Environmental Monitoring and Modeling Associated with National Emergencies Experiences Gained from the World Trade Center Disaster Alan Vette1, Stephen Hern2, Marcus Kantz2, Jerry Blancato1, Alan Huber3, Alan Lindquist4 and Matthew Lorber5 ĶU.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC; 2U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Las Vegas, NV; 'National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Air Resources Laboratory. On assignment to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, NC; 'U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, OH; 5U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Center for Exposure Assessment, Washington, DC Homduml Smir'ny WORKSHOP OVERVIEW A workshop was held to discuss how the Office of Research and Development (ORD) can best apply its expertise for human exposure and risk assessment during an emergency response to protect human health. Workshop hosted by ORD in Research Triangle Park, NC on November 18-19, 2002. Over 50 participants attended from across EPA, other Agencies and academia Major themes discussed: Measurement techniques and strategies for airborne hazards Modeling - transport and dispersion, and human exposure modeling Risk assessment and communication Challenges of integrating research into an emergency response Major recommendations will help ORD focus its efforts and resources in the most appropriate manner for future responses Peer-reviewed report summarizing the recommendations currently in draft form and expected to be finalized during summer 2003. RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE WORKSHOP F Irom a human exposure and risk assessment standpoint, some of the issues that arose during the response to the WTC disaster involved roles and responsibilities, coordination, and communication. ISSUE Roles and responsibilities of on-scene responders at WTC not well established prior to 9/11 Delays encountered in implementing ORD's monitoring plan RECOMMENDATION/ACTION ORD working with Regions and Emergency Response Teams (ERT) to better define its role in an emergency response. Communicating scientific results to the public during an emergency response posed a significant challenge Valuable time was lost identifying experts, authorities and resources Lack of available health benchmarks or background information to compare air pollutant levels. Public's exposures to most air pollutants occurred in an acute or short-term manner while available benchmarks were for chronic or long- term exposures Information flow between on-scene responders and experts needs to occur more frequently during the emergency disaster ORD scientists engaged in discussions with ERT at workshop to better understand how we can work together. ORD scientists continue to work with the ERT by recommending sampling equipment to collect early environmental exposure data. Results should be communicated by a single visible spokesperson through periodic briefings. An incident command center should be established where the media and the public may obtain information. ORD preparing a directory of experts and resources that can be accessed quickly in the event of an emergency response. This effort is also being undertaken Agency wide. Sub-chronic benchmarks need to be developed to compare air pollutant levels for better exposure and risk assessment. The Acute Exposure Guideline Levels (AEGL) are a promising resource that is currently under review. Catalog of background levels for urban areas should be developed for easy access. Feedback loops need to be developed between modeling and measurement results so that refinements can be made in monitoring strategies to provide better information for exposure and risk assessments. Partnering to Protect Human Health TP ------- |