Future Environment Designs Training Center's Blog

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

EPA Revises Lead Ambient Air Monitoring Requirements

Air Quality Testing for several parameters.

On December 14, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the final lead (Pb) ambient air monitoring requirements. The purpose of this revision was to expand the nation’s lead monitoring network to better assess compliance with the revised National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for lead issued in 2008. In 2008, EPA substantially strengthened the lead NAAQS by revising the level of the primary (health-based) standard from 1.5 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) to 0.15 μg/m3, measured as total suspended particles (TSP). The agency revised the secondary (welfare-based) standard to be identical to the primary standard. EPA in this final rule (Dec. 2010) also changed the emission threshold that state monitoring agencies (such as New York State Department of Environmental Conservation [NYS DEC]) must use to determine if an air quality monitor should be placed near an industrial facility that emits lead. The new emission threshold is 0.5 tons per year (tpy), reduced from the previous threshold of 1.0 tpy. Any new monitors located near an emissions source must be operational no later than one year after this rule is published in the Federal Register. EPA maintained a 1.0 tpy lead emission threshold for airports. However, EPA is requiring a 1-year monitoring study of 15 additional airports (beyond those currently required to monitor at the existing 1.0 tpy emission threshold) for the New York area this includes Brookhaven and Republic airports. The study will help EPA determine whether airports that emit less than 1.0 tpy have the potential to cause the surrounding areas to exceed the lead NAAQS of 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3). The monitors participating in the study must be operational no later than one year after this rule is published in the Federal Register.
EPA is also requiring lead monitoring in large urban areas (Core Based Statistical Areas, or CBSAs, with a population of 500,000 people or more). Monitors will be located along with multi-pollutant ambient monitoring sites (known as the “NCore network”). Lead monitoring at these sites will begin January 1, 2012.

The NCore network will consist of approximately 80 monitoring sites, of which 63 will be in large urban areas. The requirement to add these monitors replaces an existing requirement to place lead monitors in each CBSA with a population of 500,000 or more people.

The above revisions were made based on comments received on EPA’s proposed revisions.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Asbestos Controversy in Troy New York.

Demolition of the Old Troy City Hall in Troy, New York has caused controversy regarding the asbestos discovered in the building. It seems based on the news report it seems like they got caught doing demolition before removal. The City Engineer says he is doing exploratory demolition and New York State Department of Labor approved it. Is he looking for more asbestos? When was this building built? Have they sampled all 46 of the presumed and suspect asbestos materials that is on the New York State Industrial Code Rule 56 list? These are just some of the questions I have regarding this demolition. Additional reports have mentioned a limited asbestos survey. Why is it limited? What hasn't been sampled?

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

NIOSH Science Blog Discusses Helical CT Scans and Lung Cancer Screening

This is an x-ray image of a chest. Both sides ...

Image via WikipediaThe National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) Science blog recently discussed the reported findings regarding the use of helical CT scans for lung cancer screening. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) launched the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) in 2002 to compare the effects of two screening procedures, low-dose helical computerized tomography (CT) and chest x-ray, in reducing lung cancer mortality in current and former heavy smokers aged 55 to 74. The preliminary results from this study indicated this relatively new form of screening using helical CT demonstrated fewer lung cancer deaths among individuals at high risk of lung cancer who received this screening than among a similar group screened with chest radiography (chest x-rays or CXRs). NIOSH has great interest in this finding, and there is hope that this might provide new approaches to cancer screening among workers with increased risk for lung cancer because of past occupational exposures.

Related articles

CDC Website Has Indoor Safety Tips Regarding Winter Weather

Snow at Brewery Ommegang

With another winter storm on the way for Long Island, it is important to remember these safety tips from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for staying safe inside:

Use fireplace, wood stoves, or other combustion heaters only if they are properly vented to the outside and do not leak flue gas into the indoor air space.
Never use a charcoal or gas grill indoors—the fumes are deadly.
Never leave lit candles unattended.
Keep as much heat as possible inside your home.
Check the temperature in your home often during severely cold weather.
Leave all water taps slightly open so they drip continuously.
Eat well-balanced meals to help you stay warmer.

Visit the CDC website linked to the title of this post for more information.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Mold Complaint Dismissed

Water-damaged ceiling tiles is an indication of a moisture control problem

An article published December 23, 2010 in the Suffolk-News Herald (VA) said a lawsuit filed by a former teacher (claiming mold in her classroom made her sick) against the School Board was dismissed by a United States District Court judge last week. The former teacher, Christina Hood, had claimed that she began suffering medical problems after beginning her job as a teacher at Booker T. Washington Elementary School in 2007. She said itchy and irritated eyes, a rash, sinusitis and bronchitis were caused by mold in the school. She had requested damages of $1.5 million. Hood’s complaint accused the School Board of deliberately exposing her to dangerous conditions at the school, claiming that the board knew of the mold and bacteria growths before she was hired. She also alleged that the School Board was deliberately indifferent to her health and safety.
In a motion for dismissal, however, School Board attorney Wendell Waller noted that the school system had not been indifferent to Hood’s medical condition. The response states that the school’s management had allowed Hood to put a dehumidifier in her classroom and frequently inquired as to her condition. The School Board also retained a professional company to inspect Hood’s classroom for mold. The assistant director for facilities and planning also inquired about Hood’s past medical condition and her symptoms, inspected the classroom for mold and took air samples.
The school division also had Hood’s classroom cleaned thoroughly several times and was willing to transfer her to a middle-school position teaching seventh-grade math, but Hood was licensed only up to sixth grade.
“The facts alleged … fail to meet the strict ‘shock the conscience’ standard because the defendants did not ignore Hood’s complaints but did in fact take steps to remedy conditions in Hood’s classroom,” the motion for dismissal stated.
This case shows it is important for facility directors to take the concerns of individuals complaining about indoor air quality seriously. Facility directors should implement an indoor air quality management program to ensure you document all that was done to resolve the indoor air quality complaint.