Ohio EPA Implements Electronic File Management System

As part of sweeping changes being implemented by Director Nally, Ohio EPA is moving toward a paperless document management system referred to as the eDocument Management System. The stated purpose of the new system is to simplify recordkeeping and to allow easier free public access to Ohio EPA documents. The initial stage of the eDocument Management System is now on line and available for review.
Read More >>

Vegetative Landfill Caps -- A Cost-Effective and Innovative Solution

A vegetative (phytoremediation) landfill cap has the potential to reduce infiltrating precipitation significantly, maintain landfill cap integrity, and treat all or a large percentage of generated leachate. Cost savings can be realized in terms of both capital costs for installation (as compared to traditional RCRA cap or ongoing maintenance), as well as elimination or significant reduction in the volume of leachate requiring off-site treatment or disposal. In addition, it's likely that this technology would be considered a green and sustainable (GSR) option when evaluated against other alternatives.
Read More >>

Short-listing Vapor Intrusion Constituents: Not Always A Good Idea

Many Vapor Intrusion guidance documents encourage analyzing a short list of comhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifpounds in indoor air -- for example, instructing the lab to report only the compounds detected in subsurface samples during previous related investigations. But be careful! As vapor intrusion assessment moves toward indoor air sampling, analyzing only for a short list of compounds could come back to bite you.
Read More >>

February 2012 - A Busy Month for IRIS Assessment Reports

February 2012 saw the final release of three significant final Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) assessments. These included tetrachloroethene (PCE); 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), the most toxic form of the dioxin family; and tetrahydrofuran (THF). In this first-time risk assessment of THF, EPA declined to set a cancer potency estimate for the substance. In addition, EPA released only the non-cancer portion of its final TCDD assessment.

IRIS is EPA's human health assessment program that evaluates risk information of affects that may result from exposure to environmental contaminants. Through the IRIS Program, EPA provides the science-based human health assessments to support the Agency's regulatory activities and for use in risk assessments conducted by the regulated community. Since its beginning in the mid-1980s, the program has been faulted for its slow turnaround, a criticism they appear to be addressing.

'Focus on the Environment' March 2012 eNewsletter

Hot off the press!  Click here to check out Cox-Colvin's March 2012 edition of Focus on the Environment eNewsletter. Includes information on Ohio EPA's electronic file management system, short-listing of vapor intrusion constituents, EPA's move to clarity hazardous waste generator rules, vegetative landfill caps, new IRIS assessment reports, and the latest on the coal ash rule.

Another Vapor Pin Application - Measuring Subslab Pressures

A common approach for evaluating the radius of influence of a sub-slab vapor intrusion remediation system is to measure pressure differentials between the sub-slab and indoor air. With the Vapor Pin, more pressure monitoring points can be installed in less time and at a lower cost. This results in a better understanding of the effectiveness of the remedial system.
Read More>>

EPA Develops New Hexavalent Chromium Analytical Method -- MCL Likely to Follow

EPA has unveiled a new analytical method for measuring hexavalent chromium (CR+6) in drinking water. It's believed that development of this more accurate and less costly Cr+6 method will make it easier for EPA to require water utility companies to monitor for CR+6. In turn, this requirement moves EPA closer to establishing a first-time drinking water standard for Cr+6. >Read More