Science and Research, Division of

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10929/91

The role of the Division of Science and Research is to provide the department with, and access to, expertise and information that supports its technical and policy needs. In addition, the office performs research to meet the information and problem-solving needs, identify and understand emerging issues that require the department’s attention and to advocate/integrate the multi-disciplinary perspective into the department’s identification, analysis and resolution of environmental issues.

Previous names include the Division of Science, Research and Environmental Health, the Office of Science, and the Division of Science, Research and Technology.

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Browsing Science and Research, Division of by Subject "Air - Pollution - New Jersey - Paterson"

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    Additional Air Monitoring in Paterson Study (AAMPS) : Final Report to United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2
    (Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Science, 2012-01-24) Bonanno, Linda J.; Ma, John; Fan, Zhihua
    In anticipation of community concerns regarding approximately two months of elevated levels of p-dichlorobenzene observed during the Urban Community Air Toxics Monitoring Project, Paterson City, NJ (UCAMPP), NJDEP applied to USEPA for funds for an additional year of monitoring in Paterson. Sampling for UCAMPP occurred from November 2005 through December 2006. The elevated levels of p-dichlorobenzene were observed from October 2006 to the first part of December 2006. Levels returned to normal before the end of sampling. The main goal of the Additional Air Monitoring in Paterson Study (AAMPS) was to investigate whether the elevated levels observed during UCAMPP were a one-time occurrence or would recur periodically. A secondary goal was to see if spatial saturation sampling at and around 176 Broadway could identify potential sources of selected air toxics. Sampling with the TO-15 method occurred about every 12 days over a 1 year period from April 2010 to May 2011. TO-15 can measure 60 different VOCs. In addition to the TO-15 method, 5 spatial saturation sampling (SSS) campaigns were carried out over the course of the year of monitoring. For the SSS, Organic Vapor Monitors (OVM) passive badges were deployed for 3 days at 23 locations at and around the main monitoring location. The OVM samples were analyzed for benzene, ethyl benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, tetrachloroethylene, and p-dichlorobenzene. During each saturation sampling campaign, a collocated TO-15 measurement was obtained for the same time period, i.e., 3 days to allow for a comparison of methods. A total of 38 canister samples and 155 badge samples, including quality control samples, were collected during the year of monitoring. All sample results were within the expected values based on UCAMPP and other NJDEP statewide data. In contrast to the sampling in 2006, elevated levels of p-dichlorobenzene were not detected. Spatial saturation sampling did not reveal any patterns that could identify potential sources of the selected air toxics. Seven air toxics (benzene, 1,3-butadiene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, chloromethane, p-dichlorobenzene, tetrachloroethylene) that were measured with the TO15 method were above the health benchmark in Paterson and most were above the health benchmark at NJDEP's other air toxics monitoring stations. Benzene and 1,3-butadiene accounted for the majority of the risk and these air toxics are generated from mobile sources.
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    Additional Air Monitoring in Paterson Study (AAMPS): Research Project Summary
    (Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Science and Research, 2012-01) Bonanno, Linda J.
    The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) awarded funding to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) for an additional year of air toxics monitoring in Paterson City, N.J. to follow up on findings from the Urban Community Air Toxics Monitoring Project, Paterson City, NJ (UCAMPP) study conducted during 2005-2006. In the earlier study, temporarily elevated levels of p-dichlorobenzene at one (176 Broadway) of the three monitoring locations in Paterson resulted in community concerns about the possible long-term implications of this exposure. The Additional Air Monitoring in Paterson Study’s (AAMPS) main purpose was to determine if concentrations of p-dichlorobenzene would become elevated again or if this excursion was an isolated event. A secondary goal of the project was to obtain more information on the sources of an additional six air toxics, benzene, 1,3-butadiene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, chloromethane and tetrachloroethylene, that were found to be above the health benchmark during UCAMPP. The majority of the risk associated with these air toxics is primarily from mobile sources. These chemicals are generally elevated throughout New Jersey. AAMPS air toxics monitoring occurred from April 2010 through May 2011. Two types of air samples were collected; vacuum canisters were analyzed by the USEPA TO-15 method and Organic Vapor Monitors were used for spatial saturation sampling. Concentrations and associated risks observed during AAMPS were very similar to those observed during UCAMPP and also similar to those observed in other areas in New Jersey. In contrast to UCAMPP, no elevation in p-dichlorobenzene was observed compared to background levels. None of the facilities adjacent to 176 Broadway used pdichlorobenzene, even in small quantities. The investigation by NJDEP’s Compliance and Enforcement program area identified nine potential sources of p-dichlorobenzene in and around Paterson. Of these nine potential sources, one was located in Clifton but it was too far away and the prevailing wind direction on days in 2006 with elevated levels precluded this company as the source, four other facilities did not use/make p-dichlorobenzene and four other facilities had closed and there were no records available. Based upon the investigation by NJDEP’s Compliance and Enforcement program area, on-the-ground knowledge of the facilities by NJDEP inspectors and prevailing wind direction, the most likely source would have been Galaxy Chemical. This facility shut down and no records are available from 2006. Thus, there is a good possibility that the source of the p-dichlorobenzene no longer exists. The spatial saturation sampling did not reveal any patterns that could be associated with sources.