UNC Superfund Basic Research Program Research Translation Core Dana Haine, Science Educator What’s in the Water? Funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Central Questions Central Questions How does water get polluted? How does water get polluted? What is a hazardous waste site? What is a hazardous waste site? What is a Superfund Site? What is a Superfund Site? How is hazardous waste cleaned up? How is hazardous waste cleaned up? How might chemicals in the water affect wildlife and humans? How might chemicals in the water affect wildlife and humans?

Movement of contaminants

Point source: any single identifiable, stationary source from which pollutants are discharged (e.g., a pipe, industrial facility, or wastewater treatment plant) Non-point source: pollutant comes from a broad area and/or many diffuse sources. Precipitation moving over and through the ground picks up pollutants. Types of Water Pollution

Point Source Pollution and Plume Formation

Water-soluble e.g., pesticides, perchlorate, chromium, and MTBE LNAPLs, Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids e.g., benzene, toluene, jet fuel, and gasoline DNAPLs, Dense Non-Aqueous Phase Liquids e.g., trichloroethylene (TCE), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Classifying Water Contaminants

Groundwater Contamination: LNAPLs and DNAPLs

Activity 1 Water Muddle Up and Clean Up

Loop Lake You own property surrounding Loop Lake.

Safe Drinking Water Act Sets Standards for Drinking Water Contaminants Sets Standards for Drinking Water Contaminants Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) Microorganisms Microorganisms Disinfectants Disinfectants Disinfection Byproducts Disinfection Byproducts Inorganic Chemicals Inorganic Chemicals Organic Chemicals Organic Chemicals Radionuclides Radionuclides

Toxic Chemicals Can: Interact with macromolecules within the body Interact with macromolecules within the body Impair or inhibit metabolic processes Impair or inhibit metabolic processes Induce mutations in DNA (mutagenic) Induce mutations in DNA (mutagenic) May increase the risk of cancer by altering cellular metabolism or damaging DNA directly (carcinogenic) May increase the risk of cancer by altering cellular metabolism or damaging DNA directly (carcinogenic) Impair reproduction Impair reproduction Induce birth defects (teratogenic) Induce birth defects (teratogenic)

Demonstrating Susceptibility

Exposure to Chemicals: What’s the risk? Images from Integrated Environmental Health Middle School Project University of Washington Exposure is the amount of a chemical that comes in direct contact with your body. Dose is the amount of a chemical that actually enters your body. Response is the reaction to the dose. Toxicity is a measure of how dangerous a chemcial is. People may be more susceptible, or more likely to get sick, due to genetics, body size, age, gender or general health.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) Man-made class of oil-like chemicals used in the manufacture of electrical equipment due to the molecules’ insulating properties. Man-made class of oil-like chemicals used in the manufacture of electrical equipment due to the molecules’ insulating properties. Banned from manufacture in the US in Banned from manufacture in the US in 1977.

PCBs in the Environment Do not readily break down and thus persist in the environment Do not readily break down and thus persist in the environment Stick to particles and bottom sediments in water Stick to particles and bottom sediments in water Build up in fatty tissues of animals due to their fat-soluble (lipophilic) properties (bioaccumulation) Build up in fatty tissues of animals due to their fat-soluble (lipophilic) properties (bioaccumulation) Ingested by aquatic organisms and increase in concentration through food chain (biomagnification) Ingested by aquatic organisms and increase in concentration through food chain (biomagnification)

PCBs & Human Health “Probably carcinogenic” - EPA “Probably carcinogenic” - EPA Humans/Animal models exposed to PCBs have exhibited: Humans/Animal models exposed to PCBs have exhibited: Acne-like skin conditions Acne-like skin conditions Liver damage Liver damage Impaired reproduction Impaired reproduction Low birth weight babies Low birth weight babies Impaired immune systems Impaired immune systems

A Hazardous Waste Site Loop Lake is now a hazardous waste site.

According to the EPA… One in four Americans lives within 4 miles of a hazardous waste site, yet many US citizens are unaware of these sites and their implications for human health. One in four Americans lives within 4 miles of a hazardous waste site, yet many US citizens are unaware of these sites and their implications for human health. To search for EPA clean-up sites in your community: To search for EPA clean-up sites in your community:

What is Superfund? Established by Congress in 1980 to clean up the country’s worst hazardous waste sites; Established by Congress in 1980 to clean up the country’s worst hazardous waste sites; Locates, investigates, cleans up and monitors hazardous waste sites throughout the US; Locates, investigates, cleans up and monitors hazardous waste sites throughout the US; Works with communities to return hazardous waste sites to safe and productive sites following cleanup; Works with communities to return hazardous waste sites to safe and productive sites following cleanup; Administered through the Environmental Protection Agency in cooperation with state and tribal governments. Administered through the Environmental Protection Agency in cooperation with state and tribal governments. Source: EPA,

What is a Superfund Site? “A Superfund site is any land in the United States that has been contaminated by hazardous waste and identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a candidate for cleanup because it poses a risk to human health and/or the environment.” “A Superfund site is any land in the United States that has been contaminated by hazardous waste and identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a candidate for cleanup because it poses a risk to human health and/or the environment.” - US Environmental Protection Agency

EPA has the authority: “to conduct removal actions where immediate action needs to be taken; “to conduct removal actions where immediate action needs to be taken; to enforce against potentially responsible parties; to enforce against potentially responsible parties; to ensure community involvement; to ensure community involvement; to involve states; to involve states; and to ensure long-term protectiveness.” and to ensure long-term protectiveness.” - US Environmental Protection Agency,

Superfund Clean Up Timeline Discovery of Contaminated Site Discovery of Contaminated Site Preliminary Assessment/Inspection Preliminary Assessment/Inspection NPL Site Listing Process NPL Site Listing Process Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study Records of Decision Records of Decision Remedial Design & Action Remedial Design & Action Construction Completion Construction Completion NPL Deletion NPL Deletion Site Reuse/Redevelopment Site Reuse/Redevelopment =Clean-Up

2007 Priority List of Hazardous Substances 1. ARSENIC 2. LEAD 3. MERCURY 4. VINYL CHLORIDE 5. POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS 6. BENZENE 7. CADMIUM 8. POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS These substances are most commonly found at facilities on the National Priorities List (NPL) and which are determined to pose the most significant potential threat to human health due to their known or suspected toxicity and potential for human exposure at these NPL sites.

How is contaminated soil cleaned? Allow natural processes to breakdown contaminant Allow natural processes to breakdown contaminant Bioremediation Bioremediation Phytoremediation Phytoremediation Use a detergent to clean contaminated soil Use a detergent to clean contaminated soil Thermal desorption Thermal desorption Isolate contaminated area Isolate contaminated area Concrete dikes Concrete dikes Cap with impervious layers of plastic/clay Cap with impervious layers of plastic/clay

How is polluted water cleaned? Surface Water Prevent spreading Prevent spreading Allow natural processes to breakdown contaminant Allow natural processes to breakdown contaminant Skim contaminant from surface Skim contaminant from surface Mix and aerate to promote natural clean up Mix and aerate to promote natural clean up Clean up contaminated sediments Clean up contaminated sediments Dredge Dredge Place a cover over them Place a cover over them Allow natural processes to break them down Allow natural processes to break them downGroundwater Pump and treat and return to ground Pump and treat and return to ground Containment Containment Allow natural processes to breakdown contaminant Allow natural processes to breakdown contaminant

North Carolina National Priority List of Superfund sites (2008) Map Key: Proposed: 1 Final: 31 Deleted: 1

Ward Transformer, Morrisville, NC, reconditioned electrical transformers since 1964 Ward Transformer, Morrisville, NC, reconditioned electrical transformers since Ward sprays 30,000 tons of PCB- contaminated oil along 243 miles of NC roads in 14 counties Ward sprays 30,000 tons of PCB- contaminated oil along 243 miles of NC roads in 14 counties EPA moves soil to new landfill in Warren County EPA moves soil to new landfill in Warren County NPL Site: PCB Spills Population 69% minority, over 20% low-income Population 69% minority, over 20% low-income Spurred the Environmental Justice movement Spurred the Environmental Justice movement

PCB Landfill Detoxification PCB contaminated soil (82,000 tons) was treated by indirect thermal desorption (Aug 2002-October 2003) PCB contaminated soil (82,000 tons) was treated by indirect thermal desorption (Aug 2002-October 2003) 4,500 gallons of concentrated PCB oil was recovered and taken to a hazardous waste facility 4,500 gallons of concentrated PCB oil was recovered and taken to a hazardous waste facility

Ward Transformer, Morrisville, NC, reconditioned electrical transformers since 1964 Ward Transformer, Morrisville, NC, reconditioned electrical transformers since 1964 Added to National Priority List in Added to National Priority List in Found PCBs on the site and in streams and wetlands downstream of the site. Found PCBs on the site and in streams and wetlands downstream of the site. More than 100,000 tons of PCB contaminated soil and material will be cleaned up. More than 100,000 tons of PCB contaminated soil and material will be cleaned up. Clean up (direct-fired thermal desorption) is in progress and expected to be complete by the end of Clean up (direct-fired thermal desorption) is in progress and expected to be complete by the end of NPL Site: Ward Transformer

Downstream Contamination Watch WRAL News Story:

Activity 2 What is the effect of PCBs in the environment on wildlife and humans? What is the effect of PCBs in the environment on wildlife and humans?

Biomagnification of PCBS Primary Consumer Tertiary Consumer Secondary Consumer Enter Number of PCBs acquired during activity Zooplankton XX

Bioaccumulation vs Biomagnification Bioaccumulation Bioaccumulation Concentration of a pollutant within an organism Concentration of a pollutant within an organism Body Burden refers to the amount of pollution present in an organism Body Burden refers to the amount of pollution present in an organism Pollution of the human body begins before birth Pollution of the human body begins before birth Biomagnification Biomagnification Concentration of a pollutant within a food chain Concentration of a pollutant within a food chain PCBs, DDT, Mercury, Arsenic, Dioxin PCBs, DDT, Mercury, Arsenic, Dioxin

UNC Superfund Basic Research Program Advances the scientific knowledge required to understand and reduce risks to human health associated with several of the highest priority chemicals regulated under the Superfund program, namely polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and chlorinated hydrocarbons (TCE and PCB).

Biomedical Research Projects  Toxicity caused by Oxidative Stress (e.g., DNA Damage)  Toxicity of Trichloroethylene (TCE)  Metabolism of PAHs and benzene in the body  Impact of exposure to PAHs on the body Cleanup (Remediation) Research Projects  Biodegradation of PAHs  Enhanced DNAPL Remediation UNC Superfund Basic Research Program Faculty Research Projects:

Polycyclic Aromatic Hyrdocarbons (PAHs)  Formed during incomplete burning of coal, oil, gas, and other organic materials  Over 100 different molecules  16 are regulated by the EPA  7 of these are known human carcinogens

PAH Hazard: Manufactured-gas plant sites  These plants made gas by heating coal and/or oil.  Coal tar was the by- product from this process.  Coal tars containing PAHs may have been left behind in subsurface structures and soils after plant closure.  There are approximately 35 sites in NC. Tarry material freshly excavated at a former manufactured-gas plant site in Greenville, SC (photo by Joanna Park)

Dr. Mike Aitken: Biodegradation of PAHs  Studying PAH contaminated soil from former manufactured-gas plant sites.  Characterizing the biodegradation of PAHs by microorganisms.  Researching how to make biodegradation more effective and efficient.

Dr. Aitken’s Research Team is:  Characterizing the microbial community in contaminated soil samples.  Investigating mechanisms for stimulating biodegradation.  Searching for genes/gene products that enable microbes to breakdown PAHs.  Investigating the movement of PAHs from contaminated soil to skin.  Assessing the movement of PAHs in groundwater.

U sing Soil Columns to Investigate Biodegradation Sterile Synthetic Groundwater Monitor PAH levels over time Monitor Microbial Community over time Contaminated Soil

U sing Soil Columns to Investigate Biodegradation

Making Superfund Relevant to Students Superfund in NC offers an opportunity to share relevant scientific concepts and societal issues with students Superfund in NC offers an opportunity to share relevant scientific concepts and societal issues with students Connecting industrial hazardous waste to information on household hazardous waste can help empower students to improve their immediate environment Connecting industrial hazardous waste to information on household hazardous waste can help empower students to improve their immediate environment Ample resources and curricula exist to support your teaching Ample resources and curricula exist to support your teaching

“Students read background information about Superfund; discuss relevant Superfund sites in NC.” Stacy Rinehart, 7 th grade science, Wake County Schools “ Working in groups, students research different Superfund sites in NC. Students use worksheets to simplify the technical information”: Where's the mess? Where's the mess? What chemicals are in the mess? What chemicals are in the mess? How do you know the groundwater is contaminated? How do you know the groundwater is contaminated? What did the government (or company) do to clean up the mess? What did the government (or company) do to clean up the mess? Do you know if the groundwater is safe to drink? Do you know if the groundwater is safe to drink? John Cardarelli, 6 th grade science, Winston Salem Schools Superfund in the Classroom

Superfund in the Classroom How can UNC SBRP help? Provide lessons and resources Provide lessons and resources Provide access to UNC SBRP scientists/facilities (lab tours) Provide access to UNC SBRP scientists/facilities (lab tours) Identify potential guest speaker(s) from UNC SBRP or local Superfund site Identify potential guest speaker(s) from UNC SBRP or local Superfund site

Making Superfund Relevant to Students Monday August 4, :00 am - 4:00 pm Lake Crabtree County Park 1400 Aviation Parkway Morrisville, NC Statewide media attention has spurred interest in the Ward Transformer Superfund Site and its effects on Lake Crabtree County Park in Wake County. Educators will hear from an engineer working on the site cleanup and will learn how to incorporate this local environmental issue into their curricula using hands-on materials and activities. This workshop is sponsored by Lake Crabtree County Park and the UNC Superfund Basic Research Program. Registration Deadline is Friday July 25, For more information call or This workshop is geared towards both informal and formal science and civics educators who work with middle and/or high school students. Participants can receive 10 hours CEU credit or Criteria II or III for EE Certification program (8 contact hours and 2 hours of homework).

Superfund Basic Research Program University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Dana Haine, Science Educator (919) Contact Information