U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Releases Digest of Agency Developments

10/31/2003

From: Suzanne Ackerman of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 202-564-7819; e-mail: ackerman.suzanne@epa.gov

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31 -- Following are some Agency developments from the EPA. For more information on any of these subjects, call the appropriate contact:

Request for Research Applications to Model Future Air Pollution Distribution

Suzanne Ackerman 202-564-7819 / ackerman.suzanne@epa.gov

Air pollution emissions in the next 50 years will be influenced by regional development patterns, demographics, changes in economic production and delivery of services, and technological advances. EPA is accepting research applications for new models because the current tools for estimating emissions are not capable of projecting long-term changes (25 to 50 years). EPA is particularly interested in understanding how these changes in pollutant emissions relate to the formation of ground-level ozone and particulate matter. It is expected that regional development patterns -- new housing, roads, commercial development and mass transit systems -- will affect the amount and distribution of air pollution emissions from mobile sources. Similarly, patterns of land development will change the levels of emissions from stationary air pollution sources, such as power plants and factories. These grants are being awarded through the EPA Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program. Academic institutions, non-profit organizations and tribal, state and local governments are eligible to apply. The deadline for submitting grant proposals is Feb. 5, 2004. For more information, go to: http://es.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2004/2004_air_poll(unde r)em.html and the STAR program at: http://es.epa.gov/ncer/ .

EPA Proposes Rule to Address Transportation Conformity Requirements for The New 8-Hour Ozone and PM2.5 Air Quality Standards

John Millett 202-564-7842 / millett.john@epa.gov

In preparation for new, more stringent air quality standards addressing ground-level ozone and particle pollution, EPA is proposing several options for state and local governments to meet the requirements in a reasonable and flexible manner. The proposal describes when conformity will first apply in areas that EPA determines are not attaining clean air under the new standards. The conformity proposal also outlines the general requirements for conducting conformity determinations before and after States submit air quality plans for the new standards. EPA is proposing to revise the conformity regulation so that transportation activities are consistent with or "conform to" the new 8-hour ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) national ambient air quality standards. Transportation conformity is required by the Clean Air Act to ensure that federally supported highway and transit project activities do not cause new air quality violations, worsen existing violations, or delay timely attainment of an air quality standard. For additional information, go to: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/transp/traqconf.htm .

Additional Scientific Reviews of Herbicide Atrazine Completed

David Deegan 617-918-1017 / deegan.dave@epa.gov

In January 2003, EPA issued an "Interim Re-registration Eligibility Decision" (IRED) for the widely-used pesticide atrazine, culminating a multi-year assessment. Specific risk mitigation measures were described for potential human health concerns, however the document committed to future development of measures for mitigating ecological risks. As a follow-up, an addendum to the January document is being released. The addendum discusses ecological monitoring and risk mitigation within sensitive watersheds, the most current scientific information regarding potential effects of atrazine on amphibians and recent scientific work about the potential association between atrazine exposure and the incidence of prostate and other cancers.

Specifically to target monitoring of ecologically vulnerable watersheds, the manufacturers of atrazine are required to monitor residue levels in 40 indicator watersheds that are representative of watersheds that may be vulnerable to contamination where atrazine is regularly used. If monitoring indicates an exceedance of a level of concern in a watershed, the company will work to remediate the watershed consistent with the Clean Water Act's total maximum daily load (TMDL) program and appropriate requirements under the federal pesticide law. If this remediation is not sufficient, EPA may take further action to mitigate risks from atrazine and will consider as appropriate, benefits of atrazine use in the particular watershed. This innovative and protective approach was jointly developed by EPA, atrazine manufacturers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and grower groups to provide an early alert system in watersheds where atrazine may be a concern. This model approach may in turn be used to address similar concerns in other watersheds. Since issuing the IRED, EPA has carefully evaluated and received scientific peer review of studies regarding possible developmental effects on amphibians exposed to low doses of atrazine. These data do not provide evidence to show that atrazine produces a consistent, reproducible effect on amphibian development. An independent science peer review panel convened in June supported the Agency's conclusions and recommended that more data be generated to evaluate this potential relationship. Generation of this data is underway. Based on the available scientific work on the potential association between atrazine and cancer, the Agency does not find any studies that would lead the Agency to conclude that potential cancer risk is likely from exposure to atrazine. However, EPA will continue to review new studies on this issue and plans to convene another independent Scientific Advisory Panel concerning atrazine and its potential association with carcinogenic effects.

EPA's work on atrazine is based on a thorough review of an extensive body of the best available scientific data and studies, has been subject to participation by the public and stakeholders, and has undergone independent scientific peer review. Atrazine is used on a variety of crops and nonagricultural applications. It is being reviewed as part of EPA's ongoing program to evaluate older pesticides to ensure that they meet current health and environmental safety standards, including the health protective measures, called for in the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). In addition to the significant accomplishment represented by this action on atrazine, today's action fulfills an obligation to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and others under a consent decree. Extensive information on EPA's review of atrazine is available at: http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/reregistration/atrazine .

Watershed Classification Systems Development Grants Awarded

Suzanne Ackerman 202-564-7819 / ackerman.suzanne@epa.gov

Grants to design water monitoring programs, prioritize impaired watersheds for restoration and diagnose biological losses in a variety of aquatic ecosystems have been awarded by EPA. More than $4 million for projects were funded through the EPA Science to Achieve Results (STAR) grant program and awarded to the following universities: University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan., for $900,000; Michigan State University, East Lansing, Mich., for $842,000; Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pa., for $875,000; Utah State University, Logan, Utah, for $850,000; and University of Vermont, Burlington, Vt., for $664,000. Before efforts to remediate an impaired watershed can begin, water system managers need a way to assess the nature of the water quality problem. State, tribal and local agencies will be able to use these classification systems for risk assessment, watershed management and tracking specific pollutants. For more information, go to: http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction /recipients.display/rfa_id/303 and the EPA STAR program at: http://es.epa.gov/ncer/ .

Programs to Encourage Recycling Used Lamps Containing Mercury Receive $2 Million

Dave Ryan 202-564-7827 / ryan.dave@epa.gov

To promote the safe recycling of mercury-containing lamps by commercial and industrial users, EPA has awarded 10 cooperative agreements for broad-based outreach public education campaigns. The recipients are: Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers (Calistoga, Calif.); California Department of Toxic Substances Control (Sacramento); Center for Ecological Technology (Pittsfield, Mass.); Hawaii Department of Health (Honolulu); Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association (Boston, Mass.); Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center (Seattle, Wash.); St. Regis Mohawk Tribe (Akwesasne, N.Y.); Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (Nashville); University of South Carolina (Columbia), and Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (Waterbury). Every year, nearly 600 million mercury-containing lamps are sold around the country; approximately 96 percent are the fluorescent bulbs commonly used in schools, office buildings, hospitals and homes. In July 1999, EPA added mercury-containing lamps to the universal waste program to more effectively store, transport, collect these wastes as well as to provide stronger safeguards to keep mercury-containing used lamps out of municipal landfills and incinerators. Robert Springer, Director of EPA's Office of Solid Waste, announced the recipients at the Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials' (ASTSWMO) annual meeting in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 24. (ASTSWMO supports the environmental agencies of the states and trust territories.) For more information, go to: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/id/univwast/lamp.htm or use the RCRA Call Center toll-free at 800-424-9346 or call 703-412-9810 in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area. To learn more about ASTSWMO, go to: http://www.astswmo.org/ .

Schools Invited to Participate in Internet Training on Mercury

David Deegan 617-918-1017 / deegan.dave@epa.gov

EPA is co-hosting a web-based video cast workshop entitled "Enhancing Pollution Prevention in School and Laboratory Facilities: Lessons Learned from Mercury Reduction Programs." The workshop will be held Monday, Nov. 17, 1-4 p.m. EST. The workshop cover the risks associated with mercury in schools, ways to eliminate mercury from schools, emphasize student safety and the use of environmentally sound practices for school labs. Individuals can register for the workshop, request continuing education units and access the training from their personal computers by logging onto the following Web site: http://www.mercuryinschools.uwex.edu . Individuals can attend the actual training workshop on Nov. 17 at the main campus of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md. For more information, go to: http://www.mercuryinschools.uwex.edu .

National Environmental Assistance Summit: An Alliance to Prevent Pollution, Achieve Compliance and Innovate for Environmental Results

Suzanne Ackerman 202-564-7819 / ackerman.suzanne@epa.gov

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is co-sponsoring with the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable a spring conference entitled "National Environmental Assistance Summit" to be held April 19 - 22, 2004, in Baltimore, Md. The Summit will convene individuals who work in the environmental assistance arena. Industry, small business and trade association representatives are encouraged to attend and provide their perspectives on environmental assistance. Sessions will focus on pollution prevention, compliance assistance, environmental policy innovations, environmental management systems, sustainability and best practices. Three EPA Offices, (Compliance, Pollution Prevention and Toxics and the National Center for Environmental Innovation) have worked with the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable. The goal of the Summit is for members of the environmental assistance community -- those who create, fund, deliver and receive it -- to learn from each other how best to improve environmental performance. For more information or to register for the conference or submit papers, go to: http://www.p2.org/summit2004 .