Additional Air Monitoring in Paterson Study (AAMPS) : Final Report to United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2
Date
2012-01-24
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Trenton, N.J. : Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Science
Abstract
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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Keywords
Air - Pollution - New Jersey - Paterson