CSN Network Assessment

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IMPROVE SC Meeting

October 16, 2014

Network Overview• 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS review led to the establishment of the

Chemical Speciation Network (CSN)• Initial monitoring began with 13 pilot sites in 2000• Currently, the network consists of 189 sites:

– 52 Speciation Trends Network (STN) sites– 137 supplemental sites– 174 sites utilize EPA’s national contract and were considered in the network

assessment

• Sites collect aerosol samples of 24 hours on filters analyzed for:– PM2.5 mass

– Elements– Ions (sulfate, nitrate, sodium, potassium & ammonium)– Organic and elemental carbon (OC/EC)

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Goals of the Assessment• Create a CSN network that is financially sustainable

• Redistribute resources to new or high priorities from those of low-priority or low-benefit

• Extract more value from the existing

network

• Leverage the value of other existing networks (e.g., IMPROVE and NCore)

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Current CSN Cost Breakdown• Current network cost ≈ $6.7 million• Goal of 30% cut, (total reduction of 20%) plus 10% for

reinvestment – 30% cut ≈ $2M– 10% reinvestment ≈ $670,000– 20% total reduction ≈ $1.34M

• Total for the base network ≈ $4.7 million

These are current numbers for the network, and will be contingent on future contract costs

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• As a first step, an objectives based approach was taken in an effort to optimize the network to support the primary objectives, which include:– Support of PM2.5 Implementation

• SIPs, non attainment areas, control strategies, model development, etc.

– Aid in interpretation of health studies– Detection of trends

• Secondary objectives also considered– Leveraging with IMPROVE and NCore

Assessment Approach

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Objectives Based Approach

• Began by evaluating which of the current CSN sites meet the primary objective(s)– Sites at NCore– DV sites > 12 µg/m3 and/or > 35 µg/m3

– Sites in DV counties > 12 µg/m3 and/or > 35 µg/m3

– Sites currently being used in health effects research

– STN sites– Sites with daily FRMs– Sites with continuous monitors

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Primary Objectives ScoringScoring applied to begin identifying high/low priority sites:

• NCore = 5 pts• Annual DV for site

– > 12 µg/m3 = 5 pts

• 24-hr DV for site– > 35 µg/m3 = 5 pts

• STN = 4 pts• DV for county (annual

and/or 24-hr) exceeds, but site is below the standard = 3 pts

• Daily FRM = 3 pts

• Health effects city = 3 pts• Continuous monitor(s) = 2

pts• Collocated* with:

– IMPROVE = 1 pt– NATTS = 1 pt– PAMS = 1 pt

*Although collocation does not meet a “primary objective”, it does meet an assessment goal of leveraging with existing networks

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Breakdown of Scoring

Score # of Sites Score # of Sites Score # of Sites

0 39 8 22 16 5

1 5 9 14 17 2 (1C*)

2 1 10 4 18 1

3 28 11 6 19 3 (1C*)

4 1 12 5 20 2 (1C*)

5 7 13 9 (1C*) 21 2 (1C*)

6 6 14 1 22 1

7 4 (1C*) 15 5 23 1174 sites supported by RTI (including 6 collocated)

*C=collocated

73 sites - more analysis necessary to determine if funding should continue

Decision Matrix - Positive PointsParameter Range Points

Annual DV 10-10.9 μg/m3 +1

11-11.4 μg/m3 +2

≥11.5 μg/m3 +3

24-hr DV 30-31 μg/m3 +1

32-33 μg/m3 +2

≥ 34 μg/m3 +3

Population ≥ 1M +1

County Emission Rank (PM2.5, SO4, NO3, OC, EC, NH3, VOCs & SO2 using 2011 NEI emissions)

Top 1.1-5% +1 / pollutant

Top 1% +2 / pollutant

Nearest Speciation Site >200km +1

Statistically significant increase in trend concentration (2010-2012) for pollutants w/ >75% values above MDL & overall average precision <10% (PM2.5, SO4, NO3, OC, EC, NH4

+, Fe, S, K Ca, Na+, Si, Cu, Br & Zn)

1 pollutant +1

2 pollutants +2

3 pollutants +3

4 pollutants +4

Increased model bias or error if site removed (PM2.5, SO4, NO3, total carbon & NH4)

n/a +1 / pollutant

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Parameter Range Points

Nearest CSN Site <50 km -1

Nearest 5 Speciation Sites <150 km -1

Correlation with major species at the nearest 5 speciation sites

R>0.75 for ALL major species at a site

-5 (regardless of how many sites)

R>0.75 for PM2.5 -1 / site

R>0.75 for SO4 -0.2 / site

R>0.75 for NO3 -0.2 / site

R>0.75 for OC -0.2 / site

R>0.75 for EC -0.2 / site

R>0.75 for NH4 -0.2 / site

Decision Matrix - Negative Points

Recommendation #1 – Defund Sites• Evaluated which sites meet the primary objective(s)

– Points assigned for: NCore, design values, STN, health research city, daily FRM, continuous monitors, collocation (i.e. NATTS, PAMS & IMPROVE)

– 73 sites - more analysis necessary

• Created decision matrix for 73 sites– Points assigned for: design value ranges, population, county emissions,

proximity of speciation sites, species trends & correlation, and model bias/error

• Considering the decision matrix scoring and various intangibles, 53 sites were initially recommended for defunding*

• After incorporating feedback, 42 sites are recommended for defunding in January 2015

*While sites recommended for defunding will no longer receive laboratory analysis funding, their speciation monitors may continue to operate if other funding sources are provided

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List of CSN Sites for Defunding1. Huntsville Old Airport, AL

2. MOMS, AL

3. Dover, DE

4. Skyview, FL

5. Athens, GA

6. Douglas, GA*

7. Linn County, IA

8. Public Health Building, IA

9. Elkhart Prarie Street, IN

10. Ashland Health Dept, KY

11. Grayson Lake, KY

12. Lexington Health Dept, KY

13. Houghton Lake, MI

14. Sterling Park, MI

15. Port Huron, MI

16. Rochester, MN

17. Liberty, MO

18. Bonne Terre, MO

19. Hickory, NC

20. Buncombe County, NC

21. Lexington, NC

22. Rockwell, NC

23. Camden, NJ*

24. Chester, NJ*

25. Toledo, OH

26. Head Start, OH

27. ODOT Garage, OH

28. Columbus, OH

29. Reading Airport, PA

30. State College, PA

31. Harrisburg, PA

32. Erie, PA

33. Scranton, PA

34. York, PA

35. Chesterfield, SC*

36. Greenville ESC, SC

37. Lockeland School, TN

38. Lawrence County, TN

39. UTC, TN

40. VANNEVAN, WA

41. Waukesha, WI

42. S. Charleston Library, WV

12*State has indicated interest in using external funds to continue speciation at site

Recommendation #2 – Eliminate CSN Mass

• CSN PM2.5 mass measurement widely used when the network was established

• Now, FRM PM2.5 mass measurement widely used for model attainment, model evaluation, design values, etc.

• Originally recommended eliminating CSN PM2.5 mass in July 2014

• After receiving comments, additional analysis conducted comparing the CSN and FRM PM2.5 mass measurements & information shared at NAAMC– CSN and FRM PM2.5 mass measurements compare favorably

– The FRM mass is the regulatory measurement– Reconstructed Fine Mass (RCFM) compared to FRM mass suitable approach to QC the FRM,

and vice versa– CSN species and RCFM compared to historical CSN species and RCFM suitable approach to

QC CSN species

• CSN PM2.5 mass measurement eliminated* October 1, 2014 (last samples to be collected September 29th)

* Two sites slated for funding do not have FRMs & will continue measuring CSN mass until such time as an FRM is established

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Recommendation #3 – Reduce Sample Frequency

• Original recommendation to reduce sample frequency to 1-in-6 at sites that are not NCore or STN– Arnold West, MO– Wylam, AL

• After incorporating initial feedback, Arnold West, MO, Wylam, AL & Albany, NY are scheduled for a reduction in sample frequency to 1-in-6 beginning January 2015

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Recommendations #4 & #5 (Reduce Carbon Blanks & Icepacks)

• Original recommendations:– Reduce carbon field blanks (from 10% to 5%)

• Still evaluating whether less sites will be used at same frequency

– Eliminate carbon backup filter blanks (currently 5%)– Reduce the number of icepacks included in sample shipments

from 8 to 6 during the cooler months (October 1 – April 30)

• Little feedback received on these recommendations• Carbon field blanks may be reduced to 5% or number of

field blank sites may be reduced• Carbon backup filter blanks will be eliminated, and the

number of icepacks in shipment will be reduced to 6 beginning in January 2015

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Assessment Approach & Communication Timeline

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2013 Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec Feb2014 Apr Jun Aug Oct Dec 2015

EPA Regions

9/17/14

OAQPS Mgmt.8/28/14

NAAMC Conf.

8/12/14

OAR Mgmt.7/30/14

OAQPS Mgmt.7/21/14

HEI Conf.

5/5/14

ORD Sponsored Webinar

5/1/14

NACAA4/24/14

AAPCA4/23/14

EPA Regions4/8/14

OAR Mgmt.3/31/14

OAQPS Mgmt.

3/26/14

NACAA MSC12/3/13

CSN Assessment Team Kickoff Meeting

4/25/13

Determination of Approach & Initial Data Assessment4/1/13 - 12/3/13

Additional Data Assessment & Revisions 12/3/13 - 3/31/14

Communication of Initial Recommendations 3/31/14 - 5/5/14

Request for Feedback Regarding Initial Recommendations 4/8/14 - 6/30/14

Revisions of Initial Recommendations Based on Feedback 7/1/14 - 7/21/14

Communication of Revised Recommendations 7/21/14 - 8/12/14

Request for Last Minute Feedback 8/11/14 - 9/5/14

Finalized Recommendations 8/25/14 - 9/5/14

Request for Feedback Regarding Reinvestment Options 9/5/14 - 12/31/14

Communication of Finalized Recommendations 9/8/14 – 9/19/14

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Assessment Implementation Timeline

2014 Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan2015 2015

New National Contract Awarded

1/1/2015

Reduce sample frequency, carbon blank frequency & icepacks1/1/2015

Last CSN samples collected at sites being defunded12/31/2014

Last CSN PM2.5 Mass Sample Collected

9/29/2014

Reinvestments

• Original goal to have 10% of funds available for reinvestment in the network

• Taking feedback into consideration & based on current contract costs, we approximate $325K available for reinvestments

• The following investment options are being considered*:– Investigating new analytical techniques– SuperSASS upgrade at STN and/or NCore sites on Alternate 1:3 schedule– New sites in areas with emerging air quality issues – Continuous measurements (e.g., Sunset OC/EC, Aethalometer)– XRF & light absorption on daily FRM teflon filters– New measurement parameters

*Final funds available for reinvestment will depend on the cost of the new contract

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CSN Assessment Summary• Final recommendations:

1. Defund 42 sites (to be implemented Jan. 2015)

2. Eliminate CSN PM2.5 mass measurement (to be implemented Oct. 2014)

3. Reduce sample frequency at 3 sites (to be implemented Jan. 2015)

4. Reduce carbon blank frequency (to be implemented Jan. 2015)

5. Reduce icepacks in shipment (to be implemented Jan. 2015)

• These recommendations incorporate feedback received from regional, state & local monitoring agencies, researchers and academics

• Sites slated for defunding will no longer receive laboratory analysis funding, however their speciation monitors may continue to operate if other funding sources are provided (currently aware of 4 sites considering this option)

• The cost breakdown and target savings numbers are contingent on current contract pricing (through 12/31/14) and are subject to change with the new contract (anticipated January, 2015)

• Further resource assessments will be necessary as contract costs and budgets change 19

Acknowledgements - CSN Assessment Team• Beth Landis, Joann Rice, Lew Weinstock & Tim Hanley –

OAQPS air monitoring• Adam Reff, Neil Frank & Liz Naess- OAQPS air quality analysis• Tesh Rao – OAQPS emissions inventory• Jim Kelly – OAQPS modeling• Beth Palma – OAQPS policy• Beth Hassett-Sipple – OAQPS standards• Alan VanArsdale – Region 1 air monitoring• Daniel Garver – Region 4 air monitoring• Rich Poirot - National Association of Clean Air Agencies

(NACAA)

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QUESTIONS?

Original Recommendations (April 2014)

CSN Assessment Recommendations

#1 – Defund 53 Sites

#2 – Eliminate CSN PM2.5 Mass (July 2014)

#3 – Reduce Sample Frequency (2 sites)

#4 – Reduce Carbon Blank Frequency

#5 – Reduce Icepacks in Shipment

Revised Recommendations (August 2014)

#1 – Defund 44 Sites

#2 – Eliminate CSN PM2.5 Mass (Oct. 2014)

#3 – Reduce Sample Frequency (3 sites)

#4 – Reduce Carbon Blank Frequency

#5 – Reduce Icepacks in Shipment (all but 4 sites)

Final Recommendations (September 2014)

#1 – Defund 42 Sites

#2 – Eliminate CSN PM2.5 Mass (Oct. 2014)

#3 – Reduce Sample Frequency (3 sites)

#4 – Reduce Carbon Blank Frequency

#5 – Reduce Icepacks in Shipment (all but 4 sites)

Feedback received from Regions, State & Local Monitoring Agencies, Researchers, Academics, etc.

Feedback received at National Ambient Air Monitoring Conference (NAAMC)

Speciation Networks – CSN & IMPROVE

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Map of CSN Sites Recommended for Defunding

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Map of Speciation Network After Assessment (Jan 2015)

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