SKERV Times NEWS FOR AND ABOUT EPA EMPLOYEES TNSIDE: ~ Insurance Options ~ Talent Search ~ Public Service Nominations VOLUME 2 NUMBER 14 June 1985 Coping With a Burning Issue In a dim cafe, Bette Davis and Paul Henreid gaze into each other's eyes. Are these two in love? Paul lights two cigarettes, inhales deeply on both of them, and tenderly places one between Bette's lips. Now the audience knows they're in love. They don't make scenes like that any more. For good reason. These days smoking has become a major health and safety issue, turning friends, families, and colleagues against each other. It certainly has become an economic issue as courts and workman's compensation plans have increasingly honored disability claims by employees exposed to others' smoking. Both as an environmental institution and as an employer, EPA certainly hasn't been exempt from the controversy. How has it faced the problem of accommodating some 13,000 environmentally-conscious employees spread out in ten regional offices and a score of laboratories and research centers? According to Bob Magor, Director of EPA's Occupational Health and Safety staff, Agency policy is moving to a consensus that smoking should be treated as an occupational health issue. "Previous EPA policy addressed smoking primarily as a fire hazard/nuisance problem," says Magor. "When co-workers differed, it set up supervisors as mediators, but a failure to reach some agreement favored the smoker. But if you treat smoking as a health issue, it's going to favor non-smokers." Magor's staff has just circulated a draft smoking policy for review within the Agency. It offers general guidelines, but at a minimum would require all EPA locations: • To adopt policies that protect employees from direct, involuntary exposure to others' smoking. • To promote, at Agency expense, smokers' involvement in recognized smoking clinics and other stop-smoking programs. At headquarters, the policy would ban all smoking in auditoriums, classrooms, conference rooms, corridors, walk-in service areas, and any offices or open spaces where employees object to smoking by other employees in the same room. Supervisors may try to improve the situation by changing work locations and using fans or air purifiers, but if the non-smokers continue to object, smoking would be banned. Regions 1 and 3 have already implemented more stringent rules. Region 1 has banned all smoking in the building, with the exception of two designated restrooms; Region 3 not only banned smoking everywhere except for some designated vending rooms, it has also instituted penalties to enforce the ban. Penalties range from official reprimand to dismissal, depending on the circumstances. Regional officials feel that their policies are working well. "People are basically honoring the rules," says James Marks of Region 3. "What I've observed is that people pretty much are trying to stick with it. I know one real chain smoker—a five-pack a day man—and I've not seen him smoke in his office. I've seen him in the vending room, but not smoking in his office. In fact, smoking employees are taking their work to the vending areas and setting up shop there." \ / ()() To help employees cope with the ban, both regions have subsidized stop-smoking help. In Region 1, employees chose the clinic or method they felt would work best, with the Agency paying up to $100 of the cost. They also were allowed to attend classes during normal work hours. Region 3 also paid for employee courses. Region 10 has one designated smoking space, which also is set up as an eating area. In addition, all job announcements for the region notify applicants that smoking is prohibited. It's not quite yet a job qualification to be a non-smoker, but it's getting close. Region 9 was the first to have a smoking policy based on health. "The city of San Francisco asked for a copy of our order when it was developing its municipal policy," says Ray Ramos, "so I guess people were interested in it, but at first we were in limbo all by ourselves." Smoking is banned in all Region 9 classrooms, corridors, conference rooms, restrooms, part of the employee lunchroom, and in offices and open spaces. Employees are permitted to smoke at their work stations if all employees within a radius of about 25 feet do not object. Smoking in private offices also is permitted if authorized by the office director, but Ramos says that most employees have just tried to avoid smoking. "All of our smokers have been very considerate," he says, and he credits Region 9's success to good employee involvement and strong union/managemeni support. "Before we published our order, we circulated a draft to every employee and asked for comments. We got a lot of response and incorporated a lot of ideas. But our success is also due to the California attitude that health is important and we should enjoy it while we've got it." ~ ------- People Recipients of Unusually Outstanding awards for performance leading to major progress for the Agency are: Joseph Carra, OPTS, for leadership of the OTS Quality Assurance Program . . . Linda Fisher, Office of the Administrator, for performance as OSWER's principal point of contact for the Congress during the reauthorization of RCRA and CERCLA . . . Carl Kohnert, Region 9, for enhancing the presentation and understanding of the national air pollution problem through state-of-the-art computer graphics . . . Susan Lepow, Office of General Counsel, for contributions to the promulgation of technically sound and legally defensible effluent guidelines . . . David Stonefield, Air and Radiation, for contributions to the revision of regulations limiting emissions of air pollution at industrial plants with tall smokestacks. The five were selected by the Administrator and EPA's Awards Board from nominations submitted by Regional and Assistant Administrators. J "Unusually Outstanding" award recipients (Left to RighfJ Carl Kohnert, Jr., (Administrator Lee Thomas) Linda Fisher, Susan Lepow, Joseph Carra. and David Stonefield. Bronze Medals awarded to: Joe Lowry, Douglas Kendall. and Richard Garnas, Enforcement and Compliance Monitoring . . . Pamela Harris, Lorie Roeser, James Littell, Jo Ann Semones, and Charles Lincoln, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. Quality Step Increases awarded to: Keith Onsdorff, Rebecca Pacheco, Johnny Lee, Janice Vega, Susan Ritta, Gloria Hunt, Dixon McClary, Robert Laidlaw, James Slovinski, and Konrad Nottingham, Enforcement and Compliance Monitoring . . . Sarah Black and Minerva Corsey, Pesticides and Toxic Substances . . . Susan Tejada, External Affairs . . . Mahesh Podar, Policy, Planning and Evaluation. Special Act Awards presented to: Charles Nauman, Paul Des Rosiers, Michael Dellarco, and Lisa Gray, Research and Development . . . Stephen Weil and Leonard Fleckenstein, Policy, Planning and Eveluation . . . Gloria Hamm, Water . . . Ann Stavala, Carol Nielsen, Karl Arne, Richard Balcomb, Geraldine Fristrom, John Jordan, Thelma Resper, Daniel Rieder, Charles Adams, Patricia Ott, Richard Stevens, Lori Tripoli, Richard Farringer, Charles Lewis, Richard Morash, Alison Kerester, Stuart Cohen, Steve Johnson, Elizabeth Leovey, Orville Payntner, John Seitz, Frederick Betz. and John Davidson, Pesticides and Toxic Substances . . . Dixon McClary, Geraldine Hilden, William Graff, Douglas Kendall, Jane Chadbourne, William Steakley, William Gillespie, Earl Beam, Marcia Colvin, Gary Young, Rebecca Pacheco, Ella Pike, Patricia Miller, Peter Rosenberg, and Larry Wilbon, Enforcement and Compliance Monitoring . . . Betty Mingo, Nellie Gales, William English, Faith Samples, Joseph Sullivan, Janice Wingfield, Carol Crumby, and Henry Washington, Administration and Resources Management . . . Margaret Lee, Air and Radiation . . . Cynthia Brown, Water . . Brenda Green, External Affairs. Sustained Superior Performance Awards presented to: Willie Staton, Shirley Jackson, Broam Smith, and Michael Shamus, Administration and Resources Management . . . Sharon Payne, Mattie Bright, and Sylvia Correa, Air and Radiation . . . Ellen Spitalnik, Russell Forba, Eugene Lubieniecki, Bruce Binkley, Elizabeth Leaird, Patricia Fisher, Clayton Clark, and Robert Boodey, Enforcement and Compliance Monitoring . . . Virginia Garvin, Irving Mauer, Clinton Fletcher, Sarah Heath, Stephen Dapson, Kristallo Pappajohn, Norma Shea, Rebecca Torchia, Louis Kasza, Richard Lee, Daniel Saunders, Curtis Laird, Belinda Jones, Francis Mann, Leslie Touart, Susan Lawrence, Nancy Landreville, Russell Cook. Pamela Hasty, Joseph Jamison. John Quest. Robert Hoist, Mario Fiol, Catherine Colleli, Mary Radzikowski, John Chen, Brian Dementi, Joan Moyer Marion Copley, Christine Giles, Rose Jackson, and Shirley Waugh, Pesticides and Toxic Substances . . . Robert Steward, Brian Smith, William Whitehouse, and Shirley Jackson, Administration and Resources Management . . . Barry Elman, Zenita Thompson, and Ann Fisher, Policy, Planning and Evaluation . . . Judith Hamilton and Anne Brent, Research and Development . . . Louise Wise, Office of the General Counsel. Correction: In the May issue. Tribute of Appreciation recipient Tom Hadd was mistakenly listed as Jim Hadd. n Available Information Available now from the National Technical Information Service is the EPA Publication Bibliography. PB84-158500. 1977-1983. For further information call 800-336-4700. Proceedings of the National Conference on Wasfe Exchange, held on March 5-6, 1985, in Tallahassee, Florida are available from the National Conference on Waste Exchange, P.O. Box 6487, Tallahassee, Florida 32313. The price is $13.50 per copy. Selections from EPA Library holdings which may be of general interest. Gaining Access to U.S. Government Information on the Environment and Natural Resources. Bv F.M. O'Hara, Jr.. and Laura O'Hara. REF JK8731. 037. 1984. High-Technology Policies: A Five-Nation Comparison. By Richard R. Nelson. HD 9696. A2N45. 1984. Improving Environmental Cooperation: the Holes of Multinational Corporations and Developing Countries: the Report of a Panel of Business Leaders and Other Experts Convened by the World Resources Institute. HC79. E5I46. Improving World Health: A Least Cost Strategy. By William U. Chandler. RA 410. 5.C47. 1984. The National Energy Policy Plan: A Report to the Congress Required by Title VIII of the Dept. of Energy Organization Act (Public Law 95-91 J. HD 9502. U52E5261. 1983. Third Annual Report on Carcinogens: Summary, September, 1983. By U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service. RC 268.6. T44. 1983. Vital Statistics on Congress. By Norman J. Ornstein, et. al. JK 1041.V58. 1984. ~ ------- Agency Activities "intinued use of the pesticide dinocap allowed by EPA d on Agency's review of new laboratory studies undertaken to determine the product's potential risks. Dinocap (trade name Karathane) is primarily a fungicide, but it has limited use for controlling mites. Approximately 91 percent of it is used on apple trees to control powdery mildew and mites. EPA's concerns about the health risks of dinocap are presently limited to those who mix, load and apply the chemical. The Agency has found that dietary exposure to humans through food crops on which dinocap is applied is not significant. Final rule issued by EPA requiring large underground uranium mines to install bulkheads to reduce the release of radiation into the air. EPA has set a work-practice standard that requires inactive mine areas to be sealed off (a procedure called "bulkheading") to reduce the levels of radon-222 (a uranium decay product). The bulkheading would allow radon-222 to decay in the closed-off areas rather than be discharged into the atmosphere. Region 3 has determined that Union Carbide's plans to resume production of methyl isocyanate at its plant in Institute, W. Va. should not endanger the residents of the Kanawha Valley. Pilot program launched by Agency to speed up the process of collecting the data it needs to re-register the non-food uses of pesticides. Under this program, the Agency is requiring registrants to review all available data and to provide the Agency with a complete data base to support the registration of their products. This "data call-in" program covers 31 non-food use pesticides in an estimated 2,500 products. ^Klean Sites Inc., a private organization created to expedite ]Wvate-party cleanup at abandoned hazardous waste sites, has been authorized by EPA to begin considering whether and how the group should get involved in the cleanup of 19 sites. Clean Sites requested authorization to evaluate these 19 sites under an earlier agreement in which EPA said it would indemnify the group against third-party liability. EPA has granted a conditional registration for the pesticide Larvadex, which is used to control fly larvae in the manure of egg-producing chickens. Larvadex (chemical name cyromazine) is a feed-through insecticide mixed with the chicken feed. The registration is for use only with caged layer hens. EPA releases its annual air pollution trends report showing that America is continuing to make progress in improving its air quality. Sulfur dioxide ambient air quality levels have improved 36 percent; ambient carbon monoxide levels have improved 33 percent; ambient particulate levels have improved 20 percent; lead levels in the ambient air have improved 67 percent; ambient nitrogen dioxide levels have deteriorated from 1975 to 1979 and then began improving, resulting in an overall improvement of 4 percent; ozone levels actually increased from 1982 to 1983, although there was still an 8-percent overall improvement during the period from 1975 to 1983. EPA has announced that it will encourage the use of alternatives to land disposal for sites cleaned up under the Superfund program. Under the new policy, the Agency must consider treating the hazardous wastes as an alternative to disposal for both short-term and long-term response actions. If treatment is unavailable—or if it is not a cost-effective solution for long-term cleanup—and offsite land disposal is necessary, the Agency will require the disposal facility to meet current federal requirements for safe management of hazardous wastes. Effective May 7, service stations and certain other small businesses, industries and individuals may no longer install many types of commonly used underground storage tanks containing petroleum products and hazardous substances. Only underground storage tanks that are constructed of a noncorrosive material, are cathodically protected, are steel clad with a non-corrosive material, or are designed to prevent releases of stored substances may be installed. Speaking Out; "The content of press releases is an EPA internal matter at all times. It is against EPA policy to negotiate the Agency's option to issue press releases, or the substance of press releases, with parties outside of EPA, particularly those parties involved in settlements, consent decrees or the regulatory process . . . An agency with a significant enforcement role such as EPA or Justice could not fulfill its function if it were to allow the regulated community to determine the content of its public reports."—Deputy Administrator Jim Barnes, in a memorandum to Agency management. ~ Conferences, Etc. A conference on "Telephone Communications in the Federal Government" will be held June 24-26, 1985, in Washington, DC. The conference will examine what managors, supervisors and users need to know about telephone communications in the Federal government. For more information, contact U.S. Professional Development Institute, 1620 Elton Road, Silver Spring, Md. 20903 telephone 301-445-4400. The Municipal Construction Division of EPA's Office of Water is conducting its 1985 Annual GICS User Group Meeting in Boston July 10-11. The meeting will consist of headquarters, regional, and state managers and users responsible for managing the Grants Information and Control System (GICS) which is the data base used for monitoring all aspects of the construction grants program. For more information, contact Rick Martin at 382-5837 or Walter Johnson at 382-7282. National Water Well Association (NWWA) is sponsoring the second annual "Eastern Regional Ground Water Conference" July 16-18, in Portland, Maine. For more information, contact Lisa Ammerman or Paula Williams at NWWA, 500 W. Wilson Bridge Rd., Worthington, Ohio 43085. Telephone 614-846-9355. EPA's Health Effects Research Laboratorysin Cincinnati is sponsoring a "Symposium on Health Effects of Drinking Water Disinfectants and Disinfection By-products" August 27-29 in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information, contact Andrea Donoghue at 617-661-3700. ~ Thp FPA Times is published monthly to provido nowc and information for and about EPA omploycco Roadors arc encouraged to submit nevvo of themselves and of fellow employees, letters of opinion, questions, comments, and suggestions to: The EPA Times, Office of Public Affairs (A-107) Telephone 475-6642. Information selected for publication will be edited as necessary in keeping with space available Features Editor- Margherita Pryor Columns Editor Marilyn Rogers ------- Around EPA Government Employees Insurance Company (GEICO) will again conduct the GEICO Public Service Award Program in 1985 to honor four federal employees for outstanding contributions in Alcoholism, Fire Prevention and Safety, Physical Rehabilitation, and Traffic Safety and Accident Prevention. In addition, one retired federal employee will be honored for contributions made since retirement in one of these four areas. For more information, contact G.T. Jackson, GEICO, GEICO Plaza, Washington, DC 20076. Telephone 301-986-2039. On March 7 and 8, EPA participated in the 1985 Blood Drive sponsored by the American Red Cross. This Drive provided an opportunity for Agency employees to donate blood for people in the Washington Metropolitan Area. The Personnel Management Division would like to thank the recruitment committee and all employees who gave blood. The agency collected 172 pints, which was 86 percent of the goal. The next Blood Drive is scheduled for June 13-14. The Audio-Visual Division of EPA is looking for volunteers who might wish to be part of the EPA Chorus, and any instrumental groups that may be formed. If you are interested call Ruth on 382-2044. A "Support Careers Advisory Committee" is being established to advise the Office of Human Resources Management of ways to increase productivity, satisfaction, and growth through work, and improve the quality of life of support positions such as clerks and secretaries at EPA. The recommendations from this Committee will aid the Office of Human Resources Management in developing EPA's career management system to aid employees in choosing appropriate development options to enhance their career planning. For more information, call Sandy Bembry or Carolyn Scott on 475-8833. ~ Deputy Administrator James Barnes (left) discusses the exhibits at the Washington Information Center Open House with Ed Han ley (OIRM DirectorJ and Lou Garrett (WIC Open House Coordinator). More than 800 EPA headquarters employees participated in the recent two-day event. Co-sponsored by the Of/ice of Information Resources Management and WIC, the 32-exhibit activity offered demonstrations and displays ranging from the Chesapeake Bay Program and the extensive database search capability of the headquarters' library, to the availability of such equipment as the Laser Printer and the Optical Character Reader. Open Season for FEGLI by Jueiee Street From June 1 through July 1, 1985, employees eligible to participate in the FEGLI Program will be given an opportunity to submit a new life insurance election. Only employees who wish to change their participation status or level of coverage will have to complete a SF-2817. Employees satisfied with their existing coverage need take no action. Previous waivers or declinations of coverage will remain in effect unless the employee submits a new election. Changes will be effectiv August 4, 1985. Basic life insurance coverage rates will change from 22 cents per thousand dollars of coverage to 20 cents per thousand of coverage. All optional insurance rates will remain the same. A "FEGLI 85" open enrollment booklet (FE 74-A), which provides instructions and describes the open enrollment period, is available from Administrative Officers in Headquarters and Personnel Officers in the Regions. ~ Environmental News A selection of noteworthy lines chosen from the 300-400 newspaper and magazine articles on environmental mailers which we receive every (wo weeks. "An area site off the New Jersey coast in which the Environmental Protection Agency wants specially equipped' ships to burn toxic wastes has been found an important habitat of the endangered sperm whale and other marine mammals. The finding by the National Marine Fisheries Service was reported to the environmental agency last month, and could delay or prevent use of the area for testing incineration as a method of disposing of dangerous chemicals. It is about 140 miles southeast of New York harbor and 115 miles east of Atlantic City."—New York Times, 4/2. "Sweden has discovered a method of turning dirty, sulphurous coal into a clean substitute for oil— an ideal fuel for the ecological age. This spring the world's first commercial 'fluid-carbon' refinery in the city of Malmo began producing a mixture of coal, water and chemicals —its exact composition is a closely-guarded secret -as a cheap substitute for heating oil."—Boston Sunday Globe. 4/28. "When California officials were considering how they would cope with Los Angeles' notorious smog during the Olympic Games last summer, they looked to an unlikely source for help— the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Specifically, they were interested in the laser technology of Edward V. Browell and his little-known group of government scientists, technology that is slowly enabling man to measure better the hazardous particles and gasses in the atmosphere."—Wall Street Journal, 4/5. "Restocking lakes and streams with fish bred at hatcheries is a time-tested practice with a proven record of success. But a group of marine biologists are embarking on uncharted water as they attempt to restock Pacific Ocean coastal wattj| with two species of fish whose numbers have declined drastically in recent years. If the $500,000, state-funded restocking program is successful, the biologists say, sport fishermen and commercial fishermen in Southern California could begin finding larger schools of white sea bass and California halibut in coastal waters."—Los Angeles Times, 4/1. ~ ------- |