1. Airborne Organic Toxins in Anchorage Ambient & Indoor Air      Will Changes in Gasoline Composition Affect Toxics Levels? (study updates) Air Quality Program Municipality of Anchorage Dr. Mary Ellen Gordian UAA

2. Why monitoring airborne organic toxics? In 1996 study, benzene level in Anchorage homes (attached garage) was 5-times higher than homes in lower 48 Alaska gasoline has higher benzene content (roughly 5%) than gasoline in lower 48 EPA’s new regulation: max benzene content in gasoline < 1.3 % by July 2012 Lower benzene levels in indoor & ambient air ? Any effects on other toxics like other VOCs, PAHs ?

3. Year new rule

4. VOC in gasoline Regular & premium grades were collected from 12 – 20 selected gas stations in Anchorage, bi-monthly for 6 times Study Methods (Oct 2008 – Oct 2009) VOC & PAH in ambient air 24-hour air samples were collected for VOC & PAH once every 6 days at Airport Heights (residential area near Merrill Field Airport) VOC in indoor air Selected 509 homes with attached garage Passive organic-vapor monitoring badges were exposed to indoor air for a week

5. Annual mean conc. in gasoline, indoor & ambient air VOC typesGasoline (%) Indoor air (ppbv) Ambient air (ppbv) Benzene5.14.71.06 Ethylbenzene2.61.30.19 Toluene18.412.81.85 Xylenes14.45.80.87 Total BETX40.524.63.96 4-7 times higher inside homes

6. Seasonal changes in ambient VOC & PAH More air toxins in winter!! 20092008 Annual mean What about median?

7. Anchorage’s ranking in the Nation (2008-2009).... Source: EPA database (2008) AnchorageSeattleMinneapolis Ethylbenzene740247 Toluene2122232 Xylene737214 Nat’l Ranking of Other VOC What about comparing to other residential monitoring sites in winter cities? Instead of comparing with EPA’s Superfund areas? Anchorage may be #1 for all categories…

8. Source: Clean air coalition of western New York (www.cacwny.org/site.html) Benzene ranking #3-5 --- Tonawanda, NY

9. 95 78 280 Newark Int’l Airport Trucking & cargo hub Other locations that made TOP 10 for 3 categories: Azusa, Los Angels co, CA. Burbank, Los Angels co, CA Elizabeth, NJ High-volume traffic Heavy industrial area Trucking/train hub Large facility of chemical company 78