GOVERNMENT CONCENTRATES EPA staff cuts may hamper air cleanup Some Congressmen and environmentalists are raising concerns that cuts in EPA's so-called regulatory innovations staff may thwart portions of President Bush's clean air bill. The staff in question was part of EPA's office of policy planning and evaluation that developed market-based approaches to lowering pollution control costs. A recent reorganization of that office cut the staff from 12 members to four. Particularly at risk, some observers say, is Bush's acid rain proposals calling for innovative market-based incentives to abate sulfur dioxide emissions. Some Senators on the Environment Committee as well as Sen. John Heinz (R.-Pa.) and Sen. Timothy E. Wirth (D.-Colo.), who sponsored Project 88 calling for the harnessing of market forces to control pollution, are likely to get involved in the issue. A letter from Senators to EPA expressing concern about the cuts may soon be drafted.
Some challenges to exposure limits settled As a result of a lawsuit filed by Tennessee Eastman and Hoechst Celanese challenging the short-term exposure limit of 1000 ppm set for acetone last January, OSHA has eliminated the limit for the cellulose fiber industry. In return, the two companies over the next three years will install an extensive series of engineering controls at their three plants to reduce worker exposure to acetone and install air line respirators where they are needed and feasible. In response to a suit filed by the National Lime Association challenging the permissible exposure limits for calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide, which were regulated as irritants, OSHA has dropped those limits in return for a major health effects study the association is currently conducting. The agency has also stayed the startup date for the permissible exposure level for carbon monoxide for the steel industry pending the outcome of litigation. OSHA's announcement that it was lowering the exposure limits for 375 substances (C&EN, Jan. 23, page 4) resulted in 28 lawsuits by individual companies and industry trade associations challenging 15 of the new limits. The AFL-CIO also challenged a number of the limits as not sufficiently protective.
PCP waste dumps found on federal parkland According to the Department of the Interior, evidence of what may be one of the largest operations ever uncovered to make the illegal drug phencyclidine (PCP) has been found in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area near Los Angeles by federal rangers and agents. Five extremely hazardous waste dumps were uncovered that contained evidence that PCP worth $30 million in Los Angeles and $60 million on the East Coast had been manufactured at another location. According to the department, after several months of intensive investigation, three men sniffed out by a canine unit were arrested in a remote area of the park and charged 18
September 11, 1989 C&EN
with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute controlled substances. They were carrying 15 gal of PCP. During the first seven months of this year, according to National Park Service records, more than $450 million worth of illegal drugs has been seized throughout the park system and 815 persons have been arrested.
Human genome proposals sought The Department of Energy's office of energy research says it has about $2 million available in fiscal 1990 for research grants under the human genome initiative. It is seeking proposals for physical mapping of chromosomes, including development of improved automated systems for the analysis of DNA fragments and clones, and better means of obtaining DNA as purified chromosomes or chromosome fragments; for development of innovative and costeffective technologies leading to rapid and accurate large-scale DNA sequencing; and for development of data management systems, data structures, user interfaces, and advanced database theory to support mapping and sequencing. Grant application kits can be obtained by calling (301) 353-5037. Preapplications are due Sept. 22. Formal applications are due Dec. 15.
Acid rain assessment program updates plans The National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program, part of an interagency task force on acid rain, has updated its plan and schedule for assessment reports. According to NAPAP, this recent update document "is intended to facilitate communication among the preparers and users of the [program's] assessment of acidic deposition causes, effects, and control approaches/' It provides precise information on the program's assessment methodology, assessment models and model linkages, and future emissions scenarios. It also describes how the assessment program intends to treat key uncertainties. NAPAP says the first 28 State-of-Science and State-of-Technology assessment reports are to be made available in late 1989. A conference based on these reports is slated for February 1990. All assessment reports are to be completed by September 1990. For further information contact NAPAP, 722 Jackson Place, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20503.
Washington roundup • Initial results from 295 samples collected during EPA's national survey for pesticides in drinking water wells show that, of the 180 community wells, six have some level of pesticide residues and 79 have nitrate/nitrite residues, and of the 115 private wells, nine contain pesticide residues and 66 have nitrate/nitrite residues. • NSF says that Cray Research Inc. has agreed to donate 2800 hours of supercomputer time, valued at approximately $4 million, to the 11 recently established science and technology centers.
