LETTERS
{continued)
programs are needed, both the cost and the time for completion of a control strategy design effort can skyrocket. This places a tremendous premium on developing air quality models and other analytical tools that are suited for use with data currently available to air pollution control agencies. The Portland Aerosol Characterization study provides an interesting example of costs in a case where significant data base improvement is needed before control strategy analysis can begin. In the mid-1970s, a ceiling was placed on particulate matter emissions in the Portland area due to the lack of any other obvious way to attain compliance with air quality standards. With a growth moratorium in place, the costs to the community through loss of new or modernized industry could have been enormous. At that point industry and government joined forces to finance a study of strategies for controlling atmospheric aerosol concentrations. A special fund totaling about $500 000 was raised from the Chamber of Commerce, the Port Authority, the state's industrial
associations, the state legislature, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. About an equal amount of money in the form of in-kind services was redirected to the project by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. New air monitoring protocols were established along with an extensive source testing program. Emissions inventories were upgraded. Receptor modeling techniques were used to correct the defects in the existing Portland particulate control strategy. As a result, at least $27 million in misdirected emissions controls were avoided, and a rational basis for managing new source siting in Portland was created. When the stakes are high enough—that is, when the choice is between growth controls vs. better control strategy design—the funds needed to do high quality control strategy studies can be acquired from both industry and government. A further important point can be made. Following the Portland study, two similar studies were completed in other parts of that state. While the Portland study may have cost almost $1 million, the second study cost about $400 000 and the third about $200 000. In short, there is a steep
learning curve, and costs drop quickly as experience is accumulated. Perhaps the best way to put costs into perspective is to compare the engineering cost of improved control strategy design to the cost of the emission control hardware contemplated. In the San Francisco Bay Area, $1.4 million was spent on the selection of an oxidant control program involving $2.5 billion in control costs over the next 25 years, a design to construction and operation cost ratio of 0.0006. No other major public works effort (sewers, bridges, etc.) could be pursued on such a slim design budget without running a serious risk of system failure. As presently projected, the nation is seriously contemplating spending over $300 billion on air pollution control hardware and operation during the next decade. It would be a wise investment of a few hundredths of one percent of that cost to see that the control systems are specified carefully: Glen R. Cass Gregory J. McRae Environmental Quality Laboratory California Institute of Technology Pasadena, Calif. 91125
What has Monsanto Environmental Services done for you lately?
Typical chromatogram highlighting 2, 3, 7, 8-TCDD. which is listed on the NPDES form.
One important thing we've done is to expand our analytical chemistry resources to include capability in ultra-trace analysis of chlorinated dioxins, chlorodibenzofuran and nitrosamines. The result is a unique world class facility that is "first team" staffed and equipped. Through ability to analyze all 22 isomers of tetrachlorodibenzo-pdioxins (TCDD's) we offer a single source solution to dioxin analysis problems. For more information fill in and mail the coupon below. Or call 513/268-3411. We'll do something for you, fast! :
Environmental Services, Monsanto Research Corporation, Dept ES-A, Station B, Box 8, Dayton, OH 45407 Name.
Monsanto C o r p o r a t i o n 1981
Monsanto
Address _ City & State.
.Zip. CIRCLE 18 ON READER SERVICE CARD
264A
Environ. Sci. Technol., V o l . 16, No. 5, 1982
Monsanto Research Corporation
