a comparison of fence line air monitoring approaches

A Comparison of Fence Line Air Monitoring Approaches

Associated with Site Remediation

NEMC 2013 Conference – San Antonio, TX – August 2013

Melissa Wellman -- Chelmsford, MA

Leo Gendron -- Chelmsford, MA

August 2013 A Comparison of Fenceline Air Monitoring Approaches


Introduction

• Presentation Focus

– Comparison of design and operational approaches for several fence line air monitoring (AM) programs

– Look at each program’s:

• AM Approach

• Parameters measured

• Instrumentation / telemetry

• Long term exposure levels / real-time action levels

• Frequency and duration for monitoring and sampling

• Number of monitoring and sampling locations

• Program costs

• Advantages / Disadvantages



Components of a Successful AM Program

• Design perimeter AM program plan – Determine measurement and analytical methods to measure

specific parameters

– Determine site-specific and risk-based action levels

– Generate site-specific AM Plans (AMPs)

• Assist with agency and / or public interface and negotiations

• Engineer / fabricate monitoring systems, data acquisition and alarm system to meet AM needs or Lease / purchase of equipment and AM systems

• Installation and technician training

• Perform routine operation of monitoring systems

• Data Collection / QA and QC / Analysis / Reporting



AM Program Objectives

• Establish baseline levels of target compounds prior to remedial activities

• Ensure protection of public health and environment

• Coordinate fence line monitoring with worker health and safety exposure programs (separate issues)

• Document fence line air quality during remediation activities

• Evaluate the need for vapor and / or dust suppression

• Provide risk management and public confidence

• Reduce owner’s potential liability

• Maintain owner’s Budgets ($$$)



Program Design Options

• Determination of parameters to be monitored

• Determination of action levels – Based on a health / risk-based analysis

– State established guidelines

• Equipment selection – Continuous (24/7) monitoring devices

– Portable (work hours only) monitoring devices

– Integrated samplers

– Hand-held AM devices

• Frequency and duration of monitoring and sampling

• Number of monitoring and sampling locations

• Sophistication of data telemetry / alarm or paging systems



Fixed Air Monitoring

(FAM) Unit

• Continuous real-time monitoring (24/7)

• Particulates, TVOC, H2S or etc.

• Automatic GC speciation for VOCs

• Sample manifold

• Requires line power

• Environmentally controlled

• Internal data logger

• Radio telemetry

• Interfaces with central computer

• Programmable alarm notification system



Portable Air Monitoring

(PAM) Unit

• Real-time monitoring (work hours only)

• Particulates, TVOC, H2S or etc.

• Battery operated

• Internal data logger

• Radio telemetry

• Visual alarms (lights) available upon selection

• Interfaces with central computer

• Programmable alarm notification system



Recent Fence Line AM Programs

• Program A: MGP site in Rhode Island

– Utilized Hand-held and Integrated AM (at fence line)

• Program B: MGP site in Ohio

– Utilized PAMs, Hand-held, and Integrated AM (at fence line)

• Program C: MGP site on Long Island, NY

– Utilized FAMs (with GCs), PAMs, Hand-held, onsite Naphthalene GC, and Integrated AM (at fence line)

• Program D: Combination MGP and Hex Chrome site in NJ

– Utilized FAMs (with GCs), PAMs, Hand-held, and Integrated AM (at fence line plus perimeter exclusion zone)



Number & Placement of Monitoring Locations

• Each site was evaluated for the following:

– Regulatory requirements and

state guidance

– Availability of electrical services

– Extent and length of perimeter boundaries / security of site perimeter

– Toxicity of contaminated soils

– Risk Analysis for nearby sensitive receptors

– Time schedule for installation

– Budgetary considerations



Number & Placement of Monitoring Locations (continued)

– Proximity of remedial activities to local residents and other sensitive receptors (e.g., day care centers, schools, hospitals, housing, businesses, etc.)

– Directional location of remedial activities with respect to sensitive receptors

– Predominant wind directions, based on climatological analyses

– Remedial plans (e.g., one location at a time vs. multiple locations at a time)

– Need and ability to mobilize AM stations from one location to another



Monitoring Locations and Parameters

• Program B: Ohio

– 4 fence line AM locations

– 4 PAMs (continuous TVOC & particulates)

– periodic hand-held monitoring for TVOCs, particulates, and odor

– periodic integrated sampling for VOCs (TO-15)

– Automatic data telemetry to onsite central / alarms / paging

• Program A: Rhode Island


– periodic hand-held monitoring for TVOCs, particulates, and odor


– Manual data collection to central data base



Monitoring Locations and Parameters (continued)

• Program C: New York


– 4 FAM and 4 PAM (continuous TVOC & particulates) fence line

– Automatic BTEX sampling (when TVOC exceed Action Level)

– Periodic hand-held sampling for TVOC , particulates, noise and odor/naphthalene





Monitoring Locations and Parameters (continued)

• Program D: New Jersey

– 11 fence line AM locations & 4 perimeter of the exclusion zone locations

– 7 FAM and 4 PAM (continuous TVOC & particulates)

– 4 PAM exclusion zone locations

– Continuous H2S sampling at 3 of the FAM locations

– Automatic BTEX sampling (when TVOC exceed Action Level)

– Periodic hand-held sampling for TVOC , particulates, and H2S

– Daily integrated sampling for particulates / Hex Chrome (Cr6).




Instrumentation

• Program A: Rhode Island

– Used a manual AM approach

– VOCs … RAE PID plus SUMMA™ Canisters (TO-15 analyses)

– Particulates … DustTrak

– Met Data … wind speed, wind direction, ambient temperature, dewpoint

• Program B: Ohio

– Used battery-operated PAM units plus automated / continuous radio telemetry of data to central computer / alarm system

– VOC … RAE PIDs plus SUMMA™ Canisters (TO-15 analyses)

– Particulates … DustTraks

– Met Data … wind speed, wind direction, ambient temperature, dewpoint



Instrumentation (continued)

• Program C: New York

– Used environmentally-controlled FAM units and battery-operated PAM units, plus automated / continuous radio telemetry of data to central computer / alarm system

– VOC … RAE PIDs / Baseline GCs for BTEX / onsite GC for naphthalene / SUMMA™ Canisters (TO-15 analyses)

– Particulates … DustTraks

– Met Data … wind speed, wind direction, ambient temperature / dewpoint

• Program D: New Jersey

– Used environmentally-controlled FAM units and battery-operated PAM units, plus automated / continuous radio telemetry of data to central computer / alarm system

– VOC … RAE PIDs / Baseline GCs for BTEX / SUMMA™ Canisters (TO-15 analyses)

– H2S … Jerome H2S Samplers (3 fixed locations plus hand-held)

– Particulates … DustTraks / Airmetrics integrated samplers for PM10 and CR6

– Met Data … wind speed, wind directions, ambient temperature / dewpoint



Program Comparisons / Advantages / Disadvantages

Feature Program A (Manual AM)

Program B (4 PAMs)

Program C (4 PAMs + 4 FAMs + onsite

naphthalene GC)

Program D (7 FAMs + 4 PAMs +

4 PAMs (Exclusion) + H2S

samplers)

Installation Issues N/A Battery-operated PAMs

Electrical Service for

Central AM Trailer

Battery-operated PAMs but

need Electrical Service

to FAMs plus

Central AM Trailer

Battery-operated PAMs but

need Electrical Service

to FAMs plus

Central AM Trailer

Ability to Continuously Monitor at

Multiple Locations -

Simultaneously No Yes Yes Yes

Continuous Data Telemetry,

Automatic Alarms, Paging

System, and Ability to Take

Immediate Corrective Actions

No Yes Yes Yes

Ability

to

Monitor 24/7 No Yes (with limits) Yes Yes

Ability to Continuously Speciate

(BTEX) No No Yes (FAMs) Yes (FAMs)

Ability to

Relocate AM Units

Quickly No Yes Yes (PAMs only) Yes (PAMs only)

On-Site

PC Display of

Current Data No Yes Yes Yes

Ability to Measure Naphthalene

(on-site) No No Yes No

Exclusion Zone AM Performed

(early warning tool) No No No Yes

Approximate Costs:

- Installation

- Eq. Lease and Operations

$6k - $8k

$10k-$12k/month

$10k - $20k

$15k-$20k/month

$50k - $70k

$30k-$40k/month

$100k - $150k

$60k-$80k/month



Summary

• The 4 fence line AM programs presented include AM programs that range from the fairly simplistic (Program A) to the very conservative and comprehensive (Program D).

• Many issues should be addressed in the design of a fenceline monitoring program for any site.

• Must clearly define program objectives (internal and external).

• Goal should always be to design the most technically-defensible and cost-effective program possible.

• Neglect of some key design issues could result in liabilities for site owner or more elaborate and costly air monitoring programs than needed.



Questions?

Thank You

Melissa Wellman Air Quality Services / Air Monitoring & Measurements Chelmsford, MA 01824 978-905-2454 [email protected]

a comparison of fence line air monitoring approaches

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