Derivation and Implementation of Air Criteria during Hazardous Waste Site Cleanups

Abstract

The body of information presented in this paper is directed to air pollution control personnel and public health officials responsible for community health and safety during hazardous waste site investigations and cleanups. A simplified procedure for developing community air standards for volatiles released during extensive investigation or cleanup of hazardous waste sites is presented. This procedure does not require air modeling and is independent of mass emission rates (Q), wind velocity, and the absolute concentration of substances on site. The method Is based on the Gaussian plume air dispersion model for a point source with no effective plume rise. An air standard for the hazardous site fence line (controlled access boundary line to the site) is derived using this procedure. This fence line criterion is based on a toxicologically acceptable air concentration for the most sensitive population nearest the hazardous waste material. A tiered implementation of the fence line standard requiring continuous real-time air monitoring, directly downwind, is suggested. Monitoring upwind/downwind differences minimizes the possibility of unnecessary site shutdown and should be used in areas where ambient substances affect monitoring.