HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-01-19 PACKET 08.A.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA
MEETING ITEM #
DATE 1/19/11
PREPARED BY Community Development Howard Blin
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT STAFF AUTHOR
COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST
Receive first quarter results on the Cottage Grove Ambient Air Monitoring.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Receive first quarter results on the Cottage Grove Ambient Air Monitoring.
BUDGET IMPLICATION $N /A $N /A N/A
BUDGETED AMOUNT ACTUAL AMOUNT FUNDING SOURCE
DATE
REVIEWED
APPROVED
DENIED
❑ PLANNING
❑
❑
❑
❑ PUBLIC SAFETY
❑
❑
❑
❑ PUBLIC WORKS
❑
❑
❑
❑ PARKS AND RECREATION
❑
❑
❑
❑ HUMAN SERVICES /RIGHTS
❑
❑
❑
❑ ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY
❑
❑
❑
® ENVIRONMENTAL 1/12/11
®
❑
❑
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
® MEMO /LETTER: Memo from Thomas Henning, SEH, dated 1/14/11
❑ RESOLUTION:
❑ ORDINANCE:
❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION:
❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION:
® OTHER: Excerpt from 11 1 12/11 Environmental Commission meeting minutes
ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS
:1 y Administrator Date
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: ❑ APPROVED ❑ DENIED
-A
TO: Jennifer Levitt, PE, City of Cottage Grove
FROM: Thomas A. Henning, PE, CHMM
DATE: January 14, 2011
RE: Cottage Grove Ambient Air Monitoring - First quarter results
SEH No. 113702 30.0
1.0 Purpose
The City of Cottage Grove retained Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc. (SEH) to conduct ambient air
monitoring at a location near the 3M Cottage Grove ( "3M ") facility. The purpose of the monitoring is to
measure annual concentrations of select metals and volatile organic compounds (VOC) near the
incinerator operated at the 3M facility. 3M has proposed to process non -3M generated wastes in the
incinerator. The monitoring is being conducted prior to this change to determine current conditions. The
monitoring is proposed to continue for at least two years to also measure ambient concentrations after this
change. The City will determine if monitoring is necessary beyond this two year period.
2.0 Monitor Location Selection
SEH staff worked with 3M staff, representatives of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and
the City of Cottage Grove to select a location for the monitoring. The selected site is located northwest of
the incinerator stack on 3M property (inside the facility fence). The selected site met each of the
following site selection criteria:
1) Located on 3M property so access and security are provided
2) Power is accessible to the site
3) Provides acceptable distances from sources of background emissions (i.e. highways,
industrial facilities, etc.)
4) Location is in line with prevailing wind direction from the incinerator stack
5) The distance from the incinerator stack to the sampling location is approximately equal to the
distance from the incinerator stack to the nearest residence.
3.0 Methods
The sampling and analytical methods used where selected to match ambient monitoring methods used by
the MPCA at monitoring stations throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area. This methodology was
used so that the results of the monitoring near the 3M facility can be compared to the MPCA monitoring
data.
In general, samples are collected every 12`' day so that samples are collected on the same days that
sampling occurs for the MPCA monitoring. The twelve day sampling cycle ensures that over the course
of the sampling program, samples will be collected on each day of the week. Periodically, SEH collects a
sample on the 6 `h or 18 day to randomize the sample days.
Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc., 3535 Vadmus Center Drive, St. Paul, MN 55110 -5196
SEH is an equal opportunity employer I w w.sehinc.com 1 651.490.2000 1 800.325.2055 1 651.4902150 fax
Cottage Grove Ambient Air Monitoring - First quarter results
January 14, 2011
Page 2
A high volume sampler is used to collect 24 -hour total suspended particulate (TSP) samples. The sampler
turns on at midnight of the sampling day and blows ambient air across a'filter for 24 hours. The filter is
analyzed for TSP and fifteen metals. At the same time, a summa canister with a regulator is used to
collect a 24 -hour sample that will be analyzed for individual VOCs. Collected samples are analyzed at
Pace Analytical Laboratory.
Filters used with the high volume sampler are prepared and processed according to the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Compendium Method 10 -3.1 (USEPA, 1999) as applicable
for gravimetric determination. This method describes the numbering, pre -field tare weighing of filters,
and post -field final weighing of filters. Pre -field filters are conditioned in a room of constant humidity
and temperature and are gravimetrically tarred. After air samples have been collected, the filters are
returned to the laboratory and conditioned as before and weighed. Filter handling procedures found in
Appendix J of 40 CFR Part 50 will also be followed.
VOCs are collected and analyzed using EPA method TO -15 procedures. Six liter summa canisters
sanitized and place under vacuum at or greater to 25 inches mercury are used to collect the VOC samples.
Table 1 shows the monitoring program's analytical methods, sampling equipment, target metals and
individual VOCs.
Table 1. Methods and Equipment
Com ound
Test Method
Sampling Equipment
Total Particulates
EPA Method I0-3.1
Tisch TE -5170V
Metals'
EPA Method I0-3.4
Tisch TE -5170V
Volatile Organic
Compounds
EPA Method TO -15
Summa Canister with a Tisch
TE- 123flow controller
Notes:
Individual metals to be monitored are:
Aluminum Barium
Antimony Beryllium
Arsenic Cadmium
Chromium Iron Nickel
Cobalt Lead Selenium
Copper Manganese Zinc
2 Individual VOCs to be monitored are listed on the results table, Table 3.
SEH developed a quality assurance and quality control (QA /QC) program to help ensure monitoring
results are accurate and precise. QA /QC procedures include collecting field and method blanks, and
periodically splitting samples with the MPCA. These steps provide a check that contaminates are not
introduced during the sample collection, handling or analytical procedures.
4.0 Weather Conditions
Weather conditions for each sampling date are collected and recorded at the meteorological station
located at the 3M Cottage Grove facility. A broad range of data is collected at the station. On Table 2 we
provide a summary of wind speed and direction, temperature, and precipitation on the sampling days. As
an alternative, SEH can also use meteorological data collected at the South Saint Paul airport, however,
because of the proximity to the sampling location, the 3M meteorological data is likely more
representative of conditions at the ambient samplers.
Cottage Grove Ambient Air Monitoring - First quarter results
January 14, 2011
Page 3
Table 2. Weather Data
Date
Wind
Direction
from
Average Wind
Speed, mph
Range Wind
Speed, mph
Average
Temp
degrees F
precipitation
Inches
10/11/2010
SE
3.1
0.5 to 8.9
60
0.0
10/23/2010
E
5.3
1.9 to 11.1
55
0.0
11/4/2010
W
13.6
4.3 to 23.7
41
0.0
11/16/2010
S
6.9
3.0 to 11.0
33
0.0
1214/2010
W
8.3
4.7 to 17.7
21
0.1
1211612010
SW
5.5
3.4 to 40.5
17
0.0
5.0 Results and Discussion
The results presented in this Technical Memorandum are considered preliminary since they represent the
first six of sixty or more samples that will be collected over the two year monitoring program. Care
should be taken to not emphasize a single concentration because laboratory or other errors can result in
outliers that do not reflect actual ambient concentrations. A more relevant assessment is an analysis of
longer term trends and averages.
Table 3 shows the results of the first six sampling events along with the minimum and maximum ambient
concentrations from the MPCA monitoring program during 2009 and health benchmarks for specific
compounds. The 2009 MPCA data are provided to compare the 3M site monitoring data with the range
of concentrations measured by MPCA at other locations in Minnesota. The health benchmarks are shown
to compare the measured results with concentrations that could impact health. The MPCA defines health
benchmarks for ambient air on the MPCA website (www.pca.state.mn.us / , click on the "Glossary" link):
A level of chemical concentration in ambient air, at or below which a chemical or defined mixture of
chemicals is not likely to cause an adverse health effect to the general public when exposure occurs
over a prescribed period of time.
For the first six rounds of sampling, the results are generally comparable with background ambient air
concentrations measured throughout the Twin Cities. Many of the compounds are not detected in the
ambient samples. Two metals and five organic compounds have been consistently detected at the 3M
monitoring station: iron, lead, carbon disulfide, Freon 12, hexane, methyl chloride, methyl ethyl ketone,
and toluene. With the exception of carbon disulfide, the measured concentrations of these compounds are
comparable with concentrations measured at other local monitoring stations. On Figures 1 through 8 the
concentrations of these seven compounds and TSP are compared with concentrations measured on the
same days at other Twin Cities monitoring stations. All measurements are below their respective health
benchmarks. Note that the TSP concentrations are compared with the State of Minnesota's ambient air
quality standard of 150 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m TSP concentrations at the 3M monitor are
below this ambient standard.
We are evaluating potential sources of carbon disulfide in the area. The 3M plant is not expected to be a
significant source of carbon disulfide emissions. Carbon disulfide is commonly formed as a byproduct of
combustion of a fuel that contains significant quantities of sulfur. These fuels might be coal, residual or
Cottage Grove Ambient Air Monitoring - First quarter results
January 14, 2011
Page 4
unrefined oil, or a biogas such as landfill gas or digester gas. We are also using our QA /QC procedures to
evaluate if our field or laboratory procedures are introducing a source of carbon disulfide to our samples.
6.0 Additional Monitoring
Ambient monitoring is scheduled to continue for at least two years through October 2012. Monitoring
beyond October 2012 will be determined based upon a comparison with the MPCA monitoring program
results. We will continue to evaluate the measured concentrations and compare them with both
background concentrations and health benchmarks.
Attachments:
Table 3. Preliminary Results of Ambient Air Monitoring
Figures 1 though 8
c: Howard Blin, City of Cottage Grove
Kathryn Sarnecki, SBH
TAH /tah/KLS
s lanVe4ott3V213902V1st quarter results \jm2011_reehmemo 0 11411 docx
Table 3
Preliminary Results of Ambient Air Monitoring
Cottage Grove Monitoring Location
Compound
2009
Statewide
Maximum
2009
Statewide
Minimum
Health
Benchmark
tri
1
11 -0ct -0O
ug/m
2
23.01610
Uri
3
4NOy40
uglm
4
16- 14.,10
aglm
6
4-Dab-10
di
6
16 -Decd0
ug/m'
1
Total Particular, Matter
150
51,1
41.6
10
16.5
8.8
26.1
Metals:
Anil.,
0.05
10.003
02
nd
no
nd
no
nd
rd
teem.
OM
<0004
00023
no
nd
n o t
no
nd
no
6eryl
0.00
10.002
00024
old
ad
nd
no
nd
ad
Cadmium
0.01
<0.002
G.0056
ad
not
ntl
nd
ad
no
Chramium
0.02
1(.001
None
nd
no
ad
no
0.0047
0.0044
Cobalt
0.01
10.002
None
ad
ntl
no
nd
nd
ntl
Copper
2,46
<ri
None
nd
ntl
_
no
_
no
nd
0. 003
Iron
6.71
10.136
None
1.69
0.64
046
0.15
0.15
0.23
Lead
1129
10.003
0.083
0.0068
00058
0.0020
0.0026
00O26
00031
Manganese
032
<O.op4
0.2
0.058
0,03]
nd
.d
no
00063
Nickel
0.02
<0.002
0.05
nd
ad
ntl
ad
ntl
no
Selenium
002
10.003
20
nd
nd
nd
nd
nd
0.0061
Volatile Compounds:
1,1,2,2- tedbidloroerhane
<32
1132
0.17
no
no
nd
no
no
nd
11,2,3,4,4Nevac edfere -1,3 but
1.])
1)7
0.45
nd
ntl
ad
nd
nd
ntl
1 12- Trichloroethane
136
136
063
no
ad
no
nd
ad
nd
1,1 -0)ohloroethaoe
<17
11]
6.3
nd
nd
ad
ad
ntl
no
1,1- DICM1loroethene
116
116
200
nd
nd
ntl
nd
ad
no
1,24 -T hl r.benzene
135
135
200
not
no
nd
3.ot
nd
no
DicMOropropane
1.20
120
40
nd
nd
rd
nd
ad
nd
5- Trimethyibenzene
10.30
1,23
None
ntl
nd
ntl
ntl
nd
no
112
0.30
ad
nd
nd
ad
no
nd
2- Propan0l
W e 116
180.13
118
7000
no
no
6,0
no
nd
nd
4- Eihyl lDluene
13.90
1.21
None
nd
no
no
nd
no
nd
B enzene
64.06
119
13
1.8
O>J
nd
nd
nd
nd
Si chloride
140
140
020
nd
ad
no
nd
nd
ad
Sano.dohloromell ana
1,25
125
None
rd
nd
nd
nd
- nd
no
C arbon dleuifide
21.84
109
700
3.2
1.9
1.2
13
1.61
nd
Carbon tetrachloride
ago
0.27
17
old
no
2.0
nd
rd
no
Chlorobenzene
037
118
1000
no
ad
nd
nd
ad
nd
C hI.Eirm
4.01
125
300
no
no
21
ad
nd
no
de -1,2 Dictdo:oethare
110
<i0
None
ad
ntl
old
nd
ad
not
cis- 13- Dichlompropene
112
112
25
ad
no
ad
nd
no
ad
Cyclohexane
24.69
1.14
6000
nd
2,0
nd
no
no
ad
Dibmm.chloromefM1ane
126
126
None
no
_
nd
_
- nd
_
nd
nd
_
ntl
Dichlorobenzene(m)
131
131
None
nd
ad
ad
no
nd
nd
Dk hlorobandana (o)
1.26
126
200
ntl
nd
nd
no
nd
nd
Dical.roberzene(p)
1.13
29
0.91
no
_
nd
nd
n
nd
not
Dl id bra di6ucromeNano (Freon 12)
20.39
1.61
200
240
2.6
2.6
2.4
2.41
_
2.8
Dichloroteribluoroethane( Freon 114)
1.87
119
None
nd
nd
nd
rd
nd
nd
Ethyl Chloride
109
109
10000
no
ad
nd
no
_
no
no
E fdylbenzene
42.62
116
40
nd
ntl
no
8.6
nd
ad
Ehylene choride
122
c27
038
nd
ad
nd
nd
nd
nd
Ethylene bland. ad
1.23
123
005
no
ad
nd
nd
no
nd
Heptane
2895
117
None
13
12
no
ntl
ad
ad
Hexane
94.30
125
2000
18
170
J.9
2.6
113
old
Methyl bromide
0.73
1.11
5
nd
no
no
nd
ad
ad
Methyl butyl ketone
1.62
124
None
no
no
no
no
no
no
Methylcbloode
1.95
106
56
1.1
0.77
0.99
CJs
0]11
110
Methyl dinkodrorm
107
113
50M
nd
ad
nd
no
nd
no
Methyl ethyl ketone
8,45
120
5000
9.4
311
SO
2.0
2.5
1.1
Methyl tert-butyl ether
116
ci6
38
ad
no
nd
nd
nd
nd
Propylene
13.54
108
3000
no
nd
08J
0.8]
nd
nd
styrene
1.00
1117
1000
nd
no
nd
2.5
nd
nd
Tatroharoethene
1.24
124
20
nd
10y
ntl
3.0
nd
Tatohydreturer
131
131
Nil
Non
ntl
ntl
na
nd
nd
- no
ad
Toluene
24036
116
400
53
3.1
1.1
2.1
1.11
23
trend 2- Dichloroetnene
0.14
113
None
nd
nd
no
nd
no
nd
trans -13 DChiord,rd,,e
19
119
2.5
nd
no
no
no
nd
nd
TrichlOroethen
214
1.18
3.0
11
nd
ntl
no
ntl
ntl
__
Trichlor.flu.romet (Freon it)
42132
1_11_1
121
_.___
]00
13
_1_111
1.5
_...
1.5
_._
nd
nd
_
ntl
TricMOrotMluoroethane
9.48
151
30000
ntl
nd
nd
nd
nd
no
Vinylawtate
8984
120
200
37
no
ad
ad
no
no
ViVicMOdde
113
1.13
1.1
nd
no
no
ad
not
nd
Xylene (m8p)
1543]
132
100
2]
nd
ntl
45.3
nd
not
Xylene(.)
4969
115
100
nd
no
no
16.8
no
nd
Notas'. J= estimated value, nd =hot detected
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EXCERPT FROM UNAPPROVED MINUTES OF THE
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING ON JANUARY 12, 2011
5.2 Report on Ambient Air Monitoring
Blin stated that this will be the first in a series of reports on the air monitoring program we are
currently conducting at the 3M Cottage Grove facility. The monitoring, which started in October,
is being conducted by the City of Cottage Grove through our consulting firms SEH and Pace
Laboratories, with the majority of the funding provided by 3M. There have been six samples so
far, and there will be about 30 a year for two to three years. Thus far, the monitoring has not
shown any areas of significant concerns. All of the chemicals being testing for are far below the
health benchmarks established for those chemicals. The samples from our monitor are being
compared to monitors that the MPCA operates throughout the Twin Cities area.
Tom Henning with SEH provided a presentation on the results from the ambient air monitoring
program at 3M Cottage Grove. He explained that the methods being used to collect and analyze
the samples are similar to those used by the MPCA at its ambient air monitoring stations. We
are also matching their procedures, methodologies, and days to sample to better compare with
their results. He stated that there are two samplers: one collects total suspended particulates
(dust) and analyzes those materials for 15 metals and the other analyzes the samples for 50
volatile organic compounds.
Gibson asked for further information about parts per billion. Henning explained that it measures
volume. As an example, if a container holds six liters, if there is one part per billion, there is six
billionths of a liter of volume of that compound.
Henning stated that the results he will be highlighting are those that were found regularly. It was
asked if there was significance in that on October 23 everybody seemed to have a bump up.
Henning stated that he does not know what happened that day, but perhaps it was drier day
with more dust in the air. He stated that most readings were well below the benchmark levels
and were comparable to the MPCA data.
Lynch asked if there were any start ups, shut downs, or malfunctions on the incinerator over this
time period. Henning responded he does not know. Lynch explained that the reason for the
question is that in the first four samples there were barely any metals and then on December 4,
while they are in very low concentrations, all sorts of metals were detected. Henning stated that
for some reason the lab got an extraordinarily low detection limit on December 4. So while the
concentrations were detected, they are at much lower levels. It was suggested that it would be
helpful in the future to add in the table the performance of the laboratory equipment based on
their quality control.
McLoughlin asked if, because things like temperature inversion and wind may affect the moni-
toring, could weather conditions be overlaid with the results. Henning responded that there have
not been any days with extraordinary weather and it was dry every day they sampled.
Olson asked about the long -range plan on helping the Commission understand whether there
are issues that ought to be raised with the City Council. If the results appear to be okay, how will
Excerpt from Environmental Commission Minutes
Report on Ambient Air Monitoring
January 12, 2011
Page 2
that be presented to the Commission so appropriate questions can be asked? Henning stated
that the purpose of this monitoring is to get an understanding of the air quality in Cottage Grove,
specifically near the 3M facility, so the analysis will be the same as was shown tonight. It will be
compared with background concentrations, to concentrations that MPCA has monitored
throughout the Twin Cities, and to health benchmarks. Olson then asked if these graphs will be
getting bigger with more dates that could show more smooth line trends? Henning responded
that is exactly what will happen; there will be more data points on the graph, which will de -em-
phasize any one sample. There may also be seasonal variations. It was asked if SEH will draw
conclusions as part of the assignment. Henning responded that they will help interpret the data
or give an assessment of what the data might suggest.
Porett stated that what is important about getting these initial figures is they are the baseline of
what the emissions are prior to 3M accepting outside waste. Gibson asked if there is any tenta-
tive date for when that waste will start coming in. Blin responded no. The last he heard from the
MPCA, which was before the holidays, is they have been waiting for the EPA to finish their re-
view, but he thinks they are at the point now where the MPCA could issue the permit. Gibson
asked if there would be a public comment period associated with that. Blin responded a public
meeting will be held in Cottage Grove. Gibson then asked if there would be at least one more of
these reports before they accept outside waste. Blin responded that this report has six samples
and there will likely be ten more samples as part of the baseline.
It was asked about scheduling Mr. Henning for another Environmental Commission meeting. It
was suggested that he return when there are a sufficient number of data points or sooner if the
permitting process were to accelerate.