The chips attached to products are designed to warn the user to read the label attached to the box or the can. The concept is still in the discussion stage, and it is not clear when, or if, the chips will hit the market, Dye added. During an EPA-sponsored meeting held last month, EPA officials hoped to interest more companies in the labels. Any relevant policy, regulatory, and compliance issues were also on the December meeting agenda.
Cement kiln permit risk analysis challenged Environmental groups, an incinerator company, and citizen groups living near the Ash Grove cement kiln in Chanute, Kan., have joined forces and challenged the facility's final operating permit, the first issued under the 1991 boiler and industrial furnace (BIF) rule. In an appeal filed Sept. 16, 1996, the petitioners charge that EPA did not properly conduct its risk assessment of the kiln, which uses hazardous waste as a supplemental fuel. The formal appeal is the latest action in a series of complaints leveled against the Ash Grove plant. The appeal includes organizations that do not usually see eye to eye: members of the National Citizen's Alliance (NCA), representing groups of citizens living near cement kilns who are concerned about the health effects from cement kiln emissions, and a hazardous waste incinerator company, which competes for business with cement kilns. As the first permit issued under the BIF rule, the Ash Grove permit is "an ominous indicator" to people living in communities near cement kilns, said John Pruden, NCA director. The risk assessment did not analyze cumulative exposure, one of Administrator Browner's stated priorities, Pruden said. The final permit doesn't require the facility to meet the proposed air quality standard for cement kilns, he added. EPA officials admit the risk assessment lacks cumulative exposure data because it was not called for under the agency's risk assessment guidance. Updated guidance, expected for release to the regions by the end of 1996, might include cumulative exposure requirements, said John Smith of Region 7, although Smith said he didn't expect
the new guidance would compel the region to conduct a new risk assessment for Ash Grove. The permit writers didn't believe they had the authority to include the proposed air standards for the cement kiln industry in the permit, Smith added. After reviewing data from the trial burn, agency officials found that dioxin emissions, for example, did not meet the level regulated by the proposed air quality standard for the cement kiln industry. The region expected to issue its response to the appeal by mid-December, 1996.
Long Island Sound to gain from nitrogen flow cuts Connecticut Gov. John Rowland, New York Gov. George Pataki, and EPA officials have pledged to meet a 60% reduction goal for nitrogen flowing into Long Island Sound. The Oct. 31 agreement reaffirms the parties' commitment to implement the 1994 "Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for Long Island," an outline of steps the states and EPA will take to protect and restore the health of the sound, designated as an Estuary of National Significance in 1988. Treated wastewater is dumped into the sound from facilities in both states, which leads to hypoxia and reduces fish diversity and the growth rate of fin fish and shellfish. Because of the high loads of nitrogen and the limited mixing in the sound, the 60% goal goes well beyond the national nitrogen standard, said Mark Tedesco, technical director of EPA's Long Island Sound office. Unlike the new 60% goal, the 1994 plan called for a 25% nitrogen reduction, which Connecticut has met. Steps taken so far include $15 million in grants and loans allocated to 10 communities in Connecticut for modifications at 11 sewage treatment plants. Because of a lack of funds, New York was unable to implement the 1994 plan. But since the passage of Pataki's $1.75 billion Clean Water/Clean Air bond initiative on Nov. 4, the state has earmarked $200 million for nonpoint source controls, open space acquisition, and other restoration projects that should help New York meet the nitrogen goal. EPA planned to publish the states' nitrogen reduction plans for public comment at the end of 1996, Tedesco said.
$10 million in STAR research grants available The Office of Research and Development (ORD) is soliciting proposals from academic and nonprofit institutions for $10 million in grants for the 1997 fiscal year. The grants are part of ORD's STAR (Science to Achieve Results) program, a major component of ORD's new risk-based strategic plan designed to improve the quality of science used in agency decisions. Funds for each three-year grant will range from $100,000 to $300,000 annually, although research involving more complex issues may be funded up to $500,000. A Feb. 15 deadline is set for grant applications in the following areas: human health risk assessment, endocrine disrupters, ambient air quality, health effects and exposures to particulate matter and associated air pollutants, drinking water, and contaminated sediments. Application information can be obtained electronically at http://www.epa.gov/ncerqa, or by calling the EPA Grants and Fellowships Hotiine at (800) 490-9194. EPA will be soliciting additional grants in conjunction with other federal and private organizations, including the National Science Foundation, the National Cancer Institute, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Air quality improvements measured in Western states Despite an increase in auto travel of almost 50%, there has been substantial improvement in air quality in Region 9 over the past 10 years, according to EPA. Air pollutant levels for the six major pollutants targeted under the federal Clean Air Act have decreased by about one-third in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and the Pacific Islands. The greatest reductions have been recorded for lead (an 86% reduction), carbon monoxide (35%), and particulate matter (PM10), (26%). The South Coast Air Basin still has the nation's smoggiest air, and ozone violations were recorded in most of Southern California. The long-term air quality data were collected from several hundred monitoring sites throughout Region 9. For a copy of "Breathing Easier: 1996: A Report On Air Quality", call (415) 744-1208.
VOL.31.NO. 1, 1997/ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY/ NEWS " 1 3 A
