Rodney D. Turpin

Emissions from mesoscale in situ oil fires: the mobile 1991 experiments

A series of 14 mesoscale burns were conducted in 1991 to study various aspects of oil burning in situ. Extensive sampling and monitoring of these burns were conducted to determine the emissions. This was done at two downwind ground stations, one upwind ground station and in the smoke plume using a blimp and a remote-controlled helicopter. Particulate samples in air were taken and analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs were found to be lower in the soot than in the starting oil. Metals in the oil were found concentrated in the residue and could not be measured in soot samples using conventional industrial hygiene sampling techniques. Particulates in the air were measured by several means and found to be greater than recommended exposure levels only up to 150 m downwind at ground level. Combustion gases including carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide did not reach exposure level maximums. These gases were emitted over a broad area around the fire and are not directly associated with the plume trajectory. Volatile organic compound (VOCs) emissions are extensive from fires, but the levels are less than those emitted from a non-burning test spill. Over 50 compounds were identified and quantified, several at possible levels of concern up to 200 m downwind. Water under the burns was analyzed; no analytes of concern could be found at the detection levels of the methods. The burn residue was analyzed for the same compounds as the air particulate samples. The residue contained elevated amounts of metals. PAHs were at a lower concentration in the residue than in the starting oil, however there is a slight differential concentration increase in some higher molecular weight species. Overall, indications from these mesoscale trials are that emissions from in situ burning are low in comparison to other sources of emissions and result in concentrations of air contaminants that are below exposure limits beyond 500 m downwind.

Comparison of data quality produced by an on-site field GCMS and an off-site permanent laboratory GCMS: support of a cleanup action at an inactive drum recycling facility☆

Abstract Remediation activities require reliable analytical data when removal and treatment operations are being performed. Traditionally, quality information was only available from established laboratories at off-site locations. Although the assay results were accurate and precise, turnaround time was not prompt. The delay of these results has resulted in the site work not being as efficient or effective as could be. Recently, great strides have been made in field analytical equipment, which has been designed to provide data of similar quality as permanent laboratories. To examine this point, samples were collected at a site undergoing remediation for analysis both on site and at a permanent laboratory. The data generated from a field transportable gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer ( GC MS ) was compared to that produced by a GC MS stationed in a fixed laboratory. The field transportable GC MS was established on site and analyzed air samples collected on charcoal adsorbent tubes. Additional collocated air samples were collected for analysis by a GC MS located in a permanent laboratory.

Feature Article: Protecting Personnel at Hazardous Waste Sites: Current Issues

Abstract During the 1980s, an entire industry developed around the cleanup and management of hazardous waste, including waste already deposited at thousands of sites and waste being generated in day-to-day industrial and governmental operations. This article critically reviews the importance of historical developments in this field. We further consider in-depth issues of primary preventive strategies (e.g., air monitoring) and secondary preventive strategies (e.g., medical surveillance).

Final Evaluation of US EPA Method 3546: Microwave Extraction, a Microwave-Assisted Process (MAPTM)∗ Method for the Extraction of Contaminants Under Closed-Vessel Conditions

Microwave-assisted extraction, a MAPTM technology, has been the subject of enhanced interest from the environmental sector in the last few years as a result of the need for methodologies that improve sample preparation without compromising the quality of the data while being environmentally sustainable. Liquid-phase microwave-assisted extraction offers such advantages: it is a very fast extraction technique, it consumes less solvent and energy, and it is cost effective. A preliminary validation study involving closed-vessel apparatus and contaminants such as PAHs, PCDDs/PCDFs, chlorinated pesticides, and PCBs was performed (Li et al., 1996). Excellent performance and precision were achieved for these analytes (Li et al., 1996). In order to fully evaluate the method for a wider range of analytes an interlaboratory study was performed. A round-robin study was performed with five laboratories carrying out the extraction portion. This study also involved thermally labile and potentially reactive RCRA target analytes such as phenols, phenoxyacid herbicides, and organophospho-rus pesticides. Three split samples were used by each laboratory using methodologies stipulated in a single standard operational procedure (SOP). The extractions from the five laboratories were sent to a single laboratory who performed all the analyses in order to minimize the variability of the results due to the determinative procedure. Clean up was performed using standard procedures and analyses were done according to the appropriate US EPA SW-846 methods. The broad range of applicability, the reduced sample preparation time, and the reduced amount of solvent used all contribute to achieving sustainable environmental protection goals. Furthermore, the reduced operational costs associated with the protocol — compared to conventional Soxhlet, for example — are significant and prove valuable in these times where the “greening” of the laboratory usually gives rise to higher operating costs. Further work involving open-vessel apparatus is under way.

EMISSIONS FROM MESOSCALE IN SITU OIL (DIESEL) FIRES: EMISSIONS FROM THE MOBILE 1998 EXPERIMENTS

ABSTRACT A series of mesoscale burns were conducted in 1998 to assess fire-resistant booms, twelve of these were used to study emissions from diesel oil burns. Extensive sampling and monitoring wer...

Remote optical sensing instrument monitoring to demonstrate compliance with short-term exposure action limits during cleanup operations at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites*

Abstract Remote optical sensing (ROS) is an emerging analytical technique. ROS provides the capability to remotely monitor and measure trace atmospheric gases by transmitting a beam of radiation across a parcel of air several hundred meters in length (e.g., open-path Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy). The information gained from these measurements can be used to calculate emission rates from sources, which can be modeled to determine downwind air quality impacts. Traditionally, two monitoring methods were available to estimate air quality impacts: receptor measurements and source measurements. Receptor measurements are air monitoring or sampling methods that directly determine concentrations at downwind locations of concern (e.g., absorbent tubes collected at a school). Source measurements are air monitoring or sampling at or immediately downwind of a source to determine an emission rate (e.g., stack sampling at a facility). This emission rate is then used for estimating concentrations at downwind locations of concern. The path-integrated approach has been utilized at Superfund sites to examine source emission impacts during full-scale remediation operations and during pilot-scale studies. The emission rates for the various compounds were modeled to determine if health-based action levels for the targeted compounds were exceeded at designated distances downwind of the monitoring. Utilization of ROS during these types of operations provided near real-time data to demonstrate compliance with short-term exposure action limits. The data were also used to determine the overall daily average fence line concentration and compare it with longer-term, exposure-based action limits.

Summary of Standard Operating Safety Guides, November 1984

The Environmental Response Team (ERT) is the US EPA’s focal point for technical assistance to all EPA offices and Federal/State/Foregin government offices during multimedia emergency episodes involving toxic and hazardous materials. This paper is an overview of the U.S. EPA’s Office of Emergency and Remedial Response safety procedures and operations used at hazardous materials responses as presented in the subject document.