3.4. SR 08-25-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page Two What does the MPCA plan to do? Our plan is to sample for a number of toxic air pollutants in seven randomly selected communities every year for five years. We are selecting a cross section of communities across the state so that by the end of the study we will have data that represent the extent of toxic air pollution in all types of areas. A group of environmental scientists from the University of Minnesota is assisting the MPCA in planning and carrying out the study. In addition, Minnesota Department of Health staff, technical experts representing industry and a representative of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy are reviewing v~ork plans, providing feedback to the MPCA on the study, and they will review future reports. At the conclusion of the five- year study, the MPCA will prepare a report that compares the ambient-air data in one paxt of the state with the ambient-air data found in other areas of the state. The report will also include a preliminary exposure assessment of potential health risks from selected toxic air pollutants. The MPCA will use this report to determine if additional follow-up monitoring is required in any particular community. This report will also be sent to the Legislature for its potential use in planning any future legislation. Where are the monitors? During the first year of the study, the monitors were located in Alexandria, International Falls, Leon Township in Goodhue County, Little Falls, Pipestone, Plymouth and Wagner Township in Aitldn County. The agency will be able to report on the monitoring after all the data are in and have been quality-controlled and analyzed. MPCA staff are now beginning to seek suitable future sites for the monitoring equipment in the next communities: Elk River, Fergus Fails, Granite Falls, Hibbing, Minneapolis, Rochester and Warroad.. The actual monitoring sites within each selected community should satisfy the following criteria: · Be typical of the air that most residents would breathe; Be in a secure location, on a rooftop or on the ground, free of obstructions such as trees, towers, mechanical systems; such as air conditioners · Have access to electrical power; · Have all-day access during the entire year. The monitoring sites will not be located near known sources of these air pollutants; that is not the purpose of this study. The types of places the MPCA has located monitors in the past include one-story rooftops of government buildings and fire stations. An ideal location would be at a neighborhood school. The equipment will be placed on pallets and requires about a 10 x 10 foot area. The MPCA will contract with local electricians to provide power to the site and meet all applicable electrical codes. We will provide the property owner with a lease and contract for the equipment operation, if necessary, and can be responsible for all costs associated with setting up the site and for the utility costs. We plan to occupy the site for only a one-year time period, and after that year the equipment will be moved to another community that has been selected for inclusion in the study. How do the monitors work? Each site will be equipped with samplers for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbonyl compounds such as formaldehyde, and to collect small particles. Each site will collect a 24-hour sample every six days. This will allow