Shelby County Health Department Pollution Control Section May 21, 2013

 Total project budget: $574,404  This three-year study will provide data that will examine and compare health risks and air quality across different communities throughout Memphis and Shelby County, TN.  The study involves the local community and provides community outreach. REACT will provide the local community with a better understanding of air toxics. In addition, the study is a collaborative agreement with EPA, and EPA’s experience is being utilized in providing input into the project and the community outreach goals.  A community stakeholders group has been established, including representation from the local Sierra Club. The group is providing input into the selection of 100 sampling sites throughout Memphis and Shelby County. Stakeholders meetings on September 21, 2012 and April 3, 2013.

 The study relies on a collaborative effort with the University of Memphis performing the air toxics sampling and risk assessment, and Middle Tennessee State University performing the sample analysis.  The Shelby County Health Department’s Pollution Control Section assures the project’s timelines are met, regular conference calls are held, quarterly grant reports are submitted, project budgets and contracts are developed, and the final report is completed.  Finally, the study is developing important educational and analytical partnerships with the University of Memphis and Middle Tennessee State University to improve the health of the local community.

 Socio-economic factors  Location of industries  Spatiotemporal variation Risk Assessment Factors to Examine

 Measure ambient concentrations of air toxics in Memphis and Shelby County, TN communities.  Assess the significance of seasonal and industrial/urban/suburban environments on air toxics concentrations.  Identify socioeconomic factors.  Identify possible areas of high concentrations and major contributors of air toxic pollutants, and  Evaluate health risks from exposures to air toxics.

 Ambient air toxic concentrations will be measured at 100 census tracts throughout Shelby County, TN.  Monitoring sites in census tracts will be selected based upon presence of industries (past and present), number of people with possible exposure, and proximity to neighborhoods.  Sampling will occur during each of the 4 seasons.  24-hour samples will be collected in pre- cleaned and pre-evacuated canisters.  Samples will be analyzed for 60+ air toxics target compounds.

 Conducting regular conference calls with EPA, U of M, MTSU and SCHD representatives, including the SCHD’s epidemiology group.  Established budgets and contracts.  Work Plan, Community Involvement Plan and Assessment Plan have been developed.  Draft QAPP has been provided to EPA.  Meetings have occurred with the stakeholders group to provide input into the study.  Pilot testing and sample analysis should begin in July  Estimate the monitoring phase to begin in late summer 2013.

 Mr. James Holt (M.S. and B.S.Ed.) is the Assistant Manger of the Pollution Control Section. He has twenty five years experience working as an environmental regulator in air monitoring, air permitting, inspection, and enforcement. He was the project manager for the recent tank barge study conducted in Memphis, TN and is the project manager for this air toxics study.  Dr. Chunrong Jia is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Memphis’ Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health. He has substantial experience in field sampling and laboratory analysis of air toxics, and handling large air toxics databases. He will be responsible for field sampling, data organization, analysis, and preparation of manuscripts and reports.  Dr. Ngee-Sing Chong is currently a Professor of Chemistry and Director of the Electron Microscopy Center at Middle Tennessee State University. He has completed over 10 air monitoring projects in urban and residential areas near industrial facilities. He will be responsible for laboratory analysis of air toxics samples, quality control, and assist in preparation of manuscripts and reports.

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