Assessment of Needs for Technical Information in EPA’s Hazardous and Solid Waste Programs

Headquarters managers and Regional staff in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s hazardous and solid waste programs were surveyed to determine priorities for technical information and guidance among EPA Regional staff, state hazardous waste management staff, EPA contractors, and the regulated community. The survey also examined delivery systems effective for EPA Regional staff. The fifteen highest ranked technical needs for RCRA, Superfund, and UST reflect a pervasive interest in hazardous waste remediation. Top priority technical needs focus on establishing cleanup levels, subsurface fate and transport, field monitoring and quality assurance, remedy selection, and most importantly, which remedies work and which do not in specific situations. Technical needs of non- EPA audiences are quite similar to those for EPA field staff. Preferences for technology transfer delivery systems are generally for conventional distribution methods (such as print materials and workshops) rather than electronic or video media. Regional staff report serious problems in utilizing technology transfer because of time constraints, insufficient knowledge of available products, insufficient travel funds, and limited access to and training on computers.     

Development and Demonstration of a Pilot-Scale Debris Washing System

Metallic, masonry, and other solid debris that may be contaminated with hazardous chemicals litter numerous hazardous waste sites in the United States. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, lead or other metals are some of the contaminants of concern. In some cases, cleanup standards have been established (e.g., 10 μg PCBs/100 cm² for surfaces to which humans may be frequently exposed). Decontaminated debris could be either returned to the site as “clean” fill or, in the case of metallic debris, sold to a metal smelter.

This project involves the development and demonstration of a technology specifically for per forming on-site decontamination of debris. Both bench-scale and pilot-scale versions of a debris washing system (DWS) have been designed, constructed, and demonstrated. The DWS entails the application of an aqueous solution during a high-pressure spray cycle, followed by turbulent wash and rinse cycles. The aqueous cleaning solution is recovered and reconditioned for reuse concurrently with the debris-cleaning process, which minimizes the quantity of process water required to clean the debris.     

Measurement of Volatile Organics at Part per Billion Concentrations Using a Cold Trap Inlet and High Speed Gas Chromatography

Direct inlet gas chromatography (GC) is becoming one of the most frequently used techniques for measurement of volatile organics in air. Although GC is an effective tool, its usefulness as a field method can be limited by retention times of several minutes or more, and by the limits of detection. In order to address these issues, a high speed GC system featuring a capillary cold trap inlet and variable speed electrometeramplifier was developed and tested.

The gas cooled inlet was used to collect and focus organic vapors from injection volumes of up to 1 ml. Resistance heating of the metal cold trap produced a narrow injection band that allowed simple separations to be completed in 5 to 20 seconds. Use of a variable speed electrometer-amplifier allowed the response time and noise suppression characteristics to be adjusted to the needs of the specific analysis.

Simple mixtures of organics including aromatics, alkanes and chlorinated hydrocarbons were separated in 20 seconds or less. The limits of detection for 13 test compounds ranged from less than 1 part per billion by volume (ppbv) to about 50 ppbv. Data presented here indicate that high speed GC using a cold trap inlet may be a feasible approach for near real-time measurement of volatile organics in ambient air.     

Induction of hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes in mammals by pesticides: A review

Abstract

The induction of drug metabolizing enzymes in mammals is summarized including both enzymes of the cytochrome P‐450‐dependent microsomal mixed function oxidase system and glutathione S‐transferases. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of pesticides as inducers, the early work being summarized while investigations carried out at North Carolina State University are considered in greater detail. Finally, the possible significance of induction is considered.     

The effect of aldicarb on nematode population and its persistence in carrots,soil and hydroponic solution

Abstract

Aldicarb, Temik^® 15 G, was incorporated in furrows at 3.37 and 6.73 kg ai (active ingredent)/ha and carrots (Caucus carota L.) were directly seeded on the same day. The numbers of nematode larvae were significantly suppressed in the treated plots; averages were 249, 74, and 51/ 50 cc soil samples for control (0), 3.37 and 6.73 kg ai/ha, respectively. Aldicarb treatment resulted in a 28% yield increase as compared to the untreated. Aldicarb residue in carrots was 28 ppb for the low treatment and 46 ppb for the high. Residual levels in soil of high treatment declined from 6l to 31 ppb during two weeks prior to harvest, meanwhile, those in the low decreased slightly from 13 to 12 ppb. Carrots placed in hydroponic solution containing aldicarb 14.5 ppm for 6 days, had an aldicarb residue of 10.26 ppb and the hydroponic solution, 2.7 ppb. Persistence of aldicarb residue was in carrot > in soil > in hydroponic solution.     

Clinical effects and cholinesterase activity changes in workers exposed to phorate (Thimet)

Abstract

Phorate (Thimet), an aliphatic derivative of phospnorus is a hignly toxic insecticide. In order to implement the safety measures, the clinical manifestations and cholinesterase (ChE) activity were evaluated before and after 2 weeks of exposure to this insecticide in 40 male tormulators.

The 2 week's exposure reveal signs and symptoms of toxicity in 60% of the formulators. Gastrointestinal symptoms and lowering of heart rate (bradycardia) were more prominent as compared to the neurological symptoms. A significant depression in plasma ChE activity was observed at the end of 1st week (55%) and 2nd week (71%) as compared to the respective pre‐exposure values. A recovery up to 79% of the pre‐exposure activity of this enzyme was noticed 10 days after cessation of the above exposure.     

Thiram‐induced toxic liver injury in male sprague‐dawley rats

Abstract

A single i.p. dose (120 mg/kg) of thiram given to male Sprague‐Dawley rats caused a significant increase in the activity of SGOT and SGPT 24 hr post‐treatment indicating liver damage. A considerable diminution in the serum cholinesterase activity was also noted in the treated rats as against the control animals. Additional evidence for thiram‐induced liver toxicity is provided by the observation that there was approximately 50% inhibition of the activity of hepatic microsomal benzphetamine N‐demethylase with a concomitant decrease in the concentration of cytochrome P‐450, an important component of the mixed‐function oxidase system. Although not significant, hepatic glutathione levels were also depleted by thiram, probably making the liver susceptible to toxic injury.     

A device for sampling the mud‐water interface in eutrophic lakes and bogs for residue analysis

Abstract

A tubular device has been developed making it possible to obtain layered samples of loosely aggregated, flocculent material from bogs or eutrophic lakes. The samples are up to 50 cm long and 15 cm in diameter. The sampler is free from protuberances and intact, layered samples can be taken. The tubular part of the sampler is about 85 em long, the walls of the lower 25‐cm portion harbouring a pneumatic closing mechanism which is controlled from above the water surface. An extendible handle for manipulating the sampler and for guiding it into place, is fastened to the upper end of the sampling tube. The performance and the operation of the sampler in the field are described.     

Direct supercritical fluid extraction from water

Abstract

This paper describes the development of apparatus suitable for direct supercritical fluid extraction of organics from water. Results are presented for the extraction of pentachlorophenol present in water at concentrations of the order of 0.1 ppm. The effect of changes in apparatus design and supercritical fluid flow rate on recovery are discussed.     

Combined effects of mercury and hexachlorobenzene in the rat

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to assess the potential interactive effects of two Great Lakes chemical contaminants, hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and mercury (HgCl₂). Groups of 10 female Sprague‐Dawley rats were administered by gavage single doses of HCB (400, 600 mg/kg b.w. in corn oil), HgCl₂ (10.0, 12.5 mg/kg b.w. aqueous) or combinations of both followed by observation for clinical signs of toxicity for 14 days. Five animals from treatment groups died before the termination of the study; one animal each in 600 mg HCB, 400 mg HCB + 10 mg HgCl₂, and 600 mg HCB + 10 mg HgCl₂, and two animals in 600 mg HCB + 12.5 mg HgCl₂. The surviving animals were necropsied at the termination of the study, and hematological, clinical chemistry, histopathological and tissue residue analyses were performed. Relative liver weights were increased in both low and high dose groups of HCB but not in animals treated with HgCl₂ alone. Co‐administration of HgCl₂ did not alter the HCB effects on the liver weight of the animals. Serum cholesterol levels were increased in all the groups receiving HCB but not HgCl₂. No interactive effects on other serum parameters were seen in animals administered with both chemicals. Mild to moderate morphological changes occurred in the liver, thyroid, thymus, ovary and bone marrow of rats exposed to HCB or HCB + HgCl₂, and in the kidney of HgCl₂ or HgCl₂ + HCB treated animals. More severe histological changes occurred in the groups receiving both chemicals. The histological effects appeared to be additive. It was concluded that co‐administration with HCB and HgCl₂ resulted in additive effects in some of the endpoints measured but no synergism or antagonism was observed.