAPCA employees using Air Chek Pro Chek charcoal packets. The samplers were deployed on Friday, December 2, at approximately 3:00 p.m. and were retrieved the follow- ing Monday morning at about 7:00 a.m. The average ex- posure time for each monitor was about 64 hours. School occupancy was kept at a minimum during the sample period. The heating systems in the building were run on their normal weekday schedules (weekend setbacks were overridden) to simulate normal air handl- ing operations. All of the heating systems in these schools are either steam or hot water heat, with in- dividual unit ventilators in each of the classrooms. These classroom ventilators typically heat and recirculate ex- isting room air and are designed to bring in a small amount of fresh outdoor air while they are in operation. The district's maintenance supervisor believed that some of the unit ventilators had closed fresh air intakes in order to conserve heat. Weather conditions were typical for Dayton in ear- ly December. Data from the National Weather Service indicate the mean temperature was 32°F with a high of 56°F and a low of 21°F. Sky conditions ranged from clear to completely overcast, but official reports indicate thin broken or scattered clouds predominated. No precipita- tion was reported during the test period. RAPCA Devised Protocol and Timing for Tests The U.S. EPA has not yet issued a radon-in-schools testing policy. However, RAPCA's discussions with EPA officials have revealed that a minimum of 25% of the first floor or soil contact rooms should be tested, and if possi- ble, all of the soil contact or first floor classrooms should be included in a screening survey. While this degree of testing may seem extreme, EPA has learned that classroom-to-classroom variation can be as high as the considerable degree of variation one might expect to find among the various houses in a subdivision. Therefore, testing in every room may be necessary to avoid miss- ing a problem. This sampling effort was designed as a screening survey to determine if there is a potential problem in the buildings tested. The screening tests were done during the coldest part of the year because cold temperatures, high winds, and the use of central heating systems all tend to increase radon concentrations inside buildings. For the screening, samplers were placed in occu- pied parts of the school where radon infiltration is most likely. Examples include classrooms and offices that: — have sump holes; — have access panels to crawl spaces; — are in basements or on the ground level; and — have negative ventilation (i.e., less air supply than return). Samplers were placed: — between 2 and 4 feet off the floor; — away from outside walls, windows, and doorways; — away from any obvious drafts or sources of heat or humidity; and — in a central location. RAPCA decided that, since the sampling was tak- ing place when the students were on holiday, the best place to deploy samplers was on a desk in the center of the room. Had students been present during the sampl- ing, it would have been better to leave the sampler on a teacher's desk, or on top of a table or a filing cabinet. Samplers were not disturbed after they were set out. Results Showed Elevated Levels in TWo Schools Of the 137 samples taken from first floor and ground contact rooms, 7.3% were found to be at or above the 4.0 pCi/L guideline (see Figure 1). Concentrations ranged from 0.0 pCi/L to 7.0 pCi/L with a detection limit of 0.2 pCi/L. The mean radon concentration within the district was found to be 1.3 pCi/L. Table 1 summarizes these data. TABLE 1. RADON CONCENTRATIONS IN THE NORTHRIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT Number of % 4.0 pCl/L School Samples Mean Range or Greater Grafton Kennedy 27 2.8 (0.7- 4.6) 21.4% Timberlane 26 2.2 (0.4- •7.0) 15.3% Morrison 35 0.8 (0.3 ¦ 16) 0.0% Northridge High 35 0.5 (0.0 ¦ ¦1.3) 0.0% Esther Dennis 14 0.4 (0.0- •1.7) 0.0% District-wide 137 1.3 O o • 7.0) 7.3% All of the elevated concentrations came from two schools: Grafton Kennedy Elementary had 6 of its 27 rooms sampled (22%) at or above 4.0 pCi/L (mean = 2.8 pCi/L) (Figure 2) and at Timberlane Elementary, 4 of its 26 rooms (15%) were at or above the guideline (mean 2.2 pCi/L) (Figure 3). Based on sample results for these 3 ------- 2 schools, 19% have concentrations above the guideline. Morrison Elementary, Northridge High School, and Esther Dennis Middle School all had concentrations below the 4.0 pCi/L guideline. Mean radon levels in these schools were 0.8, 0.5, and 0.4 pCi/L, respectively. In addition to the 137 samples taken in the classrooms and offices, 25 other samples were taken either as blanks, duplicates, or in boiler rooms. Of the seven blanks run during these tests, six came back from the lab as 0.0 pCi/L and one as 0.1 pCi/L. Of the ten duplicate tests performed, four were in perfect agree- ment; two were within +/- 0.1 pCi/L of each other; and all ten were within +/- 0.4 pCi/L. Boiler room sample results ranged from 0.1 pCi/L to 3.2 pCi/L, mean of 1.5 pCi/L, all below the guideline. FIGURE I NORTHRIDGE SCHOOL DISTRICT RADON CONCENTRATIONS - DECEMBER 2-5, 1988 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 Radon Concentration pCI/l FIGURE 2 GRAFTON KENNEDY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RADON CONCENTRATIONS - DECEMBER 2-5, 1988 w a E K & E 3 2 I NIB !! S111111 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 Radon Concentration pCI/l Conclusions Support Need for More Testing The results of this testing program indicate that three of the schools in the Northridge district are relative- ly free from radon; therefore, no further testing for them is warranted. The remaining two schools, Timberlane Elementary, and Grafton Kennedy Elementary, do have possible elevated radon concentrations. However, while FIGURE 3 TIMBERLANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RADON CONCENTRATIONS - DECEMBER 2-5, 1988 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 Radon Concentration pCI/l the radon concentrations in some of the classrooms in these two schools were above the guideline, it is quite possible that the school-time average concentrations are below 4.0 pCi/L. The significant increase in the ventila- tion rate that occurs with building occupancy may reduce the levels considerably during normal school hours. The RAPCA is therefore suggesting that Northridge schools conduct long-term alpha-track measurements in the 10 classrooms that indicated possible problems. Considering the levels of radon found in these con- taminated classrooms, the best way to assess the situa- tion would probably be to start the tests in September 1989, and allow them to run until school is dismissed the following spring. The RAPCA will be sending this report to EPA radon offices in Washington, D.C.; Chicago, Illinois; and Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, for additional comments and advice concerning this effort. The report has been released with the consent of the Superinten- dent of the Northridge schools. For further information on RAPCA's radon-in- schools testing program, call Andy Lindstrom at (513) 225-4898. *See these related articles; the September 1986 issue of the Newsletter (pages 6-7) reported that in the six- county Dayton area "a number of houses ... have radon gas concentrations exceeding the EPA guidelines of 4.0 pCi/L" The March 1987 issue (pp. 6-8) stated that while the uranium content of soil in RAPCA's jurisdiction is pro- bably only average or low compared with other areas of the county, extremely high soil gas permeability is pre- sent in some parts of the RAPCA district. This characteristic can be a significant contributor to indoor radon levels. Results in that study (163 sampling loca- tions) found average radon concentrations to be 7.0 pCi/L; 21 percent were above 10 pCi/L. ------- AIR RISC PRESENTS WORK RISK ASSESSMENT AND Rl. The Air Risk Information Support Center (Air RISC) will offer 3-day workshops on risk assessment and risk communication during May and June. The workshops will be conducted in Raleigh, North Carolina, on May 23-25; in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin (between Milwaukee and Chicago), on May 30-June 1; and in Tiburon, Califor- nia (across the bay from San Francisco), on June 13-15. The workshops are designed to train State and local air pollution control agency personnel as well as EPA Regional Office personnel in risk assessment and risk communication. Individual sessions will be targeted toward participants with varying levels of expertise in these areas. The workshops will present updated infor- mation on risk assessment and communication ap- proaches, tools and support services to promote com- mon understanding in these areas. As a forum for discussion and analysis of case studies, Air RISC hopes the workshops will promote sharing of the diverse ex- perience and expertise of those present. The first day and a half of the workshop will use presentations and case studies to focus on risk assess- ment. Sessions will cover health effects assessment, ex- posure assessment, and issues associated with evaluating the health effects of mixtures. The health ef- fects assessment presentations will be divided into two concurrent sessions. Session A, an overview of tox- icology and risk assessment, is intended for staff without training in toxicology or those with little knowledge of cur- rent methods of risk assessment. Session B will include detailed presentations on such topics as noncancer risk assessment and pharmacokinetics. Participants in this session should have a basic understanding of tox- icological principles and risk assessment approaches. SHOP IN SK COMMUNICATION Presentations on risk assessment guidelines will provide an overview of current EPA guidelines, as well as those under development. Talks on toxicology and risk assessment of mixtures will address types of chemical interactions and approaches to dealing with complex mixtures in risk assessment. A session on ex- posure assessment will review current methods for assessing human exposure and will introduce new tools under development for estimating short- and long-term population exposure. The remainder of workshop time will feature presen- tations, group discussion, videotapes and case studies to convey important principles of risk perception, public involvement and risk communication. Discussion will focus on the factors determining public perception of risk, as well as ways to address those perceptions and concerns when communicating risk assessment results to the public. Case studies will be used to demonstrate the principles for explaining technical issues, making risk comparisons, and gaining trust and credibility with the public. Strategies for involving the public and deal- ing with the media will also be discussed, emphasizing case studies and videotaped examples. The workshop should improve participants' understanding of risk assessment components and their ability to communicate risk assessment results and related risk management issues. The format is designed to provide principles through presentations and then to practice their use through case studies. Brochures with registration, costs and travel details were mailed in early March. For more information, con- tact Melissa McCullough at (919) 541-5646, (FTS) 629-5646 or Dan Guth at (919) 541-5340, (FTS) 629-5340. SCAQMD PROPOSES AIR T< CARCINOGENS TO AID PERMITTING DECISIONMA With recent growing concern about the magnitude of health impacts caused by noncriteria air con- taminants, EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) have established national and Statewide ap- proaches to regulating existing and future sources of tox- ic air contaminants. Nevertheless, local air pollution con- trol districts are still faced with difficult decisions when individual sources of carcinogenic, or potentially car- cinogenic, air contaminants apply for permits. The South Coast Air Quality Management District's (SCAQMD) former practice concerning carcinogenic air contaminants was to deny permits if a project resulted OXICS RULES FOR KERS in an individual cancer risk of greater than 1 in 1,000,000. This action was based on noncompliance with the pro- visions of District Rule 402 - Nuisance. However, in December 1986, the District's Hearing Board reversed the denial of a permit to construct a resource recovery facility proposed by Rialto Power Cor- poration. The denial had been based on the risk assess- ment submitted by the applicant. The Hearing Board reversed the permit denial because the District's risk assessment and risk management policy had not been adopted by the District's Governing Board. The proposed Rules 223 and 1401 described below 5 ------- are directed at preventing a recurrence of such a situa- tion by setting forth District intent and policy on the regulation of carcinogenic air contaminants. Chronic ex- posure to carcinogenic air contaminants from new or modified stationary sources is the immediate concern addressed by these proposed rules. Proposed Rules 223 and 1401 are designed to reduce individual cancer risk and excess cancer cases from new or modified stationary sources, and to specify the methods to be used in estimating such risks and cases. Proposed Rule 223 formally establishes the analysis procedure, and proposed Rule 1401 specifies the limits for maximum individual cancer risk and excess cancer cases which may result from exposure to car- cinogenic air contaminants. Rule 223 Summarized This proposed rule will establish the impact analysis techniques for the risk assessment of carcinogenic air contaminants for new or modified stationary sources. Specifically, the rule will address screening analyses, air quality modeling, alternative analyses and determina- tion of impacts. Staff have developed a screening procedure to identify those sources which would require only an in- halation pathway analysis (rather than a multipathway analysis) and which would have the potential to cause a maximum individual risk of 1 in 1,000,000 or greater. This screening procedure will use "carcinogenic source strength" as a measure of the potency of the source's emissions. Carcinogenic source strength is the sum of the mathematical products of each carcinogenic air con- taminant emission rate and its unit risk factor. A table of' 'allowed carcinogenic source strengths'' has been prepared for a variety of release conditions (i.e., roof vents, stacks, etc.) and at a variety of locations throughout the District. Under the proposed rule, if any source's carcinogenic source strength is less than the allowed carcinogenic source strength, the applicant will have satisfied this portion of the permit evaluation. If, on the other hand, the allowed carcinogenic source strength is exceeded, a detailed modeling analysis will be required. Through the use of this screening proce- dure, staff will be able to evaluate the majority of carcino- genic sources without the need for extensive modeling. An air quality model is a set of mathematical equa- tions relating the release of carcinogenic air con- taminants to the corresponding concentrations of the same contaminants in the ambient atmosphere. Such mathematical relationships provide a technique for predicting the consequences of changing the amount of contaminants released into the air from either new or modified stationary sources. In general, air quality models are used to identify and evaluate the level of control required to solve in- dustrial air contaminant problems. Models are used to identify and to analyze the causes of existing problems, and to predict and avoid future problems. Proposed Rule 223 specifies how air quality models will be used to quantify, by individual and by group, the potential exposure to carcinogenic air contaminants. With this information, the individual cancer risk and the number of excess cancer cases for the subject stationary source can be specified. There is a significant amount of uncertainty in evaluating carcinogenic sources. Because of this uncer- tainty, situations may arise which require analytical techniques other than the methods described above. Alternative analysis methods may be used as long as prior approval from the SCAQMD Executive Officer is ob- tained. The majority of the population is exposed to car- cinogenic air contaminants through the inhalation pathway. However, calculating a risk to the population exposed via the inhalation pathway only may not repre- sent the total risk impact. A multipathway analysis method is required if humans could be exposed to car- cinogenic air contaminants through inhalation, ingestion (through consumption of water, crops, fish, milk, and soil), and absorption through the skin. Rule 1401 Outlined The purpose of Rule 1401 is to specify limits for the maximum individual cancer risk and excess cancer cases for new or modified stationary sources which emit carcinogenic air contaminants. The rule also requires best available control technology for toxic air pollutants (T-BACT) where a maximum individual cancer risk equal to, or greater than, 1 in 1,000,000 is estimated to occur. The following is a summary of each paragraph of the rule: • Summary - This paragraph defines the purpose of the rule in providing preconstruction review of sta- tionary sources that will emit carcinogenic air con- taminants. Major requirements of the rule are highlighted. • Applicability - This paragraph states that a complete application for a new, modified, or relocated permit unit shall be subject to the Rule on or after (date of adoption), and shall enter into effect at the time the application for the permit unit is deemed complete. • Definitions - This paragraph defines the terms ap- plying to this rule: T-BACT, Carcinogenic Air Con- taminant, Excess Cancer Cases, Individual Cancer Risk, Modification, Permit Unit, Potency Slope, Receptor Location, Stationary Source, and Unit Risk Factor. • Requirements - This paragraph sets limits for the maximum individual cancer risk and excess cancer cases from the cumulative impact of all permit units for which a complete application was submitted after (date of adoption). T-BACT is required if the maximum individual cancer risk from a new or modified stationary source is equal to, or greater 6 ------- than, 1 in 1,000,000. If the maximum individual cancer risk from a new or modified stationary source after the application of T-BACT is equal to or greater than 10 in 1,000,000, the permit to con- struct will be denied. In addition, if the excess cancer cases are equal to or greater than 0.5 for situations where the population is exposed to an in- dividual cancer risk greater than 1 in 1,000,000, the permit will also be denied. T-BACT will require the most stringent emis- sion control available to reduce the individual cancer risk to the greatest extent achievable or to less than 1 in 1,000,000, regardless of cost. T-BACT for each permit unit shall be determined on a case- by-case basis. In determining individual cancer risk and excess cancer cases, this paragraph refers to Rule 223. • Calculation of Carcinogenic Emissions - This paragraph describes the method by which yearly emissions shall be calculated in determining the cancer risk and cases pursuant to Rule 223. • Exemptions - This paragraph provides an exemp- tion from the rule for air pollution control equipment, provided the modification is constructed solely to reduce the issuance of air contaminants or solely to comply with a new, amended, or existing District rule. Change of ownership and permit renewal are also exempt from the rule's requirements. • Permits to Operate - The first part of this paragraph states that permit units installed without receiving a permit to construct shall be treated as new equip- ment. Future regulatory efforts will address existing sources of carcinogenic air contaminants that result in both acute and chronic exposures. Additionally, ex- posures to toxic, noncarcinogenic air contaminants will also be addressed. For further information, call South Coast Air Quality Management District at (818) 572-6200. NEW EMISSION MEASURE! TECHNICAL INFORMATIOf CENTER INTRODUCED In the past, suggestions have been made for ex- changing emission measurement/compliance testing in- formation directly between EPA Headquarters and the technical staffs of EPA Regional Offices and State and local air pollution control agencies. Recently, William G. Laxton, Director of OAQPS' Technical Support Division, announced the establishment of the Emission Measure- ment Technical Information Center (EMTIC) headed by the Emission Measurement Branch (EMB) of EPA to pro- mote uniform application of stationary source emission test methods in emission control programs nationwide. In order to disseminate new developments in sta- tionary source emission measurement technology, a quarterly mailing to Regional, State, and local contacts has begun. The first mailing, completed on January 9, contained the following: 1. EMTIC Guideline Documents — Effect of Silica Gel on C02 Measurements — Standard Specification for Fuel Oil — Nozzle Orifice for Setting Isokinetic Rates — SO2 Interference in EPA Test Methods 7 and 7A 2.EMTIC Information Document — Derivation of AH@ used in EPA Method 5 3. Stationary Source Compliance Division (SSCD) Information Documents — Guidelines for Stack Testing of Municipal Waste Combustion Facilities VIEIUT si — Guidance on the Use of EPA Test Method 18 for Specific Volatile Organic Compounds — Development of Methodology to Measure Condensible Emissions from Stationary Sources — SSCD Series Publications — A Guideline for Graphic Arts Calculations 4. EMB Information Documents — EPA Method Development and Testing for Measurement of Source Levels of Hexavalent and Total Chromium — EPA Method Development and Data Gathering for Hexavalent Chromium Emissions from Industrial Cooling Towers 5. EPA Method 1 6. Chronological Development of EPA Method 1 (one-page summary) 7. A list of recent Federal Register Publications (April 7, 1988 - November 21, 1988) For further details on EMTIC or for information on obtaining copies of the publications, call Candace Sorrell at (919) 541-1064 or (FTS) 629-1064. 7 ------- EPA'S ROLE IN INDOOR AIR POLLUTION DESCRIBED Only recently has legislation specific to indoor air pollution research been passed. The Radon Gas and In- door Air Quality Research Act of the Superfund Amend- ment and Reauthorization Act (SARA) passed in 1986 requires that all affected Federal agencies develop an indoor air quality research plan. Although this Act does not provide additional regulatory authority to EPA to ad- dress indoor air quality, it provides a mandate for public guidance concerning the identification of hazards from indoor pollution and the means for mitigating risks. To that end, the Agency is to conduct a research program that identifies, characterizes, and monitors the sources of indoor pollution in both residential and commercial buildings, develops instrumentation for data collection, researches the effects of pollutant exposure on human health, and develops control technologies and the means to mitigate problems related to indoor pollutants* In response to the mandate, EPA currently heads the Interagency Committee on Indoor Air Quality (CIAQ) and coordinates Federal research and development ef- forts relating to indoor air pollution. Members include representatives from the Department of Energy, the Con- sumer Product Safety Commission, the National In- stitute of Occupational Safety and Health, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the Department of Health and Human Services. EPA Provides Public Guidance through Publications The Agency has addressed the mission of public guidance through several publications. The Office of Air and Radiation and the Office of Research and Develop- ment (ORD) have released a series of pamphlets, fact sheets, and technical guides that are available through the EPA's Public Information Center (919-541-4577). One topic addressed by some of these publications is radon; others provide information on ventilation and indoor air quality, for example. Additional research reports have been developed by the Office of Acid Deposition, Monitoring, and Quali- ty Assurance which has published studies on total ex- posure assessment methodology, and the Atmospheric Research and Exposure Assessment Laboratory which has produced a report on non-occupational pesticide exposures. Chamber Studies Serve as Basic Emissions Evaluation Method Several methods are used to identify and characterize the sources of indoor air pollutants. Chamber studies, as one example, have been used to provide information on the composition and emission rates of airborne pollutants over a range of environmen- tal conditions, such as varying temperatures, humidities, and air exchange rates. Materials studied to date include caulk, floor adhesive, moth repellant, particleboard, dry cleaned fabrics, and carpets. Other chamber studies are examining emissions from unvented combustion sources, such as kerosene heaters and gas space heaters, and from cigarettes. The ORD will use these tests to develop standard methods for emissions testing of indoor materials for use by manufacturers. A second emissions evaluation technique is the use of a test house. The studies evaluate the potential impact of indoor air pollutants under actual home conditions, in- cluding the effects of multiple pollutant sources. Further- more, the emissions data developed in chamber studies can be verified in the test house. Research thus far has evaluated the particle concentrations produced by kerosene heaters, perchloroethylene emissions from dry cleaned clothes, and the impact of moth crystal usage. The effects of personal care products on indoor air quali- ty will be examined next. The information obtained from test house studies is also used in the development and verification of predictive models that can assess the effects of sources, sinks, inter-room air flow, and heating and air- conditioning systems. ORD Develops Alternative Measurement Techniques Direct measurement of pollutant levels is another way to characterize exposures. Quiet, unobtrusive, passive samplers and personal monitoring devices are under development and evaluation. Recent projects in- clude samplers for gas-phase organic compounds, for- maldehyde, and nitrogen dioxide, and sampling and analysis methodology for nicotine and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tobacco smoke. In addition to developing and evaluating monitoring devices, EPA is also preparing a compendium of measurement methods to provide Standard Operating Procedures and technical assistance to the research community. This effort will help to standardize the for- mat for emerging measurement technology for use in homes and offices. Health Effects Research Focuses on Three Groups of Pollutants EPA's health effects research primarily involves evaluating exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, gas-phase organic compounds, and emissions from kerosene heaters. Research on environmental tobacco smoke involves the search for a biomarker, a chemical unique to this combustion product, used as an index of exposure. Nicotine is one biomarker under investigation; DNA adducts another; and cotinine, a metabolite of nicotine, a third. Research conducted in Denmark suggests that workers exposed to certain mixtures of volatile or gas- ------- phase organic compounds experience a spectrum of symptoms known as "sick building syndrome." The Human Studies Division of ORD's Health Effects Research Laboratory is conducting similar experiments to determine whether gas-phase organic compounds constitute a hazard at the concentrations routinely en- countered in homes and offices. Emissions from kerosene heaters have been measured in test chambers and in the test house. EPA is now monitoring emissions in actual use situations in occupied trailers and is determining the potential mutagenicity of various emission fractions. In addition to a health effects evaluation, measurements of gaseous pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and formaldehyde, are being made to develop better estimates of exposure. ORD Studies Mitigation Options Several mitigation options may be used to improve the air quality of a home or office. Chamber studies allow comparison of emissions from products and materials so that products can be modified to reduce emissions, or consumers can avoid products with high emissions. Additional research will determine optimal combinations of operating and design variables to reduce emissions from kerosene heaters. Evaluations of air cleaner system effectiveness to date show that activated carbon is generally ineffective in removing medium or low concen- trations of organic vapors, whereas electrostatic air cleaners may produce undesirable ozone during use. Another basic control strategy involves changing the ventilation parameters. The ORD plans to evaluate the effectiveness of different ventilation strategies using a predictive model. However, they must first improve methods for measuring ventilation effectiveness. One other facet of ORD's indoor air pollution research is the study of air quality in nonresidential buildings. Emphasis is on "sick building syndrome" and its causation where occupants complain of a variety of symptoms ranging from headache and eye, nose, and throat irritation to dizziness and nausea. Culprits include inadequate ventilation, emission of pollutants inside the building, pollutants drawn in from outside, and biological contamination. EPA is currently investigating its office buildings in the Washington area in response to employee complaints following renovation activities. The Agency is also participating in a study of the Library of Congress building, which has had indoor air pollution problems since 1981. For further information about EPA's Indoor Air Pro- gram, write to Darcy Campbell or Harriet Ammann at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office, MD-52, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711 or call (919) 541-4477. 'The sources of indoor air pollution generally fall into the categories of combustion sources, personal activity sources, material sources, outside sources, and biological contaminant sources. The pollutants that are emitted from these sources include nitrogen dioxide, car- bon monoxide, gas-phase organic compounds, par- ticulate matter, environmental tobacco smoke, bacteria and mold spores, among others. FIRST URBAN AIR TOXICS 1 HELD IN ANAHEIM The first of the three EPA/STAPPA/ALAPCO workshops on Urban Air Toxics was held in Anaheim, California, February 15-17. Presentations were given at the workshop on the South Coast Multiple Air Toxics Ex- posure Study (MATES), urban studies in Denver and Baltimore, and EPA's latest findings and assessment techniques for urban air toxics. Over 120 participants engaged in a productive exchange of ideas, perspec- tives, and assessment approaches at the workshop. The Anaheim workshop featured State and local speakers including Tad Aburn (Maryland), Naydene Maykut (Puget Sound), Jim King (Colorado), Ditas Shikiya, John Grisinger, Steve Barbosa and Mark Saperstein (South Coast Air Quality Management District - SCAQMD). Presentation topics included monitoring, modeling, risk assessment and mitigation of urban air toxics. A number of EPA speakers also gave presentations including Tom Lahre (OAQPS) on Over- view of the Evidence and Nature of Urban Air Toxics, Ken WORKSHOP Lloyd (Region VIII) on a summary of the Denver In- tegrated Environmental Management Project, Larry Pur- due (AREAL) on the EPA Urban Air Toxics Monitoring Ac- tivities and Methods Support, Karen Blanchard (OAQPS) on EPA Exposure and Risk Assessment Support Ac- tivities and Risk Communication, and Mike Trutna (OAQPS) on Mitigation Strategies for Urban Air Toxics. Over 30 speakers and moderators participated in the workshop. Carolyn Green (SCAQMD) summarized the perspectives presented at the Anaheim workshop. She noted that there was general agreement that urban air toxics is a serious problem and that mitigating action is necessary to reduce risks considered unacceptable by the public. It was suggested at the workshop that the regulatory community should be concerned with the four to nine pollutants of highest concern consistently iden- tified in urban studies instead of lists of hundreds of pollutants. Another observation was that both monitor- 9 ------- ing and modeling assessments continue to be needed to help assess and appropriately mitigate urban air tox- ics, especially in areas with no such assessments to date. EPA's five-city study was cited as a possible begin- ning of a nationwide data base on urban air toxics need- ed to help identify the pollutants of greatest concern common to urban areas. Other observations included the need for funds for additional speciation studies to help identify and control sources of air toxics of concern and the need for coordination between EPA's reactivity policy for volatile organic compounds and air toxics policies, especially with respect to EPA's co-control policy. The upcoming workshop in Baltimore (April 19-21, 1989) also offers opportunities for exchange of informa- tion on urban air toxics. This two and one-half day workshop will highlight the urban studies in Baltimore, and also includes presentations on projects in Southern California, Southeast Chicago, and Staten Island. Talks given in Anaheim on EPA's latest observations on monitoring, emissions inventorying, modeling risk assessment and mitigation will also be offered. The workshop is being co-hosted by State and local agen- cies, STAPPA/ALAPCO, and EPA. [The workshop in Denver (March 8-10,1989) occurred as this issue of the Newsletter was going to press.] A limited number of spaces are available for the Baltimore workshop. Registration is $40 with priority given to government agency personnel. Nongovernment personnel will be placed on a waiting list for space available registration. The EPA Project Manager is Bill Lamason, Noncriteria Pollutant Programs Branch (MD-15), Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711. Telephone (919) 541-5374 or (FTS) 629-5374. REGION V RELEASES SOUTHEAST CHICAGO CANCER RISK ASSESSMENT RESULTS Region V has recently completed an urban cancer risk assessment for the Southeast Chicago area. This study considered 30 pollutants (listed in Table 1) for which cancer risk factors were available. First, a compre- hensive emissions inventory for these pollutants was compiled including such sources as wastewater treat- ment plants and treatment, storage, and disposal facili- ties (TSDFs). Next, dispersion modeling was used to estimate pollutant concentrations in each of 169 one- kilometer grids. These concentrations were compared to available monitoring data, mostly to assess the reliability of the modeling estimates but also to estimate back- ground concentrations for two pollutants, formaldehyde and carbon tetrachloride. (From monitoring data, the levels of these two pollutants are higher than estimated emissions. This is due primarily to indirect sources such as photochemical transformation of compounds to for- maldehyde and the high global background of carbon tetrachloride that has accumulated over time.) Finally, the estimated concentrations were multiplied by unit risk factors to estimate the risks in each grid of the one- kilometer receptor network. These risks were multiplied by the population to estimate numbers of cancer cases per grid attributable to the current level of air pollution. Grid-specific risks ranged from about 1 x 10"4 to about 5 x 10-3. However, the grid with the highest risk is an industrial, essentially unpopulated area. The grid with the highest estimated number of cancer cases is a fair- ly densely populated area with a risk of about 9 x 10-4. For the area as a whole, this study found that with cur- rent estimated emissions, a total of 85 cancer cases would be estimated to occur over the next 70 years. With a total population of about 393,000, the average risk in the area is 2.2 x 10 4. By using the emissions inventory/dispersion model- ing approach, this study was able to suggest which source categories and which pollutants contribute most significantly to risks in the Southeast Chicago area. Steel mills, particularly coke ovens and coke by-product plants, contribute over a third of the number of cancer cases estimated for the area. The study found that the next highest contributions were from background pollutants (21% of cancer cases, including 16% from for- maldehyde), chromium electroplating (15%), roadway TABLE 1. POLLUTANTS INCLUDED IN THE SOUTHEAST CHICAGO AREA CANCER RISK ASSESSMENT Chlorinated VOC Nonchlorlnated VOC Carbon tetrachloride Acrylamide Chloroform Acrylonitrile Dioxin Benzene Epichlorohydrin Butadiene Ethylene dibromide* Coke oven emissions Ethylene dichloride Ethylene oxide Hexachlorobenzene Formaldehyde Methyl chloride Gasoline vapors Methylene chloride Polycyclic organic matter Perchloroelhylene (POM) Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Propylene oxide Trichloroethylene Styrene Vinyl chloride Vinylidene chloride Inorganic Arsenic Asbestos Beryllium Cadmium Chromium 'Although ethylene dibromide is not chlorinated, it is halogenated and is included among chlorinated compounds due to chemical similarity. 10 ------- vehicles (14%), and home wood combustion (10%). The most significant pollutants were coke oven emissions (28.5% of cancer cases), formaldehyde (18%, including all sources), hexavalent chromium (17%), polycyclic organic matter (14%), carbon tetrachloride (5%), and benzene (5%). Also of interest in this study were the results of the risk assessments for wastewater treatment plants and ^s- Estimation of emissions from these source types requires information that is often not readily available and involves procedures that are not widely known. nerefore, the Region V study represents one of few at- tempts to assess the impacts of these source types. Region V concluded that these two source categories each contribute only about 0.1% of the total estimated number of cancer cases. Region V has documented this study in a draft report, supplemented by two reports describing the emissions inventory. This study is now being subject to public review, but is available through the Air and Radia- tion Branch (5AR-26), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 230 South Dearborn, Chicago, Illinois 60604, or can be obtained by contacting John Summerhays at (312) 886-6067, (FTS) 886-6067. PRIVATELY PRINTED RADON DIRECTORY NOW The Radon Press of Alexandria, Virginia, has Published a 552-page "Radon Industry Directory." According to the publisher, the Directory provides ists for every radon detection and mitigation firm in the nited States and Canada. Other highlights include in- ormation on radon products, government agencies, con- AVAILABLE sultants, research facilities, conferences, and training opportunities. Special interest organizations in the areas of real estate, construction, health, environment, in- dustry, and public interest are also represented. There is a charge to order the directory. For details, call The Radon Press at (800) 548-1567. REQUEST FOR STYRENE El The EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Stan- ards (OAQPS) is preparing a styrene report as part of ® document series entitled "Locating and Estimating "' Emissions from Sources of (Substance)." This report " identify source categories for which emissions of Vene have been characterized. It will include general Process descriptions of emitting processes and identify MISSIONS DATA potential release points. The Pollutant Characterization Section is requesting information on styrene emissions gathered by State and local air pollution control agen- cies, especially data compiled for smaller sources of styrene. If you have any information, please contact Anne Pope, U.S. EPA, OAQPS, at (919) 541-5373. meed help? " your agency needs help in finding information on specific air toxics question, you can announce that e6d in (he National Air Toxics Information Clear- Si ouse Newsletter. Your colleagues from other State ocal agencies who have such information will be able contact you with assistance. In addition, the Clear- inghouse staff would like to receive your ideas for future Newsletter articles. To list an information need in the next issue or to submit an article or a suggestion for a future Newsletter article, please call Susan Buchanan, Radian Corporation, (919) 541-9100. CTC AND AIR RISC HOTLINI ARE READY TO ASSIST STA1 a l'r°r answers to control technology questions, State a ocal air agencies can call EPA's Control Technology ®r (CTC) Hotline at (919) 541-0800. e'p with questions on health effects, exposure, or ¦s rE AND LOCAL AGENCIES risk assessment associated with air toxics is available from EPA's Risk Information Support Center (Air RISC) Hotline at (919) 541-0888. 11 ------- Vd3 9sn J0J uoiiepuaiuiuooaj jo juaiuasjopua Aug ainjusuoo jou saop spnpojd IBpjawiuoo jo saujBU apBJ) uo|juai/\| AouaBv uoipsjojd ibjusiuuojialg am jo sspnod pus smsia am psiaj A||jBSsaoau iou op j3})3|sm3|\j asnoij6u!JB3|o uoijbuijojui sojxoj. jiv ibuoijen am ui passajdxa smsia am pajE3|pu| asjMjaqjo ssa|un jibjs vd3 JO uoijBJOdJOQ uBipsy Aq usjjum 8jb jajja|SMau ai|j u| sapijjv sja}ja|SMau sjnjnj joj suo|js366ns qj|M jo jsjjsismsu sihj oj BumiEjjad babli jii6|ui noA sjuaiuiuoo Aue H)!M janna jao^o pafoJd am joejuoo assaid QQLLZ buhojbq ijjjon l>|jBd 8|6ub!ji ipjBasay 'OOOEl- xog O'd 'uofjBJOdJOQ uB!pey 'Aa|BH mipajaiAl 6u|j|jm Aq os op Abiu saSuBijo ssajppB jjodaj oj Buihsim asom a6jBijo jo aajj pajnqujsip si pus sapua6B iojjuoo uoijnnod j|b ibooi pus ojbjs JOj AiuBiuud pajBdajd s| jajja|SMau am 001-6-1>S(61-6) '60LIZ bu||ojbo hjjon 'HJBd a|6uBui qojBasay '00001- xog Od 'UBUBqong uBsns s| jopajjd pafojd UEipey am '8frESHfrS(6l.6) :auoi|da|ai 'WLIZ buhojbo mjjon '>)JBd aiBuBuj. ijojBasay 'spjBp -ubjs PUB 6u!UUB|d AniBno J!V J° 30IWO Vd3 'saaqjooA Jjoos S| jaowo pafoJd Vd3 am i iuaiuu6|ssv V°hA 'S900-80-89 jaqujnN jobjjuoq \/d3 Japun uojiBJodjoQ uBjpBy Aq pajBdajd s| jajja|SM8N asnoqfiuuBaio uo|j -eiujojui soixoi jiv ibuoijen am (OOdVIV) S|Bpwo |ojjuoq uoijnnod jiv |BOO"| pub ajBJS am miiaa jjojja lujof b jo jJBd sb qouBjg juaiussassy jUBjn||Od 'uo|S|A!a spjBpuBJS uoissjiug 'Aoua6v uojjosjojd iBjuaiuuojjAug s n aqi Aq pajuaujaidaij 6u|aq s; asnoq6uuBaio am e86l- jaqiy^SKja ui pajBaddB anssj )SJjj. am suoissjwa jubj -nnod euajuouou uo suojspap Bui^biu sapua6B ibooi pue ajBjg jsjsse tjtesnoiiBuuBao U0!JBWJ0JU| sojxoj. jiv ibuoijen am Aq jboA b saunj x|s paiisnqnd S| jajj3|SM3N 3snoi|6uuB3|0 ubjjBiujojui sojxoi jiv ibuoijen am Scott Voorhees Pollutant Assessment Branch U.S. Environmental Protection Agency MD-13 Research Triangle Park, NC 27711 FIRST CLASS MAIL U.S. Postage Paid E.P.A. 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