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Assessing Outdoor Air Near Schools

Jefferson Elementary School - Gary, IN

Results and Analysis of EPA’s monitoring

EPA selected this school for monitoring because it was located near a coke oven and steel manufacturing facility which are sources of air toxics emissions. Air monitoring was initially conducted at Jefferson Elementary School from August 23, 2009 through December 9, 2009 to assess concentrations of manganese and lead, as well as chemicals associated with coke oven emissions, such as benzene, arsenic, and benzo(a)pyrene in the air. EPA extended air toxics monitoring at a site near Jefferson Elementary, the Gary-4th Ave./Railcats site, which is closer to the source, because measurements of manganese were elevated and indicated a potential concern for long-term, continuous exposure. Additional monitoring for manganese was conducted from August 5, 2010 through April 9, 2011.

Primary Findings

The second round of monitoring indicates that the longer-term concentration estimates for manganese (PM10) are near levels of potential concern for long-term, continuous exposure.

Key Pollutants Monitored

Manganese.  Inhalation may affect the nervous system if people are exposed to high levels.

Next Steps

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

EPA Region 5 currently has an ongoing enforcement case with the source.

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Summary of Study Approach and Findings

Approach:

  • A monitor collected air samples from August 5, 2010 through April 9, 2011 at a site near Jefferson Elementary, the Gary-4th Ave./Railcats site, which is closer to the source in Gary, Indiana.
  • Individual air sample results are posted on this website.
  • When the monitoring was complete, we analyzed the results to see if there was a concern from long-term concentrations (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, along with historical weather information and information about nearby sources of manganese emissions.

Findings:

  • Measured values of manganese indicate an influence of the source at the school.
  • Levels of manganese remain above levels of concern for long-term exposure at the school. 
  • Information about the nearby source indicates that the facility had no significant change in production during the monitoring period.
  • 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 concentrations and information on manganese
  • Measured wind direction and wind speed
  • Information about nearby sources of manganese

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). Result: The average manganese level for the samples collected remained above the long-term comparison level at the Gary-4th Ave./Railcats site.


Graph of manganese analysis at Gary-4th Avenue Railcats site

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 above the comparison level at the Gary-4th Ave./Railcats site.


Graph of manganese analysis at Gary-4th Avenue Railcats site

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Analysis of Measured Wind Direction and Wind Speed at a meteorological station operated by IDEM (located 1.5 miles ESE of the Gary-4th Ave./ Railcats monitoring site)

What we looked at

What we found

We looked at whether the wind data taken on the days we took measurements of are similar or different from the wind patterns during the entire sampling period.

The wind patterns across sampling dates are generally similar to those observed across the record of on-site meteorological data during the sampling period.

We looked at whether the wind pattern during the sampling period is reflective of regional wind pattern over the long term.

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 7‑month sampling period may be representative of year-round wind patterns.

 

Analysis of Information on Nearby Source of Manganese Emissions

What we looked at

What we found

Whether we could determine if the source was operating as usual during the sampling period

Information about the nearby source indicates that the facility had no significant change in production during the monitoring period.

The nearby source of the key pollutant has an operating permit issued by IDEM that includes operating requirements.

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Additional Information

Technical Report for School: Assessing Outdoor Air Near Schools: Additional Monitoring at Jefferson Elementary School (Gary, Indiana) (PDF) (24pp,478k). The technical report is a follow-up to the original monitoring.  The 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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