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Air Data
REAL-TIME (DUST) AIR MONITORING
Click on the dates below to view graphs showing the real-time air monitoring data (both working hours and non-working hours) collected as of December 15, 2008. Month of May 2008 Month of June 2008 Month of July 2008 Month of August 2008 Month of September 2008 Month of October 2008 Month of November 2008 Month of December 2008
SITE
PERIMETER (AMBIENT AIR MONITORING FOR LEAD)
For construction, two of the air monitors that were previously located at the Site were relocated to provide additional information for the community. One was placed just inside the perimeter fence on Delaware Street where it is visible to anyone driving near the Site; this provides air lead data for residential areas adjacent to the Site. The other was relocated to the Mid-Valley Secondary Center on February 27, 2008, as requested by Throop Borough’s Planning Agency and Engineer. This monitor provides air lead data near the local schools. On August 13, 2008, we began running the downwind perimeter high volume air samplers during non-working hours (4 of the 6 samplers that run for the 24 hour sampling). Click on the link below in orange to view the most recent non-working hours (overnight) ambient air-monitoring data.
The real-time dust monitors are moved around on a daily basis based on the location of work activities for the day; the co-located samples are located with the dust monitors each day. Click on the dates below to view the results for the co-located lead samples (both working hours and non-working hours).August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008
The lead result from a PAM sample collected during working hours from the Site perimeter between the Containment Area (CA) and Sulphur Creek on November 17, 2008, had a result of 1.011 ug/m3. While this number is not above the Site’s action level or the current National Ambient Air Quality Lead Standard quarterly average of 1.5 ug/m3, the level was higher than expected due to its location on the Site perimeter and the limited activities that occurred in the vicinity. Furthermore, in October 2009, USEPA will lower the National Ambient Air Quality Lead Standard from 1.5 µg/m3 to a rolling three-month average of 0.15 µg/m3. To assess what might have caused the higher-than-expected result, further investigation was conducted. Initially, samples from the two working days before and two working days after November 17th were sent in to the laboratory for analysis. A sample collected on November 19, 2008, from the same location had a result of 1.339 ug/m3, also higher than expected. In response to these results, additional samples were sent in for analysis and an investigation into sampling procedures took place. The only activity in the vicinity of the Sulphur Creek perimeter PAM on November 17, 2008, was the transport and spreading of woodchips in the CA. The CA was saturated due to rain events and although the PAM sample was not co-located with a dust monitor, there were no exceedances recorded for the day on any of the dust monitors at the Site. A dust monitor had not usually been run in that location during the day because the area is not downwind of any Site activities, but since November 20, 2008, a dust monitor has been run in that location during both working and non-working hours. On November 19, 2008, contaminated soil from an excavation area in the North Woods and from construction of a diversion berm was placed in the CA (over 200 yards from the dust monitor location). The cause and source of the elevated lead levels identified in the PAM samples have not been definitively determined. It does not appear that they would be related to Site operations since operations in the vicinity of the sampler were limited and did not involve extensive handling of contaminated materials. It is thought that a likely cause for the elevated levels may have been the procedures used in preparation, placement and handling of the sample cassettes, particularly the removal and replacement of the plugs. Since AGC performed an audit of the procedures and identified and corrected possible cross-contamination issues, subsequent results have not shown elevated levels since November 19, 2008. It appears that the procedural changes have been effective, and changes to Site dust control or construction operations are not warranted. The PAM results from November 17 and 19, 2008, were provided to Throop Borough, Cocciardi & Associates (Throop Borough’s liaison), USEPA, and PADEP, as soon as they were available. As requested by USEPA, a complete summary of activities and follow-up actions taken in response to these results as discussed above was provided to USEPA on December 17, 2008. This information was also provided to PADEP, Throop Borough and its liaison, Cocciardi & Associates. Cocciardi has recommended to the Borough Council that they conduct an assessment of the air data collected to date and further evaluation of the impact of the upcoming change in the NAAQS on the project. More information will be posted on the website as it becomes available.
AMBIENT AIR MONITORING DATA SUMMARY (3RD QUARTER 2008)
All results are well below the National Ambient Air Quality Lead Standard of 1.5 µg/m3. *HV = High Volume air sampler. Click here for an explanation. Page Last Modified Monday January 05, 2009 02:20:56 PM
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