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Dioxin / Furans

Stakeholders Minutes - June 17, 2004 
Draft Workgroup Minutes

Workgroup Leaders:
Anita Wong, EC
Erin Newman, EPA

Welcome and Introductions  

The workgroup leaders welcomed the attendees.  Anita Wong went over the Dioxin/Furan (D/F) Workplan and schedule, covering the following topics:

Ambient Air Monitoring Protocols 

Tom Dann presented an overview of D/F air sampling conducted by Environment Canada (EC) through the National Air Pollution Surveillance (NAPS) Network and compared it to the U.S. National Dioxin Air Monitoring Network (NDAMN).  The U.S. is more focused on long-term background and rural levels of D/F related to the food supply, while NAPS is a multiple-pollutant network with more urban sites.  The Canadian network also provides indication gradients and source assessment.  Dwain Winters followed up with an overview of NDAMN.  NDAMN’s target analytes are vapor and particulate phases of D/F.  Three years will be needed to establish a baseline for measurements.  The EPA will be evaluating different models and investigating various issues, such as the seasonal spike in D/F concentrations in November and December.  In general, monitoring has demonstrated that D/F concentrations in suburban and urban air are approximately ten times greater than concentrations in rural air.  Possible explanations for this finding include the resuspension of particulate matter in urban areas and the contribution of mobile sources, the measurement of which is not supported by models.   

Burn Barrel Update

Bruce Gillies provided an update on the Burn Barrel subgroup’s efforts.  A burn barrel strategy was finalized in February of 2004.  This strategy is posted on the subgroup’s website, along with other documents and resources.  Darrell Piekarz announced that he is working on a six-month project with First Nations in Lake Superior on the solid waste management issue of garbage burning.  Erin Newman then gave an update on two open burning-related projects:  burn barrel case studies being developed by Battelle and a survey being conducted by Todd Abel of the Chlorine Chemistry Council. 

Non-controlled Combustion Issue Paper Discussion 

Netta Benazon presented an overview of findings on issue papers prepared by Environmental Health Strategies and distributed via e-mail in advance of the meeting.  Dale Phenicie raised concerns about the focus on PVC and plastics in the Agricultural Fires paper and whether the assumptions and scope of analysis are clearly presented.  Dale also cautioned against releasing the issue papers in draft form.  Allan Jones and others suggested verifying or confirming the data in the issue papers.  Dwain Winters discussed what he considered to be important issues with the papers.  He raised the point that B(a)P/PAH emission quantities are highly uncertain.  Dwain commented that wildfires may be a significant source of D/F.  If considered important, he suggested that the workgroup might push the EPA to better quantify emissions through improved emission factors.  Anita stated that the workgroup is now looking at the remaining, low-quantity emission sources, from which it will be difficult to gain additional reductions.  As a result, she asked whether the workgroup should consider focusing resources on pathway intervention.  Todd Abel commented that the issue papers are a great start and that he would like the opportunity for the workgroup to refine them further.  Comments on the issue papers may be sent to Erin and/or Anita, who will forward them to Netta Benazon.   

Industry Sources Issue Paper Discussion 

Dale Phenicie presented information that he has gathered on poorly characterized industry sources of D/F.  Dale noted that the Council of Great Lakes Industries (CGLI) encountered some difficulty in contacting facilities because inventory source classifications don’t always match industry sectors; for example, there is no “industry sector” for secondary metal smelting.  The group then discussed the availability and quality of data for sectors included in the assessment of poorly characterized sources, such as foundries and asphalt mixing facilities.  

Dave Ailor presented information on coke production plants in the U.S., which included data from the development of MACT standards in a document dated April 1992.  Currently, 19 coke plants are operating in the U.S.  In general, Dave presented information that shows where plants are located, their status, and their capacity for level of activity estimates.  Dwain indicated that the EPA has no emissions data for these facilities.  Dave discussed 1992 HAP testing conducted at the coke plants and suggested that the plants are probably not willing to conduct additional expensive emission testing.  Dave was asked about data/testing by European counterparts; he replied that data could be found, but its quality may be questionable.  Dave also stated that no further testing of coke plants in the U.S. is planned and that EPA is expected to propose a residual risk rule in the next few months.   

The group wrapped up the discussion of industrial sources by discussing issues warranting further action.  Anita announced that Netta has prepared a report on secondary metal smelters in Ontario, which can be distributed to the workgroup.  Erin expressed an interest in completing the contact information for facilities on Dale’s table of poorly characterized sources.  She suggested possibly sending letters to potential industry contacts.  Dale agreed that more work needs to be done to find contacts willing to cooperate.  Anita will try to obtain more information on the Canadian sources, and Dale will continue to try to find more industry contacts.  Those in the workgroup with information on uncharacterized sources were directed to contact the co-chairs.  Anita noted that, in preparing the issue papers, industry contacts were engaged but additional information is being sought.  Allan Jones suggested that a group working with small to medium-sized businesses would be helpful. 

Release Inventory Update for Dioxin and B(a)P/HCB 

Anita presented the latest estimates of Ontario D/F releases.  A number of programs conduct stack testing or investigate emissions, so the inventory is continually updated.  The largest source is open burning of household waste.  Anita suggested that, of the remaining sources, significant reductions cannot be expected in the next year or so; however, EC may need to engage foundries (third highest source).  Ontario sources are similar to U.S. sources.  Hospital incinerators have been shut down by Ontario Ministry of the Environment regulations, but one remains in Brampton.  Also, one municipal solid waste incinerator remains in Ontario.  Allan Jones stated that the prescribed burning emission estimate may be significant and worth considering or engaging.  Dale Phenicie noted that some categories seem to overlap, such as iron and steel and base metals smelting, which sometimes makes it difficult to engage facilities.  Anita stated that EC will try to develop a description of the inventory categories for the next time this information is presented.  Dale requested that Anita distribute the Ontario inventory table presented at the meeting.  Anita noted that secondary aluminum smelters should perhaps be engaged based on preliminary estimates developed by Netta, though these estimates still need to be verified through industry contacts.  Bruce Gillies pointed out that the open burning (burn barrel) estimate is actually a range of 5 to 10.   

Erin began the discussion of the U.S. D/F release inventory, noting that US EPA’s 2000 D/F inventory is still in draft form.  Dwain Winters indicated that EPA hopes to have a peer-reviewed version of the inventory document available this summer.  The inventory will include revised data from 1987 and 1995, as well as current (2000) estimates.  Dwain explained that the inventory database is updated whenever facility-specific data are available, improving the quality of estimates and confidence level (e.g., several source categories have moved to category “A,” indicating a high level of confidence).  As for specific source categories, incinerator emissions have declined substantially to ~100 g.  As a result, small, unregulated incinerators that are infrequently operated represent more emissions than large incinerators.  Emissions from medical waste incinerators continue to decline.  Secondary copper smelters, once the largest source in the basin, now have zero emissions because all smelters have been closed.  Forest fire estimates have been revised (now class “D”), using an emission factor that is ten times higher than previously used, resulting in an estimate of forest fire emissions in the 4,000 g range (within an order of magnitude).  Allan Jones suggested that further research is needed to make this estimate more accurate, but according to Dwain, funding is not available due to current government priorities.   

Dwain continued to highlight revisions expected in the 2000 D/F inventory, when it is released.  Backyard burning remains the largest single source at ~600 g, although rural populations by census tract are now used to estimate backyard burning activity.  Dwain noted that because EPA is unable to track the effectiveness of burn barrel campaigns to reduce emissions, the backyard burning estimate will become less confident.  Overall, Dwain commented that the inventory does not have a cluster of large sources of D/F needing control, except those that are currently the focus of reduction programs and those that are still uncertain.    

Steve Rosenthal commented that U.S. inventories are clearly missing sources of B(a)P and HCB, as indicated by air monitoring data.  He questioned whether incineration was a good place to look for missing estimates.  Dwain responded that the group should not look at municipal incinerators, but uncontrolled combustion sources may be appropriate.  The EPA has adopted broader testing practices:  where it is already testing for dioxins/furans, it is also testing for HCB and other chemicals.  This information will also serve as a source of data for developing countries globally. Dwain announced that he has part of the funding required to conduct an HCB inventory under the international POPs Treaty, but this treaty has not yet been ratified by the U.S. and implementation has not begun (in the U.S).   

Steve Rosenthal presented B(a)P emission estimates from the 2001 Great Lakes Toxics Inventory.  The largest source of B(a)P emissions was wood stoves, followed by coke plants.  Minimal emissions were reported from petroleum refineries.  Steve explained that the Great Lakes Commission has developed an estimate for burn barrels based on use and emission factors that would place burn barrels as the third largest category in the Great Lakes inventory.  

Steve then discussed findings from US EPA’s 1999 National Emissions Inventory (NEI).  Total HCB emissions from the NEI were approximately 10,000 lbs.  Point sources represent approximately 15% of this total.  Of the non-point (area) sources, approximately 500 lbs are emitted by pesticide application.  Steve noted that publicly owned treatment works (POTW) emissions were reported from two places in Florida, and he suggested that either all or no POTWs should be listed in the inventory.  The Great Lakes Commission estimated that approximately 256 lbs of HCB were emitted from backyard burning sources in the Great Lakes (this estimate is not included in the 1999 NEI).  Even though local sources have more influence over B(a)P emissions, Steve reported B(a)P data from the 1999 NEI because the inventory shows additional categories (point and non-point sources) not included in the Great Lakes inventory.  Omitting the wildfire category, scrap tires account for 17% of total B(a)P emissions; because wildfires account for over 90% of the inventory, the data is more meaningful once wildfires are excluded.  Steve then focused on HCB sources listed in the 1999 NEI emitting over 10 lbs and B(a)P sources emitting over 1,000 lbs in the Great Lakes region.  Steve also presented some trend information showing a slightly downward trend in HCB ambient air levels through the 1990s. 

Darryl Hogg presented inventories for HCB and B(a)P in Ontario (December 2003 estimates).  Total emissions of HCB in Ontario are 20 kg/yr, with over 50% coming from pesticide application.  Darryl noted that POTWs are not a significant source of HCB in Ontario.  Total releases of B(a)P in Ontario are ~13,000 kg/year.  Residential wood combustion comprises approximately 50% of the B(a)P inventory.  Other sources of B(a)P include iron and steel, wood preservation (product use), and motor vehicles. 

Other Sources of Interest

Jim Roewer gave an update on PCP-treated wood.  USWAG has developed treated wood guidelines and is developing a mechanism with Dwain Winters at US EPA to memorialize the guidelines through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with EPA.  Other groups beyond the utility industry could become signatories to the MOU, thereby endorsing the guidelines.   

Shawn Michajluk described an effort to investigate wood preservation nationally (in Canada).  A group is close to finalizing a Users Guidance Document.  Once this happens, they will address promotion of the document, which will examine what can be done in the Great Lakes region.   

The group discussed engaging other sources of interest.  Sources mentioned as potential targets included forest fires, burn barrels, and motor vehicles.    

Wrap Up 

At the end of the meeting, Anita asked for input from the workgroup on how to address uncertain sources.  The issue of understanding the magnitude of forest fires and other uncontrolled combustion sources was raised again.  The group also discussed understanding the impact of sulfur content on dioxin, HCB, and B(a)P emissions from diesel fuel.  To help identify missing sources of HCB and B(a)P, Steve Rosenthal proposed looking at particle microscopy, for example using Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network data to determine sources that contribute to monitoring levels. 

Action Items 

Steve Risotto and Bob Bailey will attempt to verify HCB emissions reported in the 1999 NEI.
 

PARTICIPANT ROSTER

Todd Abel, Chlorine Chemistry Council
David C. Ailor, ACCCI/NOPA
Bob Bailey, Bailey Associates
Tom Dann, Environment Canada
Bruce Gillies, Environment Canada
Darryl Hogg, Contractor to Environment Canada
John Jackson, Great Lakes United
Allan Jones, Canadian Chlorine Coordinating Committee
Victor Li, Environment Canada
Jodi McGaw, York University
John Menkedick, Battelle
Shawn Michajluk, Environment Canada
Gabriela Munoz, NY Academy of Sciences
Erin Newman, US EPA
Dale Phenicie, CGLI
Darrell Piekarz, Environment Canada
Steve Risotto, Halogenated Solvents Industry Alliance
Jim Roewer, USWAG
Steve Rosenthal, US EPA
Ted Smith, US EPA
Evelyn Strader, CGLI
Robert Telewiak, Noranda, Inc./Falconbridge Ltd.
Sarah Ternan, Environment Canada
Amy Thomas, Battelle
Luke Trip, North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation
Tom Tseng, Environment Canada
Bill Van Heyst, University of Guelph
Dwain Winters, US EPA
Anita Wong, Environment Canada
Cindy Yang, Environment Canada

 

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