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Benzo(a)pyrene and Hexachlorobenzene

(Draft - January 5, 2005)

November 30, 2005
Stakeholders Forum - Chicago, Illinois
BaP/HCB Workgroup Meeting

Workgroup Leaders:
U.S. Workgroup Co-chair: Steve Rosenthal
Canadian Workgroup Co-chair: Tom Tseng

Note:
HCB/B(a)P Workgroup and Dioxin Workgroup meetings were combined for a number of common agenda items, i.e., (i) Burn barrel subgroup update, (ii) Scrap tires, (iii) Uncontrolled combustion issue papers, (iv) Voluntary stack testing of poorly characterized sources, (v) Iron & steel, (vi) Wood preservation, and (vii) GLBTS level 1 substance assessment reports. 

Following the combined meeting, the Hexachlorobenzene/Benzo(a)pyrene Workgroup met separately to discuss (i) HCB releases from pesticides sector;(ii) Residential wood combustion; (iii) Chemical manufacturing sector releases and (iv) Update on HCB and B(a)P air quality in basin.

1.0  Burn Barrel Subgroup Update
Bruce Gillies mentioned that the Strategy on Household Garbage Burning (Barrel Burning) in Rural Areas of the Great Lakes was finalized in Spring 2004 and is now posted on the web; he also noted that Ontario’s uncontrolled emissions from the burning of household garbage and commercial packaging in burn barrels, or alternately in fireplaces, is estimated at 5 - 10g dioxin/furans, 10 - 200g  B(a)P, and 2.5 - 5 kg HCB.  Bruce stated that other groups such as the US Office of Solid Waste and the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment are interested in the burn barrel activities and are looking at adopting some elements of the strategy. 

Since the last workgroup meeting on June 17th, educational activities on use of burn barrels have taken place in Wisconsin with use of air defenders kits, and among the Lake Superior First Nations.  In addition, Wisconsin published a model ordinance for open burning, and the West Lake Superior Sanitation District is planning a workshop this spring.   

On the issue of how one measures progress and how one knows the Burn Barrel Subgroup is on the right track, Dwain Winters suggested using case studies focusing on enforcement, education and waste infrastructure, and highlighted the need for case study nominations.   

Dwain indicated money is available to formalize the US national HCB inventory and this process will be based on the use of burn barrel activity levels, along with US EPA emission factors.  He also noted that the HCB burn barrel numbers are not expected to change significantly from what they are at present, and emphasized that no more testing is needed.  Tom Tseng queried what is involved in the HCB inventory update, and Dwain stated that the inventory is to be more rigorous and transparent, with gaps identified.  Compared to the dioxin inventory which cost in the order of $250,000, the HCB inventory is expected to be about $40,000.  

2.0  Scrap Tires
Michael Blumenthal reported that presentations were recently made in Detroit and in Banff on scrap tire pile abatement and fire prevention, and that a paper on “how to take down a tire pile” is being update and edited and will be going for peer review, and once finalized will be placed on the Rubber Manufacturers Association’s (RMA) web site.   

Ninety percent of the scrap tires are located in 11 states, two of these (Indiana and Pennsylvania) do not have scrap pile abatement programs and the RMA will be working towards promoting these programs.  The Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) is working with the Province of Ontario on scrap tire pile issues and mapping stockpiles is to occur next year. Another item discussed was the national scrap tire industrial statistics that have come out every 2 years since1992, and Michael has agreed to provide summary information on prior year tire scrapping at the next workgroup meeting. 

Shawn Michajluk provided an update on the Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS) program plan under development to deal with scrap tires, including the province’s 5 to 6 million stockpiled scrap tires (presentation slides attached as Appendix 1).  In September 2004, the proposed OTS scrap tire diversion program plan, approved by Waste Diversion Ontario (a multi-stakeholder board), was sent to the Ontario Minister of the Environment for final approval.  Highlights of proposed plan: retailers and scrap tire generators not charged a pick-up fee; haulers paid on delivery to approved scrap tire processors; manifest system to track generation and disposal; processors paid a processing incentive based on their value-added products; and Ontario scrap tire stockpiles eliminated 5-years from start of program.  

To a query on how scrap tires are presently disposed, Michael stated that the oldest and greatest use of scrap tires is for fuel, and that other uses included: as fill in the construction of road embankments, bridge abutments, and road base; as backfill at landfill sites; as an ingredient in asphalt; and as ground cover for playgrounds and running tracks, etc. 

Chris Newman with US EPA Region 5 mentioned that the EPA and the Michigan Department of Environment held a Scrap Tire Cleanup Forum on September 1, 2004, in Lansing, that a guide book on how to manage scrap tire piles is expected to be completed by first half of 2005, and that more scrap tire cleanup and fire prevention training courses are planned. 

Next Steps:

3.0  Uncontrolled Combustion Issue Papers
Anita Wong reported that the draft papers on uncontrolled combustion were updated following a first round of comments, and that further comments are now requested on these updated papers before Christmas.  The papers will be posted on the burn barrel web site in the members only area (password GLBTS), and issues can be worked through via a tele-conference call in mid-January, with the papers to be finalized in February.

Next Steps:

4.0  Voluntary Stack Testing of Poorly Characterized Sources
Shawn Michajluk gave a slide presentation on Voluntary Stack Testing in Ontario, a GLBTS initiative that commenced in 2000 targeting poorly characterized sources.  Shawn pointed out that Environment Canada carried out and paid for stack tests on the condition that the results can be made public.  To date, twelve facilities have been tested and the test results are summarized in the slide presentation (presentation slides attached as Appendix 2).  The information generated has proved particularly useful for inventory development.  Tom Tseng asked if the US had a similar program and Dwain Winters mentioned that the US EPA is working with the ceramic sector to generate release information on the processing of ball clay, and that other testing is done in support of regulations.  

Next Steps:

5.0  Iron & Steel (Coke Ovens)
David Ailor provided a handout listing the operating status of all US coke plants.  Since the last workgroup meeting, Empire Coke closed its two coke batteries in Alabama; this leaves a total of 17 operating batteries remaining in the US.  David also handed out an EPA fact sheet on the Proposed Amendments to Air Toxics Standards for Coke Oven Batteries to handle residual risk remaining after implementation of EPA 1993 emission standards.  David noted that dioxins have not been associated with cokemaking operations and therefore are not looked for during emission testing.  

Steven Rosenthal pointed out that B(a)P release estimates for the cokemaking sector in the US inventory data base should not be showing an increase..  Other items discussed included the continued use of questionable cokemaking emission factors, the sector’s growing use of the much cleaner non-recovery coke oven battery rather than the by-product coke oven battery, and the expected B(a)P release trends - in the short term, trend will remain at current levels; over the long term, trend will show a decline. 

6.0  Wood Preservation
Cindy Yang gave a slide presentation on Ontario’s Wood Preservation Sector highlighting the sector’s operations in Ontario, the production/use of creosote treated wood and PCP treated wood, and the work done on updating B(a)P, HCB and D/F release estimates (presentation slides attached as Appendix 3).  Cindy also noted the best management practices program in-place for the sector, the on-going facility compliance/progress monitoring audits and final evaluation planned for 2006, and the user guidance document to be distributed targeting the tele-communications industry. 

Dwain Winters stated that in-service preserved wood is not considered a contaminant release source in the US, but rather a reservoir source.  Cindy explained that the release numbers provided in the slide presentation were estimates of releases to the environment from in-service preserved wood in Ontario, and that the numbers did not include the reservoir quantities of contaminants remaining in the in-service wood.

Next Steps:

7.0  GLBTS Level I Substance Assessment Reports
John Menkedick with Battelle briefly outlined the framework used to assess progress and next steps for each of the GLBTS level 1 substances, pointing out that the framework is basically a logical approach to ensure that a consistent and transparent process is in place.  Timelines for the assessment activities, including the collection, verification, and analysis of environmental data, along with the development of management outcomes, have been set with substance reports targeted to be finalized by June 2005 and then taken to the Binational Executive Committee (BEC).  

Next Steps:


[Following Agenda Items discussed separately in the Hexachlorobenzene/Benzo(a)pyrene Workgroup meeting]


8.0  Pesticides
No new information has been received on the HCB releases attributed to the application of pesticides since the July 17, 2004, workgroup meeting,  Current status of the workgroup’s efforts to secure more accurate estimates: (i) In January 2004, Dale Phenicie forwarded data on estimated total HCB content levels present in pesticides to Jill Bloom with the US EPA’s Pesticide Program Office for comment and is awaiting a reply, and (ii) Judy Shaw has queried Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) on estimated Ontario HCB usage levels and will inform the workgroup once a response is received.  Tom Tseng noted that the workgroup has been trying without success to secure better Ontario use estimates for some 21 months.

Next Steps:

9.0  Residential Wood Combustion
Victor Li provided an update on Ontario’s Residential Wood Combustion (RWC) Program and the three pronged approach to reduce emissions (i) good equipment; (ii) good fuel; and (iii) smart consumer and user (presentation slides attached as Appendix 4). 

With respect to good equipment, the promotion of EPA-Certified stoves continues in Ontario, with vendor sales demonstrations at Canadian Tire and Home Hardware ‘big box’ stores.  Victor noted that gas and electric stoves are also being promoted particularly for urban areas. 

Fact sheets on “Good Firewood” and “Don’t Burn Garbage” (some 20,000 copies to be prepared) will be available from Environment Canada Region Offices and from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan).  A new fact sheet targeting urban wood burning is almost completed, and a non-verbal brochure for First Nations on wood burning being developed.  Also, displays at public events and tradeshows continue with high attendance, up to 300 people in some rural areas; and more “Burn it Smart” public workshops planned for 2004 – 2005 focusing on rural Ontario and possibly US border towns.

Interest in WETT training remains high (Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc. - a non-profit training and educational association promoting safe & efficient use of wood burning systems in Canada) and more workshops planned for the First Nations community; The WETT certification requirement of 80 hours of practical experience/work has emerged as a contentious issue.

Two plexi-glass mock-up stoves have been built for show and display purposes, and have proved to be very effective at showing the design features of the EPA-certified units.  The mock-up stoves weigh 20 lbs compared to about 300 lbs for an actual wood stove.  In addition, two 5 to 10 minute, easy to understand videos are to be used to explain wood stove operation, and firewood handling, purchasing, etc.

Little information is available on the impact of the change-out programs in Ontario and Victor mentioned that a survey is planned to address this issue. 

Next Steps:

Environment Canada - Ontario Region Residential Wood Combustion Program Plans for 2004-2005 are detailed in the slide presentation (Appendix 3) and these plans are highlighted below:

US EPA wood stoves/fireplace initiatives are also underway and have been documented in the minutes from the last workgroup meeting on June 17, 2004.

10.0   Chemical Manufacturing
Bob Bailey questioned the accuracy of the hexachlorobenzene releases reported in the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI).  In 2002, TRI lists some 94 facilities reporting of which about 30 had no HCB release, with some of the largest releases identified as tire companies (a sector apparently not using HCB in formulations).  Bob commented that much of the ups and downs noted in the facility reported HCB releases are probably mistakes and that a lot has to be done to confirm the validity of the inventory.  In addition, he queried whether it was worth while pursuing the 1000s of smaller HCB sources such as the power plants, highlighting the need for a cut-off level.

Steven Rosenthal indicated that Battelle had made calls to chemical facilities to confirm HCB numbers in the past and that an effort would be made to check out the validity of questionable releases, such as those being reported by the tire sector.

Next Steps:

11.0    Update on Basin HCB and B(a)P Air Quality
Melissa Hulting gave a slide presentation on the IADN HCB and B(a)P monitoring data (presentation slides attached as Appendix 5).   The HCB data (only US data used) shows a slow downward trend.  An unusual increase in IADN HCB gas phase levels noted in the mid-to-late 90’s may have been due to climate fluctuations associated with the North Atlantic, El Niņo, and/or from increased long range transport.  On the other hand, B(a)P levels do not appear to be going down anywhere in the Basin, with urban levels 10 to 100 times higher at Chicago than at rural sites.   

Melissa also showed several back trajectory maps which infer the general location of contaminant source regions impacting on the basin, and Canadian HCB and B(a)P National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) Network monitoring data indicating little change in B(a)P levels over the last decade. Steven Rosenthal remarked that, in spite of a reported US reduction of 74% B(a)P in the Basin, the lack of any overall improvement in air quality highlights the possibility there may still be unaccounted for B(a)P sources.

Participant’s Roster

Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy
Hexachlorobenzene/Benzo(a)pyrene Workgroup Meeting
November 30, 2004

Name

Organization

Telephone

E-mail Address
Ailor, David American Coke and Coal Chemicals 202-452-1140 Dailor@accci.org
Bailey, Bob Bailey Associates 734-994-8989 Bob.Bailey@tm.net
Blumenthal, Michael Rubber Manufacturers Association 202-682-4882 michael@rma.org
Hogg, Darryl Contractor, Environment Canada 416-483-6563 hoggrd@rogers.com
Hulting, Melissa US EPA GLNPO 312-886-2265 hulting.melissa@epa.gov
Li, Victor Environment Canada, Ontario Region 416-739-5801 victor.li@ec.gc.ca
Macarus, David US EPA, Office of Strategic Environmental Analysis   Macarus.David@epamail.epa.gov
Michajluk, Shawn Environment Canada, Ontario Region 416-739-5888 shawn.michajluk@ec.gc.ca
Newman, Chris US EPA, Region 5 312-353-8402 newman.christopherm@epa.gov
Phenicie, Dale Council of Great Lake Industries 770-487-7585 DKPhenicie@Mindspring.com
Rosenthal, Steve US EPA Region 5 312-886-6052 Rosenthal.Steven@epamail.epa.gov
Schroeder, Julie Ontario Ministry of the Environment 416-325-3475 julie.schroeder@ene.gov.on.ca
Sell, Rachel Battelle 614-424-3579 sellr@battelle.org
Tseng, Tom Environment Canada, Ontario Region 416-739-5853 tom.tseng@ec.gc.ca
Yang, Cindy Environment Canada, Ontario Region 416-739-4493 cindy.yang@ec.gc.ca
Boehme, Susan New York Academy of Sciences    
Brauer, Sue US EPA, Region 5 312-353-6134 brauer.sue@epa.gov
Garbens, Marie Environment Canada 416-739-5867 Marie.Garbens@ec.gc.ca
Hechl, Rachel Great Lakes United   rahekl@yahoo.com

 

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