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Assessing Outdoor Air Near Schools

Life Skills of Trumbull County and Academy of Arts and Humanities - Warren, OH

Initial Results and Analysis of EPA’s monitoring

EPA selected this school for monitoring because it is located near a coke oven and steel mill, both of which are sources of air toxics emissions.   For the purposes of this study, results from the air monitoring at Life Skills of Trumbull County are considered to be indicative of conditions at the nearby Academy of Arts and Humanities.  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 manganese and lead, as well as chemicals associated with coke oven emissions, such as benzene, arsenic, 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 manganese, benzene, arsenic, lead, and benzo(a)pyrene in the air at the school were low during the three-month monitoring period.  .  However, EPA believes more monitoring is needed at this site. Information provided by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) indicates that the key sources of emissions were not operating during the monitoring period. The facilities began operating at typical levels by spring 2010.
Key Pollutants Monitored Manganese.  Inhalation may affect the nervous system if people are exposed to high levels.
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.
Arsenic.  Inhalation of arsenic at high levels can damage the respiratory system and cause lung cancer.
Lead.  Inhalation and ingestion may affect the developing nervous system if people are exposed to high levels.
Next Steps EPA plans to conduct more air toxics monitoring at Life Skills of Trumbull County in the near future to help determine whether emissions from key sources of pollution may pose health concerns when the facilities are operating at typical levels.   Monitoring is anticipated to start by the end of the year.

The Ohio EPA will continue to oversee the industrial facilities in the area through the facilities’ Title V air permits and other programs. 

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Summary of Study Approach and Findings

Approach:

  • A monitor collected air samples from August 17, 2009 through November 27, 2009 at the Life Skills of Trumbull County in Warren, Ohio.   For the purposes of this study, results from the air monitoring at Life Skills of Trumbull County are considered to be indicative of conditions at the nearby Academy of Arts and Humanities. 
  • EPA 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, EPA evaluated the monitored concentrations to see if there was a concern from short-term exposures (e.g., several weeks).
  • When the monitoring was complete, EPA experts analyzed the results to see if there was a concern from long-term exposures (over a lifetime).
  • Also, when the monitoring was complete, EPA experts evaluated all the air samples from the on-site monitor. They 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, benzene, arsenic, lead, and benzo(a)pyrene emissions.

Findings:

  • EPA will extend monitoring at this school, because key sources of pollution near the school were not operating at typical levels during the monitoring period.  Those sources since have returned to more normal operating levels.
  • During the monitoring period from August 23, 2009 through December 9, 2009,  levels of the key air toxics were well below long-term comparison levels. However, EPA believes it is important to conduct additional monitoring before making any determination about potential health concerns.
  • The concentrations of manganese, benzene, arsenic, lead, and benzo(a)pyrene measured at the school were lower than those suggested by the information that helped identify this school for 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.
  • Click here for additional information

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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, benzene, arsenic, lead, 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, benzene, arsenic, lead, 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, benzene, arsenic, lead, and benzo(a)pyrene to be 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 station, the wind patterns at the NWS station during the sampling period are 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 Source of Manganese, Benzene, Arsenic, Lead, and Benzo(a)pyreneEmissions

What we looked at What we found
Whether we could determine if the sources were operating as usual during the sampling period The key sources were not operating during the sampling period.  They have since then restarted operations and are close to a normal capacity.
The concentrations of manganese, benzene, arsenic, lead, and benzo(a)pyrene measured at the school during the 3-month sampling period were lower than those suggested by the information that helped identify this school for monitoring.
The nearby sources of manganese, benzene, arsenic, lead, and benzo(a)pyrene have Title V operating air permits issued by the State of Ohio that includes operating requirements.

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Additional Information

Technical Report for School: Assessing Outdoor Air Near Schools: Life Skills of Trumbull County (Warren, OH) (PDF) (16pp, 589k). 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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