Grantee Research Project Results
2005 Progress Report: Research Needs in the EPA Regions Covered by the Center for Hazardous Substances in Urban Environments
EPA Grant Number: R828771C014Subproject: this is subproject number 014 , established and managed by the Center Director under grant R828771
(EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
Center: HSRC (2001) - Center for Hazardous Substances in Urban Environments
Center Director: Bouwer, Edward J.
Title: Research Needs in the EPA Regions Covered by the Center for Hazardous Substances in Urban Environments
Investigators: Oguntimein, G. B. , Chen, Guangming , Williams, Sedley
Institution: Morgan State University
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: October 1, 2001 through September 30, 2007
Project Period Covered by this Report: October 1, 2004 through September 30, 2005
RFA: Hazardous Substance Research Centers - HSRC (2001) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Land and Waste Management
Objective:
Human activities over years have impacted the environment and are of a major concern to governments and communities as for environmental protection. Industrial activities have resulted in the generation of hazardous waste which have impacted many communities across the United States especially EPA Regions I, II and III. EPA Region I includes the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Region II includes the states of New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Region III includes the states of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. These regions are characterized with heavy industrial development that results in waste, release of toxic compounds, and abandoned facilities (Brownfields), etc. Proximity to toxic and hazardous waste exposes the human beings to adverse health effects in the form of acute or chronic primary health conditions, or as complications to pre-existing medical problems.
The objectives of this study are to: (1) identify the research needs in EPA Regions I, II, and III through visits and interviews with EPA officials, environmental industry, and other stakeholders; and (2) produce an assessment report on these research needs, together with the rankings of importance. The report would identify possible hazardous waste sites, Superfund and Brownfield sites in the three EPA regions as well as the types of contaminants at the sites and the communities impacted by the hazardous wastes, which could be used by the Center researchers for case studies.
Progress Summary:
We conducted an intensive investigation through the following initiatives:
- Searched the Web to obtain information about our resource persons.
- Wrote letters to our resource persons explaining our mission.
- Designed survey forms to gather information from our resource persons.
- Conducted telephone interviews with stakeholders in health and environmental issues.
- Identified some hazardous waste sites for possible use as case studies.
- Attended meetings and conferences on environmental issues related to the study organized by EPA and scientific organizations such as the American Chemical Society (ACS).
- Organized a 1-day symposium on September 26, 2005, at Morgan State University (MSU) to gather more information from the stakeholders.
Research Needs Identified by the Center
Region 1. Hazardous substances identified that are of concern include mercury, perchloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), radon, vanadium, arsenic, cyanide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), perchlorates, lead, radionuclide and dioxins.
Research is needed to:
- Detect and remediate vapor intrusion from mercury, chlorinated substances, and VOCs through foundations in buildings.
- Develop an effective data collection system and a good technology to monitor level of exposure.
- Improve indoor air quality.
- Develop landfill caps with better long-term performance. The percolation through landfill caps is regarded as a significant contributor to generation of leachates.
- Investigate the sources and mechanisms of migration of PCE, TCE, dioxins, and perchlorates in groundwater systems.
- Monitor performance and characterize sites for natural attenuation of certain contaminated sites.
- Detect and eliminate arsenic in groundwater used as drinking water.
- Characterize Brownfields sites and develop cost-effective technologies for cleaning up a “typical” Brownfield. The area of phytoremediation of soils at Brownfield sites has some great promise.
Lessona and Warwick, both located in Rhode Island, were identified as possible study sites.
Regions 2. The hazardous substances identified in this region include lead, chromium, mercury, benzene, toluene, xylene, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCBs), PAHs, PCE, TCE, lead, arsenic, dioxins, and perchlorates.
Research needs include:
- Oxygenates in water (e.g., methyl tertiary butyl ether [MTBE]).
- Human health effects of past operations on military reservations resulting in hazardous contaminants associated with explosives (e.g., lead).
- Mercury from coal-fired power plants (CFPP). Region 2 accounts for one-third of annual manmade mercury from coal fired power plants (CFPPs). Mercury is persistent and mobile, and it bioaccumulates in fish. Mercury occurs in the environment as methyl mercury. Research needs center on emission reduction technologies.
- Removal of oxygenates from contaminated water (e.g., MBTE).
- Human health effects of past operations in military reservations resulting in contaminants associated with explosives that are hazardous (e.g., lead).
- Mercury from CFPPs. Region 2 accounts for one-third of annual man-made mercury from CFPP. Mercury is persistent and mobile, and it bioaccumulates in fish. Mercury occurs in the environment as methyl mercury. Research needs center on emission reduction technologies.
Region 3. Hazardous substances identified in the region include: dioxin, sulfur, carcinogens, gasoline, fuel oil, TCE, arsenic, lead, creosote, pentachlorobenzene, and PCE.
Areas of research needs include:
- Oxygenates in water, e.g., MTBE is of special concern and critical information and research is needed about its carcinogenic effects.
- Human health effects of past operations on military bases resulting in hazardous contaminants associated with ammunitions and explosives (e.g., lead).
- Technology, instruments, and knowledge for rapid characterization of Brownfields.
- Obtaining adequate information on exposures and effects as well as developing a remediation technique that works.
- Information on carcinogenic effects of creosote.
Chillum, located in Washington, DC; Churchroat, located in Mountaintop, Pennsylvania; Koppers, Inc., located in New Castle, Delaware; and the Park Heights area of Baltimore, Maryland, where there is strong community interest in the presence of lead, have been identified for possible case studies.
Four technical papers were presented during the 1-day symposium attended by 20 participants from EPA and county and state departments of environment. In the lead paper titled “Environmental Contribution to Chronic Disease in Communities of Concern,” presented by Dr. Stephanie Miles-Richardson, a commissioned officer of the U.S. Public Health Service stationed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), showed that this population is disproportionately exposed to high levels of environmental stressors resulting in real or perceived health effects. The association between potential exposure to environmental chemicals and chronic disease was shown in this population who lives in close proximity to more than 1,200 sites on the National Priority List. The traditional cause and effect relationship that typically governs the risk assessment process was examined. Reginald Harris, a toxicologist with EPA Region III, described the environmental risks, health, and regulatory study of Chester, Pennsylvania, a community with a cluster of hazardous waste facilities. This study revealed that the blood lead in Chester children is unacceptably high (more than 60% of the children’s blood lead samples tested were above the CDC action level of 10 μg/dL). Both cancer and noncancer risks calculated for the City of Chester exceed levels that EPA believes are acceptable. Air emissions from facilities in and around Chester provide a large component of the cancer and non-cancer risk to the citizens of Chester. The health risk from eating contaminated fish from streams in Chester and the Delaware River is unacceptably high. Drinking water in Chester is typical of supplies in other cities throughout the country. Slight long term (20 year) risks may be expected due to the residuals of water treatment processes. Cancer age-adjusted mortality rates for males in Chester exceeded those of males in all of the surrounding areas. Similar findings were observed for females in Chester. Cancer incidence rates for respiratory cancers (lung, trachea, and bronchus) in males and females in Chester exceeded those for residents in the surrounding counties. Male cancer incidence rates for prostate cancer, leukemia, and all cancers combined for Chester exceeded those in the surrounding area. Disease mortality rates in Chester were higher than those in the surrounding area for a number of indices. Dr. Judy Shaw, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, presented a paper titled “Public Participation: the Key to Effective Remediation of High Profile Cases,” which showed how public participation, elements of risk communication, building trust with communities, establishing scientific and procedural foundations for decision-making, and the value of personal contact were important factors in the successful remediation of a hazardous waste site. The final paper presented by Evans Paull, Dr. Frank Pine, and Denise Sullivan was on the Maryland Brownfields Program. The redevelopment of two Brownfield sites, Bond and Thames Street and Clipper Mill, was described. Participants later visited these two sites.
In summary, the hazardous substances of most concern are mercury, TCE, PCB, chlorinated solvents, and radon in Region 1; lead, chromium, mercury, and benzene in Region 2; and lead, dioxin, and TCE in Region 3. These chemicals are among the top 20 identified at sites on the National Priority List. There also is strong interest and concern about the fate of oxygenates in streams and the potential contamination of groundwater in both Regions 2 and 3. The presence of MTBE, a constituent of most grades of gasoline, is of special concern, specifically the risk of contaminating surface streams and recreational waterways, as well as groundwater contamination after soil contamination. Critical information and research needs exist, a special concern being the carcinogenic effects of the contaminants. The Massachusetts Military Reservation remains a concern as a probable source of hazardous contaminants associated with spent explosives. We have identified possible sites in two of the regions where research could be carried out for case studies.
Future Activities:
A full report and video of the symposium is being prepared. Efforts will continue to identify research needs in Regions I, II, and III.
Supplemental Keywords:
toxics, exposure, hazardous substances, assessment, cleanup, risk communication, Brownfields, EPA Region 1, EPA Region 2, EPA Region 3, waste containment, international cooperation, pollutants/toxics, waste, Brownfields, chemicals, EPA Regions, ecological risk assessment, environmental chemistry, environmental engineering, hazardous, hazardous waste, Region 1 , Region 2, Region 3, airborne urban contaminants, assessing metal speciation, Brownfield sites, chemical releases, contaminated waste sites, environmental hazards, hazardous waste characterization, hazardous waste disposal, hazardous waste management, hazardous waste treatment, heavy metals, risk assessment,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, Geographic Area, Waste, Environmental Chemistry, Arsenic, Brownfields, Hazardous Waste, Ecological Risk Assessment, Hazardous, Environmental Engineering, EPA Region, hazardous waste disposal, hazardous waste management, hazardous waste treatment, brownfield sites, environmental hazards, contaminated waste sites, urban waste management, Region 3, risk assessment , chemical releases, Region 2, hazardous waste characterization, Region 1 , heavy metalsRelevant Websites:
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractMain Center Abstract and Reports:
R828771 HSRC (2001) - Center for Hazardous Substances in Urban Environments Subprojects under this Center: (EPA does not fund or establish subprojects; EPA awards and manages the overall grant for this center).
R828771C001 Co-Contaminant Effects on Risk Assessment and Remediation Activities Involving Urban Sediments and Soils: Phase II
R828771C002 The Fate and Potential Bioavailability of Airborne Urban
Contaminants
R828771C003 Geochemistry, Biochemistry, and Surface/Groundwater Interactions
for As, Cr, Ni, Zn, and Cd with Applications to Contaminated Waterfronts
R828771C004 Large Eddy Simulation of Dispersion in Urban Areas
R828771C005 Speciation of chromium in environmental media using capillary
electrophoresis with multiple wavlength UV/visible detection
R828771C006 Zero-Valent Metal Treatment of Halogenated Vapor-Phase Contaminants in SVE Offgas
R828771C007 The Center for Hazardous Substances in Urban Environments (CHSUE) Outreach Program
R828771C008 New Jersey Institute of Technology Outreach Program for EPA Region II
R828771C009 Urban Environmental Issues: Hartford Technology Transfer and Outreach
R828771C010 University of Maryland Outreach Component
R828771C011 Environmental Assessment and GIS System Development of Brownfield Sites in Baltimore
R828771C012 Solubilization of Particulate-Bound Ni(II) and Zn(II)
R828771C013 Seasonal Controls of Arsenic Transport Across the Groundwater-Surface Water Interface at a Closed Landfill Site
R828771C014 Research Needs in the EPA Regions Covered by the Center for Hazardous Substances in Urban Environments
R828771C015 Transport of Hazardous Substances Between Brownfields and the Surrounding Urban Atmosphere
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.