Message #77: July 2003

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The purpose of TechDirect is to identify new technical, policy and guidance resources related to the assessment and remediation of contaminated soil and ground water.

 Mention of non-EPA documents or presentations does not constitute a U.S. EPA endorsement of their contents, only an acknowledgment that they exist and may be relevant to the TechDirect audience.

Special Item

Funding for Technology Evaluation/Verification. Technology vendors interested in having their commercially available environmental technologies independently verified can apply to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) for funding which could defray the cost of participating in performance verification tests of environmental technologies. If selected, NYSERDA will cover up to 50 per cent of New York State vendors’ verification fees to limits defined in NYSEDA’s upcoming program Opportunity Announcement (786-02) for vendors participating in verification tests of the U.S. EPA's Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program (http://www.epa.gov/etv). NYSERDA's solicitation is primarily directed at vendors from the state of New York. However, a vendor located outside the state of New York can also apply for funding if the vendor has New York-based subsidiaries or business partners. The solicitation is expected to be on the NYSERDA Web site in July (http://www.nyserda.org/upcoming.html). The solicitation is identified in the chart at that location as PON 768, Environmental Product and Process Development and Evaluation. NYSERDA expects to award funds in October or November. Questions about the ETV Program's Advanced Monitoring Systems (AMS) Center should be directed to Helen Latham at Battelle, via e-mail: lathamh@battelle.org. Additional contacts for ETV centers can be found on the ETV Web site shown above. The NYSERDA Web site has contact information about NYSERDA and the upcoming solicitation.

Internet Seminars

ITRC Advanced Techniques on Installation of Iron Based Permeable Reactive Barriers and Non-Iron Based Barrier Treatment Material Documents and Web Resources - July 24. This seminar, produced by the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council, uses case studies to describe long-term performance of iron-based systems and details how to design them according to the heterogeneities of the subsurface. For more information and to register, see http://www.itrcweb.org or http://clu-in.org/studio .

ITRC Radiation Risk Assessment: Updates and Tools, July 29. The Radionuclides Team of ITRC has developed a document, "Case Studies: Determining Cleanup Levels at Radioactively Contaminated Sites", that examines the factors influencing the variations in cleanup level development at various radioactively contaminated sites. This training course was collaboratively developed by the ITRC Radionuclides Team and EPA's Superfund Office. The focus of this training is EPA's new radiation risk assessment tools, which can facilitate better decision making for accelerated cleanups. The training consists of 4 modules with the following specific purposes: Provide an overview of the regulatory requirements for cleanup of radioactive waste; Clarify differences between existing radiation risk assessment practices (dose and risk-based approaches) and provide updates; Explain how to use EPA's new Risk-based PRG- and ARAR Dose-calculators for radionuclides; and Demonstrate site-specific challenges in application of tools. For more information and to register, see http://www.itrcweb.org or http://clu-in.org/studio.

Documents

New FRTR Cost/Performance Information. The Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable web site now has 29 new reports that include: 14 reports addressing cleanup of VOCs in groundwater using thermal treatment, chemical oxidation, and air sparging & 16 reports focusing on in situ or ex situ soil treatment (342 total case study reports on remedial technologies now available). Also new at FRTR is 11 new site characterization and monitoring case studies covering innovative technologies for organic chemical and explosive characterization, strategies for field-based site characterization, geophysical techniques, and leak detection for bulk fuel tanks and fuel pipelines (121 total reports site characterization and monitoring technologies now available). Also, compiled for the first time is 52 multi-site technology assessment reports. These reports contain information on the design, implementation, and selection of specific technologies. For access to these and other FRTR information, see http://www.frtr.gov .

Report on the Peer Consultation Workshop to Discuss a Proposed Protocol to Assess Asbestos-Related Risk. EPA convened a peer consultation workshop to seek input from a panel of experts on the scientific merit of a proposed asbestos risk methodology. The experts included scientists with extensive expertise in relevant fields, such as biostatistics, fiber identification, inhalation toxicology, and carcinogenic mechanisms. The panelists were asked to respond to several charge questions that address key issues in the proposed methodology, including interpretations of epidemiology and toxicology literature, the proposed exposure index, and general topics. The product of the peer consultation workshop is this report that summarizes the panelists’ and observers’ comments, conclusions, and recommendations on the proposed methodology (May 2003, 73 pages). This document consists of the main report and appendices A-F. View or download the report and individual appendices at http://www.epa.gov/superfund/programs/risk/asbestos/ .

Five Year Review Process in the Superfund Program (EPA 540-F-02-004). This document was issued by the EPA Office of Emergency and Remedial Response. It is a brief summary of the previously issued Comprehensive Five Year Review Guidance (EPA 540-R-01-007). It provides an overview, what are the components of a five year review, who is responsible, and how EPA conducts a protectiveness assessment and formulate its conclusions (April 2003, 8 pages). View or download at http://www.epa.gov/superfund/action/postconstruction/fiveyearreviewfactsheet.pdf .

Transfer of Long-Term Response Action (LTRA) Projects to States (540-F-01-021). The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Section 104(c)(6), provides the statutory basis for the transfer of ground water and surface water restoration projects from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to State Operation and Maintenance (O&M). This fact sheet identifies key elements of the LTRA transfer process and provides guidance for Remedial Project Managers (RPMs) concerning the transfer of responsibilities from EPA to the State for O&M (April 2003, 10 pages). View or download at http://www.epa.gov/superfund/action/postconstruction/ltrafactsheet.pdf .

Technology Overview Using Case Studies of Alternative Landfill Technologies and Associated Regulatory Topics (ALT-1). This document, produced by the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) showcases flexibility in the regulatory framework for alternatives that may rely on native vegetation rather than artificial liners to keep water from reaching buried waste. Presents examples of flexibility used in regulatory frameworks for approving alternative landfill cover designs, current research information about the use of alternative covers, and examples of approved designs and constructed covers (March 2003, 107 pages). View or download at http://www.itrcweb.org/ALT-1.pdf . 

ITRC Five Year Program Plan: 2003-2007. This document, developed by the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council, outlines the ITRC’s Five-Year Program Plan (FYPP). It contains information about the consensus-building process behind the FYPP, and proposals for current and potential projects (Spring 2003, 28 pages). View or download at http://www.itrcweb.org/FYPP0307.pdf .

Technology News and Trends - May 2003 (EPA 542-N-03-003). This periodic newsletter is produced by the EPA Technology Innovation Office. It features a combination of articles on innovative, in-situ technologies for the characterization and treatment of soil, sediment, and ground water. This issue contains articles titled, Thermal Technology Tested for Contaminant Recovery, SERDP and NRMRL Sponsor Field Test of Cosolvent-Enhanced DNAPL Removal; Biosparging Used to Remove Chlorinated Solvents at the SRS Sanitary Landfill; and Electrical Resistance Heating Pilot Conducted for VOC Removal (May 2003, six pages). View or download at http://clu-in.org/techpubs.htm . For hard copies, contact (800) 490-9198 or (513) 489-8190 or fax to (513) 489-8695.

Superfund Redevelopment: Realizing Possibilities. Produced by the U.S. EPA Superfund Program, this video depicts redevelopment of formerly contaminated sites that have been cleaned up and put back into productive use. This program is helping to turn areas that were once dangerous into something communities can be proud of. This video concentrates primarily on redeveloping a site in Woburn, Massachusetts. Running time is 12 minutes. To view video online or order copies, see http://clu-in.org/studio/video.cfm .

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Managing Risk at LNAPL Sites. American Petroleum Institute Soil and Groundwater Research Bulletin No. 18. This brochure was prodcued by the American Petroleum Institute. It offers answers to practical and technical questions about cost-effective management, cleanup or closure of sites with groundwater impacted by light non-aqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs), such as petroleum hydrocarbons. (May 2003, 24 pages.) View or download at http://www.api.org/lnapl .

Conferences and Symposia

Last Call! RevTech Conference - Cleaning Up Contaminated Properties for Reuse and Revitalization: Effective Technical Approaches and Tools, July 22-24, Pittsburgh, PA. EPA’s Technology Innovation Office is co-sponsoring this conference on how and where innovative technologies and approaches can be considered in a reuse setting. To see the conference agenda, register, find a hotel or submit a poster abstract, see http://www.brownfieldstsc.org/revtech.htm .

The National Environmental Monitoring Conference, July 21-24, Arlington, VA. This EPA-sponsored event provides the principal forum for addressing policy and technical issues that affect monitoring in all environmental media and across all environmental programs. About one hundred papers cover the triad approach, homeland security and environmental analysis, and other current topics. This year's conference features three days with sessions packed with the latest advances in environmental monitoring techniques and new EPA policies, an Opening Reception, a major new Exhibition, and a Poster Session. In addition, half-day and full-day short courses will be offered on Monday and Thursday on a variety of related topics including "The Triad Approach to Managing Decision Uncertainty for Better Cleanup Projects." The complete technical program and online registration is available on the conference web site at http://www.nemc.us .

NOTE: We prefer to concentrate mainly on new documents and the internet live events. However, we do support an area on CLU-IN where announcement of conferences and courses can be regularly posted. We invite sponsors to input information on their events at http://clu-in.org/courses . Likewise, readers may visit this area for news of upcoming events that might be of interest. It allows users to search events by location, topic, time period, etc.