[More on Pacific Steel Casting]
Samples of airborne particles in West Berkeley are taken with the MiniVol™ Portable Air Sampler by trained volunteers under the guidance of Global Community Monitor (GCM) www.gcmonitor.org.
|
|
Airmetrics manufactures the MiniVol™ Portable Air Sampler, which can be used to sample ambient air at 5 liters/minute for particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5, TSP) and/or non-reactive gases (CO, NOx). While not a reference method sampler, the MiniVol™ can be correlated when collected with a Federal Reference Method sampler. Lightweight and portable, the MiniVol™ is ideal for remote areas or locations where no permanent site has been established. The sampling technology was recommended by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the agency that funds the project.
Air is drawn into the sampler through a filter paper to trap particles in the air. Filters are provided from Airmetrics. Filters are analyzed for various metals, including those in the emission inventory of Pacific Steel Casting, such as manganese, zinc and lead.
Analysis of the filters for metals is done by an independent lab, Columbia Analytical Services of Kelso, WA, by EPA certified method 6020. http://www.epa.gov/sw-846/pdfs/6020.pdf. Each test has sampled 7200 liters of air or 7.2 cubic meters of air.
Two samples of Total particulates (TSP) were taken for 24 hour periods. The first sample was taken on April 23, 2007 (Noon to Noon) to April 24, 2007 at the 1300 block of 8th Street in West Berkeley, CA. The second sample was taken on May 6, 2007 (8:49 PM to 8:49 PM) to May 7, 2007 at that same location on 8th Street in West Berkeley, CA.
The following metals were found in the first filter sample: Chromium at .2 micrograms Lead at .06 micrograms Manganese .12 micrograms
The concentration of metals in the air in the first sample were: Manganese = .017 micrograms per cubic meter Lead = .008 micrograms per cubic meter Chromium = .028 micrograms per cubic meter
The following metals were found in the second filter sample: Chromium at .3 micrograms Manganese at .23 micrograms Zinc at .9 micrograms
The concentration of metals in the air in the first sample were: Manganese = .032 micrograms per cubic meter Zinc = .125 micrograms per cubic meter Chromium = .042 micrograms per cubic meter
The limits of detection (LOD) for these metals using the test method are as follows: Chromium =.2 micrograms Manganese =.05 micrograms Lead =.05 micrograms Zinc =.5 micrograms
The Bay Area Air District operates a PM 2.5 particle sampler in San Jose that has tested for metal particles as well. Chromium particles were found at at an average concentration of .0021 micrograms per cubic meter in 2006. The highest concentration in 2006 was .016 micrograms per cubic meter.
Lead particles were found at an average concentration of .0037 micrograms per cubic meter in 2006. The highest concentration in 2006 was .016 micrograms per cubic meter.
Manganese particles were found at an average concentration of .0037 micrograms per cubic meter in 2006. The highest concentration in 2006 was .004 micrograms per cubic meter.
Zinc particles were found at an average concentration of .007 micrograms per cubic meter in 2006. The highest concentration in 2006 was .036 micrograms per cubic meter. West Berkeley particle samples are taken when nearby wind direction monitors demonstrate that the sampling location is downwind of PSC. Wind direction prediction models are consulted to ensure that the sampler will be downwind of PSC for the majority of the 24 hour sampling period. Additional sample data will be posted to this website: (http://gcmonitor.org/article.php?list=type&type=89) as they are approved by the BAAQMD, the agency funding this sampling project.[1]
[1] This report was prepared as a result of work sponsored, paid for, in whole or in part by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (District). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the District. The District, its officers, employees, contractors and subcontractors make no warranty, expressed or implied, and assume no legal liability for the information in this report. The District has not approved or disapproved this report, nor has the District evaluated the accuracy or adequacy of the information contained herein.
Global Community Monitor (GCM) www.gcmonitor.org.
***************
NOTE: The analysis shows that while these results are below health-based standards, they are also well above the 2006 Air District Results. The result that comes closest to exceeding a health-based standard is the concentration of manganese measured in the second sample (0.032 micrograms per cubic meter), which falls just shy of the U.S. EPA reference concentration for manganese of 0.05 micrograms per cubic meter (based on impacts to neurobehavioral function).
Amount on Filter Concentration Air District
Micrograms Air Sample[1] ug/m3 results U.S. EPA Rf
First Sample
Chromium 0.2 7.2 m3 0.028 0.0021 0.1 [2]
Lead 0.06 7.2 m3 0.008 0.0037 1.5 [3
Manganese 0.12 7.2 m3 0.017 0.0037 0.05
Zinc n/a 0.007 none
Second Sample
Chromium 0.3 7.2 m3 0.042 0.0021 0.1 [2
Lead n/a 0.0037 1.5 [3
Manganese 0.23 7.2 m3 0.032 0.0037 0.05
Zinc 0.9 7.2 m3 0.125 0.007 none
Lead 0.06 7.2 m3 0.008 0.0037 1.5 [3
Manganese 0.12 7.2 m3 0.017 0.0037 0.05
Zinc n/a 0.007 none
Second Sample
Chromium 0.3 7.2 m3 0.042 0.0021 0.1 [2
Lead n/a 0.0037 1.5 [3
Manganese 0.23 7.2 m3 0.032 0.0037 0.05
Zinc 0.9 7.2 m3 0.125 0.007 none
Note 1: Assume air sample of 7.2 cubic meters: = 24 hours x 5 liters/minute x 1440 minutes/24 hours x 1 cubic meter/1000 liters
Note 2: U.S. EPA reference concentration for hexavalent chromium. No RfC available for total or trivalent chromium
Note 3: No reference concentration available. National Ambient Air Quality Standard = 1.5 micrograms/cubic meter
The air filter (far left) is typical of a number of air samples drawn downwind of Pacific Steel Casting. Photo of air monitor (far right) with stacks of PSC in background.
The GCM air monitoring project is sampling for metals which may or may not be directly associated with the known odors coming from PSC. The presence of odor is likely to be associated with airborne chemicals such as formaldehyde and other materials used as mold binders. These odors appear to be generated in more of a “puff” fashion, and not continuously, as one might find at an oil refinery. The associated odor plumes are dispersed more or less by the wind.
For the purpose of the GCM monitoring, the odors are more of an indication that the facility is operating, and to some extent, what the wind direction might be. The GCM project recognizes these parameters, but also looks more closely at the weather data provided by BAAQMD and others to determine when, and where, airborne particulates might be present, and to what extent they are being dispersed (wind speed).
GCM assumes that the presence of airborne metal particulates, whether fugitive or stack emissions, to be more constant than odors, and present even when the odors are not apparent. There are few places where the wind blows in a constant direction over a twenty-four hour period. GCM monitoring is structured to sample when the prevailing winds are constant for about twelve hours or more in a twenty-four hour period.
Berkeleycitizen
For clarity, this map was modified by Mindfully.org. The original is found at the GCM website in PDF format
source: 3aug2007
|
To
send Mindfully.org your comments, questions, and suggestions click
here |
