Impact/Purpose:

To provide the regions with near-term research on high priority, region specific science needs.

By region the main objectives are:

Region 1 (EMRB-Zartarian)

(1) Use dispersion modeling, based on emissions data gathered both from shop owners and from in-shop/stack monitors, to delineate the ambient concentration zone of influence of emissions from the auto body shops, both before and after additional shops use spray guns and other emission reduction strategies.

(2) Compare dispersion model predictions against ambient monitoring data in the zone of influence of the shops, in order to "ground-truth" modeled estimates.

(3) Develop and test a new time-location questionnaire to assess the time residents spend in high, medium, and low concentration zones (for possible use in a new screening level community exposure model)

(4) Quantify human exposures to HDI and VOCs, using ambient concentration and human activity information for the population affected by the auto body shops, both before and after emission control strategies are implemented.

(5) Based on the outcomes of the other objectives, determine the effectiveness of controls in reducing emissions and residential exposures.

Region 2 (MDAB-Van Emon)

To evaluate commercially available, rapid, economical immunoassays for detection of PCBs in caulking and ventilation system dust. A quantitative PCB immunoassay developed by HEASD/ORD will also be evaluated. Assays which perform favorably will be further tested in buildings which test positive for PCBs in caulk to assess whether ventilation dust can be correlated with air sampling methodologies. The expected outcome is EPA's endorsement of immunoassay methods for determining whether caulking materials in buildings contain PCBs, and whether sources of PCBs are presenting an airborne risk to building inhabitants.

Region 4 (ECAB-Landis)

The objective of this research is to improve our understanding of gas phase mercury dry deposition. Specifically the objectives will be to:

(1) Develop a direct measurement method(s) for gas phase mercury dry deposition

(2) Develop a scientifically sound first principal gas phase mercury dry deposition model

(3) Conduct gas phase mercury dry deposition model validation

Region 4 (MDAB- Ulrich, Starr)

To develop new analytical methods to replace the Soxhlet extraction used in TO-4A and develop new samplers to replace the PS-1 sampler used in these methods. The new methods will investigate the possibility of replacing this technology with a smaller sampler derived from an ASE cell, and using this sampling chamber for extraction purposes. The new methods will eliminate large quantities of waste solvent, and significantly reduce the extraction time.

Region 5 (MDAB-Medina-Vera)

Participate in the evaluation (Round Robin) of a GC/MS method (ASTM) for the analysis of nonyl-phenol.

Region 8 (PMRB-Kleindienst)

Investigate the impacts of wildfire smoke on ambient ozone monitoring networks.

Description:

The Human Exposure and Atmospheric Sciences Division (HEASD) has several collaborations with regional partners through the Regional Science Program (RSP) managed by ORD's Office of Science Policy (OSP). These projects resulted from common interests outlined in the Regional Applied Research Effort (RARE) and Regional Methods (RM) programs. They are a joint effort with Division researchers and regional staff to meet high priority scientific needs of concern to the regions. These collaborations assure the effective transfer of research results to the regional offices and the states they support. They meet region specific needs and represent an effort to ensure that research tools and results are effectively communicated and utilized. HEASD's on-going regional collaborations include work on emissions, models and methods development.

Synopsis

Region 1 (EMRB-Zartarian) Quantifying the Impact of an Autobody Shop Compliance Assistance Program in Lawrence, Massachusetts, on Shop Emissions and Residential Exposures to HDI and Other Isocyanates

Region 1 has been managing an EPA grant for an auto body shop compliance assistance project in Lawrence, MA to address residents' concerns about auto body shops as a source of community air toxins. Information on non-occupational exposures is limited. This project intends to quantify the impact of Lawrence's auto body shop training program and laser gun technology use on reducing emissions of and human exposures to isocyanates.

Region 2 (MDAB-Van Emon) Application of Rapid, Inexpensive Immunoassays for the Assessment of Buildings Contaminated with PCBs

PCBs may be present in caulking materials in active buildings constructed prior to 1977 (e.g.schools). There may be a need to remediate PCBs to mitigate exposure. Management of remediated PCB caulking from active/ inactive buildings and those undergoing demolition should be addressed in accordance with PCB disposal regulations. This project evaluates rapid, economical methods for the detection of PCBs in caulking and ventilation system dust.

Region 4 (ECAB-Landis) Development and Refinement of Dry Deposition Models and Monitoring Methods to Quantify Mercury Deposition to Sensitive Ecosystems: Florida Everglades

The task will provide information to adequately resolve the relative contribution of gas phase mercury dry-deposition (particularly the impact of divalent reactive gaseous mercury (RGM)) in South Florida, Everglades. The research will improve direct measurement method(s) and gas phase mercury dry deposition model.

Region 4 (MDAB- Ulrich, Starr) Demonstration and Regional Field Testing of sampling and analytical method for sampling pesticides and semi-volatile organic compounds using an adsorbent resin sampling system, accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), and GC/MS and LC/MS analysis

Region 4 teamed with ORD to investigate new methodology to upgrade EPA methods TO-4A for pesticides/PCBs and method TO-13 for semi-volatile organic compounds. This task investigates the use of an alternative sampler and extraction procedure (e.g. Accelerated Solvent Extraction). GC/MS and LC/MS methods will also be investigated.

Region 5 (MDAB-Medina-Vera) Alkylphenol methods evaluation

Alkylphenols are well known for their harmful impact on wildlife. HEASD, Region 3 & Region 5 engaged in a collaborative effort to develop extraction and analytical methods for these compounds. This task evaluates Region's 5 GC/MS method for the analysis of nonyl-phenol (Round Robin). The evaluated method will be available to states and the scientific community.

Region 8 (PMRB-Kleindienst) Investigation of Impacts of Wildfire Smoke on Ambient Ozone

Region 8 identified in 2002 the need to study the impact of wildfire smoke in their Region to protect the public in the area. In 2005, HEASD, Region 8 and the US Forest Service enter an agreement to look at the effect of forest fire smoke on the operation of ozone monitors.

Record Details:

Record Type:PROJECT

Start Date:10/01/2006

Projected Completion Date:12/01/2009

OMB Category:Other

Record ID: 154488

Show Additional Record Data

Project Information:

Progress :Region 1 (EMRB-Zartarian)

Region 1 announced this RARE award on 1/20/05. Regular meetings among Region 1 and ORD scientists werewere held in 2005 to discuss project plans; roles/responsibilities of each project team member; overall timing of the project; technical challenges that need to be addressed; QA/QC issues; and administrative/contracts procedures. NERL's Don Whitaker went to Region 1 to conduct a scoping study for HDIs around the auto body shops, to help refine the monitoring component of the study. The funding package was assembled for the monitoring component; the RFQ was posted to the EPA internet in December 2005, and proposals are due on 1/30/06. The funding package for the questionnaire component of the project is currently being assembled. The field study is expected to be conducted in May-June 2006.

Region 2 (MDAB-Van Emon)

The project has been funded. A strategy has been developed and includes a research plan to be produced by the contractor/IAG RfP respondents as an element of the pre-award evaluation; monthly conference calls will be held between the PI (Dr. Van Emon), the Region 2 sponsor (Dennis McChesney), the Region 2 ORD Liaison (Ariel Iglesias), and the contractor/IAG awardee, written post award progress reports, and close-out procedures.

Region 4 (ECAB-Landis)

A RFIP for competitive cooperative agreement has been prepared and is currently being circulated for signature.

Region 4 (MDAB- Ulrich, Starr)

A quality assurance project plan was written and approved for this project. One Environmental Career Organization (ECO) intern was hired 9/03 and a SEE employee was hired 2/04 for this project. Intern has had Dionex training for ASE 300 instrument and has given a technical seminar for other laboratory employees. A method was developed for cleaning XAD sorbent material. HPLC and GC analysis methods have been developed for several pyrethroid pesticides. An ASE method was developed for GC pesticides giving >75% recovery in all cases.

Region 5 (MDAB-Medina-Vera)

GC/MS method was submitted to ASTM. The round robin for the method has been scheduled for the Spring of 2006.

Region 8 (PMRB-Kleindienst)

The total project value is $60K with $40K coming from RARE funds for an IAG with the U.S. Forest Service to conduct experimental studies at their fire science lab in Mizzoula, MT.

Relevance :Each of the Regional projects was awarded because it addressed high priority research areas for the regions and allow the application of our research products. Methods will be used by state governments in their monitoring efforts. Broader research projects will provide information on the impact of different parameters to human exposure either by looking at emissions, dispersion, or effectiveness of control measures. Research results will be used by the regional offices to determine appropriate steps to correct undesirable exposures and/or ineffective monitoring methods.

Region 1

This research effort is highly relevant to Subobjectives 1.1.2 (Reduced Risk from Toxic Air Pollutants) and 1.6 (Enhance Science and Research) under Goal 1 (Clean Air & Global Climate Change) of the EPA Strategic Plan, and to Subobjectives 4.2.2 (Restore Community Health) and 4.4 (Enhance Science and Research) under Goal 4 (Healthy Communities and Ecosystems) of the EPA Strategic Plan. Specifically, this project helps address EPA New England's goals to "reduce...exposure to toxics air pollutants...through...implementation of area-specific, community-based strategies" and to support environmental justice communities to develop and implement risk reduction plans. This project also contributes to ORD's long term goals related to air toxics to: 1) produce tools that enable national, regional, state, or local officials to identify or implement cost-effective approaches to reduce risks; and 2) provide exposure methods, data, and models to enable Program and Regional offices to reduce uncertainty in risk assessments to air toxics. It is consistent with EPA's National Air Toxics Strategy goals to reduce emissions from small stationary sources that cumulatively pose risks to public health. The approach developed through this project could also be applied to other environmental justice communities with disproportionate exposures to auto body shops or other small, stationary sources.

Region 2

The use of caulk containing PCBs at concentrations greater than 50 ppm is an unauthorized use per 40 CFR part 761.30. EPA has not, to our knowledge, actively pursued identification in either active buildings, inactive buildings, or buildings scheduled for or undergoing demolition, or from demolition debris. However, the realization that high concentrations of PCB may be present in caulking materials in active buildings constructed prior to 1977 including schools, day care facilities, libraries, hospitals, and other types of structure could result in public demands that PCBs in such facilities be remediated so as to mitigate exposure. Management of remediated PCB caulking from active and inactive buildings, and from buildings undergoing demolition should be addressed in accordance with PCB disposal regulations.

Region 4

The research outlined in this task will provide desperately needed tools to advance the understanding of gaseous mercury dry deposition phenomenon. Dry deposition parameterizations will be incorporated into the EPA CMAQ model to provide more accurate information on atmospheric mercury deposition to state and federal regulators. Direct dry deposition measurement methods will provide information for ecosystem studies and for model development/evaluation.

Region 4

Region 4 has requested that we participate in the development of sampling and analytical methods utilizing adsorbent resins and accelerated solvent extraction (ASE). The impact is that we may produce EPA approved methods for pesticide analysis that will be a more efficient use of time, resources, and produce less waste.

Region 5

Fully evaluated method for alkylphenol for local and international use.

Region 8

In an effort to protect the public, Region 8 identified some activities that are considered crucial in protecting the public in the area. In 2005, HEASD, Region 8 and the US Forest Service enter an

Clients :Regions 1, 2, 4, 5, 8

Project IDs:

ID Code :21174

Project type :OMIS