Browsing by Author "Fan, Zhi-Hua (Tina)"

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Characterization of Hexavalent Chromium Concentrations in Household Dust in Background Areas: Research Project Summary
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Science, 2009-06) Fan, Zhi-Hua (Tina); Shalat, Stuart; Yu, Chang-Ho; Black, Kathy; Lin, Lin; Stern, Alan H.
In order to understand the significance of the low-level ubiquitous occurrence of hexavalent chromium (Cr+6 ) in house dust sampled in the Hudson County Chromium Exposure and Health Study in Jersey City, New Jersey, a study was undertaken to measure Cr+6 in samples of house dust obtained from background locations unrelated to Jersey City. A total of 20 homes was sampled in New Brunswick, New Jersey and surrounding towns. Three samples were collected in each home and analyzed for Cr+6. Total chromium (Cr+6 + Cr+3) was also analyzed in 17% of samples. As in Jersey City, Cr+6 was found to be ubiquitous in house dust samples in the background locations. No significant difference was found between Cr+6 concentrations in Jersey City and the background locations. Evidence suggests that at least some of the Cr+6 in the dust arose from materials inside the houses. Comparison of the correlation of Cr+6 and Cr+3 in Jersey City and the background locations indicates that residual chromate production waste (COPR) in Jersey City was not a major source of the Cr+6 in Jersey City house dust. In addition to household materials, possible sources of Cr+6 in house dust include atmospheric deposition, naturally occurring Cr+6 in soil, and exogenous soil and soil treatments containing Cr+6 contamination. Further research will be needed to identify the sources of Cr+6 in house dust.
The Contribution of Dust Particles from St. Lawrence Cement to Outdoor Dust in the Surrounding Waterfront-South Community in Camden, New Jersey: Research Project Summary
(Trenton, N.J. : New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Science, 2009-08) Lioy, Paul J.; Fan, Zhi-Hua (Tina); Yu, Chang Ho; Stern, Alan H.
In response to community concerns about dusty conditions in the Waterfront South area of Camden, NJ, and specific concerns that the nearby St. Lawrence/Holcim facility was a major contributor to these conditions, a study was undertaken to examine the contribution of that facility to dust deposition in the Waterfront South area. A composite sample of material was collected from the exposed piles at the facility and outdoor dust deposition and surface wipe samples were collected at multiple locations during two periods for a total of 52 days within a distance of 800 m of the facility as well as at a control location 2 km from the facility. Dust mass was examined as a function of distance from the facility, and the source material from the facility was compared to the community dust samples on the basis of elemental concentration (particularly calcium) and elemental ratios. In addition, a chemical mass-balance model was created that attempted to account for the elemental signature of the source material from the facility against the background of elemental occurrence in urban dust. Also, facility-wide deposition modeling was conducted using operations data supplied by the facility. Several independent lines of evidence point to a contribution from the facility of 2-13% with a most likely contribution in the range of 2-8% of the total dust material in the community at a distance of up to about 0.5 km. Unusual wind conditions could increase this contribution in the short-term. Both stack and fugitive emissions contribute to the facility’s overall dust emissions. However, fugitive emissions appear to be the larger source. This study was specifically focused on identifying the extant to which the St. Lawrence/Holcim facility contributed to the dust deposition in Waterfront South. It did not attempt to identify other contribution to the dust deposition. However, from other studies in the scientific literature in other locations, it appears that soil, and automotive use and wear (including tire wear) are major sources of urban dust.
Final Report: Contribution of Particle Emissions from a Cement Related Facility to Outdoor Dust in Surrounding Community
(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2009-03-02) Lioy, Paul J.; Fan, Zhi-Hua (Tina); Yu, Chang Ho
A facility that processes steel production slag into material for cement manufacture is located near the neighborhood of Waterfront South (WFS), Camden, New Jersey. The residents in the vicinity of the facility have had concerns about the impact of the fugitive particulate emissions from the material stored and/or used at the facility on the neighborhood as outdoor dust air pollution. To address their concern, this study collected deposited particles and surface dust samples near the facility and the raw material (RCM) from the pile of the dust outside of the facility, analyzed morphological characteristics and elemental concentrations in the samples, and assessed the contribution of particles emitted from the facility to the dust pollution in local community.
Urban Community Air Toxics Monitoring Project, Paterson City, NJ
(Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Science, 2010-02-24) Bonanno, Linda; Bollen, Brad; Boyko, Olga; Carter, Gail; Fan, Zhi-Hua (Tina); Korn, Leo; Lin, Lin; Mayes, Peter; Snyder, Erica; Yu, Chang Ho; Stern, Alan
The overall objectives of the Urban Community Air Toxics Monitoring Project, Paterson City, NJ, (UCAMPP) was to provide information and develop tools and methods so that the NJDEP and communities can better address exposure and risk issues related to air toxics through the characterization of local air associated with different land use patterns in a highly industrialized urban community. Three air monitoring stations were set up on the rooftops of three buildings in Paterson, with the aim of capturing industrial, commercial and mobile source-dominated emissions over the course of one year. The background monitoring site was located ~45 km WSW of Paterson in Chester, NJ. UCAMPP's specific aims were to 1) characterize the spatial resolution of local air toxics; 2) determine concentration gradients; 3) identify source signatures from various land uses; 4) evaluate modeling results using monitoring data; 5) field test new sampling and analytical techniques for air toxics that are currently difficult to quantify; 6) characterize the concerns of an Environmental Justice (EJ) type community; 7) identify risk reduction strategies, and 8) implement feasible strategies. This study will serve as a pilot project and provide valuable information that can be applied to other communities around the state and the nation.