certain hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) exceed the screening values of the EPA. Sustained

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Eric Stafford
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1 DATE: 2013 April 13 TO: Geoff Silcox (Professor, University of Utah) FROM: Chad Curtis, Nick Farrenkopf, Michael Yeh RE: Evaluation of Air Pollutants in Utah Overview The data provided by the Utah Division of Air Quality indicate that the pollution levels of certain hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) exceed the screening values of the EPA. Sustained levels of HAPs can lead to chronic effects and cancer. These pollutants include 1,3-butadiene, carbon tetrachloride, formaldehyde and acetonitrile. These high levels of HAPs aren t sustained, but come in peaks that as of yet have not been explained. The data is to be analyzed to look for correlations between the different HAPs, as well as to examine possible connections to CO and PM2.5 levels. This connection would link high HAPs levels to the temperature inversions common in the winter months of the Salt Lake Valley. Possible sources of the HAPs will also be observed using data provided by the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) of the EPA as well as local sources that could affect the monitoring equipment at Viewmont High School in Bountiful. Results and Discussion The data from the Bountiful Viewmont sampling site is given in approximately weekly readings from 2003 to The values are recorded in units of ppb and are on the magnitude of 0.01 ppb to 100 ppb. The readings are taken fairly regularly without a break in the 9-year period. 1

2 This data was compared with comparable data from the Utah Division of Air Quality regarding CO and PM2.5 levels. This data is given on a daily basis. The year 2009 was selected as the test period for comparison because this data set was the most complete and recent enough to be comparable to current HAPs levels. Figure 1 Comparison of HAPs and PM2.5 in the Salt Lake Valley in The given figures juxtapose the different HAPs with PM2.5 and CO to present possible correlations between pollutants. The graphs have been normalized in order to make comparisons possible, setting the yearly maximum as 100. One noticeable and expected trend is the higher levels of PM2.5 and CO levels at the beginning and end of the year. This corresponds with the winter temperature inversions that trap pollutants in the valley. The HAPs don t necessarily follow this trend. The HAPs that do follow the cyclic pattern are 1,3-butadiene and ethylbenzene. Carbon tetrachloride doesn t seem to change with temperature inversions and 2

3 remains constant throughout the year. Formaldehyde follows an inverse pattern, declining in the winter months and peaking near the end of July. Most of the other HAPs are at relatively low levels most of the year and exhibit random peaks, often in the summer months, not following the Figure 2 Comparison of HAPs and CO in the Salt Lake Valley in pattern of winter highs. It is these peaks that are unusual because they come in spikes rather than in a gradual buildup. They are not due to the normal pollutants, but rather nonroutine emissions. These are the ones most concerned about. A comparison of HAPs by common functional groups shows further correlations. The two definite correlations are ethylbenzene with 1,3-butadiene and formaldehyde with acetaldehyde. They peak and drop on the same days, and their general behavior are nearly 3

4 identical. Weaker correlations are the 1,4-dichlorobenzene/tetrachloroethane, acetonitrile/acrylonitrile and acetonitrile/acetaldehyde. This suggests a common source of some Figure 3 Comparison of HAPs by function group in Salt Lake City in of these pollutants. The data provided by the TRI is given as a yearly average. This yearly data can give general trends of HAPs being emitted by certain companies over an 8-year period from ,3-Butadiene, tetrachloroethlyene, and ethylbenzene are used because they are the HAPs that have the most producers, yet there is very little to no correlation in concentrations. 4

5 500 Tetrachloroethylene ,3-Butadiene Big West Oil LLC Chevron Products CO Clean Harbors Aragonite LLC Tesoro Refining & Marketing Chevron Products Co Holly Refining & Marketing Tesoro Refining & Marketing Figure 4 Comparison of tetrachloroethylene emissions by Utah companies. Figure 5 Comparison of 1,3-butadiene emissions by Utah companies. Ethylbenzene Big West Oil LLC Chevron Products CO ConocoPhillips Holly Refining & Marketing Klune Industries Silver Eagle Refining US DOD Hill AFB Tesoro Refining & Marketing Valley Paint Manufacturing Figure 6 Comparison of ethylbenzene emissions by Utah companies. Figure 7 Emissions of Tesoro Refining and Marketing. 5 Figure 8 Emissions of Clean Harbors Aragonite LLC

6 Tesoro Refining & Marketing, and Clean Harbors Aragonite LLC are two companies whose data stuck out when looking for a correlation between the HAPs they emit (see figures above). From the graph of Clean Harbors Aragonite LLC, one correlation that could be made is between acetonitrile and dichloromethane, while the rest of the data is too incomplete to make any other correlations. A possible source of the strong correlation between 1,3-butadiene and ethylbenzene in 2009 could be from Tesoro Refining & Marketing. Although the two HAPs do not rise and fall in the exact same pattern, from the years of , they do correlate very closely. Three local businesses that are emitting HAPs that maybe affecting the monitoring equipment at the Viewmont High School in Bountiful are Valley Paint Manufacturing Co. the Bountiful City Landfill, and a plastic manufacturer Fisher Co. The Table below is used to correlate the HAPs and their uses and sources. The Valley Paint Manufacturing Co. located at 727 S 950 W Woods Cross, UT, is about 2.5 miles away from the high school. In the manufacturing of paint, resins are added because they help the paint dry. Several HAPs are associated with resins that include 1,4-dichlorobenzene, formaldehyde, and acrylonitrile. One HAP that is associated directly with paint is ethylbenzene. The Valley Paint Manufacturing Co could be the source of some of these HAPs. The Bountiful Landfill located at 1300 W 1600 N West Bountiful, is only 3.4 miles away from the high school. Various HAPs are results of landfills, including 1,3-butadiene, tetrachloroethylene and carbon tetrachloride. Fisher Co specializes in making plastic products. Three HAPs are associated with plastic: acetonitrile, acrylonitrile, and ethylbenzene. 6

7 Pollutant Uses Sources 1,3-Butadiene Synthetic rubber for tires. Also in production of plastics and elastomers. Found in gasoline, released in exhaust. Also in waste incineration, cigarette smoke and wood fires. 1,4-Dichlorobenzene Insecticide fumigant and resins. Production process. Acetaldehyde Production of acetic acid and related Industrial plants, combustion Acetonitrile chemicals. Production of acrylic fibers, nitrile rubber, pharmaceuticals, pesticides and perfumes. Used as a solvent. processes, tobacco smoke. During production process. Vehicle exhaust and combustion of plant matter. Acrylonitrile Production of acrylic fibers, resins and rubbers. During production process. Also in certain products containing it like food packaging. Carbon Tetrachloride Rarely used now. Industrial spillages and landfills Dichloromethane Ethylbenzene Formaldehyde Tetrachloroethylene Paint removers and aerosol solvents. Flame retardant. Manufacture of steroids and vitamins. Manufacture of chemicals, rubbers and plastics. In solvents and paints. Sterilizing agent, preservative in foods, cosmetics, pesticides and biological specimens. Added to adhesives, resins and foams. Dry-cleaning agent and metal degreasing. Used in the regeneration of oil refinery catalysts and the manufacture of other chemicals. containing TCM. During production process and use of aerosols containing it. Petroleum and chemical industries and other combustion processes. Trace amounts in cigarette smoke. During production process. From facilities using it like hospitals. Vehicles not fitted with catalytic converters. From insulation and carpets in homes containing foam. Trace amounts in cigarette smoke. Dry-cleaning and metal degreasing processes. Also in waste storage sites. 7

8 Conclusion Some of the HAPs that exceed screening levels are coming from local businesses that include a paint manufacturer, a landfill, and a plastic manufacturer. The spikes in concentrations are being caused by non-routine emissions. Some spike HAPs that have a strong relation include 1,3- butadiene with ethylbenzene, and formaldehyde with acetaldehyde. Weaker related HAPs are 1,4-dichlorobenzene with tetrachloroethane, acetonitrilewith acrylonitrile and acetonitrile with acetaldehyde. High CO and high PM2.5 are correlated, and some but not all HAPs follow a correlated pattern. 8

9 Works Cited Environmental Protection Agency. Toxic Release Inventory. Comp. EPA. N.p.: EPA, Toxic Release Inventory. Web. 15 Apr < Scottish Environmental Protection Agency. Pollutant Fact Sheets. Comp. SEPA. N.p.: SEPA, n.d. Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory. Web. 17 Apr < x>. Silcox, Geoff, comp. Bountiful HAPs Summary. Utah Division of Air Quality, Microsoft Excel file , comp. Bountiful Toxin Values Utah Division of Air Quality, Microsoft Excel file , comp. Bountiful Viewmont Meteorological Values. Utah Division of Air Quality, Microsoft Excel file. Utah Division of Air Quality. CO 2009 Raw Data Max Values Report. Comp. UDAQ. UDAQ, PDF file PM Hour 2009 Raw Data Report. Comp. UDAQ. UDAQ, PDF file. 9

Appendix A 2014 Non-Continuous Pollutant Measurements

Appendix A 2014 Non-Continuous Pollutant Measurements This appendix summarizes non-continuous pollutant measurements collected from air quality stations in the Lower Fraser Valley (LFV) Air Quality Monitoring Network in 2014 and describes related monitoring