Document Y7enE1jgmvkZdrOyoXvMxd20

AIR POLUJT..'! SURVEY A. R, Choppln and Philip W, West Period: April 1* 1953, to January 1, 1954 For purposes of this study, a mobile laboratory was completely equipped and made available so that on the spot analyses of the composi tion of the air coaid be made. The mobile laboratory has msny advan tages over the former method of collecting samples and bringing them back to the laboratory for subsequent examination. It permits sampling at almost any point within the area, taking larger samples, and making repeated ehecks, if necessary, of the particular components which are desired. Automatic equipment on the truck permits more rapid deter minations which are not subject to the operator error commonly found in the hand operated instruments. All results to date have justified the development of the mobile laboratory, and it is obvious that there are many material advantages to be Obtained from its use. Methods The methods used in the analysis of the air daring our studies are accepted and proven methods which have been used for many years in stream and air pollution. Though many of these methods leave a great deal to be desired, they are the best available at the moment, In atmos pheres as complex as the one in Baton Rouge, it is necessary to estab lish methods that are free of Interferences or to set up procedures that can be so modified as to minimise the interfering effects, Asa result of EM003667 oar experience, tuna nodifM certain procedure* and evolved now ones which glvn * root* reliable data. . . For parposaa of this report, wo shall outline briefly for you oar meth ods sod oar comments as to the authenticity, accuracy, and reliability of these methods. ; i Surveyint Methods and Meteorological Observations j .i The meteorological data collected daring the coarse -of oar surrey seems sufficient for the purpose at hand. The equipment} utilised was satisfactory for general purposes, and the data obtained indicates the con ditions at ground level. If at some fixture date, correlative or substan- - tiating data are required, they can be obtained from tike Harding Field Weather Bureau records. Due to the industrial operations north of the city in the immediate plant areas, wind directions and wind velocities are not always reliable. There seems to be a continual and rather pronounced turbulence in the mlr at ground level. When overhead winds are in one direction (as observed from the stacks) it is not uncommon to find strong crosscurrents at right angles or almost opposita directions at ground lavel. The under structure, or ground level, winds may alto changa aa much as two to three points of the compaae within the matter of two to three hours. There fore. for purposes of this study, wind directions are reported as the wind direction observed from the stacks wkich are come four to five hundred feet above ground level. f 3 Part Studlss Standard methods of dust count arc used throughout our studies. It is generally accepted that the dust counts and identifications are an index to the general condition of the atmosphere at the moment that the samj|l pling is done. Whereas the count is generally accepted as measuring the overburden in the air. the identification of these particles is less common. The microscopical approach utilised throughout our study has proved very satisfactory, and for the Baton Rouge area seems to give fairly reliable indication of the dust sources. While the measurements are not strictly quantitative, they give excellent comparative results as to the relative amounts of the various types of dust particles present in the air. We feel that the dust count, taken together with the dust identification, is quite valuable in our studies. Dust Fall We have made several attempts to obtain dust fall measurements in and around the area. To date, none of these methods is particularly satis* factory. We recognise the importance of the dust fall measurement and are making every effort to devise a plan which will prove satisfactory. Over the period of our observations, however, the weather conditions, particularly with regard to heavy rainfall, were such that most of our samples were considered to be unreliable and are not shown in our pres* ent report. A great deal of difficulty was experienced with bugs, vegetable .i 99 materials, alias, molds, ate., which arc common to high tamperatora, high hnmiditf areas. New methods covering shorter intervals of time and new methods of collection are now being studied, and we hope that before the end of the year we will have a satisfactory method of making dost fall coants and observations. Chemical Observations The determination of ammonia using Nessler's reagent has proved relatively satisfactory. It is neeessary, however, to obtain blanks at each point, and for this reason studies are now in effect to develop a colorimetric method which will be freer from interference than those * .> found in the Kessler reagent. We feel, however, that both the sensitiv ity and the accuracy of the older method, whieh ia elassie and wellestablished for trace analysis of water and streams, is quite adequate for our purpose. The methods for the determination of chloride and sulfate are based on turbidimetric practices. Though these methods lack somewhat in sen sitivity, they are quite reliable for appreciable concentrations, and at the moment are the most satisfactory ones available. No alternative methods having greater sensitivity or accuracy have been developed up to the present time. * The chlorine determination using the orthotolidine procedure givee excellent sensitivity and excellent results. We are quite satisfied with this determination. EMO 0367 0 6 A mw colorimetric procedure has been developed. II ie based on in duced color development of bleached basic fuehsin by sulfur dioxide. The method is more sensitive and much freer from interferences than the iodine method. For this reason* it will be adopted for future determina tions. Corrosion l ; i The corrosion studies cover the period of July 21* 1953* to November 22* 1953. The corrosion test boards were made up with the metal samples of chromium plated soft steel* galvanised iron* copper* aluminum* and soft steel. Two paint'samples* one either black or blue; and the other either red or cream* were placed on each board. The paint samples were sprayed on soft steel metal backgrounds using a standard automobile lacquer. Three samples of rubber were also included on the test panel and were mounted in such fashion as to produce a sharp strain (fold) at one point* with de creasing strain as the fold was allowed to taper out to a flat surface. The test strips were four by four sheets of the sample of material to be tested with the exception of the rubber. All metal and paint strips were supported about one and one-half inches from the board surface and were mounted on porcelain insulators. The test strips were set at 45 angles to the ground and faced south. Both the tops and the lower sides of the strips were ex posed to the atmosphere. The test boards were mounted approximately three feet from the ground on wooden supports. EM003672 ( 7 Interpretations of results w*,,, obtained bp weighing the test strips carefully before exposure then weighing the strips after the corrosion products had been removed or stripped from them. The corrosion layers were removed by stripping solutions as follows? Aluminum. 5% hydrochloric acid. ! i Steel. 20% sulfuric acid containing stannous chloride and gelatin. Galvanised iron (sine), saturated ammonium acetate. Copper. 5% sulfuric acid. : Chrome. 20% sulfuric acid. . Reference: Ulick R. Evans. "Metallic Corrosion Passivity and Protection,* Edward Arnold and Company, 1948. Corrosion Results Location Corrosion (Mg/'in^/montb) Chrome Galv. Iron Copper Aluminum Steel South Gate East Field Northwest Corner North of Cafeteria Cham Products Maryland Anchorage Control (Aubin Lane) 37.9 29.2 54.9 79.7 29.5 as 24.4 14.6 1.3 0.5 3.7 1.1 0,9 1.2 1.4 2.1 0.9 2.3 13.0 1.0 m 1.6 1.5 0.6 0. 05 1.0 1.3 0.2 0.3 0.07 45.3 39.1 71.6 95.3 42.5 45.5 19.6 Samples found destroyed October 14, 1953. EM003673 V Til* general survey of corrosion conditions would indicate that the Baton Rouge atmosphere Is quite corrosive* prebably due in part to the i high humidities and high temperatures normally found in the area. The [ greatest amount of corrosion was found at the position north of the cafete- >I ria, then the northwest corner* and the south gate* in that order. There ! seemed to be a very definite filling off of the corrosion effects at loca tions away from tins plant area. | j Atl paint samples showed a dolling and graying of the paint surface. The cream paint turned slightly yellowish in color. The greatest effect on the paint samples was at the northwest corner where*considerable pitting and discoloration of the samples took place. The rubber samples were placed on boards on October 29th and checked on November 22nd. This is comparatively a short period. In fyes every case* however* the sample of ORlTubber showed material cracking Jte.'Z and breaking in its surface at the point where strain was greatest. The GRS- sample and the natural rubber sample seemed to be unchanged in this pe riod. Summary of Results ` I ; The general summary of our results to date indicates the followings 1. We do not have sufficient data yet to treat all materials statistically though it is possible to draw certain conclusions and make certain direet correlations under existing conditions. = t r\ E KO 03674 2. The Baton Rouge atmeifteni dot* Bara in it certain matarials which ara coadoeira to corrosion. Traeaa of chlorine, chloride, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, and alkali Bara baan found on a number of occasions. Rather wide ranges of hydrogen ion concentration Bare baan found, 3. TBe quantity of material over the area investigated is not sufficiently great to be hazardous to health. AU of the concentrations of contami nants Bare bean wall below the limits established by the various public health agencies. 4. The dust count and dust identification results are particularly importan t . inasmuch as they give us a fair estimate of the general overburden of the particulate matter in the atmosphere and in addition they furnish at least partial identification of the sources from which this materiel is emanating. 5. The results of our investigation to date wilt apparently give ns fairly accurate information as to what is happening in the locations where the samples were .taken. Since contamination in this area is likely to occur from sources other than Esso, we are apparently getting a measure of what is happening to Esso as a result of other industrial activity in North Baton Rouge. We are not, however, gaining much information at tc what the plant operations carried out by the Sato Standard Oil Company arc contributing to the atmospheric pollution of the area. Most of the effluents from tht Esso stocks is in ths nature of fumes rather than solid t 10 particulate matter* and the fall oat and diffusion of this material will take place at some distance from the Standard Oil plant. . Recommendations - The results to date indicate clearly that where the data which we have obtained so far seem to be significant, correlation is only possible for a portion of the period involved. We feel that the survey should be continued for an additional period of time so that sufficient data can be accumulated that it may be treated statistically and valid conclusions drawn from such treatment. It is highly possible that more frequent sampling should be done. More runs should be made daring those periods where inversion has occurred and conditions of smog exist. It might be well to consider both the number and locations at which samples are taken. The situation north of the cafeteria seems to be partic ularly intriguing and sampling should be continued at this location and at the northwest corner of the plant. In connection with the sample technique* it is our belief that sampling .< should be done in at least one other way. Specifically, a series of samples should be taken down wind at varying distances from apparent sources of pollution so as to locate the point at which contamination begins to affect the area outside of the plant. It may be that this does not fall within the purview of the investigation that is presently being conducted. We should a EM003676 v u lIk* to point oat* however, flat oar present result* would indicate what is happening in the specific area Involved. It dees not give as a meesore of contamination which might arise oat over the residential area in close proximity to the plants. ! It is oar present plan to obtain an electrostatic precipitator for the collection of dost and particulate matter from the atmosphere* We believe that this will be a valuable addition to the dust fell* dust count* and dust identification program. The determination of hydrocarbons in the atmosphere seems to be beyond the scope of our present investigations. The equipment necessary for such determination is so large* so heavy* and so expensive that it* represents a major project to undertake such Investigation. It might be well* however* to include certain other specific tests in bur investigations such as tetraethyl lead and benzene hexachloride. E PO 0367? t ` [/!jC. Dust Fall Report This report covers the period March 2, 195b, to April 30, 195b June 8, 195b These saxples were run according to conventional methods in which dust was collected through*six inch funnels into gallon bottles. Collected rain water and dust were then taken to the laboratory and aliquot sanples removed, filtered and the amount of insoluble material (dust) determined gravimetrically. The average of duplicate analyses was used to determine the dust fall values. Results Location Maryland Anchorage !'. East Corner M. of Cafeteria K. West Corner S. East Corner South Gate Aubin Lane (A. R. Choppin)1 Dust Fall* (tons/^n. rvile/no.) 33 3*8 2.0 6.7 ' 1.7 3*0 ' 5.8 1.1 * Insoluble dusts 1 Control EM00367 8 Corrosion Bata Period : January 22, 19$U:, to April 30, 19JSU. Location Steel South Gate 53.6 East Field iiO.7 N.W. Comer 62.9 N. of Cafeteria ko.i Chen. Products 36.8 Maryland Ii0.2 Anchorage ' 31.1 Aubin Lane (control) 11.9 Corrosion (mg/in2/month) . Galv. Iron Copper Alum.: 1.6 1.7 1.2 1.1 0.9 1.7 1.8 1.9 3.0 : 1.2 1.0 1.8 ! 1.3 2.0 1.9 : 1.2 1.2 2Jt 1.0 0.9 2.0 ? 0.8 1.9 1.8 i Chrome 19.0 35.9 68.2 lil.l 37.1 26.6 U*.9 10.2 EMO 03679