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Assessing Outdoor Air Near Schools

Jefferson Elementary School - Gary, IN

Initial Results and Analysis of EPA’s monitoring

EPA selected this school for monitoring because it is located near a coke oven and steel manufacturing facility which is a source of air toxics emissions.   Computer models were used to determine which air toxics may be present at elevated levels in the outdoor air near the school.  These models showed that pollutants associated with coke oven operations, including arsenic, benzene, and benzo(a)pyrene, could be present in the air around the school and prompted EPA to test to see if the levels present may be of concern.  

Primary Findings Levels of arsenic, benzene, and benzo(a)pyrene in the air at the school are below levels of concern for short-term and long-term exposure. 

Our analysis found that levels of manganese in the air at the school indicate a potential for levels of concern for long-term continuous exposure in areas closer to the source.  The elevated level of manganese, while not indicating a level of concern for health effects at this location, indicates a potential for levels of concern in areas closer to the source.
Key Pollutants Monitored Manganese.  Inhalation may affect the nervous system if people are exposed to high levels.
Arsenic.  Inhalation of arsenic at high levels can damage the respiratory system and cause lung cancer.
Benzene.  Inhalation of benzene at high levels can affect the bone marrow and can cause anemia and leukemia.
Benzo(a)pyrene.  Inhalation of benzo(a) pyrene at high levels can cause cancer if people are exposed to high levels.
Next Steps EPA plans to conduct more air toxics monitoring in the near future to further investigate manganese levels in the community. 

EPA remains concerned about emissions from sources of air toxics and continues to work to reduce those emissions across the country, through national rules and by providing information and suggestions to assist with reductions in local areas.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) will continue to oversee industrial facilities in the area through air permits and other programs.

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Summary of Study Approach and Findings

Approach:

  • A monitor collected air samples from August 23, 2009 through December 9, 2009 at the Jefferson Elementary School in Gary, IN. 
  • We posted individual air sample results on this website throughout the monitoring period to keep your community informed during the monitoring period.
  • During the monitoring period, we evaluated the monitored concentrations to see if there was a concern from short-term exposures (e.g., several weeks).
  • When the monitoring was complete, we analyzed the results to see if there was a concern from long-term exposures (over a lifetime).
  • Also, when the monitoring was complete, we evaluated all the air samples from the on-site monitor. We also evaluated information on wind speed and wind direction from a weather monitor at the school, along with historical weather information and information about nearby sources of manganese, arsenic, benzene, and benzo(a)pyrene emissions.

Findings:

  • Our analysis found that levels of manganese in the air at the school indicate a potential for levels of concern for long-term continuous exposure in areas closer to the source.  The elevated level of manganese, while not indicating a level of concern for health effects at this location, indicates a potential for levels of concern in areas closer to the source.
  • Our analysis found that levels of arsenic, benzene, and benzo(a)pyrene in the air at the school are below levels of concern for long-term exposure. 
  • The concentrations of arsenic, benzene, and benzo(a)pyrene measured at the school are lower than those suggested by the information that helped identify this school for monitoring.  However, the concentration of manganese at the school is slightly higher than that suggested by the information available prior to monitoring.
  • The process to identify schools for monitoring relied on emissions estimates and other information. Ambient air monitoring at the school allowed measurement of what was actually in the air.
  • Information from the nearby coke oven and steel facility indicates that it was operating at normal production levels.
  • EPA plans to conduct more air toxics monitoring in this area in the near future to further investigate manganese levels in the community.
  • Click here for additional information

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How We Analyzed the Information We Collected at this School

The analysis considered whether the information collected at the school might raise concerns for the health of children or adults at the school. We looked at the following types of information:

  • Measured manganese, arsenic, benzene, and benzo(a)pyreneconcentrations and information on manganese, arsenic, benzene, and benzo(a)pyrene
  • Measured wind direction and wind speed at the school
  • Information about nearby sources of manganese, arsenic, benzene, and benzo(a)pyrene emissions

Analysis of Measured Manganese Concentrations:

1. Calculate the average: We calculated the average of the manganese measurements (shown by the black diamond in the graph below). We compared this average to the long-term comparison level (thick line on the graph below). The long-term comparison level represents the level of manganese in the air that is below levels associated with health concerns, even if someone breathed air containing manganese at that level all day, every day over their lifetime. 

Result:  The average manganese level for the samples collected was slightly above the long-term comparison level.   There is a potential for levels of health concern for long-term continuous exposure, particularly in areas closer to sources where concentrations are higher.

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2. Calculate a range: To account for varying air concentrations of manganese, we calculated a range around the average. We did this by estimating high and low values that the longer-term concentrations might reach using common statistical tools. We compared the highest point in the range (called the “upper bound”) to the long-term comparison level.

Result: The high end of the range is slightly higher than the comparison level.  There is a potential for levels of health concern for long-term continuous exposure, particularly in areas closer to sources where concentrations are higher.


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Analysis of Measured Arsenic Concentrations:

1. Calculate the average:We calculated the average of the arsenic measurements (shown by the black diamond in the graph below). We compared this average to the long-term comparison level (thick line on the graph below).

Result:  The average arsenic level for the samples collected was well below the long-term comparison level.  The health concern is low.

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2. Calculate a range: To account for varying air concentrations of arsenic, we calculated a range around the average. We did this by estimating high and low values that the longer-term concentrations might reach using common statistical tools. We compared the highest point in the range (called the “upper bound”) to the long-term comparison level.

Result: The high end of the range is lower than the comparison level. The health concern is low.

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Analysis of Measured Benzene Concentrations:

1. Calculate the average: We calculated the average of the benzene measurements (shown by the black diamond in the graph below). We compared this average to the long-term comparison level (thick line on the graph below). 

Result:  The average benzene level for the samples collected was well below the long-term comparison level.   The health concern is low.


2. Calculate a range: To account for varying air concentrations of benzene, we calculated a range around the average. We did this by estimating high and low values that the longer-term concentrations might reach using common statistical tools. We compared the highest point in the range (called the “upper bound”) to the long-term comparison level.

Result: The high end of the range is lower than the comparison level. The health concern is low.

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Analysis of Measured Benzo(a)pyrene Concentrations:

1. Calculate the average: We calculated the average of the benzo(a)pyrene measurements (shown by the black diamond in the graph below). We compared this average to the long-term comparison level (thick line on the graph below). 

Result:  The average benzo(a)pyrene level for the samples collected was well below the long-term comparison level.   The health concern is low.

image

2. Calculate a range: To account for varying air concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene, we calculated a range around the average. We did this by estimating high and low values that the longer-term concentrations might reach using common statistical tools. We compared the highest point in the range (called the “upper bound”) to the long-term comparison level.

Result: The high end of the range is lower than the comparison level. The health concern is low.

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Analysis of Measured Wind Direction and Wind Speed at the School

We took measurements of wind direction and speed every day during the sample period. We took special note of the wind speed and direction on the days we took measurements of manganese, arsenic, benzene, and benzo(a)pyrene.

What we looked at What we found
We looked at whether the wind data taken on the days we took measurements of manganese, arsenic, benzene, and benzo(a)pyrene are similar or different from the wind patterns during the entire sampling period. We found the wind patterns taken on the days we took measurements of manganese, arsenic, benzene, and benzo(a)pyrene to be generally similar to those observed during the entire sampling period.
We looked at whether the wind pattern during the sampling period is reflective of regional wind pattern over the long term. Although we lack long-term wind data at the monitoring site, the wind pattern at the NWS station during the sampling period is generally similar to the historical long-term wind flow pattern at that location. This suggests that, on a regional scale, the 3-month sampling period may be representative of year-round wind patterns.

Analysis of Information on Nearby Sources of Manganese, Arsenic, Benzene, and Benzo(a)pyrene Emissions

What we looked at What we found
Whether we could determine if the source was operating as usual during the sampling period Information from the nearby coke oven and steel facility indicates that it was operating at normal production levels.
The concentrations of arsenic, benzene, and benzo(a)pyrene measured at the school are lower than those suggested by the information that helped identify this school for monitoring. 

However, levels of manganese (a non-key pollutant) in the air at the school, while not indicating a level at which health effects might be expected at this location, indicate potential concern for areas closer to the source.
The nearby source of manganese, arsenic, benzene, and benzo(a)pyrene has a Title V operating air permit issued by IDEM that includes operating requirements.

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Additional Information

Technical Report for School: Assessing Outdoor Air Near Schools: Jefferson Elementary School (Gary, IN) (PDF) (35pp, 237k). The technical report is geared toward risk assessors, risk managers, and other regulatory agencies. 

Background on School Monitoring Effort

General Questions and Answers for School Monitoring Effort

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