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Assessing Outdoor Air Near Schools

Paulsboro High School - Paulsboro, NJ

Results and Analysis of EPA’s monitoring

EPA selected this school for monitoring because it is located near two large refineries and a chemical manufacturing facility, as well as other industries which are sources 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 acetaldehyde, benzene, and nickel 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 nickel in the air at the school are below levels of concern. 

Levels of acetaldehyde and benzene were not as high as was suggested by the modeling information available prior to monitoring and are below the levels of concern that had been suggested by the information available prior to sampling.  However, these results indicate the influence of pollutants of concern that are the focus of EPA actions nationwide.
Key Pollutants Monitored

Acetaldehyde. Exposure to high levels can cause irritation of the eyes, skin and upper respiratory tract. 
Benzene.  Inhalation of benzene at high levels can affect the bone marrow and can cause anemia and leukemia.
Nickel. Inhalation may affect the respiratory system if people are exposed to high levels.

Next Steps

Based on the analysis described here, EPA will not extend air toxics monitoring at Paulsboro High School.

EPA remains concerned about nationwide 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 air pollution reductions in local areas.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) will continue to oversee industrial facilities in the area through their air permits and other programs.    NJDEP has also developed specific air monitoring comparison values for these key pollutants which may be found at http://www.state.nj.us/dep/daq/.

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Summary of Study Approach and Findings

Approach:

  • A monitor collected air samples from August 23, 2009 through February 1, 2010 at Paulsboro High School in Paulsboro, NJ.   
  • 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 acetaldehyde, benzene, and nickel emissions.

Findings:

  • Our analysis found that levels of nickel in the air at the school are below levels of concern for long-term exposure. 
  • Levels of acetaldehyde and benzene were not as high as was suggested by the modeling information available prior to monitoring and are below the levels of significant concern that had been suggested by the information available prior to sampling.
  • The concentrations of acetaldehyde, benzene, and nickel measured at the school are 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.
  • The nearby refineries and chemical manufacturing facility were operating at 40-80% capacity during monitoring which is similar to production the last few years.
  • Based on the analysis described here, EPA will not extend air toxics monitoring at Paulsboro High School.
  • 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 acetaldehyde, benzene, and nickelconcentrations and information on acetaldehyde, benzene, and nickel
  • Measured wind direction and wind speed at the school
  • Information about nearby sources of acetaldehyde, benzene, and nickel emissions

Analysis of Measured Acetaldehyde Concentrations:

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

Result:  The average acetaldehyde level for the samples collected was well below the long-term comparison levels.  

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2. Calculate a range: To account for varying air concentrations of acetaldehyde, 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 levels.

Result: The high end of the range is lower than the comparison levels.


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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 levels (see thick line on the graph below).

Result:  The average benzene level for the samples collected was below the long-term comparison levels. 

image

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 levels.

Result: The high end of the range is lower than the comparison levels.


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Analysis of Measured Nickel Concentrations:

1. Calculate the average: We calculated the average of the nickel measurements (shown by the black diamond in the graph below). We compared this average to the long-term comparison levels (values at the top of the graph below).

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


2. Calculate a range: To account for varying air concentrations of nickel, 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 levels.

Result: The high end of the range is much lower than the comparison levels. 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 acetaldehyde, benzene, and nickel.

What we looked at What we found
We looked at whether the wind data taken on the days we took measurements of acetaldehyde, benzene, and nickel 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 acetaldehyde, benzene, and nickel 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 site, the wind pattern at the NWS station during the sampling period is similar to the historical long-term wind flow pattern at that same NWS station. Therefore, the 5-month sampling period may be representative of year-round wind patterns.

Analysis of Information on Nearby Sources of Acetaldehyde, Benzene, and Nickel Emissions

What we looked at What we found
Whether we could determine if the sources were operating as usual during the sampling period. The nearby refineries and chemical manufacturing facility were operating at 40-80% capacity during monitoring which is similar to the last few years.

The concentrations of acetaldehyde, benzene and nickel measured at the school are lower than those suggested by the information that helped identify this school for monitoring.

The nearby sources of acetaldehyde, benzene, and nickel have Title V operating air permits issued by the NJDEP that includes operating requirements.

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Additional Information

Technical Report for School: Assessing Outdoor Air Near Schools: Paulsboro High School (Paulsboro, NJ) (PDF) (37pp, 426k). 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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